#there are so many things to do who can blame me for getting distracted from life tasks that are boring when there are all these fun ones

[aakeysmash]

college!sukuna accidentally bumping into you at a café. *inspired* by this ask!

college sukuna masterlist

The bells right next to the front door chime when he enters the café. Today he’s distracted: the kitchen sink back at the apartment is currently leaking and he’s searching online for someone to come look at it. Not that he didn’t already try to fix it, but he doesn’t have the right bolt to repair it alone. He’s just going to order the usual, sit at one of the tables in the corner and play candy crush until Yuuji gets out of school.

He’s a regular here since his brother’s elementary school is right in front of it. Sometimes he just wants to kill time, and pastries here are good for his macros. Or at least he tells himself so.

“Hello, what can I get you?” A female voice asks him from the register. He doesn’t strain his gaze from his phone.

“The usual,” he says. Then he thinks about the familiar voice he just heard and snaps his head up.

“What are you doing here?” “Sukuna?” You both say at the same time.

His surprised face morphs into a smug one in a split second.

“Didn’t know you liked me so much that you started to follow me, baby. You could’ve just waited for me at home if you missed me that much, I would’ve made sure to put some cream in your… coffee,” he says winking at you.

You put on a fake smile before answering. His innuendos are getting worse by the day, he’s disgusting.

“I’m going to poison your coffee if you keep this up, Itadori,” you whisper, as to not make the manager hear you. “Go get some pussy, please, you’re insufferable,” you whine when he gets closer.

He looks you up and down, licking a corner of his lips, mischief still in his gaze. He knows you’re right, sometimes he does a bit too much, but the way you huff and puff brings him more joy than any game on his phone does.

“You know I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole, Y/N. I don’t fuck snitches,” he responds, rolling his eyes.

You chuckle at that. This has been one of your inside jokes since the start. You managed to file 15 noise complaints in the first three weeks of your stay in the apartment, and the owner had to threaten to kick out Sukuna if he didn’t stop fucking girls so loudly. Sukuna had to agree and bite his tongue 5 times during that conversation. He knew you filed the complaints just because he didn’t want to say he was the one who ate Yuuji’s cookies, instead blaming you. Yuuji didn’t talk to you for a day for that, and you took it to heart.

Also, you exaggerated how many times he fucked inside the apartment. By a lot. You knew he had game, or at least you were certain of that seeing how confident he was, but he also hated when Yuuji managed to see some of the girls. Which happened only one time and it was when you moved in. You just filed noise complaints for every little noise you heard from his room, and seeing how the landlord didn’t doubt Sukuna had game either, you won by default.

“So… One black coffee? I don’t know your usual, I’m just covering a friend for today. It’s been a long day,” you say sheepishly, putting some of your hair behind your ear, cringing when you hear your own voice. Suddenly, the screen of the menu is so interesting to you. It’s not like you’re embarrassed as hell to see him here when you’re clumsily trying to understand how things work. It’s not like you’re trying not to look at him at all. Fuck. He is never going to let you live it down if you make a wrong move.

“I can see that,” he adds, serious. He sees your crestfallen look when he finishes his sentence. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that out loud, even if it is pretty obvious. He never saw you this nervous.

“Couldn’t you just fucking lie?” You grit out, composing yourself, pinning him with some sort of rage.

“Not my style, doll,” he answers, raising his shoulders. Your eyes turn into slits and you’re about to say something else when he catches movement behind the counter. The manager.

“Two coffees and a strawberry cake,” he says, getting back to his phone.

You raise an eyebrow. You thought he hated strawberries. You start typing his total when said manager turns to Sukuna.

“Your total is-“

“Man, I haven’t seen you in ages,” the man behind you enthusiastically interrupts you.

“Satoru,” the pink haired man nods, pocketing his phone and making some sort of special handshake with him. They know each other?

“Mind if your coworker here comes home with me?” Sukuna asks the handsome man you have next to you.

Your manager is silent for what feels like 10 long seconds. “Y/N, don’t give into this brute,” he tells you, staring at you behind those dark ass black glasses he wore the entirety of the day. He managed to do the work of three people without breaking a sweat, but he also spent most of his time tasting pastries the chef cooked. He’s nice, you think. But he’s weird as hell. No wonder they’re friends.

“He’s actually my roommate, boss,” you say, smiling up at him. Then you look at Sukuna and your smile drops. “Unfortunately.” Your said roommate flips you off.

“You know what, fuck you. I was just doing you a favour by letting you go earlier, stupid,” Sukuna says, bored.

The white haired man chuckles at the interaction, then tilts his glasses down his nose to look at the man in front of you, amused. “Oh, it’s her, huh.”

Sukuna snarls. “She’s a pain in the ass.”

“Oh, he’s talked about me? What did he say? Is it enough to kick him out and ask for Yuuji’s custody?” you ask, mockingly. Your manager turns to you and you’re almost blinded by how blue his eyes are. You genuinely have to blink a couple of times to make sure you’re still able to see.

He completely ignores your questions, giving you a once over. Then he gets his glasses back on correctly.

“Go home, Y/N, don’t worry. You’ve done an excellent job today. Feel free to come whenever,” he says, giving you a smile as bright as his eyes, then leaves while you think about how your cornea must be damaged now.

“Off the clock, come on,” Sukuna says, taking his phone out again, not sparing you a glance.

“Why don’t you jump off of my dick instead,” you hiss, going to take your purse from the service room. You don’t see the way he tips you anyway, even if you didn’t ask, and takes his order to the nearest table, positioning the cake in front of him. Like he’s waiting for someone.

You get back out front and side eye him, rummaging through your purse violently before sighing defiantly. You forgot your keys.

You turn around to look at Sukuna, who is just a couple of tables away, jumping a little when his eyes are already on you. He gives you a confused look behind his cup of coffee, before putting it down and mouthing “You look stupid, come sit.” You raise one of your eyebrows and you’re going to flip him off when someone bumps into you.

“Yo, cutie,” the man in front of you addresses you. You smile politely and sidestep to the left, getting out of the way, but he follows your movement, positioning himself closer to you.

“I was wondering if you were free now that you don’t have that little apron on,” he tells you languidly, swiping your arm up and down with his hand, stopping at your shoulder. When you try to get it off, he just grips you harder.

“Get your hand off of me or you’re getting kicked in the balls in front of everyone,” you deadpan. He’s slimy, probably conventionally attractive for a lot of girls, but he’s creepy.

He whistles lowly. “I love it when they’re a little feisty,” he smirks, trying to get even closer. You’re raising your knee when he gets pushed off of you and you kick a strong thigh instead. You widen your eyes comically and the man you just kicked winces.

“Man, what the fuck-“ the creep starts, before getting interrupted.

“Don’t touch my girl,” Sukuna seethes. The man takes a step back. Your heart skips a beat. You didn’t think he’d come to your rescue. “Even if her kicks are strong as fuck, I gotta say that. I might have unfortunately just saved your sorry ass’ future sad child,” he says, glancing at you. You giggle.

“There’s no way a fine thing like that is with you,” the man continues blabbering, albeit scared of Sukuna’s imposing feature.

“There’s no way a fine thing like me could ever be with someone like you, you mean,” you say, standing closer to Sukuna.

The man scoffs. “You could do so much better.”

"You? Lying is a sin, motherfucker."

On cue, Sukuna raises one of his arms and drapes it over your shoulder. You’re surprised by how delicately he gets you closer to his body, like he’s thinking you aren’t going to like what he’s doing. You look up at him, laying your hand on his chest, giving him the okay. He stares down at you, swallowing.

“Yeah, I’m lucky,” he says thickly, smirking, before lightly kissing your forehead. The kiss is barely there, you wouldn’t even have felt it if right now you weren’t hyper aware of how intoxicating and warm his body pressed to yours feels. You think you might have a fever from how much the spot he grazed is scorching. Your ears are buzzing, and you don’t distinguish the words the two men are exchanging, getting out of your daze only when the creep exits the cafe with his tail between his legs.

“I didn’t need you, you know,” you say to Sukuna, still looking up, letting your hand fall from his chest. Fuck, he’s ripped.

He nonchalantly gets the bag your manager (grinning behind his hand) is passing him before escorting you out. You notice he didn’t get his arm off of you, and you realise you don’t really mind the soft weight of it. Or maybe you just don’t mind being close to him. Or maybe you don’t mind him at all.

“Now you can tell Yuuji how fucking cool his brother is,” he shrugs, getting you imperceptibly closer to him. You roll your eyes, whining, while he huffs out a laugh.

Back at home, Sukuna goes to take a shower, leaving you with a yapping Yuuji. He’s telling you about his day at school and you get your phone out to read the text you just received, noticing the ping sound.

Worst roommate ever: the cake is urs. eat it. or don’t. idc

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 102

 Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. In for ten seconds, out for eight. Alright. Okay. “Let me get this straight,” he didn’t motion to the three teens- or not teens even if two apparently looked like they were- but it was a close thing. “You-” 

 Phantom perked up, white hair flickering with what he was pretty sure were stars as they turned away from the window looking out into space. “-are two years old.” The fae-esque being who looked more like a fourteen year old gave a half-distracted nod. Which, for a toddler, they were paying attention pretty well. 

 “You-” Klarion looked up from where he was fiddling with the cuffs that had been on him, cat sprawled on his shoulder now that it was out of the carrier. “-are six?” Another distracted nod, the apparently-child seemingly enamored with the sounds the cuffs made when they clinked together. 

  “And you-” He turned towards Marvel, who shrank back before seemingly steeling themself. “-are in fact ten.” The… well they had thought demigod but apparently all three were some sort of realms-being, which had apparently made Constantine pale and start cursing before stomping out of the Watchtower. Another nod and shaky thumbs up. 

 Alright. Okay. They had in fact let a ten-year old join the league, which wouldn’t have been so bad if they had known. Especially the fact that apparently Marvel was only half-human, which suddenly explained so much about how he didn’t know so many things about a human life. Which-

 “You,” he turned towards Phantom again to make sure he was listening before returning his attention to Marvel. “And you have both lived at least a year in the human realm with human companions, but your-” He turned his gaze towards the ravenette in the center. The six year old apparently. “-experience with the human realm is literally just with the Light.” 

 Yet another distracted nod. Okay. Bruce was tempted to scream in a room for the entire situation that had cropped up from the single action of taking Klarion’s familiar and then the boy himself into custody. Then again, it was honestly a much better thing they had apparently caught this. 

 “Alright,” he sighed, suddenly feeling incredibly exhausted. “To make sure I have all of this correct-” Because it was already a shitshow and the amount of shouting had absolutely spooked the child. To the point he’d- according to Marvel- made what was apparently some sort of very distressed noise that had made both him and Phantom running. Or rather flying and portaling. 

 “-in the realms, people there make friends through fighting,” Bruce pauses to make sure he got that part correct. The origin of this entire misunderstanding with the chaos-lord. Lordling? 

 All three nodded, Klarion losing interest in the cuffs and starting to pet his cat. Familiar. Everyone had referred to it as a familiar and Marvel had appeared utterly horrified that they had taken said familiar away. Somehow he was the one the trio were currently trusting and weren’t doing the same towards any of the other league members. 

 “And you have been trying to make friends with the Jr team, which they have been taking as an attack due to this miscommunication.” Honestly they should have gotten more information, though he couldn’t exactly blame any of the teens, what with everything they were currently dealing with. 

 “... is there any sort of guardian or something you might have, that can be contacted? Or anyone that could help prevent a situation like this from happening again?” All three avoided his eyes, suddenly finding things like the table and walls very interesting. 

 Oh. Hm. This could be a problem.

[steddieas-shegoes]

enemies by day, sluts by night

for @steddiesportsau for prompt 'opponents to lovers'

rated e | 3,563 words | cw: hate sex, rough sex | tags: modern au, hockey au, enemies to lovers, friends with benefits, feelings realization, idiots in love, love confessions, top steve, bottom eddie, spit as lube, anal sex, getting together

©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️©️

He’s so sick of fighting for things. He fought for spots on travel teams his entire childhood, always being told he was “the kid who scraped in” by parents and coaches alike. Then, it was a fight to graduate when he missed too much school for hockey tournaments and his grades slipped. He fought to stay with his uncle when his dad got out of prison. He fought a kid on his own team who found out he was gay and started spreading rumors.

He’s fought to be here, on this professional team, playing a sport he loves more than anything.

And he’s been fighting to prove himself all season to get to wear the C.

The last captain signed an AHL contract a few months ago and the spot’s been up for grabs since. Eddie’s been working his ass off to prove he can handle the responsibility.

But so has Steve.

In any other world, he’d probably be friends with Steve. They’d hang out, they’d be great linemates, they’d probably be in each others’ weddings or something.

But in this world, Steve is his competition almost as much as the teams they face. He’s been wearing an A for one full season already, is the favorite to get the C, and is overall disgustingly perfect in every way.

Eddie wants him so desperately.

He doesn’t care how it happens, he just knows it would be the fuck of the century.

****

“If you can’t focus, you’re benched, Harrington!” The coach yells after another turnover by Steve.

It’s the third one in the first period, and only one of many other mistakes he’s made. His head isn’t in it tonight and that’s been clear since puck drop. Eddie’s trying to play the part of center and left wing and it’s not working.

“Dude, what the hell is wrong?” Eddie asks him as he catches his breath. He’s pretty sure he’ll be back out there on the next shift to try to get rid of the two goal deficit they’re already facing, so he takes a few sips from his water bottle.

“Just distracted,” Steve says, and it feels like he’s showing his belly a bit, admitting a weakness that Eddie shouldn’t get to hear about. “Not my night.”

“Clearly,” Eddie huffs. He’s not sure if Steve heard, but he doesn���t really care too much if he did. “Get it together, man.”

Coach pats his back and he jumps over the boards to get back in it. They’ve got a lot of work to do to catch up now, and most of the blame can be put on Steve.

****

They only lose by one in the end, but Steve’s so mad at the end of the game, he doesn’t even give a speech like he usually does after a game.

He stews in it as he throws his gear off.

No one says anything.

Eddie isn’t scared to, though.

“Any reason you’re acting like a toddler who didn’t get their way?” Eddie asks him, and it’s louder than he actually means it to be. He didn’t necessarily want everyone involved in the conversation.

Steve freezes and glares at him. “Excuse me?”

“It’s just that throwing around your gear is a bit rude, right? The equipment manager doesn’t get paid enough to deal with your little tantrum.”

The room is so quiet, Eddie almost looks around to make sure they aren’t alone.

Steve’s entire body basically curls in on itself.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right,” he says so quietly, Eddie’s not even sure he heard right.

Steve sits on the bench and unlaces his skates while everyone just looks between him and Eddie. Eddie’s not sure what to do right now. He didn’t expect this at all. He expected an argument or Steve storming out of the room. There was even a possibility that Steve would try to punch him.

But Steve’s sitting there silent, being extra careful with his gear now that he’s been called out. No one speaks.

Eddie sits and gets his own gear off just as quietly.

Everyone leaves one by one, but Steve stays.

When it’s just the two of them, he looks up.

“Sorry,” he says, and it seems like it pains him to do so. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

Steve runs his hand down his face, then through his hair, still sweaty and sticking to his skin. He sighs, so loud and long it seems like it could be a health risk.

“Everything I want is still so fuckin’ far away,” he says, sounds broken.

Eddie doesn’t want to have a heart to heart. He doesn’t want to do this whole comfort thing. They may be teammates, but there’s no way he can do this.

He gets up and steps closer to Steve, who looks up at him with tears in his eyes. It makes Eddie pause for a moment, and maybe he shouldn’t do this, but there’s something so beautiful about Steve like this.

He kisses Steve so hard he tastes blood.

Steve groans, sounds a bit like a feral animal as he pulls Eddie against him.

Hands are everywhere. Eddie doesn’t know who is pushing and who is pulling, or who is making that whimpering noise. Maybe they both are.

His dick is straining in his underwear, and he knows this isn’t the place to be doing this. It’s not really the time, either, but sometimes you do what you have to do.

“Wait,” Steve gasps as he forces space between them. His chest heaves as the sounds of their breathing echo in the empty locker room. “We can’t here. I’ve-”

“My place is only a couple miles away,” Eddie offers. “If you want.”

Steve doesn’t say anything, just throws his clothes on and tidies up the gear he’d previously thrown around. The equipment manager comes in after everyone’s gone to take care of it all, makes sure what needs to be cleaned gets brought to the rink laundry, and what needs to be organized for their next game gets brought to the right place. Eddie follows his lead, throwing on clothes and grabbing his keys from his stall.

They don’t say anything else until Eddie’s apartment door is unlocked and Steve is shoving him against the wall.

“One time, right?”

Eddie nods.

They don’t even make it to his bed.

Steve sucks his dick right there in the entrance to his apartment, opening him up with spit and fingers that know exactly what to do to make Eddie’s knees weak. He fucks him until he does actually almost fall, and he’s hopeful his neighbors aren’t home to hear the way he almost screams as he comes.

There’s something in Steve’s eyes when he guides him to the couch, something that looks like he cares, like this might be more than just a casual fuck to get their frustrations out. Eddie doesn’t comment on it.

Steve kisses his forehead, thanks him, and leaves.

Eddie falls asleep on the couch, thinking too hard about the way he wants Steve to fuck him again.

****

The next time is after a win where they each got a goal. They’re riled up and Steve fucks him in the backseat of his car in the parking lot. It’s stupid and probably not safe at all, but making it anywhere else would take too long.

Steve doesn’t say much while he fucks into him, hard but slow, hands squeezing his hips as he thrusts into him from behind. He’s loud in other ways: whimpering when Eddie clenches around him, groaning when he finishes.

They catch their breath, but then Steve’s gone with a quick thanks and goodbye.

Eddie doesn’t think about how much his chest aches on his drive home. It’s just the adrenaline crash.

****

The fifth time is when everything goes sour.

They’re called to the office and are told neither of them will have the C this season.

“It doesn’t make sense for the team to have one at this point. We’ll evaluate over the summer and choose before the beginning of next season.”

It leaves them both in a mood.

A mood they try to shake off with a quick fuck in the bathroom.

Eddie’s not hard, though, his mind racing as Steve’s fingers brush against his prostate. It feels good of course, but it’s just…his mind isn’t focused on this.

Steve turns him around, goes to touch his dick and freezes. He pulls his fingers out and looks at Eddie with concern.

“What’s wrong? Was I hurting you?” He asks and he sounds so sincere, so genuinely worried. It makes Eddie’s heart race.

“No. Sorry. You can keep going,” Eddie hates how his own voice sounds.

Steve shakes his head. “No, we shouldn’t be doing this. We’re both too upset. I’m sorry, Eddie.”

It breaks the last thread holding him together. Rejection sucks no matter what, but knowing that they both needed this and now Steve doesn’t even want to use him.

“No, look,” Eddie sounds pitiful. “We both need this. It’s fine. I’ll get there.”

Steve backs up, straightens his hair that’s barely even messy. Eddie didn’t get his hands in it for more than a few seconds before he was shoved into a stall.

“We shouldn’t be doing this at all. Using each other,” Steve sighs. “It’s not good. We’re teammates. We can’t blur the lines.”

“The lines are already blurred!” Eddie panics. “It helps, right? Fucking me helps.”

Steve closes his eyes. “I can’t keep doing this to you or to me. It should’ve only been once. Maybe not even that.”

Why is his heart breaking? Steve was just a good fuck, they were only doing this because it was easy and a good release and-

“It was fun, but we can’t do this.”

And Eddie watches Steve walk out of the bathroom as if he isn’t taking a piece of Eddie with him.

****

They avoid each other as much as they can at practice, which is luckily pretty easy with the way they get split up for drills. Eddie has been their second line left wing for a few games to add some scoring depth so he doesn’t have to be on the ice with him during games either.

He pushes his feelings so far away, he actually manages to forget about them entirely for a bit.

Steve gets called up and Eddie moves back up to first line.

Everything’s fine.

****

Steve’s back in less than a week.

It’s not enough time for Eddie to feel better.

He doesn’t mean to, but he knows he’s being an asshole to him. It’s just that he’s hurt and he’s mad and he’s exhausted because he’s spent more time tossing and turning at night than sleeping.

Steve seems to brush it off when he snaps at him in the locker room. He ignores when Eddie rolls his eyes at him on the bench. He even makes a joke about how he shouldn’t have left for so long when Eddie shoves him out of his way in the tunnel.

But then Eddie makes a joke about being traded to a team where he doesn’t have to deal with a desperate guy trying to be captain and it hits its target.

Steve’s face falls, he bites his lip, and the room goes silent.

Surprisingly, Steve doesn’t say anything to him. He doesn’t say anything at all.

Eddie doesn’t react, but he’s a little surprised. He doesn’t get away with shit like this. He shouldn’t get away with shit like this.

The coach tells them all they played well, they’ll tighten up a few things in practice tomorrow. He says they’ve got one more win to clinch playoffs, and he feels confident they’ll get it Friday night.

Steve doesn’t do or say anything.

Eddie doesn’t either.

Everyone files out slowly, tension in the air too thick to breathe. He doesn’t blame them all for going. He wouldn’t even be surprised if they go straight to the coach and tell him to intervene.

Steve gets up and starts to leave the room.

Eddie cannot let him do that.

“Steve, wait.”

Steve pauses, but doesn’t turn around.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be acting this way. You can’t control feelings and it’s my own fault for thinking we had anything more than just a convenient and easy situation. Shouldn’t be letting it affect our time on the ice,” Eddie continues.

Steve finally turns.

“You’re right,” he says. It stings a little, but he deserves it. “That’s why I asked for a trade.”

Eddie’s heart sinks. “What?”

Steve laughs, unamused. “What? You’re shocked I don’t wanna keep hurting myself with you?”

“What do you mean?” Eddie feels like he’s going to be sick.

“I can’t love you like this. I’m leaving because space is all that’s gonna get me through it. They already might have somewhere for me,” Steve explains.

Eddie doesn’t understand what’s happening. He thought Steve hated him, or at least only tolerated him because he was his teammate. He figured the fucking was out of desperation, that’s why he never wanted to properly look at him.

“Where?”

“I don’t know yet. Meeting with them tomorrow.”

Eddie can’t lose Steve. He would give up the C this very second if it meant Steve would stay.

“You can’t go. Please don’t go.”

Steve swallows.

They’re so close now. Eddie doesn’t even know when they got so close. He doesn’t remember stepping closer, doesn’t think Steve did either given the words he’s been saying.

“I have to go, Eddie.”

“You’re gonna be the captain here. Everyone loves you,” Eddie knows he’s begging, sounding more ridiculous by the second. “If you go, you’ll have to start over. I can’t do this without you.”

“You can. I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t think you could,” Steve sounds so sure. “Things were better before we kissed.”

He didn’t think his heart could break more.

“You don’t mean that.”

“Before we kissed, I knew I could ignore the feelings I had for you. Now, I have to live with knowing I’ll never get over you,” Steve says. “You deserve to wear a C and now you can. You’ll forget all about me soon.”

Eddie kisses him. He doesn’t have words to say what he wants to, and he doesn’t think he’s brave enough anyways.

Steve kisses him back, his hands grabbing his hips, leaving bruises if he’s lucky. Eddie wants him right here, right now, wants to love him in the only way he knows how.

“Come back to me,” Eddie says against his lips. He means come back to mine, but he hopes the mix up isn’t heard. “Please.”

“One more time?” Steve asks.

Eddie nods. If he only gets one more time, it’s going to be in his bed while he’s looking at Steve’s face.

****

Steve’s been sucking his dick lazily for what feels like forever, using the spit and precum dripping down Eddie’s length to open him up. It’s so messy, and loud. God, he’s so loud when he moans and slurps up as much of the mess he can.

“Need you inside me, Steve, please,” Eddie begs, bucking his hips up for more. “Fuck me.”

But Steve doesn’t stop what he’s doing and Eddie’s fingers dig into his scalp as he whines through an orgasm that doesn’t quite come out of nowhere, but shocks him just the same. Steve groans as he swallows every drop, sucking changes to licking, the quick pace slows to something that makes Eddie shiver. The temperature of the room gets warmer and suddenly Steve looks up at him and grins.

“Still need me inside you?” His voice is rough.

“Always,” Eddie can’t quite catch his breath, but he spreads his legs further apart, and waits for Steve to get up, get closer. He needs him to fill every space before he’s gone. “Always need you.”

He wishes he could keep his mouth shut. He doesn’t wanna ruin this or make this more than what it is. He wants to enjoy what they’ve got in this moment.

Steve’s lips crash against his as he lines himself up and pushes into Eddie. He’s not as stretched as he thought, but he welcomes the sting. Any ache is a good ache if Steve’s the one causing it.

His dick twitches, tries to get hard faster than physically possible. It aches, too.

Everything about being fucked by Steve aches.

But there’s a tension there too, some string trying so hard to snap between them, and he isn’t sure if he’s gonna make it if it does. He hopes it holds, hopes that coming together like this mends it long enough for Eddie to find a way to keep him.

Steve’s found a slow rhythm, lips gently trailing kisses against his jaw and neck as he pumps in and out. It’s the first time there’s no rush between them. Eddie wants to live here.

“God, you feel so good,” Steve groans against his neck, sucking a bruise that Eddie wants to tattoo on his body. “Like you’re built just for me.”

“I was, I was,” Eddie gasps as Steve hits the right spot again and again, slow and steady. He’s never been fucked like this, like the finish line doesn’t matter. “Made for you, I swear.”

“Yeah, baby, you were,” Steve kisses the corner of his mouth as his hand drifts between them, grips Eddie’s hard cock. “Maybe you can fuck me after this. Think you can?”

Eddie nods but he doesn’t actually know. Coming a third time that quickly might be an impossible task, even for someone as desperate and horny as he is.

“I bet you can. You always like giving me what I want, huh?” Steve’s breath catches and his hips pause before he starts up again, faster, chasing his own release. “Fuck, I’m gonna come.”

Eddie wants it more than he wants his own release. He wants to feel Steve shaking apart above him, filling him up with warmth. He needs it.

He leans up and captures Steve in a kiss that breaks him apart and puts him back together, so world-ending that it almost feels like he’s entered a new galaxy. He doesn’t even know he’s coming until he feels Steve gasp against his mouth, and his stomach feels warm and wet.

Steve moans into his mouth, feeds his pleasure to Eddie as he comes inside him.

He doesn’t wanna come down from this high. He feels so good, and Steve feels so good inside him and against him, and he wants to live here in this moment forever. He has to tell him.

“I think I love you more than the idea of wearing a C,” he says. It sounds so fucking dumb after everything they just did, and everything they’ve been doing. “Please don’t go.”

Jesus, he sounds pitiful.

He is pitiful.

But Steve’s looking down at him in awe instead of pity, like he’s been waiting to hear him say that forever. He doesn’t know how they could go from barely speaking to whatever this is, whatever it may end up being, but he’s going to be a little braver than he has been.

“It might be too late,” he says, voice broken, but still hopeful. “I don’t know if they’ve already made a deal.”

“Tell them you can’t. Or I can retire and follow you,” Eddie hates that he sounds so desperate, but Steve’s smile is growing. “Or we both retire and give each other the D every night instead of caring about a C.”

Steve laughs so hard, his soft dick slips out of Eddie and his head falls to his shoulder. Eddie’s laughing, too, beaming with pride that he was able to get Steve to smile. Eddie wraps his arms around him, keeps him close.

“You make a pretty convincing argument,” Steve says when he stops laughing. He hasn’t moved from Eddie’s shoulder. “Not sure I’m ready to retire yet. Neither are you.”

“I could be.”

Steve lifts his head and smiles down at Eddie. “I don’t want you to be. We’ve only got a few years left anyway. We can make it work.”

“Make what work?” Eddie asks, shit-eating grin in place. He just wants to hear Steve say it.

“A relationship,” Steve rolls his eyes, but plays along. He’s a good sport. That’s why he’s probably gonna earn a C. “Or is teammates with benefits the furthest you’ll go?”

“I could be convinced to be your boyfriend,” Eddie nips at his bottom lip.

Steve raises a brow, nips Eddie’s lip in return.

“One condition,” he says, feels Steve’s cock hardening against his thigh. He wants him again, even if he doesn’t come, even if he can’t get hard again yet.

“Go on,” Steve nudges his jaw with his nose, licks a stripe down his neck. Eddie’s pulse races against his tongue.

“You promise to always fuck me a little bit like you hate me.”

Steve laughs again, shakes his head. “I can’t do that, Eddie.”

“Why not?” He pouts.

“Because I never hated you.”

Eddie pulls his face back up so he can kiss him, wet lips crushing together as desperately as they possibly can.

“Then always fuck me a little bit like you love me,” he whispers against his lips.

“I can definitely do that.”

[annicht]

kitten dad | Kuroo Tetsuro

or when your persian princess get pregnant by the black tomcat of the hot neighbor

-> post timeskip Kuroo Tetsuro X fem! reader | strangers to lovers

-> wordcount: 7.5k

-> tags: soft nsfw close to the end, sloooow burn, mutual pinning, post timeskip

@ anni says: I had to take this out of my head. already thinking about part two. let me know if it's too much bc I found it very dragged, idk. hope you enjoy

Marching torwards your neighbor door, you question yourself how is that even possible.

Your cat, Lola, a white persian, lies lazily on the animal carrier, and you huff annoyed, looking at her.

“I thought you hated other cats, you little troublemaker” — you mumble to the cat like she can understand you. And for her lazy grumbling, you know she can.

You knock on the white door three times. It’s late enough for the guy already be at home from work, but not late enough for him to be sleeping, you think in your head, looking at the 20:37 appearing at your watch. He’s a corporate worker like yourself, you saw him many times in the elevator with his suit and tie and his badge—

You were dry cut mid thought by the door opening, and the delicious scent of musky soap invading your senses.

Kuroo is standing, puzzled, wearing grey sweatpants and a black tank top, slightly wet hair, tilting his head. The girl next door, he thinks to himself.

He had seen you around countless times on the common areas, in the elevator, in the pool in a skimpy bikini, even at the gym. But what could you possibly be doing on his door?

You look at him, allowing your eyes to fall in his figure for miliseconds, enough to take notice of his strong biceps on show. Scrumptious. Then you focus back on his face.

“Hi, neighbor. Your cat just impregnated my kitty.”

He just looks at you for a couple seconds, his eyes slightly widening as the words slowly sunk on his brain.

“Excuse me?” — He asked, blinking. He’s either really tired or you are saying the most unlikely thing ever, and he didn’t know what is worse.

You squint, still a little annoyed, but slowly getting amused.

"Sorry the suddenness... you're the owner of that black short-haired cat, aren't you?"

You ask, and as if on cue, the little fella appeared strutting and mumbling a grumble behind Kuroo's legs, apparently curious of who's in the door

Kuroo looks down at the cat and then back at you, his eyes widening a bit as realization sank in.

“Ah— yes…” He says slowly, his eyebrows knitting in a frown. “This is Loki, yeah”.

He looked down at the cat again, who is now sitting and looking up at you with his big, yellow eyes, as if he knew exactly what you were about to say.

Kuroo crouched down to scratch behind Loki’s ears, his lips quirking into an amused grin.

“Looks like someone had a productive week,” he said dryly, casting a glance back up at you.

You huffed, crossing your arms. “Productive? That’s one way to put it. My vet bill is going to be very productive, thanks to him.”

Kuroo straightened up, the movement drawing your eyes to the way his tank top stretched across his chest. You swallowed quickly and forced your gaze to his face— a smirking face, of course.

“Alright, I guess I owe you an apology?” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Though, to be fair, it takes two to tango. Maybe your girl couldn’t resist Loki’s charm.”

You blinked, caught off guard by his playful boldness. “Excuse me? My Lola is a lady of standards.”

“Clearly,” Kuroo said with a teasing edge, his smirk deepening. “I mean, look at Loki—absolute catch.”

You tried not to laugh, but a small snort escaped, and you covered it with a cough. “Okay, fine. Maybe they’re both to blame. But seriously, I thought she hated other cats. I didn’t even know they interacted.”

“Cats are sneaky like that,” he replied, shrugging, his tone light but his gaze lingering on you for just a second too long. You felt a strange warmth creep up your neck and mentally cursed him for being so... distracting.

“Well,” you started, clearing your throat and glancing down at Lola, who was now staring at Loki with her usual haughty expression, “Anyways. Just wanted to let you know that. And to ask if you know anyone who might want some… persian mixed kittens? I figure that the least you could do is help me find a home for them after they born”

Kuroo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. “You’re already putting me to work, huh? I didn’t realize Loki’s charm would come with responsibilities.”

You shot him a flat look, though the corners of your lips twitched. “You do realize this is partially your fault, right? Or are you just going to let me deal with a whole litter of kittens by myself?”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, fair enough. Consider me on kitten duty.” His smirk softened into something a bit more sincere. “I’ll help however I can. They are Loki’s kids, after all.”

Something about the way he said it, the playful yet genuine tone, made your resolve to stay annoyed falter. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

“Good,” you said, a little less stern this time. “You can start by helping me figure out where to set up for them. I don’t have much space in my apartment.”

Kuroo’s grin returned in full force. “So what I’m hearing is... you’re inviting me over?”

Your eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by his boldness, but you recovered quickly, giving him a pointed look, raising your eyebrows smugly. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, neighbor. This is strictly business.”

He laughed, the sound low and warm, and you hated how much you liked it. “Strictly business, got it.”

Loki chose that moment to rub up against Kuroo’s leg, his tail swishing as he let out a satisfied purr. Lola, still sitting primly in her carrier, let out an indignant grumble in response.

“Seems like they’ve got a complicated relationship,” Kuroo remarked, glancing down at the cats. “Enemies? Lovers? Frenemies?”

You rolled your eyes, though a small smile tugged at your lips. “Let’s just call them… complicated.”

“Works for me,” he said with a wink, straightening up. “Complicated relationships are kind of my specialty.”

Before you could respond—because what could you say to that without your brain short-circuiting?—Kuroo kept going: “I’ll check around to see if anyone’s interested in adopting some kittens,” he added casually. “Can I have your phone number? You know… to discuss kitten details?”

You narrowed your eyes at him, catching the glint of mischief in his tone. You said back with a mocking hint of disbelief. “Uh-huh. Kitten details. Sure.”

Kuroo raised his hands in mock innocence, the smirk still playing on his lips. “Strictly business, remember?”

You rolled your eyes but relented, pulling your phone out of your pocket. “Fine. Give me your phone.”

He handed it over without hesitation, and you quickly typed in your number, labeling yourself as Kitten Lady. When you handed it back, Kuroo glanced at the screen and let out a laugh.

“Kitten Lady? That’s what we’re going with?”

You shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Fits the situation, doesn’t it? Unless you’d prefer something more creative, like Annoyed Neighbor Who’s Stuck With Your Cat’s Consequences.”

“I think Kitten Lady has a nicer ring to it,” he said, his grin widening.

You shook your head, trying to ignore the way his playful energy was starting to chip away at your annoyance. “Alright, then. I guess I’ll be hearing from you soon, Kitten Dad.”

Kuroo raised an eyebrow at the nickname but didn’t argue. “Kitten Dad, huh? I’ll take it. Has a nice familial touch to it.”

You sighed, stepping back toward your door with Lola in tow. “Goodnight, Neighbor,”

“Goodnight, Kitten Lady,” he replied smoothly, leaning against the doorframe as he watched you retreat.

As you reached your door, you couldn’t help but glance back over your shoulder. He was still standing there, Loki in his arms, one hand casually rubbing behind Loki’s ears, his eyes locked on you with an unreadable expression.

You quickly looked away, fumbling with your keys and stepping into your apartment, shutting the door behind you. Leaning against it, you let out a slow breath, placing Lola’s carrier on the floor and opening the little grid door.

Lola meowed lazily, peeking out of the carrier as if she were judging you.

“Don’t look at me like that,” you muttered, setting the carrier down and letting her out.

Lola stretched and sauntered off, clearly unimpressed.

You rubbed your temples, already feeling the beginnings of a headache. This was going to be a long few weeks, wasn’t it?

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

Across the hall, Kuroo closed his door with a quiet chuckle, looking down at Loki, who was now lounging contentedly on the floor.

“Well, buddy,” he said, crouching down to scratch under Loki’s chin. “Looks like you’ve caused some chaos.”

Loki purred in response, blinking up at him with an air of smug satisfaction.

Kuroo leaned back against the door, a small smile lingering on his lips as he pulled his phone out to save your number properly. His thumb hovered over the screen for a moment as he read Kitten Lady 🐾.

He stared at it for a beat longer, that grin of his softening slightly. This might just get interesting.

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

Surprisingly enough —or don’t— he was the one to text first just a day later. You’re at work, sipping coffee after a meeting, scrambling some papers on your desk when your phone buzzed. The Kitten Dad name made you squint your eyes.

Kitten Dad: Hey, goodday sweetheart. You good? Just got asked when is little Lola due. A friend from work might be interested in having one of the kitties.

I look at the text. A friend from work? He text and I can’t help but imagine how is he at work. Is he a manager? A head? A director? Which department is he from? If I had to guess I would say Sales — he’s charismatic enough to sell sand in the desert.

I huff in annoyance with my own train of thought. Why am I thinking so hard about it? I take my phone to answer.

Kitten Lady 🐾: Hey. Vet said she’s due two weeks from now.

The response was simple, straightforward. Yet, as you set your phone down, you couldn’t help but wonder if you’d sounded too curt. No, you told yourself firmly. It’s just a text. No need to overthink.

But then, your phone buzzed again, and against your better judgment, you snatched it up almost immediately.

Kitten Dad: Two weeks, huh? That’s soon. Let me know if you need help setting things up for her. I’m practically a cat expert now.

You bit back a smile. Cat expert, huh? You could practically see that cocky smirk on his face, the same one he’d worn when he leaned in the doorframe last night.

Kitten Lady 🐾: Oh, are you? Should I start calling you Dr. Meow?

It took less than a minute for his reply to come through.

Kitten Dad: Has a nice ring to it. Or Cat Whisperer. Either works.

You let out a small laugh, earning a confused look from a passing coworker. Quickly composing yourself, you turned back to your desk, cheeks warming for no apparent reason.

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

By the time you got home that evening, you were surprised to find Kuroo opening his door, like he was waiting for you to arrive to leave and talk to you. He was holding a small, rectangular package in his hands and greeted you with his signature grin as he walked torwads you and your door as you opened it.

“Evening, Kitten Lady,” he said smoothly. “Perfect timing.”

You blinked, shifting your bag onto your shoulder. “Uh, hey? What’s that?”

“Thought I’d swing by and help with that whole ‘setting up for Lola’ thing,” he said, holding up the package. “Got a starter kit—fluffy blankets, soft toys, and some other stuff. Figured it might make her more comfortable when the kittens arrive.”

You stared at him, stunned. For all the teasing and smug remarks, you hadn’t expected this. “You… bought stuff for Lola?”

“Well, yeah,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck almost sheepishly. “I mean, it’s partially Loki’s fault, right? I can’t exactly leave you hanging.”

For a moment, you didn’t know what to say. There was a sincerity in his tone that caught you off guard. He wasn’t just trying to charm his way out of responsibility—he was actually being… thoughtful.

“That’s… really nice of you,” you said finally, unlocking your door. “Thanks, Kuroo.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, following you inside.

Lola, as always, was lounging regally on the couch, barely sparing Kuroo and Loki—who had, unsurprisingly, followed him to your place unbothered—a passing glance.

“She really does act like a queen, doesn’t she?” Kuroo said, setting the box down and kneeling to unpack its contents.

“She’s earned it,” you replied, watching as he pulled out a fluffy blanket and a tiny cat bed. “I mean, look at her. She’s unbothered by everything.”

“Clearly,” he said, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. “She didn’t even flinch when Loki walked in like he owns the place.”

You snorted, crossing your arms. “She’s probably plotting her revenge for him ruining her peace.”

Kuroo laughed, the sound warm and easy, and you found yourself smiling despite yourself. He had a way of making everything feel light, even when you wanted to stay annoyed.

“Alright,” he said, turning back to the task at hand. “Where do you want this stuff? I’ll help you set up her little kitten corner.”

You hesitated for a moment, but eventually pointed to a cozy nook near the window. “Over there, I guess. She likes the sun.”

“Got it,” he said, grabbing the blanket and bed.

As you watched him work, his movements uncharacteristically focused, you couldn’t help but wonder: was this the same guy who smirked at you in elevators and flirted shamelessly by his door? Because right now, he looked… different. Softer, somehow.

“You know,” you said after a moment, “you’re surprisingly good at this whole ‘cat dad’ thing.”

He looked up, his grin returning. “What can I say? I have hidden talents.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at your lips. Maybe this arrangement wouldn’t be so bad after all.

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

The kitten corner was finally set up, and Lola had already claimed her throne atop the soft new bed. Loki, meanwhile, was having the time of his life pawing at one of the dangling toys Kuroo had brought over, batting it around like a tiny predator.

You were in the kitchen, rummaging through your cabinets for something to fix up while Kuroo lounged on the couch. The sound of his laughter floated through the room, warm and unrestrained, as Loki miscalculated a jump and landed in a comically undignified sprawl.

“You weren’t kidding about him being a troublemaker,” you called over your shoulder, smiling to yourself as you grabbed a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine you’d been saving for some occasion. This felt good enough.

“Hey, he’s a charming troublemaker,” Kuroo countered, his voice carrying an easy humor. “Loki’s got personality. You can’t fault him for that.”

You rolled your eyes, pouring the wine. “If by ‘personality,’ you mean a complete lack of grace, then sure.”

“Hey now,” he said, mock-defensive, “I’ll have you know he’s a highly sophisticated creature.”

Turning with the glasses in hand, you walked back to the couch and handed him one, tilting your head toward Loki, who was currently tangled in the blanket he’d been pouncing on. “Yeah, I can see the sophistication from here.”

Kuroo snorted, taking the glass from you with a murmured “Thanks,” before shifting to make room for you to sit. You settled cross-legged into the cushion next to him, a comfortable silence falling as you both watched the cats in their oddly synchronized chaos.

“So,” you said after a moment, swirling the wine in your glass, “what do you actually do? Besides spoil Loki and crash your neighbor’s evening.”

Kuroo grinned, taking a slow sip before answering. “I’m a PR manager for the promotion division at JVA. Basically, I work with the teams that keep the company and our sponsors happy. Events, campaigns, all that good stuff.”

You raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. “JVA? As in the Japan Volleyball Association?”

“That’s the one,” he said, flashing a toothy grin. “Biggest name in the game. It’s a lot of work, but I like it. Keeps me on my toes.”

“Wow,” you said, nodding. “That actually explains a lot. You’ve got that… people-person vibe.”

“Oh?” he teased, leaning back against the couch. “And what vibe is that, exactly?”

You rolled your eyes but smiled. “You know. Smooth talker, always charming. Classic PR type.”

Kuroo chuckled, resting his arm casually along the back of the couch. “I’ll take that as a compliment. What about you? What’s the story with… what do you do, again?”

“Marketing manager,” you said, shrugging. “Different industry, same chaos. I work for a firm that handles branding for retail clients. It’s mostly brainstorming ad campaigns and arguing over budgets.”

“Sounds intense,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “But you’re good at it, huh?”

You blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “I mean, I guess. I like it. It’s creative, and it keeps me busy.”

“Busy’s good,” he said, nodding. “But it doesn’t leave much time for stuff like this, huh?”

You glanced at him, unsure what he meant, but his gaze was fixed on the cats now. Lola was swatting half-heartedly at Loki, who had resumed his enthusiastic assault on the dangling toy.

“No,” you admitted softly, swirling the wine in your glass again. “Not really. I guess I don’t usually let myself slow down.”

Kuroo looked at you then, his gaze steady but unreadable. “Well,” he said after a moment, his voice lighter again, “it’s a good thing you’ve got me to force some downtime on you, huh?”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Oh, is that what this is? A public service?”

“Exactly,” he said with mock seriousness, raising his glass in a toast. “Here’s to kitten diplomacy and responsible downtime.”

You clinked your glass against his, unable to hide your smile. “Cheers to that.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, you allowed yourself to relax. The warmth of the wine, the sound of his laughter, and the soft chaos of the cats were all more comforting than you’d expected. Maybe Kuroo wasn’t just a charming troublemaker after all.

And maybe, just maybe, you didn’t mind him crashing your evening.

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

Two glasses of wine in, and you were feeling a little loose, the warm buzz in your cheeks spreading to your limbs. The evening had been lighthearted—talking about work, random anecdotes, and occasional jokes about the cats and their ridiculous antics.

You were now sitting cross-legged on the couch, your messy bun more of a loose cluster than a tidy knot, strands of hair falling against your flushed cheeks. You animatedly gestured with your hands, describing some recent event at work. Kuroo is now leaning forward with that usual relaxed, playful energy that made you forget there was anyone else in the room.

“—and I swear, if I have to sit through one more ‘group synergy’ meeting, I’ll scream,” you finished with a dramatic sigh, dropping back onto the couch, rolling your eyes.

Kuroo snickered, leaning back, arms crossing behind his head as he relaxed. “Group synergy? That sounds like a nightmare. You really don’t like your coworkers, do you?”

You shot him a teasing glare, settling deeper into the couch. “I’m professional, I swear. But, seriously, it’s the worst. A whole hour, and not one person had anything worth saying. They spent half the time discussing what color the logo should be on our next campaign. I almost fell asleep.”

“Well, at least the logo’s going to look great,” Kuroo teased, reaching for his glass and taking a casual sip.

You snorted and looked at him sideways, the wine making you more comfortable than you intended. “You’re one to talk. You’ve probably sat through worse in PR. What’s the worst meeting you’ve ever had to deal with?”

Kuroo tilted his head, thinking. “Hmm, I guess the worst was this entire week-long campaign brainstorming session where we just talked about the idea but never actually did anything. People in that room were like… walking around in their own little PR bubbles. I nearly lost my mind.”

“Is that why you’re so laid-back now? You survived that chaos and just decided to become a permanent chill vibe?”

“Exactly,” he said, grinning. “I figured if I could survive that and still be sane, I deserve to kick back a little.”

You shook your head, still grinning. “I can’t believe you’ve been in that world for so long. You must have some stories.”

Kuroo’s eyes sparkled with mischief, and you realized you might’ve just opened a can of worms. “Oh, definitely. A lot of interesting ones. You know, the kind where you end up questioning your life choices. And not only work-related.

You raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. “You’re gonna have to elaborate on that.”

He leaned in, his voice taking on a more conspiratorial tone. “Alright, alright. So, there was this one relationship I had.” He started, and you raise one eyebrow, not expecting him to just switch from work to personal relationship so quickly “She was a wild ride—great at first, but things got a little… crazy. Started out all perfect, you know? But then she started bringing up wedding ideas after a couple of months, and I’m like, ‘Whoa, hold up.’”

You laughed, raising your glass, poiting at him, remembering the topic from earlier, but not entirely knowing the story. “Wait, wait—this is the ex who nearly got you to the altar?”

“Yup,” Kuroo said with a smirk, swirling his glass, “but I guess she wasn’t the ‘I Do’ type, if you know what I mean.” He winked, and the playful lilt in his voice had you biting back a smile.

“No way. Did she have one of those ‘we need to talk’ moments?”

He nodded dramatically. “Oh, she sure did. But instead of talking, she got me into a whole emotional spiral. I was supposed to pick out wedding rings, and I—” He cut himself off with a laugh, shaking his head. “I mean, talk about commitment issues. You would have thought I was getting married to someone else the way she freaked out.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “That’s insane. What did you do?”

“Well, after a long string of very loud discussions, I ended up booking a solo trip to Thailand for some ‘soul-searching.’ I didn’t come back with a ring, but I did come back with a lot of souvenirs and a much-needed reality check.”

Your lips curled into a smile, impressed. “I mean, I don’t blame you. That sounds like a red flag festival.”

“Exactly.” Kuroo leaned back, letting out a chuckle. “I don’t think she ever quite understood why I ghosted her after that.”

You shrugged, a teasing glint in your eyes. “Well, sounds like you dodged a bullet. She was probably a headache.”

“Oh, definitely,” he said with a wink. “But, hey, I’m better for it. You live and you learn, right?”

Your expression softened, just for a moment. “Yeah, I guess so. Can’t say I’ve been any better at picking ideal relationships either.”

Kuroo’s gaze flickered to you for a moment, and the sudden shift in the air wasn’t lost on either of you. You could feel the tension coil between you, subtle but undeniable. He tilted his head, his tone more curious.

“You’ve had your fair share of messy affairs?”

You shrugged nonchalantly, but your fingers fidgeted with your wine glass. “I mean, I was in an office relationship once. It was… well, it was a disaster, to be honest. Started out all hot and heavy, you know? But once we hit that *‘what’s next?’* phase, everything went south.”

“Office romances are always a gamble,” he said, voice quieter now. “Especially when someone can’t handle the post-work hours realities.”

You let out a soft laugh, but there was a certain edge to it. “Yeah, and the worst part? I thought we were solid. But he ended up freaking out when things got serious. Real ‘let’s keep it casual’ kind of guy.”

There it was again—the unspoken weight in the air. You could feel it creeping closer, like the world had just tilted slightly. You were both leaning in, caught in this space where the conversation could go anywhere—or nowhere.

“Funny how that happens,” Kuroo murmured, his gaze drifting from your eyes to your lips and back again.

You swallowed hard, lips slightly parted, suddenly aware of how close he was. “Yeah,” you said softly, the atmosphere thickening. “Funny…”

A long beat of silence followed. Then, as if the universe itself had just cleared its throat, Kuroo’s smirk deepened, and he leaned back slightly, breaking the tension just enough to let you both breathe again.

“Well, at least you didn’t nearly get engaged,” he said with a teasing grin. “I think that takes the cake on ‘bad decisions’.”

You shook your head with a soft laugh, relieved for the lighthearted tone again. “I’d be so much better at picking next time,” you said, looking at him with a sly grin. “I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

Kuroo raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering down to your lips once more. “Oh? What exactly does that lesson look like?”

You felt the heat of his gaze, and the sudden closeness seemed to make the space between you shrink even further. The way he was looking at you, the slight tilt of his head—it was almost like he was waiting for you to make the next move. It made your heart skip a beat.

You cleared your throat, forcing yourself to focus, but it was hard to ignore the way your body seemed to lean in just a little closer, drawn to him like a magnet. “Maybe…” you began slowly, your voice soft but carrying the weight of something unspoken, “maybe I’ll go for someone who doesn’t have a one-way ticket to Crazy Town.”

Kuroo’s lips curled into a half-smile, but it wasn’t as playful anymore. There was a hint of something else lurking beneath. He leaned in, ever so slightly, as if testing the waters. “You know,” he said quietly, “sometimes, a little bit of crazy isn’t always a bad thing.”

Your breath caught in your throat. “Is that so?” You met his gaze head-on, not backing down, but feeling your pulse pick up.

“Yeah,” Kuroo replied, his voice lower now, his tone shifting, “sometimes it’s just the right kind of chaos that makes things… interesting.” His eyes never left yours as he spoke, the words heavy with an almost tangible tension.

For a moment, the space between you seemed to dissolve entirely, and you couldn’t help but wonder if he was this close to crossing that line. The line you both knew was there, but neither of you had acknowledged it yet.

“Is that what you’re offering?” you teased lightly, though you could hear the slight quiver in your own voice.

Kuroo’s smirk widened just slightly, but the warmth in his eyes remained. “Maybe…” His voice trailed off, but the way he said it made you feel like there was more to it, like he was almost daring you to take it further.

You couldn’t stop yourself from leaning in just a little, your lips almost brushing as you whispered, “Maybe I’m not sure if I want to risk another ‘chaos’ just yet.”

Kuroo's gaze dropped to your lips for the briefest moment, and you could feel the charged atmosphere shifting. The space between you was narrowing faster than either of you could pretend it wasn’t. He leaned in a fraction more, and his breath was warm against your skin. “Maybe… that’s a risk worth taking,” he murmured, his voice now barely above a whisper.

Your heart raced, the distance between you two was practically nonexistent now. You could feel the heat of his body, his presence taking up all the space in the room. The playful teasing was gone—replaced by something far more intimate. More dangerous. His hand reached out, brushing your hair back from your face with a tenderness that had your breath catching in your throat.

Before you could respond, Kuroo's fingers slid gently down your jaw, and his thumb lightly grazed your bottom lip. The gesture was simple, but it felt like the world had stopped. The kiss was inevitable now.

Slowly, almost too slowly, he tilted his head, his lips brushing against yours in the softest, most deliberate way. The touch was electric, sending a spark of heat rushing through your veins. You were almost caught off-guard by the intensity of it, but it didn’t take long for your lips to part, inviting him closer.

His hand found the back of your neck, pulling you in deeper, as the kiss grew more urgent, more demanding. The world around you melted away, the only thing left was the heat between you two. His lips moved with a teasing confidence, making sure you felt every second of it.

His tongue lapped on your wet cave like a thirsty man that haven’t seen water in years, and the sweet taste of wine made your head spin, chasing his own tongue in a soft sucking move that drove him insane.

When he finally broke the kiss, his forehead rested against yours, both of you trying to catch your breath. His lips curled into that familiar, mischievous grin. “Guess that’s one way to make a decision,” he said, voice low and raspy.

You opened your eyes to find him watching you, eyes darkened with something more than playfulness. There was still a hint of the teasing smile on his lips, but now it was accompanied by something far more tempting.

“Yeah,” you said, your voice a little breathless, “I think I’m starting to see what you mean by chaos.”

He chuckled, his hand still on your neck, fingers tracing small, absent circles on your skin. “Well, I’m not all bad at it,” he said with a wink. Without warning, Kuroo tugged gently on your arm, pulling you toward him until you were no longer leaning back on the couch. Before you could fully process it, you were perched on his lap, straddling him with your knees on either side of his thighs, the space between you two completely gone.

For a moment, you just sat there, a little stunned by how naturally it all happened. His hands slid to your waist, holding you firmly in place as his gaze swept over you. “You look better here,” he said, his voice deep, eyes never leaving yours.

You couldn’t help but laugh, trying to hide the sudden nerves that started to bubble up in your stomach. “Well, this is a bit of an upgrade.” You gave him a teasing smile, your hands resting on his shoulders, but the tension between you was palpable now.

Kuroo’s fingers tightened just slightly on your waist, his expression turning more serious. “Better be careful. We’re both dangerously close to making some bad decisions here.”

“Are you trying to scare me off?” You tilted your head, the edge of a challenge in your tone, but deep down, you weren’t sure whether you wanted him to back off or pull you even closer.

“Nope,” Kuroo said, his lips curling into a grin as he gently tugged you even closer, your body now pressed against his. “Just making sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.”

Before you could respond, Kuroo’s lips found yours again—hungry, a little less playful this time, but just as consuming. Your body reacted immediately, the heat between you two igniting in an instant. There was no more teasing, no more games. The only thing that mattered was the feel of his lips on yours, the way his hands gripped your hips, pulling you even closer, if that was possible.

When he finally broke the kiss again, he exhaled slowly, resting his forehead against yours. “You sure you want to keep going?” he whispered, his voice low, but there was no mistaking the desire in it.

You grinned, your fingers brushing against the stubble on his jaw, the touch almost affectionate now, despite the electricity between you. “I think,” you said slowly, your lips curling into a mischievous smile, “I’m already in too deep.”

Kuroo’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening on your waist as his smirk returned, cocky and satisfied. “Good. Because I’m just getting started.”

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

The make out session felt like it went on for hours straight. Enough for Loki and Lola engross themselves in the biggest nap, both balls of fur tangled on the fluffy bed.

One of Kuroo’s hand is sliding up your thigh, his long, slender and strong fingers slightly entering the hem of your cotton shorts, squeezing the flesh in his palm. His free arm is sneaked around your waist, pushing you flush against him on the couch as he spreads his legs, making yours spread in the process.

Your hair is as messy as it can get, your cheeks are flushed, your eyes are darkened and dilated, your white dress shirt have three buttons open and is half slid down your shoulder, exposing just a teasing piece of your black lacy bra, making the cleavage a white canvas for his lips to paint with soft red marks.

In swift subtle moves, your body unconsciously grinds down on his hard erection strained through his pants, offering a delicious type of friction that sends a wave of pleasure through your bodies and is both a torment and a relief. The movement makes Kuroo groan inside your mouth, and you swallow his noises like it can feed you phisiologically speaking.

You two are like a couple of horny teenagers dry humping each other on the couch and almost completely out of it. Almost.

That’s when a couple of knocks and a door bell incessantly ringing filled both your ears. Not from your place, but from Kuroo’s. And he groans deeply.

He completely forgot the boy’s night he planned hosting with Bokuto and Kenma in his place, and he mentally curses the past Kuroo Tetsuro for his life choices. But how can he had antecipated that a cat visit to spoil Lola and Loki’s future offspring would end up in his hot neighbor straddling his lap like a five course meal?

When his phone started buzzing on your coffee table with “owl guy” on the screen, he shouted from under you a “I’m coming, damn it”, more huffed and annoyed than he would like, but he didn’t care at the moment.

The scream pacified the guy out there for now, and he collapsed his head on the crook of your neck, mumbling against your skin.

“I gotta go, apparently” — he said while placing soft kisses on your skin, trying to come down from the high and dissipate the intensity between you. You hummed, already resigned with the fate that the momentum between you ended.

“Mkay…” You said, nuzzling in his hair, breathing in the scent of his musky shampoo, trying to tattoo it on your memory. “Go before the guy out there lose his patience,”

He huffed a chuckle on your neck, making you shiver, and you proceed to desintangle yourself from his lap as he stands up. Now standing, Kuroo whistle to Loki, calling him with a soft “Come on, boy” that makes you want it was meant for you. The black cat stands up with his ears perked up, slowly walking behind Kuroo.

You two don’t bid goodbye, not feeling the need to, and the things feel even more unfinished than ever.

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

As Kuroo leaves your door, hair messy, traces of smeared pink lipstick on his lips, his jaw and his neck, ragged breath, wrinkled clothes, Bokuto’s eyes widen and he tilted his head like he’s trying to solve a puzzle.

“I…” Bokuto started, looking from his door to the door he left “Bro, did I miss your door?”

Kuroo just rolled his eyes, trying to hide a smug smile, walking torwards his door to enter, not bothering answer his question, making the owl guy let out a boisterous laugh

“Ohoho, boy’s night just got a hot topic!”

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

Kuroo’s splashed in his couch, sipping from a bottle of water, while Bokuto is sitting on the counter stool, sipping one of Kuroo’s fancy scotches, looking at Kuroo with a funny face.

“Wait, bro, let me see if I got this straight… Your cat… banged the hot neighbor’s cat.. And now you’re doing the same?” Bokuto summarized the story that Kuroo just told him.

“That… sounded… animalistic”

Bokuto snorted, nearly spilling his drink. "Oh, come on, bro. You can’t tell me it’s not poetic. It’s like… fate. Two star-crossed lovers”

Kuroo sighed, rubbing his face with one hand while reaching for his own drink with the other. “First of all, no. Don’t call it fate. Second, Loki didn’t ‘fall in love.’ He just knocked up her cat, and now I’m stuck playing awkward in-law.”

Bokuto wiggled his eyebrows. “And you accidentally ended up in a heavy make-out session with said cat’s owner?”

Kuroo shot him a deadpan look. “Yes, Bokuto. That’s exactly how it happened. I tripped and landed with my tongue in her mouth.”

Bokuto gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “That’s insane! How’d you even keep your balance?”

Kuroo exhaled through his nose, dragging a hand down his face. “I hate you.”

Kenma, who had been half-listening while scrolling through his phone, finally spoke up from the other end of the couch, locking the phone and tossing on the coffee table. “So, are you actually into her, or was this just the wine?”

Kuroo opened his mouth, then closed it. A beat passed. Then another.

Bokuto leaned forward like he could smell the hesitation. “Ohhh, you like her.”

Kuroo groaned, tilting his head back against the couch. “I never said that.”

Kenma didn’t even glance up from his phone. “You didn’t have to.”

Bokuto grinned wildly. “Dude, you totally do. You’ve been all ‘hot neighbor this, hot neighbor that’ for months, and now you’re sitting here, looking like you just crawled out of a romance novel—messy hair, lipstick all over you, breathing like you ran a marathon—”

“Alright,” Kuroo cut in, pointing a warning finger. “I met her yesterday. There’s nothing there. We’re done with this conversation.”

Kuroo rolled his eyes at the topic, but his mind was already back at your place, back to the way you felt on his lap, the taste of wine lingering between kisses, and the way your fingers had tangled in his hair like you belonged there.

Yeah, he was screwed.

Bokuto smirked behind his glass. “You know that’s sus, bro. You never not wanna talk about the girls you hook up, sometimes you even share too much for our ears sake. And now you’re done with this conversation? Weird as hell. Are you high on catnip or something?”

Kuroo scoffed, taking a slow sip of his water, trying to ignore the way his ears burned at Bokuto’s words. “I just don’t feel like giving you two a play-by-play of my night, alright? Not everything is meant for your entertainment.”

Bokuto gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. “Kuroo Tetsuro, keeping a secret? Scandalous.”

Kenma hummed, eyes narrowingskeptically. “It’s either serious or embarrassing. Either way, he’s hiding something.”

Kuroo groaned, running a hand through his already-messy hair. “Oh my god, can we talk about something else?”

Bokuto, ignoring him completely, turned to Kenma. “Serious and embarrassing is my guess. I mean, look at him—he’s got that ‘I just realized I have a crush’ face.”

Kenma finally looked up, golden eyes scanning Kuroo for a long, quiet second. Then, with the precision of a seasoned gamer landing a final headshot, he muttered with a smug smile, “You’re overthinking it already, aren’t you?”

Kuroo opened his mouth, but no words came out. His jaw tightened.

Bokuto’s grin widened. “Ohhh, he is.”

Kuroo scowled, sinking deeper into the couch. He hated how well they knew him. He hated even more that they weren’t wrong. His brain had been stuck replaying the feel of you against him, the way your breath had hitched when he’d gripped your thigh, the way your lips had parted right before he kissed you again— everything seemingly so physical and superficial, but there’s a deepth he’s not familiar with in the slightest. Is it the cat connection? Is it because you two shared too much right before the make out session and he realized how you’re a mix of smart, successful, hardworking, independent and authentic wrapped up in devastatingly hot body and pretty face?.

Shit.

He needed to get a grip.

With a sigh, he grabbed the scotch glass from Bokuto’s hand and took a sip himself. “I swear, you two have way too much time on your hands.”

Bokuto just wiggled his eyebrows. “And you have a hot neighbor on your hands.”

Kenma smirked slightly, going back to his phone. “This is gonna be fun to watch.”

Kuroo exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “I hate both of you.”

Bokuto just laughed, spinning the empty glass in his hands. “Nah, you love us. Just like you looove—”

“Finish that sentence and I’m throwing you off my balcony.”

Bokuto made a show of zipping his lips but kept grinning like he’d already won. And, honestly, maybe he had.

Because Kuroo was distracted. He was so distracted.

Even as Kenma and Bokuto bickered about what game to play next, his mind kept drifting back—to your place, to the taste of wine and heat on your lips, to the way your fingers had tugged at his hair like you needed him.

It was supposed to be a casual thing. Just some alcohol-induced fun. That’s what he’d told himself when he went for the kiss. But the way his body was still thrumming with leftover electricity and his mind was yearning for a deeper connection told a different story.

And the worst part?

He wanted more.

A lot more.

With a quiet groan, he tipped his head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers. Maybe he really was screwed.

Kenma’s voice pulled him back to the present. “So, when are you seeing her again?”

Kuroo scoffed, grabbing his phone from the coffee table. “I don’t know. Whenever Loki and I happen to bump into her, I guess.”

Bokuto snorted. “Dude, your cat is literally dating her cat. You have the perfect excuse.”

Kuroo glared at him, but his fingers hovered over your name in his messages. Should he text you? Would that be weird? Too soon? Too obvious?

Before he could overthink it, his phone vibrated with a new message.

Kitten Lady: Hey, I was thinking about making some arrangements in the kittens corner tomorrow. Wanna come help me with it?

Kuroo blinked, rereading the text. A slow smirk spread across his lips.

Kenma, eyebrows widden in a stunned expression, muttered, “He’s smiling. This is worse than I thought.”

Bokuto clapped his hands together. “Boys, we have a situation!”

[hellfirenacht]

Anomaly Part 3

Summary: You can talk to anyone in school with no problem. At least, anyone who’s not named Eddie Munson.

Tags: Anxious-ish!Reader but not shy, one sided pining, no use of y/n, fem!reader, one sided enemies to lovers, fem!reader

2.4k Words

Part 1, Part 2, Master List

Miles Cooper was still at school the following week, which meant that he was given no consequences for what had happened to you or for blaming Eddie. 

Eddie couldn’t even say he was surprised by this point. If Eddie really had been the one to trip you up, he was sure he’d get suspended or even expelled. It was so close to the end of the year and he could feel that Higgins was looking for any reason to keep him from walking across that stage to get his diploma. 

You hadn’t shown up on Monday. Not that it mattered to Eddie either way, you two didn’t even know each other. But you had cleared his name. That was the thought that kept buzzing around his brain like a mosquito that he just couldn’t swat. Despite the glares and the snide remarks, you had gone out of your way to make sure that he didn’t get in trouble for something he didn’t do, which is more than what he could say for a lot of people at this school.

He had to give you credit for that at least. Not many people outside of his small friend circle would stick up for him like that. 

With work and band practice, it was easy to forget about you until Wednesday when you showed up to English class with a thick white cast around your wrist and arm. Shit, your fall really had done a number on you. You were struggling with juggling your books and they fell off your desk with a clatter, and you thanked the girl next to you for helping you pick them up. 

Eddie would like to think he was above eavesdropping and gossip, but he’d be wrong. 

“What happened?” The girl- Sarah- asked. 

“I face planted on the bleachers at the pep rally.” you said, taking your seat again. “One minute I was trying to get down, and the next I’m getting elbowed and my arm hurt.” 

“I heard someone pushed you” 

Eddie heard that emphasis on someone and gripped his pencil, hearing the subtle sound of wood splintering against his thumb. This was not the time to make a scene. 

“No one pushed me. Miles elbowed me and I fell.” you said firmly. 

You were still defending him, Eddie wasn’t sure how to feel. 

“If you’re gonna spread rumors, could you do me a favor and make it sound more interesting?” You continued, “Like, start telling people that I dived off the bleachers to distract everyone that Miles shit himself.”

Eddie snorted loudly before he could stop himself. He slammed his hand pencil down on the table and covered his mouth. Dammit, why did you have to be funny?

Sarah laughed, much less obnoxiously and agreed before asking to sign your cast. You must be covered in signatures now, as you seemed to be friends with everyone. 

Everyone except him. 

Not that it mattered. 

It was nice and all that you saved him from getting in trouble, but it’s not like you two were ever going to be friends, no matter how funny you were. 

Class started and Eddie spent the rest of class doodling and barely paying attention to the teacher. This was usually how his school days went. Yeah, he had been trying harder in the past two years to graduate and pass his classes but some days his brain just refused to focus on anything important. 

The bell rang and Eddie took his sweet time getting his things together. Next period was his favorite- lunch. 

“Shit.” He heard you mumble as you tried to wrangle your books with one arm. He knew there was a rule about not being allowed to carry around a backpack but, shit, Eddie would have thought you’d get some help. Shouldn’t one of those many signatures be offering to carry your books? 

Obviously not, as you finally managed to tuck your notebook under your arm. You looked flustered, and hot in the face. Your brows were furrowed in concentration and you finally let out a loud groan as your papers went flying everywhere as students for the next class started coming in. 

It was pathetic, and Eddie couldn’t exactly leave you stranded. You cleared his name, so at least he could try and help you out right now. Maybe he’d even figure out what your problem with him was. 

“Here.” Eddie said and grabbed the papers closest to him and picked up your binder before you could stop him. 

Normally when Eddie looked at you, you’d turn your nose up at him and look away. This time, he found himself giving you direct eye contact. Your eyes were wide with surprise that he had stepped in to help, followed by more frustration. 

“Thanks.” you said shortly. 

“Need help getting to the lunch room?” Eddie asked. He’d wait for you to say no, to tell him to get out of your face, and he can walk away with a clear conscience that at least he tried. 

You were staring at him as if he were some sort of alien who had just asked you why the sky wasn’t orange. Yeah ok, he could take the hint. 

“Yes.” 

The word sounded choked out, as if the single syllable was a struggle to say. But you had said it, and Eddie was a man of his word, even though he hadn’t promised you anything. 

Eddie stacked your notebook and binder on top of his. You were still staring at him as if you couldn’t believe he was talking to you. Eddie couldn’t really believe it himself. 

He’d do this small favor for you as a thanks, and then you two could go back to ignoring each other. 

“Lead the way.” He said, offering up his best impression of his dad’s smile. If he was lucky (which Eddie never was) then maybe some of his dad’s Munson Magic might rub off on him enough so that you’d at least relax a little. 

You only nodded and led him out of the classroom. 

You didn’t like the cast and it’s off-putting stark white bandages. You wanted to choose a different color- maybe red or black or even that weird obnoxious toxic green that was offered to you. But your mom decided that white would be better because it would make it easier to sign, so white it was. 

Your parents at least took pity on you Monday, letting you stay home to wallow in embarrassment that you had broken your wrist and fractured your arm in front of all of your classmates. Tuesday they released you back to school, but you had instead skipped getting on the bus (because you could not drive one-handed) and played hooky at the local library. It’s not like anyone would care that someone your age was skipping school. 

Wednesday came, and you forced yourself onto the bus, the first time you had used it since moving to Hawkins. The ride was bumpy and long, and your walkman ran out of batteries halfway to school. 

It wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. A few people came up and signed your cast, some asking what happened. You just told them the same thing, that Miles elbowed you and you fell. It wasn’t as exciting as the idea of the school Freak attacking you, but you weren’t about to get Eddie involved in something that he had nothing to do with. You were just going to ignore the fact that Eddie had been the reason you were heading in that direction anyway. 

English class rolled around, and you spent most of it poking the inside of your cast with your pencil, trying to scratch an itch that just wouldn’t go away. It was bad enough that you had fucked up your dominant arm, but this was actually Hell. 

When the bell rang, everyone else seemed to be in a huge rush to get out of the classroom. Everyone but Eddie. Obviously. Because of course the one person you were trying to avoid was now slinking around you. 

Your long weekend, you had done your best to try and not think about him. You could handle falling in front of everyone else in school, but with Eddie it was different. Your stomach twisted as you remembered how he had yelled as you fell next to him and how he had looked at you as you had ignored your stinging arm as you ran out of the gym to clear his name. 

It was bad enough he had heard you make a poor joke out of context, you weren’t going to throw him under the bus either. 

“Need help getting to the lunch room?”

Your face was already hot with the embarrassment of not being able to carry your own books. Your backpack had ripped the second you got off the bus, and you lost your math homework to a puddle. You hated that he was still here to begin with, was breaking your wrist already not enough pain and suffering? 

You were staring at him. Fuck- dammit- shit say something back-

“Yes.” 

The word almost got stuck in your throat. The only reason it came out was that as painful and embarrassing as this moment was, what Stacy would do to you if she found out you said no would be far worse. 

Eddie dropped your books on top of his, and gave you a smile that looked so forced that you couldn’t stand to look at him. Was this being done just out of pity? You’d run for the hills if he wasn’t holding you binder hostage. 

You led him through the hallway, and towards your locker. “I need to put some things up.” you said, and he followed you. 

The hallway was already mostly clear, and so no one seemed to pay you much mind. You weren’t sure what the rumor mill would churn out with Eddie carrying your books, but did it even matter? Two more months and you’d be out of this school and none of these people would matter. 

No one except the young man following behind you. 

Eddie dutifully held your books as you put them away. The door to your locker stopped you from seeing his face, which seemed like the perfect time to take the foot out of your mouth that had been there since the pep rally. 

“...I’m... uh... I’m sorry for what I said on Friday.” you started, pretending to rifle through a folder. “About you being in a cult. It was a stupid joke and I shouldn’t have said it.”

Eddie was quiet for a moment, and you felt your whole body tense up as you waited for him to say anything. 

“Yeah we uh.. We aren’t big on sacrificing in Hellfire.” he said carefully. “Had to stop that with the club budget cuts.” 

You had to bite the inside of your cheek and close your eyes tight to keep from laughing. You covered it up with a cough. “Yeah uh... sounds like that’d be a lot of paperwork.” 

You took a slow and deep breath before closing your locker to look at him. He was smiling at you, a far less forced one than before. It was almost the same smile he gave his friends when he didn’t know you were looking. 

It wasn’t much, but it didn’t stop the butterflies from exploding in your chest. You should see a doctor about that. 

“Oh yeah, tons.” Eddie said. “And with all the letters we get about our club being associated with the Devil it was just a bureaucratic headache.”

I know that if I could just talk to him one then I’d be fine. You had told yourself that every single day since these pesky little feelings emerged. Maybe you had been right. The two of you made your way to the cafeteria. 

“You’re just some nerds playing with dice.” you said, and realize that could be taken the wrong way. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’ve also... played board games.” 

God you were acting like a total airhead. Board games? Really? You were acting like your brain was broken rather than your wrist. 

You felt Eddie’s eyes on you, and saw how he also looked unsure about your answer. Whatever was going through his head, he brushed aside. 

“I should also thank you for clearing my name.” he said, changing the subject. “You came running out of the gym and saved my ass.” 

“I wasn’t going to let someone get in trouble just because I fell!” It was the most assured thing you had ever said to Eddie.

“Well, either way I’d say you’re my hero.” Eddie said. “I’m pretty sure if you hadn’t come running to my rescue I’d probably be expelled by now, and then who would be around to corrupt the youth of Hawkins?” 

Hero. Eddie called you his hero. You felt your body buzzing with an energy that you were not in a place to use. 

You two were in the cafeteria now, and you led Eddie over to where Stacy was sitting. Stacy, being the queen of subtlety that she was, was openly gawking at the sight of the two of you together. 

She was giving you a look, and that look said that the second that Eddie was out of earshot you would be giving her a play by play of every single second of this interaction. 

Eddie dropped your books on the table by Stacy.

“Hi, Eddie!” she said in a perky voice. You wanted to kick her, and shot her a warning look which she ignored. “Will you be dining with us today?” 

You wanted to rip your hair out. 

“As much as I would love to spend my lunch period with you two ladies, I’m afraid my freshmen wouldn’t survive out there in the wild without me.” Eddie gave a dramatic bow. 

“Thank you. For helping me.” you said stiffly. Being on the receiving end of Eddie’s theatrics was making your brain blow a fuse. 

Eddie gave you a nod and sauntered off to his usual table where he was immediately hounded by his friends for being seen with you. You wondered what they were thinking. Did you look weird next to Eddie? Were they judging you for not being part of their group?

“Stop drooling.” Stacy said. “Talk.”

I have never broken a bone and have done minimal googling.

Also these chapters are getting longer dammit. This is supposed to be the easy stuff to wright UGH. Also tell me if there's something you wanna see with this, because I'm winging it like I do with all my writing lol

Tag List: @eddiemunsonfuxks @kirsteng42 @strangereads @pedroschka @generoustrashpeach

@sheneedsrocknroll92 @cyanfairywren @crocworkships @tomtomslongdong @aphrogeneias

@ghcstpyre @totheforestandtheocean @stevekeeryswife @dreamyyy222222 @ajnerdess

@sp1dyb0y1008 @projectcampbell @emxxblog @thebadbatchfan

@transparentenemypenguin @ghoulsgraveyard @spread-the-hope @exploding-bonbon @paleidiot

@2spock @c14r3v1b3srs @yujyujj @saramelaniemoon @morganlolitta

@veemoon @mrsrdlw @eddieheart @bambibiest @mylovelycrazyworld

@sassidykassidy @cultish-corner @thedoubleexposurephotography @bambibiest @wheels-of-despair

[hellfire--cult]

Edit of Eddie: pitifulbaby

Chapters: Masterlist (Go here to see list of chapters, plotline and general warnings.)

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Non-Traditional Omegaverse, Slow burn, Modern!AU, Mechanic!Eddie

⚠️18+: lots of angst, mentions of pregnancy (not reader), evil person appearing, reader having a crisis, some violence, eddie being a sweetheart, hurt/comfort

wc: 9.9k

A/N: i didn't take a month to update, wow. hope you all like this chapter because here is where everything starts turning a lil more serious. thank you @andvys for always proofreading for me 💕

Anyways, Enjoy! ❤️ And don't forget to always support me by hitting the reblog button or leave a comment!

Taglist is closed

<- Prev. chapter - Next chapter ->

CHAPTER 21

Tap. Tap. Tap.

You tapped that pen on the desk as you held onto your forehead. A headache was forming as you started thinking of how to cope with the next interviews you will have with this woman. A successful woman who had many clothing brands to her name. One who wanted many pages with her clothes on display by various models. A woman.

A pregnant woman.

You weren’t resentful. You weren’t angry or jealous… You just know if things would have gone different, you would have a child in your arms by now. You would be showing that baby off like your pride and joy. Looking at a pregnant woman was like looking at the one thing you never reached, the one dream that was so close to being completed only for it to be ripped apart. Ripped from your grasp by two evil beings.

That was the unfair part. If it were your fault, if it were something that had happened to you, then you would have no one to blame but yourself. That was the part you were still resentful of. The part you hated to dwell on. The part you didn’t want to remember. You often wondered if you could even hold a baby. Would your heart let you? Would it allow you to feel the warmth of someone else’s baby after what you went through? 

You sighed as you fixed the papers on your desk, looking at the name of the woman. She was kind, she seemed happy and radiant, holding her pregnant belly as she discussed business with you and Liana. You saw how she used her left hand that held a beautiful wedding ring on her ring finger, and she rubbed it all over her belly, laughing when she got distracted when her baby kicked.

You wanted to feel it, yet you didn’t. You wanted to know how it felt, how it all could be… but you also didn’t want to be reminded of what you didn’t get to have, and maybe, ever have. At this rate, is there someone out there that won’t fuck you over? Someone you are willing to trust? 

And he popped in your head.

As soon as he did, you shook your head, brushing him off. He wasn’t a good idea. You know about his record of women, you know who he is and what he does. You would not be surprised if you came to find out he is fucking someone else apart from you right now. You wouldn’t be surprised. He can do whatever he wants, can’t he? Just like you do. You two are unattached. As it should be.

This was just beneficial for the two of you. You were friends who had a great time together in and out of bed, and that was it. You are happy that that is it. Don’t you? Yeah, you are. You are not looking for a relationship, much less with Eddie Munson. From what you know, he has never been in a serious relationship. He’s never had a girlfriend before, and you asked around. You asked Steve, Jonathan, Nancy… they all gave you the same answer: Eddie does not do relationships.

Your pen dropped from your hand, a gulp sounding in the room. You were blinking a few times as you breathed again and grabbed the pen once more. 

But you couldn’t help but imagine it. You wanted to invite him to stay over often and not just leave in the morning. You want him to eat breakfast with you, or lunch, whatever. It was as if whenever you got together first with your friends, you used that time to be together like friends and just that. Enjoy a movie together, some drinks, a dinner, but then everyone leaves and you are on each other like animals in heat season.

You wondered if he ever wanted to spend a night with you alone, but… watching a movie. Or having some pizza together with some beers and play games… or– wait, you are thinking about a date. You are thinking of going on a date with Eddie. But is it? You two are like that when not fucking eachother’s brains out, so what’s wrong with spending time with him as a friend and just a friend? It isn’t weird.

You should offer it, but what if Eddie actually thinks you are asking him on a date? Or what if he thinks that because you want to do something friendly with him, you are putting an end to it all? Why are you overthinking this? You didn’t before, and you should stop. He is not racking his brains over this like you are, so you shouldn’t.

“Knock knock.” You raised your head to see Robin knocking on your open door, a small smile on her lips. You knew why she was here, so you let her in, putting the pen down on the papers on your desk. She walked in, leaving the door open, tilting her head towards you. “You okay?” “Yeah… Yeah, I am Robs.” You sighed and one thing is to pass by a lovely couple where the woman is pregnant and not see them again, and the other is this. Meeting this woman several times and knowing that at one point you will find her sitting on that chair with her baby in her arms instead of inside her belly. 

“Okay… Liana is calling for everyone in the cafeteria. She wants to tell us something important.” You frowned at that, wondering what it could all be, because Liana always made sure you were one of the few to know first about things or deals happening to the company. 

“What?” Robin shrugged at your question and continued.

“She was smiling, so I am not assuming the worst, you know…” Okay, that calms you down slightly. You nod and get up from your desk, smiling at Robin as she smirks and points at your neck. “Things are turning serious?”

“What?” You covered your neck with your hand, cursing at Eddie in your mind. After he dropped Argyle off from a night at Jonathan’s bar, he drove you to his house, and there wasn’t any sex, just him with a sudden hunger to eat you out, and make you see stars consecutively. 

That was a new development. Eddie was very into making you cum. He told you he would make you cum at least twice whenever you two stayed together, and he sure is taking that promise seriously. You weren’t complaining, but he made you feel… wanted. And you didn’t want to feel like that… You didn’t want to feel… hopeful.

“When can I properly meet Jeff? Like, as your best friend, so I can do that whole ‘Hurt her and I murder you’ speech.” Robin said with a smile and you felt guilty. So, so guilty. How do you tell her this is not serious? How do you even begin to explain to her that this is not what it looks like at all? 

How do you even tell her it’s not Jeff, but Eddie you’re seeing?

“Never because this is not serious and never will be.” The words stung in your tongue and you tried brushing it away with a roll of your shoulders, in which Robin caught on. Your hands fumbled in your purse to get the concealer out so you could reapply it on the hickey and some powder to conceal it. 

“You look upset about that.” Her words made you look up as you popped the concealer open and walked towards the mirror in your office. 

“Upset? Why would I be upset?” You asked, your heart racing slightly at your own question but Robin stood next to you, crossing her arms over her chest as you applied two dots of concealer on the skin of your neck.

“Because whenever you roll your shoulders, crack your neck, or don’t even look at me, it means something is not going as you planned.” You gulped a lump that was suddenly bothering you in your throat as you stared at Robin through the mirror. You weren’t upset. Why would you be? Why would you be upset at all about how things are going? You aren’t. 

“You’re wrong. I’m perfectly fine with what I have now, and, I– I am still talking to other people.”

“Bullshit! Jeff is the only one you’ve been seeing for a month now or more and you confessed to me that no one fucks you like–”

“Yeah, yeah, got it! I know what I said but– We aren’t exclusive even! So– Who knows? Maybe he is out there, fucking someone else right now!” You froze for a second at your words. Could that be happening? Could that be something that Eddie was doing? You two don’t really talk about being with other people, nor have you had any indication of him sleeping with someone else but, he is in all his right. He can do whatever he wants, just like you can. You just decide not to because you’re afraid of being disappointed and embarrassed for the other person for not performing like Eddie does.

That was all. 

“Well then, make it exclusive!” Robin’s voice was loud, which made you shush her with a movement of the concealer wand as you put it back in the container. You passed the tube to her and opened the powder to set it on your neck. 

“I won’t because we don’t want that.” You could feel the pulse in your neck becoming quicker the longer you held this conversation.

“How do you know he doesn’t want that?” Robin’s voice was slowly starting to annoy you as you walked back to your desk, ripping the concealer out of her hands to put it back in your purse. 

“We talked about it already, and we just want to keep having sex. That is all there is.” You straightened up, fixing your blazer and turning to look at her. “So?”

Robin looked you up and down and did an ok sign with her fingers, “Unnoticeable.”

“Perfect. Do you have any idea what she wants?” You asked as you walked out of your office, Robin closing the door behind her as you two went to the elevator.

“I have no idea. She wants everyone to be in the cafeteria for an announcement. I don’t know what could possibly be.” Robin replied as you two got into the elevator and pressed for the second floor, the door closing in front of you. “She’s not retiring, isn’t she?”

“Oh my god, Robin, Liana is only forty-one.” To your answer, Robin shrugged. Once the doors opened, you all walked out and moved to the cafeteria where many people were already waiting and talking to eachother, speculating into what the news could be. You wondered if any of the rumors that were happening were true. 

Some speculated she was resigning. Some speculated the company was going to close down. Some were saying she was just going to give out the announcement for a better salary. You did not have a single clue what was happening, except for the fact Liana seemed happier, and she was being less strict with everything around her. Fuck, maybe she was resigning.

You stood next to Robin who was already grabbing a muffin from the counter, but your nerves didn’t let you sit still. You couldn’t even think of eating something right now, afraid that it would get caught in your throat. You had a feeling something you weren’t going to like was going to happen, but maybe it was just your nerves and the client situation throwing you off… and the talk you just had with Robin.

Liana walked in, smiling as she greeted a few, coming over to stand in the middle of the cafeteria. Everyone greeted her like the superstar she was, a renamed magazine director. A magazine that despite the technological changes, it’s up and running, changing it from the public view, to only be a magazine, a catalogue, for clothing brands. 

“Okay, hello!” Liana greeted you all, and you fidgeted in your place as she looked all over the employees, or well, most of them, which weren’t a lot. Just thirty people in the building right now. “So, I bet you are all not figuring out why I called you here.”

“No idea Liana, so please, spare us from the anxiety.” A male coworker laughed, which prompted everyone to let out a chuckle, as well as Liana.

“Sure, it’s going to be quick. For the next month… I will be looking for a temporary replacement.” Your eyes widened as you turned to look at Robin, who was wide-eyed just as you were.

“Temporary?” Someone asked and your eyes looked back at Liana, and you just felt a shiver run down your spine. Something was telling you to get out of there. Something was telling you to simply run away. Something was telling you that you shouldn’t listen to this.

“Yes… I have been hiding something from all of you. My personal life is something I wanted to keep apart from my work as much as I could, but these new decisions require me to be open about it now.” You felt your blood going cold. Your hands were tense. Your tongue was dry.

“Don’t tell me…” Robin’s whisper was far away as you only focused on Liana, who was smiling widely, her hands opening her blazer, and there happened to be a belly. A swollen belly. A pregnant belly.

“I’m going on maternity leave. I’m six months pregnant.”

If there was any clapping, any cheering, any kind of reaction to that, you were numb to it. You were deaf to whatever was happening. Everything moved in slow motion for you right now, and you were trying to process what she had just said. You were trying to make it make sense but it just didn’t. How? When?

She is pregnant. Your boss is fucking pregnant. Everyone is getting pregnant.

You want to leave. You want to run away but you can’t. Just because it didn’t happen for you, it doesn’t mean people can’t live that. Just because you couldn’t make it happen doesn’t mean others cannot. You had to be rational about it. You had to be a grown up and you have moved on from this. You did.

So why do you feel like throwing up? Why do you feel like the world is crumbling on top of your head? Why do you feel like you won’t reach anything you ever want? Why are you so envious? Why?

“Baby, snap out, please.” Robin’s words made you blink, looking at her through lost eyes. Her eyebrows were met in the middle in a worried frown. Pity. You could see the pity and you didn’t want to see it, or feel it. 

“I’m fine. I’m alright, just shocked, I didn’t even… know she had a partner.” You tried to play it cool as shock and not utter disappointment in your life. You were trying to play it off as if it wasn’t one of the worst things you heard in the past week.

“It’s… okay to feel sad– You just had a client–”

“My two doves!” Liana’s voice broke you from your conversation with Robin, making you look at her with words being stuck in your throat. You didn’t want to face her but you had to. You were being childish. You need to make your heart stop turning a bit in your chest cavity and tell your stomach to stop flipping upside down.

“Hi Liana…” Robin was side-eyeing you as you kept looking at your boss, your breaths quite heavy. “I’m– Congratulations! I didn’t know you had a partner!”

“Oh, yes! I do, it was kind of… an on and off thing until we decided to make it work and well… take the next step for me before it was too late and all!” Your boss said with a smile and– The baby was going to be born in something that was broken? Your throat was dry, not even gulping down saliva helped. Liana turned to look at you, “I’m sorry for not telling you. Especially you.”

You didn’t know what to say. You had to say something. This was like a praise coming from her because it meant you were one of her favorites. You cleared your throat, and you were hoping you were mustering a smile, because you couldn’t exactly feel your face right now.

“I’m not mad, Li. I’m just… very surprised…” You said and she smiled, holding her hand out. You frowned a bit, putting your hand on hers and– No. Please, no. She directed your hand to her belly, so you could press your palm against it and you felt the entire world caving in for you. It was soft. It was so soft and there was a baby in there.

“Still, sorry… But! Can you feel him? A strong baby boy is growing in there!” She was smiling, excited, and she was so happy to make you be the one to touch her belly, something private, something intimate. And all you felt was anger. Sadness. Jealousy. Resentment. 

You forced another of your smiles but the moment you felt her belly bump slightly, signaling the baby inside was moving, the bad thoughts were gone momentarily. Someone so pure, so innocent and beautiful. A baby boy. Your eyes went towards Liana who was smiling expectantly at you, making you tilt your head in question.

“What is it?”

“You’re my first choice.” She whispered and Robin’s eyes widened as you retreated your hand back in shock. 

“Sorry?”

“My replacement. I think it will give you… amazing training. I will be looking at others just in case you decide to not take it but… It will give you a pay raise and it stays that way even when I return from my leave… and then… when I retire…” 

Was Liana telling you she wanted to make you her successor? She wanted to train you to be the next CEO of this company? You should be so happy. You should be up on the moon by this revelation. You knew you were one of Liana’s favorites but never to this extent. And even now, realizing this, your smile was still forced. Your excitement was forced. Your happiness was forced.

“Are you serious? Do you seriously think I can do a good job?” Your voice was small, and Liana only smiled as she nodded and then put a finger over her lips to signal you to keep quiet and then looked at Robin.

“Not a word of this, especially you babbling Robin.” Robin only gave a salute in response as Liana winked at the both of you and walked away. You just stood there, seeing how she put her hand on her belly as she walked to the next set of people. You felt your heart combusting into itself, a huge fire expanding all over you, and you had to try to shake it off. You had to try to shake this moment away because you were feeling humiliated. Defeated.

“Wow, I’m happy for you!” You knew Robin was trying to look at the bright side of things for you. You knew she was trying her best and that she could see the twitch in your eye. The way your gaze didn’t leave Liana’s belly for one second. A baby that was sporadically planned. A baby that, maybe, was planned to save a marriage. 

It wasn’t fair.

“I… yeah.” You finally turned to look at Robin, and you felt your hand itching to reach your phone. To text someone. Him. You wanted to text Eddie. You wanted to see Eddie but why? He is a friend, first and foremost and he has had your back in bad situations before. That’s why. You just feel like you can count on him. That’s all there was.

“We should… go out and celebrate tonight! Go to Jon’s bar and have a few drinks…” Your eyes were distant and your mind suddenly switched. You shouldn’t be sad. You shouldn’t. You were offered to take over Liana’s spot while she was gone. A CEO position! It was big shit! You give her a slow nod, a small genuine smile finally appearing on your lips as Robin could almost sigh in relief.

“Yeah. Yeah! I mean it’s not an official thing, but she said it! I’m her top choice! And you bet your ass Robin I’m taking it.” Robin did a small little happy dance for you, giving a small clap and you finally felt a little bit of the tension you were feeling leave your shoulders.

As long as you don’t look at your boss’ belly, you’ll be fine.

You took another shot with Robin. This being your fourth one of the night.

Nancy was sitting next to her, in front of you, while next to you sat the man you’ve been wanting to see since yesterday night. Since today morning. Since today afternoon. Eddie smirked as he drank his water, having drank only one shot but keeping the status of designated driver in check.

“A CEO, now that’s something else.” Eddie mentioned as you turned your head to look at him, the alcohol not kicking in at all for you, unlike Robin who was already buzzing with it, nudging Nancy who was giggling next to her. 

“I am not a CEO yet, but I am going to be trained to be one.” He hummed in approval, raising his glass at you, prompting you to raise your daiquiri, a sweet drink to show your happiness. That’s definitely what you felt. You two clinked glasses and then you felt your knee being squeezed slightly underneath the table, making your breath hitch for a second.

“Congrats, Peach. You deserve that.” His smile was genuine as he directed it your way and you had to stop your damn heart from beating so fast. There was no need for it to go that quickly. 

“Damn right she does! She got so many clients!” Robin said with a cheer, making you flush as she praised you in front of your friends, making you look down at your glass as you took a sip from it.

“Why are you going into training, though?” Nancy asked, and you stiffened in your place for a second, and the man next to you noticed. You cleared your throat and opened your mouth to talk but Robin beat you to it, which made your blood go cold, not wanting to give the actual explanation or even hear it.

“Liana is leaving because–”

“I’m going to the bar to get another drink.” You said as you raised from your seat, the warm hand that was on your knee retreating for you to scoot away and out of the booth with your almost empty daiquiri glass. You want a beer now. You really want a beer. You know Robin will tell them, but you do not want to listen to it. You don’t want to see the pitiful looks on their faces, much less Eddie’s.

You slowly walked through the crowd, the bar a little crowded thanks to it being a happy hour on a Thursday. Many people came here after work, just like all of you did many times. You reached the bar, Jonathan smiling as he walked up to you from behind it as he cleaned a glass.

“Another one?”

“I want a beer.” His smile faded as a frown now came to happen in his eyebrows and you knew he realized something changed, that something happened.

“Did something happen over there?” You shook your head as a signal of not wanting to talk about it. He gave a single nod as he leaned downwards, grabbing a beer out of the ice bucket. He popped it open as he handed the bottle to you and took the glass of your daiquiri away from you. “Don’t drink too much, you got work tomorrow.”

“Are you my mom?” You gave him a small smile, which he reciprocated, shaking his head at you. His head perked up when he heard someone calling him from the other side of the bar. He gave you a wink before moving away from you, leaving you to stand there with the beer in front of you. You took a long sip of it, feeling the bitterness run down your throat and you groaned at it. 

Why did it have to hit you once again? Why did they have to ask? You didn’t want to turn around, afraid that the group of three might be looking your way with frowns on their faces. You didn’t want to go back and hear the typical ‘It will be okay’. You don’t care. You shouldn’t care.

“Darling?”

Your body froze.

That wasn’t Eddie’s voice. That wasn’t Jonathan’s voice. That wasn’t any of the people you knew in this town’s voice. No. It cannot be. It shouldn’t be. It’s just someone with the same vocal chords, people can have identical voices. It can happen. But, you need to make sure. You need to make sure that it’s not what you think it is. Who you think it is.

Your head turned to your left and you felt your heart dropping to the floor. You no longer feel the cold of the beer in your hand as you stare at the blue-colored eyes in front of you, at the blonde hair that was nice and kept, at the office attire he was wearing. No. Why? Why now? Why here? Why in the bubble you had created for over a year? Why?

“I thought that my eyes had deceived me, but it really is you.” He dared to send a smile your way. He dared to fucking smile at you. He dared to talk to you. He dared to even acknowledge you.

“Henry.” He straightened up in his seat at your small voice. You were just staring at him, wide eyed, frozen. You couldn’t feel your limbs. This was not right. 

“Hi, darling.” You noticed the twinge of nervousness in his tone and you finally felt your body tremble a little bit. You could feel the adrenaline rushing all over as your stomach flipped inside out. 

“Don’t… Don’t call me that.” You stuttered, looking away from him, anywhere, but your vision was blurry, hazy even. Was the alcohol finally hitting you? Right now? No, that wasn’t it. No.

“I’m sorry, it’s just… It’s nice to see you’re… fine.” How fucking dare he say that to you? The pent-up anger was rising in your throat like vile, but then it was just a feeling of pure humiliation as you remembered the two pregnant women you saw today. Something that could have happened to you if he hadn’t gone cheating on you with your best friend. If he hadn’t tricked you. If they hadn’t done an illegal thing to you. 

“Fine…” You scoffed at him, still with a lost look in your eyes, not wanting to look at him. Your tongue was hurting you, your throat was closing up on you, and you felt every inch of your body wanting to rip open. 

“I– I asked your mom where you went… She didn’t really want to give me any details, and that was fair but… I didn’t think I would need a business trip to meet you here.” You finally dared to look at him. Why was he saying these things to you? Why did he even care to talk to you after what he’d done to you?

“I did the divorce papers, and I left, and you should be fucking thankful I didn’t have the energy to take legal action for what you two did to me.” Your mouth was moving all by itself as you talked to him, and Henry sighed, giving a nod your way.

“I know, I know, but– I never got to tell you I am sor–”

“Don’t you even fucking dare to go there.” You wanted to smash the beer in his face. You wanted to bolt out of there. You needed to run. You felt your fingers having an itch to connect to his face in a fist. Did he think the word ‘sorry’ would mend things up? Did he think he would redeem himself with that stupid single word?

“I know we hurt you, but I’m honestly glad you’re alright–”

“Alright? Alright… Yes… In another city, away from my own mother. Yes. I am alright.” He noticed the sarcasm in your voice, the hatred and the pain displayed in your eyes and when you stared at him you couldn’t help but remember how your hand felt over the swollen belly. How the baby moved inside. How it felt to touch something you might never have. How it felt to touch the one thing you thought he would help you in getting.

“You need to calm down, I just– I just wanted to say hi–”

“Hello.” 

Now that voice you recognized. Your head turned to your left as well as Henry’s did. You saw how Eddie’s gaze was trained on him. How he was scanning every inch of your ex husband, not knowing it was him. You– You wanted to leave. You wanted to run away.

“Who are you?” Henry asked as he looked at you and then back at Eddie. He pointed back and forth, “Do you know him?”

“Yes… a friend.” Eddie’s eyes only looked at you when he noticed how small your voice was. You knew he felt something was wrong, and it seems he realized you were not going to introduce the two of them.

“I’m Eddie. You are?” You just stood there, staring at Henry as the asshole smiled politely, sticking his hand out. 

“I’m Henry. Um… Her Ex-Husband. Old friend.” 

You could feel how silent everything went between the three of you. You turned to look at Eddie and– His eyes were staring at Henry’s face. You noticed a vein popping on the side of his neck, and even with all the tattoos, you started to notice the redness that was starting to slowly appear. Your senses were slowly coming back to you as your intuition was telling you that something was going to happen.

“Henry… huh.” Eddie’s voice was low, sending chills down your spine. You didn’t expect Eddie to take Henry’s hand, shaking it slowly. You could use Eddie as a scapegoat, tell Henry to go away, or maybe you could leave, but– “Yeah, I know you.”

And then it was a blur. First you were watching how Eddie was shaking your ex-husband’s hand, and the next, Eddie had pulled him towards him and head-butted Henry right in the middle of the forehead. Then it was a punch. Then another. Then on the floor. Then more punches. You could hear yelling, screaming, Jonathan pulling Eddie away from Henry with your help.

You saw Henry on the floor, holding his face, his nose all bloody, a busted lip. How many punches did Eddie throw? You weren’t sure. Your body was moving, but your mind was not registering anything of what was happening. There was a lot of yelling, Nancy and Robin grabbing you and pulling you out of the bar with Eddie and Jonathan. 

Your eyes caught sight of Eddie still screaming, yelling, his eyes could have been red from the fury that you could feel emanating from him. Jonathan was screaming too as well as Nancy, maybe trying to calm Eddie down, but all you could focus on was the man that just hit your ex-husband square in the face. 

“We need to get out of here. Let’s get her home.” Was that Robin or Nancy? You didn’t know. You just felt yourself being moved, slowly regaining your senses back. You could hear Eddie talking to the girls as you all got into his car, wondering where he drives first.

“I want to be alone.” You were still looking at Eddie and he understood your sign. You could see the bit of confusion in his face that you decided to be with him, instead of Robin.

“You sure?” Robin was asking next to you, even with the slurring in her tongue, you knew she was worried for you. You appreciated it, you nodded at her but– You didn’t need her. You didn’t know what you needed. You needed a distraction as the images came back to your head, the alcohol finally hitting you after the adrenaline that just happened.

You felt your heart bursting as you got inside the passenger’s seat, Nancy and Robin in the back. Eddie was still looking your way, but all you could do was stare forward as he got into the driver’s seat. The car was moving, the lights were passing but all you could see were the smiling women holding their bellies. Henry and Camila in your bed fucking after your third consecutive procedure. 

It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair.

Why here? Why did he have to have business here? Why? It wasn’t fair. Was he alone? You didn’t check if he had remarried. You didn’t want to check. You shouldn’t want to. Why would you want to? To see the people that hurt you have what they took away from you? What if Camila was also pregnant? Maybe she was. Maybe she fucking was by now. 

It wasn’t fair. 

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here.” You felt a kiss on your temple and you knew Robin had leaned forward from in between the passenger’s and driver’s seats and planted a kiss there. Or was it just pressure?

The car’s doors opened and closed and then it was just the wooden scent cologne and yourself. The drive started again, and you felt so numb. You felt dead. You needed to feel alive again, and Eddie might help with that. You needed Eddie. You wanted Eddie. 

The car ride was silent, and you couldn’t even look at him. It was humiliating for you that he met the man that fucked you over. That broke you. You didn’t want Eddie to be looking at you with worry or pity. You didn’t need that. You didn’t need people to feel sorry for you. You are strong, and you have been strong until now. 

You weren’t going to break. Not again.

The moment he parked, he looked your way as you got out of the car and you motioned for him to follow you. It was silent, it was too silent, but you just needed to reach your apartment. With Eddie. 

The moment you two walked inside your apartment, you felt the heat all over your body, the adrenaline, the emotions just traveling in every blood cell and white cell. You walked towards the couch as you heard the door closing, and you plopped down. 

“Peach… are you alright?” You heard his voice, but you could hardly register what he was asking. You felt the couch dip beside you and you turned your head to finally look at him and– He was looking at you with the eyes you didn’t want. He was staring at you with that pitiful look in his face that you didn’t need.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” You asked, which made him blink your way and you didn’t even register your movements, that you were already climbing up on his lap, his eyes wide in surprise as you cradled his face in your hands. Your lips connected to his and you sighed in relief as you felt the warmth of his kiss against yours. 

Your hips swayed against him, and you felt him groan into the kiss as your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, flushing your body against him. His hands grabbed onto your waist, his head pulling back for a second as your breath hit his lips.

“Peach, hold on–” You didn’t listen, your head in overdrive as you kissed him again, this time a little more forcefully than before. You didn’t want to think and you didn’t want to talk. You didn’t want to remember any of the events of today or from a year prior. You just needed to feel some warmth, some release. Your chest was against his as your hips kept moving against his, making you sigh into his mouth.

You took this opportunity to let go of him, not breaking the kiss, so you could take off your blazer and throw it away. You didn’t care for much right now, just that you needed to feel him. That you needed him. That you needed to shut your brain down with pleasure, but Eddie was not following your plan, which was making you grow irritated, desperate. He pulled away from your lips again, trying to talk once more.

“Hang on, for just a second–” And you didn’t let him. Your head dove into his neck, biting it gently, eliciting a grunt from his part.

“I need it.” Your voice was a whisper into his skin, your hands traveling to go underneath his shirt, ready to rip it away from him. The images need to go away. The memories need to disappear. Everything needs to go away. 

“Sweetheart–” You started kissing on his pulse point, your hips rubbing once more against him, and you could feel the bulge that started appearing but– He ripped you away from him, roughly, grabbing onto your biceps tightly. He was breathing heavily as he glared at you, and your eyes finally found his.

“Ed–”

“You don’t need this. You don’t need me like this… You need something else, Peach… I can give that too.” 

You just looked at him for a good while. This man that you consider a best friend at this point, despite what the two of you do behind closed doors and under your friends’ noses. Your eyes looked towards the hand that was holding your left bicep and– His knuckles were bloody. His knuckles were red and his skin had been cut. He hurt himself to hurt the man that hurt you.

And everything started sinking in.

Your eyes started burning with the incoming tears as you couldn’t handle the pain. The anger. The sadness. The disappointment. The humiliation you suffered. The struggle of seeing the cause of your pain once again after a year of running away from it. 

Your body shook as tears started leaving your eyes and going down your cheeks. You turned to look at him again, his eyes finding yours, telling you he was here. Telling you he was not going anywhere. You needed Eddie, just not in the way you thought. Your body shook aggressively three times thanks to trying to hold back sobs, only for the fourth one to finally come out.

Then it was one after the other. Eddie’s arms wrapped around your body, pulling you flush to him, laying your head on his shoulder as he let you cry on him. Once again, he was holding you as you cried. He was holding you through something you didn’t think you were going to relive again. You let out cries of pain, staining his shirt with your tears and makeup, but he didn’t care. He never pulled you off him. His hands rubbed your back as he rocked you from side to side and you couldn’t help but just cling to him.

You needed Eddie like this. You wanted Eddie like this.

You wanted Eddie to hold you all day. To tell you that everything was going to be alright. That everything was going to work out. You wanted him to kiss you, to forget, yet to not do more than just that. You wanted Eddie to keep holding you like this, close to him. You wanted more than just the roughness of a kiss or the insinuating touch. 

But it was a thought that your burdened and drunken mind could focus on tomorrow. Right now, you have to cry. You have to cry about the unfairness. You have to cry about what could have been. You are letting yourself cry and he is holding you and rocking you from side to side, soft shushes in your ears–

“I’m here, Peach… I got you, baby. I got you.” 

And when you closed your eyes, you drifted off. You were expecting that in your sleep you would be encountered with nightmares of your past, images of the memories that consumed your being. Instead, you dreamed of your friends. Instead, you dreamed of someone. Instead, you dreamed that somehow, somebody, was telling you to not lose hope. To not let a low life make you think you are not worthy of something like that. Of a family.

Your eyes opened to the sunlight entering your room through the sheer curtains. You winced slightly at the brightness, turning your head to find yourself all alone in your bed. You were wearing a shirt, some sleeping shorts, and you don’t really remember changing. You slowly sat up on your bed, wincing as you felt your body a little sore for some reason, and your neck was stiff.

Your cell phone caught your eyes, and you reached over to grab it, seeing that it was 10 AM. You scrolled through the screen, seeing a message from Robin, Nancy, Jonathan… Everyone was wondering how you were doing. You replied to everyone, telling them you were okay, and in all honesty… you felt lighter. You had overslept, missing work, and there was simple message from Liana telling you Robin told her you felt sick and to get better. You had the day off.

God bless Robin.

The sound of a pan falling outside your bedroom door startled you, making you jump. Oh, Eddie stayed. He didn’t go home. He stayed with you until the morning. Your heart rocked in your chest from side to side and you didn’t mind it this time. You didn’t tell it to calm down. Your feet found the floor, and you walked towards the door, slowly opening it and walking out towards your kitchen to see Eddie cursing as he scrambled some eggs. 

He was shirtless, wearing his boxers only, and your eyes trained on the couch. You winced slightly because of your behavior from last night. You tried to jump his bones when he was trying to stop you, and you feel so pathetic and little for falling into that dark place. You had to apologize and thank him for everything. Your eyes trained on his back, and you felt your stomach flipping inside, or were they butterflies? Nerves? 

“Eds–”

You saw him jump and basically screech, making your eyes go wide as your hand covered your mouth, containing a snort at the display. He turned around to look at you, spatula in one hand, the pan on the other. 

“You fucking scared me Peach, I didn’t think you would wake up until later.” He sighed, letting the air he gasped in when he got scared out. You couldn’t help but smile as he turned around and continued cooking. “The eggs are almost done, and also, you have a four-bread toaster, now that’s fancy shit.” 

“I won it at one of my company’s raffles.” Your voice was calm, walking over to the island counter to sit on one of the stools. You rested your elbows on the marble and put your chin on your hands, and just watched him. You watched him move in your kitchen as if he had always done this. Acting as if this is a common thing you two do every time you hook up with eachother, but this is one of the rare times you two had breakfast together. 

“Oh, can you get me one?”

“You can literally buy it at any electronics store!” You giggled, and he turned around with a cheeky smile on his face that made you crumble a little in your seat.

“It feels better when you win something.” He turned around and turned off the stove, dumping the scrambled eggs on two plates that already had two pieces of toast each. You felt pressure in your chest, a good one, as he turned around and placed the plate in front of you before he opened the fridge, taking out water and juice. He sat on the counter after placing them in front of the two of you and he presented it with both his hands. “Ta-da!”

You smiled at the plate before you, sitting up straight as you grabbed the water to pour yourself some in your glass, as Eddie served himself some juice. It felt domestic. Right. 

“We’ll see how good these eggs are, Munson.” He huffed at you as he grabbed a toast and placed some of the eggs on it with a fork.

“I make the best eggs in all Indiana, sweetheart.” He boosted himself as he took a big bite. Your smile faded as you saw the bruises and the bandaids on his knuckles. You dropped your fork as your hands moved quickly to hold on to his hand, making him almost drop the toast. He winced as he tried to chew– “Easy.”

“You hurt yourself.” His eyes clashed with yours as your body turned completely on the stool to face him. He sighed as he swallowed the bite, getting his hand out of your grasp to put the toast down. 

“He got it worse. I’m sorry, I couldn’t… contain myself when I realized who he was. I couldn’t help it.” He wasn’t really looking at you, but his jaw was clenched and you knew he was still angry, which instead of confusing you, it only made you happy. It made you feel cared for by someone.

“So you… punched him to defend my honor?” You tried to play it off with a small chuckle, but his eyes turned to look at you, serious, filled with something you couldn’t really decipher.

“Every punch I delivered yesterday was not even close enough to what he deserves. What he did, what they did to you… you didn’t deserve any of that.” Your smile had fallen, your eyes burning as you kept staring at him. Your jaw clenched as you felt the beginning of a lump forming in your throat.

“You didn’t… have to do it… but thank you…” He softly smiled at you, giving you a small nod.

“Yeah… I’m kind of banned from going to Jonathan’s bar for a while though… he got mad at me, pretty bad.” He chuckled nervously, and you winced a bit, looking down at your hands, feeling guilty at the situation. He went silent for a second, and he was probably deliberating if to talk about this with you or not. “Robin told us… about why you’re going into training.”

Your blood went cold once again, the memories of yesterday coming back. The news you received. The opportunity those news gave you. The emotions you felt the day before were too much… too much that you crashed out.

“I… yeah…” Your voice was small and fragile. You hated that you sounded like this but– at the same time you didn’t care he was hearing it. You didn’t know why you didn’t care, but you just didn’t. His body turned to face you, his hands pressing on your knees as he leaned to talk to you. Your eyes found his and you suddenly felt… warm.

“It will happen for you…” He stared at you for a while before he continued, “Let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?” Your eyebrow perked up in question and he nodded, his face serious with a glint of mischief and something else.

“When we turn 30, and if we are single… I’ll give you one.”

Your world stopped for a second. Maybe two. Three? What was he saying? 

“I… what?” You were shocked, stunned, not really sure if what just came out of his lips was real or if you had hallucinated it. He gave you a fond smile, his teeth showing.

“If we are single when we turn thirty, I’ll sign any papers you need, and we’ll have a baby together.” Your eyebrows twitched as your eyes kept burning and your body was trying to react in a way that you couldn’t contain much longer. 

“Why… I– You would have a kid… You are willing to have a baby with me? You don’t have to feel… sorry for me…” You were trying to not let your voice crack at the prospect of it. He was promising you a baby. This man in front of you, your friend, your best friend, the man you are fucking in a recurrent manner is promising to give you a baby if the time came that you didn’t have one yet, and both of you were without a partner.

“I want kids. I want a family too someday, and I honestly– Don’t think…” He bit his tongue for a second before continuing, “And I think that you would be the greatest mom in the entire world, so… it’s a win win for me.” 

This is the first time you heard him say he wanted kids. This is the first time you heard him say he wants a family in the future, something you didn’t know at all. Something that was making you melt and crumble in your stool.

You didn’t know what this meant. You didn’t know what anything of what he was saying meant but you wanted to kiss him. You wanted to hug him and kiss him and– Was his heart racing the way yours was? His stomach nervously hurting like yours was? The hairs on his arms standing on end like yours were?

“Eddie, you… You are promising something– something so fucking huge.” His smile fell a little, and he nodded, his eyes staring into yours as he talked.

“And you are the only one I trust enough to make this promise to.” You slowly shook your head at him, thinking this was insane, but– you wouldn’t mind it. Having Eddie’s baby? It didn’t sound entirely wrong. Maybe not even a little bit wrong. 

“You’re… insane.” You couldn’t help it as you let out a snort, and he nodded, a chuckle escaping him. 

“Maybe… so, deal, Peach?” His eyes were sincere as they looked at you, and you realized he meant every single word. He meant everything he said. Everything he promised. Maybe it won’t happen. Maybe he gets a girlfriend or maybe you find… 

“Deal.” You responded quickly, and he smiled widely, straightening up and putting his hand out for you to shake. You took a deep trembling breath in as you smiled and shook his hand.

“Nice doing business with you, fair lady.” You giggled and shook your head, your hand holding his. You inspected his knuckles with your fingers and you slowly raised it up to your lips. You didn’t watch his reaction, but you felt him fall in complete silence as he sat still in front of you. You finally let a tear roll down your cheek as you brush your lips against his knuckles.

“Thank you…” You softly whispered, and he leaned forward, your breathing cutting short when you felt him press his lips against your forehead. You could combust in the spot as you felt warmth invade you, your body flushing completely from head to toe.

“Don’t mention it, sweetheart.” He pulled away and you let go of his hand, looking up at him.

“I’m also sorry… for my behavior… last night.” You were embarrassed as you spoke and he shook his head at you, letting you know he understood.

“It’s okay. You snapped out, which is what matters here.” You two stared at one another as he wiped the tear that fell from your eye and you just… wanted to kiss him. You wanted to hug him and hold him and… He cleared his throat as he turned towards his plate. “We should eat.” 

You nodded and turned to your plate as well, putting some egg on your toast and bringing it to your mouth. The toast wasn’t as crispy because it got cold now, as well as the eggs, but the taste was sublime, yet, you couldn’t not give him shit for it.

“Mmm… not bad.” Was your comment and Eddie turned to look at you as if he were the most offended person on the planet.

“You take that back and say they’re delicious. It’s not my fault they got cold!” You laughed at him as he kept telling you everything he did with the eggs, and everything felt so right. He wasn’t here to get lucky like all those other times. He wasn’t here because he felt like he had to. He wanted to. He wanted to be with you and cheer you up. 

And he did. You cleaned the dishes afterwards as he grabbed your erotica novels and started reciting paragraphs just to piss you off. You laughed as he made up the different voices, moaning when the book said it, or grunting stupidly, and you threw your wet right glove to his face. 

He gasped, rushing towards you so he could rub the glove on your face, making you squeal and try to push him away in disgust. You two laughed as the glove fell on the floor, his arms still holding you close to him. Your heart beat loudly in your chest as you breathed heavily, his face close to yours and you just… 

“I should go home…” He whispered, and you really wanted him to spend the day with you but you knew Robin was going to come to your house at lunch or even earlier, so you nodded slowly.

“Yeah… Robin might just… appear…” He gulped and your lip twitched as you felt your body burn wildly, and you wanted to kiss him. You needed to kiss him. Change the dynamic of your goodbyes, but what if he didn’t want that? What if you were reading all of this wrong? Were you?

But he beat you to it, his jaw clenching as he talked softly, his forehead pressing against yours.

“I don’t want anything… just…” You nodded desperately at him and he leaned forward to finally kiss you. It was soft, tender, and it made every single one of your worries leave your body. You didn’t know why he was kissing you, but you knew why you were kissing him back. Your arms wrapped around his shoulders to pull him closer as your lips smacked with one another’s.

He hummed in between the kiss and you felt his arms and hands holding you in a way you haven’t felt in a long while. You stayed like that for a few seconds before he begrudgingly pulled away, licking his lips as you looked at him, and you didn’t want to let him go, but you had to. 

“So… I’ll… see you later?” You asked, filled with hope, and he gave you a small smile, nodding slowly as he leaned to give you a soft peck on the lips, melting you on the spot.

“Yeah. I’ll message you later. Tell me if you need anything, okay?”

“You’ve done enough, Eddie…” He chuckled and shook his head at you.

“Okay, so I guess you won’t need my scrambled eggs anymore.” You gasped, shaking your head at him, and he smiled triumphantly. “Ah, so my eggs were, in fact, delicious.”

You rolled your eyes and shook your head, pulling away from him to flick him on the right nipple making him squeal and cover it. You saw him walk to your bedroom, and you probably didn’t even notice the pile of clothes he left on the floor or on the desk. You were just staring at his retreating back as you bit your bottom lip, wondering if you should ask him to just stay, to tell Robin to not worry and not come over but you knew that she would not have it. 

When he returned he was all dressed, feeling the keys in his pocket as well as his wallet and phone, making sure he had everything as you put the gloves to dry over the sink counter. You walked to the front door with him, opening the door as he looked at you with something that just told you it was right to do what you wanted to do. So you rose on your tippy toes to give him a peck on the lips to which he returned with another one.

“Bye Eddie… thank you again.” You couldn’t help but keep thanking him, and he took it, smiling down at you.

“Don’t mention it. Bye, Peach.” He walked out, and you waited for him to get to the elevator. He gave you a salute as he got inside and the doors closed before him. You let out a sigh you didn’t know you were holding in and closed your door, leaving you alone in your home once again. 

You rested against it, looking down at the floor as your heart beat to an incredible speed, your stomach filled with something you couldn’t deny were butterflies. Butterflies you have been feeling for a long while. Butterflies you faked by calling them nerves or anxiety or adrenaline whenever you saw him. 

He didn’t promise what he promised just because you were sad. He didn’t just make a promise in order to make you happy. He made a deal with you that felt true even if it’s years away and you don’t even know if Eddie Munson would still be in your life. But fuck, you hoped he did. You hoped he did and that you two would be in a different situation than you are right now.

Because you didn’t want to just hook up with him. It’s time you came to terms with that fact. You wanted to kiss him. You wanted to spend time with him. You wanted to invite him to dinner, watch movies with you, play games, and you were hoping that this new change meant something to him as much as it meant to you. 

And suddenly the troubles from yesterday were nonexistent. The troubles from yesterday and the memories were not as painful as they had hurt you the day before. You knew it was thanks to him. You knew that Robin would not have possibly made you feel the way you are today, and that is mean to say, but he filled the dark hole that resided in your mind. He knew what you needed when you didn’t even know it yourself. 

You needed him. In more ways than one could possibly imagine. You don’t know how you will tackle the relationship now that you came to terms with this. You don’t know how you should act or what you should say to him. You don’t know how to tell him you don’t want him to see someone else. You don’t know how to tell him you want him all for yourself. You don’t know how to tell him all of that without giving yourself away.

Because you’re fucked.

Because you like him.

You like Eddie Munson. You really like Eddie Munson.

end of chapter 21

<- Prev. chapter- Next chapter ->

Taglist is closed! I will start deleting people that do not interact with my posts.

Taglist: @katethetankk @seatnights @notwantingtoadult

@babez-a-licious @mrsjellymunson @xxladymjxx

@sarcastically-defensive17 @ghost-proofbaby @lesservillain

@take-everything-you-can @nope-thanks @eddiesxangel @andvys

[gatitties]

Oh, oh! I have a idea! Because i was read the new post about reader who didn't mind to eat spicy food made me giggled and gave me a new idea.

How about.. a reader, who is just popping out of nowhere?

Like every time someone doing anything or someone calls their name, they're like "Hello!" and then startling the people in the process. It would be funny!

Can the straw hats, heart pirates, and kid pirates react?

─Heart Pirates & Kid Pirates x reader

─Summary: You appear and disappear like a magician when your name is called, scaring everyone.

─Warnings: none

Strawhats ver.

Oh, I have a similar post with the strawhats, but not for the other two hehehe

─ If you're going to kill the entire crew with a heart attack, you're doing it just fine, Law doesn't even understand how you appear out of nowhere.

─ Do you have some kind of secret power that they don't know about? He really thinks about it seriously.

─ Poor Bepo, no matter how many times it happens, he'll always be startled when he does a double take and finds you in a corner where you definitely weren't just a second ago.

─ As incredible as it may seem, Shachi and Penguin can detect when and where you'll appear, as if they sense the storm brewing with your mere presence.

─ Ikkaku has scolded you so many times for scaring her in the kitchen, more than once she's hit you with a spoon accidentally just like Jean Bart, these two have fragile hearts, give them a break.

─ Law prepares a random object to teleport you somewhere else when he says your name, but you still go back to the room as if he hadn't sent you to the other end of the submarine.

─ He'll send you on all the missions that require a minimum of stealth, or simply if he wants to scare someone he doesn't like.

─ They start to think you live in the walls or something, you don't just appear out of nowhere, you also find out about all the gossip without being present (or that's what they think).

─ Sometimes they blame you if something breaks, even if you have nothing to do with it, since they assume you're everywhere like an omnipotent being, it's more likely that it's your fault.

─ Those days are a chaos of accusations to prove your innocence, because obviously it wasn't you, right? Probably not…

─ It was surprising the first few times, and yes, you scared some of them, but it's a regular thing now.

─ They don't understand where you come from, if it's a power or something, they don't question it either, but what they don't understand is why you just stare at them for a few seconds in silence before disappearing out of nowhere again.

─ Probably some staring contests with Wire until you get tired and disappear (you don't have to admit defeat if you run away before).

─ Whenever Kid needs help in his workshop he just says your name like it was a summons and there you are before he finishes saying your name.

─ Whenever they want to talk about you they call you “the-one-who-must-not-be-named” so you don't appear out of nowhere, it's very difficult to keep secrets from you when you seem to be everywhere at all times.

─ Although it is a plus point, you find out a lot of things, so you have long gossip talks with Heat and Wire.

─ Killer won't be surprised if he finds you in the kitchen at any time of the day having a small snack, you'll be gone in a blink as if you melted into the shadows before he can scold you.

─ They make bets on where or when you will appear in front of them during the day, the one who guesses the most can get out of doing chores the next day.

─ If something explodes out of nowhere, all the blame will be on you and you won't even be able to prove that it wasn't you, you can't fool Killer.

─ They definitely use you as an escape method if they are in a bind, you are a good distraction method against enemies.

[kirain]

As a hardcore Emmrich enjoyer/romancer, I really need people to hear me out on Lace Harding. I've seen so many comments, especially on TikTok and YouTube, absolutely tearing into her over the "mean things" she says to Emmrich. I've seen people accuse her of deepening his insecurities. I've seen people accuse her of trying to ruin his relationship with Rook. I've seen her blamed for their argument before Tearstone Island. I've seen people insinuate that they hate each other. It's honestly endless.

First of all, at no point does Harding ever try to ruin Emmrich's relationship with Rook. This is proof, at least to me, that most players heard one or two lines, took them at face value, then stopped bringing her on missions. Her concern isn't about his age, rather the fact that she can tell he's insecure about it, moving too fast because of that insecurity, and getting distracted, which could potentially get him killed. In her fourth and final comment about his relationship, she points out that he's been "mopey" and not paying attention. She then immediately encourages him to go for it, take things slow, and enjoy himself. He thanks her!

Sylvia Feketekuty, Emmrich's writer, even stated on Bluesky that Harding isn't trying to sabotage his relationship—she's worried about him getting hurt.

Second, I genuinely don't understand why people don't keep the same hateful energy for Neve, Taash, or Davrin. If you're so bothered by a bit of friendly discourse, consider this: Neve calls Bellara "naive" and frequently snubs her at the beginning of the game. Davrin threatens to kill Lucanis and infers he not only lacks morality, but that he messed up at Weisshaupt on purpose because he's an "abomination". Taash accuses Emmrich of being a necrophiliac—something far worse and way more insulting to his craft than anything Harding ever says—to the point that he actually confronts them about it. Davrin also implies Emmrich is uppity and tries to lecture him about his relationship and how he raises Manfred, which Emmrich clearly finds irksome.

Now, don't misunderstand—I love these characters, especially Davrin. 💋 These interactions don't upset me in the slightest. I'm simply pointing out the blatant double standard. Literally all of the companions say "mean things" to each other at some point. Even my sweet, innocent Bellara makes a few offhanded comments about Davrin apparently "not caring" about their people, all because he isn't as excited about the origins of elves as she is. The companions aren't perfect. They're flawed, each with their own beliefs, opinions, and personalities.

So, I really want people to hear this: Harding is Emmrich's friend. Not just his friend, but his best friend. I compiled all the banter between companions, and aside from Harding/Taash and Lucanis/Neve (for obvious romantic reasons), Harding and Emmrich have the most banter and interactions of any companions. Their dialogue is overwhelmingly positive and downright wholesome. He acts as her de facto physician, she tweaks recipes to cook vegetarian meals specially for him, they go camping together, they challenge each other, they talk about their intimate dreams, and she's the only person (besides Rook) who he talks to about preparing for lichdom. Yes, they are very different people—Emmrich is prim and proper, while Harding is disorganised and outdoorsy—but opposites attract. They may clash occasionally, as all friends do—she finds his hobbies weird, and he finds her hobbies squalid—but they mean the world to each other. If Harding dies, Emmrich is devastated.

So, like... chill, guys. Come on.

[random-blurbs]

Made for the Camera

Iron Fist x reader

a/n - i just love hot fictional men (lowkey ass but free smut is good smut; requests are open 🙂‍↕️)

You had rehearsed this so many times in the mirror as you flashed a beaming smile, hearing the clicks run rampant in exchange. The flashes of the camera was killing your eyesight as you tried to maintain your normal composure. “Any plans to join an agency?”

“Any lovers?”

“Show us a trick?”

You felt your eyebrow twitch in annoyance hearing the stereotypical questions these interviewers always have. In the corner of your eye you see your manager motioning a smile onto his face. Directly towards you. Suppressing your anger you just continued posing, there’s worst things in the world and this isn’t one of them. You can’t complain when you’re practically made for this life. Never wanting anything more than be adored and captured forever in time.

Waving your goodbye to the crowd you let your manager direct you towards the event, familiar faces coming to view. It was a gorgeous event filled with every known superhero to exist. To thank them for all their hard work while shoving food down their throats. “So we’re going to meet the investors of that clothing brand you worked with last week.”

“Wait which one? Because one of the assistants tried getting grabby and it was just weird.” You shuddered stopping the waiter from walking off thanking him for the glass of champagne. “It’s the one with the name I can’t pronounce-.” Groaning he smacked your arm lightly reminding you to fix your attitude in these type of settings.

“I don’t want to.” You whined making him shake his head, “Don’t matter that’s where the money is.”

“Randy my man! How are you!” Not skipping a beat to abandon you at a social function he barely spared you a glance wanting to catch up with the random man leaving you to sip your drink. At least he isn’t in your ear telling you your future depressing plans. “You ok?” Not noticing the tall man right beside you, you immediately apologized realizing you were in-front of the drink bar blocking his way.

“You’re fine.” Offering you a kind smile you see him debate on what drink to get, but he left you feeling stupid as you were struck by his looks.

He is one fine-

“Astralis right?” Snapping you out of your thoughts you quickly nodded your head noticing his eyes were back on you, “And you’re Iron-Fist?” It immediately sounded stupid when those words left your lips as it takes one look at his outfit to know who he was. Who doesn’t know him? Those bandages really hug all the right muscles-

You can’t get distracted.

But jeez you did not know how attractive he was in person. You’re not stupid you know a fine man when you see one. But those interviews you watched on TV did not do him justice, up-close where you can see his boyish grin for yourself he had you whipped. How does one look hot and cute at the same time? Noticing your distressed face, he chuckled, an unknown glint in his eyes. “I was just asking since I’ve noticed your work. You seem to be quite the person.” Taking notice of his tone, he was careful to choose his words for some reason. To be fair he doesn’t really need to take care he can say anything to you at this point and you’ll take it. “The legendary Iron-Fist noticing me? I am one lucky person.”

He noted the look you were giving him, a seductive smile now taking place on your face. “You really aren’t subtle about this.” He laughed quietly, hoping the drink drowns his nerves noticing the tentative steps you’re taking towards him. “Can you blame me? I don’t need anybody snatching you up.” You admitted leaving him stun at your confident words not used to being one-upped, he bit the inside of his cheek looking around him if anyone is seeing the same thing he is.

You have to be some succubus sent to him, and if you were…- they won. He’s giving in. “Do you charm everyone you usually meet?” You suddenly ask, never giving him time to recover from your previous words. “No, I only turned it on for you.” He didn’t give you some lengthy explanation of how you’re the only woman in his life that you’re used to hearing to excuse their sleeping around. Not that you care; when you’re in the mood you just want to get to it. Quick and simple with his words it made a smile be drawn onto your face. “Did you come in here wanting to…” Trailing off you made the childish finger in hole motion making him finally laugh out-loud.

“To be fair I came for a drink.” Reminding you of how you guys even met to begin with. “And if anything… I was going to ask-.”

“Y/N, Y/N! She’s over here she’ll love talking to you! Hey Y/N!” Groaning you offer him an apologetic look which he waved off, painfully so. Your manager somehow within the time gone has gotten himself drunk, and brought more clients to deal with. "Randy what did I say about this." Giving a strained smile to the clients behind Randy's back, you pull his ear close to your lips. “I don’t pick up clients at these events. You know the reason why-!”

“You should be grateful to me.” You didn’t know if you looked more offended or Randy did. But seeing his face as if he was a victim was enough to piss you off even further. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“We can chat about this real quick if you don’t mind!” The clients tried cutting in, pissed that they’re interrupting your conversation, but you knew better than to tell them off. “Just give me a moment.” They seemed to ignore your annoyed smile, trying to continue the conversation while shoving their business cards your way.

Going to begrudgingly grab their card to maintain face even after their annoying act, a pair of rough hands quickly swiped it away from them. “I know a couple of people that are willing to take this.” He stood in front of you letting you see the true stature of the man you wanted to be in bed with already. Not wanting to make it awkward he looked as if he was genuinely checking out the cards leaving the client’s frazzled. "O-Oh wait it wasn't fo-!"

"She's busy talking to her manager why don't we go somewhere?" Walking past you with a wink his arms wrapped around the annoying client's neck dragging him away as he had playful smile on his face.

Has it been that long where someone gives you some basic decency, you want them more.

You’re too fucked up in the brain for this. Hoping to see him again in better circumstances you turn your attention back onto your drunk agent wishing you gave him your number.

————————

“Long time?” Maybe it was the strange predicament that you’re in. Said predicament being the reason why all the blood is rushing to your head. Same predicament that has you tied up upside down, with an attractive masked man beside you.

“Quite.”

You see him practically admire the handy-work of the assholes who tied you up still leaving you woozy. “You trying to get an idea for later?” He quirked an eyebrow amused as if time never gone by you two.

3 months exactly.

Months of settling on seeing your face on the tv.

Who knew he’ll be longing for a woman he only met once.

He wants more of you in any way you’ll give him.

“You want to say please?” Rolling your eyes you tried lifting your head to relieve the starting pain. “Don’t be like that.” He teased twirling your hair around his fingers, delicate touches that has you shivering.

“You truly know how to woo me.”

“Since you asked so politely.” Sarcasm lacing his voice, he efficiently got you down, taking care in setting you down. “How did you even find me?”

“Your agent was worried about you, you haven’t been picking up his calls.” Thanking your agent internally you winced feeling how much the rope dug into your ankles. Without skipping a beat you felt his arms scoop under your legs, letting out a gasp as your hands instinctively wrapped around his neck. “Still- you telling me this wasn’t on purpose?” He didn’t have to know you were going to heal your leg taking advantage of the feeling of his chest against your body.

“Aren’t you glad to see my face.”

You’re thankful in more ways than one for his face but he doesn’t need the ego boost. “Is there a way to repay you?”

Casting you a knowing look you lightly slapped his chest ignoring right off the bat how strong it was. “Like something actually nice.”

“You are something nice.” Can’t help but giggle you looked around trying to find anybody, “Where did you put them?”

“Gave them over to the police they’re cleaning it up now.” Biting your lip nervously, it’s not like you have free time at the drop of the hat, your agent would probably have you modeling tomorrow and you’ve been overdue for some patrols.

“What if I repay the favor here then?” He wasn’t too surprised by your offer, and he’s not too surprised by his own feelings towards it.

“Do you really think you can handle it?” Purposing making it have double meaning you looked up at him with a pleading look, “Oh c’mon you wanna waste this chance?”

You both knew the answer to that.

Maneuvering your legs to wrap around him feeling his hand cupping your ass to keep you up, using his other hand to grip onto your neck tightly pulling you in a heated kiss. Sighing happily against his lips you felt his tongue tease yours, squeezing your ass closer, feeling his dick harden against you. Tugging at your hair, exposing your neck, he bit into it feeling you squirm underneath him. He sucked onto your neck softly, as you let yourself just enjoy the moment. Feeling the desperation from him with every kiss he sets you on a broken counter letting him position his body between your legs. Reconnecting your lips you felt his costume underneath your fingers, it wasn’t cheap but it was thin enough to press against him feeling the sturdiness of his body. How his giant hands rested on your hips keeping you steady, nipping his lip playfully to feel how those hands grip onto you tighter, feeling the warmth against your skin, wanting those hands to be everywhere on you.

“You could’ve had this so much sooner.” He murmured taking off your shirt with no problem feeling the air nip at your chest. “It was obvious you wanted to do it.” Letting him ramble, you just tugged at his hair directing him towards your chest with a mischievous glint. He can’t even fake an annoyed expression as you knew he wanted every part of you. Peppering kisses across your chest, you would feel his wet tongue lap at it every once in awhile, before sucking on the spot making you moan out in pleasure. Fondling your left tit as he snapped your bra off before latching himself on your nipple. Shivering at the warm feeling of his mouth you sighed contentedly as you felt his tongue swirl around it, teasing it lightly making you buck into his body. Wrapping your fingers around his black hair, you gave it a harsh tug feeling the vibration of a moan on your nipple from him exciting you further. “You missed me that bad?” You teased making him pull away from your nipple with a pop, flashing his cocky grin at you.

“Yeah I did. Are you going to deny you did?” Letting your hands caress his cheek your hand messed with the yellow mask covering his eyes. You couldn’t read his expression, but his body did enough talking. His heavy breathing, his curious hands, his mouth. “Of course not.”

“Then why didn’t you come see me.” It almost sounded pathetic making you grin at him, he wouldn’t admit how that made him feel.

“I’m a hard-working person. Who else is going to pose in front of the cameras if not for me.” He let out a laugh making you pause, “You don’t have to work yourself to the bone for that.”

“I’m not. It’s as easy as breathing, I look good no matter what.” He believes whole-heartedly that you are the most gorgeous person he’s laid his eyes on, but he had his fair share of cameras and it was anything but easy. “Just because you suck at it doesn’t mean I do.” You jab pushing him away from you, glaring at him. “Oh c’mon it wasn’t like that. Really I’m sorry Y/N.” Holding onto your cheeks he placed a soft kiss on your nose, trying to seem as apologetic as he can, he really didn’t mean to come at your job like that simply not on the same page of difficulty for a job like yours. “Where is it?”

He was confused as you practically manhandled his body, patting down his outfit as your hand lingered over certain parts trying to look for whatever you are. “What are you talking about?”

“Your phone.” Still confused he reached behind his waist belt pulling out his phone, handing it over to you. Opening the camera, he saw you swipe to video before passing it back to him. “I’ll prove to you that I always look good, from any angle.”

Whatever he did in his past life to deserve this moment he just thanks the Gods for it. He didn’t need anything more.

“Are you sure? I might look better than you in it.” He baited as you nonchalantly shrugged your shoulders. “You wish.” This was not an opportunity he wanted to waste. Propping his phone up to capture the two of you, he already sensed a snarky comment coming his way making him clamp his hand over your mother, making your eyes widen in shock. “I’ll just fuck you in every angle to see if we can find one.” Swallowing nervously you couldn’t help but blush feeling his big hand completely cover your mouth.

“So let’s start with this one.” Gripping onto your hair tightly you groaned as you felt him push you down, knees scraping the floor. It felt intimate as you hand grasp the edge of his pants, swiftly pulling everything down, trying not to look impressed about the size in front of you. Spitting on it your hands wrapped around it started to jerk him off immediately making him moan aloud. Feeling his warm dick as your hand moved up and down slowly before letting it touch your lips softly. Opening your mouth you felt it get bigger in your hand as you started to suck on it. In a consistent motion you sucked on the tip, with your hand stroking him at the base hearing him let out a louder moan. “Fuck…” Every noise that escaped his lips gave you more of a want to please him, wanting his moans to be all you hear, as you let your tongue twirl around the tip. “You’re right about this angle at least.” Peering up at him you feel yourself get more impatient at the sight in front of you. Looking down at you with a blissed out smile, letting out airy moans, his cheeks were flushed red as you see his chest move up and down, eyebrows knitting whenever you take him all in your mouth hearing you struggle below him. If you could see the what he was seeing as he let his hand rest on your cheek stroking it softly, for the encouragement to continue a little longer. Feeling your tongue press the tip of his dick almost finished as he tapped your cheek, “I’m almost done, mo-.” Letting out an unexpected loud moan he felt you bottom out, sucking him whole. “H-hey!” Feeling your hand tighten around his thigh you looked up at him innocently, you wanted him cum right there right now.

Holding onto the top of your head, he let out a desperate moan as he tried holding it back, “You’re gonna make me cum stop!” With no sign of stopping, he finally wrapped his fingers around the hairs on the back of your head, tugging at his harshly making you get off his dick effectively. “You can’t be mad that you were getting good head.” You challenge making him chuckle, “You’re so fucked.” Throwing you over his shoulders you let out a yelp at the sudden change, trying to hold in a yelp as his hand smacked your ass painfully so. Kicking his pants to the side he propped you against the counter, ass-up tearing off your pants before bringing his hand down for another hard slap. Letting out a yelp of pain you tried telling him off but were met with fingers being shoved down your mouth. “Just shut up and enjoy it.”

Didn’t have to tell you twice.

Palming your ass, as it soothed the stinging pain he just brought upon it, you hear him spit on his free hand, feeling the teasing fingers by your hole. Brimming with anticipation you let out a choked out moan feeling the stretch of his finger in it, his hand was anything but normal. With already one finger you felt so good knowing how big his hands are you bucked into his hand motioning for another one. “God you are such a slut.” His raspy voice accused letting another finger in as you tried not to bite onto his fingers in your mouth. Your body felt flushed as you feel the stretch of his two fingers being pumped in and out in perfect rhythm. The squelching coming out of you egged him on, wanting to hear more, wanting to be the reason why there is more. Adding one more you practically bit down on his fingers feeling full off of those. He felt every part of your body accept him, as your ass was practically bouncing back onto his fingers desperate for him to continue, the flutter of your hole sucking all his fingers in he can only assume how it would feel on his dick. Taking out his fingers from your mouth, you let out a drawled out moan as you feel him pump his fingers out quicker. His free hand was immediately put to work as he messed with your clit, making you gasp in pleasure, “W-wait!” The motion of his fingers was getting too much for your body, and you refuse to let it end early. “Now you want me to stop?” Realizing how bad this is falling back onto you, you grip onto the counter tighter as you tried controlling your breathing, feeling yourself coming down soon. “P-please… I just want you in me.”

���That was going to happen regardless.” You practically feel the confidence overflowing from behid you as you tried biting back a scream feeling his quickened pace having you on edge. “It’s ok baby just do it.” He encouraged as his fingers stretched you deliciously so feeling the former hand now resting on your ass, maybe he knew you had a thing for his hands, making sure you feel it caress every inch of your ass, the warmth burning your skin as you bit onto your lip, “Nu-uh.” Gripping onto your lower jaw he helped you keep it open as you let out a string of moans, music to his ears as he hears you come undone, begging him to go faster. Feeling your hole suck his fingers in deeper coated with all your juices, as your ass bucked into his fingers consistently. “Fuck… right there…just-!”Jaw going slack as you cried out riding out your orgasm feeling yourself tighten around his fingers, every part of you feeling sensitive as you tried pulling yourself off of him; feeling weak at your knees his hands being the only reason why you’re still up.

“This angle too! It’s basically impressive.” Not caring for his words, you tried regulating your breathing as you came down from your euphoric high, not able to question him laying you out on the counter, the cold surface making you sigh in delight compared to your sticky skin.

It wasn’t until you practically jumped at the tip of his dick going in, clutching his wrist from stopping him. “What are you doing!?”

“Are we really going to act stupid about this?” You wanted to smack that smile off of his face as he innocently smiled at you, body twitching as you felt him slip a small part of his dick in. “Your pussy is practically begging for me.” He reasoned letting his fingers wrap around yours, using as momentum to make you come slamming down onto his dick. You both moaned out in pleasure not leaving you any time to adjust as he sought out your other hand to pull you back down. Letting out moans that practically resembles pleas he sees your head fall to the side as you drooled in pleasure, overstimulated by it all. “Nghh... let’s see - if you still look good fucked stupid.”

Feeling every inch of him as he thrusted in and out was a euphoric feeling that you know you’re always going to chase for again. His hands wrapped around your wrist bringing you back onto his dick as if you’re some rag doll, whining out in pleasure as your body could barely handle anything more.

His cock slams back into you feeling the ridge of his tip scrape against your walls, feeling every bit of him in you. “God you’re...so beautiful.” Gravely and rough his voice was giving him away but he didn’t care. The sight he had of you was a heaven he didn’t think he deserved, seeing how your hole practically swallowed him up every single time. Grunting he felt himself get close feeling your hole flutter around him again. “Oh fuckkk... - please just hurry.” You whined as you felt the tears prick your eyes, and a strange feeling start to build up in your stomach.

“Shit-!” He grunted abandoning your wrist for your hips, moaning out as you feel his fingers dip at your skin deep. He started to fuck you in a brutal pace, as if he wanted to bruise you making sure he pulls you out all the way before slamming you back onto his cock. Not caring how loud you became you cried out for him, wanting him to use you in any way, which he quickly complied to as he felt himself come closer. You shudder feeling yourself slowly go limp as he fucks you through your overstimulation going at a brutal pace that you couldn’t help but enjoy admire his blissed out expression as he played with your clit just moaning out curses feeling too much pleasure across your body. Feeling yourself let go before him was practically a curse as he fucked you in a bruising pace, going faster and faster, not satisfied with leaving you as it, grinding his dick against your hole everytime he entered was enough for you; as your legs shakes uncontrollably your last ditch was effort was wrapping them around him in closer finally making him bottom out as he finished with a guttural moan. Feeling his cum fill you up inside, you felt the warm ooze drip out from you making him look at you with a tired smirk.

Weakly reaching towards his face, you tugged down the mask finally seeing his whole face, not disappointed by what you see. “You got a mask fetish?” He joked making you throw his mask back at him as he let out a loud laugh. “Na just knew I was going to be disappointed.”

Chuckling he gets closer as he towers over you, feeling the warmth of his body bounce off of yours, seeing his arm cage you beside your head. “You really are beautiful though.” Pressing a soft kiss on your lips it was a jarring difference to what you both had shared, but you relished in it cupping his cheeks to pull him closer. Until you both couldn’t breathe you begrudgingly pulled away feeling more tired than anything.

You see him glance over at the still recording phone he couldn’t help but let out a boyish grin, “Can’t believe I have this all to myself.” You laughed as you feel him stuff himself into your chest, his breath tickling you.

“Isn’t the famous Iron-Fist so lucky?” You teased hoping to talk about the recording more in depth later, considering this isn’t an everyday thing you do. And only want to reserve it for those who you hold dearly.

“Call me Lin.” Shocked that he gave you his actual name and weren’t settling with superhero names you smiled knowing you can pursue this worry free. “Don’t look so surprised we just created a sex-tape like on our second meeting.” Nudging him to not ruin the mood, he settles his head on your chest hearing your now steady breaths, letting you play with his hair as you stay in this bliss for a moment longer.

[a-kind-of-merry-war]

Just a little thing (1.4k) about Hans's wedding, which features some unexpected guests. Well... sort-of unexpected. Happy ending!

Some of you may recognise this trope from something else I've written ⭐

⚔ ⚔ ⚔

The sun is radiantly pinned to the sky. Dashing, dancing birds pirouette through the expanse, tweeting merrily. It’s a fine day for a wedding. 

Hans turns away from the window and back into the darkness of the chamber.  It’s near-empty, save for Hanush and Radzig talking in a corner. As he approaches, Hanush turns to him.

“Where is Henry?” he asks. Clearly, they’ve been discussing his absence.

“I have no idea,” Hans says truthfully.

“He isn't in attendance?” says Radzig. “Unlike him not to be with you.”

Hans makes a non-committal noise. “We had a falling out,” he says. “He left.”

Hanush and Radzig share a look, which Hans ignores. Let them presume whatever they want. It hardly matters now.

“Shall we?”

They make their way down to the great hall below, where Jitka and her rather expansive family are waiting. She smiles sweetly at him, and together - their families behind - they make their way to the church. The walk takes less time than Hans is expecting. He can feel his heart beating anxiously in his wrists. 

They’re met beneath the doorway by Father Godwin. He’s staring out across the fields towards the woods, looking distracted.

“Father Godwin.”

He snaps his gaze around. 

“Lord Capon,” he bows towards Hans and his would-be bride. “You’re earlier than I had expected.”

Hans gives him a little shrug. What can either of them do about that, he thinks.

It takes a little while for the crowd to finally settle - another blessing, Hans thinks, the time between now and then stretching as long as it can. And then they can wait no longer. 

From the woods comes the gentle sound of a calling dove. Hans takes his bride's hands. It is time.

Godwin begins to speak. Hans isn’t listening to a world the old man is saying, just blithely nodding along, waiting. Waiting for it to be over, so he can breathe.

Jitka gives him a comforting little smile. He tries his best to return it.

The screech of a hunting horn cuts through Godwin's sermon like a blade. Every head turns to find the source of the noise as out from the trees, in a cacophony of yelling and roaring hoofbeats, bursts half a dozen men on horseback, armed to the teeth and wearing heavy, distinctive Praguer armour.

“Get him!”

Chaos ensues. The wedding guests - many of whom are elderly, or women, or even children - panic and trample over each other in their haste to escape. Jitka leaps away from Hans towards her father and Uncle, who both step protectively in front of her. Those trained in combat amongst their numbers are almost as poorly prepared, dressed in their wedding finery instead of plate. All save Hans are armed - the display of status required at such an event - but none seem keen to pit silk against steel.

“He killed my son!”

The Praguers charge forwards in a well-practiced assault. Hanush leaps back, wildly and uselessly swinging his sword. The guards present for the event burst into action, but a handful of men on foot are nothing compared to the heavily armoured gang on horseback. 

“Stand down,” one of them growls at Hanush. “We’ve no fight with you, Sir.”

He points his sword directly at Hans. His skin goes cold. 

“We want him,” he growls. “He killed my son. We demand retribution.”

Hanush snaps into action. “Sir,” he says, “you cannot blame him for an act he took during war, surely there is—”

“Shut your fucking mouth,” the man sneers, “or I’ll shut it for you. You—” he gestures at another rider - imposing and strong on a huge horse, dressed head to toe in heavy armour, a bascinet helm obscuring his face— “get him.”

It all happens in an instant. The rider spurs forwards. Jitka screams, leaping into her father's arms as he thunders past. He skids at Hans's feet, reaches down with a plated arm, and grabs Hans by the back of his gambeson and heaves him onto the horse. 

“Put me down, you bastard!”

The man does not listen, kicking the horse into a gallop towards the woods. He's got one hand balled tight in Hans’s hood: even if Hans managed to slip off the horse, he'd strangle himself in the process.

He hears the other riders give chase, and behind them, the sound of Hanush shouting.

“Get after them, you fools!”

Even Hans knows that's not an order easily followed. None of the attending guards are on horseback, and the stables are at the other end of the town. By the time they can mount a response his kidnappers will be long gone.

He focuses his attention on not falling off the fucking horse as they gallop through the trees. The sound of the town and the shouting fades, then vanishes. The only noise is the rhythm of hoofbeats, the clank of the rider’s armour, and the heavy sound of his breathing.

They’re deep into the woods by the time the man pulls his horse to a halt and lets Hans go. He slides off, shakey feet hitting solid ground. For a moment he thinks he's going to fall, his legs turned soft, but the rider thumps down beside him and grabs him, keeping him upright.

Hans turns. At last, his kidnapper removes his helmet.

Henry wipes the sweat from his face. His cheeks are red.

Hans doesn't wait. He tugs Henry into a frantic kiss.

“That,” he says, when he finally releases him, “was fucking brilliant.”

Henry grins. “Anything for my Lord.”

“The others…?”

“Behind,” Henry says. “Everyone went different directions. They’ll be searching for hours.”

“Once they find fucking horses,” Hans laughs. “Speaking of?”

Henry smiles, softly. “This way.”

They pick their way through the trees into a little clearing. A horse tied to a tree looks up as they approach, brown ears twitching. Henry wastes no time digging out a sack from beneath a bush and pulling out its contents: clothes, armour, another helm. He tosses them one at a time to Hans.

“Here,” he says. “But quick. God knows how much time we have.”

Hans doesn’t wait. He hastily strips off his wedding finery, throwing it back to Henry to stuff it back into the sack.

“How did it go?” Henry asks. Hans can feel his eyes on him, watching him strip. If only they had a little more time.

“Good,” he says, cheerily. “Godwin said he'll wait to see what they intend to do and then head to the Den in a few days.”

“Did anyone seem suspicious?”

“Not at all. Went off as planned, as far as I can tell.”

“Did anyone ask where I was?”

“Hanush and Radzig did,” Hans says. “Sounded like they'd been discussing it themselves. I told them we'd had an argument and you'd left, like we said.”

“Good.” Henry ties the sack of Hans’s things to the horse’s saddle. “Christ… I hope they don’t ask too many questions.”

“You’re a good liar,” Hans grins. “You’ll think of something. What’s your plan?”

Henry shrugs. “I’ll wait for word to spread that you’ve been taken,” he says, “then ride back and tell them I’ll find you myself.”

“They’ll believe that, at least,” says Hans. “You’re always getting me out of trouble.” 

He pulls the helmet on and unties the horse. He’s about to mount up, when Henry stops him, placing a heavy hand to his shoulder.

“Hans.” 

His face is serious. Hans hesitates.

“What—”

“Are you sure about this?”

Hans blinks. He’s never been more sure of anything in his life. “Of course I am.”

“If we— if I go through with this, you’ll be dead. No more money and riches and comfort. You’ll be a ghost.”

He looks so damn worried. That’s Henry: always worrying about him. And Hans can understand that, to an extent. He’s throwing away a life that most people - would crave. Luxury. Protection. But he’s seen that life. Seen it at its sharpest edge.

He lets go of the horse’s saddle and turns properly to face his saviour. Even dressed in the garb of the enemy, Henry radiates a sense of safety. Hans cannot resist now, damn how quickly they need to leave. He wraps his arms around Henry’s waist and kisses him, long and slow. He feels like home.

“I’ll be dead,” he whispers against Henry’s lips, “But Hal, I’ll be free.”

He gives him one last kiss - a fluttering promise of more to come - then swiftly turns and swings up onto the horse.

“Come on,” he peers down at his lover, his liberator, his Henry, then slams the visor of his helmet shut.  “Let’s go kill Lord Capon.”

[sepublic]

“It’s funny how Luz thinks her friends won’t accept her for helping Belos meet the Collector when she sees them being chill with Hunter and his war crimes”

Y’all… Understand why Luz feels that her helping Philip meet the Collector is significant, right?

Don’t you think it’s crazy how in Hollow Mind, Luz sees Belos use the magic of the covens to dazzle people into following him, helping establish his regime. We see how his coven bindings literally killed people. And then she finds out she helped Belos meet the Collector, who gave him this type of magic? Who reiterates in the season finale that they have Belos “magic stronger than anybody’s” as well as the draining spell???

Luz gave Magic Hitler what he needed to rise to power, she saw people directly die because of what she gave him. Those ruins on the Knee she explored? They were ruins because of Luz, people displaced from their homes because Luz ran from hers, and now here she is enjoying what they lost. She knows about all of the systemic devastation, the environmental damage, all of the living things and artifacts and culture endangered; So many lives ruined or hurt or even cut short because of what Luz helped Belos find. Think of the damage the sigils have done, before their role in the draining spell is even accounted!

And the draining spell meant the Collector had to be freed; Luz thinks the Collector committed genocide on the Titans, and even misremembers them as more violent than they actually were. She doesn’t know what this successfully-genocidal being, who enthusiastically helped Belos attempt genocide on the isles, will do to its people! The Collector being freed led to Luz and her friends being stranded in the human realm, away from their families; The families Luz sees them missing, while Luz gets to have hers despite abandoning it.

Her nightmare sequence in the finale is about Luz seeing the dead bodies of everyone she’s met filling up a pit because of her, while Luz’s surviving friends blame her for this, with Gus reiterating that he lost his dad because of Luz, and losing a father is something Luz can deeply relate to.

And yet people just boiled Luz’s guilt down to just teenage self-loathing and angst, and made jokes about how Luz thinks her friends won’t forgive her for this but they’ll forgive Hunter’s war crimes! You know, the war crimes that fans just made up. That would still be Luz’s responsibility (in her eyes) since she aided in the rise of the coven regime Hunter did them for, if they were real. The war crimes of Hunter that, even if they did happen, he didn’t matter in the long run, he wasn’t needed for the genocide, and part of Hunter’s existential crisis in Hollow Mind is realizing that! But Luz was vital!

It’s absolutely insane, Luz was as explicitly suicidal as a Disney TV show could make a character, she went on a whole rant about it, and the fandom just barely skimmed over it. Idgaf if Hunter lost Flapjack, if their positions were reversed people would be drooling over suicidal Hunter! If Luz was also a white boy people would still remember this, don’t blame this on fans being distracted by what happened to Flapjack. I remember people making fun of Luz’s suicidal rant while cradling poor Hunter’s trauma in their hands!!!

For people who claim to love angst and dark topics and using it as an excuse to focus on Hunter and maybe those white guys over everyone else, it’s just wild to me. And now the fandom has gotten to a point where it’s making up angst for Hunter about him feeling guilty for killing witches (because his colonial violence is about HIS feelings amirite), instead of talking about other characters’ canonical issues. People would rather talk about Hunter’s hands.

The point is that Luz sees herself as just like Belos; A human who saw a world to play out their fantasy in, and ended up causing a genocide because of it… Dare Luz say, she’s a colonizer like Philip. Luz sees it as a butterfly effect where she’s also responsible for the coven system that her friends and the entire Boiling Isles suffered from, because without the Collector it likely wouldn’t have happened. This is why in the finale, Luz’s nightmare has herself as Belos.

And it doesn’t matter if Luz meant well, she’s seen how people, including her own mother, mean well but still hurt others who as Eda says, “have a right to be upset.” This is why in the finale, the Titan insinuates, when condemning Belos, that intent does still matter to some degree; Luz came from a place of compassion and good faith. Likewise, we have her friends pointing out that it’s disingenuous to take this blame because anyone else could’ve been tricked by Belos, he was going through different victims like Blue Fang until he succeeded in getting the Collector.

I’m sorry, but… Hunter killing people and being a war criminal is fanon. It’s not out of the question that maybe he killed others, but nothing’s confirmed, especially in regards to the others knowing. In his debut he’s averse to violence, doing minimal manhandling and resorting to threats, but avoiding killing the Selkidomus and not even checking its corpse. And this tracks with Hunter’s eventual development and belief he’s doing something good.

And even if he had killed, Hunter’s destruction is nothing compared to the coven system, the Day of Unity, the Collector’s reign, etc. Hunter’s a literally replaceable cog in the system and Belos even brings this up to the Collector. But Luz sees herself, partially because of her prior guilt, as a key part of Belos’ genocide from the start.

I get that you’re not trying to invalidate Luz’s trauma by comparing it to someone else’s and yes Luz suffers from a horrendous double standard of self-loathing. But c’mon, the show was NOT subtle about why Luz would think she’s done worse than Hunter, who has no confirmed kills, nobody dead via butterfly effect. And I’m sick of people always downplaying Luz’s trauma and feelings to hype up Hunter. Or even giving it to Hunter because they just gloss over what the nightmare in the finale meant to Luz specifically.

[moonstruckme]

Hiii!! Im really obsessed with your camp counsellor!james ,,, do you think you could do like a follow up of the previous one where they go to the bonfire tgt?? Love your writing and have a good day 🫶

Hi lovely, thank you for requesting!! You have a good day too <3

cw: alcohol

camp counselor!James x fem!reader ♡ 897 words

James doesn’t know how much of your closeness to blame on booze. 

It feels a bit silly to be so loose and laughy at nine pm, but he and the other counselors only have until ten thirty before the kids get out of their movie night. James suspects some of them are going to have to take a quick dunk in the lake before they rejoin their campers. 

You’re not the least squiffy there, having had exactly as many beers as James but without the large frame to support them. You’re sitting close enough that your thigh is pressed to his on the wooden log, and when you gesture your arm brushes his bicep with every movement. 

“No, no,” you’re saying, laughter ringing in your tone, “James is the kids’ favorite. No contest.” 

“Ava’s cabin is huge, though,” another counselor argues. “She’s got kids that come back just to see her every year.” 

“Yeah, but it’s only James’ first year.” You don’t catch the bit of pique in the more seasoned counselor’s voice, defending your stance lightly. James, roasting marshmallows for the both of you, keeps his mouth shut. “If he comes back next year, he’d have kids fighting over his cabin for sure.” 

“I could never handle as many kids as Ava does, though,” James says, pulling the flaming marshmallows away from the fire and blowing them out. “Here, lovely, do you have your stuff ready?” 

The distraction works. You hold up your graham crackers and chocolate eagerly, capturing a marshmallow between them and pulling it off the stick. 

“Can’t believe you’re one of those people who just burns the whole thing,” you say. “I expected better from you, James.” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize we were being beggars and choosers tonight.” He glances over as he readies his own s’more supplies, and you’re grinning, your eyes crackling with amusement and something else. “How do you like them done?” 

“I take my time with it, so the outsides are brown but the insides are all melted.” You take a bite, not seeming too displeased despite the subpar quality of his marshmallow roast. “It’s like a brûlée.” 

A laugh trips off James’ tongue. “Oh, it’s like a brûlée, is it? Fancy.” 

You hum in prideful affirmation, polishing off your s’more quickly. James tries not to look too obviously pleased when your head drops to his shoulder. 

He holds his s’more away from your hair, turning towards you to say lowly, “I appreciate the compliments, but you’re gonna get me in trouble. Some of the other counselors have been coming here for years.” 

You make a breathy sound of amusement. “I’m just telling the truth. Look at this.” 

You reach down and take his forearm in your hand. Warmth seems to emanate from your touch. James lets you bring his wrist up to eye level. 

“Basically every kid at camp wanted to make you a friendship bracelet,” you say before letting his arm drop. It lands in the crease between your thigh and James’. “They all love you.” 

Your head moves, face tipping back to look at him. You look really pretty. It’s hardly the first time James has noticed tonight, and certainly not unusual for you, but the firelight plays soft over your features and you’re smiling more than usual so he’s having an especially difficult time keeping his eyes off of you. Especially when you look at him like this, all sweet and happy with the light from the bonfire glancing across your eyes and your cheek squished into his shoulder. The sight of you makes James’ stomach ache. 

“You’re everybody’s favorite,” you murmur.

The conversation around you fades into an indistinct thrum. You’re so close James can count your eyelashes, can feel your warm breath hitting his chin. If he were to kiss you, he knows you’d taste like graham crackers and chocolate and marshmallows roasted not quite the way you like them. Maybe his lips would still be a little sticky with the same, unwilling to let you go. 

James really wants to kiss you. 

You take in a soft, quick inhale, and then your face turns back the way it was, looking towards the bonfire instead of up at him. 

“That’s how I know no one will get mad at you,” you say. “You’re too easy to love.” 

“I think you’re giving me too much credit,” he replies. He reaches across you to finger the set of bracelets on your own wrist. “And maybe yourself not enough.” 

You make a dismissive sound, nudging James with your elbow. “You’re going to have to bring yours with you if you come back next year. If the kids see you without them, it’ll break their little hearts.” 

“Oh, I’m never taking these things off. Five hundred years from now, someone could dig up my grave and they’d just find a pile of bones and a bunch of string bracelets.” 

Your body shakes against his as you laugh. The sound of it is as bright and clear as the stars above your heads, and in James’ opinion thrice as lovely. 

“I’d be surprised if they last that long,” you say. “Hopefully they’re not the only thing you have to remember this place by.” 

James still wants to kiss you terribly. He appeases the urge by dropping his lips to your head. “No, I’m not worried about that.”

[onlyhereforthestories]

Gift Guessing Games (Ingrid Engen x Reader)

Day 11. I really love Ingrid but shes so sweet I feel the cute ones like this are best suited for writing for her. So enjoy!

“Alright, let’s do this,” Ingrid declared, tugging her bobble hat snugly over her ears as she adjusted her scarf. The two of you stood at the entrance of the bustling shopping centre, a cold breeze whipping at your bodies that was the only positive about going inside. She turned to you, her expression a mix of determination and something a little more fun. “I need your help, but there’s a catch. Well not really a catch but you’ll get what I mean in a second.”

You raised an eyebrow, curious already. “Oh? What’s the catch? Is this some impossible mission?”

She smirked, leaning in slightly. “It’s for my secret Santa gift… but I’m not telling you who I got. You’ll have to guess.”

You laughed, shoving your hands into your coat pockets. “So, I’m helping you shop but I’m being left completely in the dark? That’s okay but you can’t blame me if we end up with something ridiculous.”

Ingrid grinned and grabbed your hand, tugging you inside where the warmth of the mall wrapped around you like a cozy blanket. Twinkling fairy lights adorned every storefront, garlands hung over doorways, and a giant Christmas tree stood proudly in the centre, its ornaments shimmering under the glow of the many little bulbs lighting up the tree. Holiday music drifted through the air, creating a welcome distraction from the many people who looked like they were panicking or just not liking the sheer amount of people around them.

“Alright, first question,” you said, as the two of you strolled into the first shop. “Are they someone who’s hard to shop for? Like do we actually have an impossible task anyway, even without me being in the dark.”

Ingrid shrugged, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. This was going to be a long shopping trip. “Depends on who’s shopping. I have faith in us.”

You rolled your eyes. “Not giving me much here, but okay. Let’s start with something practical but fun. A mug, maybe? Like one of these…” You grabbed a novelty mug from the shelf, reading it aloud. “‘Captain in Charge… of Coffee Breaks.’ It’s perfect if your person drinks coffee. Or if they are, I don’t know, a team captain?” Your guess was the subtlest you could come up with and you were pretty proud of yourself.

Ingrid snorted, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Not bad. But keep guessing.”

You watched her carefully, trying to catch any flicker of a reaction, but she gave nothing away. So not Alexia, one down god knows how many more to go. “Damn it okay,” you said, placing the mug back. “Next question. Are they a more serious person or are they a big goof?”

“Both,” Ingrid said immediately, moving toward a shelf of scented candles and giving one an experimental sniff. “They can be super focused, but they also have a good sense of humour.”

You tapped your chin thoughtfully as you followed her, a gesture that had Ingrid snickering under her breath at you. “Serious but funny. Hmm. What about someone who’s always playing music? Do they love gadgets?” You wandered over to a display of retro-style record players. “This is cute. It’s small, quirky, and perfect for someone who likes to mess around with genres and artists.”

Ingrid chuckled, giving the tiny record player a once-over. “That’s actually a good idea. I really like that as a gift, but nope. That won’t work for my Secret Santa.”

“Okay, now you’re just enjoying this,” you said, narrowing your eyes at her. You had a feeling she had a present in mind already but just wanted to make you come up with things and guesses for her teammates.

She grinned, unapologetic. “Maybe. Keep going.”

“Yes ma’am,” you said with an exaggerated sigh. “Do they like organizing things? Like are they the type to have their entire life planned out in a colour-coded spreadsheet?”

Ingrid laughed, shaking her head. “I think everyone on the team could use a little more organization, but that’s not a hint.”

You spotted a leather-bound planner with gold accents on a nearby display and held it up. “This is classy. Even if they’re not the organized type, it could be aspirational. Maybe push them to be a little more proactive in their organizational skills.”

Ingrid tilted her head, considering it. “You’re really good at this. But still no.”

You groaned, dramatically throwing your head back. “Ingrid! You’re killing me. At least tell me if they’re someone you’re close to.” You grabbed her hand as you strolled around the next shop.

Her smile softened, and she gave a little shrug, squeezing your hand slightly in the process. “I mean we’re all close. But yeah, this person’s special.”

You caught the flicker of affection in her voice and grinned. “Special, huh? So, we’re talking someone who looks up to you, maybe? Someone who thinks you’re the coolest person on the planet?” you made sure she could hear the teasing tone of your voice, she had given you a bit too big of a clue and you now knew who it was.

Ingrid gave you a sideways glance, her smile turning sheepish. “I’m not saying anything.”

You clapped your hands together. “It’s Jana, isn’t it? Oh, I’ve got this. Jewellery. Something simple but meaningful. Like… oh!” You pointed toward a display case filled with delicate silver bracelets, each engraved with a small charm bearing an inspirational word. “‘Fearless.’ That’s perfect. She’s fearless on the pitch, right? And it’s something she can wear every day.”

Ingrid’s silence was telling. She reached for the bracelet, her fingers brushing over the charm as a soft smile spread across her face. “Okay, okay. You win. It’s Jana. And this… babe this is perfect.”

You beamed, pleased with yourself. “I knew it. But for the record, I was onto you from the start.”

Ingrid rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her expression made your heart swell. “Sure you were.” She wrapped her hands around your neck and pulled you a little closer as she spoke. “And I’m sure you played along with my game just for me huh?”

You nodded your head enthusiastically before standing on your toes to press a gentle kiss to the woman’s lips. Letting your hand run into her back pocket where you pulled out her purse. “Time to pay!” Ingrid was quick to grab her purse back before you could even get out of her arms.

As the two of you headed to the checkout, Ingrid glanced over at you, her voice quieter now. “Thanks for helping me with this. I wanted it to be something meaningful, you know? Something that shows her how proud I am of her.”

You bumped her shoulder lightly. “You didn’t need my help for that. It’s obvious how much you care about her. This gift is just the cherry on top.”

With the gift brought, you and Ingrid headed for the outside. Ingrid pulled her scarf tihght around her neck again before she gripped your hand in hers. You made it all of 5 paces into the cool air before you broke the peaceful silence that had settled between you.

“Now,” you said with a grin, “let’s talk wrapping paper. Because you’re not just slapping this in a bag and calling it a day. We’re going all out.”

Ingrid laughed, the sound echoing warmly in the quiet street. “Bows and ribbons?”

“Obviously,” you replied. “It’s not Christmas without glitter.”

She squeezed your hand, her smile wide and full of gratitude. “Deal. But you’re in charge of the glitter.”

[luvvixu]

that i left unanswered / s. gojo

angst and hurt/no comfort story to celebrate my 500 followers milestone.

part 1 | part 2 (you are here)

the graduation day has come around the corner. gojo satoru would become another version of himself, more like a mask and a facade. so many things have happened in the past few years ever since he stepped foot in this prefecture. especially during his second year—he would never forget that year.

right now, yaga told them to pack their things in their dorm as they were set to graduate and leave. cleaning was something that satoru is not fond of, so imagine him groaning at the thought of cleaning his things up.

but now, here he is, kneeling in front of his bed as he finds this letter by accident under his bed.

tucked inside an old training manual, wedged between creased pages of cursed theory and ink smudges long dried. he only opened the book to distract himself from the boredom of cleaning since as mentioned, cleaning was not his thing and you were there to help him and it makes everything fun because you're there.

but now, he's now doing it himself and he's like a child who gets easily distracted by literally everything. perhaps, that was the reason why he's now venturing his things just to do anything to escape the silence that’s grown louder since you’ve been gone.

the envelope is unmarked. but the handwriting is clearly yours.

he freezes.

your name is like a spell on his chest. one that no longer works, but still burns every time it’s spoken, read, remembered.

he shouldn’t open it because he knows it's too late. it has been two years, so it’s always too late.

but his hands betray him, trembling as he breaks the seal.

satoru,

if you’re reading this, then you’ve probably cleaned your room—which is a miracle in itself. or maybe you were looking for a reason to remember me, even though you pushed yourself not to. but either way… hi.

i didn’t know how to say this to your face. i actually tried. a hundred times. but every time you looked at me, it felt like the words would shatter before they even left my lips.

he swallows hard. his throat burns like he’s swallowed glass. you always knew how to joke, even when your heart was breaking.

he keeps reading.

you were always the strongest, satoru. everyone looked at you like you were untouchable. but i looked at you and saw a boy who carried too much for too long.

and i loved you for it.

but love wasn’t enough, was it? not when you couldn’t say it back anymore.

his eyes squeeze shut.

he did love you. god, he loved you more than he ever admitted. more than he thought he was allowed to. but he never said it. not anymore. not when everything bad started to happen.

because he thought you knew. that his silence would somehow be proof enough.

but silence isn’t love.

i waited. i waited for you to let me in. i knocked on every door you built, and each one stayed closed. i told myself you just needed more time.

but time ran out, didn’t it?

yeah, it did.

it ran out the night you walked away during that night when you're about to take that mission. not in anger. not even in pain. just…quiet acceptance of your faith of never coming back when curse will took your last breath.

but before it did, you looked at him as you held his hands.

and left him behind.

i don’t blame you.

you were never cruel, satoru. just scared. and i understand that now. but i just wish you’d told me what is really going on with your mind so i can fought harder for you.

and also, i wish i’d heard you say you loved me, that you're sorry for pushing me away. just once.

because maybe then, i wouldn’t be so afraid to lose you when things would went too far.

he lets out a shaky breath, and something inside him crumbles. the letter flutters from his hand like the last piece of you slipping through his fingers.

he sits on the edge of the bed you once lay down with him. the sheets are gone. the pillows were replaced. but he can still feel you there—laughing, crying, holding him like he was worth something.

he never said it.

never gave you the words you deserved.

and now you're just a memory. just a name he reads in a letter. a voice in his head that gets quieter with each passing day.

he presses the letter to his chest like it’ll bring you back.

but all it does is make him realize: the loudest regrets are the ones never spoken.

and satoru gojo?

he’s filled with unsaid words.

the letter lies beside him, smoothed out from being read over and over, as if the ink might vanish if he blinks too long.

gojo sits at his desk—alone, the only sound in the room is the faint hum of the night winds in his window. a pen rests in his fingers, still capped. a clean sheet of paper stares back at him like it’s mocking him.

‘just write.’ he’s told himself that a dozen times. but where the hell does he even start? his hand trembles slightly as he finally uncaps the pen. the first word he writes is your name.

y/n

it’s shaky. it doesn’t look right.

he stares at it for too long, then draws a single line between your name and starts again.

y/n

you were right. i was scared.

he stops. that’s all he has. two sentences. his throat tightens like he’s choking on everything he never said.

y/n

you were right. i was scared.

but not of you. never of you.

i was scared of losing someone again. of caring too much and watching it all disappear.

and then…i did. i lost you too anyway.

he stares at the words. they blur through his tears. not even tears, really. just...leakage from a dam he refused to admit was cracking.

he tries to continue.

you knocked. and knocked. and i just sat behind the door, pretending I didn’t hear you.

you didn’t deserve that.

you deserved every soft word i once uttered but now buried. every ‘i love you’ that i shamelessly state but now swallowed. every late night hug i once ached but never reached out to give.

his hand stills. the pen slips from his fingers and rolls off the desk, forgotten. he leans forward, forehead resting against the paper, shoulders shaking.

he’s not crying. he doesn’t get to cry. because crying means healing and there’s no healing from this.

he never finishes the letter.

he folds it in half. then again. and again. until it’s small enough to press into his palm like a punishment.

he doesn’t burn it. he keeps it like a wound that never closes.

because some things aren’t meant to heal. some things stay unsaid…

forever.

masterlist

©luvvixu2025

a/n: as promised, here is the sequel!! once again, im truly grateful for y'all!! i wouldn't achieve this milestone of 500 followers if it weren't because of everyone of you.

[haruchi-slit]

"WHAT GOES AROUND

COMES AROUND"

synopsis: you're a strong love curse who loves to manipulate her opponents mind and emotions and satoru and suguru who was meant to take you out for good but things change..

warnings: p in v, mouth fucking, cunnilingus, threesome, geto never defected, suguru and satoru as teachers

the two men were supposed to be in their vacation but no, no, no, the higher ups said: "fuck your vacation, exorcize this curse instead" and they had to do it.

satoru and suguru were called and got assigned to take you down by end of the day, for you wreak havoc and disturbance to the civilians and other exorcists around japan, you were jumping city by city in order to not be caught but, they got tipped by a civilian that you're near their location after you had been seen fighting a sorcerer, the two men took the mission with no other options left, they took the folder containing your information...and your weakness.

you were feared by many for your ability to manipulate your opponents minds. you were known for your skills not only in combat but also in reading and exploiting your opponents thoughts and emotions.

one of your favorite techniques was to make your opponents sexually aroused. It was a simple yet effective way to distract and weaken your foes.

by using seductive words and gestures to make them lose control of their desires, yeah it was one to make your opponents lose.

however, there were consequences...it was your weakness, everytime you overuse your curse technique the effect of your power reflects to you.

you might be powerful, but luck isn't always on your side.

"fuck-!" you huff as you clenched your hands into a fist. you have just knocked out an above average sorcer, you pulled your hair back and started to catch your breath, you were preparing for your escape until you heard cackling voices and distant murmuring, it made your ears perk up, before roaming your eyes to your surrounding,

"show your self, fool!" you shout, which only made the chuckling voices louder, you feel your sweat trickling down your spine as you shout, you were nervous and definitely vulnerable right now, you knew you should've not overused your curse technique.

as you huff heavily, two figures stepped out off the bushes near you, you tried to stand properly but to no avail you dropped on your knees. they were there the whole time, watching you fight their kind, they emerge with a annoying smirk plastered on their stupid faces.

"no need to stress, babe" the man with snowy locks teased, which made you cringe "how long have you been there?" you struggled, with your voice shaking almost uncontrollably, "long enough to see you struggle with your own curse technique" the raven haired man shrugs, still smirking like an idiot while your body was getting hotter and hotter while the interaction flows thru, you knew you couldn't fight right now but there was no choice.

you need to escape,

so you punched their guts to make a distraction and ran for your dear life, you tried to run as fast as you can but only to be cornered by them, "what the fuck do you want!" you shout, "you've been literally causing disturbance and sucking souls from our sorcerers" the long haired guy sassed with furrowed brows "and you're telling us what do we want?" the white haired man adds,

"I'll kill you both" you threaten, "but you can't your powers are useless" the man with white hair spoke once more, "let me go, can you? i r-really need to go" you used your cursed technique as your last resort and it's the worst idea you've done, I can't blame you though you didn't have any choice.

you flicked your eyelashes at them, as your irises formed into a whirlpool, trying to control their mind- but they remained unfazed. They could see through your every move and were not affected by your words or actions. your curse technique reflected back to you, making you much vulnerable than before, you dropped down to your knees as you feel your cursed technique effect your body badly and there's only one way to get out off this and it's a really bad idea.

you are fucked, literally.

some moments past...

"anghn~ fuck! " you'd stammer as the two men nibble on the valleys of your neck, leaving passionate marks, while the atmosphere gets thicker and thicker with your arousal,

"no more actin' though?" the long haired man laughs, "could've told us you're feeling some..." the white haired man pauses, "things earlier instead of trying to suck our souls" he continues, with attitude, continuing to nibble on your plump skin.

"you fuck-ing! humans-ack!" you winced, once you felt someone bite your neck, "we have a name, you horny little curse." the long haired man stated, "he's suguru, I'm satoru. I'm sure you already heard of us" the white haired man said, yanking your skirt up, "you're so fucking wet..." he grumbles, tugging your panties off, your breathing became uneven, while your pussy pulsed and gripped around nothing, your eyes became hazy and you felt your head almost spinning.

your body shivered as soon as satoru laid his tongue on your cunt,

"ahghh-!" you squeaked, barely standing on the ground, satoru notices it, and quickly placed your thigh on his shoulder. it feels so good, it felt so deadly, your body tingled everytime suguru trails kisses on your neck, it was electric, it felt unreal.

"mgh- don't! don't stop!" you'd wept, as you subconsciously jerk and buck your hips on the bridge of his nose-

"enjoying it?" suguru teased, drawing his calloused fingers on your perked nipples, earning a satisfied moaned from you, "d-don't stop- please.." you begged desperately. satoru gripped your shivering thigh on his shoulder before lifting it up and adjusting his mouth to your clit, once he was satisfied, he drew tight little circles and made sure he never missed a spot, your eyes flutter shut, as your eyeballs falls deep- deep in your skull, "so-" satoru pauses, sucking your juices dry, "fucking-" he pauses again, letting his tongue feast on your luscious cunt, "sweet.." he closed his eyes looking like the luckiest man on earth, as you came. hard. your juices dripped so appetizing, he looked so appetizing.

suguru reaches down on your sopped pussy scooping every cum he can gather on his finger tips, you flinched on his touch, he then placed his finger tips that's dripping with your cum in his mouth, swirling his tongue on his finger tips making sure he savors every last bit of it, "you're right. she's sweet" suguru agrees.

"bend over, curse" suguru commands with a smooth and suave tone as your body quickly moved on it's own, it felt good, too good even.

you placed your hands in a tree nearby before spreading your legs evenly, "good girl.." he purrs before unbuttoning his pants off, revealing his raging pale pink tip, he lets his pants pool down on his knees before he grabbed a handful of your ass, he slides his cock up and down, painfully slow as your body jerked on it's own before he finally aligned his member on your entrance, slowly sliding his cock gently in your gummy walls, "hmff!-" you'd try to suppress your moans as suguru continues to slide his thick cock in, "goodness" he huffs "you're so fucking tight" his face contorts into a pleased emotion, as you feel him fill your cervix, you felt satoru come to your side with his leaking tip out, his uniform tugged between his mouth, revealing his chiseled abs, "don't forgewt mfh", he teased, but you barely understood what he said, you glide your free hand to his cock, palming his cock back and forth, while suguru pounds you with no remorse, that you struggled to stand properly, "ahm!" suguru pounds hard and again and again and again that you've lost count.

you can see satoru's face contort into a fucked out state, his abs flexing and bulging as your hand moved up and down, "k-keep goin'" he struggled to talk, his eyes fluttering shut, damn he's so fucking gorgeous.

as suguru feels your walls clench harder and harder he grips your waist, supporting your body as he pounds deep, so deep in your hungry cunt, "fuck, fuck- ahmn!" you moaned as suguru lifts your leg in the air placing it in his waist, "fuck- you're soo fucking deep- ahg!" you wailed, as suguru reaches the deepest spots of your pussy, as satoru took the opportunity to shove his cock in your mouth,

"mmn! -nnm!" you gawked as satoru pushes his hips with caution, "breathe, baby- fuck your mouth feels so good.."

suguru places your leg down gently before grabbing both of your arms behind your back before pounding once more, "I'm gonna come", "I'm gonna come" was all you can chant in your pretty head as you clenched suguru's dick, you can feel your abdomen move and clench and with suguru's final thrust you came, cum gushes down to your leg as both men continued to thrusts in sync, "you're so cute.." suguru murmurs, "wonder if curses can get pregnant" he banters, with satoru responding with a chuckle, "i hope s-so", and with satoru's last trust he came, inside your mouth, "mhmmnn-!" he hums in pleasure, letting his cock rest in you for a while, while suguru cums soon after, "s-shit.." he grunts, before thrusting in you again pushing back his cum in you, satoru takes his member out your mouth, the three of you catched breaths, before satoru kneeled down to kiss you.

... moments later after satoru and suguru arrived in the school...

"WHAT?! YOU LET HER GET AWAY!?" principal yaga shouts, "we'll catch them, don't worry" satoru assures, chuckling

[liekjevenderheurn]

The Void State pact ♡

Hellooo everyone!! I am the one who started the void state pact a while ago and I wanted to discuss it since some people had sent me a few posts that talked negatively about it.

Now, I don't want to start a war. I am open for discussion in my DMs or in the comment section, just please stay kind:).

Anyway, I have seen posts and comments stating my void state pact idea was "unbelievably stupid" and that the people in it are “lazy”, “just a bunch of people hoping for each other”, “unemployed” (what?!) and that “they don’t even deserve the void”. Now some of these things have been said by bloggers which I liked or people who I have had some nice contact with, so ngl, it was quite painful to read. Now I have a feeling when reading it, that some people might have had a negative experience with people from the pact. Furthermore, I know that one person blamed this pact for not having entered it, even though my post encouraged people to try to enter in themselves.

So I get why some might have problems with the pact, however, I have had contact with many people in it who are extremely kind and motivated. A lot are using LOA, one is using psyche-k, one is using subliminals, many are trying the distraction method, some are trying meditations, a few sleep paralysis and quite a lot try lucid dreaming. Personally, it has helped me take pressure of my shoulders & feeling hopeless and now I am getting really good at lucid dreaming🥳. So please stop the unnecessary insults towards the whole group❀.

Why do I still believe in this pact? Well, I had read a lot of posts claiming it was possible. There have been quite some success stories, besides those on Tumblr, claiming this to be true. I understand the skepticism, especially with the war going on here with people believing a lot of success stories to be fake. Some bloggers state that they won't enter the void state for someone else "because it is easy" which has also created a discussion. Even under a lot of these posts hating on the void state pact, there are still quite a lot of users arguing about whether this is possible or not.

People manifest stuff for each other all the time. This is something that I have talked about with some people from the pact. Many (including myself) have experienced this, successfully manifesting for others and others for you. "But you can not induce pure consciousness for someone else" well, I honestly feel like everything is possible. Neville Goddard even said he reversed death, so why would pure consciousness be too much? Because it is a mental state? Did you know that through Astral Projection, you can make someone else Astral Project?! This is one of the reason why I believe we can still induce it for each other☆.

Personally, I believe that I am only a few lucid dreams away from entering the state now. I will try to manifest for everyone in the pact to enter the void and in the case it truly does not work that way, I will manifest that everything they want from the void gets manifested instantly. If you want to enter, feel free and if you don't want to, that's alright too♡.

For anyone who likes to work with the Loa, you can use the pact for this. Assume someone has entered for you could be your ticket to the void. :)

Again, I am open for discussion. We all know about the void for a reason, so lets respect each other.

PS: Thank you for everyone who has been so supportive, enthusiastic and kind towards my idea. It has meant the world to me <3