#they only had Mars and Snickers bars and drinks

[fazcinatingblog]

Successful day: Cody six goals, Trent's team won, I saw Trent, and I didn't think about whatsherface once during the game. Footy is great.

[sovietpostcards]

Were their things/foods you were excited to try after the fall of the Union that you were not allowed to or were not accessible during Soviet times? Also, did you ever visit Moscow during Soviet era and visit GUM?

I was still a kid when that happened, I didn't really understand what was happening politically, so everything new was exciting. The thing I remember the most is the chocolate bars (Snickers, Mars). We had chocolate before and even chocolate bars, but they were really different and nowhere quite as good. Other things I remember from the early 90s are full nut hazelnut chocolate bars, gum (Stimorol, Wrigley's), and instant drinks (Yupi, Invite). In general, the amount of snacks and sweets pouring in from outside of the country was overwhelming. I remember saving my pocket money to get something at the end of the week.

Oh oh and Kinder Surprise of course!! I was obsessed with them! The very first line of toys I collected were the crocodiles (1991), then there were hippos, lions, sharks, penguins... I had a of them! I wonder where they are now.

As for visiting Moscow, the only time I visited during the USSR was in 1989 when I was a wee kid. I have a big color photo of my dad and me standing in the Red Square. Here's what I remember from the trip:

the out-of-this-world miracle stairs (metro escalator, «лесенка-чудесенка»)

looking out the windows of a metro car and seeing all black and how fast it was going

also, being in the top bunk in the train - it was very exciting

That's all. :)

[sinczir]

Having a friends with benefits relationship with Eddie Munson and him moaning out "I love you" during sex. Maybe some angst in there?

sigh. okay, i love that idea.. 18+ cw: smut, oral (f receiving), slight making out, love confession, fluff, slight angst, unprotected sex, pet names 'love,sweetheart,slut,doll', cursing

wc: 878

You had been Staying with the Munsons due to family reasons- they seem to not mind having your company, you had known eddie you were 10, you guys were awfully close and begun to get closer over the senior years. You could talk to Eddie about Anything, your relationship issues, family issues, drama- anything.. Eddie was your first at basically everything. First Friend, first person you could trust with your life, first person to complement you- and your first time..

You and Eddie never thought anything about it, the normal routine was to watch tv, talk, fuck then sleep.. Thats just what normal horny teenagers do...right?.

You once truly liked Eddie, but you never gave it any thought—especially after he started dating Samatha. Eddie dated Samantha for two months, but their relationship wasn't very public and Eddie didn't like talking about it, so you never really gave it much attention. Although you were quite heartbroken- you didnt let that get in the way of you and Eddies friendship.. Eddie had broken things of with Samantha, he had never told you why.

  “Fuck! why is there only Snickers left? you ate all the Mars you idiot!” you yelled- flopping next to Eddie, on his couch. You and Eddie had been watching a movie, Eddie had rented for you guys for the night. “I dont know- probably because snickers suck and i wanted Mars?” Eddie sassed back, munching on a Mars Bar. Eddie was currently sitting shirtless, wearing a pair of blue plaid boxers while you were wearing an over sized hellfire shirt and some bike shorts.

As the film was nearing to a close, Eddie stood up to fetch a drink. he yelled from the refrigerator. While lying on the couch, you were preoccupied with your thoughts and did not respond to him. "You alright, doll?"  Eddie questioned as he returned to the couch holding two beers.

"Uh- yes, just thinking," as you took Eddie's beer. You weren't really thinking about anything, but the fact that you and Eddie had not had sex in two weeks was starting to get to you. You had some unresolved sexual feelings that you wanted Eddie to take care of.

“You sure?” Eddie smirked, taking a seat next to you. One thing about Eddie is he had the advantage to know everything about you, espesially everything you were thinking..

"You sure it isnt this?"  You moaned softly as Eddie moved his lips to your neck and proceeded to kiss your neck. He groped your tits and inserted his tongue into your mouth  "You sure you just aren't needy n want me love?" You kissed him back as he groaned in your mouth. You could feel an erection against you that was increasing when Eddie dragged you onto his lap.

“Want me to make you feel good sweetheart? beg for it like the needy slut you are” he whispered in your ear. You can feel pool between your legs as Eddie begun to slowly pull down your shorts. “Please Eddie, i need you- i need you so bad” you moaned as he rubbed your clit through your panties. “Thats it slut, keep begging” He demanded, licking your slit. You moaned at the sudden feeling and begged Eddie to continue, “Eddie please! fuck keep going!” you moaned loudly as he began sucking on your bud, you looked down at Eddie, looking at him eat you out like no one has ever before. “Im close Eddie Fuck!” you screamed as he suddenly stopped.

“I dont want you to come like this, i want you to come on my dick.” he connected your lips again as you reached down to grab his growing erection. You pulled down his boxers and began stroking him slowly and lined up your entrance with his dick and slowly sunk down and moaned to the sudden friction. “oh, fuck!” You moaned as Eddie began to pound into you. The room was full of moans and groans from both you and Eddie. “Taking my dick like the dirty slut you are, oh Y/N  the things you do to me!” he groaned as a sensation grew in his stomach. “Eddie im close keep going!” you moaned as Eddies Thrust became sloppy. “i fucking love you Y/N” he moaned, You felt a weird sensation in your stomach and began to moan louder as you felt a warm liquid fill you up. Eddie had completly collasped on you- trying to catch a breath after an eventful night. You had smiled to yourself, Eddie munson had finally told you he loved you, ‘how could this night get any better?’ you thought to yourself. “You love me Eddie?” you softly spoke as Eddie looked up to you. “Ive always fucking loved you Y/N and always will.” Eddie confessed, you immedently connected your lips- the kiss was full of saliva and tounge, but who cared? Eddie munson loved you.

“I love you too Eddie..” You softly spoke. “Y/N can you finally be my girlfriend?” he asked, you had never been more happier “Of course Eddie, how could i say know to you?” you both laughed.  “Let me run us a bath yeah?” Eddie smiled aganist your lips. “okay love.” you smiled back. “I love you.” “I love you too.”

[tom-whore-dleston]

life in plastic 👠 - enemies to lovers w/ marc spector; “I have the feeling that you’re trying not to kiss me and I give you permission to just do it.” 👀

congrats again jordan, to the next 900 followers ❤️🥂

God Damn that Marc Spector

Pairing: Marc Spector x f. reader

Genre: fluff/rom-com

Be aware of: enemies to lovers (?), SamBucky wedding, hella banter, alcohol consumption, Sam and Bucky are DRONK, accidental confession, making out, suggestiveness, Steven and Jake are not present

Summary: You grow closer to the man you hate when both of your best friends marry one another.

Word Count: 2k

Notes: omg Isla, please forgive me for how late I am to writing this 😭😭 I was starting to lose hope in finishing this but a sudden burst of inspo came and now I will be having Marc brain rot for the rest of the century dlkgjaldkhg thank you again for the request and I love you forever bb 😘🫶 Huge thank you to @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog for looking over it when I first started writing this and to @yummymatcha for being my Marc hype woman and beta-reader!! Remember to reblog and comment if you enjoyed what you read 😊

Marc Spector was a name that made your eyes burn from how hard you rolled them every time you heard it. Even the thought of him and his shit eating grin made you want to pound your fist against a wall. However, you never did because he wasn’t worth bruising your knuckles nor putting a fresh dent in the wall. 

Years ago, your best friend, Sam, and his boyfriend, Bucky, set you and Marc up on a blind date. They figured that if they set up their best friends together, you all could go on fun double dates together. It was only five minutes into your blind date when you both realized how much you and Marc hated one another. Bucky and Sam were disappointed that it didn’t work out between you both so they tried to keep you both at a distance. That was until they got engaged.

It was no surprise that Sam asked you to be his maid of honor and Bucky asked Marc to be his best man. This also meant that you and Marc had to collaborate on making sure the wedding was absolutely perfect. The only obstacle you had to pass was not killing each other before the big day.

The first few times you met with Marc, you resisted the urge to stab him with the nearest object because of his sarcastic remarks. The only thing keeping you from murdering Marc in daylight was the image of your best friend beaming with his new life long partner all thanks to the work you did for him. Eventually, you learned to settle your differences with Marc and work as a team.

By the time Sam and Bucky’s wedding arrived, you and Marc watched your best friends become married. Thankfully, neither of you had a scratch or stab wound in sight. The rest of the wedding was full of love, laughter, and many, many drinks. You and Marc may have had a hard time seeing eye to eye in the beginning, but the one thing you could both agree on was an open bar all night. Unfortunately, it did lead to both Bucky and Sam getting wasted.

The newlyweds couldn’t make their grand exit out the banquet hall because they were stumbling over their steps. As maid of honor and best man, you and Marc stepped in to escort Bucky and Sam to their honeymoon suite at the top floor. While in the elevator, Sam turned to you with his eyelids half open.

“Hey,” he whispered loudly, despite only the four of you occupying the elevator lift. “Did you finally tell Marc that you like him?”

“What?!” you shrieked, face warming up like a tea kettle over fire. Although you fought to avoid Marc’s gaze, you already knew he was snickering with his hands on his hips. Meanwhile, Bucky stared off into space, watching the floor numbers change.

“What do you mean ‘what?’ You literally told me that you were going to take that tie off of him and wrap it around his wrists so you could-”

Ding!

Saved by the bell.

You sighed, “Alrighty, you and Bucky are clearly drunk so let’s get you both to bed.” As the elevator doors opened, you and Marc dragged Bucky and Sam out towards their suite at the end of the hall. Sam giggled hysterically.

“Oh my god, Sam, Marc is soooooo hot!” He pitched his voice so it matched yours. You gritted your teeth as your lips turned into a thin line. He may have been your best friend, but right at that moment, you wanted to murder him more than the man you actually hated.

“Sam, gimme the key so I don’t have to search your pockets.”

“I know who’s pants you want to search though.” Your best friend looked at his equally drunk husband, both of them bursting into a fit of cackles. God, it felt like dealing with two 12-year-olds in grown up bodies. Finally, Marc jumped in.

“C’mon, Sammy.” The exhaustion was apparent in Marc’s voice. “Today has been a blast, but me and the lady need some sleep and would rather do anything other than babysitting you two.”

Sam blew a raspberry in Marc’s face. “What a party pooper.” He rummaged through his pockets, pulling out the key. Your best friend turned to you. “You sure, you wanna bang this guy?”

Blowing off his comment, you snatched the key from him, hovering it over the sensor on the door. As the door unlocked, you glanced over to Marc, mouthing a sincere thank you, in which he just winked smugly at you. 

You and Marc managed to guide Bucky and Sam towards the giant king size bed. Bucky and Sam didn’t bother shedding off their tuxes before climbing onto the bed and immediately falling asleep. Loud snores echoed throughout the bedroom, taking that as your sign to escape quickly without a peep.   

“Well, that was interesting.” Marc huffed out a breath of relief. You both chuckled in unison without looking at one another. 

“That’s Sam for you,” you added. “He talks out of his ass when he’s drunk.” The two of you began walking slowly to the elevator, trying to stall time so you could have more quality time together. By the time you reached the elevator, Marc cleared his throat.

“I don't know about you, but I’m starving. I barely ate during dinner and I have a huge craving for curly fries. Care to join me?” Your stomach rumbled as he mentioned dinner. The same dinner you also neglected since the steak you were looking forward to eating was a little too well for your liking. You nodded, stepping into the elevator before Marc.

“Yeah, I’d love to.”

On the way to the nearest fast food joint that was surprisingly still open, you and Marc talked about the wedding, including all the pros and cons. It was safe to say that the wedding was an overall success, minus Bucky and Sam taking advantage of the open bar. You shared a few laughs with Marc while reminiscing on every single moment of the day. Even though he kept his eyes glued to the road, you took in the way they crinkled when he concentrated. 

Then, you began to notice other features that never crossed your mind. He would lightly bite his tongue after hearing your giggles. He’d also run his hand through his dark hair when there was a moment of silence. A few gray hairs peeked through on the side of his head, even on the stubbles of his beard. 

Yes, Marc was an extremely handsome man, and also yes, he was starting to grow on you. However, you still couldn’t shake yourself from the blind date that made you hate him all these years. Deep down, you knew it wasn’t fair to hold that grudge, especially with all the progress you have made with Marc. But were you truly ready for something more with the man that gave you hell?

“Hey, sweet pea, what’s on your mind?” That nickname gave you butterflies every time he called you that. He didn’t start referring to you as sweet pea until you started planning the wedding and demanded the DJ to play “Sweet Pea” by Amos Lee as part of the grand entrance playlist.

You brushed your thoughts off with a short laugh. “Oh, I was just thinking about what to order. I’m debating between a sandwich or cheeseburger. Or anything with cheese at this point.”

“Quite the inner conflict, I bet,” Marc joked. “Whatever you want, go ahead and order it. It’s all on me.”

“What? Are you sure?” 

“Don’t worry about it, sweet pea. I know you were swamped today so let me treat you.” Your cheeks warmed up and your palms grew clammy. 

“Thank you, Marc! Really, I appreciate you for having my back.” Suddenly, your hand was engulfed by Marc’s, his thumb grazing yours gently. 

“Consider this a second chance date.”

As you headed back to the hotel, you ate your meals in silence. “Sweet Pea” blasted through the speakers and Marc caught you swaying to the song out of the corner of his eye, your cheeks filled with bites from your cheeseburger. He smiled to himself as he kept driving, sipping on his soda.

Once you arrived back, you had finished eating and fell into the typical fast food coma. You cursed as you exited Marc’s car, the frosty air biting at your exposed arms and legs. Marc rushed to your side, slipping off his jacket and draping it around your shoulders. The heat and smell from his body transferred onto you as you buried yourself into the jacket. A new sensation coursed through your veins, a sensation that you typically felt while thinking of Marc late in the evening. You tried your hardest to ignore it as he walked you to your room.

By the time you were in front of your room, you didn’t want to let go of the warm jacket, nor did you want to let go of this moment with the man you were trying hard to get out of your head. As you were returning the jacket to Marc, he shook his head and pushed it back towards you.

“Go ahead and keep it, sweet pea. I’ll come back and get it in the morning.” He gazed up and down your frame, thinking about how adorable you looked swimming in the jacket.

“Oh, okay. Good, I was still cold anyway.” You fought the urge to stare into his gorgeous gaze. All of a sudden, you were frozen. Your hand tried to reach for the room key in your clutch, but an invisible force was holding you back. Actually, it was just Marc using just one finger to lift your chin, forcing you to look into his eyes. 

“I have the feeling that you’re trying not to kiss me and I give you permission to just do it.” This caused you to blink in bewilderment.

“Uhh…excuse me?” You couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth.

“Second chance date. Remember?”

You rolled your eyes and backed away from him. “Jesus, Marc, you’re exasperating.”

“Ooh, that’s a big word.” Marc laughed. “I may be exasperating but at least I’m not the one lying to myself.”  

Your blood was boiling. For once, you were actually having a more than decent time with him and he decided to ruin it with his stupid remarks. You wanted to spit another insult in his face. You wanted to slap him, punch him even. Instead, you yanked him towards you by the collar and slotted your lips against his.

All logic flew out the window as you pressed your chest against his as his arms wrapped around your waist. His kiss was so intoxicating you could have fainted from the way his tongue slid across your lower lip. Your tongues tangled passionately, all the built up tension releasing for your mind and body. Marc pinned you against the door frame, causing you to snap back to your senses. You pulled away from Marc, catching your breath and straightening your posture.

“Well, there you go.” You threw your hands in the air. “Happy?”

“Unfortunately, no. You didn’t give me a chance to kiss you more.”

“Well, that’s too bad because it’s not gonna happen again.” You reached into your clutch for your room key. 

“You sure about that?” Marc asked rhetorically. You paused as Marc leaned his side against the wall. For a brief moment, you actually considered kissing him again right then and there. But where was the fun in that?

You scoffed and shook your head. “Good night, Marc.” Once your room key scanned against the door sensor, you wiggled the doorknob and retreated to your room, not bothering to glance back at Marc’s cheeky smirk. 

You shimmied out of the oversized jacket, throwing it over the armrest of the love seat. Then, you changed out of your dress and into a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants. Yet, the touch of Marc’s hands still lingered on your body. No matter how long you brushed your teeth for, your lips still savored the bittersweetness of his mouth. And you found yourself longing for at least one more taste.

God damn that Marc Spector!

Navigation | Fic Masterlist | Marc Spector Masterlist

[laulo821]

do you have thoughts on hersheys/american chocolate

to be frank i don't know what "american chocolate" reeeaaally means. like. do kitkats and mars and twix and stuff count? they're not chocolate per se, more like chocolate fingers. but if those are included, yea all that shablang is good but arguably more for the filling than for the chocolate itself (but since they're so common maybe they're france/europe-made and if so they definitely taste differently than real usamerican ones)

also i am not the best one to answer this kind of question cuz i have a very low sugar tolerance, i'm not a chocolate bar addict and i'm not a snacker in general at all. so yknow!! maybe biased answer!!

now to the taste test.

i have gone to three different superstores, a sweets-specialised store and a usamerican-specialised store and this is the only type of hershey's i could find so very limited choice here (arguably since it's not a plain chocolate i'd argue the test is null and void but let's carry on regardless)

(+ reese's cup cuz it's very usamerican, it's not very common and i never had one before. although it belongs to the chocolate finger kind of sweets)

the reese's cup is genuinely a horrible, awful snack. i'll be completely honest and had "mini reese's cups" before this test (i'm writing this live btw) and i was very close to just spit it all out because of how disgusting it was to me. and it happened again with the big ones lmao, albeit they were more balanced. by the second cup it's a bit enjoyable but it's really not . good. milk chocolate + peanut butter is Not It (never had peanut butter before so maybe it's solely because of the pb). plus it's sooooo sugary. i'm not gonna sleep tonight after this. i feel like i drank a cup of monster energy drink but there's no caffeine so it's not even worth it

now the hershey's – i took a square of black chocolate for cooking before hand to remember the taste of my usual chocolate (i don't like black chocolate but still. For Reference i had to). soooo. it's good. i like milk chocolate so it's very nice and the crunchy of the biscuit is cool, i like crunchy things. the milk chocolate feels very similar to the white chocolate i'm used to, albeit more sugary maybe. hard to tell with the biscuit. taste wise it's good. however the squares are very little (height-wise) compared to my usual chocolate bars so it's very unsatisfying hunger-wise, a feeling which i don't have AT ALL with my usual chocolate bars (4 squares and i'm usually "ok that's enough chocolate") so i understand better how you can just eat that stuff up until your cupboard is empty

so anyways. that's my review for that particular type of hershey's lmao. would eat again. i'd rather buy a snickers instead though. if i ever encounter regular hershey's i'll do an update i guess. but the reese's cups can fuck right off

[sp00kworm]

Blackened Call (Part One)

Pairing: Sulphur (Male Demon) x Gender Neutral Reader

Warnings: Mildly suggestive content, Heavy/Black Metal Gig. 

Word Count: 5900 words

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The thunder of music always rang out from the doors of the Black Dahlia, and usually it meant there was a good show on. You grinned as the centaur let you inside the doors, grabbing hold of your ticket so you could have a hand stamp and be let inside. The insectoid woman at the desk inside of the doors took the small stub off the end and stamped your hand before waving you towards the floor with one of her other six arms, where a small crowd had already started to gather by the barriers. Rushing on, you plunged into the crowd of people and smiled as you wove your way to the front and looked at your phone. A quick text to your buddy told her you had managed to get a spot up front and she promised you a drink in return for the place. She owed you that much for saving her a spot at her own girlfriend’s gig. Hannah’s girlfriend was the keyboardist in a new band you had recently become obsessed with. They tended to swap female vocalists and this time it just so happened to be someone you knew.

 Aeonic Slumber.

 It was a name you had waited to see on the billboards and now they were finally touring, albeit in the small bars and clubs around the country. It was an elusive name still, the band only being a couple of years old, and having cycled through three female vocalists already, it had been tough going to start with. You were just excited to finally see them, live, and in the flesh. Music videos had only held you on so long and now it was finally happening. You were finally going to see the whole band in person. It consisted of a female vocalist, Hannah’s girlfriend, Lily, who was a Nymph, blue skinned and lithe like an ethereal gymnast. The drummer known as Glutton was a larger Orc from the northern regions, grey skinned and made for the cold with thick skin and more hair than you could ever hope to have. The bassist was a giant insectoid pray mantis, named as Hex, her eyes the scariest thing you had ever seen, bright red and piercing as her arms flexed and worked like a magician. The lead guitarist was an Oni, and was named as such, red skinned and often glowing with furious flames. He was known for playing bare foot as he slammed furious riffs. And finally, the vocalist, Sulphur, played rhythm guitar. He was a demon of unknown origins, found in the northern ice fields, his perfect black hide marred with tears of white, his face painted with a great white cross and his eyes bleeding white tears down his cheeks and a head of black hair that was looped in pinned strands around the tough, black horns on either side of his head. He played guitar with two of his four arms and sang with the microphone in the other. The strangest part of the whole ensemble was the demon’s inability to speak. He had no mouth until it was time to sing, when a great monstrous maw opened to speak unholy words.

 The melanistic demon was nowhere to be seen currently, as the rest of the band rushed around in the pitch black of the stage preparing things for the start of the show. They had the guitar racks just off to the left where you could see the supporting acts chatting with Hex, her arms flexing and the sharp dagger like arms under her chest itching to snap forwards as one of the other male guitarists came close. You only snickered and turned around to look for your friend again in the crowd. Hannah was running late from her shift, but she was on her way, hopefully in time for the gig to actually start. You rested your head in your palm and set yourself up for waiting a little while.

 Not long later, Hannah appeared besides you with a drink, grinning like a fool as she waved to Lily, who was peaking at you from behind the curtain. The Nymph blew her a kiss and giggled as Hannah’s kissing face before she disappeared again. You rolled your eyes and took the drink from her with a squint.

“I expect a double for standing here and keeping your space.” You told her as you looked back at the stage. You smelt the jasmine scent of Flix all over her already, “And stop flirting with Flix! He’s a nasty little creature and Lily’s cousin!”

“I hardly flirted with him, come on!” She mimed a duck at you, “He’s the one all over me because he knows it annoys Lily so much! It’s not me trying, it’s him just giving me the doubles.” She pouted and played with her hair innocently.

“Sure.” You droned as you took a long drink and coughed, “Make that a triple””

Hannah laughed at your face before she leaned over the barrier and peered at the stage squinting at the guitars on the stands.

 “What are you looking for?” You asked after another sip of your drink which was far too strong.

Hannah grumbled, “I thought Sulphur might have the flying V guitar, but I can’t see it anywhere. All I can see is that ugly purple warlock.”

“What’s wrong with the warlock?” You asked, “I think it’s a cool shape!”

“It just looks silly when he puts it up on his leg!” She complained grumpily, ever the guitar nerd as she leaned over the barrier in a slump, “The flying V looks so much better for the Aeons Call solo!”

“Only you could be upset about that of all things. You’re here to see your girlfriend kick ass and you’re whining about Sulphur’s guitar!” You teased with a laugh before she pouted and stuck her tongue out.

Hannah pointed at the second guitar rack, “At least Oni brought his flaming V!”

You only laughed at her but quietened as the lights dimmed and the stage flood lights flashed on and off, signalling the real start of the show.

 The supporting acts were good, and you enjoyed the second one, which was a three-person trio performing a lot of classical pieces of music in their songs. But at last, it was finally time for you to see Aeonic Slumber. It was a moment you’d waited for since you’d first found them on a strange little underground website, back when Sulphur was the only real member with Oni. You held your breath as the beginning acoustic to Cathedral Spire hummed through the speakers, and you gasped softly as Oni was revealed on stage, red fingers plucking away before the rest of the band appeared with flashes of deep purple and blue into a lightning flash of white. They were revealed, instruments in hand and Sulphur took over the acoustic melody with his electric guitar strumming in time to let Oni swap before the real start of the song. You watched the demons second pair of hands work the guitar before he reached for the microphone. You could feel your heart in your throat as you watched and the bass and drums started lowly in the background, thrumming in time with your own beat. The staccato rose before you watched as Sulphur’s face morphed, his whole black eyes opening a little wider as his cheeks split and unsealed, revealing a ragged maw that split his lower face in two, full of jagged, horrible looking teeth. The cheeks unfolded to give him lips and a great long tongue unfurled, hanging from his black lips before he took in a great breath from the slits in his face and howled into the microphone. Your heart thumped stuttered and jumped as you watched the act, the demon leaning back as his hand continued to play and he howled again down the microphone.

 “Holy ghost!” The crowd roared with him, but you forgot to shout the words as you watched the demon with his purple warlock stomp, once, twice and leaned over the microphone stand, “I drown the demons, in my heart, and reveal to you the burned flesh.” It was like a spell, and you couldn’t look away as Oni span into your vision, fingers already itching for the solo part. The acoustics forgotten the guitars chugged away with riffs that woke even the tired lighting man up at the back of the crowd. You watched in wonder as Oni hopped onto a box in front of the stage, his legs crouched low and his mouth open, his tongue wagging between his upper and lower sets of tusks as he flew into a vicious solo, tearing down the neck of the guitar before he span to play with Sulphur, the two of them matching the melody perfect before the demon returned to the general chords and turned back to the microphone.

 The mouth that opened again was monstrous. All teeth and spit. A maw of a beast, but you couldn’t look away as his tongue dipped between the split and wagged, curling in on itself as he howled and pointed upwards to the sky. It was unearthly. The noise shook your rib cage and you clutched at the barrier tighter as the music swelled into something unholy and unsettling. The miasma of song curled around your heart and tightened, and you couldn’t look away from Sulphur as he continued the song. The lyrics fell on your deaf ears as you purely watched him move and his eyes wander over the room.

“RECITE. LEARN. BIND.” He sang as his eyes landed on you in the crowd, his blackened hand stretching out to point at you, “She, the unholy apostle, the Queen of demons and bearer of antichristian nature.” Sulphur purred as his second set of hands took the microphone and held it to his mouth. He sauntered over and peered down into the crowd, at you, singing at you as he begged for the birth of the end and stroked his claws over his guitar and thighs.

“Succulent splendour, ghost, her petals fruiting the fire of the pits.”

Your face burned with embarrassment, but you could not look away as Sulphur begged for your attention, curling his fingers, and strumming before Oni demanded his own solo. Sulphur purred a growl and stood to the side, watching you as the other demon chugged into a set of heavy chords, punctuated by tinkering keyboard and the occasional grumble from himself.

 As the solo finished the stage went quiet except for a soft strumming of chords and a melodic humming from Lily on the keyboard. Her fingers gracefully danced over the keys in a synthetic organ noise before it all grew quiet, and the song faded to pure silence. The stage lights dimmed, and Sulphur disappeared in the pitch black, his inky skin melting with the shadows. A single light opened by the microphone stand and you watched his hand curl in the light before his face appeared and he grinned, opening his mouth wide as he screamed the final words like the ending to an unholy prayer. His claws opened as he bent backwards on himself, howling like a true creature from hell before the guitars kicked back in and the drums slammed to signal the end of the first song. You stood, breathless, as the lights went black and the audience behind you screamed. The barrier against your skin and your white-knuckle grasp didn’t ground you at all. The rush hit your head and then you joined in with the cheering, bouncing as they appeared on stage again, draped in black netting which bellowed in the smoke. Sulphur’s claws dipped from under the silken material to stroke the microphone before he sang the gentle beginning to Omen, with Lily’s hauntingly beautiful voice behind him.

 The silks billowed over the stage as the band members remained still, playing like statues through the song, their hands grazing against items on stage, stroking them like lovers as the Omen was sung in the background. You peered up at Oni, standing like a netted Adonis as he shook his head and slammed his foot, itching for the movement he usually had on stage. There was something utterly enthralling about the band, and you all stood, bursting to move but too respectful to break the spell of utter infatuation Sulphur and Lily had woven over the club. You looked back to see even Flix peering at the stage. A dark-haired man clicked in front of him and snarled back at the stage. It was hypnotic technique you realised as the guitars droned into nothing, and the crash of thunder played over the sound system.

 The rest of the gig passed with intense energy, and you found yourself exhausted and panting by the end, desperate for a drink of water. Hannah followed you with an equally as dazed look, her mouth open, panting much the same as you as you were handed two bottles of water and smiled at by one of the security guards. You both collapsed against a wall near the side of the stage and drank before laughing, clutching at your stomachs as you held one another up. Neither of you had experienced a performance quite like it. You held the cold bottle to your head as Hannah peered around for Lily, chewing her lip to try as she tried to find her girlfriend in the crowd of people. A lot of the concert goers had filtered out after the gig but quite a few remained, drinking, laughing, and buying merchandise. You sat, exhausted, against the wall, sipping water like a dying man as dehydration thumped behind your eyes. There were a few minutes of quiet before the band appeared from backstage, cleaned up and freshened from sweating on stage under the burning lights. Your mouth opened as you watched them filter into the fans and start being spoken to.

 Sulphur was last out from behind the curtains of backstage, pulling them back with one set of hands as the others stretched above his head, working out the knots and soreness from his muscles. He was dressed lightly in a very loose tank top which exposed the sides of his chest where the muscles contorted under his black skin. He still had the tight leathers bottoms on from the show and you dared to sneak a peak at his backside as he strode past. The demon paused a few steps away from you both before he sniffed, the slits that were his nose, opening and closing. His eyes shifted before they landed on the two of you sat against the wall and he raised a hand to wave gently before he pointed at you and curled a finger, beckoning you up off the floor and towards him.

 The spit in your mouth dried instantly at the summons. Hannah was no help as she leaned back against the wall and waved you upwards with a gesture of her water bottle. The demon didn’t move towards you, but instead he leaned back against the railing, a pair of arms snaking around the back to hold him upright. Sulphur watched the crowd for a minute before he looked back at you expectantly, waiting for you to get the gall to move from the floor. You took a deep breath, cursed, and then got to your feet, wobbling slightly from being stood up for so long at the gig, pressed against the barrier with the commotion of the mosh pit in the back. You hobbled for a minute before your legs straightened out and you managed to walk towards the demon perched at the side of the venue. Your legs protested, with nerves and the pain in your muscles, but you managed to make it over to Sulphur without completely collapsing onto him like a fool.

 You peered up at the imposing male with fascination in your eyes and his eyes squinted before he nodded his head in greeting. It was then you realised his mouth was gone and his face was once again a flat aspect of jaw and cheek muscle. The maw full of haunting teeth was gone.

“Hi...” You said lamely before you panicked and smiled, “That was an awesome show! I’ve been a fan for a long time and finally getting to see you guys live was like a dream...”

Sulphur nodded his head again, his long , pointed horns swaying as he tried to pull his hands up quick enough to tell you to slow down. He raised his hands and held them out quietly, the black palms face up. You stopped your tirade and looked at his hands with a flushed face.

“You want me to hold your hands?” You asked, confused by the action.

Sulphur nodded brightly but slowly, his black eyes creased at the edges with amusement. You trusted him, and placed your hands in his own, surprised by the warmth that bled into your palms as the demon closed him fingers around yours and held tight. There was something like a wave that washed over your head and you jolted before a little whine sounded and there was sudden clarity and a voice speaking.

 “Can you hear me?” A gentle voice, like honeysuckle dripping with morning dew, graced your ears, or so you thought. Sulphur’s eyes crinkled again at the edges with amusement as you jumped and looked around before looking at him intently.

“I can hear you.” You told him quietly, out loud.

The demon nodded his head and tapped the slits of his nose, “This is our little secret, okay?”

You nodded in response and he let out a small rumble from his chest, squeezing your hands soothingly as he tilted his head forwards, the horns on his head dipping low.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the show.” Sulphur murmured quietly inside your head as he linked his fingers carefully with your own, “I know you’re a big fan, I remember your comments on the page after we released a small EP, just me and Kag- Oni.” he corrected himself.

“You remember my comments?!” You squeaked before looking around. Thankfully no one had overhead you.

Sulphur laughed in your head, his laugh a soft, otherworldly noise, like a deep church bell in the depths of a fog which had closed around your mind.

“I remember a lot of things.” He told your, “Like even the fall of Rome. The burning mess of Pompeii and wars I’ve since lost track of.”

You squinted at him, “You’re fucking with me.”

The demon laughed again and shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe. But you have to admit, you believed it just for a moment.” He squeezed his finger and thumb together.

 “I never thought a demon who sings in a black metal band would have a sense of humour.” You joked as you let the male hold your hands a little tighter.

Sulphur’s grip tightened cheekily around your fingers, pinching the ends with his claws before he squinted in amusement again, “I play guitar as well. I’m not just a one trick pony.” he said before he leaned down and looked you in the eyes, the white tear markings down his eyes appearing very bold when they were close to you. One even had a small dot of black in the bottom of the little droplet shape. He caught you staring, but didn’t comment as Hex leaned over the railing, spying you both with her glittering red eyes.

She cocked her hips as her mandibles moved to reveal sharp teeth, “Wooing your little groupies again, are you?” She slurred with a hissing laugh, “They never learn they’re going to get their hearts broken.” The mantis fluttered her eye lashes at you, “I can show you a better time, darling. I can eat you out, if you catch my drift.”

Sulphur frowned and pushed her head with one clawed hand, breaking the connection between the both of you, enjoying the hiss he got in return. You jolted back a little with the sudden snap of silence in your own head and you swayed a little back on your heels as the fog over your eyes cleared and you watched the scene unfold.

 With a glance behind you, you saw Hannah and Lily and knew that going back to her was not really an option, not as her girlfriend hiked her leg up and closed the distance between their lips. Suddenly, you felt a little out of your depth, and Sulphur seemed to notice, as he took your hand again and pointed his thumb back towards the bar.

“We’re gonna grab drinks, do you want one?” He asked quietly.

You nodded, “Please, that would be great.”

It was easy to follow him up the stairs as the gentle fog settled over your mind again and drowned out your thoughts, dulling the general hum of the bar to near silence. It was completely tranquil, for some reason, and you enjoyed the feeling of his hand in your own  and the heat that radiated from his palm.

Sulphur walked you up the stairs and plonked you in a chair next to Glutton, not too far from the bar. The large orc peered down at you with his pierced eyebrows, snorting once before he took his second drink and plonked it in front of you.

“You’ll need it, trust me.” His thick Russian accent lacing every word, “Sulphur’s little ability, it fucks with your head.”

You sniffed the drink and almost coughed before you caught yourself and necked it.

Glutton chuckled at your effort, “You will feel better!” and smacked you over the back with one large hand, his icy blue eyes crinkled at the edges with amusement. You admired the thick, dark brown hair he had woven down his back before giving him the thumbs up.

Sulphur returned a few moments later with a drink for you both.

Hex had her own drink in hand, and she hissed as Oni walked over and pinched at her backside, “Kageyama, I will eat your face in your sleep.”

“You know I’d love it.” Oni purred as he kissed her cheek and spun around the back of her, placing his own drink on the table. Sulphur shook his head at the two of them as he placed your drink down and offered you the straw.

 It was just a mixer and spirit, but you were thankful for the normal strength of liquor as you took a sip. Sulphur cracked his neck before he chugged a tankard with Glutton and then pulled a second out from his right. Glutton laughed as the two clicked their mugs together and you smiled at the rag tag group before you sipped your own drink.

“Who is this then, Sulphur?” Oni asked from where he was resting on Hex’s shoulder. Her second, snapping arms whipped around his back to hold him there, the spines dragging at his clothes.

Sulphur held up his hands as he shrugged before he snatched your hand again, making you suck in a deep breath.

His voice trilled in the back of your mind, “Tell them that you’re a fan.”

“Really? The mortal plays translator?” Oni scoffed, “You’re boring as sin, Sulphur.” Hex made sure to dig the spines of her body deeper, making the other demon groan. If it was pain or arousal, you couldn’t tell.

“I’m just a fan. I caught Sulphur after the show, and we were talking.” You played with the straw in your drink, “I’ve been a fan since you released the first EP so…I guess I just got carried away talking is all. This is honestly a little…”

 Hex took that moment to laugh at you, “Sulphur doesn’t let just anyone link with him like that, human. It’s a connection both ways, even if he hasn’t told you that. He knew what drink you wanted because he’s already been poking around your brain, don’t let him fool you.” She grinned wickedly, “He’s still an old demon, all he wants is to feed of emotions and energy.”

“What…”

“Come on.” Oni groaned as he dragged her away from the table, his back curling with flames as he took away Hex.

Glutton pinched the bridge of his nose, “I am truly sorry about them, they are…disgusting sometimes.” He told you as he took another long drink and shrugged off his vest, revealing the giant swirling tattoos covering his chest, back and arms. He was built to intimidate, unlike his demon counterpart. Sulphur was angular, lithe muscle in a giant frame. He was tall but he didn’t appear too threatening with his pointed horns sticking out the sides of his head and his tear smeared, black skin.

“Its okay.” You told the orc before you took a long drink and smiled.

Sulphur pressed his hand to the back of yours, “They’re just horny after shows. Ignore them.” He chuckled in your mind before Glutton flicked at his fingers from where they clutched your own.

Glutton scoffed at the two of you, “If you would like to get a room, that would be appreciated.” He joked, “Stop touching like an old married couple.”

 Sulphur wagged his finger in front of the orc, swaying it sassily before Glutton snatched at it and threatened to eat it. He let go of the demon after a snap of his blunt teeth and tusks before he took hold of is drink and slipped off the bar stool.

“Try not to eat ‘em alive.” Glutton droned as he left to find someone more entertaining for the night, or what was left of it. You suddenly felt out of place, perched next to Sulphur on top of the bar stools. His feet touched the floor, even on top of the giant stools and you became aware of his hand holding your own after a few moments. His clawed fingers stroked the back of your hand, heating the area with trails of liquid lava before he nodded down at you and raised your clasped hands.

“You don’t need to panic.” Sulphur soothed, “You’re not being weird… and I hope you don’t find this weird either?” he gestured to your hands.

“You’re fine!” You told him in a rush, “I just feel a bit out of place and then…Well Hex didn’t exactly have good things to say about you.”

Sulphur scoffed, “She never has anything nice to say about me. That’s just how she is.”

“But is she right? I mean, about you just…” You posed the question awkwardly.

 Sulphur’s black eyes crinkled at the edges before he sniffed, the small slits of his nose opening and closing. The muscles in his cheeks tugged, as though he would have been smiling if his mouth was present.

“It’s a curse.” He told you, “Not a pleasant one, but it was a bargain I made a long time ago, and now, well I don’t have a mouth so trying to get enough energy to stay, well, sentient, its hard work. I took up singing a long time ago and this pact means that’s the only way I can have a mouth to make a noise. So here I am, singing and swinging my little hips on stage to try and get a meal. That’s something that pisses Hex off, but I can’t survive on my own resources. It’s a sad back story to our music, I suppose.” He confessed quietly in your head as his fingers stroked the back of your hand.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.” You replied as you drank a few more sips of your beverage.

Sulphur flapped his hand, “Its not for you to apologise for. But truly, I am glad you see the music for what it is. It may be how I eat, but I still pour all of my…well, my soul into the music.”

“You were going to say heart, weren’t you?” You joked as you pressed your other hand to his chest where his heart should have sat, “Too bad demons only have soul flames there. But it does make you nice and warm.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Sulphur teased back as he chugged his own drink.

 You sat still for a moment enjoying the peace over your head before you felt the alcohol blur your thoughts. You looked at your own drink then frowned. You hadn’t drunk enough to be even tipsy. You worked it out as you watched Sulphur crack open another bottle with his teeth and chug another drink.

“Hey…Hey, Sulphur. I think that’s making me…” You swayed lightly before the demon caught you, his pointed ears flicking curiously as his black claws pinched your cheeks to get a better look at you.

“I…” He rushed to carefully ease you back upright before linking your hands again, “I never thought the connection would run that deep…”

“Why am I feeling like this?” You asked as your brain burned and rolled inside your skull.

Sulphur’s warm fingers stroked over your forehead, “I think the connection runs deeper than I thought. Things that I do and feel, you might be able to also feel, on a base level. I just drank barely enough to make me tipsy but for you, a human, that’s more than enough to inebriate you.” he tutted as he reached for the bottle and hissed at the percentage of alcohol, “Fuck. They’re gonna kill me.”

 “How do we… fix this?” You asked before you were scooped off your feet by the demon who ducked his head low and scarpered towards the door. Flix, the bartender, whistled at the two of you before you could make it to the door, and you watched in horror as he flicked his fingers and the door snapped shut.

“You know the rules, Sulphur.” He droned with a flutter of his gossamer wings, “You don’t take any humans home, especially looking like that.” The fae’s pretty, purple fingernails flicked at your prone form in his arms.

Sulphur’s ears perked as the Fae clicked his fingers, and you floated out of his arms.

“This is not helping the… Oh god.” You cursed as you covered your mouth, floating high in the air over the demon. Sulphur’s eyes widened helplessly as he floundered with his hands, trying to latch on to someone. He dashed for Flix and grazed his fingers along the fae’s cheek before he could move. Flix cried out, flinching with the blast of a voice in his head, his eyes fluttering closed as he clutched at his head in pain. Sulphur panicked again, but recoiled as Weldrick stormed through the back door, his nose flaring and his eyes wild with anger.

 “What the fuck is going on here!” He yelled as he grabbed Flix under his arm and snatched you from the air, placing the two of you over his giant shoulders as he loomed over Sulphur.

Sulphur took hold of the minotaur’s hand with a rumble, and you felt the snap and crackle of a connection between the two of them. It burned in the back of your eyes like a migraine as Sulphur shouted down through the connection. You covered your ears, snatching your hands away from Weldrick’s back as the minotaur jolted back but caught himself. His horns swayed as the voice rung in his ears.

“There’s a reason, I promise!” Sulphur screeched.

“He’s right.” You groaned from the minotaur’s shoulder, “We, we were just talking through this connection, and now I think there’s some back lash…and… Oh god please just let me down!” You begged as your stomach heaved.

Weldrick snorted as he placed both you and Flix on the floor, “A connection? What sort of stupid shit is that?”

 A deep, unearthly voice rang out from across the bar. A vampire sat at the far end, leaned on the shined wood as he waited for a blood pint to heat in the microwave. His nails tapped along the bar, but his eyes were hidden by small black sunglasses. His hair cascaded in a wave down his back, but it was painfully obvious he was ancient, despite the lack of wrinkles on his face.

“It’s a curse.” He droned as the microwave beeped and a human bartender handed him his drink. He smiled at them before chugging the meal.

“Cal, don’t start this.” Weldrick grumbled as he squeezed at his furry ears and massaged his head from the sudden screeching.

Cal, the vampire, and who you knew to be the owner, hissed lightly after his meal before he stood up, looming and dark, brooding as he took three large strides as stood, nose to nose, with Sulphur.

“It’s a curse. He can’t speak unless he’s singing, but the connection.” Cal stroked the ridge of his eyebrows, “The connection is like a bond that links him and others for an extended period of time, but usually only those who are…” He reached up and pinched Sulphur’s cheeks with two fingers, holding him tight, “But to make one of this level so carelessly.” The vampire tutted.

Sulphur scowled at the vampire and tugged his head backwards, jerking it out of Cal’s grasp before he took hold of your hand.

 Your stomach rolled again as Sulphur’s hand met your own, but you listened to his thoughts, bewildered by the panic in his head as you used his arm to keep yourself upright.

“You’ve forced a literal psychic bond on a human you barely know.” Cal sneered as he walked back to the bar, “And you’ll not be able to be away from them. The feelings will tear you apart and before you know it, you’ll be in love, like a little dog with a leash on. Poetic, isn’t it? For a demon to be bound by a contract.”

Sulphur’s pointed, heart shaped tail whipped before he took a step towards the vampire. Cal was undeterred as he walked away, slouched, and nonchalant.

“Growl all you want, demon, but you got yourself into this mess, so I suggest you undo it.” He droned before he slunk up the stairs to the balcony and into the door marked as private.

Sulphur searched for your hand after the commotion, and you let him hold your fingers tight. He knelt a little to look you in the eyes, his fingers tracing your cheeks before he whispered in your head.

 “Fuck, me…”

“Fuck me?” You questioned with a laugh before you wheezed and groaned with another wave of nausea.

“Not…Come on. You need to get home.” He told you as he eased you up and held you by his side, supporting you enough to let you walk.

“I live…” You started but the demon only pushed his hot finger to your lips.

“I know. The bond…” He told you as he helped you into the cool night air, not without some looks from the other patrons.

“Oh, I forgot…” You said as he helped you down the street. You sighed and leaned into the heat of the demon. Sulphur perked at your weight against his side before he dared to wrap his hand around your back, soothingly rubbing circles against the base of your spine.

“Let’s get you back, okay…” Sulphur whispered, “I’m sorry this happened…”

You took a deep breath, “We’ll figure this out, promise.”

The demon nodded his head and continued to lead you home.

[yesimwriting]

Searing Starlight (chapter one)

SERIES SUMMARY: the most powerful inferni alive, raised to see herself as a god-in-the-making, the bastard of the barrel and his team, and a shadow summoner with a common goal. What could go wrong? The giant mass of darkness known as the shadow fold and y/n’s sense of humor. 

CHAPTER SUMMARY: Y/n is sent to hustle the Crow Club. Technically it’s not cheating, but Kaz Brekker isn’t the type to let people off on technicalities alone. Especially when the one that committed the offense could help him earn 1 million kruge. 

a/n just a little something based on the show bc IM OBSESSED :)) --I’m planning on making this a series so if you want to be tagged let me know :)

The candles flicker as Kenya's palm makes contact with my face. I used to cry after he hit me; I used to run to Anya’s room for comfort and my energy would became so irritated I snuffed out all the candles in the church. Now, I just stand there. You get punished worse for showing fear. Gods fear nothing, and that’s what he wants from us--to turn into Gods so that the heavens will owe him. 

“You risk us again and again!” 

The yelling is worse than the stinging of the slap. I make a point of keeping my palms flat; the candles of the room flicker as if feeling my restraint. “Watch yourself or the tidemaker you’re so fond of will feel my wrath instead of you. At least when I bruise his face it doesn’t cost me a night of revenue.” 

I want to point out that the men I trick in the pleasure district don’t care about bruises, but the reminder of Jace has me frozen in place. Jace is good. He doesn’t deserve this treatment. “It won’t happen again, Father Kenya.” 

He nods once, unsatisfied but growing bored. “Disappear from my sight before my flesh wins and I forget to show you mercy.” Kenya turns sharply, watching Anya’s stoic expression. “Anya--we’re in need of funding, take these coins and triple it by morning.” 

Anya’s lips part; I shake my head once, a subtle plea for her silence. “Father Kenya, y/n’s the most talented card player we have--if she comes with us we can bring five times what you’re going to give us.” 

The promise Anya makes is that of a fool, but I know I’m capable of it. People are easy to read when they’re drunk, they’re easy to trick and lie to. And drunk people exude the clearest energy, something about their bluffing is as tangible as fog to me. 

Kenya squeezes the drawstring bag between his violent fingers. He loathes me more than the others. He expects more from me. He’d lock me in the cellar if he could afford to. But he can’t--he knows what I’m capable of. 

“Go somewhere in the Barrel--somewhere that doesn’t ask questions if the money is good.” Kenya looks at me, the bruises on my arms and cheeks. “Clean yourself up beforehand.” 

I nod once, stomach rolling at the thought of going out and knotting at the thought of staying here. I keep my steps even as I approach Anya, grateful for the excuse to disappear behind the chapel’s doors. 

----

This club is louder than most, boisterous men drinking constantly, slurring their words and leaning over bars. I only smile when someone’s looking, tugging on the dress Anya picked for me subconsciously. 

“Relax, y/n,” Anya hums, “Men don’t understand they’re being hustled when someone pretty is the one swindling them, and you look hot.” 

A particularly drunk man walks by slowly, eyes reflecting no shame as he blatantly rakes his gaze down my form. I shift uneasily. “That might be the problem.” 

She tilts her head back, gaze focusing on the crow marking etched into the back wall of the club. A very strange and consistent crow theme in here. “Maybe you should keep the dress on until you run into Jace.” 

The mention of Jace in that context leaves my face warm. “Wha--what?” Great. I’m sputtering. “Shut up!” 

She laughs easily, “I’m only teasing--he’d probably ta--” 

“Anya!” 

Again, her laugh is loud and bright. “Kidding!” Before I can scorch her, she nods her head towards a gambling table. “An open seat--go, you know Kenya’ll have our heads if we don’t multiply this,” she tosses me the drawstring bag, I catch it awkwardly, “By five.” 

There are a lot of things I’ve ruined--but I never mess up when it comes to gambling. We’re all entitled to our talents and mine are destruction and trickery. “I’ll have six times this amount before midnight.” 

A little cocky, but it’s well deserved. I stroll up to the table easily, comforted by the fact that Anya’s only a few feet away. 

“You’re playing this round?” 

I smile politely, used to this kind of hesitance. “I think I’d like to try it.” The mock-hesitance in my voice burns coming up, but the dumber I seem the faster I make up my money. The rest of the participants snicker. Expected. I’m going to enjoy taking their money. “I can pay if that’s the issue.”

The sound of me fishing through the small bag of golden coins silences the men at a table. The man closest to me, the one with smooth brown skin and a smile I imagine has convinced many people to play into sins for him, leans forward slightly. I let him peek at the coins, the more they want my money the more they’ll believe my lies. 

“How much to enter?” 

A tall man snorts. I fight back the urge to glare. 

“Three of those coins should do.” The boy next to me is decent enough to answer. I’ll steal from him least. “I’m Jesper.” 

I’ve been to enough clubs to know when a man is attempting to find company for the night. I hope the playful niceness I see in him is real. “Kamil.” My sister’s name is salt water on my tongue. 

The first game is easy enough to throw. The second, I have to work at a little more--their smugness is killing me. I pretend to be ready to step away from the table.

“Where are you going?” 

I shrug at the stranger. “I shouldn’t lose any more money, my father won’t be happy with me as it is.” 

The stranger leans forward, glancing at his chips. “We don’t want a girl like you in trouble at home--why don’t we up the stakes? You win this next hand, and you’ll win double what I did.” He pauses, eyeing my drawstring bag, “Of course--you’ll have to be willing to risk a matching sum.” 

Awful odds. “Deep odds,” Jesper mumbles, “Consider cutting your losses.”

Jesper is a better person than the other men here. I almost feel bad he’s going to be losing any money. “One more game won’t kill me,” I smile as politely as I can manage, “Besides--my luck could be about to change and I’d never know.” 

I hand the coins over to the dealer. I watch as the money is shuffled onto the center of the table, suppressing the grin of someone about to release her killshot. Ten minutes later, I’ve doubled what I’ve lost. The man who upped the bet is gaping, Jesper’s expression has shifted entirely, and everyone’s staring at me like I’ve shifted into another person entirely. 

“Wow--luck really does change quickly here.” I’ve hooked them. They’ll want to play again, to prove that my victory was a fluke. “Do you guys want to play again? It only seems fair I give you a chance to win back everything you just lost since you did the same for me.” 

Everyone’s quick to agree, but I’m quicker to win the second round. Some men look murderous, some look ready to play again, their egos incapable of handling defeat at my hands. 

“You came in with a surprising amount of coins,” Jesper muses, reaching over to pick up a piece of gold that rolled towards him, “I hate to accuse you of counterfeiting, but one has to wonder.” 

Typical. “I swear my money’s real.” 

“Real money can take a bullet…” Is he going to shoot it...in doors? Jesper tosses the coin easily, letting it flip in the air before taking out a pistol and shooting it dead center in a movement so casually fluid and deadly I’m taken back. 

The coin clatters onto the table, the bullet embedded into the precious metal. I eye it cautiously, beyond relieved that Kenya at least doesn’t lie. “T-told you.” 

His eyebrows narrow as he reholsters his pistol. “About that, I guess you did.” 

Jesper’s skepticism is a red flag. I need to get out of here before my winnings are taken from me and Kenya kills me or Jace for my failure. “I didn’t take you for such a sore loser.” 

Before Jesper can respond, something black raps against the table once. “What did I tell you about loud noises at the table?” 

Jesper’s gaze leaves mine immediately. “Sorry boss, just checking a swindler.” 

He--he knows. I blink twice, forcing surprise to color my features. “Swindler?” I look between him and the man he called his boss. “N--no, it was just--luck. I played a hand, I lost some money, I played again and I won some money. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work?” 

“You only started winning after the stakes were raised--I’ve seen that tactic before and it’s not appreciated here.” 

I swallow once, a pinch of dread making its way through my stomach. He had shot that coin with no hesitation--I didn’t even see him click off the safety. How dangerous is the man at my table? How dangerous is his boss? Everyone seemed to straighten at the sight of the stranger with the cane. 

“There was no tactic--it was a game.” 

The man I don’t know tears his gaze away from Jesper. “Someone like you shouldn’t even be here.” 

He has a point--my demeanor doesn’t exactly scream someone who frequents establishments at the Barrel during the night. “I’m only here to keep my friend out of trouble.” A fair enough response. “And I played a game and someone can’t handle a loss.”

“You should have seen her bluff, I’ve met professional thieves that lie less fluently than her.” 

At Jesper’s words, the stranger’s grip around his cane tightens. I imagine that beneath his gloves, the color of marred souls, his knuckles are white. “Who do you work for? Who sent a girl to invade my business?” 

Who do I work for? No one that has any business with him. “What?” How self absorbed can one man be? 

“If playing the fool didn’t get you through a card game--don’t think it will get you through this.” 

What? Before I can question him, Anya grabs my shoulder, pulling me so that there’s a safer distance between me and the man. 

“You’re an idiot,” her whisper is pointed, directed solely at me. “Of course you’d find trouble with Dirtyhands.” Did I hear that correctly? Dirtyhands--as in the Dirtyhands? I stare at her, eyes wide. How had I been so stupid? I should have recognized him from his gloves alone. Anya turns her head towards them. “We don’t want any trouble--forgive my friend, she’s not a spy she’s just an oblivious idiot.” 

“Rude.” 

She throws me a glare. “But she did win.” The money isn’t worth the trouble we’ll find trying to keep it but Kenya’s words follow us wherever we go. “We’ll take what we earned and never come back.” 

“I don’t concede often.” 

I reach for Anya’s arm, brushing her forearm in hopes of telling her things will be okay. Kaz Brekker may be feared, but we’re gods in the making. “Neither do we.”

He seems to want to play at an odd, power-filled standstill, but Anya and I are more desperate than him. Anya leans forward, ready to take the money from the table, but the unidentified man who upped the stakes earlier is quick to grab her forearm. 

“I don’t take losses, little girl.”

Anya. I can only imagine the horror she feels when a strange man touches her. Screw precaution. “Is that money worth burning for?” 

“Y/n.” Anya’s warning comes out low; Jesper raises an eyebrow. I guess being Kamil was short lived. 

“Excuse me?” 

The man will not intimidate me. Fear is a crutch men use to keep women in check. “You heard my question.” I hold up my hand, releasing enough energy to develop a flame in my palm. “And if your answer is ‘no’, I suggest you release my friend before your body is nothing more than a pile of ash your own mother wouldn’t even be able to identify.” 

The stranger blinks, touches the gun on his hip, and then releases Anya’s arm. 

“You can’t come into my club, hustle money away from my men, and walk away unscathed because you’re a grisha.” 

Words cannot express how badly I do not want to speak to Kaz Brekker at any point in my life. His grip on his cane is a silent warning--a threat. But what is a man’s threat to a girl that’s meant to be a god? “You can kill me but I’ll use my dying breath to burn this entire building.” I’ve publicly backed him into a corner--I’m insane. 

Dirtyhands opens his mouth to reply, anyone within earshot holding on for his next words. Anya yanks me back as the sound of something explosive interrupts the room. A bullet flies past directly where I was standing and strikes the wall behind me. Anya just saved my life. Someone just shot at me. 

“Y/n, do you think it’s--” 

“No.” It can’t be. There’s no way a soldier found me again. “It can’t be--we were--we’ve been careful--and Kenya said they wouldn’t look for me--that he purchased me fully.” 

A man is moving through the crowd. A blue kefta. No. No. 

Not here. Not now.

And why are they shooting at me? “Anya,” I breathe out as cautiously as possible, “Run and no matter what don’t turn around.” 

“I’m not leaving you.” 

Anya. Always the older sister. “They don’t want you--they want me.” 

“You’re not a real Sun Summoner--it’s suicide for you.” 

I don’t have the heart to tell Anya I don’t particularly care about my life. It’s never truly been mine anyway. “I’ll make it out.” 

“You’re an inferni, not a miracle worker.” 

My lips pull into an odd sort of grimace. The gentle kind one hopes is mistaken for a smile. “I thought we were meant to be gods.” 

“A god can’t do what they want from you.” She mumbles. “So you’re capable of producing more fire than most--it’s not the same as creating light. It doesn’t matter how many drugs they pump into you it’s--” 

I shake my head once, “Anya--go.” 

“They want you to play Sun Summoner.” Dirtyhand’s tone is too smooth to trust. I know when someone’s trying to sell dreams that don’t exist. “The way they’ll have you do it will cost you, but the way I’ll have you do it will be practically painless.”

Is he always this confusing? “What?” 

The question is an irritation, that’s apparent in the cold tint that takes over his practically blank expression. “I need a Sun Summoner for a business deal--and lucky for you I’m out of time.” 

“You don’t want to work with me.” 

“No,” his voice is dismissive, he didn’t understand I meant that as a warning, “But I need to have some form of mass light before sunrise.” 

“The man I’m indentured to will never go for it.” Proposing such an idea would leave me with a broken rib again. 

Dirtyhands nods once, a vague acknowledgement. “That’s not your problem.” I keep my jaw set, scanning at the crowd for a flash of that blue kefta. “After all, it wasn’t his problem when he hurt you.” 

I had been careful to hide the bruises. The reminders of my humanity. My weaknesses, my failures, written onto my skin in purple and blue ink. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“I didn’t until I got that reaction.” I’ve never so quickly felt the need to loathe someone. “It was easy enough to assume--young girl, desperate for money, a grisha powerful enough to be hunted down.” 

Is that supposed to be some sort of consolation? “My freedom would never come so easily.” 

“It wouldn’t be freedom--you’d owe me more than you already do for the kruge scam.” 

I swallow before I can make the mistake of telling him I’d consider any escape from Kenya freedom. “Close enough.” 

The grisha’s closer now, the light blue kefta so easy to spot amongst a sea of darkness. “You’re running out of time.” 

“Can you get my friend out?” 

“Y/n.” She can be mad for the rest of her life if she wants. 

He nods his head once. “She’ll be out the back before anyone knows she was even here.” 

“And she can take the money I won.” Maybe the income will be enough to spare her from Kenya’s wrath. “That’s a dealbreaker.” 

Kaz Brekker hesitates. It’s such a normal pause I almost think it’s a trap. “If she takes it there will be no way out for you--you will do what I ask even if it endangers your life.” 

“Y/n, it’s not worth it.” 

I don’t look at Anya. “You have my word.” 

“Y/n, I’m not taking anything and I’m not leaving you.” 

I finally turn. “Don’t be a self-sacrificing idiot--it’s not in your nature and frankly it doesn’t suit you.” Acts of goodness towards me have always left me feeling raw. Too raw. Like I’m bleeding out. “Sorry, I just…” Anya’s eyes are soft. She knows. She always knows. “I’ll get through whatever it is he’s planning and I’ll come back.” I swallow once, nerve draining from my body slowly. “Take the money--Kenya will be angry enough as is.” 

Anya drops her gaze as she collects from the table. It takes me a moment longer than it should to recognize this is shameful for her. I consider telling her that she’s doing the right thing, but that would burn her heart more. 

“You’re my sister,” Anya’s voice is lower than it’s ever been, “I should have stopped him.” 

Her guilt hurts more than the bruises. “You were as hurt as me--you have nothing to feel guilty about.” 

This is already more emotion than we’re used to expressing when alone let alone around others. Anya stretches out an arm, squeezes my shoulder once, and then takes a step back. “I’ll see you again.” 

“Yes,” I nod once.

“Jesper, take the girl out the back.” Turning forward blankly, Kaz begins to speak to me, “Hide behind the bar--my wraith will find you and take you somewhere else.” 

“Y--you have a wraith?” And I thought Kenya was weird. He lets out a sigh. “Sorry. Not the time.” 

“Desperation leads to bad decisions.” 

Dramatic. “I agree.” 

His gaze falls on me, taking in my narrow-eyed glare. There’s a moment in which I think the left corner of his mouth twitches upwards, but then he turns his head again. A trick of the light. “Go before you’re found and I’m out the money I let your friend take.” 

Yes. I’m not exactly safe right now, but Kaz Brekker needs me for something. That means I will not be leaving this building. By force or willingly. 

Silently, I turn, melting into those in the crowd that are either oblivious or don’t care enough to react to the cat and mouse game I’m currently in. When I reach the bar, I’m quick to duck behind it, pressing my back against shelves of alcohol. 

[earthfire-75]

You Send Me Flying

(Author’s notes: written with @nature-and-music, beta’ed by @lady-jane-revisited. Warnings: language, smut will come later)

I don't want to make a habit of this

But seeing you is like getting a fix

Every time I kid myself; I'll never do it again

Definition of love on a cliff

A lemming has no alternative

I want to die in your arms

That's my suicide wish

Chapter One:

I’m at a party with Vince where he’s playing with his band, Rock Candy. We had gone to school together, along with Tommy, who we hadn’t seen or heard from since graduation. That’s about to change.

I’m talking with some of the guests around me when the singer’s set is over and start to excuse myself so I can join him at the bar. I’m getting better about being more social, but sometimes it’s still a little overwhelming. The next thing I hear is a familiar voice greeting Vince. I turn around just in time to see him hugging Tommy. When they pull away, I jump up to hug the other man in a bear hug.

“Tommy! I’ve missed you!” then I smack his shoulder, hard. “Where the hell have you been?!”

“Ow,” Tommy whined, rubbing his shoulder. “Trying to start a band, man! Damn, you hit hard!” His eyes light up and he pulls a tape out of his jacket pocket. “That reminds me! Vince, we still need a singer,” Tommy says, handing the tape over. “Give it a listen, will ya?”

Vince hesitantly takes the tape, asking who else is in the band. Tommy happily points out the other two who came with him. I lean toward Tommy, getting a better look. Both men are cute, but I have a weak spot for blue eyes.

“Who’s the short one?” I ask.

“Dude, no way!” Tommy laughs. “He’s like… old!”

“He doesn’t look that old! Plus, you know I have a thing for blue eyes.” I whispered that last part so only Tommy and Vince could hear. I look over at them again and I see him looking at me with a raised eyebrow. Had he heard us anyway?

“Gross,” Tommy mutters before turning his attention back to Vince. “Just give the tape a listen, man. There’s a number on it where you can reach us.”

“Yeah, alright, I’ll listen to it tonight.”

After a quick goodbye, I couldn’t help myself, watching the “old man” walk away. Vince laughs beside me. “You finally found someone you’re willing to give it up for?”

“Shut up, Blondie!”

About a week later, after convincing Vince to actually listen to the tape, we went to audition. Well, he did, I went for moral support. His girlfriend came too, who acted like a bitch from the moment we got there. She completely ignores Nikki’s greeting and then just stands there looking at them, half in disgust. I shake the bassist's hand in formal greeting, as does Vince.

“Nikki Sixx,” he addresses with a wide smile, then pointing to the “old man” as he plugged in his guitar. “That’s Mick Mars right there.”

He nodded his head as he adjusted his guitar strap comfortably upon his shoulder. I gave him a little smile, but his focus was on his instrument, something that I could understand.

Nikki tapped on my shoulder, “There’s some beer in the fridge if you want some.”

I thanked him and as I headed towards the kitchen, I couldn’t help but overhear Vince asking what was the matter to his girlfriend. Her response was something along the lines of making sure that the rest of the guys were good enough to play with him. The silence in the apartment was so prevalent that one could hear a pin drop after such a remark. I rolled my eyes as I cracked open the bottle cap, making my way back to the living room. The first strum of Mick’s guitar made my heart stop for a split second, the same feeling intensified when Tommy and Nikki played along as well. The vocals from Vince that came in seconds later really boosted their sound. I rested my back against the wall as I heard them play. However things came to halt when Vince’s girl told them to stop, commenting that their music was “too heavy.”

“Hey, how about giving him an actual chance?!” I asked a little more angrily than I intended. Then I turned to Vince. “You got this.”

The boys talked amongst themselves about changing up the tuning and tempo, Nikki recommending to Vince about where he could really push it vocally. Next thing we knew, the four of them practically created an earthquake, their little session could have brought the roof down! We were shocked and amazed at how incredible they sounded. It was heavy and just the right amount of aggressive. I clapped after they completed their song and exclaimed that they sounded amazing!

Tommy was ecstatic as he stood up and gave Vince a high five, “Fuck yeah dude! You sound amazing!”

Nikki appeared as if the wheels in his head were turning, reflecting on what just occurred in the last few minutes, meanwhile Mick simply stood there as if nothing happened. Tommy ran to the fridge to grab everyone a celebratory drink.

Nikki groaned, “Dude, come on, we need to save those for later-”

Tommy ignored his unfinished remark as he passed the bottles around, “That was crazy, Vince you sounded awesome! And Mick, holy shit, I’ve never heard guitar playing like that before!”

Mick shrugged as he took a gulp of his drink, “Whatever, come on we have more to work on.” He kept his head down and strummed the strings, although I could see a little smile pulling at his lips. “Alright, what’s next Nikki?”

The bassist turned to the band and so they played another tune, this time even louder and heavier than the previous one. The banging from the annoyed neighbors downstairs could barely be heard, although I could definitely feel the pounding from below my feet. I couldn’t help but get lost in their sound as I watched them, especially the way Mick’s fingers would manipulate and pull at the strings. If I didn’t know any better, I could have sworn that he looked at me for a brief second. Regardless of what I thought I saw, the musicians played one more song, one that was a little slower, yet still could pack a punch musically and lyrically. Tommy would perform a little trick where he would twirl his drum sticks when the timing seemed right, Nikki would put his best foot forward as he plucked the strings of his bass, Vince would proceed to move his body the way a snake slithers across the grass, and Mick had loosened up a bit himself. The guitarist would lean forward, pointing the neck of his instrument away from him and mimicking a shooting- like motion.

Now it was time for a break, they all congregated in the kitchen and helped themselves to another round of drinks. Even Vince’s girlfriend was more or less slowly warming up to the rest of the band. Although I could see from the looks on Nikki’s and Mick’s faces that they weren’t the least bit interested in her being around them with the attitude she gave them earlier. Mick looked over to me and I could see that little smirk again, but he actually kept it this time.

“So what do you think? About the music?” he asked.

I smiled, “You guys sounded amazing. I’ve never heard anything like it before. I don’t even think the punk music scene sounds this hard.”

Nikki interjected, “Yeah, well that’s them, not us.”

“Is that your best attempt at a ‘thank you’ Nikki?” I pondered with a chuckle.

“Shut up,” he responded with a chortle.

Vince’s girlfriend took her man by the arm, “Vince, can you step outside for a second? I want to talk to you.”

The poor man had no choice but to follow, giving us a nod and to let us know that he’d be back shortly. Once she was out of sight, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

“Hate to be him,” Nikki mentioned, causing Tommy to snicker. He turned to me, “Listen, we got to practice a bit more, but you're welcome to stay if you want to.”

I smiled and nodded, “Cool man, yeah I’d like that.”

Tommy sat up on the countertop, dangling his long legs as he took another swig, “Cool! So where are we gonna play first? I hope it’s not gonna be a bunch of pool parties or gyms.”

I rested against the fridge, “I think you guys need a name first, Tommy.”

“We’re gonna work on that tonight, as soon as Vince gets his ass back here,” Nikki noted. “And hey, when we get our first gig, you can come too. But the bitch ain’t coming.”

We could all wholeheartedly agree on that matter.

@nature-and-music @lady-jane-revisited @mickmarstookmyheart @sophiazeppelinchick @gothicfuneralsblog @thesmokingguns

[allthingsfuckd]

soft spot | Bucky Barnes x fem!reader

summary: Bucky, the diner owner pining for the reader, a regular at the diner and best friend, for years.

a/n: i wanted to post a Peter Parker fic but i had writer's block until i came to this idea. it's based on a few of my fav Luke and Lorelai moments from Gilmore Girls combined into this one fic. i hope you enjoy! as usual, feedback is very much appreciated and my requests are open. (you don't need to watch Gilmore Girls to understand it)

warning(s): fluff, teen pregnancy, absent father, pining.

“Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee,” you repeated, your chest pressed against the counter, an evil smile on your face. He turned to face you and placed his hands on the counter, the chanting stopped. You purse your lips trying to contain your smile.

“You know it ruins your body, slowly corrodes your insides, and makes you die really really young, right?” he says squinting at you as he makes hand gestures.

“That’s the intention,” you say smiling up at him showing your teeth. You both stayed like that for a few seconds until he turned around, grabbed a mug, and the kettle from the coffee machine. Still squinting at you, he poured the coffee in the mug and slid it over the counter to you.

“I really hope it’s soon,” he grumbles, throwing the kitchen towel on his shoulders, and walks (or stomps) back to the kitchen. You sat there, coffee in your hands, smiling as you took a sip.

The door rings open and you hear a familiar voice. “Did you get one for me?” you turned in your bar stool to look at the figure that walked up to you. The beautiful girl who you delightfully brought into the world almost 16 years ago, Leah.

You shook your head, fake-pouting. A grumble came from the teen, something you could very much relate to; caffeine deficiency. “I tried, I tried but Bucky’s in his element this morning,” you shrugged your shoulders, stretching to the left to see if he was still in the kitchen.

“I’m gonna get one myself. He likes me,” she turned to face the kitchen, chanting his name as you did earlier. You hear them arguing as you enjoyed the drink in your hand. It was white noise to you — the arguing, especially in Bucky’s diner. With him being the crabby man you’ve always known him to be, it was basically daily routine.

“You were right, he is grumpy this morning,” she said when he walked away again, this time to the back. “Wonder what happened,” she said, shrugging as she took a sip of her coffee.

People in the town have always talked about how similar you both were; you and Leah. Sometimes it did feel like you were looking in the mirror and reliving your teen years as she told you stories about her day and it would scare the fuck out of you.

“Hey, so birthday planning. Let’s go,” she patted your forearm, waking you from your thoughts, excited to turn 16. You sat up and giggled, feeling excitement running up your spine.

“Okay, so we’re gonna have it at home this year,” she nods. “After last year’s event, I vowed to never again go to a Ms. Patty party,” you both shudder, remembering the massive drunken embarrassment you had to go through at your 15-year-old’s birthday party. “Before that, we’re going somewhere special, a surprise if you may. Then we’re going shopping, which thank god your birthday is the end of the month. Cause how could we have lux on your birthday without a paycheck. We’ve got a date with your dad, says he wants to finally actually give you your gift in person this year? And a massive birthday cake with your face on it by the one and only Sookie, as per tradition,” you yap, fast-paced.

“Wait, we’re meeting dad?” she asks, cutting you off. You nodded fast, feeling the caffeine kick in. She smiled, looking down at her mug. And that’s when you felt beat up. When it came to Christopher, it always put a smile on her face. Maybe they were right. You were alike. So easily manipulated by the one man in both of your lives, who is only always there when time and circumstances met his convenience. Something naivete and youth made Leah fail to realize.

“Okay, kiddo. We’ll discuss birthday matters this evening, it’s almost 8,” you picked up her bag, gravity pulling your hand down soon after. “Woah, wormie, what are you carrying? Bricks?” you teased.

“You never know how much reading I can get done with all the waiting we do in school,” she whined after downing her coffee. She kissed your cheek and left the diner.

“God, that kid is something special,” you hear Bucky say as you both watched her walk to the school right opposite the diner. You turned around looking down at your mug, Bucky noticing a frown on your face. “What’s wrong?” he asks, bending down to look at your face.

You looked up, smiling a little. “It’s Leah’s dad,” you scrunched your nose. You never talked about Chris with anyone in the town except with Sookie and Bucky, the name and subject a sensitive topic to you. Never saying his name as if terrified some sort of evil would be summoned. Your relationship with him was beyond complex. You were best friends before anything, you-me-against-the-world (or against parents and the rich community you were brought up in), you knew him like the back of your hand. You still see him as such but since you found out you were pregnant, it all took a different turn and it wasn’t something you felt was right for either of you.

“He called again,” Bucky’s voice annoyed, rolling his eyes. He’d met him once and it was the most awkward, testosterone-filled conversation you’d ever witness. You snickered, knowing how he, as much as you, despised talking about him. “Hey,” he touches your forearm with his leather-gloved forefinger. You looked up at him. “If anything, you come to me,” you half-smiled.

Everyone in this small town knew about the mother-daughter dynamic you and Leah had. Hearing how she turned out great with just you raising her was something you heard very often, something you wished you felt through every fiber of your being. But you didn’t. And Bucky knew you struggled with that, trying his best to remind you every time you doubted. More often than not, she reminded you a lot more of Bucky than Chris, since she grew up knowing Bucky more than her dad.

“Thanks, old man,” you said, snickering behind your mug. He backed away from the counter, his grumpy face showing again. His eyebrows furrowed and his cheekbones prominent. He hated it when you called him that. He may be over a hundred years old but technically he was your age, he would remind you. “There he is!” you cheered, laughing at his frowned face.

“You have a problem,” Bucky said, taking the mug from your hand, and you slid the bill across the table. Still maintaining your gazes, seeing a small smile starting to form on his lips.

You were known by the whole town to be completely oblivious, seemingly being the only one who doesn’t know how Bucky has been pining for you for years. Even from Mars, the love he held for you in his heart could be seen. He tried several times to ask you out on a date, getting closer and closer each time he would try but something always had to happen right at the time he wanted to spit the words out of his mouth. A coward, as Sam, another regular at the diner, would call him when he realized he'd been staring at her.

You did, however, think about dating him once after having a moment with him in the diner. It was late, and you wanted coffee after a bad date. Nearly kissing until Kirk came into the diner to get his emergency late-night burger. You brought it to Leah’s attention, but to that she immediately declined, saying it might ruin the best coffee in town for the both of you.

Saturday rolled around; Leah’s birthday. You woke her up at 3 a.m., another annual essential where you would tell her the infamous story of the day she was born.

“What do you think of your life thus far, my dear?” you brushed her hair as your lied down next to her.

“I think it’s great,” she yawned.

“Any complaints?” you asked, and she shook her head. “I think you’re a great cool kid and the best friend a girl could have,” you said to her lovingly.

“Back at ya,” she answered.

“And it’s so hard to believe that many moons ago I was lying in exactly this same position,” you looked up at the ceiling, flashbacks playing in your head.

“Oh boy, here we go,” Leah said. You shushed her and continued the story.

When you walked into the diner, you were greeted by Bucky at the front door. You frowned at him, being too close to you, your hands hovered over his chest. He opened an arm to gesture you to a table by the window on your right. When you looked, your jaw dropped. He decorated the table. He laid a beautiful lace tablecloth, with a vase filled with flowers in the middle and balloons next to one of the chairs and Leah’s favorite; a rainbow cake, with a lot of frosting.

“Bucky, what is this? This isn’t you. And flowers?” you looked at him, eyes in disbelief. He shrugged. “This is amazing,” you touched the table cloth, mouth agape. “Thank you, Bucky,” you hugged him, his face red to which you were too busy to see.

He walked away, knowing your order before you could tell him. The Y/N Special he printed in the new menu. Leah came into the diner, you sat up and smiled as you waited for her reaction. “What is all this?” her jaw dropped as well.

“It’s all Bucky,” you shook your head, as she caressed the lace tablecloth. “Where he got this tablecloth? No idea!” you leaned in, whispering loudly.

“Bucky, you big ole softy,” she said to Bucky who came with your regular. He blushed when she gave him a hug, quiet as he walked back behind the counter. Your eyes followed him, still surprised by his adorable gesture.

“Hey, remember what I said about dating Bucky?” you asked her, still looking at Bucky who was taking orders. She hummed as she gobbled down her food. “Do you think it’ll work out if we did?” you asked again.

“Honestly, I think it will,” she said, cheeks stuffed with food. “Especially after this,” she gestured to the decorations. “But yeah, I do,” she said after swallowing her food, following your gaze to look at him.

It was the first time she’d ever okayed a man in your life other than Chris. You both loved Bucky especially after what he’s been through. The grumpy demeanor he displays justified.

Lane, Leah’s best friend walked into the diner, squealing as she hugged and wished her. You stood up with your order and walked to the counter to allow them to chat.

“Hey, Buck,” you said, seeing him clean his toaster. He hummed, his back still facing you. “With your expertise displayed on the very lovely table there, could you help Sookie out with decorating my place while Leah and I frolic about town?” you asked, chewing on your waffles.

“Yeah, sure anything for my best customers,” he said as he grunted, fixing the toaster.

“Why don’t you use your tools?” you asked, pointing at the toaster with your knife. Stopping what he did, he turned to shoot a glare at you.

“My toolbox is sitting in your lovely home collecting dust because you could not and will not bother to give it back to me,” he complained. You snickered knowingly since you purposely brought up his toolbox.

“Well, it’s the only thing in the house that warns burglars that there could possibly be a man in the house,” you said melodramatically as you enjoyed your food. He grabbed the knife and fork out of your hand, your hands up in the air and mouth open. You placed your hands on your lap and sighed.

“Fine, you can have John back,” you said. His eyebrows crossed in confusion and frustration. You had a track record of being stubborn and playful. Something everyone who knew you grew to normalise.

“Not every non-living thing needs to have a name,” he said, putting the utensils back on your plate.

“Yes they do. I could tell visitors that John is in the living room sitting on the floor,” and you continued to yap Bucky’s ears off until you left to bring Leah on her birthday adventure. Reminding him that you left the decorations by the couch at home and he could use the key hidden under the turtle statue.

It was almost 1 a.m., Bucky heard a loud voice from outside, he dragged his feet to the window and opened it, sticking half his body out. Flinching when he saw a stone coming in his direction. “What the hell are you doing?” he shouted at you in your pjs, holding a pillow under your arm. He was wearing short-sleeved t-shirt, something you barely saw him wear.

“I’m homeless! I’ve got nowhere to go,” you shouted back. You heard a window open at the next building and turned to face it. An old man appeared out of the window.

“Hey, would you shut up? It’s late!” the old man with his thick Boston accent shouted at you. You looked at him and then at Bucky then back at him and burst out laughing. “Would you please get her the hell outta here?” the man said to Bucky and went back inside. He went down to get you, groaning as he walked down finding you, still in a fit of laughter.

“The resemblance? Uncanny!” you said, still laughing as he grabbed your arm and pulled you into the diner.

You helped Bucky set up the mattress after looking around his apartment and teasing him for things he owned. Being friends with him for years, you’d never been in his “home” above the diner before.

“What made you homeless tonight?” Bucky asks as you fixed the bedsheet together.

“Everyone else passed out drunk, even Chris,” you said. Shocked that you brought up his name, he fiddled with his fingers as he sat by his dining table. “I’m still kinda drunk. That name slipped out of my mouth,” you said, laughing nervously, sitting next to him.

“What did he do this time?” he asked looking up from his hands.

“Surprisingly, he was nice. He was a dad for once but he hasn’t left so we’ll see what happens,” you sighed. Bucky knew the reason for your uncertainty with raising Leah was because of Chris. The seed of doubt sprouted after years of Chris reminding you that you couldn’t do it alone which made Bucky’s blood boil.

“At least she’s not pregnant yet,” you said, running your hands against the wooden dining table.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” he said. “You were 16?” he asked.

“15 and a half,” you pointed out. “Ruined my 16th birthday, my mother said. What a disappointment it must have been for my parents to have me,” you looked at him.

“Can’t imagine anyone seeing you as a disappointment,” he shook his head and you sighed.

“You know, Buck. Seeing what you do for Leah, I bet you’ll make a great dad one day,” you mention, examining his face. His eyes looked sleepy.

“You make a great mom. This whole town can vouch for that fact. For how young you were when you had her, 15 and a half? Every parent makes mistakes but you make the mistakes seem like fun,” you chuckled. “You were never alone in raising her. The town has played a part in raising her with you much more than Chris ever did so I don’t know what the fuck he’s talkin' about,” he says, a lump formed in your throat.

“Yeah, it’s just the daughter part I, uh, I don’t have down yet,” Bucky exhaled through his nose. You thought about a recent fight you had with Leah about the boy she’d been dating. Something you brought up as a problem because you were terrified of possible outcomes. But you knew he was a great boy, Dean. Sweet, charming and a gentleman.

“You looked great tonight,” you placed your hand on his, you felt the cold metal against your skin. You’d never really seen his metal arm, always hidden under the sleeve of his leather jacket and gloves. His signature look, even in the summer. You stroked his metal hand and even though he couldn’t physically feel your touch, he felt goosebumps form on his skin. Physical touch was never a part of your friendship.

He smirked, raising his brow and tilting his head making you roll your eyes. “I don’t mean you don’t look great all the time, you do, and,” you groaned. “Don’t be cocky now,” you clicked your tongue, laughing, still smirking at you.

“You looked great too,” his voice cracked, coughing to clear his throat. “y/n,” he called your name, his voice lower and deeper.

“Yeah?” you whispered. His eyes softer than you were used to, finally seeing his blue eyes.

“Would you want to go on a date with me sometime?” he asked, eyes looking at your lips then back to your eyes. He felt his palm get sweaty, heart thumped loudly in his chest he swore you could hear it. He’d always have the words play in his head but he never thought the moment would ever come.

You felt your cheeks burn, you never thought he’d ever ask you. He studied your face to predict what you were gonna say, cringing a little expecting a bad answer or a laugh.

“I would love to, Buck,” you bit your bottom lip. He let out the breath he held, smiling as he shifted in his seat. After years of pining, he finally got to take his favorite girl on a date.

[fanmoose12]

He's invited to their engagement party. Levi doesn't know if it's a cruel joke or a horrible misunderstanding. Quite frankly, he's not sure what's worse. He decides not to go either way. He doesn't think his heart can take it. And he doubts he'd be a welcomed guest there anyway.

But then Moblit visits their office. He doesn't come to Hange, doesn't bring flowers or other gifts. No, he goes straight to him.

"Can we talk, Levi?" he pocks his head inside, smiling slightly. The smile is painfully awkward, and yet endlessly sincere. What a fucking sweetheart, Levi thinks bitterly. So different from him. Perhaps, that's why Hange chose him in the end.

"What do you want?" he grunts, staring at his computer screen and trying to appear busier than he actually is. But Moblit either doesn't get the hint, or doesn't care. Wearing that same damn smile, he walks further into Levi's office and sits down on a chair that stands by his desk.

"It's about the engagement party," he gets straight to the point, almost leaving Levi breathless. The audacity... And he thought the other man was a sweetheart. "You're the only one who didn't give an answer..."

Levi hopes Moblit doesn't ask for his reason. Calling Hange's fiance a fucking moron would probably destroy what little relationship they still have.

"I know your history with Hange isn't the simplest one..." the smile falters for a second, but doesn't leave Moblit's face completely. "But she still holds you in high regard. She would want you to be there for her."

What an insolent fucking bastard. Wants him to be there? Wants to have his heart ripped out, more likely. Levi doesn't believe Hange is that cruel.

But if what Moblit tells him is true... If Hange really wants him to come, then he simply has no choice. He always had trouble with saying no to her, after all.

He makes this hard decision surprisingly easy.

"I'll be there, don't worry," he tells Moblit.

The man beams. He reaches out and catches Levi's hand, shaking it heartily. "Thank you so much," he says. "It'll mean so much to Hange, and I just want to make her happy, you know?"

More than you'll ever know, Levi thinks.

But, truth be told, he doesn't understand Moblit. If he was in his place - and there was a time where he almost was - he would never invite Hange's assholish ex to their engagement party, he'd rather kick his ass, and hard. But, perhaps, that's the difference between them, the difference that made Hange choose Moblit over him. Moblit places her happiness well above his own. And Levi can't thank him enough for that.

He can try, though.

"Thank you as well," he murmurs, and for a moment, Moblit's eyes fill with confusion. But then that second passes, and he seems to understand him, and his gaze softens, as he gives Levi a small nod.

"See you soon," he says, and leaves Levi's office.

He stares at the closed door for another minute, trying to understand what had possessed him to agree to it. To willingly go and celebrate Hange's engagement to another man... Something is definitely wrong with him.

That's called torturing yourself, a malicious voice in his head whispers.

Levi's intent to agree.

***

He realizes what a mistake he made pretty quickly. Two seconds after entering the café Moblit had rented out for the occasion, to be exact.

He walks in, sees Hange and Moblit in a middle of a room, dancing, while everyone cheers on them, and wants to walk out immediately.

The song choice is awful as well. He always hated Walk the Moon.

He's still by the door, and, maybe, if he leaves now, no one would notice. He almost turns back but then-

Then he remembers.

She would want you to be there for her

With a deep sigh that gets lost in a loud beat of music, he walks inside. He moves as discreetly as possible, avoiding everyone's curious eyes, as he tries to find a seat in the deepest, darkest corner of the café.

He finds it, fortunately. And, surprisingly, someone is already occupying it. His eyes widen, as he recognizes Petra. Soft-spoken and sweet, she can't exactly be called a life of the party. Yet for her to be hiding in the corner... It's a little bit strange, Levi can't deny it.

His thoughts about Petra are chased away when a new song comes in.

Oh, her eyes, her eyes

Make the stars look like they're not shinin'

God, if there is someone he hates more than Walk the Moon, it's Bruno Mars. The song is fitting though, he can't deny.

She is perfect just the way she is.

He turns away from Petra and heads for the bar.

He orders vodka on the rocks for himself, and - because he can be a gentleman sometimes - he also asks for a cocktail that is so sugary it can probably give one cavities for Petra.

When he sits next to her, handing her a drink, Petra smiles and thanks him. A faint blush colors her cheeks too, but Levi ignores it, churning it up to the poor lighting of the room. He ignores Petra's attempt at conversation as well, gladly he has all the reason to - the music is too loud to hear anything else. For once, Levi is thankful for that.

Petra keeps glancing at him, though, and the red on her face gets more prominent, and with a deep sigh Levi turns to her.

Petra is pretty, incredibly so. Only a blind wouldn't see it. Only a blind wouldn't see her obvious crush on him as well. Petra is sweet and pretty, maybe, he should talk to her. Maybe, it'd ease some of his heartbreak. Not all of it, obviously. Only one person can do it. The person who is still twirling around with the man who is not him.

His hand is almost reaching to her, his fingers are almost at her forearm, when a fucking photo montage begins.

Set to A Thousand Years.

He curses and bolts out of his place. Even he is not masochistic enough to watch hundreds of photos with the love of his fucking life in the arms of another man.

He walks outside and takes a deep breath. His tense muscles relaxe instantly when the sounds of music and laughter and delighted cheering fades away. He leans against the bricked wall and directs his gaze up to the sky. Stars aren't visible yet, the wind is slightly too harsh to be standing in just jacket and shirt and he forgot his cigarette pack, but Levi chases those complaints away.

He's almost content and he intends to stay this way, but then-

The door opens, and Levi turns to it with a scowl, thinking that it's Petra who decided to follow him. He realizes his mistake immediately, and his breath hitches, when he is met with those brown deep eyes.

Fuck.

He swiftly tears his gaze away, suddenly extremely aware of his heartbeat.

"Sorry!" Hange chuckles, the sound too hollow to be genuine. Out of the corner of his eyes, Levi sees her running a hand through her hair, messing it up even more. "I didn't wish to-"

"You didn't," he breathes out. He closes his eyes for a second, mustering all of his courage, and then looks up at her. "The street is wide enough to fit both of us. Stop being an idiot, four-eyes."

The nickname slips easily from his lips. It is only after he said it, only after he sees the shaken expression on Hange's face that realizes he hasn't called her that ever since their breakup.

He doesn't acknowledge his mistake. Bringing it up now means opening another can of worms he's not sure he can get through. Having Hange so close to him is already hard enough.

"Why aren't you inside?" he asks, attempting to sound nonchalant and not getting even close to achieving it. "A fience shouldn't skip her own engagement party. Especially when the photo montage is on..."

"Oh please," Hange huffs. "I stared so much at these photos while we selected them, I am getting sick just by looking at them. Besides," she pouts. "Moblit didn't let me share our private photos."

In spite of himself, Levi chuckles. "Are you saying photos like that exist?"

Hange snickers too. "Oh god, of course, they do not. I think Moblit would have a heart attack should I even offer to take a photo like that."

"So you're saying your fiancé is boring?"

Hange scoffs, and elbows him in a side. "I'm saying he's orderly."

"Same thing," Levi shrugs, and Hange laughs.

His treacherous heart skips a beat. Something warm spreads through him, as he listens to Hange's laughter. It grows warmer and spreads further, until it feels like he's enveloped by a sunlight - he's content, relaxed and happy. Hange always had such an effect on him.

She was the only who ever did.

"Thanks for coming," she tells him, after her laughter subdues. "I know it's probably awkward..."

"It's fine," he shakes his head.

"It's good to see you, Levi," a smile plays on her lips, the sweet and soft one that Levi always thought was reserved exclusively for him. He wonders if that is still true.

"It's good to see you too," he murmurs. "I'm glad you're happy, Hange," he adds, looking at her. There is a stray lock of hair right next to her nose, and he gently pushes it away, tucking it behind her ear. "If you need anything, know that I'm here for you. I always will be."

He turns away and leaves after that, before he does something stupid like confess his undying love.

That's probably the last thing Hange wants to hear anyway.

He walks inside the cafe and returns to Petra's side. He looks at her, the words "want to ditch that shitty party?" almost at the tip of his tongue. But then Hange walks back in and their eyes meet across the room. She lifts her lips in a smile and tentatively raises her hand, waving at him. Levi nods, fighting back a smile of his own. His eyes still soften, though.

The hand he had outstretched towards Petra falls limply to his side.

Maybe, she'd help him forget, maybe, she'd ease some - not all, obviously - of his heartache.

But, apparently, he's not a complete asshole, because he can't do it - not to Petra, not to himself.

Not to Hange.

He lifts a glass to his lips and turns his gaze to the small stage. There Moblit is telling some story - either about their first kiss or their first date, Levi doesn't listen to him at all. Instead his eyes are focused on Hange - the faint blush on her cheeks, her glistening eyes, as she keeps laughing, laughing, laughing. Their gazes lock for a second, and her eyes turn just a little bit brighter.

At least one of them is happy. Levi revels in that.

[yehet-about-it]

I Like Me Better | 15 - You of All People

~ A Wayv Social Media AU Series ~

< Prev || Series Masterlist || Next >

Synopsis: You’ve just moved into a new apartment with your best friend Yangyang, but you’re immediately faced with a problem: your incredibly noisy upstairs neighbour Xiao Dejun, or to friends, Xiaojun. You spend the first few weeks of your acquaintance hating his guts, but after a sincere apology and a fascinating revelation about his passions and motivations you slowly begin to see past his cold exterior to discover the real him. What will happen as you get closer to this troubled boy and how will those closest to you react?

Pairing: Reader x Xiao Jun

Genre: Angst

Themes and Warnings: Explicit language, mild violence and references to drinking/alcohol. Deals with themes of toxic masculinity, insecurity, and jealousy…

Word Count: 3.5k (good lord this took forever to write, and please excuse the dialogue, arguments/fights are not my forte...)

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Your evening started like any other night out with the boys; a drink or two at yours with Yangyang and Sicheng, then on to meet Renjun and whoever else (this time Yeonjun and his girlfriend Yeri), before heading to the bar. The first half of your evening was rather pleasant, spent sipping cocktails with your friends in a cosy booth Renjun had managed to book, with the odd dance here or there. It wasn’t until you and Renjun were dancing wildly on the dancefloor having consumed just enough alcohol not to care what people thought, that you saw a familiar face looking at you from across the room by the bar.

You smiled back at Lucas as he gave you a cheeky smirk, seemingly having noticed you had caught him watching. You held eachother’s gaze for a moment before you shyly looked away and back at Renjun, heat rising in your cheeks that definitely wasn’t due to the alcohol. You hadn’t really spoken to Lucas that much, maybe the odd conversation about your day, or work, but mostly if you did talk to him it was about Xiaojun. You weren’t sure you liked Lucas in the romantic sense, and you didn’t really have enough interaction with him to go on, but being who and what he was, just having his attention was enough to make you blush, or any girl for that matter. You were sure he’d probably be getting a lot of attention tonight. Looking back up as you danced to see if he was still watching, you saw he wasn’t and instead was leaning back on the bar, talking to someone sat on the barstool next to him. Scanning the rest of the area around him you realized he was with Ten, and you could only assume that the figure on the stool facing away from you was Xiaojun. Your gaze lingered a little too long, as Xiaojun soon turned around, his eyes seemingly searching the sea of people crowding the dancefloor before landing on you. Startled, you immediately averted your eyes, hoping he hadn’t caught you watching, and decided to move your focus back to Renjun.

Your eyes lit up as ‘Rain On Me’ started playing through the club’s speakers and you grinned at Renjun, starting to mouth the lyrics at eachother. Not a moment later though, your phone buzzed in your hand, not having put it away from taking pictures with Renjun earlier. Checking who it was, you rolled your eyes when you saw a text from Yangyang, stating what you already knew. You quickly replied, and seeing Kun reply immediately after you replied again to keep him happy and slid your phone back into your bag, rejoining Renjun in hyping to Lady Gaga.

It seemed you couldn’t catch a break though, as not long after, you felt a hand on your shoulder taking you out of the moment. You frowned, ready to give whichever pompous fuckboy was trying to get your attention a piece of your mind, but when you turned, you were met by a broad chest belonging to none other than Lucas Wong, who stood towering above you. “Funny seeing you here,” Lucas said leaning down towards your ear so as to be heard over the pounding music. You giggled at him as he rose back up, giving you his ever so charming signature smirk. It was then that you noticed Xiaojun emerge next to him, looking at you a little apprehensively and mururing a ‘hey’ that way barely audible above the noise. Smiling pleasantly you greeted the two young men. “Well hi guys, this is a nice surprise!” You said. “It sure is,” Lucas grinned as Xiaojun nodded at you. “You guys come here much?” you said, mentally facepalming as the words left your mouth. You were plenty tipsy and anything could have fallen from your lips, yet out of all the things you could have said, you went with the most awkward cliched chat up line possible. “I don’t. Not really my scene.” Said Xiaojun, his soft, low voice just about cutting through the noise of the club. It figured. Although your dark and brooding neighbour was clearly a fan of Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars, he certainly didn’t seem the type to enjoy clubbing, let alone dancing. Perhaps a quieter bar, with a couple of pool tables, dim neon lights, and guys stood around in worn down leather jackets would be more to his liking. It was nonetheless intriguing seeing him out of his comfort zone in a place like this, surrounded by people like Lucas, whose outgoing and flirtatious personality was in total contrast to his. “Yeah I’ve only been here a few times, though maybe we’ll have to come more often now we know you come here” Lucas added, giving you a devilish wink. You swooned a little at the action but out of the corner of your eye you swore you could see Xiaojun rolling his eyes.

Suddenly, you were jerked back to reality as you felt an arm wrap around your shoulder, and you realised you’d been so distracted by Lucas’s flirtatious gestures that you’d totally forgotten about Renjun. “Hey y/n who are your friends?!” Renjun yelled drunkenly through over the music. “Oh right. Guys this is my friend Renjun. He’s a dancer too! Renjun, this is my neighbour Xiaojun and his friend Lucas,” you said, waving your hands towards the two of them. “Ahh the elusive neighbour and his hot friend I’ve heard so much about,” Renjun slurred, beaming at everyone before taking Xiaojun’s hand to shake, then Lucas’s. Your eyes widened in disbelief at Renjun’s choice of words, and he let out a pained grunt as you subtly elbowed him in the stomach. The little shit.

Xiaojun had his usual stoic expression as he said hi to Renjun, but Lucas smirked as he held out his hand to shake. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said. “Likewise. Wow. You really are tall,” Renjun blurted, eliciting a deep chuckle from Lucas. You were going to kill that kid. “Too tall for his own good. Only thing it’s good for is spotting people through crowds like this and getting things out of cupboards,” Xiaojun commented with a hint of disdain. Clearly he was used to people commenting on his friends’ height. You snickered at his comment nonetheless. He was after all, unneccessarily tall. “Oh I can think of plenty of other things its good for,” Renjun joked. You raised your eyebrow. That boy had definitely had enough alcohol for the night.

“So you guys wanna dance?” you asked in an attempt to move on from the topic of Lucas’s appearance and what his height might be useful for. The two boys nodded and for the next 15 minutes or so you danced and sang together blissfully, Renjun and Lucas making jokes every now and then like the clowns they are. You were too in the moment to notice, but a small smile tugged on Xiaojun’s lips as he watched you dancing with wild abandon, admiring your serenity and the care free look you had as you moved your body in perfect rhythm. As a dancer, you were in your element and Xiaojun couldn’t look away. Obviously your club moves were much simpler than your usual dance routines but no matter the amount of alcohol you’d consumed, your body flowed to the music as naturally as a fish swims. Before he knew what he was doing, Xiaojun was moving closer to you as though being drawn by a magnet. As the song ended and faded into the next you looked up at him, now right next to you and gave him a grin as your hips started swaying to the next song. “I can tell you’re a dancer.” Xiaojun leaned in to speak, and a heat rose to your cheeks. You knew you could dance but you hadn’t realised you’d been putting on that much of a show. “Oh uh, really? Thanks,” you awkwardly stuttered. “Maybe I could see you dance sometime? I mean, not in the club,”Xiaojun said. You flushed. He wanted to see you dance? Was is you or was he flirting? “Um, well maybe... I suppose you could come to one of our open rehearsals?” You replied coyly. “Sounds good. And I mean, you have seen me sing, so it’s only fair,” Xiaojun teased. “I guess that’s true”.

For the next few minutes you continued dancing and chatting with the boys before you felt a body pressing lightly against yours from behind. It dawned on you that it was in fact Xiaojun, and you looked round to see if he had been pushed into you making space for someone passing through perhaps, but despite the throngs of people in the club, you saw no evidence of that. Meaning he was doing it on purpose. Was he really coming on to you right now? Flirting was one thing, but dancing with you like that in such close quarters was a little intimate for your liking. You had realised by now that you were definitely attracted to Xiaojun in some sense, but you still hardly knew the boy and grinding on him in the club defintely didn’t seem like the best step in the progression of your relationship. Sure, you’d spoken to him a few times since you went to see him at the café, mainly in the hall on your way back from walking Bella, and he was and a lot nicer than you had anticipated, but you couldn’t say you were too comfortable with where he seemed to be taking this. Not wishing to make things awkward, you politely shifted away from him, moving closer to Renjun instead, and as you did so, you caught Lucas raising an eyebrow at you.

Eventually, your group dispersed and you and Renjun went back to find the others. When you told them you’d ran into Lucas and Xiaojun, Yangyang and Winwin naturally teased you about it, tellng you you couldn’t have both of them, and Yangyang being Yangyang refused to drop the subject matter. He was your best friend, so you could forgive him, since you knew he meant no harm, but after a while his incessant nattering about it teed you off so you excused yourself and went to use the restroom.

On your way back from the restroom you came across Lucas, by the looks of it on his way to the bar and he stopped with a grin when he saw you. “Y/n. Crazy seeing you again,” he joked. You laughed breazily at his terrible attempt at humour. “Hi Lucas.”Lucas paused, as though thinking for a moment. “Can I get you a drink?” he said, nodding towards the bar. With the amount of alcohol currently in your system, you didn’t even need to think. A drink with Lucas? Yes please. So, you went to the bar with Lucas, who ordered soju for the both of you, before raising his drink for a toast. “Geonbae!”

For a while, you spent the time chatting and laughing with Lucas as you downed your soju, not noticing a certain someone glaring at you from across the room, but soon, Renjun, having been wandering about the club in his cheerful tipsy manner, saying hello to random people all over the place, joined the two of you at the bar. Lucas and Renjun seemed to get along pretty well as they had done while you were dancing, making corny jokes at eachother back and forth, but eventually, Lucas said something that flustered you somewhat. “So, I’m the hot friend huh?” Lucas said, eyeing you mischievously and nodding to Renjun who had originally let slip that you had referred to him as hot. Of course he would bring that up, how could he not? “Um, well-“ you fumbled with your speech. You were well and truly tipsy by now but apparently still not drunk enough to talk to your attractive acquaintance without tripping over your words. “Heh, don’t worry. I get that a lot,” he said. “Although, the girls aren’t always as cute as you.” You blushed and giggled at Lucas, totally unaware of the intoxicated man slowly and resentfully making his way towards the three of you. “Oh, uh, thank you,” you giggled. “OMG you have to go home with this guy,” Renjun ‘whispered’ in your ear. That earned him yet another discreet elbow to the chest. “What?! You’re totally flirting!” He protested, as Lucas took a swig of his drink, thankfully paying no mind to Renjun’s comments.

“Oh, hi Xaojun,” you said, as you finally became aware of the boy approaching you. “What are you doing?” Xiaojun said, disregarding you, and glaring at Lucas. “Okay then…” you muttered under your breath. The least he could do was say hi back. “Oh I was just saying how beautiful y/n is,” Lucas said, smirking back at his shorter friend. “Oh yeah? Well maybe you should back off a bit. That’s a little forward don’t you think?” You sighed. What was up with him? You raised your eyebrow as you witnessed your neighbour needlessly defend you from Lucas’s flirtations. He was speaking with conviction, but there was certainly a slight lilt in his voice, indicating he had drunk more than his fair share of poison tonight. “I’m just saying it like it is,” Lucas said shrugging. “Just because you’re too scared to say something doesn’t mean we all are.” “Oh get over yourself Lucas,” Xiaojun snapped. Renjun turned to you, giving you a look that clearly red ‘well this is awkward’. “Just because you’re a model it doesn’t mean you can just hit on any girl you like. Especially not my neighbour.”

Your hands balled into fists as you glowered at Xiaojun. You were tired of his frosty attitude. “Uh, well ‘your neighbour’ has a name and and I think she will decide who can hit on her or not thank you very much,” you huffed defiantly at Xiaojun, drawing his attention away from Lucas to yourself. “Now will you calm down? I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night.” “Yeah dude, you’re kinda ruining the mood.” Renjun chipped in, probably not the best idea, because as soon as he spoke, Xiaojun’s glare was fixed on him. “Oh yeah? Well fine. I’ll go. I know where I’m not wanted, and that’s clearly nowhere you are” he said turning to you, before stepping back to leave. “Xiaojun wait! We didn’t mean-“ Xiaojun swiveled back and cut you off before you could finish. “Oh come on, I know you hate me y/n. Go on, admit it,” he spat. “You think you’re so much better than me with your perfect job and your little sugar daddy to do everything for you. What do you think he’d say if he saw you dancing like that with this jumped up little shit.” He looked at Renjun in contempt and your jaw almost hit the floor. In 21 years you’d never been spoken to like that. Except by maybe that Stacey girl you’d had a feud with in middle school when sh accused you of ‘stealing’ her ‘boyfriend’, but that was beside the point. Not only was Xiaojun ruining your evening by pointlessly dragging Lucas for his flirting, but now he was insulting your best friends? This was very much NOT okay.

“EXCUSE ME?” You yelled, your eyes burning with fury. “Don’t you fucking dare talk about Renjun like that! And Xiaojun, you’ve been nothing but rude to me since I moved in! Why do you think I don’t like you?! Not because I think I’m better than you but because you’re just an asshole!” His dark eyes were fixed on you as you yelled back at him and you could smell the whisky on his breath as he stared down at you, but out of the corner of your eye, you were vaguely aware of the third friend sidling through people towards you, seemingly yelling at people ‘damage control coming through! Damage control coming through!’ “Huh is that right? You think I’m an asshole? Well you know what I think? I-“ Before Xiaojun could continue his shoulder was pulled back by a stern looking Ten. “What the fuck are you doing Xiaojun? You’re drunk, now leave y/n alone.” You looked up at Ten in relief. You didn’t really know the guy but he seemed to have a calming aura about him and you were just glad that someone was here to help you diffuse the situation. Anything that Lucas or Renjun had to say would only add fuel to the fire. “Don’t fucking tell me what to do Ten, I’m not your kid,” Xiaojun snarled as Ten gripped him b the shoulder. “Yeah but from the looks of it you’re ruining y/n’s evening and I think we should get you some water before you ruin everyone else’s too.” “Yeah come on buddy, just go with Ten and calm down,” Lucas added, patting Xiaojun on the back. “Oh so you three can get back to ogling eachother? Why don’t you just get it over with already and make out on the bar?”

Xiaojun was clearly slipping into a drunken haze now, his words getting angrier and even more slurred. “Jesus will you just let it go-“ Lucas rolled his eyes as he spoke but was cut off as Xiaojun’s fist collided with his jaw. Your eyes widened in panic as you realised where this was going. “Fucking hell!” Renjun exclaimed, watching as Lucas held his jaw as he stumbled back against the bar. Xiaojun may be significantly smaller than Lucas, but he could certainly pack a punch. “Hey fuck you man, I was just trying to-“ Xiaojun landed another punch as Ten struggled to hold him back.

You watched, horrified as Xiaojun struggled against the two boys, not knowing what to do. If you called the staff over you knew everyone would get thrown out and that would be the end of your night, but if you did nothing someone was sure to get hurt. You looked around to see if any passersby might help the situation but they all seemed disinterested. Panicking, you took your phone out and texted the group chat, hoping that Winwin or Yangyang might see it and come to the rescue. Not that they were particularly helpful in these situations, but the more the merrier.

As the two boys managed to get Xiaojun somewhat under control – either that or he was getting tired – he started to still, Ten holding him in place. You stepped closer, hoping that you could talk to him and ease his mind, tell him it was okay, but as he shook himself free, having given up on fighting Lucas, his elbow collided with your neck, sending you reeling back into Renjun. As everyone turned to you with wide eyes, checking to see if you were okay, a bouncer appeared behind Ten having seen the commotion. “Guys I’m gonna need you to leave. You’ve caused enough trouble for one night.” The bouncer said, looking at the 3 taller boys. The boys slowly nodded, mumblung ‘okays’ before the bouncer nodded towards you. “You alright?” You noded with a small smile, not wanting to make any more of a commotion. At this point you just wanted to leave and get some ice for your throbbing throat. “Okay you can stay,” the bouncer said, pointing at you and Renjun. “You three with me”.

You watched, dumbfounded as the boys gathered themselves. Xiaojun looked forlorn and you couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him. Sure he was acting like a total asshole, but in truth he was drunk, and he didn’t seem at all the same person you’d talked and laughed with under the one-person umbrella on your way home from the café a week prior. “I- I’m sorry y/n” Xiaojun gulped, before he was dragged away by a furious looking Ten, followed closely by Lucas and the bouncer. “Are you okay?” Renjun asked worriedly as he gently gripped your hand and a tear slid down your cheek. “Yeah. I’m okay. Let’s just get some ice for my neck and get out of here…”

When you got home, you promptly kicked off your sandals and went to the living room, flopping down into the lap of your giant teddy bear that was sat in the corner taking up far too much space. Yangyang and Sicheng followed not far behind, and being the mischievous boys they were they piled on top of you in a big hug, knocking half the air out of you, but at this point you were too fed up to care. “Why do guys suck?” You whined. "Hey we don't suck!" Winwin exclaimed, his voice a little muffled from where his face was squished agains the arm of Mr. Gom. "Sure," You replied sarcasticly, earning a little nudge before you all burst out in a fit of giggles, squeezing eachother tighter in the hug. You sighed cheerfully, feeling a little better after your trainwreck of a night. You certainly weren't letting them sleep like this, but for now you snuggled in your friends' warmth, enjoying their embrace and allowing it to sooth you before you faced the harsh reality of tomorrow.

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[mickmarstookmyheart]

More Espresso, Less Despresso

Pairing: Mick Mars X Reader

Warning: none

Summary: Reading and sipping coffee when another caffeine enthusiast joins you in a lovely café.

It was a bleak, gray day made for books and tea. Well, rather coffee. Drinking coffee helped Mick bearing all the shit his bandmates did 24/7. After some rehearsals, he grabbed his leather jacket and headed to his favorite café nearby. It was an adorable, little place that felt like heaven. It was a family business and he knew the owners of the café and he occasionally had small talks with them. David, the owner, was quite an extrovert person, he always told stories or jokes for the customers, making their day a little bit better.

When he stopped in front of the facility he observed it from outside. He could already smell the scent of caffeine making him feel awake and relaxed. The bell rang above the door as Mick entered the café. Only a few of the tables were taken and it was quiet, something Mick appreciated after playing loud music and listening to the Terror Twin's screaming for hours.

"Well, well, well. Look who has the wind blew here?!" David stated after he noticed the guitarist waiting at the counter. David was a kind man, the father of this family. His silver beard already started to reach his chest.

"Hey, David. How are you?" Mick asked leaning on the counter and observing the people sitting at the tables. Couples, businessmen, ladies spending their lunchtime from the office. Then his eyes wandered to the back of the room. A girl was sitting there with a book in her hand and a huge cup of coffee in front of her still untouched.

"Nothing extra, just the usual. Customers coming and going." David continued but Mick wasn't paying attention. He was gazing at the girl. You. "Anyway, imagine that I finally managed to buy that grill the other day. It's marvelous." David said. He frowned noticing that Mick wasn't paying attention. He followed the guitarist's gaze and smirked. "Mick!"

"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. So what did you say?" Mick rubbed the back of his head and took the coffee in his hand before placing the money in David's palm. "Hey, do you know her?" He cleared his throat.

"She turned up here first about a week ago and since then she comes here every day asking the same drink and always bringing another book with her. If you ask me, it's fascinating." One of David's talent was observing people and also remember them. "Though she is pretty shy. I have already tried to talk to her many times but she wasn't really talkative, ya know."

"Well, thanks, buddy." Mick glanced at the old man and nodded thanking the information and the coffee. Instead of taking his usual spot, he made his way towards you.

As for you, you were deep in the forest helping Robin Hood invading the guards of the king who collected the gold from the poor. Robin just shot his last arrow when a silhouette covered all the light you needed for reading.

"I'm sorry but can you stand away? You are covering all the lights." You murmured not leaving the page you were on. Mick slowly stepped aside and took the seat in front of you. "Can I help you?" You asked glancing over the book.

"Umm. Actually, no." Mick was searching for the words. To be honest, he didn't understand how he had the ability to speak to you. He wasn't a big chick magnet like Vince.

"Then...?" You looked around to see that there were plenty of empty seats. He just casually drank like you weren't even sitting there. You sighed and gathered all your strength to get back to the forest but curiosity took over and you couldn't help but peaked over the top of the book and hid behind it whenever the stranger looked in your direction.

Moments passed before you put down the book and wrapped your hands around the now cold cup of coffee. You may looked uninterested, but oh boy, your mind was racing like a machine. Who this person could be, what could be his intentions.

"So, what are you drinking?" You asked breaking the silence between the two of you. He tilted his head with an arching brow glancing at his coffee. He cleared his throat.

"Espresso, black like my soul as the saying goes." He chuckled and took another sip from the cup. "And what about you? You look like someone with a brighter mind."

"Yeah, I have heard of that. Umm, cappuccino. I don't think, there is anything that rhymes with it so-it's lame." You pouted staring in front of you.

"Hey, what did you say about my coffee? That it is lame?!" David exclaimed from the bar. You immediately regretted what you said previously and your cheeks were now crimson.

"Don't worry, David. It's all good." Mick calmed the owner down and shook his head. "He is worse than any FBI agent if you ask me." You didn't say anything, your heart was still racing. From the corner of your eye, you could see a half-smile on his face making you blush even harder. "Anyway, I'm Mick." He held his hand and you shook it lightly and pulled your shaking hand back right after.

"I'm (Y/N)." You smiled but deep inside you were screaming like a baby. Why this person just sat in front of you and wanted to spend his time willingly with you? He didn't know a thing of you yet he was staring at you as if you were some miracle. And you were, well, that's what your parents always told you.

"So, I now know that you like coffee and you prefer books to movies-" He stated while glancing at your closed book on the table. "What are you doing in your free time? I mean, I don't want to disturb you or anything. If you want, I will leave you alone and forget what happened." Mick thought he totally went crazy walking to you and just starting a conversation like you were interested in him. He rose from his chair when you grabbed his wrist making him stop.

"No, wait. You are not bothering me at all. You can stay if you want." You murmured while you hid a lock of hair behind your ear. You weren't used to this and you didn't want to destroy it. He seemed nice so you thought you would give it a shot.

"Really?" Mick asked in true surprise as he sat back and leaned on the table on his elbows.

"What about you? Why are you here?" You asked. Mick wasn't sure if he should tell you his true job, he might scare you away. A wild rocker against a bookworm. Didn't sound good, at least in his head.

"I had to run away from-" He sighed. "From my friends. They can be pretty annoying sometimes and I needed some quiet moments here. And you?" He looked into your eyes making your stomach do a backflip.

"Well, I and my family moved here recently and this is the first café I found. And I'm still here. I love the atmosphere, the coffee, and the quiet. And the fact that I can be alone-" He chuckled along with you as you realized what you had just said and what were the circumstances.

"Sorry, for ruining that fact." He smirked.

Hours passed with chatting, changing ideas, telling stories and jokes, drinking coffee, and getting to know each other. Mick couldn't remember when was the last time he had a decent conversation with a smart and marvelous person like while you couldn't recall if you had such a good time ever. He had a similar way of thinking, whatever was the topic and he was handsome. Black hair was always your type and those eyes, those blue eyes looked like the deep blue ocean and you couldn't help but lost in it.

"Sorry for interrupting, doves, but I have to close soon," David stated with a little bit of disappointment as he noticed how wonderful were the both of you.

"Alright, thanks for telling." Mick glanced up at the owner who nodded and left. "It looks like we have to go." He hummed with tight lips while he was drumming on the table with his fingers.

"Yeah, it does. Incredible, how time flies when you have a good time." You sighed and stood up from your chair, adjusting your hair and back which popped loudly as you were sitting for a pretty long time. You put on your coat and scarf and grabbed your book and held it close to your chest.

Mick wanted this conversation to last forever. He didn't want to go back to his bandmates, neither travel to another city. He wanted to stay and be with you. Drink coffee and talk about everything, listening to music together, have a walk in the park nearby and just be together. You might only be with each other for hours but it seemed like ages. He felt like he could tell you his deepest secrets willingly. He felt something. Something from long ago.

You adjusted your scarf after you stepped outside seeing it was already dark and it was quite windy. Mick shoved his hands into his pockets after he closed the door and shivered from the chilly weather.

"So, where do you live?" Mick inquired hoping you would think he was a psycho. 

"Just a few blocks from here. And I think I should go. I'm sure my mom is freaked out even I'm 23. Some things just don't change, I guess." You snickered.

"Indeed." He added. "(Y/N)?"

"Yes?"

"When can I see you again?" He bit his lip down hoping he will be able to see you at least once more before going on the next stop of the tour.

"Tomorrow, maybe?" You thanked the angel it was too dark to see your crimson red face.

"That would be nice." His lips curved into a smile. "Then see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Mick." You gave him a last smile before you crossed the street, holding your book for dear life.

∆

@leatherandheels @littlemisscare-all @safari-karrot @crazyrockrlady 💕

(feel free to message me or comment if you wanted to be tagged💕)

[junkercrush]

Loving the work ya doing, Keep up the amazing work ^^. Could I get some headcannons for Hoggy and Jamie opening a store (Like a bakery, Juice shack) with their S/o

Writing and researching for this request made me so hungry, but fun! o^_^o

Here you go:

Junkrat & Roadhog Opening a Shop with S/O *SFW*

Junkrat

The idea of opening a food truck together with Junkrat started during a mission. You two were trapped in an abandoned restaurant on Route 66 after a deal gone wrong with the Deadlock gang.

You started cooking your family secret recipe BBQ chicken. Junkrat didn’t know you could cook. He hasn’t seen you cook more than stuffing bread into the toaster and making grilled cheese sandwiches.

Junkrat shows you his favorite BBQ meals he learned back in the Outback. You and Junkrat started making meals during occasional Overwatch parties. Then it grew.

You set up a website, people ordered online, and you delivered the food.

Finally, there was enough money saved to purchase a legit food truck . Junkrat wanted to get a food truck the wrong way by stealing one or robbing a bank. You couldn’t tell Junkrat about the money because he kept spending it on frivolous things, even though he promised to save up too. 

The food truck business was an ultimate success! The name: “KA-BOOM BBQ!”Junkrat would be wary of other food truck competitors and threaten to blow up their trucks. You warned him not to do so to avoid lawsuits. 

The two of you made a line of signature BBQ sauces.

People have requested brick and mortar restaurants. You and Junkrat preferred the food truck business. It was a chance for you to travel. Junkrat loved being able to spend more time with you in a small space. <3

Roadhog eventually joins the food truck family to help cook and drive. McCree, Soldier 76, Mei, Lucio, Reinhardt, and D.Va sometimes helped out cooking in the truck, but Hog was the only permanent staff. 

“KA-BOOM BBQ” Menu Sample

Your Signature BBQ Chicken Meal

Junkrat’s BBQ Firecracker Shrimp on the Barbie (6, 9, or 12 pieces)

Wings (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, or 100) *also comes boneless*

Wing Flavors (Honey Mustard, Vegemit, Jalapeno, “Kickass Cayenne”, Ghost Jalapeno, Plain, Teriyaki, Brown Sugar)

Shredded BBQ burger (Meats: Chicken, Lamb, Vegetarian Burger, Vegan Burger, Salmon, and Turkey)

BBQ Turkey drumsticks (any flavor KA-BOOM serves) (Order 1, 3, or 5 pieces)

Desserts

Ice Cream (Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry)

Fried Goods (Oreo, Snicker Bars, Tim-Tams, Mars Bars, Milky Ways, Butterfinger, Cookie Dough)

Fries (BBQ, Vinegar & Salt, Cheesy, and Plain)

Side Dishes (Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Green Beans, Corn, Mac N’ Cheese, Cole-slaw *Junkrat always gets you to make it because he hates the smell*)

Salads (Garden, BBQ, Shrimp, and Caesar)

NO PORK SERVED AT KA-BOOM BBQ (for Roadhog’s sake) :-)

Roadhog

Before you and Roadhog officially dated, you two used to exchange sweets with each other every time you met at Headquarter’s cafeteria.

 You were enjoying Roadie’s snacks so much you forgot to tell him you had specific food allergies. Eventually, you ended up in the hospital after a severe allergic reaction to a batch of Hog’s cookies.

It took a while for Roadhog to forgive himself. You kept telling him it was ultimately your fault, but the poor big baby kept blaming himself.

Hog asked you if you wanted to start a bakery. You happily obliged to the business opportunity.

 You two started baking sales, saving money for a brick and mortar building. Plus, a small portion of the money was donated to local charities: children’s hospitals, animal sanctuaries, and homeless people and veterans affected by the Omnic Wars.

Roadhog started creating “How to Bake” videos online and showing off your products. The videos had excellent ratings. Hog was growing quite a fanbase. Some viewers were dying to see Hog’s real face and commented on his “deep sexy voice.”  Monetization from the videos was a BIG help.

You two finally opened your bakery: “Sweet Piggy” after what Hog called you. At first, Hog had the idea to name it “Sweet As,” but people would get the wrong idea.

The bakery was completely allergy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Decorated with cute stuffies (especially pachimaris).

Junkrat comes by almost every day for the food. He tries to steal them without paying, but Hog always catches his ass.

Roadhog wants to make the place a piglet café where people would play with the piglets as they ate their sweets. How to get this approved is in the works…

“Sweet Piggy” Menu Sample

Cookies (Chocolate chip, Sugar, Pumpkin spice *seasonal*, Gingerbread *seasonal*, Vegemite, Kiwi Thumbprint, Oatmeal, Red Velvet *seasonal*, Lemon sugar, Molasses, Shortbread, Egg nog *seasonal*)

Donuts (Original, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon sugar, Caramel, Fairy bread, Vanilla, Maple *seasonal*, Chocolate, PBJ, Blueberry, Vegemite)

Cakes (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pavlova, Pumpkin, Banana, Birthday, Jelly)

Cupcakes (all flavors Sweet Piggy offers)

Drinks (various teas and coffees)

How about that, anon? ;-)

[cruecifymesixx]

Love and Leather /part sixxty two/

Word Count: 9.5k

A/N: Hope every one enjoys! Feedback is always appreciated

Warnings: language,drug use, booze, van and nikki trying to flirt, semi angsty

Taglist: @brideofdraculana , @xstarryeyes , @aryssav , @miserablecunt , @dangerous-like-a-loaded-pistol , @fandomshit6000, @anntheboneless,  @venus-calum, @justjodeye, @supernaturalvikingwhore, @are-we-real, @hi-my-name-is-riley, @extremesadnerding, @thatbandchick39, @awkwrdcait, @countrygirlswonderland,  @romanticvengeance , @tashy-bear, @krazykatkay456, @terror-triplet, @shouttatthedevill @beachystars, @rodriguez025, @kickstart-myheart-sixx, @s-outhie, @anxious-diabetic, @awkwardblackgirls, @rockersbox, @brooklyn-antiques, @shamelessobsessions, @jerseytaint, @lilytalebi, @criminalyetminimal, @motley-queen, @trapt-in-a-dream, @lunamadhatter99, @broke-n-bitchy, @thanks2pete, @slowandangry, @lovesick-heart0, @keepcalm-and-beyou, @miriampraez, @teenwolflover28, @lilyhw1, @swoopygorl, @motherloovebone, @random-internet-user-4471, @falcon-arrows, @talranocchia2001, @wheresmyvodkabitch, @waywardprincess666, @malibubarbievince, @iluvmesomemarvelndc, @zoenicoles, @vamprlestat, @supersoldierballerina, @primal-screamer @electradestiny, @marshbev, @n0-sh0rtage-0f-faults, @cruebaby, @ggorehorror, @valentines-in-london, @miss2001babe, @nassauartist  @cmft-jr-winchester, @bokkie92, @notworthyofyou1120 @xrosegoldwolfx, @cranberribread, @lauravic, @mgkobsessed, @chaoticvybe, @kellysimagines @thoughtsoftheantagonist @marvelismylifffe @sleepyjunhong @lovemythsworld @meetthesixxter @sparxx27@gingerspicetalks @unknownoblivion @siliwanoel @nevergoodenuffbutokaaayyy @sublimeprincesswasteland @xpoisonousrosesx, @love-struck-aries, @oskea93, @idumpyourgrass​, @minxtruck​ @i-want-to-shoot-myself​, @xsixxx​, @cruesixxlover1991​, @arianareirg​, @fentitrbl​, @awesomealmostdopestudent​, @dogmom2014​

“Hey Vanity, its been a few days so I thought I’d call you. I’m sorry if I was a little too pushy at the coffee shop. I didn’t mean to make you cry, guess I’m good at that huh? Anyways, just give me a call back and we can talk about me and Arianna. I’m really excited to meet her.”

Message deleted

I rolled my eyes as I played the next message, “What’s up Van? I just watched two homeless people duke out it out over a newspaper. Cops came and arrested both of them. As you can tell my boredom is-“

Message deleted

“Are you just gonna delete every one of his voicemails?” Clementine asked me as she was wrapped up in Tommy’s arms on my couch. It’s been a few days since I dropped the baby bombshell on Nikki and today he’s left a few messages on the answering machine.

“Vanity, I’m really trying, Y’know? Can you just call me? Either, I’m calling when you’re not home or you’re just deleting my messages.” I laughed as I pressed the erase button.

“That’s cold Van.” Tommy berated as I rolled my eyes, “He’s trying.”

I scoffed, “I will call him tomorrow.” I reassured but he shook his head and turned his attention to the TV.

I grabbed my purse and jacket, “I’ll be back later Arianna will be at her babysitters until about eight in the morning. Jenny will drop her off. Love you both.” I told them as they waved me off before I left my apartment.

I opted on walking to the strip club. It was only a few blocks away and it was a nice night. When I arrived a line to get in was wrapped around the building. It was Thursday so that meant it was happy hour from eleven to two in the morning. All drinks were half priced and private dances were given at a discount sometimes free if you new the right person.

I walked around to the back entry as I saw Jason standing by the wall smoking a cigarette, “I already had to break up three fights tonight. The nicer weather brings out the assholes, I swear.” He chuckled as I walked ho to him, taking his cigarette as I brought it to my lips.

His arms engulfed my waist as he pulled me to him, “There’s some pot in that.” He whispered into my ear before placing his lips on the side of my neck.

“Missed you, haven’t seen you in a few days. Where’ve you been hiding?”

Oh you know, my ex popped up, told him about his kid and I’ve turned into a hermit in my own home where I feel safe.

“Just been busy, I missed you too.” I mumbled right before he gave me a kiss. He deepened it by pulling me closer to him, his hand wandering over my body as it rested on my ass.

He pulled away as he traced my lip with the tip of his thumb. He looked down at his watch, “You have some time before you need to get to work. Let’s use that wisely.” He whispered in a husky tone as he lead me inside and to the back storage room.

After fifteen minutes of being bent over a cardboard box filled of booze in a dusty and dark room, I pulled my dress back down and slipped on my heels. I watched as Jason stuffed himself back into his jeans as he threw his shirt over his head.

“Here.” He handed over a tiny bag of coke as I grabbed him by his jaw and gave him a kiss.

“I’ll see you later.” He smirked before giving me a light slap on the ass before I left first. I quickly went to the bathroom and locked the door. I poured out some of the powder and cut a line with my nail as I snorted it. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

I fixed my hair shortly after and touched up my mascara too. My eyes wandered down to my neck as I saw red and purple bruise forming from Jason’s teeth and lips. I adjusted my hair so it would some what be covered before I left the bathroom.

One of the strippers, Kandy passed me on the way to the bar, “Hi Van!”

Yes, I am. And by the unsober gaze you have, I’m sure it was those little yellow pills you like.

I smiled at her, “Oh! You have a friend here! He’s been waiting for like an hour or so! We’ve all tried giving him a dance but he doesn’t want one, well he said he doesn’t want one unless it’s coming from you.” She giggled a bit before she went into the bathroom.

I walked down the hallway before gasping, “Fuck.” I leaned against the wall as Nikki was sitting at the bar. I shoved the baggie into my bra as I walked over.

I saw him perk up out of the corner of my eye, “Van...” I ignored him and went to another customer.

“Hey baby doll, can I get a beer?” He waved around a ten as I took it and gave him a bottle of Budlight. He left before I could give him his change.

“Vanity.” I heard him say my name again as I rolled my eyes and went to the next customer.

“Hey hot stuff, I didn’t want a drink. But I want to know why you aren’t up on stage dancing for me. You’re too pretty to be back here.” I ignored him too before going to a group of women.

“Oh Vanity! Thank god! We have been waiting for you! Can we get three of your strawberry kiwi margaritas.” June asked as I smiled at her. June was a regular here along with her friends, Janet and Hilary.

“My treat ladies.” I watched as Nikki moved seats and sat next to them. He handed over a hundred as I stared at him.

“Well thank you sugar. Wow, you work out? I wished my husband worked out.” June said as she felt Nikki’s arms.

Oh for fucks sake.

I snatched the money out of his hand before throwing his change down on the bar in front of him.

“Yeah, I try to keep up my appearance.” I rolled my eyes as I started making their drinks, “It gets all the girls.” I could hear the smirk go across his lips.

Am I in hell right now?

I groaned out loud when Girls, Girls, Girls started playing, “Oh! Actually this is one of my songs!”

I heard the girls squeal, “I told you that was Tommy Lee!” I snickered to myself as the girls talked among themselves.

“No, I’m Nikki Sixx.” I turned around and watched as the girls stared at him, almost clueless.

“Wait, I thought he died?” June said as I covered my mouth to keep my laugh in. Nikki shot me a glare as I smirked at him.

“No, I mean, well yeah I did. But they brought me back.”

I could hear the swoon of the girls as they looked at him with a dreamy gaze, “That’s so hot.” Hilary said as I handed her a napkin, “Here, to wipe the drool from your bottom lip.”

The group of girls started laughing as Nikki smiled at me. The smile soon faded and turned into a scowl as his eyes narrowed towards me, “Seems like you’ve already had fun tonight.” He pointed to my neck as I turned red before paling.

“Gosh, I wish my husband still left hickeys on me. Now he just screws me and doesn’t even make me cum.” Janet spoke out as June smacked her arm.

“Drink up ladies.” I chuckled before handing them their glasses.

Nikki stares as he looked shocked, “Where’s mine?” He asked, motioning to their drinks. I smirked, “Didn’t know you wanted one too, Nik. That will be another ten dollars.”

I watched as he shook his head before handing over a ten. I went to grab it but he didn’t let go, “Make it with love, princess.” He chuckled before letting it go.

Make it with love, princess. I mocked him inside my head. After everything was blended I handed him the glass. He flicked the little umbrella at me as I bent down and picked it up, “Don’t be a dick.” I warned him as he smiled and took a sip.

“Maybe I wouldn’t be one if you answered my calls.” He fired back as the ladies looked back and forth between us.

“I’ve been busy, Nikki.” I said as I grabbed a glass and poured some beer into it before taking a sip.

“Oh yeah with what? Your new pastime?” He questioned, holding a nostril shut as he pretended to snort.

I narrowed my eyes at him, “Arianna had a doctors appointment, I had a doctors appointment plus a therapy session. I had to bake cookies for her classes end of the school year party. Sorry I’m not waiting around for you to call.”

He tilted his head to the side, “Therapy? You’re going to therapy? Why?”

I took another sip, “It’s private.”

What I should’ve said was ‘Oh, you actually really fucked me up Nikki. Congratulations!’

There was something quite amusing about watching Nikki sip a margarita through a bendy and swirly straw, “Do you like it?”

He shrugged, “I’ve never been a huge fan of margaritas anyways, but it’s good.” I thanked him with a smile as Daisy came over to me.

“I have a group of guys that need a round of shots.” She said in my ear over the blaring music as she pointed to a corner booth, “Girls have been dealing with their shit for the last few hours. But I know you got it! Thanks sweetheart!”

I got their shots ready as I walked over to them, trying to avoid getting bumped into. I smiled at them as they all turned to look at me. All of them were wearing dress shirts that were unbuttoned a bit and the sleeves rolled up to their elbows, “Here’s your shots gentleman.” I passed them all the glasses as I started walking away from their table before one grabbed me by my wrist.

“Now tell me something babe....” I tried to downplay my eye roll as I looked at him. He had shaggy brown hair and brown eyes, they were low and droopy from all the alcohol he’s probably consumed tonight, “How much is it gonna cost to get you back to my place tonight?”

I smirked and tugged my wrist free, “By the cheap alcohol you just bought, I already know you couldn’t afford me.”

I walked through the crowd again to get back to the bar. I saw that Nikki wasn’t sitting there anymore, “Where’d he go?” I asked the ladies as they all looked at one another.

June spoke up, “He said you would ask that.” My lips parted to say something until I saw her raise an eyebrow, “He also said you wouldn’t know what to say to that.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my back to them. I poured myself a glass of beer and sipped on it. My eyes searched around the club for him but I didn’t see Nikki anywhere. I looked at June again, as she had a cigarette hanging from her lip, “Where did he go?”

She smiled, blowing smoke in my direction, “He stepped outside to take a phone call. He didn’t seem too happy with the person on the other side of the phone.”

I told one of my coworkers I was going to take a smoke break. I went out back to see a lot of people hanging out around the fire pit. Off by the back entrance was Jason and the other bouncers talking amongst themselves and checking IDs when someone tried coming through.

I saw Nikki sitting on top of a picnic bench yelling at someone on the phone. He seemed stressed and frustrated as he blew smoke out while shaking his head. Jason noticed me, waving for me to come over to him but my feet moved me in the other direction. I climbed up on top of the table and sat next to Nikki as he hung up the phone, “Do you have a lighter?”

He dug one out and handed it to me as I lit my cigarette, “Thanks.” I mumbled to him as he nodded. He looked straight ahead at the other people dancing and having fun. I looked up at him his jaw clenched tight. He side eyed me as I looked away from him quickly.

“Are you okay?” I softly asked as I flicked the ash from my cigarette. He shook his head, telling me no as he stubbed out the cigarette and lit another one.

I wonder what the phone call was about. His whole body was tense and by the way he was gnawing on his bottom lip whatever that person said really got him going.

“Arianna fell today.” I muttered as he looked over at me, “She was running through the house and tripped over her own feet and smacked her face on the floor...she’s okay though, just a little rug burn on her chin. She didn’t even cry though.” I explained as I exhaled another drag.

“I’ve learned that if I don’t freak out when she falls or her hurts herself, she won’t freak out. She looked at me and I asked if she was okay. She said yes and then continued to play.”

“You’ve been ignoring my calls.” His voice was full of anger, but I know it wasn’t really meant for me.

I nodded, “I know, I just...I don’t know what to say to you. I’m not ready.”

He rolled his eyes and got off the bench and stood in front of me, “Well it’s not about you anymore Vanity! It’s about Arianna!”

I sighed and looked at him, “I know.”

“I’m-I’m not gonna be tossed around and you’re not gonna hang her over my head! She’s my daughter and I know I don’t know her yet but I love her already. I know we have issues to work out with one another, but I also know we can figure it out and we can do the co-parenting thing or whatever the fuck it is! If you’re scared of me not being a good father then fuck you Van, I know I’ll be a good dad to her!”

I smiled and blew out my cigarette smoke as I watched him pace around in front of me, “I’ll be a great dad! I’ll be such a fucking awesome dad! I’d spoil her...with in reason! And fuck, look at me. I’m Nikki fucking Sixx, I’d be the coolest dad in the universe!”

I stubbed out my cigarette and flicked it off to the side, “Are you finished yet?”

He took a deep breath in and exhaled, “Yeah...thanks for that.”

I nodded as he came back and sat next to me, “Brandi called. Asked when I’m coming home. I told her I wasn’t and to get her shit out of my house. I can’t fucking stand her. I need to call my lawyer in the morning so he can get the divorce papers started.” Nikki explained as he let out a hot breath of air.

“Can I ask what she did?” I questioned as he nodded before rubbing his face.

“We we’re trying to have a kid, start a family and she fucking lied about it. She was still taking her birth control after all these months of trying-“

“How do you know it wasn’t you?” I asked as he smirked and lowered his head a tad bit closer to my face.

His voice was almost a growl, “You and I both know it’s not me.” I saw his eyes glance down at either my lips or my chest, or maybe both.

“...Plus, I found the package of them and it was a new prescription or whatever, only a few were missing.” He sighed deeply, “I thought we were in love with one another.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, “I gotta get back to work.” I said before getting off the bench, his heavy boots following behind me, “When are you off? Do you want to get something to-“ He was cut off when Jason put his hand on his chest to stop him from entering the bar with me.

“Need your ID man.” Jason told him as Nikki rolled his eyes, and pushed his hand away from him.

“I’ve already been checked and paid to get in.” Nikki said, showing off the stamp on his hand.

“Well I don’t care, ID or you can get the fuck out.” Jason spoke roughly, “You can go inside babe.” He turned towards me, giving me a soft smile.

“Jase, he’s fine. He already paid to get in. Just leave him alone.”

“I said go inside! Now, Vanity!” He shouted as I scoffed.

“Uh, no? You don’t tell me what to do.” I grabbed Nikki’s wrist and pulled him towards the door with me until Jason grabbed his arm and pushed Nikki against the concrete wall.

Nikki smirked in Jason’s face, “Go ahead, hit me. Is the coke causing you to rage right now?” Nikki laughed as Jason had a handful of his shirt.

“Get the fuck out of my club.” Jason growled before shoving Nikki, “No, I think I’m going to stay. I like the views here.” Nik sent me a wink as I rolled my eyes.

“Jason, this is unnecessary. There is no reason for you to be acting like this. He’s a paying customer, he can come in....he was just going to get a dance from uh Coral.” I expressed as Jason looked over at me, “Yeah, he already paid but Coral wasn’t ready yet so he came outside to wait. I was just letting him know the room was ready for him.”

Jason let go of Nikki’s shirt as he took a step back from him, “Fine, get out of my face. I don’t want to see you for the rest of the night.” He warned Nikki.

Nikki followed behind me as we walked inside. I walked up to Coral, she was a skinny blonde with green eyes and a cute smile, “Coral, give my friend a dance would you?” I asked as I nudged Nikki too her.

“Van, I don’t want-“ “Come with me baby.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the back of the club and through the red curtain to the private dance rooms.

I quickly went over to the bathroom, closing the door as I leaned against it. I closed my eyes, trying to take a few deep breaths in. I felt like my heart was going to explode from how overwhelming Jason just was with Nikki. I don’t understand why he was acting that way, and for him to yell at me too? No thanks.

I shook off my thoughts before digging into my bra and pulling out the bag of drugs Jason had given me earlier. I dipped my nail into the bag and snorted residue up. I pinched the bridge of my nose, walking over to the sink and putting some shaped into a line on the porcelain. I railed the lines back to back before there was a knock on the door.

“I’ll be out in a minute!” I yelled to the person knocking and snorted another line. The knocking continued as I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I wiped the residue away before putting the bag into my bra.

I swung the door open, “What! Oh, Daisy. Sorry, I thought you were-“

“And I thought you were at the bar? Jason said you were outside chit chatting and now you’re in here. Wipe your fucking nose Vanity.” Daisy snapped around me as I quickly wiped my face.

“Sorry, I’ll get back to the bar.” I mumbled and tried stepping past her while she blocked my way.

“Not when you’re fucked up. Jesus, what’s the matter with you? Take the rest of the night off.” I scoffed at her demands.

“As if the girls don’t stick shit up their nose on a nightly basis. I’m fine to work.” I fought back as she shook her head.

“I don’t care about the girls! You are off for the rest of the night! I don’t care if you stay and drink but you are to not step foot behind that bar, you understand me?” Her voice was stern as I looked away and nodded, “Answer me, now.”

“I got it! I won’t go behind the bar.” I retorted as I shoved past her and went back out into the crowd.

As if I’m the only bartender that’s high right now. I’m perfectly fine to mix fucking alcohol together, this is ridiculous. I rolled my eyes as I pulled myself up on a chair at the bar before ordering a jack and coke.

I saw Jason out of the corner of my eye and sit next to me. He reached for a water bottle and took a sip, “Where’s your friend?” I rolled my eyes as he laughed. I heard him sigh before he placed his hand on my back, slowly stoking up and down.

“Don’t you have a fight to go break up?” I muttered as he lowered his head and kissed my shoulder. I shrugged him off and shifted away from him.

“What? Some rockstar comes to town and suddenly you’re better than me?” He questioned as I rolled my eyes, thanking  Alison, the other bartender for my drink.

“Has nothing to do with that Jase. You were acting like a dick to him for no reason.” I expressed my feelings as I heard him groan in frustration.

“Aw come on. It was just playful banter. Meant no harm by it, I’m sure he understands that too.” I shook my head and took a sip, “Plus, I wouldn’t of hit him. He’d go crying like a pussy ass bitch to his lawyers.”

I chuckled, “You think so?”

He nodded and chewed on his lip, “Oh! Fuck yeah, he’d be crying over his little glass jaw.” He shook his head and chuckled to himself.

“I think Nikki would’ve hit you be back. Nikki’s a lot of things but he ain’t a pussy.” I explained as Jason became stoic and stared at me.

“Then you should’ve let me hit him.” I glanced up at him, “I think, if you really wanted to hit him…you would’ve done it regardless of what I said. I think you were just trying to intimidate him and I also don’t think it worked.”

Jason laughed and lowered his face directly in front of mine, “How do you know that baby girl?” He questioned giving me a gentle peck on the lips.

“Cause Nikki Sixx has been on the edge of death and looked god and Satan in the face and laughed.”

Jason studied my face before taking a sip of water, “Well I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

I exhaled and took a drink, “Nikki isn’t looking at me, I promise you that. And even if he was, oh well. I’m here with you.” I smiled while running my hand over his head.

His rough hand grabbed mine quickly, “And it better stay like that. Understood?” He gave my hand a light squeeze while his threat was empty.

I smiled, “Of course.”

Jason gave me a stern look followed by a quick kiss before leaving me at the bar. I rolled my eyes before shifting in my seat to watch the girls dance. Serenity, a raven haired woman of color was dancing to Warrants ‘Cherry Pie’. Never did like Warrant all that much.

My mind wandered back to Jason. His jealousy or possessiveness if that’s what it’s called, was a tad bit to much and extremely annoying. His assertiveness didn’t strike a cord in me or anything. It didn’t scare me and it for sure didn’t intimidate me. It was a good front to put up and very good poker face to wear in a heat of the moment. It was nothing like Nikki’s. Nikki use to be able to look at me with one simple gaze and I would stop in an instant. Other times I would challenge him because A, I didn’t want to lay down so easily, and B, it was fun to argue sometimes.

Nikki sauntered back over to the bar, a arrogant smirk on his face and red lipstick on his neck. Clearly, the ‘no touching the dancers’ rule didn’t apply to him.

“Jack and Coke please.” He ordered while glancing over at me, more then likely trying to gauge my reaction.

“Have fun?” His lips tugged up a little bit higher as he took off his jacket and placed it on the chair.

“Maybe a little. Told her you’d pay for it.” He laughed as he sat down next to me. I rolled my eyes, “Of course.”

“You want another one?” He questioned, pointing to my half empty glass as I chugged the rest of it.

“Only if you’re buying.” I retorted as he nodded and placed a twenty down on the counter.

“Why aren’t you back there working?” I looked over at him as he lit a cigarette.

“Daisy was told I was bullshitting outside and then found me snorting blow in the bathroom.” I shook my head, “It’s whatever though. Wasn’t in the mood to be working.”

“Then what are you in the mood to be doing?” Nikki looked at me with as he wiggled his eyebrows.

“Not you, that’s what.” I chuckled and grabbed the glass once it was put in front of me.

“I wasn’t even going in that direction, but I’m glad you still think of me that way. It gives me hope.”

I let out a huff of hair before taking a long drink, “Shut up.”

He laughed, resting his elbow against the bar and leaned his head into the palm of his hand, “You haven’t changed. You still get all flustered and red in the face when I say stuff like that.”

“It’s the blow.”

He licked his lips, “Maybe you’re right.” Nikki took a sip of his drip as he continued to stare at me.

“Stop looking at me.” “I’m not looking.”

I rolled my eyes, “My boyfriends jealous of you.” He let out an amused grunt before glancing over to Jason who was at the door watching us and not the people coming in.

“As if I couldn’t tell. You could do much better, V. Shit, Slash would be better than that fuckhead.”

I choked on my drink, “Oh shut up, you don’t even mean that. You hate him.”

He grinned, “You wanna know something? When you left, Slash was one of the first people I called to ask if he’s seen you.”

I frowned, “You think I would’ve ran to him?” Nikki shrugged, “No, but I knew you were hurt. I was just waiting for you to get back at me. To get even or whatever…”

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “Nikki, I didn’t want to get even with you. I wanted to get away from you. Far, far away from you and her and everyone. Hurt is not the word to be using in our predicament.”

He sighed, “Vanity, I am sorry.”

I rolled my eyes and took another long sip, “No. Not now…not while we’re drinking.” I knew that upset him by the way he looked away from me and down into his glass as he slid it across the counter back and forth.

“When can I come see Arianna? I went out and bought a whole bunch of toys for her.” Nikki asked as I nodded.

“She finishes school this week and then we have all summer for you to meet her and talk to her.” His eyes widened as he smiled, “She can talk?”

I chuckled, “Of course she can talk. It’s broken up sentences and phrases really. But if you try you can have a full blown conversation with her. Mainly about the drama between all her stuffed animals but she’ll talk to you.”

“Why does she talk to her stuffed animals? Doesn’t she have friends?” He said rather curiously, or concerned. I couldn’t tell.

“I don’t know, she’s only five and has a huge imagination. She’s constantly jumping on the furniture and yelling about how the floor is lava. And of course she has friends. There’s Angie, Melanie, Ava, Garrett and Peter.”

“Boys?” I chuckled, “She has friends that are boys?” I nodded, “No. Hell no.”

“Nikki, she can have guy friends.” He furrowed his eyebrows, “They’re kids Nikki. We will worry about it when she’s a teenager.”

“We?” He smirked, “There’s a ‘We’?”

For some reason, I was having Deja Vu.

“There isn’t a ‘We’. I mean, you and me as her parents make a ‘We’. But, me and you don’t make a ‘We’.”

He chuckled and took a sip, “That makes no god damn sense.”

I scoffed, “Sure it does! There isn’t a ‘We’ and there’s never gonna be a ‘We’ again.”

He smirked, “You don’t know that.” I studied his face, trying to figure out what the hell he was thinking and what I was going to say.

“Shit princess, I’ve done this back and forth with you for a long time now. I know how it works. You say something, I say something. You ignore me, I get mad when you ignore me, then that makes you mad. Then we have one long and deep emotional conversation and then we’re fine. Currently we’re at the ignoring stage.”

I smiled and took a sip, “Is that so?” He nodded, “And when did you become a therapist?”

“It isn’t reverse psychology or whatever bullshit they call it. It’s just facts. I know you Vanity.”

I shook my head, “You know the old me.”

Nikki finished off his drink before ordering another, “Then let me get to know the new one.”

My smile left as I watched him fumble with his rings before he looked at me again, “You aren’t gonna just say a few sweet words and everything is gonna be okay. That doesn’t work anymore.”

“It seems to be cause You’re still talking to me. I was expecting more of a chase ya know? Our relationship started with a game of chase, why not end it now?”

I brought the glass to my lips, “The games already over Nikki and we both loss. Just accept defeat and move on.”

He shook his head, “So god damn fucking stubborn.” He muttered before taking a long sip. I stood up and laughed, “You’re such a pain in the ass, you know that Van?”

A gruff voice spoke up, “More like a nice ass.” I was caught off guard by a stiff slap to my ass. I turned around and saw some drunk guy, “…And a nice pair of lips to have wrapped around my cock.” The drunk spoke as he grabbed me by my waist and roughly pulled me against his chest.

I heard Nikki grumble as he grabbed the guys arm and pulled him away from me, “Back the fuck up and go get a dance.” Nikki’s shoved him away as he stepped in front of me.

The dude laughed as he completely ignored Nikki, “Baby, I’ll make you feel real good and-“ He didn’t even let him finish talking before Nikki grabbed him by his jaw, hollowing out his cheeks and forcing his face into the bar. My eyes widened as I watched fear flash across that guys face, “He-hey man! it was just a joke! I didn’t know she was your girl! I-I’ll go!”

By this time everyone in the bar was looking at us as the music stopped and Jason and the other security guards came over, “You’re out, now. Get the fuck out!”

Nikki laughed, “Should’ve just walked away, man. I warned you.” He let go of his jaw as the guy quickly stumbled to his feet.

“Yeah I was talking about you.” Jason and another guard grabbed Nikki by his arms and dragged him through the club.

“Jase! Jason just stop! It was the other guys fault!” I yelled after them while grabbing my stuff and Nikki’s jacket.

“Oh, couldn’t do it on your own so you needed help from your friends? Wow, what a tough guy.” Nikki laughed as they continued to drag him out until we were outside.

“Baby just stop! It was the other guy.” I argued as he completely ignored me.

“You’re banned from coming back. If I see you again you’re getting arrested.” He threatened Nikki as he smirked at Jason.

“Dude, I was just sticking up for Vanity. That’s all it was. He was talking like a sleazeball and grabbing her ass.” Nikki defended himself as Jason laughed.

“Well, when she’s acting like a fucking slut that’s what she gets.” Jason retorted as Nikki lunged for him this time but the other bouncers kept him back.

“Get the fuck off my property.” Jason spat out, glaring at Nikki and pointing to the street, “Go!”

Nikki gave me a look before he muttered something under his breath and turning his back towards us as he began walking out.

I shoved Jason’s shoulder, “Fuck you.” He stared down at me as I shoved him again repeatedly, “I’m not some fucking slut. You can go fuck yourself.”

I turned my back to him but he grabbed my elbow and pulled me to him, “Baby, I didn’t mean it. I just…I got pissed.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, well I fucking mean it.” I yanked my arm away from him before sticking my middle finger in his face. I started walking down the sidewalk as I muttered angrily to myself.

“Fucking stupid jerk. I can’t believe him.” I shook my head as I dug out a cigarette and lit it, “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

I heard a whistle and looked to my left, “Princess, you look like you’re in need of a knight in shining armor.” I heard his laugh as he pressed on the gas pedal to rev the engine.

“Fuck off, Sixx.” I snapped as he chuckled, “Aw, is someone a little angry? Do you need something to break?” I rolled my eyes and continued walking down the street.

“Oh, I see….the silent treatment. I know it well. You pouting, Princess? How about a few hundreds to damp your tears off?” I flipped him off as he revved up his engine.

“Don’t tempt me with a good time Van. You want to ride me? I mean, you want a ride home?” I heard his boyish giggle.

“I’d rather get hit by a car.”

“Ouch! That hurt! But come on, it’s late. I’m serious, let me give you a ride home.”

I shook my head, “Just go away Nikki. I’m fine. I don’t live far.”

I heard country music playing from his car, “I actually fucking like this song!” He turned it up louder, “…You use to sing it in the shower! I hated it at first but you made it sound so god damn good.”

’…Cause I’ve got friends in low places

Where the whiskey drowns

And the beer chases my blues away

And I’ll be okay…’

Nikki sang very loudly, and very off key, “Would you shut up!?”

‘…Well, I guess I was wrong

I just don’t belong

But then, I’ve been there before

Everything’s all right

I’ll just say goodnight…’

I tuned him out and started walking faster, my heels clicking against the sidewalk. I side eyed Nikki’s car as the static from his radio was loud and obnoxious, “Oh! Do you know this one? Has your music taste changed?!” Nikki shouted, still continuing to drive parallel next to me as he swerved back and forth.

‘…And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I

Would like to say to you but I don’t know how…’

I shook my head and started walking faster. I could see the apartment building from here, maybe another block and a half.”

‘…Cause maybe

You’re gonna be the one that saves me

And after all, you’re my wonderwall…’

“I like Rap now.” I told Nikki as he turned down the radio, “Rap?” I heard him laugh, “Doll, that shit ain’t real music. You and Tommy, I swear. I don’t see the hype around it.”

“Rap is as real as your precious Rock n Roll, Sixx.” I threw up the devil horns, “Ever listen to Tupac, or Dr. Dre? Tommy showed me this uh group I guess that’s what they’re called, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. I really like them. You should listen to them.”

“Do you still like Rock music?” I glanced over at him, “Of course. I’m really into the Red Hot Chili Peppers and have you heard of Green Day yet? I like them too.”

I soon realized I was already at the front doors of my apartment complex, “Do you still like Motley? I saw that interview you did. You said you didn’t like us anymore.” Nikki questioned as I turned around to see he was parking his car and getting out, “We did a cover of ‘Anarchy’…did you like it? I know you’re a Sex Pistols fan…”

I sighed and looked up at him, “I liked that and ‘Primal Scream’.” Nikki smiled as he stepped a bit closer to me.

“Good, I’m glad you liked it. I had a feeling you would have.” Nikki licked his lips before tilting his head up and looking at the building behind me, “You live here?”

I nodded, “Yep, the whole time.” I saw him shake his head before looking down at the ground, “So, goodnight. Thanks for the drinks and uh….following me home. Classic stalker ex-boyfriend behavior.”

“Fiancé.” He corrected me and I rolled my eyes,

“Whatever, Goodnight.” I turned my back to him, but I heard footsteps following me through the glass doors.

“Nikki, what are you doing?” I turned around to look at him but he shrugged.

“Nik, she isn’t home. She’s at her babysitters house.” I explained as he nodded, “Oh…well we can hang out, right?”

I furrowed my eyebrows, “What? No? I’m going to bed.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Is that an invite? I usually don’t fuck the first time I meet a chick.”

I started laughing as his smile grew, “Oh yeah, right! You just fucked Coral back at the strip club!” I said, pointing to the lipstick on the side of his neck.

Confusion riddled his face, “What? No I didn’t. She was very adamant about it but I told her no. I kept my dick in my pants.” He smiled proudly as I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, I see…” Nikki muttered as I ignored him and started walking to the elevator. I glared at him when he stepped inside with me.

“You thought I fucked her?” Nikki questioned as I ignored him and pressed the button for my floor, “Would you say you were uh what’s the word-“ Nikki pretended to think hard as he snapped his fingers, “Oh, right! Jealous?” His smirk was arrogant and I wanted nothing more then to slap it right off of him.

I side eyed him as he licked his teeth and arched an eyebrow. I huffed and held my purse closer to me. I felt like the elevator ride was taking longer then usual. Nikki started whistling ‘Friends in Low Places’ as I shook my head. The elevator dinged and I quickly got off.

“You know, I could call the cops and tell them you’re harassing me.” I smirked, feeling him glare at the back of my head as he walked behind me.

“And I could tell them you’re refusing to let me see my child for no reason.” Nikki quickly fired back. I ignored that comment and dug my keys out of my purse.

“Could you like back up?” I questioned him, seeing he was standing right behind me as he nodded and took a step back. I opened the door onto to hear Tommy’s laughter.

“Have friends over?” Nikki questioned as I nodded.

“Something like that. Can you wait right here?” I asked him, not waiting for his answer as I slipped inside and quickly shut the door in his face. I rested against the door seeing Tommy and Clementine sitting on the couch watching some movie and passing a bottle of wine back and forth.

“Oh hey Van! You’re home early?” Clem questioned as I nodded. I stepped over to the table and put my stuff down.

“So Nikki’s outside my door.” I spoke, hearing Tommy choke on his sip of wine before putting the bottle in Clementines hand.

“The Sixxter is here!?” Tommy was full of glee as the smile he wore was contagious. I nodded as he walked past me and opened up the door.

“Sixx!!”

“T-bone?!”

Tommy wrapped Nikki up in a huge hug, his black boots almost leaving the floor, “Oh man! I’ve missed you!” Tommy put him down as Nikki smiled at him.

“…Missed you too bud. You didn’t mention you’d be in the city-“ Nikki was cut off when Tommy pulled both me and him into a tight squeeze against his chest.

“The family’s back together now!” Tommy chimed as I grunted and pushed away from his forced embrace.

“Something like that.” Nikki muttered looking around my house as his eyes landed on Clem.

“Clementine?!”

“Nice to see you again satan- I mean Nikki.”

Nikki’s eyes found mine as he silently waited for an explanation, probably remembering I told him I didn’t know her.

“Wow, you two know each other? What a small world.” I chuckled as I kicked off my shoes, “Nikki, meet my best friend, Clementine.”

Nikki muttered something under his breath before shaking his head and forcing a smile at Clementine. I wonder the story behind that and why he doesn’t like her?

“How come you’re back so early?” Tommy questioned as he grabbed a few beers from the fridge, handing one to each me and Nikki.

“Well uh-“ I cracked it open and took a sip, “My boss didn’t want me working behind the counter high on coke and well my boyfriend is an asshole.” I grumbled, shaking my head as I put the beer on my kitchen counter, “And Nikki is a bit of a stalker and followed me home.”

“Nice man.” Tommy gave him a pat on the shoulder as Nikki sipped on his beer and watched me.

“You gonna show me around? You know, you’re a real rude hostess.” Nikki joked as I rolled my eyes.

“That’s the kitchen, dining room, living room the bathroom is the your first door on the the left down the hallway and then it’s Arianna’s room and then my master bedroom.” I explained pointing to all areas of the flat.

“Shots!” I looked over at Tommy who had my bottle of Tequila in his hand. I sighed and shook my head.

“I’m going to bed.”

Tommy looked at me like I had committed a sin, “What?! Since when do you turn down shots!?” He shook a his head before grabbing shot glasses from the cupboard.

“It’s been a long night-“

“When did Vanity Blackwood become such a pussy?” Nikki questioned, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me and then Tommy.

“I think you’re right Sixx. Who knew Vanity would ever turn down tequila shots with her favorite terror twins?” Tommy ganged up with him as they both stood side by side, arms crossed against their chest.

Clementine joined in on the fun as she came into the kitchen to throw away her empty bottle of wine, “From the stories I’ve heard, she seemed real wild. But maybe she’s gone soft..”

Tommy smirked, testing me as he spoke, “Bet you couldn’t chug the rest of this.” I licked my bottom lip, shaking my head as I looked over at the bottle. I would say maybe a couple of shots were left in the bottle.

“Bets a bet doll.” Nikki continued to challenge me as I glared at him.

I snatched the bottle from Tommy’s hand, “Fuck all of you. This is peer pressure.” Tommy and Nikki giggled like devious little school boys as Clementine patted my shoulder before grabbing another bottle of wine and going back to the living room.

I twisted off the cap, flicking it at Tommy as I tapped the rim of the bottle against his beer and brought it to my lips and started chugging. I almost started choking when Tommy pushed the bottle further up.

“You dick!” I chuckled, handing him the empty glass bottle as he handed it off to Nikki. I grabbed my beer and took a long sip to wash the tequila down.

Tommy smacked Nikki’s chest, “How about a drinking game?”

Nikki smirked, “What do you have in mind T-bone?” I silently excused myself as I went to my bedroom to get changed into something more comfortable. I opted for shorts and a sweater while putting my hair up in a bun.

“Vanity!!” Tommy yelled as I rolled my eyes, sighing as I walked back out to the kitchen. Tommy, Nikki and Clementine, who was nose deep in some book as she held a glass of wine were now sitting at the dining table.

“What?” I asked him, grabbing my drink and sitting down across from Nikki.

“Truth or Dare?”

I laughed and shook my head, “No, pick a different game. I’m not playing this stupid shit.”

He whined, “Come on Van! Just pick one! I promise I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.” Tommy explained, “Clem, babe, help me out here.”

Clementine sighed and looked at Tommy and then me, “Vanity stop being a party pooper and have some fun that doesn’t involve shoving things up your nostrils.”

My lips parted in shock as I stared at her, feeling Nikki’s eyes glaring at me, “Clem.” I let out a laugh as she started smiling.

I looked back over at Tommy, “Fine! But nothing weird or gross or fucked up.”

“Don’t know you know who I am?” Tommy teased before going to the fridge, grabbing my bottle of Jack and putting it in the middle of the table.

“If you don’t wanna answer or do the dare you take a sip.” Tommy explained, “Clem’s just supervising, she doesn’t want to play.”

I pouted, “But I don’t want to play either.”

“Tough fucking shit, Truth or Dare Van.” Tommy said as I groaned, “Dare.”

Tommy giggled, “I dare you to smell my fingers.” All of us started laughing as Tommy wiggled his hand out for me.

I leaned over and took a whiff of his hand, “You think I’m scared of smelling wet pussy?”

Tommy smirked as I glanced over at Clementine who was hiding her face in the book, “You’re lucky. I just washed my hands too. You’re turn Sixx.”

I glanced over at him, seeing his smile as we looked at one another. Oh no. Don’t make me do anything stupid.

“Tommy, truth or dare.” Thank god!

Tommy let out a scoff as he motioned towards me, “Whatever, Uh….truth.”

“Boo!” Clementine teased as I chuckled a bit.

“Did you really have chlamydia back in the day?”

I put my hand over my mouth to keep my laughter in, “And that’s why we got kicked out of that strip club on the strip for a little while?”

“She gave me chlamydia!!” Tommy defended himself, “Babe, I swear I’m clean! I took meds for it!” Clementine only sighed as she took a long sip of her wine and turned the next page in her book.

“Go V.” I looked back and forth between the guys as Tommy was pointing towards Nikki. I looked at him, seeing the smug smile across his lips, “Truth or Dare, Sixx.”

He chewed on his bottom lip, “Dare.”

I raised an eyebrow as I saw his smile falter for split second, “Dare you to kiss Tommy.” He laughed, “On the lips.”

“I’m okay with it if you want to Nikki, I give you my consent.” Tommy said, batting his eyelashes at him and suggestively running his hand across his arm.

“Told you they are practically married.” I whispered to Clementine as she smiled at me before glancing at the boys.

“Get your hand off me or I swear to god you ain’t gonna be drumming for a while.” Nikki warned as he snatched the bottle and took a long sip.

“Whose the pussy now?” I teased as Nikki shook his head and glared at me.

“Vanity! Truth or Dare!” Tommy shouted, “Truth.”

“Who has the biggest dick? Me, Nikki or Slash?”

I instantly reached for the bottle and took a long sip as all three of them watched me, “You should’ve asked who is the biggest dick, then I would’ve said Nikki.” I retorted, wiping my lips with my sleeve as I smiled at him.

I waited for a him to say something back, feeling Tommy and Clem on the side of us, watching.

“Thanks for that princess…Truth or Dare.” He said, looking right at me, “Dare.”

“Dare you to snort some of that blow right in front of me.” The shit eating grin I had left my face as his became cold and serious. There wouldn’t be a knife thick enough to cut the tension in the room, “Or are you gonna tell me you don’t have any?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t be playing this…” Tommy mumbled.

I scooted the chair back, the loud screeching echoing through my house. I walked to my room, grabbing the small bag from earlier and bringing it back out to the dining table. I threw it down on the wood in front of them.

“Vanity, you said you haven’t done any in a few weeks…” Clementine spoke softly as I glanced back at her before shaking my head.

I reached for my wallet, pulling out a credit card and a bill to roll up. I sat back down and dumped the rest of it on the table. I glared at Nikki as he had his arms crossed over his chest. I evened out four lines and snorted them all quickly. I leaned back in the chair, rubbing my nose as I looked at him through tearful vision.

I grabbed the bottle anyways and took a sip.

“Tommy, Truth or dare?” I asked him, mine and Nikki’s eyes staying locked on one another. It was a matter of time before this-

“Truth.”

“Can you tell me why your bassist is such a god damn asshole?”

Exploded.

Tommy reached for the bottle and took a sip of it before placing it between Nikki and myself. He shook his head and looked away from me. I watched as Clementine grabbed the bottle and took it away from us.

“I dare everyone to quit the game. Everyone had their fun.” Clementine expressed her eyes meeting mine. I could tell by the look she was giving me to go to my room and calm down.

I rolled my eyes, standing up as I pushed the chair back into the table. I saw Tommy mutter something as him and Nikki looked at one another. I left them sitting at the dining table as I went to my bedroom and loudly slammed the door.

*Nikki’s POV*

I watched Vanity run away to her bedroom. I shook my head, “Sorry.” I muttered to Tommy as I stood up and put my jacket back on, “I’ll call you later, man. She doesn’t want me here.”

Tommy shook his head, “Oh just let her relax! She gets like this all the time now. Sit down and drink with me.” Tommy smiled as Clementine gave him the bottle of whiskey before giving him a kiss and going back to the living room to watch TV.

“Congrats on being a dad, Nik!” Tommy chimed as he gave me playful jab to the shoulder, “Arianna is fuckin cool as hell!”

I smiled, “Yeah? I’m excited to meet her. You think she’ll like me?”

Tommy took the bottle and took a long sip, “I think she’ll love you. I don’t think you’ll have to worry too much.”

*Next morning, Vanity’s POV*

“Van! The door!!”

Clementine yelled for me as I shoved off my blankets. I rubbed my face as I heard knocking, “Huh, maybe get it your damn self.” I mumbled, seeing her wrapped up in a blanket and holding a cup of coffee as Tommy slept soundly on the pull out bed of the couch.

“Nice panties, Princess.” I turned around when Nikki stepped out of the bathroom as the smirk grew across his lips.

I glared and tugged my shirt down to cover up what I could, “Why the hell are you still here?” I grumbled as I walked to the door and opened it, seeing Jenny, Arianna’s other babysitter as she was holding Arianna’s hand.

“Hi baby.” I smiled as Ari came in and I picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“She was an angel for me. We enjoyed her princess cartoons and I painted her toes.” Jenny spoke as Arianna wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head against my shoulder.

“She’s a little grumpy this morning.” I smiled at her words and rubbed Ari’s back.

“Thank you for watching her. Same time next Week?” I questioned as Jenny nodded, “Of course, I’ll see you later Ari.” She waved at her as Arianna waved back.

I shut the door and put Arianna’s backpack on the table. I met Nikki’s gaze as he stood ever so awkwardly in the living room.

“Whose that?” She whispered into my ear while pointing at Nikki. I attempted to put her down on the floor but she held onto me tighter.

“Arianna, this is Nikki. He’s a really important friend of ours. That’s uncle T-bones brother.” I explained to her as she giggled.

“That’s a girls name.” I heard Clementine laugh as Nikki shot her a glare.

I motioned for Nikki to come over to me. He took hesitant steps to us as his eyes were glued to her, “He-hey Arianna.” He stumbled over his words nervously as she perked up and looked at him.

“You have a whole bunch of drawings like TeeTee.” She said, pointing to his arms as Nikki smiled.

“Mine are way cooler.” He retorted as I heard Tommy scoff, “Are not.”

Arianna squirmed out of my arms as she finally wanted to be put down. She stared up at Nikki with her big brown eyes as I witnessed him become a complete puddle of goo for her, “I saw you on the TV before.”

Nikki cleared his throat, “Ye-Yeah, I uh…I um I make music with Tommy. I um, I play the guitar…do you know what that is?”

She giggled, “Yes! My music teacher plays one too! And my Barbie has a guitar!” She cheered as she ran over to her toy bin and pulled out one of her many dolls and showed it to him.

“Uh…that’s really cool, Ari!.” Nikki forced himself to sound cheerful

“Her boyfriend is the singer.” She explained as Nikki glanced over to me and I smiled. She went and grabbed her Ken doll that was holding a microphone and showed him that too.

“The singer? Her boyfriend should be the bass player. They’re way better.” Nikki sent me a smoldering look as I shook my head.

“Every girls dream is to date the singer, baby.” I said, ruffling Arianna’s hair as I stepped over to get a cup of coffee.

I watched as Arianna grabbed Nikki’s hand and dragged him over to all of her toys. He looked at me with an unsure look as I motioned to play with her. He sat down on the floor next to her as she started getting out all of her toys.

“This is Mrs Sugarpop.” Arianna told Nikki as she held up a stuffed pink giraffe, “Say hi to her.” She demanded as Nikki’s face turned a slight red shade as he became embarrassed.

“Hello…” He muttered quietly as Clementine and Tommy snickered as they watched the two communicate.

She continued blabbing on and on about all her toys and who was married to who, and all the hot gossip between all of the toys inside her little world of make believe. Nikki’s face had a permanent smile etched onto it as he watched Arianna play in front of him. His gaze met mine as he smiled before mouthing a ‘thank you’ to.

I felt my heart swell a little bit, seeing the two interact. It was all I ever wanted. For her, for Nikki and for me. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I thought it would be. Yeah he was angry about not knowing her, but I think we both knew the moment he met her it would no longer exist as the anger and bad feelings would be replaced with warmth and love again.

But, I think we both knew we were lying to ourselves.

[eirist]

Hi! How are you? Hope you are really good! I really love your fics (but the first time writing to you :3). So, I have this prompt: Late night, a drunk Zoro and a drunk Nami meet unexpectedly in the kitchen, looking for some water. Thanks so much! Looking foward for more fics!

LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF HEAVEN

DRINK YOU SOBER

One-shot #: 17

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei. Title is from Bitter:Sweet’s steamy song.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T

Note: For @marafuego. Hope you enjoy this!

And… I apologize for the delay as I haven’t been able to get around the prompt requests for some time. Truth is I kinda got stuck. But reassured I will deliver the other ZoNa requests as soon as I can.

Summary: “I’m drunk… and you’re drunk as well right? Can we just leave it at that?”

“Well, hello stranger.”

Zoro flinched at voice and immediately drew back from the Sunny’s fridge, knocking his head on the overhead tray in the process.

Frowning, he swiveled around and found Nami leaning against the far end of the counter separating the kitchen and dining area, with a cheeky smile on her face.

“What do we have here?” She asked in a singsong tone. When he didn’t answer, she propped her chin on the palm of her hand. “Looks like someone’s stealing from the supposedly locked fridge.”

Zoro cursed under his breath while rubbing his head. “Shut it witch. I’m just getting some water.” He stuck his hand back inside the fridge and grabbed the pitcher.

“I’m surprised you know the code.”

He smirked as he slammed door shut and snatched a glass from the counter rack. “Ero-cook’s THAT predictable.”

Nami’s lips formed a perfect ‘o’ at his remark.

“Why are you still awake?” He asked as he poured himself a drink.

“Why are you lurking in the dark?”

They both asked at the same time. Nami grinned while Zoro cocked an eyebrow at her.

In the silvery moonlight streaming in from the galley’s portholes; they stared at each other, both waiting for an answer.

When neither one replied, Nami then straightened up and was about to make her way towards him when she blindly bumped the corner of the counter.

“Ouch!” She whined. “Why the hell didn’t you switch the lights on Zoro?” She made a clicking sound with her tongue to show her disapproval at his decision to skulk inside the galley in the dark.

“Don’t need it,” the swordsman grunted.

“Well some of us do!”

“Not my fault you can’t find your way in the dark cat burglar.” She didn’t miss the way he emphasized her epithet.

Nami made a face as he downed his water in one gulp.

“Slow down with the water idiot! You’re not the only one who wants to drink some!”

"Not so loud Nami!” Zoro hissed. “You’ll wake the others up!”

“Ooops. Sorry,” she mock-whispered. Then she giggled. “I’ll shush.” She placed her forefinger on her lips.

The tall swordsman raised both of his eyebrows at her reaction. He scrutinized her curiously, wondering why she was still up and about… and boisterous.

He silently observed her as she approached him. And he noticed that she seemed unsteady; her stride was careful but he can see that she was tilting a bit and her hand never left the kitchen counter.

“Are you drunk Nami?”

She stiffened at his question. “Excuse me?”

“You’re staggering,” Zoro pointed out.

“No I’m not!” She vehemently denied. “Just had a feeew drinks is all…” She stuck her tongue out at him. “You of all people should know that I don’t get drunk that easily.”

He looked unconvinced. Few for Nami usually means almost ALL the liquor stock available. “Uh-huh. Is that why you’re using the counter for support?”

Nami puffed her cheeks. She was now near enough for him to note that her face was flushed and her eyes, a bit unfocused.

Not drunk my ass alright. He thought with a scoff.

“I am not drunk Zoro!” She poutily declared when she heard the unbelieving sound he made. She let go of the counter to place her hands on her hips—the way she usually does when she was about to chastise him. However, the sudden defiant movement made her wobble a bit and Zoro automatically reached for her arm to steady her.

“Not drunk my ass,” he voiced his earlier thought.

“You’re the one to talk.” Nami grumbled while holding on to him. She drew closer and sniffed. “You reek of alcohol swordsman.” She scrunched up her nose in disgust.

Her insult didn’t even faze him. With a shit-eating grin he said, “I should say the same to you.”

Her brown eyes widened in horror. She looked offended and mortified at the same time. True, he can smell the liquor on her, enough for him to deduce that she probably drank more than just a feeew (to quote her) drinks as she was claiming.

Nami smacked him on the arm lightly. “Not as much as you do baka! Did you take a bath with sake or something?”

Zoro just chuckled at her attempt to drag him in a midnight banter. As much as he wants to engage in their usual verbal play, his head is already buzzing from all the liquor he drank.

He was already following her down the road to inebriation and ready to pass out anywhere.

He was done with this night.

Nami must’ve sensed it given the way a sly smile appeared on her lips.

Grabbing his shoulders for support, she tiptoed so they were almost face to face. “You are drunk too, aren’t you Zoro?” The mapmaker whispered in his ear.

"And what if I am?” Zoro drawled.

She threw her head back and laughed. “So you do get drunk!”

“You wish witch.” She laughed again and his arm instantly went around her, just in case she topple-over from dipping her head back too much. He can just imagine the havoc it will cause when she falls and crack her skull on the floor of the Sunny’s kitchen while with him.

Ero-cook will definitely murder him before dying from a broken heart if that happens.

All of a sudden, Nami grabbed his face.

“Oi!”

The orange-haired girl huffed. “Don’t deny it Zoro. You look like you’re about to fall asleep on your feet.”

“Hnnn…”

A mischievous smile appeared on her face, as her thumbs gently rubbed at the corners of his eyes. “You know, your eyes slant more when you had too much alcohol,” Nami told him in a soft voice. Then a frown marred her features, as she traced the scar running over his left eye. “Or in this matter… your eye…”

His breath got stuck in his throat. He had no idea that she actually paid any attention to him. He can feel his face heating up and it’s definitely not because of the booze in his system.

She proceeded to cup his face in the palm of her hands. “And you would smile more. Probably because all that liquor you chugged down help loosen your stoic smiling muscles.” Nami daringly use her thumbs to push the corners of his lips up in a lame attempt to make him smile.

Zoro just stood there staring at her, completely perplexed.

Then Nami clapped her hands with his face between them.

“DAMN IT NAMI!”

“Hahaha! Oooops you still felt that!”

“Temee…” With a growl he grabbed her wrists, in case she decides to repeat the action again. “Of course I did!”

“Oh alright,” she said in a condescending tone. “I guess you’re not really drunk… just supeeer close to it.” She mimicked Franky’s voice while patting his arm with her free hand to appease him.

“Why would you even think that?!” Zoro snarled at her.

“Why else would you be here in the middle of night, in your sleeping trousers and raiding the fridge?”

“I just wanted some water!” Zoro explained through gritted teeth. The one damn bad thing about this feisty cat thief is that she can really be insufferable… sober or not. “I’m gonna go nap,” he mumbled before their conversation turn into a squabble. He doesn’t have the energy for it to be honest.

“Hah!” Nami snickered. “There it is. Your own version of ‘I’m drunk’.”

His good eye narrowed.

“Your eye is slanting so much more now Zoro!” She chirped. “Getting drunker by the minute?”

“Shut it witch or I’ll pour all the remaining ice cold water on you to sober you up.” He threatened.

He was rewarded with a snigger and she took a step back. It was then that he realized that he was still holding her.

Zoro let her go and made a grab for the pitcher to refill his glass. He ignored the fluttering feeling in his chest from their exchange earlier.

“Hey. Why didn’t you join me tonight Zoro?” Nami nudged him with her shoulder to get his attention.

It was his turn to be startled by her question.

“We could’ve have drunk the whole bar under the table you know,” she continued on. “And I could’ve taken home more berries from the bets if you were there.”

Of course she would be interested in money more than anything, as usual.

“I know you’d just find a way to get your hands on my winnings if I drank with you,” he muttered glumly.

“Damn right of course!” Nami beamed at him. “Though you should be thankful it’s just your money I want to get my hands on.” She said rather suggestively, poking him on the chest.

Zoro nearly choked at her statement. What the hell did she mean by that?!

He coughed to clear his throat. Turning away from her, he seized his glass and drank the water in one gulp. He decided to just ignore what she had just dropped on him. “Good thing I decided to drink in another bar then.”

She feigned a sad look at that. “Ouch. I’m hurt Zoro. You’d choose isolation over a friend?”

“Nice of you to think I drank alone.”

Silence suddenly enveloped them.

Nami quirked an eyebrow at him. “The lone wolf finally learned how to make friends?”

Zoro snorted.

“Oh,” she looked a bit astounded. “You mean you… you like… went somewhere where you can…”

They blinked at each other for almost a full minute before her implication dawned into Zoro. “What?! No!” He looked just as stunned as her. “Of course I wouldn’t… it’s not…” he stuttered, unable to give her an explanation.

Well that suddenly sobered both of them up a bit.

The former pirate hunter felt all his blood rushed up to his face. This is embarrassing.

He rubbed a hand on his face before clearing his throat. “Usopp and Luffy joined me for a while. Then Franky, before he headed back here. Then Brook. That’s what I meant by I’m not alone.”

It’s not like he owed her an explanation but he didn’t want her to think that he actually hang-out in bars to pick women up…

… Or that he deliberately goes in brothels to get laid.

Nami worried her lower lip looking deep in thought. “Oh okay…”

Damn it!

“For a moment I thought you’d rather spend time with a stranger than with me.”

A disgruntled sound escaped his lips and he swiftly averted his eyes to avoid her gaze. How do one respond to that? What should he say?

Should he tell her that he actually wanted to spend time with her? That he wanted to accompany her at the bar where she went earlier and spend all night sitting beside her as they drink the stocks empty and win every single drinking competition thrown their way?

But that he didn’t? Instead he forced himself to look for another pub or tavern far away from her.

Because recently, he realized that being with Nami… was a bit disconcerting.

She stirs up certain emotions inside him that he was not too familiar with.

And it was throwing him off. Because he had no idea how to deal with it or how to handle it.

He shook his head to brush all the thoughts in his mind away.

This should be dealt with some other time. When they are both sober and in their right minds.

Tonight was not the night for this.

Nami suddenly pressed into him.

“Hey!” He glanced down, his lone eye meeting her half-lidded ones.

Great. The alcohol already took its toll on her. Nami looks like she’s about to pass out.

“I could use some water too Zoro,” she murmured, resting her forehead against his chest.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he felt the familiar, warm sensation crept slowly all over his body. She was too close for comfort now.

“Go get your own glass then.” He grumbled.

He felt her pout as her lips touched his bare skin. “We can just share.” She suggested in a tone that he knows so well. He recognized it as the one she constantly uses whenever she wants a favor from the cook or any other man she wants to twist around those devious fingers of hers.

He scowled. Like that would work on him…

Then he felt his resolve crumble a bit when she shifted closer and the scent of mikans mixed with alcohol assaulted his nose.

It was enticing. It makes him want to try and see if she tasted like she smelled.

His thoughts were cut off when she suddenly grabbed the glass in his hand.

Ever alert, Zoro held on to it.

She lifted her head up and their eyes locked. Nami tugged at the glass and he tugged back. She was no match against his grip of course. But he had to give her points for bravely trying.

Then she did the unthinkable. She wrapped an arm around his waist and pushed him back so she was now essentially pinning him between her body and the kitchen counter.

“Nami!” He rumbled the moment he felt her bountiful chest against him.

Nami smiled cheekily at him and she quickly snatched the glass out of his hand. “See it’s not bad to share Zoro.” She tossed back the glass’s content before placing it back down the counter.

He answered her with a glare. She has yet to get herself off him.

Nami was gazing up at his face, smirking at her victory. Then he watched as it slowly disappeared as she blinked up at him. Nami looked like she was pondering about something.

“Zoro,” she called his name in a way that it set off every single nerve in his body, sending it into overdrive.

“What now?” He asked in a raspy tone.

She was silent for a few seconds. But there was a gleam in her eye that he wasn’t sure he liked. “I’m drunk… and you’re drunk as well right? Can we just leave it at that?”

His eyebrows drew close to each other. “What are you even say—”

And she cut him off by capturing his lips with hers.

Just a fun suggestion. Try listening to Bitter Sweet’s Drink You Sober. The music is perfect for a ZoNa sexy time. It will help you imagine what possibly took place after the last scene. Unless I’m able to write it as a bonus one-shot. Hahaha!

[enbiart]

Liquid Courage

It's Zack's birthday, and Sephiroth wabts to tell him something. TW for alcohol.

The long awaited day had finally arrived - Zack's 18th birthday. This day was eagerly anticipated by both parties, for similar, yet not quite the same reasons. It was the day he became a legal adult, after all.

For Zack, that meant he finally had the legal freedom to do the things he'd already been doing; Things such as drinking, betting, and buying weapons. Technically speaking, he was already allowed to do those things once he became SOLDIER, as SOLDIERs were granted certain exceptions to the law. However, his ever-honorable former-mentor Angeal made it clear that just because he could do something, doesn't mean he should. This lesson applied to many things, actually, but it was very much emphasized when it came to the law. Zack did those things anyway, but back then it always came with a side of guilt, so he was quite glad to be rid of that burden.

For Sephiroth, it meant he could stop beating himself up for having a fucking crush. The legal exceptions applied to the age of consent as well, as the common belief was that, if one was old enough to kill, then they were old enough to have sex. He didn't know if that applied to him, though, seeing as his first kill was at seven years old, and he was certainly not old enough to have sex at that age. So, he fell back on the social lessons his former friends had imparted onto him. Namely, that one tirade Angeal went on about that affair one of the Colonels had with a Third that he, in no way, approved of. Using that moral as reference, Sephiroth was very aghast when he realized that he felt not very platonic things towards his Second-in-Command. Zack was a First, sure, but he was still seventeen, which was technically not a legal adult by civilian standards.

He had felt dirty and ashamed, but mostly disappointed, because of course the one time he began to like-like someone, he wouldn't be able to pursue them. Did he know how to flirt? Gods, no, but it was the principle of it.

Needless to say, he was pretty excited for the big day to arrive.

On the big day, they were both pretty annoyed at realizing that, yes, they still had paperwork to do, and for the first time ever they both sat their asses down and did as much of it as they could just so they could clock out earlier. Clock out earlier they did, and they felt very triumphant of that fact. With the whole half-a-day left to celebrate, Sephiroth had waited in anticipation to see how Zack would want it done.

He wasn't very surprised when Zack wanted to get drunk.

He was surprised, though, when Zack wanted them both to get drunk in the privacy of his apartment. Internally, he was very pleased.

It took a hell of a lot to get a SOLDIER drunk, though, and especially a SOLDIER of Sephiroth's calibre, so the rest of the afternoon and some of the evening was spent amassing booze. Cheap booze, expensive booze, disgusting booze, good booze - as much booze as they could get, because damn would they need it. Most of it would be drank by Sephiroth and Sephiroth alone just in hopes of getting a buzz. He'd never actually gotten drunk before, so he was a little hesitant, but Zack had seemed so excited at the concept that he just went with it. Besides, he'd heard plenty of gossip from the secretaries that he's pretty sure it's better to be drunk when confessing, so it was probably for the better.

That led to the current situation.

His head felt like cotton. His vision swam. He felt flushed. The room seemed like it was rocking. He's almost fallen out of his chair three times, and he wasn't even moving in it. Zack, on the other hand, seemed perfectly unaffected, and was having the time of his life. Sephiroth scowled, the motion feeling exaggerated.

After this was over and done with, he decided, he was never so much as looking at bar ever again.

Zack snickered at his expression. "Hehe... Feelin' alright, Seph?" He asked. There was an amused twinkle in his eye that Sephiroth did not appreciate whatsoever...even if it made his eyes look surprisingly more beautiful.

"Ssshut up...M'ffine.." He drawled. It was like his mind and his body were communicating through a tin can. It was awful!

Zack couldn't hold in his laughter, then. Sephiroth found himself surprisingly entranced by the sound. It was loud and strong, causing him to double over to clutch his stomach. His shoulders shook from the force of it, and his face went red. By the end of the fit, he was wheezing, and wiped a stray tear from his eye. He noticed Sephiroth's slack-jawed expression, and looked up curiously. "You good?" He asked.

Sephiroth didn't reply for a minute, too caught up in staring at that gorgeous face. He thought he had it bad before, but something in the drinks (the alcohol) seemed to enhance every detail in his mind. From the long, fluttering eyelashes blinking over shining purple eyes, to the sharp angle of the jawline, marred by a single sad scar, and luscious lips, looking so soft and velvety in their slight grin... He was absolutely enamored. "...Your eyes..." He whispered. They were his favorite part, right after the smile brighter than the sun.

Zack blinked, and tilted his head slightly in that adorable way of his. "What about them?"

He leaned forward - only a little bit, mind you, because he didn't trust himself to fall out of his chair a fourth time - and scrambled for something to say. "They're so..."Something romantic, something flirtatious, something.... "...e-eye sshaped..."

Gaia, kill him now, what the fuck? Is that seriously the best he could do? (Obviously it was the alcohol's fault, and not an actualy example of his true skill in the art of flirting. Obviously.)

Zack blinked, confused, before laughing again. "Th-they sure are, buddy...snrk-!" Sephiroth blushed, embarrassed and a little hurt at being made fun of. He puffed his cheeks out in a way that was definitely not reminicient of a pout, and tried again.

"Yyour voice is soo...sso..." He had to say something that at least sounded like flirting, even if it was a bad pick-up line, because right now there was no way Zack even suspected him of flirting. What to say, what to say..."...lloud and...v-voice...y."

Zack lost it.

Damn. Not even close.

Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. Since words decided to stab him in the back, he'd just have to get his point across with actions instead. His preferred method. He stood up, bracing himself for what he was about to do, and then realized he had failed and his balance was shot even more than he thought, and so instead of being upright in front of his friend he had actually fallen half into his lap, as even when in the midst of a laughing fit his friend wasn't just going to let him face-plant into the floor.

And then he realized he was in Zack's lap, and almost fucking died. He could just imagine how Hojo would react to him, the great General Sephiroth, dying of sheer panic at landing in his crush's lap. As much as the man's reaction would be priceless, Sephiroth, sadly, would not have been able to see it, being dead and all, so he pushed the fantasy away and focused on the fact that this could actually work in his favor.

He looked up to see Zack looking at him with mild concern. Bless his heart, he was probably worried that he'd given him too much to drink. Sephiroth didn't like seeing Zack worry, a little because the few times the younger man was visibly worried were during times he himself didn't like to think about, and a lot because he really just looked stunning when he smiled. So, before Zack could rattle off his worried questions, Sephiroth kissed him.

Tried to, anyway. He missed, actually, and ended up headbutting him.

Fucking. Alcohol. Wasn't this shit supposed to help him confess his undying love and attraction?!

Maybe so. Zack looked at him incredulously, a red blush slowly crawling up his face, and Sephiroth realized he had said that out loud. It seems like he'd gotten this whole drunk-confession thing wrong; It wasn't really the alchohol itself that made the confession easier, it was the broken brain-to-mouth filter. While useful in this given situation, he made sure to file that under his ever-growing list of reasons never to drink again.

"Uhh...W-what did you say?" Zack stuttered out. His whole face was red now, and it was so fucking cute. Sephiroth still didn't trust himself to say what he wanted to say, though, despite the earlier 'success' (it was dubious whether that really counted as a success seeing as he hadn't meant to say it), and so, tried to kiss him again.

He hit the target dead-on. Then, the one good thing that he'd been hoping for all night happened:

Zack kissed him back.