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boybandbaby · 1 year

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Fill Me In

Summary: You and Eddie are friends with benefits, well kinda. You really like Eddie but you’re not sure he feels the same.

Word Count: 2,833

Note: Not edited. I’m not super comfortable writing smut at the moment. This is more of a modern fic which is why Steve and Robin are working at Scoops Ahoy not Family Video. Also, if there are ever any warnings that I don’t disclose, feel free to call me out on it. Thank you :)

You and Eddie had become friends almost immediately when you entered the friend group. You were introduced to everyone through Max who you had met at a skatepark. While she was interested in skateboarding, you dabbled in rollerskating. The entire group was going to a roller rink and Max invited you to come with. You agreed, wanting to spend more time with your friend and wanting to expand your friend group.

The night at the roller rink you had somehow become the clumsiest skater amongst the group. You’re not sure if it was the nerves of meeting new people or the wax on the floor compared to the concrete you were normally used to. Max had defended you when the boys made comments similar to “I thought you said she was good at this?”

“She is good. She’s used to the skate park, not this lame room with disco lights.” Max would say.

You definitely had to thank her later. But the younger boys weren’t the only ones making comments, you heard Eddie making comments as well. His comments were more about you rather than your skating. The comments were definitely flirtatious and joking which only added to the nerves and clumsiness of the night.

The moment you met Eddie, you knew you two would be good friends (and maybe something more). He was funny, super nice, and really cute. Whenever you would slip and tumble, if he wasn’t there to catch you or stable you, he would fall even more dramatically to get people to watch him instead of you. He’d also say things like “You gotta stop falling for me angel. I get it, I’m cute.” or “Did I distract you again? You gotta pay attention to where you’re going, not my handsome face.” You’d roll your eyes and take his hand or push him away, making him roll in front of you to which he’d then say, “if you wanna look at my butt, all you have to do is ask.” Then he’d wink and stumble away.

Steve said he was coming on too strong and girls didn’t like that but it worked for you and Eddie. He’d flirt with you, sometimes you’d get shy and sometimes you’d flirt back depending on how his comments affected you.

As more time went on, he would show his affection and attraction with touch. Obviously he would never do anything too extreme or against your consent. He’d lay an arm over your shoulders if you were waiting in line somewhere or his hand on the lower part of your back as he passed by you. He’d hold his hand out to you so you wouldn’t fall coming out of the car or down a few steps on the stairs. He’d even pull out an old trick multiple times by asking to see who’s hand was bigger. He would place your hands together, always being a bit bigger than yours. “Huh, look at that, my hand engulfs yours.” He’d shrug and intertwine your fingers together, resting them on his thigh and going back to eating or watching tv.

Then one night at a small gathering at Steve’s, he whispered in your ear how pretty you looked. You could smell the weed and alcohol on his breath mixed with the tic tacs he asked Nancy for earlier. You just smiled and looked up toward him. He wasn’t smiling back down at you, he just reached his hand out towards you as he always did. Once you took his hand, he led you to the closest bathroom, away from everyone else. “Eddie, what’s up? Are you okay?” You asked.

“Look, I know we flirt all the time and stuff but I really wanna kiss you.” He blurts out as he shuts the door. “I mean, only if you’re okay with it. It’s just… the alcohol and stuff is making me more bold than usual and you look really pretty tonight and-”

You shut him up with a kiss. Eddie looked really good tonight too. His hair was surprisingly not as frizzy as normal meaning he put some type of product in it. He wore a plain white t-shirt, not exactly a v-cut but low enough to see his collar bones, a new necklace, and tattoos poking out. He had on plain black jeans and sneakers, a couple of bracelets on his wrists. You started with his lips and trailed down to his chest, his shirt slipping off in the process. Ever since that night, having sex became a regular thing. The only problem now was that he hadn’t made you his girlfriend and you were too nervous to bring it up. Were you dating? Just friends with benefits?

You and Eddie had just finished a third round of fucking. You were still on top of him, resting on his lower stomach after he pulled out of you. Your hands rested on his bare chest and his on your hips, under the plain colored shirt you still had on.

“You,” he moved his hands behind his head, intertwining his fingers as he looked up at you, “were incredible today.”

You leaned down to kiss his lips before smoothing your hair back. “Same could be said about you, Munson.”

He groaned. “You know I hate when you call me that.” He tapped your thigh as he sat up.

“Why? It’s your last name.” You laugh, rolling off of him onto his bed.

“And my dads.” He rolls his eyes, searching for his boxers.

“And Wayne’s” You smile. “Maybe my last name too someday.” You mumble, not really thinking before saying the words.

“What?” He pauses, boxers in hand as he looks over to you.

“What?” You looked back at him in horror. “I’ve gotta go!” You screeched, picking up the clothing on the floor.

“Y/n?” Eddie rushes to slip into his boxers as you already scramble into the living room of his trailer. You had grabbed his sweats instead of your shorts. At this point you didn’t care. You just needed to get out of there. You grabbed your shoes by the door and hastily put them on just as he came out of his room. “Y/n, we have to talk about this.” He hobbles on one leg, trying to slip his jeans on. He struggles, really wishing you hadn’t stolen his sweats. You’re already out of the door and headed to your car by then time he gets both legs in his pants. He dismisses any footwear as he bounds down the steps. He’s too late, you’re already reversing onto the road.

Eddie lets out a string of curse words before deflating back into his room.

“Okay, so let me get this straight. You’ve been flirting and talking and even fucking but you haven’t made your feelings clear?” Steve crosses his arms and leans against the counter of Scoops Ahoy.

“Well, I thought they were pretty clear Steve. Which is why I’m freaking out now.” Eddie groans, head against the door frame leading to the back of the store.

“So, why haven’t you just called or texted her?” Robin asks.

“Oh my god, you two do not listen.” Eddie whines. “I’ve called, texted, even tried showing up to her house but she doesn’t answer.”

“I’m sure she reads the messages so just send a long text explaining how you feel.” Steve shrugs before turning to the counter where a few customers are approaching.

“I really think I should talk to her in person.” Eddie adds.

“Well, do you have feelings for her? If you’re going to let her down, do it through text.” Steve throws over his shoulder.

“Do not do it over text.” Robin shoots her comment more towards Steve than Eddie as she rolls her eyes. “I agree, you should talk to her in person. Tell her you’re sorry for leading her on and that you aren’t looking for a relationship right now.” Robin hops off the stool to ring up the customers.

“But I don’t want to reject her. I like her, of course I do. I just-”

“It’s simple really Eddie. You either wanna be with her or you don’t.” Steve hands off the last cup of ice cream to the youngest member of the family.

“It’s simple for you, Harrington. I’ve never had a girlfriend or like a relationship. What if I suck at doing all the lovey dovey shit?”

“Oh? So you do like her?” Robin asks. Eddie nods. “Well then, we just have to help Eddie express his feelings.”

“Okay but how? He just said she’s not answering him at all.” Steve wipes his hand on a towel nearby.

“I mean, we can just ask Max to bring her over for like a hangout of something.” Robin suggests. “We’ll say it’s a girls night or something and then Eddie can just happen to come over and Y/n will have to talk to him.”

“Okay but I want to be there too.” Steve crosses his arms and leans against the counter.

“Why? It’s not like we’re actually all going to be there Steve. I know you have fomo but it’s just a plan.” Robin shakes her head as Eddie laughs.

“Oh.” Steve deflates. “Well, we should still be there in case Eddie chickens out or fucks up.”

“Thanks for that, Harrington.” Eddie rolls his eyes. “I’ll catch up with you two later.” He grabs his things off the break room table and heads to the parking garage located outside of the food court entrance. He misses Robin roughly shoving Steve’s shoulder as he leaves.

“How do you know?” You ask Max.

“I overheard Robin and Steve talking. They’re planning to trick you into a movie night and then Eddie will show up and they’re gonna make you listen to him.” Max takes a slice of the pizza that you’re sharing. Her and Lucas asked to go out to eat so they could talk to you about something. You didn’t expect her to tell you about Eddie’s plan to get you to talk to him.

“Are you mad at Eddie?” Lucas asks. Max had told Lucas all the drama going on since he loves to hear the gossip from her. “Like did he do something wrong?”

“Well no but I just can’t face him. We’ve grown so close and I basically told him I was in love with him. He doesn’t feel the same way though.” You sigh and lean back in the booth.

“Do you know that for sure though? I mean when he looks at you his eyes are all bright and glossy and it’s literally the heart eyes emoji in a person.” Max smiles. “Maybe just talk to him.”

“Yeah, he’s affected by your absence y/n. He’s still Eddie but not as loud and rambunctious as normal during Hellfire.” Lucas laughs. “I mean it’s kind of nice sometimes but he’s clearly going through something without you in his life.”

“Just reach out to him. Even if it’s just a text.” Max nods encouragingly.

“How are you two giving me relationship advice?” You laugh as you take another bite of pizza.

That night you decide to give their advice a try and text Eddie.

You: hey delivered

You: hey read at 7:09pm

So he was mad. He left you on read. It’s been two hours already. You decide to screenshot the message and send it to Max when you get a notification from Eddie.

Eddie: hey

You immediately open it up and wince when you realize your read receipts are on. You were going to make him wait for a response like he did with you. It’s too late for that now.

You: hey, do you have time to talk right now?

Eddie: i can clear up my schedule for you

Eddie: i’m kidding, i don’t have anything going on

Eddie: i mean like i always have time for you

Eddie: sorry

You: for?

Eddie: i’m rambling

You: as per usual

You: not that it’s a bad thing

You: it’s just something that you tend to do

Eddie: like you’re doing right now to avoid what we really need to talk about

You: i’m not avoiding anything

You: you’re avoiding me really. Leaving me on read for hours???

Eddie: i didn’t mean too i just needed to gather my thoughts on what i was going to say

You: and all you could come up with was “hey” ????

Eddie: are we fighting rn?

You: no? This doesn’t seem like a fight

You: anyway, did you wanna talk here or on the phone or in person. I can drive to you

Eddie: you wanna meet at my trailer? Wayne’s out on a date

You: wait really? With who?

Eddie: remember that lady Marsha he met at the store that one time? She invited him over for dinner

You: Marsha? Mug lady Marsha?

Eddie: yep! His dream woman

Eddie: so you’re coming over then?

You: yeah, I’ll be right over

Eddie: okay, drive safe

When you had arrived at Eddie’s, he was already sitting on the porch, clouded by smoke. He had stood up and stomped out his cigarette the second he saw you pull up. With sweaty palms now in his pockets, completely shirtless and in now dirty white socks, he approached you. You never would have guessed how nervous he was. He always seemed confident with the way he carried himself.

“Hi.” He smiled softly, grabbing your bag as he always had. “You hungry?”

“Not really.” You sighed, “how are you?”

“Not good y/n.” He turned toward you as he opened his front door. “And you?”

“I’m fine.” You stepped inside and looked around as if it was your first time in his home.

“That makes one of us.” He muttered as he set your bag on the table and took a seat. “You don’t have to act like a stranger y/n. You’ve been here plenty of times before.”

“I know.” You shrugged. “I just- I don’t really know where to start.” You slump into the seat next to him.

“You can start by apologizing for running out on me and ignoring me these past few days.” Eddie smiles all smug.

You roll your eyes. “I’m sorry. I know I left abruptly. I was just embarrassed.”

“Why would you be embarrassed?” He leaned over the corner of the table, grabbing your hands. “Because you confessed your love for me and said you wanna marry me and carry my babies and get all wrinkly with me?”

“Eddie…” You groan and rest your forehead on the table. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not! It’s cute. Really, it’s an honor that you want to take my last name one day.” He grins. “So you do love me?” He asks more shyly now.

“I think that’s pretty clear.” You shove his shoulder. “What do you think about it?”

“About you being obsessed with me?” Eddie laughs when you glare at him. “I’m kidding. Y/n, you have to know that I’m in love with you too. I thought it was pretty clear but even Steve made me realize I wasn’t as straight forward about it as I thought.”

“You mean it?”

“Duh. But…” He drags out, your eyebrows raising. “I always thought I would take your last name.”

“You’d take my name?” You laugh.

“Yeah, it’s 2023. We don’t have to follow old traditions and stuff. I can be Mr. y/last/n.”

“What if we just hyphenate it? I think Wayne would be hurt if you got rid of the Munson name.”

“I don’t think Wayne will care. He’s getting his own Mrs. Munson soon.” Eddie kisses your knuckles.

“Oh my god, that’s right. Do you think Wayne is getting laid right now?” You kiss Eddie’s knuckles (more so his rings than his actual skin).

“Ew gross. Don’t put that image in my brain.” Eddie pulls his hands away. “You’re sick, you know that?”

“Sick in love. With you.” You smile as Eddie stands up. He bends over to kiss your lips. It’s short but long enough to leave you in a love trance. “Can you make me food now? I’m starving, I just didn’t want to tell you when I got here.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re getting canned soup and poorly made grilled cheese.” Eddie heads to the stove to get started.

“Did you purposely not wear a shirt today?” You turn to watch him cook.

“Maybe…” He shrugs, biting his lip. “I thought it would help my chances. I knew you could never resist me naked.”

“Shut up, Munson.” You grab a random towel on the table and throw it at him.

“You shut up first future Mrs. Munson.” He winks and turns back to the stove. You smile and make your way over to him, wrapping your arms around his slim waist and resting your cheek against his bare back.

“I love you, Eddie.” You sigh.

“I love you, Y/n.” He rubs his spatula free hand over your arms.

#eddie munson x reader

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senditcolton · 2 years

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You Always Have Been

summary: Brittany Hill imagined a different life for herself when she was younger. but now, celebrating her boyfriend Erik’s incredible achievement, she wonders why she ever wanted something else.

songs: X X word count: 974 (plus insta edit!) warnings: none! pure fluff!

The warm summer breeze danced across Brittany’s skin as she took a deep breath, inhaling the clear crisp Colorado air. Behind her, she can still hear the party going strong, hoots and hollers finding their way into her ears.

She was celebrating – there was no way that she was going to sit out a celebration of her boyfriend’s biggest accomplishment in his long career. Erik won the Stanley Cup. There was no better reason to throw a party.

And Britt was proud of him. Insanely proud of him. Even though they only met a little over a year ago, she knew how much this meant to him and she was just grateful she got to spend this time with him.

She loved Erik, loved recognizing his victory. But this moment, out here away from the commotion, was her way of commemorating the moment in her own way.

Now, on the bench on the edge of Erik’s property, Britt takes another deep breath, grabbing the old Nikon film camera hung around her neck, lifting it up and adjusting the settings before snapping a picture of the landscape in front of her. Looking down, she pulls the lever to advance the film, absorbed in her work that she doesn’t notice the presence walking up behind her until a pair of warm hands land on her shoulders.

A reactionary jump and a turn of her head reveals Erik, standing behind her, his thumbs caressing her warm skin.

“Sorry,” he murmurs, walking around the wooden bench before taking a seat next to her. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Britt easily relaxes, leaning into his side as his strong arm wraps around her body, hand coming to rest on the top of her hip and she can feel the heat of his skin soaking through the soft linen of her sundress.

“It’s okay,” she replies with a sigh.

“What are you doing out here all alone?”

“Just thinking.”

“About what?” he questions, looking down at her with those gentle grey eyes.

“My high school crush, oddly enough.” Britt can’t stop the slight giggle that escapes her as she watches Erik’s brows pull together in confusion.

“Should I be jealous?” he asks, the teasing evident in his voice in response to her reaction.

“Not at all.”

“So, why were you thinking about your high school crush?”

“It’s stupid,” Britt shrugs, content to snuggle deeper into Erik’s side.

“Nothing you say is stupid,” Erik replies quickly. “Besides, out of the two of us, I’m the dumb one in this relationship.” Britt laughs again, pulling a similar chuckle from Erik’s chest, his thumb once again stroking over her skin. “Come on. You know you can tell me anything.”

Another sigh falls from Britt’s lips as she adjusts her position, coming to lay her head in his lap, looking up at him as the setting sun makes his blonde hair glow golden.

“Just sitting out here reminded me about the first high school party I went to. Filled with all the popular kids, my crush being one of them. I thought ‘wow, this is going to be the night everything changes for me. He’s going to notice me and we’ll fall in love.’ Instead, I spent the night sitting on a bench away from the party, being completely ignored.”

Erik adjusts his position above her, leaning closer and listening to her intently.

“And then I thought, ‘that’s okay, I can change. I can be better.’ And I spent so much of my life trying to be accepted, to be wanted. I hosted parties to buy people’s love. I starved myself to feel desired. And I got to feel that for miniscule moments but I tricked myself into believing that was enough.”

Britt exhales, shaking her head slightly as she goes back through her memories.

“I don’t know what eventually led me to snap out of it. I guess I just looked around and realized that it wasn’t fulfilling me the way I needed it to. And I wondered ‘why did I think this is what I wanted?’ So, I left. Left New Hampshire and came out here. Made myself a career doing what I love, found a place where I didn’t need the approval of others. I changed – for the better. And then I met you.”

With those words, she glanced back up at Erik with a soft smile on her face which he mirrors.

“I guess, it’s funny looking back and realizing that all of that led me here,” Britt concludes. Erik doesn’t say anything for a moment, just continues to stare down at her with that soft look in his eyes before he finally speaks.

“I kind of feel the same way.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Not in exactly the same way but, you know, after all the injuries and thinking I might be forced to retire… to being here, celebrating winning the Cup with my friends and family,” he pauses, shooting Britt the dorky wink that never fails to make her laugh. “With the most beautiful women in the world. Who I knew I couldn’t have done this without.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“I mean it. Think about it. The only difference between the previous seasons and this one is that I had you cheering me on from the stands every game.”

“I’m not that magical,” Britt laughs.

“Yes you are,” Erik quips back, his hand moving from it’s spot around her waist to cup her face, thumb brushing against her cheekbones. “The most remarkable person I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.”

There were no other words to say. Instead, Britt lifts her head up towards him, a silent request. Erik reads it easily, leaning down to capture his lips in hers. The two of them stay there, wrapped up in each other until the sun finally sets; a picture-perfect moment.

#nicole writes #midnights mashups #erik johnson fic #erik johnson imagine #erik johnson fluff #colorado avalanche fic #colorado avalanche imagine #nhl fic #nhl imagine #hockey fic #hockey imagine #i hate how my edits save so small so they really blurry on desktop #but should look great on mobile

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readerghxst · 1 year

Text

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 || TLOS Fanfic

A Conner x Bree oneshot

Edit by me [@readerghxst]

"𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗜 𝗗𝗢?" Conner chanted pacing around his room. His twin sister was sitting on his bed, folding the stray clothes on the mattress.

“Why don't you start by actually telling me why you called me here?” she suggested, her nose scrunching at his shorts. “Do you not do laundry?”

He grabbed the shorts in frustration and tossed them to the side. “My clothes are not why I called you here Alex. Okay, that is one of the reasons but still, not the main point,” he took a deep breath before continuing, ''I kinda asked Bree on a date...and she may or may not have said yes. But I have no idea what to do because I didn't think she was gonna agree.”

Alex stared at him for a moment before grinning excitedly. “Conner! That's amazing! Why on Earth did you think she wouldn't agree?”

He shrugged in response. Self-doubt would've been the appropriate answer but he wasn't willing to hear a “fairy-godmother-worthy” lecture on self-love and confidence from his lookalike. As much as he appreciated and loved his sister, it just wouldn't help him.

“I would've asked mom or Bob but they’re both on shifts right now and won't be back till tonight which is already when the date is.”

Alex could tell he was in a state of pure panic. “Alright then, you know Bree better than I do, what does she like?” she asked, looking at him before adding, “And for the sake of your poor carpet, please sit down. You're gonna wear a hole into it.”

He sighed and complied, plopping onto his chair near his desk. He picked up a photo of Bree he had on his desk. Not like a creepy stalker photo. Just a picture they had taken in Germany. His thumb caressed the picture as the memories flooded through his mind.

“She loves thrillers. Stuff like murder with a mix of mystery too. She also adores Sherlock holmes. Oh and movies and shows of similar concepts. She's opening up to fantasy though. Her favourite colour is purple and she enjoys music…” he trailed off, lost in thought.

Alex couldn't help but smile. She loved seeing him happy and even in love. She was also grateful he called her for help. Her constant tasks in the Fairy Kingdom kept her on her toes so she was glad to have a break and hand the leadership role to Emeralda for a while. She would never admit to her brother how stressful the tasks actually were but despite the silent words between them, and unbeknownst to Alex, Conner had a feeling she was under a lot of burden.

He snapped out of his day dream to see his sister rearranging his nightside table. “HEY-”

“It's filthy Conner. I'm pretty sure this sandwich has been here since you moved here.”

“It's fine Alex. And like I said, didn’t bring you here to critique my room!”

“Alright alright. Look, you said she enjoys mystery, so why not incorporate some of those elements. Like-”

“A scavenger hunt!” they said in unison with a grin.

The next few hours were filled with extensive planning and communication. With of course a little help from magic too since such an idea wasn't going to work out in just less than 24 hours. Soon it was time for, as Conner put it, Operation Purple Flower.

────────⊹⊱❧❦☙⊰⊹────────

Bree checked her phone and saw one notification from Conner.

Conner

[Conner]

Are you ready to go?

[You]

yes

but where are you?

am I supposed to go somewhere?

[Conner]

Yes and no

You are going somewhere

But I won't be telling you where just yet.

You'll see ;)

[You]

what?

so like a scavenger hunt?

well this is certainly different, but exciting

[Conner]

I shall neither confirm nor deny

Anyways

Let's begin shall we?

[You]

we shall

[Conner]

Endless thoughts in countless phrases.

Ages young and old wander these mazes.

Knowledge abundant, joy a plenty-

Many use it as an escape from tyranny.

[You]

oh riddles!

fun

hmmm

this has to be a library

right?

Seen

Bree took this as a yes. She smiled at her phone. This was different and quirky. She was also admittedly very excited. In fact, she was feeling a rush of emotions. The last time she felt something so exhilarating was when she joined the Bailey twins for their Land of Stories adventures.

She made her way to the public library, which was not too far away from her house. She waited at the entrance to see what would happen next, tugging at her hair. She couldn't find her beanie, positive her sisters had taken it. She didn't like how empty her head felt but dealt with it for the time being. After a good 2 minutes, she went inside the quiet library. According to the time, it would close in 10 minutes so she had to act quickly.

“If I was Conner Bailey, where would I want to go?” she thought back on Conner and his adventures. All were revolving around...magic...fairy tales! She made her way to the children's section and took out a book of fairy tales.

As she flipped through the book, she couldn't help but laugh at some of the illustrations and how different the artists had depicted the people she met around a year ago. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a paper fluttering down gently to the ground. She looked at the page which contained the letter and in bold letters was the title :

Cinderella

‘Of course. The fairy godmother was their grandmother and now it's Alex.’ she thought, picking up the paper that had fallen. Written on the front was undoubtedly Conner’s handwriting :

To : Bree Campbell, Don’t open until you reach the final destination. P.s. if you aren't Bree, then scram kid. This isn't for you.

Bree laughed at the message and took a picture to send, informing Conner of her finds.

Conner

[You sent an image]

[You]

I see you

I'm guessing this isn't the only thing

what's next?

[Conner]

Your journey is far from done

Only now has the fun begun

Many come yet few enjoy

I can't say I was a golden boy

But I'm pleased to say

Even I managed to stay the whole way

[You]

so… you weren't perfect at this

but you still survived?

school!

Seen

This was possibly the first time Bree was happy she was left on read. Since, the situation called for it. She grinned and made her way to the school building. She frowned slightly when she saw the door open. The school was closed. She knew the janitors locked up the school after their night shift so the only thing she could come up with was that Conner wanted her to go inside.

She entered the building, feeling a small amount of fear. The hallways were dark and almost eerie. She walked around aimlessly. Where did she need to go? She thought back of her and Conner at school. That's when it hit her.

Ms. York's english class. The very first proper class she had with Conner in 7th grade. She grinned in triumph, making her way to the classroom.

Flipping a switch and turning on the light, she looked around for her next clue point. She spotted it a few moments later on her old desk. A small model airplane. She took a snap and sent the new image to her date.

Conner

[You sent an image]

[You]

okay this one was kinda cute

I'm pretty sure there's more though

what's next?

[Conner]

A mother’s love, her intentions dear,

Stories the world didn’t want to hear

The story of a fated slipper of glass

At least the warmth in your stomach will last

[You]

these are getting challenging

stories and slipper of glass makes me think fairy tale

but the only tale that has a prominent slipper made of glass is…

Cinderella!

of course

the Storybook Grill

you told me her step-mother owned the place!

Seen

She turned the lights back off and quietly made her way out of the school building, closing the large front door behind her before she left. Now she made her way to one of her favourite restaurants.

Unlike the last two places she had just been to, Storybook Grill was bustling with life. She went inside and was instantly hit with the sounds and smells of the night. She could see Rosemary happily moving from table to table and her sister Petunia doing the same with visibly less enthusiasm. Their mother, Lady Iris, was standing by a table. The same table, Bree noted that she sat at the first time she came to the restaurant.

She saw Iris’s eyes widen in glee as she gestured for Bree to come to her. Once she made her way there, Iris instructed her to sit down and that should be right back.

She came back a few moments later with a covered plate. Once she placed it on Bree’s table, she left her with the dish. Bree wasn't sure if she was supposed to open it and decided to ask Conner.

Conner

[You]

at the diner

Iris gave me a dish

am I supposed to have dinner without you?

[Conner]

Just open the lid ;)

Seen

She curiously took the lid covering the dish. On the silver platter, was a flower. A flower she knew very well. Her mother would enthusiastically tell her daughters of different flora due to her love of botany. Accompanying the flower was a note that was written as followed :

You're doing quite well Bree. Don't worry, you've only got one more place to go after this place.

She took what would be her final clue photo and sent it to Conner.

Conner

[You sent an image]

[You]

purple orchids are my favorite

what's the final clue partner?

[Conner]

Heal your weary bones and heart

Where new life is given, a wondrous start

For all of us, together, drifted past this time

memories of fondness woven into this rhyme

[You]

this might be the easiest one yet

the hospital

I’m assuming it's Saint Andrew’s one?

Seen

Getting up from the diner, she thanked Iris for the help and made the walk to the Children’s hospital. Playing by Conner’s rules, she went straight away to the ward where they had kept Conner’s fictional characters from his short stories.

However she had to admit feeling quite confused when she opened the door. She was expecting to see Conner however she was met with yet another note. She saw the ‘open now’ at the front of the paper and didn’t waste any time opening it.

You’re probably confused as to where I am. Well let’s just say I told a little white lie. Just the smallest one. I'm gonna need you to walk outside to the entrance lobby, take 23 steps in front, turn right, take 38 steps straight and well, fate will lead you from there :) ~ Conner

Bree was baffled but shrugged. Following the instructions led her to the entrance of the Willow Crest Public Park. On the ground was something Bree spent hours trying to find, her purple beanie.

“Wait what-” she bent down, attempting to grab her headwear. That’s when the strangest thing that evening happened. Her beanie moved by itself. She tilted her head in confusion but decided to follow it.

She ended up in a place she never remembered seeing. Her beanie made a turn and there was a flash of light. Bree covered her eyes for a second before going to the source of light. She came across a secluded clearing. Standing right in the middle was the teenager who started the whole goose chase.

Conner Johnathan Bailey

Who she also noted, was holding her beanie.

“I see you got my note.” he said with a cheeky grin.

“Which one? I seem to remember three.” she joked, holding her hand out. He understood and passed her the beanie which she put on her head immediately.

“Much better.” she muttered.

“So,” he said, his fingers fidgeting, “what do you think?”

He gestured around him and Bree looked around for the first time. There were fairy lights stringed across the hedges. The ground was scattered with flower petals and right in the middle was the dining table. Elegant yet magical. The centre piece was a simple glass vase and a minimalistic candle plus its holder.

“It's amazing Conner! How on earth did you manage to pull this off?” she asked, turning to face him. He grinned, clearly proud of his accomplishment.

“It was not easy,” he admitted. “I had a ton of help. Alex helped me make the clues, and this place. Your sisters helped get your beanie and convince the janitor to hand them the keys and the library, hospital and school had the objects. I asked Iris to help out with everything in the diner and your mom told me your favorite flower. Oh and your beanie moving was Alex and her wand. She just disappeared.”

Bree was in awe of how it all worked out. She gave Conner a hug. “This is the most fun I've had in a long while. Sure I was grounded for such a long time too, but seriously, this is incredible.”

He beamed and led her to the table. He assisted her to her seat before sitting down himself. “The flower goes in the vase by the way.” she smiled and placed it in.

“Now before we begin, I do believe you have a letter to read?”

She nodded, taking out the first destination’s prop. Opening it, she read out the letter in her hand.

Dear Breanne Campbell,

Yay! If you're reading this, it means you've reached the end of the little scavenger hunt. It also means you're sitting with future me so hello me!

Anyways, I'm sure you've already noticed, I mean, you are Bree afterall. All the places you've been to have had some kind of significance. The library for the Land of Stories. The Cinderella story for Alex and Grandma. The school since we went to the same school. Of course, Ms. York’s english class being the first proper class together. The airplane to signify our first real adventure to Germany. It could also mean our trip to New York! The diner because...well we both know the owner is Ella’s step-mom. The flower being your favourite flower and color. The hospital for our time with my short-story characters. Oh and meeting Hero. the park, the place you're in right now, being the same place we battled with witches and Alex under a crazy curse.

Ah the memories. Hopefully, there'll be some new ones. Now I don't mean to drag you into another life or death adventure, but I would like to spend more time with you. Only if it's okay with you and you aren't grounded of course. I've already asked your parents :)

If anyone was to ever ask me what would describe Bree Campbell, I would say a flower. Not because you are delicate or fragile. Because you are a survivor. You take on any challenge and manage to look fabulous doing it. Not to mention how calm you are in any situation. You can do anything, face any battle, any hardship and stay grounded. Just like a flower.

So thank you Bree, for sticking with me through all these near insane adventures. For being around through my weirdest thoughts and plans. Most of all, for accepting me and this crazy two-life fiasco.

Thank you, for being the most amazing, unique purple flower and girlfriend a guy could ask for.

Conner Bailey

Bree was not someone who cries but she could feel tears in her eyes. She smiled at Conner and wiped her tears, so many emotions racing through her, all of which were good ones.

“Conner, this is so touching. And sweet! Thank you.” she finally managed to say, her voice breaking ever so slightly.

He seemed quite pleased with himself and bent down. “Now, as a thanks and sorry for dragging you around the neighbourhood, a toast to your heritage.” he announced, coming back up with two plates of food. Specifically that of the German cuisine.

He poured them two glasses of lemonade and held his glass up. She mimicked his action as he said, “A toast to first dates.”

“To first dates.”

As the glasses clinked, a photo was taken from a certain hiding spot in the trees. Sitting at the top, out of the vision of the two lovebirds, was Alex Bailey. The half-fairy smiled to herself and went down, making her way back home to give them privacy for the rest of the date as she looked at the photo of her twin brother and close friend.

“Operation Purple Flower...was a success.”

────────⊹⊱❧❦☙⊰⊹ ────────

exactly like Conner said, writing this fic was not easy. I wrote this one shot a long time ago, all the way back in August of 2021. And i’m not someone who writes fan fiction often, it’s just not my strong suit. You’ll find that Bree is not exactly very canon…actually none of them truly are canon and I apologise if that annoys anyone. Like i said, not my strong suit.

Anyways, I wanna just add, major credit and thanks to @introvertedwraith for helping with the riddles that Conner prepared. I could not have done it without her saving my ass lol. Also, the texting format…i swear it looks better on wattpad because it is extremely difficult to put it in tumblr lol.

if you would like the see how the fic is supposed to look like in terms of aesthetics/style of stuff like the texting, you can check it out on my wattpad which is linked….somewhere on my profile lol. Anyways, thanks for reading! And here’s to hoping i post more of my writing in the future!

#reya writes #shrub tlos #conree #conner bailey #bree campbell #alex bailey #tlos fic #stan lyly!!#the land of stories #tlos #reya edits

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spring-lxcked · 11 months

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some notes on mr. john "jack" overton

vaguely mysterious owner who does not do public appearances (will show up pretending to be an employee or just a random person though because Ego)

very present in the pizzap.lex, which employees know, but guests never see him (they actually do, but he's quick to lie and claim he's a technician/etc)

gets away with lying about being the owner because the employees know he does this and they just figure he's a private person who doesn't like the spotlight

known for being eccentric and pretty withdrawn, but like. in a Wacky Fun Way lmao. still seems as friendly, but he's not really putting on his Classic William Af.ton Persona anymore

absolutely does not give a fuck anymore, will stab you to death without any warning just because you're alone with him and pissed him off. has only gotten better at covering up employee deaths

if you bring up william af.ton/the "stories" about the older pizzerias, he'll act like he isn't that familiar with them, but he's delighted on the inside

still has insane fashion and isn't questioned because it fits the glamr.ock vibe

long hair don't care—

not only does he make a new spring bon.nie costume (a la glitch), but at some point he like. starts feverishly working on making a new sprin.glock suit because he "has to do it"

sorry losing my mind over the idea of glamr.ock golden bon.nie. but like. a springl.ock suit. years of improving his skills making animatronics has gotten him here

"he built another spring.lock suit after getting almost killed?" we're talking about william af.ton jack overton here. also it's better built but STILL

literally has no life outside of the pizzapl.ex and his "work." will lie about this. his only thing now is rebuilding his family (or reclaiming if, for example, mike is alive)

lives in a family home with enough rooms for his kids. lives there alone. isn't there often because it's too quiet. still doesn't fully blame himself for that.

as for the pizzapl.ex being built over the PS pizzeria? shrug. without william definitely dead, i'm not sure it's likely mike would be able to move on. regardless, if the PS pizzeria exists, william DID build over it on purpose. goes down there obsessively without any real purpose because it has that connection to both michael and henry

not opposed to having van.ny kill/kidnap for him, but largely prefers doing it himself when possible

this man is teetering on the edge of sanity at all times and i'm begging you to give him that final push LMAO

glitch is fully under his control, although still a semi-sentient AI

does everything he can to hide his springl.ock scars since they're not, uh, easily explainable given how long springlo.ck suits have been out of commission

okay fun facts that are actually fun now:

has a, like, rolodex of coffee orders. was never a black coffee drinker much anyway, but enjoys the Starb.ucks experience. will pay ten dollars for coffee and then bitch about "the old days" and then order more tomorrow.

may vary by portrayal/dynamic, but generally actually likes the glamr.ocks?? like, he felt genuine sentimentality for the funt.imes, and this sort of thing extends to the glamr.ocks (particularly if he made them)

despite everything, does actually enjoy running the business and wants it to do well. i mean, this was always the case, but the man really hasn't got much else going for him anymore. something something his major goal was immortality and now he's achieved it so... what next?

definitely wants to or HAS expanded Fazbe.ar Entertai.nment beyond the Pizz.aplex. this may include other pizza.plexes, smaller chains, or just related businesses not directly managed by him

if you find a picture of william af.ton and comment on how weirdly similar they look, he'll laugh it off very awkwardly and then plan your murder

EDIT: call him jackie. do it.

#˖ ✧ headcanon » ( the demon to his demons )#☆ —— verse ↳ m a k e y o u a s u p e r s t a r.#no headcanon banner because now i need one for this verse/'jack' lmao #no r.uin spoilers btw #my favorite william fun fact is that i came up with him not drinking black coffee due to my fic #made myself laugh abt like #henry: making coffee for will / mike in the bitchiest voice: he doesn't like black coffee

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ashtrayfloors · 2 years

Text

The past couple weeks have been pretty intense, emotionally. Good, bad, weird, all three, but intense all ‘round.

The Monday before last, E. shared a post of J.L.’s on Facebook & I had to go thru the thing I’ve gone thru so many times already: Do I tell her he abused me & risk her disbelief & the loss of our friendship? Or do I say nothing & just feel super super gross forever & probably lose the friendship anyway because I’ll feel too uncomfortable hanging out with her while knowing she’s friendly with him? I decided to tell her, and ultimately she responded the way I’d hoped she would, but I was up half the night feeling nauseous & panicky. This is like the fourth or fifth time I’ve had to go through this re: J.L. Which, I guess, is not shocking; he’s a well-known guy in the Milwaukee DIY/arts scene. So yeah, not shocking, but it still sucks that I have to keep going thru this.

In the wee hours of that Monday night/Tuesday morning, just before I finally fell asleep, was the blood moon/eclipse. & when I woke a few hours later I was bleeding. That day was the midterm elections & I wanted to make a joke about I’ve got your red wave right here or something. Speaking of—boy, am I glad that the promised red wave did not happen.

That day, and for a few days after, I went thru a bout of mania the likes of which I haven’t seen in a while. There’s still a part of me that wants to fall back into the old self-destructive tendencies. Y’know, they get manic & wanna get stupid drunk about it, or fuck a stranger about it, & they get a little ornery that they can’t. But it is fortunate that, these days, I can sometimes harness my manic energy in more positive ways. I used this bout to get a bunch of housecleaning done, & work on my novella, & then... I was listening to Endless Possibility, the tribute to Jack Terricloth, & there were all these clips of him talking, & in one of them he said: It’s hard to live in the past, it’s hard to live in the future—we live absolutely in the moment. Now is the only time. Do not ever wait. The only answer is yes. & hearing that spurred me into beginning to put the finishing touches on the revised & updated edition of What We Talk About When We Talk About Punk.

Saturday the 12th we celebrated D.’s 11th birthday. His actual birthday was the 13th, but we decided to celebrate with my parents that night, at my mom’s studio, so we could watch the holiday parade. My mom saw my new haircut for the first time. She’d seen me a couple times already since I cut it, but I’d hidden it with a scarf or hat because I knew she’d make a comment & I wasn’t ready to deal with that yet. Sure enough, when she saw it, she visibly winced, then said: “Oh, Jess, really? I keep thinking you’ll grow out of doing that kind of thing.” My response was: “I keep thinking you’ll get used to me doing this kind of thing.” Then she said: “I mean, it’s your hair, you can do whatever you want, but you look so pretty with normal hair.” I just shrugged, cuz we’ve had this ‘discussion’ (& other, similar ones) approximately 5000 times in the past 28 years & she doesn’t get that I’m not trying to be pretty. I mean, yes, I like to feel pretty sometimes, but a. I certainly don’t want to be pretty in a conventional way, and b. overall, I am not going for pretty. I’m going for jolie-laide. I don’t want to be merely pretty, I want to be hot & a little intimidating.

I don’t know. She & I have been having some problems lately, in general, & they’re all the same troublesome dynamic we’ve always had. I love her but sometimes her comments & passive-aggressiveness just exhaust me.

The next day, between cooking, reading, & playing with the kiddos, I had several moments of professional jealousy/envy. I got really down about the trajectory of my career vs. other people’s careers & felt too sad about it to work on my novella that day (though I did work on a prose poem about why I wasn’t working on my novella).

But, the very next evening, I attended Library of America’s (virtual) lecture & Q&A with Todd Tietchen & Jean-Christophe Cloutier, the editor & translator, respectively, of LOA’s book The Unknown Kerouac. It helped me get past feeling sorry for myself. For many reasons, not the least of which was their mention of Jack writing: I hope it’s true that a man can die, and not only live in others, but give them life. Which in turn made me think of Sarah Manguso’s essay about the true purpose of being a serious writer: If people read your work and, as a result, choose life, then you are doing your job. It made my envy of others’ successes seem petty, made me remember— My purpose is not to receive accolades, my purpose is to write & to get my work out there so that the people who need it can find it, & it can give them life.

So, after the Q&A ended, I got back to work on my memory project. (Kerouac considered his entire oeuvre a memory project, a la Proust, & I see myself/my work in that same lineage.)

Thursday, I went to the Racine Art Museum with my mom. We did that last year near her birthday, too, and it was so nice that it has become our new tradition. I always love going to RAM; I feel so blessed that we have such a great art museum in this mid-sized midwest town. The new exhibits that have been added since I went there back in August are phenomenal. & the zodiac-themed virtual community art show my piece is part of? They had an iPad mounted on the wall, scrolling thru all the pieces in the show, & it was really fucking cool to see mine there. I know it was only on a small screen, but still. To see my art in a real fucking art museum? Kinda mind-blowing.

In other news:

Some of my nearest & dearest have been going thru some health scares. (Thankfully, I now know for sure that one of them was just that—a scare.) Little C. has been relentlessly moody, & I guess I’ve been pretty moody, too. I’ve been horny a lot & also sad a lot.

I’ve got a new crush. I know nothing can, or will, ever come of it, but I don’t mind so much. Crush energy, much like mania, is something I’ve learned to harness in more positive ways, most of the time. I don’t need to pursue my crush, I don’t need to pine, I can make them my muse & channel the energy into writing & art. & I’ve been deep in nostalgia—what else is new—longing for a hundred thousand people, places, moments from my past. Currently, I’m missing the winter I worked in a flower shop in Chicago, & the winter I ice skated once a week in downtown Milwaukee. But, at least nostalgia is another energy I can channel into art. My whole life is a memory project.

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saiilorstars · 7 months

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ch.11: The Truth Hurts

Steve Rogers x OFC fic • squeeze your eyes for a Bucky Barnes x (2nd) OFC

taglist: @ocappreciationtag @arrthurpendragon @anotherunreadblog @maaaaarveeeeel @stareyedplanet @gloryekaterina @averyhotchner @foxesandmagic @lenonizi @kmc1989

Story Masterlist • Seren’s Masterlist• Chloe’s Masterlist

Also available on Fanfic ○ Ao3 ○ Wattpad

If you’d like to be a part of this OC’s work/edits, let me know!

Deciding where to go, after quite literally being bombed at the old base, was a lot harder under heavy duress. They fled from the base and climbed into the first vehicle at their disposal, which had not been for at least a mile off from the base. Steve didn't question it. He simply thanked Chloe and the Hive Mind for leading them to an abandoned car, hotwired it and got them going. He couldn't focus very well on the road knowing they had been only inches from death and that Seren had somehow taken the brunt of the situation — again.

Seren had stirred awake only a few minutes after leaving the base and immediately remembered what happened. Though groggy and wobbly on her feet, she wanted to make sure that everyone else was alright. Steve put a stop to it and told her that she needed to take it easy and let them figure it out.

She had not been happy with him for ten minutes straight. She felt so useless. "I'm supposed to know how to get people out of danger," she argued with him even when they were on the road again. "It's been my entire job all my life and right now you're telling me that I should back down?"

Fortunately, Steve wasn't about to let her argue her way out of resting. She could be mad at him all she wanted but he knew that she was just mad at the world instead...and with good reasons. "You're not at your best right now, so let us lead for a while, okay?" He reached for her closest hand over the armrest between them. From the corner of his eye, he saw the bitterness in her face. She was struggling to cope with the reality they were now facing.

Behind them, Natasha was vigilant looking back on the road to see if they were being followed. She had stolen a few weapons scattered with the bomb and had prepared them just in case they would need them.

Chloe was dead quiet, face blank. She was still thinking about Zola's words before they had to run. The fact she was considered an asset for HYDRA was terrifying...but it scared her more not knowing what HYDRA wanted to do with her in the first place. She heard the whispers of the Hivemind in her head. It was a mixture of English and the aliens' native language, all incomprehensible though. She rubbed circles over her temples, hoping to ease the ache that typically came with these messages.

"What are they saying now?" Natasha said, breaking through Chloe's concentration.

"Huh?" Chloe dropped her hands from her head and looked up to see everyone making eyes at her. Even Seren had peered around the passenger seat to see what was going on.

"It's them, right? The Hivemind?" Steve assumed correctly. He watched Chloe through the rear view mirror, recognizing the expressions on her face from similar moments they had over the course of the year.

"Yeah, but it's gibberish," Chloe said quickly, shrugging. "I...I can't understand what they're saying. I'm just trying to ignore them."

"Maybe that's the problem. Ignoring everything..." Seren said with an undeniable sourness in her voice. She felt Steve squeezing her hand, trying to comfort her again. "We just sat there and ignored everything," she continued. "Now people are dead and we're being hunted like criminals."

"We'll get out of this, Seren, I promise you that," Steve said, taking a brief glance at her. Seren heard his guilt and it was the only thing that would make her semi-calm down. Nothing was his fault.

"We should stop and get a phone," she said abruptly. As Steve looked at her again, she explained. "We need to start going over our options and for that, we need to know what is happening in the world. We need to see the news, any articles — is HYDRA making themselves publicly known now? Are we public criminals now? We also need to contacts." As much as it pained her, and everyone else, it was the cold truth. They were at a huge disadvantage being disconnected from the world.

"We can stop at any store," Natasha started to say, "Grab some food...a phone..."

"Yeah, with what cash?" Steve said, though as soon as he saw Natasha tilting her head at him he knew he shouldn't have asked. His lips pursed. You already stole 2 cars, what's a cellphone and food? They needed them, after all and now that he was thinking about it, Seren had not eaten anything in over a day.

Seren felt the concern coming off Steve when he glanced at her again. She sighed. She had to stop being angry; he kept thinking it was his fault. "I'm fine, Steve. We're in this together." She squeezed his hand that time and offered him a small smile.

They stopped at the first store that they thought would have what they needed. Natasha was an expert and came back to the car with their supplies. Steve had never taken off so fast, and he did so with the promise that they would return to the store when this was over and pay for what they had taken, as well as returning the phone to the person they had pick-pocketed.

Natasha was quick to go through the phone, unlocking it and entering S.H.I.E.L.D on the search bar. Luckily, it seemed like they were in the clear for now.

Seren didn't buy it for a second. She supposed it would be harder to trust anything at first glance now, at least for her. She didn't trust many things growing up and now she had to accept that the only thing she trusted completely — some would say blindly — had all been a lie. "If HYDRA's been planning something like this for ages, I'm sure they have something clever up their sleeves."

"Whatever it is, we need to find a place to lay low for a while," Chloe said. She was going through the things that Natasha had brought along and tossed a bag of mini donuts over Seren's head. The ginger startled when the packet dropped on her lap.

"Not what I call a nutritious dinner after leaving the hospital but it'll do for now," Steve said. "Eat, please."

"I will if you will." Seren ripped open the bag and pulled out a mini powdered donut.

"No, Seren, I'm not —" Steve tried moving her hand away from him. "You need to eat."

"Steve, you're enhanced, which means you really need to eat." Seren once again offered him the donut. "I won't take a bite if you don't."

Steve playfully rolled his eyes at her smirking face. "Fine." He leaned his head slightly to the side and took half a bite of the donut.

Seren beamed at her triumph then finished the rest of the donut. "Contacts," she called to the women in the back. "We need allies. Numbers against HYDRA."

"All our allies are with SHIELD," Natasha pointed out. "Or M.I.A."

"Stark's in Malibu," Chloe said. "No way he gets here in time. Clint's been M.I.A. for a few months. What about Banner?"

"Doing some deep research," Natasha said. "Thor?"

"On Asgard," Seren said. "Chloe, what about Citlalli?"

"Who's that?" Steve asked with a face.

"A good friend," Chloe replied. "She was the friend I called to help with Seren at the hospital when I had to leave."

"And why have I never heard about this friend before?" Steve looked at Chloe through the rear view mirror. He was a good listener and he would remember any friends that Chloe mentioned.

"Citlalli's kind of on the down low of things. She has connections, a lot of them," Chloe made sure to emphasize. "If there's anyone we could trust to keep us hidden, it's Citlalli."

"She's C.I.A.," Natasha cut in with a tone in her voice that implied that was a huge reason to be wary and once Steve heard, he agreed.

"She's a friend," Seren said, glancing back at Natasha. "You've met her several times, Natasha."

"I have," Natasha greed, "But on work terms. For all we know, SHIELD could have lied to any other governmental organization and they could be looking for us too."

"Not Citlalli," Chloe shook her head. "She would know that we would never do anything to be branded as fugitives of the law."

"I don't know," Steve said. "As much of a friend she is, she still has a duty to the CIA."

Seeing Chloe and Seren growing irritated, Natasha came up with an alternative. "Look, why don't we leave Del Rio as our last resort?"

"Fine, but what do we do right now?" Seren asked. "My grandmother has plenty of safe houses but it'll be hard to contact her. I'm sure by now she's thrown away all cellphones. And so have we."

"Atria has safe houses and you don't know the location of a single one?" Natasha let out a snort. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Stop it," went Steve. Seren was on the tip of cracking already and any comments like that were just...unnecessary right now.

"Well, we need to stop and rest," Chloe said, getting them back on track. "So, if not Citlalli, where do we go?"

Things were quiet for a while they drove. It seemed like none of them had any better idea about where to stop...until Steve thought of one other person who might be willing to help them out and better yet someone who would believe their innocence.

~ 0 ~

The Winter Soldier didn't make house calls, nor did he answer to them. His missions were getting stranger by the day and that itself was alarming. But who was he to complain? He wasn't in charge. He was just one of HYDRA's many assets.

He sat at a plain old kitchen table like any other visitor would, except he was in total darkness. He was no stranger to that. He was a shadow, of course. Always lurking in the night, doing the jobs that nobody would else.

Alexander Pierce was punctual as he returned home and quickly sent his housekeeper away. "Want some milk?" He made way to the fridge but didn't miss the gun lying in the middle of the table. "The timetable has moved. Our window is limited. Three of four targets, Level Six." He sat down at the table with a glass of cold milk. "They already cost me Zola. I want confirmed death in ten hours." He drank from his glass then set it down, thinking silently for a minute or two. "I think the time has come to collect the girl." Pierce pointed a sharp finger at the man across him. "Not to be harmed; I want her alive. Zola's gone but the Hive Mind inside that girl's head might be able to make a decent replacement...once HYDRA steps in to finish what we had to pause."

The darkness hid the Winter Soldier's (first) real reaction to the assignment. He never thought the day would come where the girl with the blue flaming eyes would become special enough to warrant HYDRA's extraction. What a cursed day — for her.

~ 0 ~

The last thing Sam Wilson expected on that fine morning day was to run in with a few familiar faces — or rather said faces run into him.

"Hey man, I'm sorry about this. We need a place to lay low," Steve said, his expression (and state) summing it up for Sam. He held Seren tightly by his side, the latter looking quite exhausted. Beside them was Natasha who couldn't look anymore disheveled and then there was Chloe...who looked absolutely terrified.

"Everyone we know is trying to kill us," Chloe's voice shook. Sam's look became knowing as his conversation with Chloe popped into his head. Chloe didn't need the Hive Mind to know that he knew. "I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't be. Come in." He quickly opened the door for all of them and ushered them inside. As he closed the door behind them, he took a quick scan around outside to make sure they were safe.

The first thing Sam did was offer them a place to get cleaned up. He wouldn't outright say it but they all needed a good wash. Seren made Natasha go first, even if it was just for a quick face wash, and there was no arguing with her anymore. She warned Steve that she was done taking the backseat in their little quest to clear their names.

"But—"

"No more," Seren said with an absolute finality that no one, not even the enhanced Steve Rogers, would dare to argue against. She looked at Sam with a completely different face — a kinder one — and politely asked him if she could borrow his television.

"Of course," Sam told her and showed her to the living room. "What, uh, what exactly are we doing now?"

"Making sure we're off the news," Seren said, finding the remote quickly and turning the screen on.

Chloe felt awful as it was and seeing the strife she was causing between Seren and Steve just made her feel worse (something she didn't know was even possible). She watched Steve leave to, according to him, do a brief perimeter check around the place. With any hope, they would be able to hide for a decent while.

"You really shouldn't be mad at him, Seren," Chloe said as she approached Seren. The latter was standing only a few inches from the t.v., with Sam right behind her. "He's just trying to—"

"Keep me safe, I know," Seren said. "I'm not mad at him. I'm just done 'taking it easy'."

"Weren't you in the hospital or something?" Sam suddenly asked, drawing Seren's glare over her shoulder. He raised his hands in front of him. "Hey, Chloe kept me updated."

"She was poisoned with cyanide," Chloe said.

"A lethal poison for humans," Seren said, flipping through channels like crazy. So far, the news seemed relatively normal. "My body has already metabolized it. I could make this whole house explode if I wanted to."

"That's great — but don't?" Sam smiled sarcastically.

Seren sighed. "I'm just picking up where you guys left off, alright? I'm fine. Let me do my job. There's not much I can do so, please just..." She waved Chloe and Sam off, making it clear she would rather be alone than deal with them.

Sam understood the gist and quietly pulled Chloe with him into the kitchen. "She's...less lovelier than I remembered," Sam mumbled.

"She's mad," Chloe said, "But...she's a good person, I swear."

"Well, so are you," Sam turned around to face her, crossing his arms, "So you want to tell me what's really going on? Before my house explodes?"

Chloe nodded. If he was going to help them hide, he deserved to know the truth.

~ 0 ~

Steve felt like he'd pretty much done what he could to keep the group safe for a while. Sam's house seemed to be perfectly normal, both inside and outside, at least for the time being. He was in desperate need of a change and a wash but he kept seeing Seren in the living room, glued to the television for any minuscule report on them, on her family, on her team...

He couldn't get her to leave; she was too upset and even though she swore it wasn't at him...it kind of felt like it was. The idea that she was angry at him hurt way too much to be able to stay in the same room with her. He peered inside the kitchen and saw Sam was tending to Chloe. She was doing no better. He soon went into the hallway and gave a gentle knock on the door of Sam's bedroom. Natasha had been gone for a quite while and knowing her, she wouldn't be the type to vent like Chloe or be angry like Seren.

Natasha opened up quickly and told him that he could go next. On her way past him, he grabbed hold of her arm and asked her again if she was alright.

"Yeah," she said dismissively.

Steve squeezed her arm. "I already got one lying redhead in the other room. Please don't do this to me."

Natasha cracked half a smirk at him. "What, did you think it'd be all rainbows and sunshine with Seren? She's a tough cookie, that one."

"Natasha." Steve deadpanned her.

Natasha rolled her eyes but when Steve heard her quiet sigh, he knew she would take pity on him and just tell the truth. "When I first joined SHIELD, I thought I was going straight. I met Seren. She was a good Agent and after a while, I thought I was too. But I guess I just traded in the KGB for HYDRA. I thought I knew whose lies I was telling, but...I guess I can't tell the difference anymore."

"There's a chance you might be in the wrong business," Steve cleverly said, making her faintly smile.

"I owe you," she admitted. It wasn't often she could leave her life in the hands of someone else and even when she had to, she didn't necessarily trust them completely. Even with the terse relationship, she knew that she could trust Steve with her life. "If it was the other way around, and it was down to me to save your life, and you be honest with me, would you trust me to do it?"

"I would now," Steve said without thinking about it. "And I'm always honest." He was absolutely certain about it and that alone was a twist. Whatever happened with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the end, he would at least walk out with people who mattered.

Natasha took his answer to heart. "Well, you seem pretty chipper for someone who just found out they died for nothing."

Steve was so close to saying 'not entirely for nothing'. It was surprising to him and yet a good feeling. He would be angry at the world and even though he was a tad upset, he didn't feel like he lost everything. That was a new thing for him; he would run with it. "Well, I guess I just like to know who I'm fighting."

"Hm," Natasha could only wonder why he spent minutes in silence. "You know the fight's not over. Before you get to HYDRA, you have to get through Stardust." She patted his shoulder. "Good luck."

It was Steve's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm going to lose a limb. She's so angry."

"Yeah, but not at you," Natasha crossed her arms. Steve's swayed his head, no more sure of that than he was about the good people left in S.H.I.E.L.D. "Hey," Natasha snapped her fingers in front of his face. "The two years you spent hurting are the same years she spent doing the same think about you. You really think she's going to forget all about it just because of this?"

"'Just because of this' happens to be about the place she has worked her entire life, the place she devoted her life to."

"So it carries weight, big deal," shrugged Natasha. "But it's not about you. She told you that and, just like you, Seren's always honest."

Steve couldn't argue with the last part. "I'll...I'll have to fight her just to get her to care of herself, won't I?"

"Oh yeah," Natasha nodded. "Once again, I wish you good luck."

Steve took a deep breath as Natasha left him in the room. After a few minutes, he left the room as well with as much as courage as he could and headed straight into the hallway. He could hear the t.v. still going and when he reached the living room, Seren was right where he left her earlier, still flipping through channels.

He was a man with a plan and before he saw literal stars, he plucked the control out of Seren's hands.

"Hey—!" Seren did one hop before Steve picked her up by the legs and threw her over his shoulder. "HEY!" Seren exclaimed.

Steve tossed the control to the couch and tightened his grip around Seren's back. He heard Natasha's laugh and thought that would definitely help ease Seren up.

"Put me down!" Seren started to yell so Steve headed straight into the hallway. "I swear to God that I'll—"

"If you hurt me, you'd be hurting an innocent life, Agent Soul," he said so casually that it actually made her snort.

"Don't flatter yourself, Rogers! Put me the hell down!"

"Make me."

"Oh, I will!" Seren's hands powered up with star matter but of course as she brought her hands closer to his back, she knew she wouldn't actually do it. She groaned. "I really hate you!"

"That doesn't sound like you're 'making me' do anything." Steve smirked to himself as she started hitting his back with her bare hands. "Is that a massage?"

"Since when the hell did you get so cheeky you little—"

"Watch your language there, ma'am." He pushed open the bedroom door and kicked it shut with his foot. He then set Seren down on her feet and barely held his laugh when she stumbled back.

Even more angry, she went to push him. Steve stumbled a few steps back, but it did nothing to help him not laugh. Seren had never been angry with him and even now, he knew that she wasn't. She was terrible at letting her anger out properly, just like him. They were too alike in many aspects.

Meanwhile, Seren was absolutely incredulous with his reaction. Why was he laughing? Of all the ways to feel, he was laughing? "Have I been out of the dating pool so long that they changed the way relationships work? Or are you just that foul, Steve?"

"I think you're just funny, sweetheart," he answered honestly. He stepped closer to her and slid his hands over her cheeks, tilting her head up at him. "And I needed you to take care of yourself."

"I'm doing fine, thanks," Seren said bitterly.

"I don't think that you are. In fact, I think you're not doing all that fine."

"I'm—"

"It's a safe space here, Seren, I promise. You don't have to keep it all in anymore."

The anger that was so evident in Seren's face faltered for a second. It was easier being angry and yelling and pushing than facing the truth in front of her. Leave it to Steve to see right through her.

She raised one of her hands, bringing it over one of Steve's resting against her cheek. It felt like forever ago that they had been together in his apartment...

She dropped her hand on her side and leaned up on her toes to reach his lips. She needed to remember Steve, the way his lips tasted, and most of all the way he would hold her because she'd almost lost him in a blink of an eye.

It took Steve a few seconds to realize that he was feeling Seren's tears pressed between their faces. He pulled back from her, his thumbs clearing up the tears on her cheeks. "Hey, hey...I didn't want you to cry...I'm sorry."

"No," Seren shook her head, sniffling. "It's not your fault." She gently nudged his hands away from her face and sat down on the foot of the bed. "You're right. I'm not fine. I'm—" She let out a shaky breath as the threat of a sob looked over her. "It was all a lie. Everything was a-a lie." Steve took a seat beside her on the bed. "All my work, everything I did...it's all now under question. Did I do the mission for S.H.I.E.L.D.? Or for HYDRA?" It killed her that she would never know the answer.

"I know, Seren, I know..." Steve took one of her hands and laced his fingers with hers. He had to ask himself the same question now. All the missions he did for S.H.I.E.L.D. in these past 2 years were shady as it was, but now he too wondered which ones had been for actual good.

"Nine years old. I was nine years old when they recruited me and...this whole time they were lying to us," Seren bit on her bottom lip hard enough to feel the taste of blood. She couldn't stop herself anymore and sobbed. "My whole life I've been working for the devil itself!"

Steve would have told her to stop, that it was okay, but it wasn't that easy. He felt like she needed to cry it all out to truly accept what happened. He shifted his body, reaching for her when she threw her arms around him. She'd apologize to Sam later for bringing her feet on the bed. Right now, she needed Steve and his arms wrapped tightly around her. Everything around them was crumbling down and it terrified her to think that the little happiness she had left would also disappear.

"You're not a lie, are you?" Her question was muffled in Steve's shirt, but he still managed to hear it perfectly.

To anyone else, the question would've seemed offensive. Steve had made it very clear to her that he loved her but right now, with everything that was going on, she had to make sure that they were real. That HYDRA had not ruined it too.

Steve didn't feel any of the sort. He heard the heavy fear lacing her words and from the way she clung to him. He held Seren tightly, kissing her hair. "I'm real, honey, and so are we. And I swear to you that nobody — nothing — is going to take it away from us." He felt her nod in his arms.

They stayed together like that for several minutes. The silence between them was the comfort they needed right now. True to Seren's word, it did feel like it had been ages since they were together in his apartment. He wished they could go back to that moment of bliss. He'd love to see her smiling and laughing again. Instead, he was waiting for her to stop crying so he could help her clean herself up after being bombed.

"Steve, I know I smell like a combimation of hospital and bombs, but I...we gotta get to work," Seren said, albeit her argument was given very weakly. It reminded Steve of the fact that she had not eaten properly at all since before the hospital.

He helped her stand up, ignoring her 'I can stand up on my own' comments. "Why is it so hard to let others help you, huh?" With her hand in his, he led her a few steps away from the bed.

"I don't know, because I'm not used to it?" Seren shrugged. "I'm Stardust. I'm super strong, I can fly, I can weild the stars themselves. I don't need help, I help others. That's the way it's always been."

"Everyone needs help some times," Steve said. "And trust me, I learned the hard way too. You can be enhanced, or just have some off-world perks..." He loved that tiny little smile that appeared on her face, even if it was just for a second, "But you'll still need help once in a while. Please, let me be the one to help you."

Seren gave him a nod. "I can't think of anyone else better for the job."

Steve smiled and, just as Seren saw his 'idea' face (which was really just a crooked smirk on his face), he slid his arms around her and picked her up. She laughed with his hug that seemed more like a bear hug.

"What are you doing?" She didn't mind the hug, of course. She wouldn't mind any hugs he gave her.

"Just making sure my girl's all cared for." Steve turned them around and headed for the bathroom. He planted her on the bathroom counter so easily, like she was a feather.

"You sure know how to make me feel special," Seren remarked with a clear pink tint on her cheeks.

Steve helped her come out of the jacket she was wearing. He wanted to be as careful as possible. She wore a short sleeve underneath and that was where Steve could see more dirt and old cuts.

"I'm fine," Seren assured him. "It's all healing."

He pulled the collar of her shirt and saw that even her star birthmark on the side of her neck had been harmed. There was a straight cut going through the middle of it. He could only imagine what underneath looked like.

"You don't have to—"

Steve shook his head and went to the cabinet under the sink to grab a rag. He wet it a bit to use. "Seren, I need to know that you're okay and if you're not okay, then I need to help you get there."

"I just don't want you to freak out," Seren said, "Because I am healing. It's just taking a little longer because I haven't been eating right."

Steve tried to remember that when he helped her pull her shirt off, leaving her in just her bra. There were more cuts and some bruises, as he predicted. It made him feel useless, incompetent. He was supposed to protect her and...he had been failing so miserably.

"It honestly isn't that bad," Seren continued to say. "It doesn't hurt, I swear to you. I don't lie to you, right?"

Steve's eyes flickered up to hers. "You were in a hospital, Seren. Poisoned."

"Yes, I know the story. And I got out."

"Because we took you out."

"You had to get me out of there," Seren argued. "If you were on the run, the first person they would come to would be me."

"You know, they might have left you alone if I hadn't taken you out of the hospital. Same with Natasha." Steve began to gently dab the rag on her arms. He was extra cautious when he came over the cuts.

"And you think that I'd let you leave without me?" Seren raised an eyebrow at him. "I left you 2 years ago and it didn't exactly work out for me. Besides, they might've killed me on the spot. I was already weak and if they've been wanting to cut off potential threats, don't you think Stardust would be on that list?"

"You're one of their strongest assets. They would be idiots to want to get rid of you. They are." He heard her soft shudder when he moved the rag down her stomach. "Sorry," he mumbled to her.

"It's okay," Seren promised him. "And they might as well let them come against me."

"Don't say that, please." He was extra careful around her neck, making sure he didn't apply any pressure to her birthmark.

"Why? It's the truth. If they're coming for me because I aligned myself with you, then they can," Seren shrugged. "Because I'll always be on your side." She closed her eyes as he moved the rag to her face. "No matter what." With her eyes closed, she missed the tender look Steve was giving her. He absolutely adored her and her unwavering loyalty to him.

He finished cleaning her up in a few more minutes and helped her put her shirt back on. He wanted her to wear her jacket but she insisted that she was fine without it now.

"Thank you, lovey," Seren patted her cleaned cheeks. "It does feel nice looking more like myself now."

"Least I can do after everything..." Steve said, leaving the rag beside her on the counter.

"Thanks for pulling me out of that rubble too," Seren said when she remembered the fact.

"After putting you in it?"

She playfully rolled her eyes at him. "Thank you," she reiterated, leaving no room for further discussion about it. She leaned forward to capture his lips in a short kiss. "Now it's your turn," she murmured against his lips.

"My turn?" Steve repeated, confused.

Seren nodded. She grabbed the rag and dropped it into the sink and reached for the faucet to turn it on. "You've been suffering as much as we have. It's my turn to help you." She let the rag rinse out and then turned the water off and squeezed the rag of any excess. She then looked at Steve in front of her and waved a finger at him. "Jacket off, please."

"What?"

"What, you want me to be more blunt?" Seren raised an eyebrow at him then started to smirk. "Take your shirt off, now."

Despite rolling his eyes at her, she saw the faint blush on his face. She wasn't at all shy to help him out and laughed as his blush only grew stronger. He was left in a tank top and she doubted that she would be able to convince him of anything else. "Have I ever said I love your arms?"

"That...hasn't come up…" he cleared his throat, making

"Well, now it has," she looked at him from under her big eyelashes. "That make you uncomfortable?"

"No," he answered honestly. Her smile made it so that everything around him was just that: comfortable. He spent the next minute or so looking at her while she rubbed the dirt off his skin.

"Steve, how are you?" She eventually asked. She expected his confusion again; it was very like him to avoid his own pain for the sake of helping others. "You let me talk and cry all I wanted. Let me do the same for you. How are you?"

"Well," he bobbed his head slightly, "I won't lie, it hasn't been one of my best days."

She snorted. "Okay. Let's try not to be funny right now. You never trusted S.H.I.E.L.D. to begin with...and now it looks like you were right not to."

"It wasn't that I didn't trust everyone, I just didn't always agree with them," he paused, "And to be honest, I don't really know what I would've done if I hadn't joined anyways. It's all I know."

"You could've been whatever you wanted to be, still can. I know our world hasn't been kind to you — it made you feel like you had to die so we could be safe — and I'm so sorry."

Steve shook his head and grabbed her wrist holding the rag. "Seren, you don't have to apologize."

"Someone has to," Seren said simply. She slid her wrist out of his grip and continued to clean him up. "You thought that you had to let yourself die to finally put an end to HYDRA and keep everyone safe. I can't even imagine what that must have felt like learning the truth. I'm sorry, lovey. I really am. I'd do anything to change the truth for you."

It was oddly easy to smile at that moment. There were many feelings that Steve couldn't work through but when he looked at Seren, whose usual sparkly features were currently grim for him. She cared for him to the point she would take on guilt for something that happened to him and yet had nothing to do with her...and she would willingly change his past for his sake.

"I wish I had better words for you," Seren sighed. "Sometimes I'm more alien than human."

Steve ducked his head to catch her lips. "I think you're doing just fine," he whispered. He passed a hand through her hair, matching her smile with his own.

"You can tell me exactly how you're feeling," Seren said. "Because with everything...you have to be feeling something. Visiting the base where you first started out...and then getting bombed in it?"

"I..." Steve let out a big breath. He had not allowed himself to think about that stuff. "I'm...I'm not really used to talking about it. I think the only person I ever talked about it with was you." Even before he started looking at Seren in a different way, she had weaved herself into his life in the most important ways. She had a touch about her that just made him feel so comfortable and secure.

"I know," Seren nodded. "So, I'm here. And I'm done." She tossed the rag back to the sink. She grabbed his shirt and handed it to him.

"It hasn't...it hasn't been just about this," Steve admitted as he slipped his shirt back on. "My missions in the past...sometimes I feel like I'm not here but back in the war. The bomb that went off...it reminded me of the first time I heard one was going to go off. It was fake — a test — and I was the only one out of the whole group who jumped on it to keep it from hurting anyone else."

"Mm," Seren hummed. She could see that perfectly in her head. "And fast forward to today, or last night, where you protected people from it."

"I'd do it again," Steve said, making her chuckle.

"Oh, I know. I think that's why HYDRA is so damn scared of you. Because you won't quit."

"I won't," said Steve adamantly. "They got away from me the first time and it cost me everything. I'm not going to let them do it again."

Seren cupped his face and promised him that she would help him however she could. "It'll be different this time."

"It will," he agreed, taking her hands into his, "Because I have my lucky star with me. My shining star." And he would place all his faith in that because it was truly what kept him standing in these moments.

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gaykarstaagforever · 2 years

Text

"She-Hulk is the dumbest thing on Disney+."

Edit: Okay so I stand by calling this dumb. But now that I've watched it...

There are so many weird and confusing decisions mixed together here, strapped into a made-for-8-year-olds straight jacket, that...it's kind of amazing?

Let's be clear: this isn't an ironically funny movie. This isn't Neil Breen in a fake beard he thinks looks fine. This is a Disney-branded property of the baseline average corporate product variety. Professional people made this and it is acceptable. The worst thing about it is how edgeless and predictably dull most of it is, just like all the other new Disney / Marvel / Star Wars stuff. It is branded as a Disney Channel Orginal Movie, and it is exactly what those are and have always been, for good and ill.

And yet...

The premise is so bizarre and complicated, and it feels so much like someone trying to get away with something subversive, that it is compelling. There is something going on here, or there was, before someone stopped it. I don't know. This is a dumb mess of confused allegories and pop-trend references and weird callbacks to stuff only people my age (effin' 40) would understand or appreciate. Like some angry off-off-off Broadway playwright who came of age in the late 90s wrote a joke script to pitch to Disney, and someone whose mom used to work for Kathleen Kennedy stole it and got a meeting with Reena Singh. And she greenlit it, so long as it was a hip-hop musical.

This is Edward Scissorhands, if there were a race of him and Wynona Ryder was a blonde cheerleader. This is the movie adaptation of the children's book adaptaion of Romero's Day of the Dead. This is the G-rated musical version of the 2005 video game Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse, a game filled with gore and sex references, made in the original Halo engine by ex-Bungie employees as an eff-you to Microsoft after they bought the studio. A game so old and unsuccessful I might be the only person who remembers it, and the fact that it released with an album of the game music, which was big indie bands covering 50s / early 60s rock 'n' roll hits.

This children's musical by Disney is suspiciously similar in its abstract plot to that game. Like...really suspiciously. And as I recall, that game was already based on the premise, "What if Walt Disney had built his original vision of EPCOT - a utopian 1950s futurist planned community for his workers, powered by chrome pneumatic tubes and robots - but then zombies attacked it?"

Disney turned THAT into a musical. A High School Musical, specifically. And the zombies only eat cauliflower now. And all look like bad Jared Leto Joker cosplay.

I don't think this is good. I don't even know if I like it. But it is certainly more entertaining than the tired shrugging that is most everything else The House of Mouse drops now.

If only they had used the music from the original game. Seriously. Go find that album. Good stuff.

#disney+#zombies #movie review #rant

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tehuti88-art · 2 years

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7/8/22: r/SketchDaily theme, "Bad Haircut/Free Draw Friday." (I did Free Draw Friday.)

This week's character from my anthro WWII series is Eva Heidenreich. She's not even a week old!--but has already started developing quite a complicated history/personality. She's the wife of Standartenführer (Colonel) Rupprecht Heidenreich, another newish character. The two have a very complicated marriage which alternates between grudging admiration and downright hatred. She might look sweet and kind, and she often presents herself that way, but she's shaping up to be one of the story's more evil characters.

Regarding her design, she's supposed to be a blond Hovawart, a kind of German dog breed that strongly resembles a golden retriever. Initially she had twin braids but I changed it to one as another character has that hairstyle already and this looks a bit more mature. I imagine she can wear it in other fashions but I had some difficulty finding photos of the sort of braided hairstyles I was imagining, just think of traditional German women and you probably get the picture. There'll be more about her later in my art Tumblr and Toyhou.se.

TUMBLR EDIT: Whoo boy! Not even a week old and already she's raring to go! I admit, most of Eva's history is unknown so far and what I've got is mostly regarding how she relates to her husband Rupprecht Heidenreich, himself a pretty new character, but WOW did it just start gushing out once she was created. So let's get started, it's not a pretty picture.

I last mentioned Col. Heidenreich in the Hedy Rader entry, somewhat in passing. He's very VERY loosely modeled after Reinhard Heydrich, who was just a piece of garbage, let's get that out of the way. You know that an important part of the Holocaust was referred to as Operation Reinhard? He's the reason why. So yeah, garbage.

My very loose version of him (hence the vaguely similar name) (just ignore my camp commandant, Hasso Reinhardt) isn't meant to be a stand-in the way my version of Dr. Mengele is. This means there could very well be an actual Reinhard Heydrich somewhere in this fictional universe, he just never appears or is referred to by name. (Notice most of the heavy hitters are never referred to anywhere?--no Himmler, no Goebbels, no Göring, no Eichmann, not even Hitler? I think later in the story a fictionalized but nameless version of Himmler briefly appears out of necessity, and the characters do refer to the Führer, but no names are dropped. These people MIGHT exist here but they're never going to enter the story in any more meaningful fashion because this is an alternate reality and I don't want it to be exactly the same. (Mengele had to appear, as the Angel of Death appeared, and that's him. I mean that couldn't be anyone else but him. *shrugs*) So here we have a weird conundrum where there might be a Heydrich but there's also Heidenreich who's sorta based on Heydrich. Confused yet? You can just forget all that and we can move on, I'm not sure why I brought it up.

Along with the alternate reality comes a more simplified version of things, such as the SS. Mainly because I'm too dumb to understand all the fine details of this sort of stuff. I'm reading a book about it right now but cripes it's complicated. Heydrich, the real guy, seemed heavily involved in intelligence and security, so that's what Heidenreich, the fictional guy, is into. Now that I've discovered Lt. Gunter Hesse's exact role in the Allgemeine-SS is that of, well, basically a rat who, alongside investigations of regular German citizens, also investigates other SS members themselves, that means he must be involved in intelligence gathering somehow, and the basic security of the organization, meaning his boss would be in charge of that. The new nameless character of his boss began to appear in my head. I'd recently read a fun fact about Heydrich, the real guy, in that he had a weird goatlike voice that people made fun of. That was just such a strange random detail I had to use it; Heidenreich's first outstanding trait when he enters the story is this ridiculous staccato "AAAA-AAAA-AAAA-AAAA" laugh he lets out. I mean, just picture this intimidating SS guy letting out this stupid laugh. Go take a look for photos of Reinhard Heydrich, this very Nazi-looking Nazi guy, and imagine him laughing like a freaking goat. Go on, I'll wait. Okay, back to the entry. Heidenreich's initial appearances in the story are pretty trivial and goofy, I already went over the incident with him gifting Hesse an electric typewriter and a new secretary. He doesn't come across as particularly ominous. That stuff comes later in the story. I intend to try to draw his portrait soon so I should really wait till then to pour this out but he and his wife are inextricably linked, so I may just go over it here instead, sorry.

Hesse's introduction to the Allgemeine-SS is pretty awkward. Initially he serves in the Waffen-SS, until an injury forces him out. Prior to that, however, his commanding officer, Vincenz Immerwahr, made a move on him; Hesse refused, Immerwahr backed off, that was it. Hesse is kind of a bigoted, homophobic a-hole, though, so he reports Immerwahr to the Allgemeine-SS, the branch that investigates breaches of conduct like this. Except the Allgemeine-SS replies that, sorry, they won't be charging Immerwahr with anything, because he's Somebody Important. Hesse is basically told to shut up. This not only humiliates Hesse, since he still has to serve with Immerwahr, but disillusions him as well, since he'd had such high hopes for the Schutzstaffel and its concept of "honor." He starts learning really fast that honor only goes so far and the SS is just as corrupt as anything else around him.

Well, he gets injured, ends up in the hospital. Another rather new character, Capt. Erich Arzt, a Waffen-SS physician (fun fact, "Arzt" is German for "doctor," so yep, this guy is really named Doctor Doctor), tends to him and suggests he transfer to the Allgemeine-SS if he wishes to stay with them, since he's no longer fit to serve in the (para)military. This would be a great idea, if Hesse hadn't just had his humiliating experience with the Allgemeine-SS, plus, if he didn't require a recommendation from his commanding officer. ;_; He requests one anyway. And wonder of wonders, Immerwahr provides one. Turns out the general doesn't hold grudges, he knows his job was never in any real danger, and he finds Hesse's audacity amusing. Seriously, the guy just tried reporting HIM to the Allgemeine-SS, wouldn't he be the perfect candidate?

Hesse gets in, and gets a new office and a new boss, Col. Heidenreich. Heidenreich pays him a visit and after a while belatedly realizes who he is, getting excited: "You're the one! The one who reported Kamerad Immerwahr! Oh my, the B*LLS on you!" Hesse, perplexed, replies that Heidenreich refused to follow through with the investigation. "So?" Heidenreich exclaims. "The fact that you even reported him in the first place! The SS needs more men like you!" So, yeah, Hesse is beyond confused by all this, but work is work, so he settles in.

Eva Heidenreich appears at some point as the seemingly good, dutiful wife of the colonel. The two are the envy of the rest of the Schutzstaffel and many of the other citizens as well; both of them are tall, blue-eyed, blond-haired, fit, stereotypical Aryans, the model couple everyone would like to emulate. Adelina Dobermann, especially, when she first meets Eva, is in awe of how beautiful and graceful she is. The Heidenreichs live in a great estate similar to the Dobermanns' except even bigger and better maintained, since Heidenreich makes good money in his position; his family has bred prized horses for generations, they have a nice large help staff, there's good hunting in the woods and fields surrounding. All that nice nifty stuff that comes with being a good wealthy Nazi, I guess.

Addy Dobermann is quite a sheltered sort, and she finds the SS terribly glamorous and Eva with her storm blue eyes and long golden braid especially so, so when several of them get invited to a gathering at the Heidenreich estate, she's ecstatic. Lt. Senta Werner (an odd character I really need to get around to someday, she was created before I realized the Third Reich didn't like female soldiers, so her character needs some explaining) and Addy are invited by Eva herself to go on a "girls' outing" to shoot clay pigeons; Senta's not too thrilled but she goes along since gun go pow-pow and if something gives her an excuse to show off, she'll do it. Then Private Konrad Helmstadt, who's definitely not a girl, goes along because somebody has to keep an eye on Addy (to her chagrin). Addy's never used a gun before, so Eva shows her how, and they take turns shooting the pigeons. Eva and Senta do excellently, of course. After a while Eva gets to talking to Addy, remarking that she looks nothing like her father, but almost exactly like photos she's seen of her (presumably deceased) mother. "Her long raven hair, her burning chestnut eyes," she says, running a lock of Addy's hair through her fingers. "Very un-Aryan." By now Addy feels a bit nervous about this odd attention, when Eva says, "I once met another woman who looked much like your mother." "Once?" Addy says. "What happened to her?" "I wasn't there to see it for myself," Eva replies, "but from what I was told, they cut off her long raven hair..." twirling Addy's hair between her fingers again, her voice dropping nearly to a whisper, a glint coming to her eyes "...and shoved her in the gas chamber."

O_O; That's basically Addy's reaction. Senta then cuts in with, "You know you talk too much, rickety witch?" Eva turns her attention to her: "So you have an opinion on the matter?--girl who plays soldier like a boy?" When Senta says, "I'm not scared of you, you old hag," Eva smiles and quietly replies, "Really?...you should be."

Then Helmstadt, who was a bit off to the side and presumably didn't hear any of this exchange, announces it's time for them to head back home, and they return to Heidenreich's manor. Back in everyone else's company, Eva is all sunshine and pleasantness again and she tells Addy she had a good time, they should get together again soon. Addy nervously says sure, that'd be nice. As she walks quickly away Helmstadt mutters, "You're not serious, are you?" to which Addy responds, "Nein."

So here, Eva Heidenreich's carefully cultivated kindly exterior (intentionally) slips just enough for even the naive Addy to get a glimpse of what truly lies beneath. She doesn't know it yet, but there's an additional aspect of threat in the older woman's words: Addy's mother, Inga, was actually Jewish, a fact of which most of the characters are so far unaware, though Eva obviously suspects. Later, when Col. Heidenreich stops by the Dobermann estate to talk with Hesse, he offers Addy an apology on behalf of his wife: "She has an...odd sense of humor," he explains. He speaks in the exact same saccharine manner and has the exact same fakey-fake smile Eva had, so Addy takes the "apology" with a big grain of salt; she's starting to learn that when it comes to the SS, at least, all the glamor and chivalry just helps to cover up the true ugliness underneath.

(Addy confronts Hesse not long after the incident with Eva, demanding to know, "Do Mama and I look like Jews?" Hesse nearly drops what he's doing and exclaims, "Why would you ask that??" Uh, dude, you practically raised her, so, YOU'RE the reason she asks that. This is one of the rare occasions Hesse gets to see the effect his own beliefs have had on the impressionable Addy, and it dismays him; he really hadn't intended his ugly thoughts to rub off on her.)

Anyway, as this incident makes clear, Eva isn't quite the soft, kind, obedient SS wife she presents herself as in public. She and her husband Rupprecht are actually two peas in a pod when it comes to malice and spite...and ironically, this is one of the reasons their marriage isn't quite the fairytale it appears to be, either. When they get along, they really get along...but most of the time, they freaking hate each other. It didn't start out entirely like that; Eva's history with Rupprecht has started abruptly spilling out with an adult scene I'm writing, and at least in the beginning, she did love him...sorta. Eva's mother was quite practical, and advised her, when she was still a teen, that you don't marry for love, you marry for influence, and to get your voice heard. As a woman in the Third Reich, Eva knows if she ever wants to have any power, she'll need to ride the coattails of a powerful man, and the powerful man she chooses is Col. Heidenreich, the chief of intelligence for the Allgemeine-SS. After a whirlwind courtship, the SS approves their marriage. Good SS wives are expected to bear as many children as possible, at least four...but after a miscarriage, Eva quickly learns this isn't a possibility for her. It's a crushing blow, and she offers Heidenreich the option of divorce; he scoffs at this, asking why would he toss away their marriage over one little thing? (Eva's mother had once given her similar advice, only presumably in regards to being cheated on.) Eva inquires then what exactly it is he's looking for in a wife, and he replies, "Someone who makes me look good."

Eva realizes the two of them are on the same page, and she won't have to ride her husband's coattails when she can just walk beside him.

Being on the same page, however, doesn't mean love, and doesn't mean perfect accord. In fact, their similar natures are often the cause of conflict. Another thing Eva quickly learns is that Heidenreich didn't marry for love, either--I mean he even outright admitted it--but it still stings when she comes across direct proof that her husband is being unfaithful with their help staff (one of the maids gets pregnant). She forces herself to cool her head, then confronts him, saying she'd prefer if they're honest with each other. He admits to it--obviously unashamed. Eva reasons that at least this is an arrangement that was ongoing before she arrived so it's not like it's anything personal; plus, as he tells her, SHE'S the one he married, not their maid. You don't marry for love, after all; you marry for influence, and that's exactly what Eva has gotten out of the deal. Other members of the SS, and their wives, look up to her with admiration, envy, and fear, and her husband even seeks her advice on certain matters, something not typically done. Some of his decisions and actions, including those undertaken in his role as SS chief of intelligence, are heavily influenced by her input; for Eva is just as cold blooded and ruthless as he is, maybe even more so, and has no qualms regarding genocide and mass murder. She looks kind and gentle yet is anything but.

One incident that illustrates this was inspired by a story I read recently about the wife of an SS officer who encountered a couple of escaped boy prisoners, weak and famished; she took them in and comforted and fed them...then lined them up and shot them. Said that they didn't even attempt to escape as she did so since they were so exhausted; they just whimpered. In my version of events, while hunting, Eva encounters a young escaped boy on their property, and brings him back to the house, cooing and comforting him and offering him stew and bread. As he sits at the table and gratefully scarfs down the food, Eva points a gun at the back of his head. Heidenreich returns home to find a dead boy and asks what happened. His wife replies that she found him trespassing on their property, harking back to Heidenreich's own comments when the two of them decided to be honest with each other--Eva had asked if he were engaged in any scandalous behavior, such as an affair with any Jewish staff, at which he'd angrily retorted that if any Jews set foot on his land, they'd be shot. The calculated murder of this boy proves that Eva can play just as dirty as her husband does, and she wants him to know it.

These two might be sadistic peas in a pod...but two sadists can easily cancel each other out. Over time, despite Eva's mother's advice and her own best intentions not to take things personally, Heidenreich's actions start to wear on her, and she gradually grows resentful. I have yet to determine what exactly begins this process or what is the straw that breaks the camel's back, but it might be Mitzi. Mitzi (no last name yet, if ever) is a singer and hostess at the Mesmer Club, the same nightclub where Lt. Hesse's mistress, Sophie Sommer, works; Sophie and Mitzi are good friends. The Mesmer Club is a well-known gathering place for SS officers, and they frequently take advantage of the hostesses' good graces. Sophie eventually drops her various involvements to remain faithful to Hesse, but Mitzi has no such close connection, and still plays the field, so to speak, in the hopes of one day finding her own "knight in black armor." (Sophie's and Mitzi's romantic ideals are a direct counterpoint to Eva's much more practical, transactional view of relationships.) Col. Heidenreich is one of the few SS characters who DON'T frequent the club that often (too busy, I guess), but when he does pay it a visit, Mitzi promptly catches his eye. This is a bit odd, as Sophie is usually the one to draw attention, taller, blue-eyed, blond-haired, Aryan Sophie; not the shorter, brown-eyed, brown-haired, decidedly un-Aryan Mitzi. Mitzi is usually the hostess the men pay attention to AFTER they realize Sophie's now off limits. She's not ugly, but she's definitely not the typical Germanic beauty that Sophie is. Still, she's the one Heidenreich focuses on. He flirts with her when she stops by his table, and, knowing the perks that could come with being friendly with a colonel, she flirts back. After the night's entertainment is over, she invites him back to her room, and he accepts. Before they can get very far, she decides to inform him she's "Mischling"--half Jewish. "If that sort of thing bothers you," she says. "Bother?" Heidenreich replies. "That makes it more exciting."

So, nope--Heidenreich might want to shoot any Jews who step on his property, but he has no problem with this particular pastime.

Eva, of course, finds out. And (if this is in fact the precipitating incident) she boils over with rage. No, she doesn't throw a screaming fit, doesn't even confront her husband--her mother taught her better. She willingly overlooked her husband's numerous affairs with the staff and his secretaries and possibly with other SS members' wives, but this, this is unforgivable, especially for the chief of SS intelligence. She starts having affairs of her own. She isn't subtle about it, either, hoping to elicit a response, to embarrass him, anything; but they're two peas in a pod. Heidenreich isn't terribly thrilled by this turn of events, but he recognizes he isn't in any real position to be jealous or angry, plus, that's just not his style. He'd rather she were more discreet but aside from that he doesn't care too much. Realizing that plan failed, Eva steps up her game, and begins targeting SS officials, especially influential ones, and those her husband knows. To her chagrin, many of them refuse to reciprocate, mostly out of fear of her husband. (General Immerwahr turns her down for a completely different reason.) She attempts to seduce Lt. Hesse, whom Heidenreich has praised for his loyalty to SS ideals, and of course he rejects her, because unlike the Heidenreichs, he actually believes in love and honor and all that jazz. "You look afraid," Eva says after he turns her down. "You think I'll blackmail you?" She gives a small bitter laugh and says, "Don't worry, Herr Hesse, that isn't my thing. Besides, you did nothing wrong. I think you're the one who could blackmail me." "That isn't my thing," Hesse replies, and leaves it at that. Eva tells him the SS could use more men like him--echoes of her husband's own words when Hesse first joined the Allgemeine-SS--and moves on to greener pastures. (For his part, Hesse just feels even more disillusioned. Good thing he's one of the few people who don't know Mitzi is half Jewish.)

The Heidenreichs attend a swanky gathering at Immerwahr's place. Eva gets tired of hanging on her husband's arm and tells him she's going to step out on the balcony for a bit; he kisses her cheek and she goes. She shoves the doors open abruptly and sweeps out onto the balcony, grasping onto the railing and taking several deep breaths to steady herself; she's been simmering with hatred all day since the previous night was an unpleasant one. (Let's just say Heidenreich didn't take no for an answer.) Then she just kind of slumps there, defeated. And then stiffens when she hears the sound of liquid pouring. Turning, she sees that she isn't alone--a Waffen-SS officer is seated just beside the doors (thus why she didn't see him when she stormed out), pouring a glass of wine from a bottle. When he starts filling a second glass, she approaches; he holds it up to her, saying, "You look like you need it." Eva accepts the glass and sits down to join him. This is how she meets Dr. Erich Arzt.

(Remember Dr. Arzt? The SS captain who helped Hesse get his job in the Allgemeine-SS after he was wounded? "Doctor Doctor"? Yep, that Dr. Arzt. Small world.)

Surprise surprise, Arzt is also cold blooded, ruthless, and sadistic--two peas in a pod. The two chat a little bit, about nothing serious; after a while Arzt says she should get going back inside before her husband misses her, at which Eva smiles bitterly, takes a swig of wine, and claims he won't miss her at all. After a moment or so of silence, Arzt mentions that Immerwahr has a decent collection of ancient art, and he keeps it locked away in a nice secluded room elsewhere in the mansion. The key is under a vase near the door. Eva peers at him before venturing, "I think I'd like to see that." Arzt gives her directions to the room, then resumes sipping on his drink. Eva returns to the party, tells her husband she's going to go take a look at Immerwahr's collection, tells him he doesn't need to come along since she knows he's not interested in such things, and excuses herself. "Enjoy yourself," Heidenreich calls out as she leaves, hinting that he knows what she's up to, but she doesn't let it deter her. She finds the room and lets herself in, browsing around the art collection until Arzt shows up. And yep, exactly the expected thing happens. A bit later Eva returns to the party and heads home with hubby, in a better mood than before, since now she has her opening, a means to achieve what she's looking for.

Eva carries on with Arzt for a while, managing to meet with him here and there. They both know it's nothing serious and that's fine. One day she finally says to him, "I wish my husband were dead." Arzt spends a few moments making sure she means what she says and isn't just expressing a passing feeling, but she's damn sure of it by now; she loved him once, she thinks, but not anymore, not for quite a while. Arzt then makes sure she realizes how much she has to lose with him gone, and by now, she doesn't care about that, either: "I go to sleep beside him at night, I wake up beside him in the morning, and all I can think is how much I want him gone. None of this is worth it anymore." She asks Arzt if, being a doctor, he knows anything about poisons. He does, but he says that's not what she wants to do--"That'll be the first thing they look for." He suggests an explosive device instead, made to look like it was sent by the Diamond Network, an underground resistance movement led by Josef Diamant, an escaped prisoner who uses his jeweler's skills to design intricate clockwork bombs he sends to various Nazi/SS gathering places. The Diamond Network is the perfect scapegoat, being already considered a terrorist organization by the SS, which will take all the focus off Eva. They have to carefully coordinate their efforts to pull it off convincingly, though, and he advises her to take a bit of time to get used to the idea. In the meantime, he'll get started on the bomb. Eva returns to her husband again and coaxes him into taking her on a long weekend trip to a place they visited earlier in their marriage when things were better. Heidenreich is puzzled by her change in mood, but he agrees, and for the weekend it's almost like old times. It doesn't even occur to him that this will be their last outing together.

One day, a package arrives at the Heidenreich estate. The guards are fully aware of the Diamond Network's activities, and they take a few moments to carefully open and inspect the package. It's reminiscent of the sort of gadgets the Network sends out, but nothing happens when they look it over, handling it and looking inside it and everything. No motion-activated device, no apparent timer. It's either not a bomb after all, or it's a dud. Eva stands by and watches, anxiously asking a few times if they're sure it's harmless; they assure her it is, so she takes the package to her husband's personal office and hands it off to him, then leaves to go do something else. Heidenreich opens the box and within finds a statue of a horse with clockwork innards. Delighted, he looks it over, turning it this way and that, before popping open the clear door housing the gears within, to see what it might do. What it does is immediately start ticking--Heidenreich has enough time to widen his eyes in understanding before his entire office explodes.

Lt. Hesse receives a call at his office about an incident at his boss's estate, and hurries out to see what's going on. Eva is wailing uncontrollably while several officers try to calm her down; another warns Hesse about the state of Heidenreich's office. Hesse looks inside...at what remains of the desk...then the walls...then the ceiling. Then steps out, face pale, and instructs the others to rope off the office and let nobody enter it until they're ready to collect evidence. He goes to Eva, who's quieted down somewhat by now; she describes the package, and angrily mentions that the guards had insisted it was safe. The guards stick to their story and are just as confused as anyone why the bomb didn't activate while they were handling it. Hesse says he'll lead the investigation and find out who was responsible; Eva gets a strange wistful look, asking if he means it, and he promises.

News of Col. Heidenreich's assassination spreads quickly, and since it looks like the Diamond Network is to blame, the SS doubles down on their efforts to flush out members. Observing all this is Sgt. Stephen Gerhardt, a Wehrmacht officer who's been staying with the Dobermanns...but he's not who anyone thinks he is. He's actually Jewish, and American, and a spy. And in touch with the Diamond Network. He contacts Josef Diamant to ask about the assassination, but Diamant is adamant that his group had nothing to do with it--they don't target personal residences for bombings, and in fact when they do send bombs, they try to minimize the loss of human life. Not only was there far too much risk to innocent parties in sending a bomb to Heidenreich's estate, but Heidenreich himself is such a high-profile target that Diamant would never approve an attempt on his life, knowing what the consequences would be. (Google what happened after Reinhard Heydrich's death. Here my version of things is very tame.) He tells Gerhardt to get him information on what was used to make the bomb, and he can prove it wasn't him. This is easier said than done, but Gerhardt manages; he's also in contact with Hesse, who often stays at the Dobermann estate, and so is able to get an idea of the makeup of the device. Diamant admits it was obviously constructed to resemble his work, but was bigger and more clumsily made compared to his skills--whoever made it wasn't a jeweler or watchmaker. The most perplexing thing is how it was activated--it had been inspected, with no evidence of any motion-detecting trigger or timer. Diamant says the only explanation is that somebody rigged it to be activated AFTER the guards dealt with it. Gerhardt presents this information to Hesse (as if it's his own theory); Hesse rejects it at first, as the only person who handled the bomb after the guards was Heidenreich himself. He attempts to confirm this, only for one of the guards to remember that he actually handed the package off to Eva, and she was the one who took it to Heidenreich's office.

His heart sinking, Hesse gathers a team of officers and goes to see Eva. When he arrives, she gets that wistful look again and says, "Well...you do keep your promises." She's brought to SS headquarters for questioning, where she isn't terribly cooperative at first, until Hesse makes it clear they know she's responsible, but that she couldn't have acted alone. She refuses to implicate anyone else, claiming full responsibility and frustrating Hesse. He wants to know why she did it. Eva grows more and more bitter as she explains how hard she had to work to get where she is, depending on her husband's good graces the entire way, yet how little all that work meant in the end, when he couldn't simply respect her. "You could have divorced him," Hesse says, confused. "And give up everything?" Eva snaps. "Everything I worked for! Everything I sacrificed for, while he had everything handed to him, just because he's a man. Maybe you don't know but this is just how it is for us, Herr Hesse, we do all this work to get so far and it can disappear in an instant because some man simply decided so. He doesn't need a reason. Why do I need a reason? He was an a**hole, and I hated him. There's your reason." She softens long enough to tell Hesse that her husband was right about one thing, at least--he was wise in placing so much trust in Hesse to try rooting out the corruption rampant within the SS, even if Heidenreich himself was part of it. "He respected you highly," she says; "if only he'd respected me just a fraction as much."

Eva waives her right to a trial--"Be judged, by a bunch of men? You and I both know the outcome"--and of course the punishment is death. When further questioning results in no more information, the time and date are set, and a gallows is set up out front the gate of the labor camp, the words ARBEIT MACHT FREI visible over and behind Eva's head. A great crowd, including many members of the SS, gathers to watch. The noose is placed around Eva's neck and she's asked whether she has anything she'd like to say. Eva casts a look at the crowd and says, "My husband..." before her voice cracks and her eyes glisten with tears; everyone waits, silent. Eva blinks, the tears disappear, and a hard look comes to her face; "My husband was an a**hole," she says, "and anyone here would have done the exact same." The crowd ripples with dismay.

Eva snaps, "Leave it!" when they attempt to place the hood over her head; "I want everyone to see." And she casts a pointed look at Lt. Hesse, standing before the gallows. The trapdoor is released and Eva drops, kicking a few times before falling still. (Some members of the Dobermann household are present; Addy abruptly turns away, and her father instructs one of their Wehrmacht guards to take her home.) An SS officer asks what's to be done with Eva's body. "Shove her in the oven for all I care," snaps the head of the SS (very sour that it's a jilted SS wife, and not the Diamond Network, behind all this drama). The Totenkopfverbände guards standing outside the camp gate cast each other uneasy looks. They really don't want to shove Eva in their crematorium.

(There's another small bit of irony in the spectacle of Eva's death. Recall that she'd once questioned whether her husband was engaged in any overly scandalous behavior that might come back to haunt them. He was (after he got involved with Mitzi), but in the end, Eva's own behavior was what caused one of the most horrific scandals the SS had known.)

The Allgemeine-SS is left without an intelligence chief. Hesse is offered the position, along with a promotion; Eva herself had recommended him for the role. He turns it down, surprised to find himself finally growing weary of the job and the organization he'd once placed so much faith in. He does agree to temporarily head the Allgemeine-SS office as lieutenant until a suitable replacement is found. This includes wrapping up the investigation into Col. Heidenreich's murder, as he's positive Eva didn't act alone, but he has no idea who could have helped her. Another SS officer assisting in the case (this guy, a lieutenant, will likely be getting a name and becoming yet another important new character soon, for obvious reasons) comes to him with further information regarding the evidence collected at the crime scene; watch gears were used in the bomb, and a fragment of one has been traced back to a custom pocket watch of which only one was ever made, according to the watchmaker's records. That watch was personalized for a member of the Waffen-SS. Hesse looks at the report and says in dismay, "I know him."

He and his team head to Gen. Immerwahr's estate. Here they find Immerwahr relaxing and having drinks and smokes with a couple of friends, fellow Waffen-SS officers Capt. Oskar Ettlinger and Dr. Erich Arzt. Immerwahr is surprised by Hesse's visit since he doesn't fraternize much; Hesse replies he's there for work-related business, and says they've tracked down another party involved in Heidenreich's death. Everyone just looks at him quizzically. As soon as he mentions the unique personalized watch, however, Dr. Arzt pushes back his chair and stands, presenting his wrists. (Earlier in the story when someone had asked the time, Arzt had mentioned "misplacing" his pocket watch some time before.) Immerwahr and Ettlinger appear genuinely shocked; when the increasingly cynical Hesse says, "You honestly didn't know?" Immerwahr quietly replies, "I had no idea." Arzt freely confesses, explaining that Heidenreich had mistreated his wife, but the disrespect was the worst of it; she'd sought his help, and he'd provided it. No one else was involved. As they take him into custody, he mentions Trudi, the young woman who lives with him, requesting that they not "molest" her while searching his house since she wasn't involved, and giving them the combination to his safe. They head out to the car to go to his house, but along the way, Arzt starts choking and seizing; they pull off the road and place him on the ground, now bleeding and foaming at the mouth. "Cyanide," the other lieutenant theorizes. All they can do is watch helplessly until his breath rattles and he falls still. Hesse, enraged, throws an uncharacteristic fit, cursing and even kicking Arzt before having him placed back in the car. There's nothing more to be done than to search his house as planned.

Gertraud "Trudi" Detzer, a young woman Arzt previously claimed is staying with him while he treats her for a "medical condition," lets the SS officers into Arzt's house. (In actuality, Trudi is trans, and lesbian. She was born male but is intersex and can pass as female, which she prefers. Arzt discovered this and agreed to keep her secret, meaning keeping her safe from the rest of the SS, if she stayed with him as a sort of "experiment." The entire thing is quite skeezy and only borderline consensual but Trudi decided to go along with it. And oh yeah, unknown to him, she's been working as a sort of double agent for the Diamond Network. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) She's quietly stunned to learn of his death, but leads them to his personal office, with the safe, when asked. Opening it, Hesse finds Arzt's will: He's left his house and his legal possessions to Trudi. She's even more stunned by this: "But--why? We weren't lovers. We weren't even friends. Why would he leave it to me?" Hesse doesn't know, all he knows is that after searching Arzt's residence, it's exactly as he claimed, there's no evidence anyone but Eva Heidenreich and himself were involved in the murder plot. The Diamond Network is cleared (though as a terrorist organization, that means little), and the case is closed. The SS moves on.

Well, the sign over the labor camp gate, above and behind Eva at her execution, was true at least this once. All that hard work she did set her free.

[Eva Heidenreich 2022 [‎Friday, ‎July ‎8, ‎2022, ‏‎5:28:19 AM]]

#artists on tumblr #ibisPaint x #SketchDaily #original characters

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yoosungshoodie · 7 years

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I'm sorry you were not truly loved and that it made you cruel.

#kissed by the baddest bidder #voltage inc #kbtbb #kbtbb eisuke #eisuke ichinomiya #otome #otomeedit #voltage otome #r makes things #this looks similar to my old edit but shrugs

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edytae · 2 years

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you’re mine (smut-mature) ft. Kim Taehyung x Reader

pairing: Taehyung x (female) reader summary: Taehyung is too scare to lose you so he follows an unhealthy advice

rating: 18+, smut, mature, do not interact if you are underage

genre/warnings: smut, some fluff, established relationship, !idoltae, secret relationship, there is some unhealthy view on women but it is nothing we are use to, unprotected sex (please stay safe), dom!taehyung but sub!taehyung too— it is complicated.... oral sex (m.recieving), sth between breeding kink-exhibitionism kink, some restriction but nothing serious, taehyung and y/n have loose mouths, jealousy sex?

word count: 11K

A/N2: I have two assignments due this Tuesdays but I promised for an update. So, here it is. I didn’t edit this. Enjoy my madness...

A/N2: This can be read own its own, but my other works are connected to each other by characters. If you like to check my other work: Sweet Welcoming , Norway and my masterlist. Take care and stay safe.

“You should have got her pregnant, man, then, you could be like me,” Sungho said after taking a shot of soju. He was already drunk along with Seokjin, Namjoon and others Taehyung couldn’t see now.

“Like you?” Woo-shik chuckled bitterly. “She has a boyfriend!” He playfully hit Sungho’s knee. As they got up and wrestle with each other drunkenly, Taehyung questioned why he was there in the first place. Sungho and Woo-shik were Seokjin’s old friends and have been close with the boys. Two of them used to be married, but now they were just drinking buddies for the BTS members.

“Yeah, just like me. Her boyfriend can eat my dick. She is my wife.” Sungho hiccuped. “She slept with me yesterday, just like the old days.” The older man said while pouring up another shot glass.

“You were the first one who cheated. Stop being a cry-baby.” Jimin uttered bitterly, he was annoyed how the two men spoke lowly about their old partners.

“No, Jimine, don’t be so sure. When you get a wife, you’ll understand.” Sungho drank his glass in one go. “Your wife can always leave you. But the mother of your children will never do that.” The words echoed in Taehyung’s head. Maybe because of a couple of soju he had. “Look, Haneul divorced me, but she has to be with me every single Sunday. She does everything for our son. And by that-'' The man hiccupped once again “-She will always be around me- She will never move on.” Sungho laughed disgustingly and Jimin didn’t answer the poor man.

“If you had have fucked a baby into her, she would still be around you.” Sungho winked at Woo-shik and down the remainders in the green bottle. Jimin huffed and got up. Meanwhile, the words keep getting repeated in his head, your wife can always leave you. But the mother of your children will never do that…

“So she has a boyfriend, huh?” Seokjin nodded his head, it was obvious that he was drunk too. Taehyung remembered Sungho’s wife—well, ex-wife, from a couple of pictures from Seokjin’s university life. She was a nice girl, he never knew what she found good in this man.

“Yeah, for now. She can have some toys- but she is my wife.” Sungho kept saying his mantra, she is my wife. Seokjin chucked, “She was hot.” His eyes were locked on the red carpet at the ground.

“She was. She is still fucking hot— now that she is a manager, she became even hotter. My wife…” Sungho agreed, eyes closed, hand clutching the bottle in front of him. “She still wears my ring. She says it is because people flirt with her- Hah- they always did. She was always so pretty, but mine to play with…”

Woo-shink sighed in a similar position, eyes closed holding a soju bottle, “I could never do that to her. She never wanted to be a mother.” He shrugged.

“Yeah, yeah, they always say that, and then, hop on to your dick and ride it to the sunset to get pregnant.” Sungho touched his wedding band, smirking, eyes still closed.

Yoongi scoffed from where he was sitting, “That’s right. You just gotta give them enough dick or else they start looking for one. You gotta simp them, make them feel in control, then fuck them into madness.” He slurred while closing his eyes. “Do you remember the bob cut?” He asked Jimin, and Jimin nodded. Then, Yoongi turned to Woo-shik and Sungho, “I had a girl six months ago. She was mental. Once, she destroyed everything in my bedroom because I was too busy working.” Taehyung had never seen the girl but heard a lot about it. “She would always complain and scream at me when I had to work. One day I let her do anything to me.” Yoongi scoffed, “She got on top of me and rode me for hours, crying about how good I was to her. For months, I let her do anything to me— not that she did anything other than riding me. Then, I fucked her like a bitch, she actually cried for more and she stuck along for months just because I gave her a nice dick. So, if you want your woman to stay by your side, you gotta serve her a good sex.”

Taehyung felt super uncomfortable talking about another woman’s sexual life, his stomach was filled with delicious food and a few shots of alcohol, but he felt nauseous thinking about his hyung having sex.

He also missed you a lot too. It was why he was upset. He preferred to spend his Thursday nights in your arms, but there he was, listening to a whiny man saying your wife can always leave you. But the mother of your children will never do that and another saying you gotta simp bro.

If he was with you, you would cuddle him in front of the large TV and keep kissing his face and neck. If he is lucky, you would wrestle with him a bit and land on his dick for the night. Date nights were Monday afternoons, but you were insatiable on Thursdays too

“Do you guys have any updates? We can’t continue listening to you guys’ amazing relationship tips.” Seokjin looked at the other guys.

“Tell that to my asshole,” Woo-shik groaned. “You will understand when the chick you are with runs away for a better dick and you- oh god-” Finally, he stopped talking and ran to the bathroom.

Taehyung thought about what Woo-shik said while he was throwing up in the bathroom. He was kinda right, wasn’t he?

There were always better dicks outside, even in his case, plenty of better dicks. Dicks that can take you out to dinner, dicks that could hold your hand outside, dicks that could enter the same car as you, dicks that you could tell your friends that he was your boyfriend. Taehyung couldn’t do anything normal with you. There was always a scare of getting caught. You would be very fitting if you left him for a better dick. But you couldn’t leave him if he fucked a baby into you… Right?

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Taehyung doubted massively whether this was normal. A clean house and getting you pregnant was literally giving him an erection equally. But yup, it was correct. As soon as he entered his large clean house, his chest was filled with domesticity followed by his dick filled with blood.

He looked around the open dining area, the kitchen counter was shining as the moonlight glazed over it, and the marble dining table was free of clutter, just decorated with a minimal runner and some plants.

The long grey linen curtains were closed tightly over another cotton curtain as this open window looked over to the busy road. A similar fabric was apparent somewhere else too. As always numerous jars of yoghurts were wrapped up in a blanket very similar to the linen curtains.

As Taehyung entered the open kitchen area, a pungent lemony smell lingered. It was probably the new surface cleaner you bought. Lemon for summer, pomegranate for winter.

Other than yoghurt jars, the countertop was clutter-free and spotless. No dishes were in sight that annoyingly asked for attention. The bins were emptied out, the diffuser was plugged in and most probably empty.

Taehyung made his way to the living room where he was granted the same cosy feeling. The humongous black couch was at its best version. Its pillows were fluffed, most probably a packet of lint roller was used to clean Yeontan’s fur. Did he mention that the couch smelt amazing?

Taehyung had a business meeting for the upcoming venture of HYBE, and later, he went drinking with his friends. He felt filthy. His clothes were sticking to layers of sweat and he was utterly tired. He didn’t have the energy to lift a finger and yet he was standing in your shared closet with a raging boner.

He entered the walk-in closet slowly, looking at the abundance of his clothes. His shelves were overflowing next to your side. You didn’t like having a lot of clutter, saying it occupied your mind heavily even if you have one pair of jeans that was rarely used. But that didn’t mean that your style was boring; quite the opposite, with colourful dresses, shirts and pants with many high heels, and tasteful pieces of jewellery, Taehyung enjoyed your style very much even though he looked too classic next to you. Your pink and red playful dresses always looked so adolescent next to his heavy Gucci outfits. Also, he loved how your style changed over time. As you become more mature, the flower prints slowly turn into plaids. But those cute short dresses that drove him crazy were still there, tucked in corners.

How would you look in maternity clothes, he couldn’t help but wonder. He would buy you all sorts of maternity clothes to make you feel comfortable in your changing body and worship your body.

Taehyung kept looking at your clothes on the shelves and cabinets. The clean fabric smell filled his nostrils. One of the cabinet doors was slightly opened. When he peeked inside, he realised that it was his blazer cabinet. One empty hanger was the indicator that you had taken his jacket. Taehyung closed the cabinet door with a smirk and walked to your vanity within the closet. That was good, people must have seen you with his blazer.

The suite bathroom was right next to your vanity. Taehyung put down his phone, wallet and car keys next to a collection of makeup brushes and picked up some clean clothes which smelled exactly like you. Then, he stepped into the bathroom. Very much like the rest of the house, the suite bathroom was spotless too. Creamy marble was cold but welcoming, the subtle smell of bleach was ghosting his mind.

Taehyung looked at his reflection in the mirror, he was totally scruffy. His first thought was to have a bath but with his horny state there was no chance he could stay well-behaved. And he wished to save his erection for you and spent his all energy fucking you into the mattress tonight.

The best idea was to have an everything shower, where could take care of his hygiene needs thoroughly. He stripped down to his underwear and took off his bracelet and rings; he placed his rings into the small tray you had next to your sink. The small pinkish tray usually held your earrings, and you would not mind his stuff mixed with yours. After all, you were his girlfriend. Yeah, his girlfriend. Taehyung’s cock throbbed at the thought. It was still ridiculous that your physical belongings were making him horny.

Soon later, he hopped into the shower washing the setting sprays and gels in his hair and layers of sweat and makeup. Then, he was surrounded by your vanilla-scented body peeing. It was too soft for Taehyung’s liking, but the smell was delicious, contradictory to his minty shaving cream. With the cool cream touching his skin, the razor glided smoothly against his pelvis. The only thing that was making his shaving difficult was not the sweet vanilla scent or his slippery hands, but his ever-so-hard dick.

As his fingers grazed over his balls, Taehyung couldn’t help but have a couple of playful tugs. With your gorgeous body on his mind, he tugged at the tip. Your one hand would usually linger around his tip while the other painfully held his base. There was no way he could mimic the same pleasure, but he tried anyway. He spent a few seconds teasing his tip. Not long after he was leaking, his cum now mixed with bubbles on the ground. You would never waste his seed like this. You would whine about how he should just dump all his cum into you with the most seductive voice, and Taehyung was only so dominant that he would follow your request like a puppy. Even though he was your dom, he felt the immaculate power you had over him. Taehyung scoffed at himself, you get a raging erection just because she did the dishes, of course, she has power over you, you simp. So what? He will gladly call himself a simp for you.

“Mmhmm, Y/N,” He moaned out your name as he became more languid with the tugs. Your bothered face appeared in his eyes. You would beg him for his cock if you were here now. Oh, my sweet girl, Taehyung thought.

Both of you had fucked in the shower plenty of times before but the desire to have you in his arms right now was immense. It desperately pushed Taehyung’s mind. What would you say to him if you were here now, pressed into the tiles as you jerked him off? Well, you would beg— Nah, cry for him. “Taehyung, please baby, paint me in your cum. I want your warm cum to drip down my legs, please give me your cum.” Your voice filled Taehyung’s mind as he was in the brick of this orgasm already. Your filthy mouth always became loose as he fucked into you. Your slurred words both fire Taehyung’s machine to fuck you mercilessly and force him to release his cum.

As much as his rough hands tugging at his long erection felt wonderful, he had to stop. Not because you would mind him masturbating, but he wanted to give you a big load tonight.

Taehyung released the tight hold begrudgingly. Patience, Taehyung, patience. It's not long before she comes home, he thought. Imagine how she moans when you dick her down.

Taehyung motivated himself and quickly started to rinse. All his stress went down the drain. Then, he did everything in his power to clean the shower afterwards as it would be a massive disrespect to your hard work.

After his calming shower, he wore his bathrobe, his wet hair brushed back revealing his handsome face. His lean toned body was cloaked under the cotton bathrobe. Taehyung dragged himself to the large white ottoman in the bedroom, picking up his clothes on the way. One of your empty bags was placed on the ground right beside the ottoman. You probably had changed your decision and took a different bag, and then, left his one on the ground. Taehyung smiled and picked the white bag up and placed it where it belongs.

His heavy shoulders were begging him to lay on the bed, but he had to put on his moisturiser first. Then, he needed to get dressed, otherwise, his dick was going to explode. With the anticipation of your arrival, Taehyung got rid of his bathrobe and put on his water-based body lotion. His clothing of choice was scarce. He simply put on one of his comfy grey cotton boxers, this one had a cut in the front which you found funny in male underwear. To him, the shortcut was quite handy when it came to having a quickie with you. Sometimes you would stick your hand inside his underwear just to tease him, yeah you were that naughty.

Taehyung wore one of his pyjamas sets to finish off his mind-blowing boyfriend look. Then, he took his phone from your vanity and dragged himself into the living room. The clock showed 23:26 when he laid down on the couch with his boner still forcing his attention to slip away.

To take his mind off, he mindlessly opened his phone, his delicate fingers tapped on the messaging app, and he started typing.

[Taehyung] bby where r u?

Your last seen was 40 min ago so he wished you would see his message immediately. But there was no sign. He texted again.

[Taehyung] babygirl when r u coming back?

His impatient fingers rolled around the keyboard, maybe he should just call you. But you were in concert. Last night you had told him about this concert that you had to substitute because one of your co-workers was unable to.

Taehyung’s mind went to what his friends were talking about, especially the cheating part. You wouldn’t cheat on him, right? Unfortunately, Taehyung’s mind served him a picture of you jumping on another man’s lap.

Ugh, he hates the idea. He would actually have the biggest anger explosion. He would probably hurt that man… Yes, he would hurt that man so bad that he would never touch another woman in his life.

But how about you? What would he do to you? He couldn’t even think about hitting you, no, that was never an option. Could he leave you? No, he wouldn’t be able to… A bitter sob scratched Taehyung’s throat.

[Taehyung] come on luv.

[Taehyung] babee text meeeee

Taehyung felt like a pervy date messaging you like that, but his mind had switched places with his dick. Luckily, he didn’t dare to send you a picture of his cock. As he got comfortable on the couch, the house became creepily silent. Normally he would put on some music while he lounged around lazily, but this time he decided to listen to the silence and occasional car sounds from the road ahead of his apartment building

Right then his phone rang, you sent him a picture.

[Y/N] I am waiting for a taxi, baby.

[Y/N] image212.jepg

The picture you sent him went straight down to his dick and Taehyung hissed loudly into the pillow. Your legs looked scrumptious, ugh that sweet slit punched his heart in the face. Your heels and your fucking dress made you look like a woman, his sexy woman.

[Y/N] I will be at home in 30min. Where are you?

Today Taehyung felt like being babied, he wanted you to baby him, kiss him all over, ride his dick and make him cum all over this neat house. He needed that intimacy after his friend played with his mind.

[Taehyung] image213.jpg

[Taehyung] came home

[Taehyung] and missing my sexy girl

[Taehyung] ughhhh i want those legs over my shoulders bbygirl

Taehyung continued to tap his fingers at the back of his phone, he imagined you writhing against the bed, legs kicking as he fucked into you. You would be so loud and tonight Taehyung didn’t plan to stop. The seen sign appeared next to his messages, but he got no answer in return.

[Taehyung] come home quickly and ride my dick babe

[Taehyung] i am so hard bc of you

[Taehyung] look at those legs… i’ll bite those thighs red…

[Taehyung] i’ll do anything u want bby,,,

[Taehyung] i want you to make me yours, come and play with ur boyfriend ;)))

[Taehyung] maybe this could change your mind?

[Taehyung] image214.jpg

You were definitely affected by your handsome boyfriend’s tempting—horny messages, and, of course, you quickly realised what he was up to.

[Y/N] omg total hottie o.o im drooling

[Y/N] If you don’t want your girlfriend to start touching herself in a taxi, you should stop.

[Y/N] Nice hands btw, can I have them in my mouth?

The principal cellist called your name and a few others to let everyone know that taxis had arrived. “It was a great concert, guys. Thanks for the save, Y/N. See you all on Monday.” He tiredly smiled and rushed to his taxi. You got in the taxi with two friends from, “Ughh such a long day,” Aera groaned as the other shut the door.

“Yesss, I thought the last bit was going to take forever to finish.” Gyeong agreed with a similar groan and scooted closer.

“You should have seen our section. I swear people were this close to walking off.” You spit the words as if it is a bad taste, making two gorgeous women laugh harmonically.

“But the conductor is AWESOME!” Area said for the millionth time today and she was right. The super-uper prodigy Chinese conductor was definitely a virtuoso and a total perfectionist.

“He isn’t even that old. If he wasn’t that broody, I would rate him fuckable,” Aera gasped with enthusiasm. “Perfect, perfect,” she repeated while shaking her head.

Meanwhile, your phone vibrated in your hands. God knows what devilish messages Taehyung was sending you but there was no way that you could open any of them.

“I want to lay on my couch all weekend and eat like shit.” Gyeong stretched her legs as the car sped up. She was right to be tired, the poor woman had to stand up all-day

“Couldn’t agree more,” You agreed, the heels you were wearing were digging to your feet. “I just want to take these shoes off and never see them again.” You complained, looking down at your shoes. They were gorgeous for sure and the pain that beauty caused was acceptable, but this degree of pain was unbearable. It felt like your feet were on fire.

“I am hungry but what am I gonna cook this hour?” Aera asked as she checked her phone. You shrugged, “Probably some leftovers or ramyeon.” Normally, you would be more excited about discussing dinner plans but today you felt drained to cook something fresh. Aera laughed at your dosed eyes.

“This concert really changed me as a person.” You joked, making them laugh again.

“I don’t think I looked at someone this long, even to my husband.” Area said as continued to scroll down on her phone. Her section, viola, had spent around 45 minutes just counting rests.

“I have no idea what to cook. Chung-ho doesn’t eat anything these days.” She further explained. You remembered her little son, Chung-ho, barely from a couple of pictures. He was five years old at most.

“Doesn’t your hubby cook?” Gyeong hit Aera’s elbow playfully as Area rolled her eyes. “Yeah, tell him that!” From her tone, you could pick the sourness of the situation. “He only takes care of Chung-ho. Leaves the dishes at the ttable, doesn’thelp with laundry or anything. He doesn't even take out the trash. He says he is doing his best by taking care of his son and I am a work-driven madwoman who can’t even keep up with cooking dinner!” Aera looked out from the window with a big sigh after her sudden rage.

You felt uncomfortable hearing about your co-worker’s marriage. They were never this open with their personal life and you still couldn’t figure out the correct etiquette.

“I bet you don’t have that problem, Y/N.” Gyeong changed the subject as she felt uncomfortable about the sudden mood change.

You smiled shyly, your relationship with Taehyung was never a topic of discussion since he was a huge celebrity. The only thing your friends knew about your boyfriend was that he was rich and romantic. “I guess you could say that.” You agreed.

“I mean he doesn’t usually help with chores…but he is considerate…” You told, smiling supportively to Aera.

“Can’t relate.” She laughed, shaking her head to the sides.

While you were in the taxi, Taehyung had reached the limit of his patience as his cock throbbed with the thought of you. And he felt terribly guilty for popping an erection in the first place. He didn’t put on any music as usual so he was left alone with his thoughts running in his mind.

Taehyung picked up his phone and looked at the photo you sent him. Your soft legs almost made him cry…the split in your skirt has looked insanely hot. How did people at the meeting focus on their work? If he was with you, he would surely keep gripping your thighs.

“Y/N…” He moaned your name out in the empty apartment while his hands found the throbbing messy dick in his boxers. He squeezed himself over his boxer. “Baby,” he whined, kicking his legs.

Right on the cue, his phone vibrated. Taehyung sighed in frustration as you weren’t the one who texted him.

It was his mother who sent a picture to the group chat including his family members and you. The text read “I cannot wait to have my own grandchildren'' featuring her and your baby nephew, Thomas.

Taehyung’s parents were currently visiting your parents in France. Their two-week-long trip was all paid for by you as a gift on Taehyung’s birthday.

On every Taehyung’s birthday, you would give Taehyung’s parents a gift, more like a thank you for making the hottest boyfriend in the world. It was a tradition that you and his parents had. So this year, they were travelling to France and visiting your family too.

This picture was taken on the big table in the backyard of your family’s house. Your cute nephew, Thomas, who was sitting at the table like any 2 year old, had his little arms hugging Taehyung’s mother’s neck. His father was in the corner, snickering at the cute sight, and your mother was at the opposite corner, holding a baby bottle, smiling fondly at his mother.

It wasn’t new that both of your parents semi-pressured the two of you to give them a grandchild. To be honest, he expected that his parents would be very traditional and want the two of you to get married first. But their want for grandchildren had blinded them so much that they didn’t care about any rules.

Taehyung can give you a baby, hell yeah, he will give you a baby. But did you actually want kids now? You did talk about wanting kids, and you always made him cum in seconds asking him to knock you up, but it could be all sexual role-play. After all, you were a young woman that had a thriving career. Getting pregnant would suspend your career for at least two years despite Taehyung’s best efforts. Also, he knew that you wanted him all to yourself when you got pregnant. Looking at his career goals, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

Right then, he heard the doorbell, followed by an unlocking sound. “Mr Kim Taehyung!” He heard you calling him angrily. “You are-” he heard your heels clicking.

“Where are you?” You looked around the house with frustration seeping through your eyelids. Right after Taehyung heard you, you entered the living room. “What are these messages?” You asked, stomping. You looked ravishing in front of him with hair swept to the side. Only his to play with…

Taehyung shrugged, “Nothing. Just a fragment of my imagination.” He continued to stroke himself while eyeing your body. You were dressed in a long black dress with spaghetti straps. The simplicity suited your gorgeous face. The only thing that Taehyung opposed was the generosity of the slit. It went too high for his liking.

“Taehyung,” you gasped his name as he looked at your thighs while stroking his cock lazily.

“Yes, baby?” He answered, finally making eye contact.

Taehyung was bothered— too horny for his own good. His hand was still in his boxers, legs spread widely.

“What-” You muttered. The erotic image ahead of Taehyung’s legs and his occupied hand made your pussy flutter.

“Come here, baby…” He stuttered, giving you a welcoming look.

You shook your head, “What if I opened your texts in the carl?”

Your hands were placed on your hips, Taehyung couldn’t give a fuck.

“Nothing would have happened, kitten. Now come here…” His nonchalant voice annoyed your horny ass. You rolled your eyes, pulling your laptop and tablet to charge them. You scoffed and dropped your bags to the table. “I thought you were going to spend the night out tonight.” You said while washing your hands in the kitchen. It was peculiar. Why didn’t you go to the bathroom?

“I was- but I got bored. Uggghh, Y/N... Crawl here, babygirl, and take this…” Taehyung palmed his entire length and hissed as his orgasm approached him that second.

“What makes you think that you deserve to cum, babyboy?” you asked him half-mockingly. His pyjamas and hair made him look like a large baby. Your confident attitude went straight down to his dick, and he let out a breathy moan.

“I have waited for you-” He gasped, wrist tugging with force. His curly fluffy hair was all over his face, those lean lips were red and puffy. The telltale sign of his upcoming orgasm was painted all over his face. “Stop Taehyung,” You tried to say calmly. The small devilish woman in you was knocking on the door, wanting to tease him all night.

His eyes opened with so much need, “No- no baby, I can’t stop.” He whined, tempted to stop as his wrist continued tugging at an impeded pace.

“Stop for me Taetae, and I will suck your cock. S-top for me.” You said, slipping your spaghetti straps.

“Come on, baby. Let me taste you.” You didn’t step closer, just stood there watching Taehyung masturbate. His hand was inside his pants, bulging with every move. He listened to you and ripped his hand away from his cock. “Ughh, baby….” He cried out loud, hips grinding up involuntarily. You hummed with pleasure. He was listening to you as much as you listened to him. “My good baby,” You murmured as his glossy eyes found your body standing away from him. Your straps were off, probably waiting for him to strip down. His dick released a few drops of precum and it slid right off his long base.

“Can you help me get out of these shoes?” You asked him, exaggerating a cute face. Taehyung nodded and got up. You stood there as he came closer to you and grasped your waist with his large hand.

You did the similar and pulled him close to you. “Mhmm, my baby,” You said, leaving open mouth kisses on his jaw. “Can you take my dress off, baby? Taehyung took Yoongi’s advice from earlier and decided to sub you, let you have control over him. He gulped as you turned your back on him, revealing the zipper to his eyes.

Taehyung took a deep breath and grasped your ass. A growl left his throat, such a good ass, he thought. As he kneaded your ass, you pulled your hair to the front, trying to open your zipper. Taehyung’s hand replaced yours quickly and pulled the smooth zipper down to reveal your body.

As the straps were off, your dress fell to the ground with a breath hitch. “Thank you, baby,” you turned your face to Taehyung as his eyes ate your naked body. A nude strapless bra and black girl boxers weren’t sexy in your book but Taehyung felt frustration in his gut. He couldn’t wait to touch your smooth skin.

“My shoes too, Taetae.” You pouted and rubbed your leg onto him. So, he dropped onto his knees and immediately connected his lips with your thigh. A light moan left you as his fairy kisses wetted your thighs. Then, the kisses started to involve teeth, which made you pull Taehyung’s hair.

He groaned, nah, he cried with pleasure as you pulled onto his brown roots with an innocent face. “My feet hurt baby, please be quick.”

Taehyung couldn’t tell how you picked his mood for role-playing, but you seemed to enjoy it. Taehyung dutifully lifted your knee and took off your black heel. Of course, his mouth didn’t stay still and your knees up to your thighs were covered in kisses.

When he got rid of both of your heels, Taehyung’s kisses started to get messier. His mouth led him to your warm, clothed core. You were wearing boxer panties so he wasn’t granted direct touch to your warm lips, but he still buried his nose into your core.

“Taehyung,” you shrieked his name when Taehyung took a big whiff and moaned in return. His warm breath burnt your core, “Baby,” Your knees buckled up while Taehyung tried to bury his face deeper. You dipped your fingers into his hair and slowly rode his mouth. The feeling was intoxicating, but you remembered his text message: come and play with ur boyfriend

“No, no, I want to suck you off first. You said you waited for me…” Again, you pulled Taehyung’s hair back. It drove Taehyung insane. He loved how you took charge of his body by simply tugging his hair.

As he got up, you intertwined your fingers with his and pushed him towards the couch while sloppily kissing his lips, well most of them ended up on his chin because your boyfriend was built like a tree. With a final push, you made Taehyung sit on the couch and get comfortable between his legs. Taehyung manspreaded. “Ugh,” You moaned, palming his thighs.

“Every time you sit like this, I want to ride your dick.” You confessed with a pout on your lips. Taehyung couldn’t help but thrust into your hand.

“Babygirl,” his large hand wrapped around your nape as you let open mouth kisses to your neck.

“My handsome baby,” you said in return and nuzzled your face into his cheek. “You are so hot, baby,” you mumbled into his ear.

You remembered Taehyung’s earlier text and couldn’t help but giggle. “Are you actually gonna let me play with you?” You asked Teahyung with large, glittering eyes.

You bit down your bottom lip while waiting for his answer. Not trusting his voice, Taehyung nodded. He was willing to be your sex toy.

“Oh my god, babyyy,” You clapped happily and hugged his chest.

Taehyung smiled and patted your head again. “Mhmm, let me take off your shirt, hottie. You don’t need this anyway.” Being shirtless wasn’t something Taehyung felt confident in. He always felt insecure about not having picture-perfect abs or mad big pecs and you didn’t exactly help. Whenever he took his shirt off, you would say that you will get pregnant if he doesn’t cover himself or start moaning “baby”, or simply lick his happy trail because you thought he was a tasty snack. Not to mention the time you rode his abdomen and came on his chest. So, it wasn’t surprising that your first move was to get rid of his shirt.

While you happily undid his buttons, you couldn’t help but share your excitement verbally. “This is the best thing ever. It is like Christmas again and I am unwrapping my favourite gift.”

Taehyung laughed while the pain from his erection became unbearable.

“Stay put, darling.” You spoke, getting comfortable on your knees. The carpet on the floor burnt your knees but it was nothing compared to fire in your pussy. However, now was the time to focus on your boyfriend.

“Babygirl,” he growled as you nuzzled your face onto his thigh.

“You missed me, baby?” You asked him with big eyes. Taehyung did hear you, but his brain didn’t understand you really. So he just looked you in the eyes with frustration drowning his body.

“I missed you so much, my love. And… Feels like you missed me too.” You said pressing your palm to his pelvis. Taehyung growled again. His frustrated state was overly handsome. You placed your hand over his large ones, “I asked if I could have them in my mouth and you didn’t reply.” You pouted and held his wrist up.

“Did you fuck this fist?” His right hand was already dry, but Taehyung nodded. A wicked smile covered your face and you started to kiss his knuckles. “Mhmm, let them in my mouth,” You dropped your tongue out and pressed Taehyung’s two fingers onto it. Then, you closed your mouth slowly and watched his head kick back.

“Tasty,” you moaned, pressing your palm down his pelvis.

“Babygirl,” Taehyung gritted his teeth as you pushed his fingers deeper. It was so obvious that his dom side was trying to seep through the whiny sub side of him.

“You taste amazing, babyboy.” You whispered, taking his fingers out. Taehyung rolled his eyes, his wet fingers drawing circles on your cheek.

“Let me see your titties,” he said drunkenly.

You pulled yourself upright between his legs and quickly unclasped your bra. As you were wearing a strapless bra today, the clasp at the back was extra tight, digging into your skin. You grimaced the marks on your chest.

Taehyung drew his finger to your breasts, his fingers traced around the pinkish mark. Taehyung murmured something to himself, all of a sudden guilty washed his handsome face.

You shrugged, “You should kiss them to make it feel better…”

Taehyung smiled, his head leaning in front to capture your lips in his. But you dodged the kiss and placed your hand on his firm chest.

“After I suck the life out of you, babyboy.” You pushed him back roughly and aimed for the pants lying lazily on his tiny waist. Taehyung helped you strip his undergarments off and seconds later you were granted the sexy sight of his pretty dick.

It was so hard that he stood up all by himself. “So pretty,” The pretty mushroom top was the best pink shade and it got darker to his meaty base. The protruding vein at the back was pulsing strongly. Some precum was rubbed to the base but overall it looked very dry.

“Poor thing, he is all dry.” You ran your hand on Taehyung’s thighs as he watched your eyes dance around his cock. He felt shy even though you had seen him naked millions of times.

“Oh, baby, now you are leaking,” Globes of precum gathered on his tip immediately, you touched one of the drops with your forefinger while it was sliding down.

Taehyung shivered “You have the prettiest cock, Taehyung.” Your eyes now danced around his bothered red face. The subtle mint smell and his soft skin indicated a shower before your arrival. “And smells amazing too.” You said giggling as you tugged him nonchalantly. “I wonder if it tastes good…”

“It hurts…” Taehyung writhed against the couch. His desperate side was making you drip to your thighs.

You didn’t say anything back. Just placed small kisses on the tip. Taehyung dug his nails into the couch as your timid kisses turned into open mouth kisses.

Before he realised you started making out with his tip for minutes as he leaked into your mouth slowly. “Baby, please…” Taehyung whined, his spit planting on his cheek. He brought his hand to cover his handsome face, wiping his tears. Tears of pleasure…

“Mhmm, don’t cry, baby…” you giggled and sucked him into your mouth. He was long, but his thickness was making your job difficult. For the sake of your gag reflex, you pulled him out after seconds. Taehyung let out a cry, “Why are you teasing me?” he said.

You didn’t answer him again and tried to take him deeper. He was a mouthful for sure, but the bitter-sweet taste of him made your mind go hazy enough to take more And those deep grunts he let out were orgasm worthy.

After getting used to his length, you started to build up a rhythm. “Oh, baby you're gonna make me cum so- now.” Taehyung’s legs bounced around you. You kept going, assisting your hands when your mouth became full. The last breaking point for him was making eye contact.

You arched your back and looked at his face. But Taehyung had already closed his eyes, biting down his bottom lips. Because of the tension at his jaw, his face had become sexier and pleasure was filling his face.

“Come on baby, make me your cum dump…” You spoke in a pout as your hands worked diligently. Taehyung was too tired to resist your tempting words and his aching dick.

To your surprise, you kept a nice rhythm with your mouth and hands. Taehyung was too long to deep throat but your warm and sticky mouth engulfed him in half while pumping him with a strong grip. Also, your erotic moans vibrated his entire being. You looked like you enjoyed having him in your mouth. Your eyes were mostly closed as if you were tasting the best meal and pressed your thighs together to give yourself small friction.

“You are so hard, baby…” You whined as he filled your mouth satisfactorily, drools mixed with his cum were dripping down from the corners of your mouth to your neck. Taehyung thrusted himself involuntarily as you stopped for a breath. “I love it when you are hard for me,” you moaned and kissed his tip lovingly.

Taehyung growled in return and patted your head. “Do you want to fuck my face, baby?” your eyes sparkled with sexual energy. Without waiting for an answer, you made him hold your nape. “You can fuck my mouth, babyboy…” You encouraged him and took a position. Now that he was controlling the pace, you had to be extra careful with your teeth.

Taehyung, on the other hand, had zero mind space to be careful about something. Your obedience to his pleasure was the sexiest energy he felt; and now that you were letting him thrust into your mouth, he had no choice but cum.

“I am gonna, now-” he warned you as his euphoria hit him. The sensation was overbearingly high, his breath hitched, and his knees shook as you kept stroking him. Your mouth was still wrapped around him as far as you felt comfortable taking.

He released into your mouth with a deep growl while his whole body shook. His pleasure washed over him like the waves did the shores. The sight of you drinking his cum made Taehyung spurt some more as you moaned around him. He was warm and mouthful. There was some much cum, but you tried to drink him up. It wasn’t difficult as he tasted addicting, as his warm cum filled your mouth, your pussy quivered in need. Taehyung looked through his lashes and you were enjoying yourself with his dick in your mouth, which made everything more pleasurable for him. He even forgot the fact that he lasted 5 seconds after holding your hair.

“Fucking shit- there is so much,” you said, drops of cum dripped down to your chest and to the couch.

“How long has my sweet boy not touched his dick?” You asked him whilst licking his base.

“Aww,” you continued with a half-teasing, half-mocking voice. This act was out of your abilities but something about controlling Taehyung’s pleasure gave you strength.

Taehyung couldn’t answer you while your warm tongue danced on his thigh and stomach. He has leaked all over his body so you were dutifully cleaning him.

“Cat got your tongue, subby-boy?” you giggled as you tucked Taehyung’s still hard dick into his boxer and climbed next to him. Around then, Taehyung's consciousness was back, so he gave you a small spank on your panty covered ass.

“What did you call me?” His voice went up and down.

“I called you my subby-boy, my sweet bottom to play with-” You snickered as another spank planted on your ass. Taehyung wrapped an arm around your shoulder and pressed you against him.

“Is that so?” He tried to sound like a little sub, but he was now back to his original state.

“Yes, my babyboy…” you teased him again but you could clearly see the original Taehyung coming up.

“Should I call you mummy?” he brushed his nose against yours.

You grimaced, “Oh god, please don’t” Your sudden face drop made Taehyung giggle.

“No, no, I love it. I loved how you dominated me, babygirl. You keep getting better at it too. If you are a good girl, one day you can convince me to top me.” Taehyung wrapped his other arms around you and tugged you against him. Now, your forehead was planted against his neck as he placed a small kiss on your shoulder.

“Mhmm, top you?” You giggled. “I think I am awesome at making you cum, but you are my beloved precious top and I don’t want to change that.” You said knowingly and lied next to Taehyung on the small couch.

“I loved how you kept giving me your cum, baby… That is my favourite…” You whispered to his ear, clearly amused at the amount of cum you got as you kept licking your fingers.

Taehyung tried to suppress a smile, “That’s what happens when you don’t touch me for a week.” He pouted.

“It has been that long?” You asked.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, “Someone is masturbating…” He tried to glare at you.

“Well,” you released his tight hold and placed your head on his chest. “I have done it once.” You spoke matter-factly.

Taehyung snickered and pulled you on top of his chest. “Yeah? What did you think when you played with your pussy?”

His question got your cheeks burning, “I thought about my bias, of course. Have you ever heard of him?”

Taehyung playfully lifted his eyes, not sure if you would joke or not. You quickly continued, “His name is Kim Taehyung. Have you heard of him? He is a total panty dropper.”

“Yeah?” Taehyung asked, kissing your jaw.

“Oh yeah, you must see him! He is way too hot for his own good… His body thrusts- oh god- he makes me squirt everywhere.” You playfully confessed the truth and earned another spank on your ass.

“Filthy girl. So you masturbate watching my videos? Maybe I should do the same, huh?” Taehyung throbbed at your confession, well, he knew that you had folders of pictures and videos from his performances, and you used them in your spare time. But hearing it from your mouth made his chest puff.

“No!” you furrowed your brows at him, voice changing immediately. “You can have me whenever you want!” You proved your point by rubbing your leg to his.

“Also, I don’t need to watch your videos.” Taehyung rubbed your cheek with his thumb as you spoke. “I just look at your pictures and- I am gone.” Taehyung felt your fingers gripping his wrist.

“Mhmm,” Taehyung let out a deep groan as you kept rubbing your legs onto him.

“You can always wake me up, baby. Or just ride my dick while I sleep, use me to your pleasure..” Taehyung whispered into your ear. His warm breath and dirty words made your thighs shake.

You would LOVE that.

“I know you would like that,” he groaned. “You are always horny for my dick, aren’t you?.”

You kissed his jawline instead of answering. “Because my handsome baby always fuck me the way I want.” You kissed up to his ear lobe while he caressed your ass.

“You know what I love about your dick?” You asked him. Taehyung was far gone, enjoying your wet kisses on his neck. “Hmm?” He only said in return.

“I love how long your dick is” You sat up on Taehyung’s thigh and started grinding your core to Taehyung’s thigh. It was super easy to give yourself pleasure friction while whispering coherent sentences. “I always have challenge, like every time we have sex, it feels like it is my first time.” you giggled, lost in pleasure as Taehyung moved his thighs to better accommodate your core.

“And you are always so hard for me. I love that, baby. You always feel so good.” Taehyung let out a high-pitched moan when your hands squeezed his shoulders, “I also love your mouth. It is warm and wet. Your tongue dips on that spot- ugh-” Your thighs moved quickly but that was the end of Taehyung’s very little patience. He growled and with a strong pull, he threw you over his shoulder. He was going to fuck your brains out, no questions asked.

“Baby, I was just-” You laughed, being upside down over his shoulder meant that his cute fat ass was on display.

Probably Taehyung thought the same and spanked your ass one more time. “I need my baby in our bed right now.” He spoke clearly- much opposite to his state a few minutes ago.

You kept laughing as he entered the bedroom with big steps and threw you on the bed. When your back met the soft bed, he was standing on the edge, eyeing your body while he unbuttoned his pyjamas.

“At least let me use the bathroom first.” You said smiling, “I was in a concert room filled with fifty people.”

Taehyung shook his head to the side, “You weren’t saying that five minutes ago, babygirl.” He was trying to take his shorts off angrily while you lay on the bed with your panties on.

“I was in the taxi five minutes ago, baby. You didn’t last that long,” You joked, hiking your feet onto his thighs.

“How can I last long when you try everything to fucking seduce me?” Taehyung admitted. He was still beyond frustrated. You had no problems with your boyfriend being horny. He could be like this all the time and you wouldn’t mind a bit.

“Mhmm, you are so hot.” You ogled at his honey-coloured firm skin. “You are getting beefy,” Taehyung recently started working out diligently, so his muscles were more apparent now. “Yeah? Do you like it, baby?” Taehyung laid on you, pressing you into the mattress firmly.

“I love it-” His body weight on you was divine. You were able to feel every single bit of his smooth skin glued onto yours.

“We should go to the pool soon. I want to see you naked and wet.” Thankfully, Taehyung stopped his dirty ministrations to listen to you. “If you want to see me naked, you just need to ask, baby. I am yours to play with.” He kissed your collarbones, smelling your faint perfume. You gushed at his words.

“The hotel I went to was awesome, baby. One of the rooms had a large jacuzzi and I thought about riding you in the jacuzzi. I will take you there on Valentine’s Day.”

Taehyung smiled, nuzzling his face into your neck. “Of course, my baby.” He said, kissing your chin. He was more than glad to be your sex toy— he would do anything to be your sex toy.

“FYI, that’s not what I want for Valentine's Day.” It was his turn to roleplay. You furrowed your brows in return. “What do you want, Taetae?” You were an ardent gift giver, so he could give you some clues.

Taehyung pulled himself and kneeled in bed as you laid between his legs. He intentionally didn’t answer you. Instead, he ran his hands to your thighs and carefully removed your panties. “Mhmm,” You moaned as your pussy was bare now.

“You know what I want.” He said, collecting stringy juices rubbed to your pelvis. You shuttered when his point finger ran from your pelvis to your inner thighs. “Taehyung…” His name left your mouth in a long moan.

“Can you guess what I want?” Taehyung bit his lips down. Your small hole was gaping, he could feel the subtle muscle twitch on your pussy. You were in desperate need of his cock, he was aware of that. But Taehyung's mind was occupied with something else.

“No, I can’t guess,” You groaned as you chased Taehyung’s fingers, arching your back to get them to enter you.

“What do you mean you can't?” Taehyung was a great actor, and it came in handy in bed

“I don’t- what? Taehyung, I hav-ve a horny brain-” You stuttered, Taehyung was intentionally dodging your weak spots. Tears were already gathered in your eyes. Taehyung shook his head to the sides, you were such a sensitive girl.

“Let me give you a clue,” He said, running his leaking cock between your pussy lips. Then, he gave you a couple of seconds to ease into this new friction.

“I have the ingredients and you have the tools, love.” Taehyung’s mind pictured every single detail his duty included.

“Oh, Taehyung,” you moaned loudly but still didn’t understand what he meant. “What do you want?” You asked, gritting your teeth. Why didn’t he just put his dick in?

Taehyung laid on you once again. He caged you between his arms, allowing your breasts to ghost against his chest. He kissed up to your ear while you breathed heavily. When he was sure that you were listening, he told you what he wanted.

“I want a baby, love.” Right on the cue, he plunged his dick in a few inches. You let out a high-pitched moan with the intrusion and the confession, you weren’t sure which one was hotter.

“I want to breed this fertile cunt and have you carry my babies.” He groaned as your walls spasmed around him. You moaned and held onto his shoulders for sanity while he continued.

“I will breed this pussy.” He was almost certain now. “You will carry my kids and give me the best gift.” Even though Taehyung was taken over his primal side, he remembered to be careful.

“I need to train this tight pussy to take my babies. Look at it, you still can't take the cock you love so much in.” Taehyung bit down his lip as he watched the tip of his cock enter you. You tried to relax your pussy to take him in, but it was impossible to stop clenching while he groaned on top of you.

“Pathetic,” he said, spreading your legs wider. “You still can’t take my cock.” he said, trying to pistoning into you.

“Ah, Becaus-e you are so bigg,” You dragged your words.

“Is that so?” Taehyung asked with a mocking voice, “Then, I should train you better,” He groaned as your pussy clenched around half of his length.

“You are my fuck toy, too aren’t you?” He asked and you nodded crazily. “And mine to breed.” you again nodded your head. He was too much but you loved the sensation of him trying to dive deeper.

You held his nape and pulled his hair. When Taehyung opened his eyes and looked you in the eyes, he saw your obedience. And it drove him even crazier.

“Mine. Mine. Mine.” His sudden change in pace caught you off guard and brought you on top of the orgasm tower.

Taehyung held you by the wrists and crossed your arms over you so he could thrust into you and you would stop digging into his nape.

“Taehyung, baby, I am- yours” you confirmed to him. Being held like this was your weakness.

“Yeah? You never had another dick other than mine. How can you be so sure? Or did you fuck someone else behind my back?” Taehyung growled into your neck, teeth grazing your skin red. His real thoughts ran out of his mouth.

This time your body shook with disgust. You would never think about touching another man, and for him to suggest otherwise immediately take you down the orgasm tower. Suddenly, you stopped clenching on him.

Taehyung noticed your reaction so he quickly tried to compensate. “But I know my sweet girlfriend would never do that. You just love my dick so much, right?” He asked with a pout. Meanwhile, he took advantage of your relaxed pussy and pushed himself even deeper.

“Ah, Tae-tae, yes-” With that, you were right on the track. He had a narrow escape. “I love your dick soo muuuuchh,” You moaned as Taehyung changed his position. He straightened his back a bit more but still held your arms in a lock above you.

“Yeah?” A wolfish grin appeared on Taehyung’s face, but you were too lost in pleasure to notice it.

“I love your dick, baby.” Your hips tried to meet Taehyung’s accelerating thrusts.

“I know you do, baby.” Taehyung pecked your red lips. “That’s why I am going to knock you up and show everyone you love my dick- fuck” the possession intoxicated Taehyung’s mind that he couldn’t feel his high approaching. He wanted everyone to know that you were his and he was yours.

“I will even fuck you on the stage, huh? Would you like that, kitten? Millions of people watching me pound your little pussy. Oh, I would love that. I would love people watching my kitten as I made her cum. You always look amazing when you come all over my dick, baby. Ah- then everyone would watch you and masturbate, huh? You would show them how good you are for me… My little babygirl. And you moan my name- yeah just like that. Come on, show me how you would cream me if people were watching you.” Taehyung’s words controlled your mind. You just screamed with the idea and cum in a sudden rush.

In return, Taehyung let out a low chuckle as you squirted on his abdomen. “You would love that, I knew it. My sweet baby,” He released your wrist when your body quivered. He fucked you through your orgasm and caressed your breasts.

You scoffed, “Huh- What’s gotten into you?” you asked him while he groped your body between your legs like a dementor.

Contrary to his soaking dick, Taehyung gave you a cute smile, “Nothing, just want to fuck you the way you deserve.” He bent down to your face and connected your lips. Both of you had an each orgasm but still didn’t kiss yet. You were too tired to give him a passionate make-out session, the back of your head was still throbbing. “You are so wet, baby.” Taehyung pushed his finger into your cunt and swirled it around. “Perfect for me to cum in it,” You let out a long groan as he giggled and kept scissoring you.

“I will cum on your cunt so much that those flimsy pills won’t have a chance.” He said, looking at your gaping hole.

“And how does this plan involve my mind-blowing orgasm?” You asked while feeling yourself turn into a river.

“It didn’t,” Taehyung shrugged and pushed himself into you with a grunt. “You are crazy about me. Oh no- you want me to fuck you on stage, huh? That’s what got you squirting like a whore.” While Taehyung indulged you in dirty talk, he went back to thrusting into you.

You realised that Taehyung was definitely on something tonight, first he let you play with him, and then had a small mind collapse about breeding you, and later, he made you cum while talking about fucking you in public. Did he start to have new kinks? You think you could help him a bit if he wants to play around with possession kink

“Yes, I want that,” You said boldly. “I want you to fuck me in front of a million people’s eyes. I want everyone to see I am your whore.” Your words were fuel to Taehyung’s fire, he closed his eyes and bit down his lip. The veins on his neck and arms were getting restricted and decorated his smooth skin.

“Mhmm, I will get you pregnant and fuck you on stage and show your belly to everyone, fuck I will do that.” He spoke to himself.

“I will make you mine forever, do you want that?” Taehyung’s eyes looked at your breast bouncing as if you were his little sheep. He was the tiger chasing his prey.

“I wantt– yes, I do-” You were quickly approaching your second high. “Baby- I am gonna cum again,” You dug your nails into Taehyung's belly as he shook the whole bed.

“I am gonna make you my wife and mother of my kids. Ugh, no more dating. I will marry you-” Your touch stung sweetly and gave more power to Taehyung to rail you.

“You will- never leave when I get-” Taehyung’s slip didn’t go unnoticed. His mood was more forceful than usual. You knew that there was something behind it.

“Leave you?” You asked, trying to sit up but Taehyung didn’t allow you. Instead, he laid over you again and hid his face in your skin. His grip on your waist suddenly became loving as he realised the small memory slip. “What are you talking about, Taetae?” Your tone was sharp, sharp enough to cut his heart, Taehyung nuzzled you even more.

His hips lost all their momentum. “Why are you stopping?” You asked angrily as he shook over you. His large bear eyes found yours, trying to figure out your emotions.

“Fuck me like you mean it, Taehyung.” Taehyung raised his brows and pushed himself up to his knees. While staying planted inside you, he cooed your skin. He was a little bit taken back mostly because he thought you were actually angry.

“Come on, impregnate me. Fuck a baby into me, make me yours.” You yelled at Taehyung as he closed his eyes. He was seconds away from cumming. Were you angry at him? Was this the last time he fuck you? Were you going to slap him silly and leave him after he comes?

“Stop thinking and move your hips!” You were louder this time, digging your fingers into his forearms. You should have guessed. Your sweet boyfriend only had extremely possesive sex when he was jealous. You couldn’t figure out what it was but he needed to get it out of his system.

“Cum into me or I will leave you, Taetae,” you raised yourself onto your elbows and dug your fingers into his forearms again.

Taehyung was irked by your words. His brain short-circuited and his hips started to move on their own. His sweet mouth only left guttural deep grunts as he fucked into your warm cunt. He had to come- he had to make you his.

“Ah, Taehyung, you-re…” you spurred.

“Harder, baby, harder… Get both of us cum.” You fanned the fire. Taehyung’s grip on your hips was very tight. “Ah, careful baby.” You couldn’t help but push his veiny hands. As your hands held onto him, Taehyung immediately released your hips but held on to your hands immediately. He crossed your arms over your chest and grasped you on the wrists. His giant hands were able to engulf your wrist easily.

“Fuck, this is much better,” he groaned as he helped you bounce on his cock while laying down.

“This is my favourite position.” Taehyung dropped his head back and subtly slowed down.

“You are just my fuck toy, baby.” He smirked, eyes closed. Sungho’s word echoed in his head, “If you had have fucked a baby into her, she would still be around you.” Then, Yoongi’s “You just gotta give them enough dick or else they start looking for one.” “So, if you want your woman to stay by your side, you gotta serve her a good sex.”

Taehyung cried in frustration. He could fuck a baby into you, he could deliver a dick like no one else. If it would make you stay along for the rest of his life, he would dutifully rail you every single day.

“I want you to come again,” Taehyung said, now holding your two wrists with his one hand. Before you could say yes, Taehyung’s point finger found your clit.

“Tae–” your legs jumped up around him—as always. Taehyung felt proud of this everyday occurrence. You were a weak whore when it came to clit stimulation, especially with a single finger. He didn’t ease the burning pain on your small clit by his thrusts. He wanted you to writhe under him

You shook your head no, “baby, baby, baby, please give me more, two fingers,” You begged him while he kept holding you by the wrist.

Taehyung didn’t answer and kept pressing on your clit, occasionally drawing very small circles.

“I will- Ah-” Before you could finish your sentence, your hips stuttered. A gush of orgasm was literally pulled from your soul. Your legs dropped numb to your sides, your arms weren’t contracted.

Only an unearth-like experience could describe this orgasm.

You clenched on Taehyung. He could swear that you pulled him an inch inside.

Taehyung didn’t leave your wrists as you kept convulsing, “Look at my little whore,” He faked a pout. “You used to never cum from only clit stimulation and now look at yourself… You can't even stay put.”

You spurred Taehyung’s name like a chant as he started to thrust. “Baby, Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung,”

Your fucked up voice dumbed the other voices inside his head and he focused on making himself cum, or else you would leave him.

“Now, it is my turn, my love.” Taehyung spread your legs wider and sped up, plunged into you. Your throat was scratchy, “Baby, please cum for me, for us.”

Taehyung groaned, “I will, baby. You will make me cum. Ah,” He dropped his head back. “I am a whore for you as much as you are for me, yeah?” He smirked, eyes closed. You saw his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“You make me your subby sex toy and your fucking Daddy.” He was right. The duality your sex life had was insane.

“How am I lucky to have a pretty girl like you to play with me? Huh? Answer me…” His voice became whiny.

“Do you like this, baby?” your silence started to worry him. But the loud long scream you let out assured him otherwise. “So-so so good, Taehyung.”

“Do you think it will be a boy? Taehyung wondered. “I think this one will be a boy.” He answered back.

“We will make two sets of boys and girls, right baby? You said you would like twins. Maybe we are lucky, huh?” Taehyung’s finger returned back onto your clit.

“Ahhhh, Tae-taee…” You screamed once again. “I thin-k you- you will fer- you will fertilise every egg in my womb tonight.”

With your words, Taehyung felt his dick getting squeezed dried. He was already at his limit so he gave into the pleasure. “My love,” His warm cum filled you as his warm breath tickled your ear. His vigorous orgasm made him lay onto you.

You would swear that you feel your stomach bloat, feel your eggs being fertilised. If you weren’t this sensitive, you could have another orgasm.

Taehyung listened to your breathing get heavier as his weight on you strained you. He tried to push himself off, but your arms were tight around his shoulder.

As he tried to pull your arms off, you stretched his back, “Be a good boy and make sure your kids stay inside me...”

Taehyung dropped his head back into your neck as he became hard again.

Tonight was going to be a long night.

#taehyung smut #kim taehyung smut #bts taehyung smut #bts v smut #taehyung oneshot #taehyung fluff #dom taehyung #sub taehyung #edytae

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chloegong · 3 years

Text

that semi-AU romajuliette + benmars fic

i need a permanent place to store this after dumping a random google doc on twitter so here it is, the author writing fic for her own book because people gave me headcanons and they were too good not to make use of

the one where juliette and marshall go out for a night out on the town and roma and ben have to go along to supervise because one time they accidentally committed arson —headcanon from twitter user @leonidasvaldz

a semi AU where Benedikt and Marshall were hanging out with Roma and Juliette in those happy months R&J had together in 1922 before everything went wrong (aka you can take this as canon because it will fit the timeline but the characters won’t have memory of this in the actual published books)

Disclaimer: i wrote this in one go inside a starbucks please expect ao3 user chloegong and not Author Chloe Gong who does multiple rounds of edits on her books

Second Disclaimer: nobody go putting this on goodreads before someone on my publishing team kicks my ass (rightfully so, i’m on deadline rn and i’m writing fanfic instead of my real contracted manuscript)

Mandatory reminder that Our Violent Ends is available for preorder with all links here :)

It wasn’t supposed to happen again. And yet, somehow, Benedikt was watching fire curl around the side of the building, the roof beams giving a loud groan before shuddering and caving in on itself.

He turned a look onto Roma. “Your girlfriend is a maniac.”

Five hours earlier...

Juliette climbed in through the window of Roma’s bedroom, careful to hug the burlap bag close to her chest as she landed on his carpet. The howling wind outside drowned out some of the clinking, but the glass bottles were still making a racket no matter how carefully she hugged the bag. She had gone full throttle for tonight; when no one was watching and her relatives were downstairs crowing over a game of cards, she had snuck around and robbed the liquor cabinets at the Scarlet mansion quite generously. Now she dropped the bag onto Roma’s floor with a huff, brushing a curl of hair out of her eyes.

“Where’s Marshall?”

Roma looked up from where he was reading, putting his book down and rising from the bed smoothly.

“Well, hello.” He strode toward her, stopping before her with his arms crossed. “Lovely to see you too. You do know it is my bedroom you just snuck into, right?”

Juliette pretended to jump in surprise, looking around wildly. “Do you jest? Oh, bother. Let me climb back out and go find my real lover. Marshall! Where are—”

With a huff that seemed to double as a laugh, Roma grabbed her wrist before she could turn around and leave through the window again.

“You’re hilarious,” he said dryly.

“I know.” Juliette reached up with her free hand, clasping her cold fingers right onto his neck. Though her palm was freezing from the bitter temperatures outside, Roma hardly flinched, he only shrugged his shoulder up to keep her hand there. He couldn’t fight back the grin. For several seconds, the two of them only stood there, looking like a pair of idiots smiling at each other.

Then his door opened.

“Are we interrupting something?”

Marshall bounded into the room, throwing the door wide open. With a horrified expression, Benedikt hurried in after him and closed the door quickly, listening for movement on the other side.

“Yes, leave the door wide open,” Benedikt said. “While any White Flower strolling the corridor can peer in and see the Scarlet heir standing there in a silly coat.”

Juliette stepped away from Roma, peering down at herself as if she had forgotten what she put on. “I didn’t think it was that silly. It’s my disguise.”

“You do look a little like a housewife,” Marshall said, considering the coat.

“A fifteen-year-old housewife?”

“I suppose that is exactly why you look a little silly.”

Juliette pulled a face, but refrained from arguing further. She was here tonight because Marshall wanted to see the new Scarlet club that opened along Thibet Road, and she had promised she could sneak him in. Unfortunately, Marshall was bad at keeping secrets, and the worst at keeping secrets from Benedikt. The moment that Benedikt heard Marshall was planning on entering Scarlet territory, he had decided that he would come in accompaniment.

Juliette supposed it was only fair. Benedikt didn’t entirely trust her, but he was nice enough. He tolerated her presence and always kept an eye over his shoulder to make sure she wasn’t spotted on their territory if she poked her head in to see Roma. While Juliette didn’t know much about Marshall either, he was far warmer than his best friend, and for the first time last week, they had even enjoyed an outing with just the two of them. Juliette Cai and Marshall Seo—out and about in the border territories on a quaint evening.

That outing had ended with accidental arson though, so it was rather possible that exacerbated Benedikt’s desire to play chaperone. And of course, if Benedikt was coming along, Roma wanted to tag along too.

The arson was hardly their fault, Juliette and Marshall had maintained when the Montagovs asked questions. What kind of person left a stack of hay out beside a bar? And what kind of hay was that easily flammable just from accidentally whacking one of the lanterns on the awning onto the stack?

“All right.” Juliette hauled the bag up again. “Are we ready to sneak onto Scarlet territory?”

“Absolutely not,” Benedikt muttered, strolling past her for Roma’s window. “But is that going to stop either of you?”

Before anyone could answer him, Benedikt had already hopped the small gap between windows, climbing into their neighboring building for their route out unspotted.

“Great!” Juliette said. She passed the bag to Roma so he could do the carrying. What was the point of converting a rival gang enemy into a lover if not to lug around her heavy things? “Glad we’re all so enthusiastic.”

Roma sighed, clambering onto his sill and making the climb too. “The things I do for you, dorogaya.”

Marshall hurried after him. “I would argue you’re actually doing this for me, dearest Roma!”

With a snort, Juliette climbed out last, and pulled the window after her.

The Scarlet club had been a bust. Of course, Benedikt had figured that would be the case from the get-go, especially if they were sneaking in at such a late hour to avoid being seen by anyone important in the Scarlet Gang. At least Juliette had provided good alcohol, and now he squinted at the label of the wine bottle under the street lamps while they walked, taking the smaller main roads along the periphery of the city.

Up ahead, Roma and Juliette were whispering to each other, though they didn’t sound like they were talking in full sentences. Those two always communicated in looks and gestures, swapping languages whenever they felt like it and ending up with some incoherent tangle of words that no one else could comprehend.

“Is there anything left in that?”

Benedikt glanced to his side, shaking the bottle to show Marshall. “One last swig. All yours.”

Marshall took the bottle. He put it to his lips and swung up, his head tipped to the sky and the line of his throat bared to the night. Benedikt shivered suddenly, a line of goosebumps rising at the back of his neck. The season had turned cold and the wind that blew onto his face was biting. He wrote off his shudder to the chill, to the temperature dropping with the longer they spent outside at such an hour.

Suddenly, Marshall was squinting into the distance. “Hey.” His call summoned Roma and Juliette’s attention from ahead, who both turned around to see what the matter was.

Marshall pointed to the dark shape off the end of the road. “Isn’t that the abandoned factory we lost to the Scarlets?”

“Is it?” Juliette asked, a sudden glee in her face.

“Why would you say that?” Roma bemoaned. He didn’t bother trying to stop her as Juliette hurried ahead, eager to explore the factory. “Look what you’ve done.”

But Marshall was wearing a similar expression, his eyes scanning the factory as they approached closer and closer. Wordlessly, he handed the bottle back to Benedikt, and though Benedikt’s head was spinning from the drink, he still recognized the exact face that Marshall made before he was going to get himself into trouble.

“Mars—”

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” he insisted, tipping his chin forward. Juliette had disappeared into the factory. “You two be look-out. We wouldn’t want someone finding us here, right?”

Benedikt scarcely had a second to argue back. Marshall was already hurrying off.

Inside the factory, Juliette trailed her hands along the dark walls, her eyes wide. The machines looked strange in the moonlight, but stranger while sitting so idle. She was used to seeing rows and rows of workers in the daytime, trailing after her father as he ran inspections on the work of their trade partners. It might have been the wine in her system, but everything seemed to sway: sitting so inactive in movement that her eyes were imagining movement.

“Pst.”

Juliette almost jumped out of her skin.

“Christ,” she muttered, whirling around with a hand on her heart. Marshall slunk out from the shadows, both his hands in his pockets. “You gave me a fright.”

“Me? Frightening?” Marshall picked up a strange object on the table, inspected it for several seconds, then set it back down. “I am the least frightening person on the planet.”

“Yes, well, when it’s so dark, even a cuddly teddy bear would be terrifying.” Juliette felt around her dress. She thought she had tucked her lighter in here somewhere. There were little pockets sewn around the sleeves and armholes that she kept all her weapons, though if anyone asked, she would say she had the ability to materialize them out of thin air.

“Do you scream often at teddy bears?”

“Only when they sneak up on me.”

“I don’t see you screaming at Roma.”

“He gets a special pass. He’s only a teddy bear on the inside.”

Marshall snorted. He leaned down, trying to read the paper taped down to the table. At last, Juliette found her lighter—it was actually in her sock—and she brought it close, thumbing down the sparkwheel for a flame.

“Do not touch—for demolishing,” Marshall read under the new light. “Are the Scarlets going to build something new here?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Juliette replied. “My father doesn’t include me in his business meetings yet.”

“Hmm.” The shadows of the factory danced. Juliette thought she saw someone darting in her periphery, and she whirled around, but it was only Marshall’s shadow. Unfortunately, she had scared Marshall with her movement, and he bumped into her, asking, “What? What is it?”

The lighter flew out of her hands, landing on the paper.

“Nothing, nothing!” Juliette assured. “I was seeing things.”

But Marshall wasn’t convinced. He swiveled around. Peered hard into a corner. “Was it ghosts? I know this city has ghosts. All that death creates so many ghosts.”

Juliette tried to look where he was looking. She couldn’t see anything except the dark.

“There is no such thing as ghosts.”

“Just last week, I felt something walk by me and then there was no one when I looked. I swear to you, if it wasn’t ghosts then I—” Marshall stopped suddenly, turning around to look at the table. “Uh… is that supposed to happen?”

Juliette whirled around too. The whole table was on fire. “Oh, God.”

With a sudden pop, the fire sprung up and licked up to the walls. There had to be something sprayed inside the factory already to prepare for demolition, or else the flames would not be traveling with such intensive speed.

“Marshall,” Juliette said simply.

“Yes?”

She looked at him. “When the Montagovs ask, we blame the factory and say we have no idea what happened. Run!”

Benedikt and Roma kept watch in relative silence. Benedikt’s head was spinning, and his cousin looked like his head was doing the same if his swaying was any indication. Roma was humming softly under his breath, toeing the grass that grew around the abandoned factory.

Then, there was a sudden sound from inside, and the first tendrils of flames blew out from the topmost windows.

“Roma,” Benedikt said plainly. “I’m willing to bet my life savings that Juliette Cai just committed arson.”

Roma tilted his head up, his jaw dropping agape. At first, he could only stare at the growing fire, eating up the roof beams. Then, he said: “To be fair, it could have been Marshall.”

Benedikt threw his arms into the air. “Who looks more like the arson type, Juliette or Marshall?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“The answer was Juliette!”

Benedikt pinched the bridge of his nose. He was rapidly growing concerned, but before he could suggest they go in to search for the two, Juliette and Marshall ran out from the factory—laughing. The factory was burning down, and they were laughing, grasping at each other and spinning in circles right in front of the factory. They looked a sight: seconds away from collapsing atop of each other in utter delirium.

Benedikt turned to Roma. “Your girlfriend is a maniac.”

Roma was struggling to hold back his laugh watching her with Marshall. “I think she’s magnificent.”

Marshall stumbled, and Juliette squealed, reaching out to grab his arm before he could trip and land flat on his face. Benedikt almost—almost—let a smile slip. Before Roma could sight it and tease him for enjoying himself after all, he cleared his throat.

“What happened?” he bellowed.

“Faulty factory!” Marshall called back.

Benedikt shook his head, turning on his heel. They needed to get out of here before someone reported the fire.

“Come on!” he called back to the three. “Let’s go before the Municipal Police arrive.”

Upon Benedikt’s summons, Marshall left Juliette’s side and hurried to catch up. He slowed to a stroll once he was beside Benedikt, but Benedikt could feel Marshall watching him.

“What?” Benedikt asked. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure his cousin was following too. Thankfully he was, though it was mostly Juliette hauling him along, their hands clasped together and swinging while Roma kept looking at the fire.

“I think you enjoyed yourself,” Marshall replied smugly. “After all that complaining about sneaking into Scarlet territory.”

Benedikt reached out and rapped his knuckles on Marshall’s skull. With a shriek, Marshall darted ahead.

“You want me to enjoy myself?” Benedikt shouted after him, breaking into a run too. “Come back then! Let me throttle you!”

FIN.

#these violent delights #romajuliette #benediktmarshall #how am i out here using my own book tags this feels weird FKJDHSDKJFH #should i tag my own name too #chloe gong #now i've gone and done it #bookblr #yabooks

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roonilwazlibimagines · 2 years

Text

s.b Holidate - Ch.1 Christmas

Pairing: Sirius Black x Female Reader Word Count: 6.6k Synopsis: Her and Sirius have a complicated relationship and things get even more complicated when they agree to start a fake relationship to get their parents off their back Warnings: Includes some swearing, smoking and drinking alcohol A/N: I think I could keep editing this forever and still not be happy with it, but I am at a place where I am okay with this. Future me, be nice to yourself. For more information on the series look at the holidate masterlist! I also find wishing people a merry christmas a very awkward thing as I overthink everything because idk your situation and I know not everyone celebrates it so instead I am telling you that I am sending you my love now and always and I hope you are feeling it.

Masterlist | Holidate Masterlist

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

“Just a firewhiskey, please.” I unfortunately knew that voice. I was suddenly ten years old hearing that same voice trying to persuade me to steal another chocolate even though our parents said ‘no.’ I was fifteen, hearing that voice tell me that my parents were horrible people and I was going to turn out just like them, mean and cruel. I was seventeen, sitting in the library, listening to that voice trying to get into the pants of whoever was sitting next to him doing everything but what was considered appropriate in a library.

My jaw had subconsciously clenched and I prayed that he wouldn’t notice me. I felt his eyes flicker towards me but I hoped it was too dark for him to recognise me. It wasn’t.

“Sirius,” I cleared my throat as he said my name. We were in a pub in Diagon Alley, it was almost midnight and there were only two other people on the opposite side of the room, meaning I didn’t have to yell for him to hear me.

It wasn’t common for me to show up at a pub in Diagon Alley, I was sure I had only ever been here once before by mistake and sitting in my emerald green dress, I looked terribly out of place. But I was desperate to distract myself.

“Why are you out by yourself?” He somehow managed to slouch on the barstool and I let myself glance over at him. He had an air of arrogance and a stupid smirk that seemed to be permanently etched on his face. He was wearing a ridiculous leather jacket and jeans that I thought looked horrible on him.

“I could ask you the same thing.” I took a sip of my own firewhiskey, finishing the glass before asking the bartender for another. He glanced down at my empty glass before answering.

“The usual,” he shrugged, “it’s a hard life being the family disappointment, but someone’s gotta do it.”

“You’re so brave.” I gave him a sarcastic smile and he chuckled.

Sirius and I had a long history. We were in similar situations because we both came from pureblood families, but Sirius saw that as a stain to his name whereas I had thrived in the environment.

“So, why are you here?” I didn’t think Sirius looked that much different now that he was older. He still had long, wavy hair that was always styled to look perfectly rugged, he still had piercing grey eyes and his bone structure was as sharp as ever. He had a bit of stubble on his jawline which suited his rough aesthetic.

“It’s a hard life when your parents have unrealistic expectations.” I shrugged my shoulders and began sipping on the new glass in front of me, Sirius doing the same. “You should know all about that.”

“I’ll drink to that.” He tilted his glass up before drinking it all in one go and asking for another.

I guess we did have some unspoken understanding between us. We just chose to wear it differently.

Sirius had always been very vocal about how his beliefs were the stark opposite of his parents and it seemed every action he took, every decision he made, was a purposeful middle finger to everything his parents had worked to give him.

My relationship with my parents was a bit more complicated. I was an only child and therefore the expectations were higher even if Sirius would say that they were the same considering he was the eldest. But they weren’t. His parents had Regulus to fall back on and they did. I was the golden child. I had always done everything to make my parents proud, to be the perfect daughter and I knew that got under Sirius’ skin. Maybe my parents’ beliefs weren’t good, but they weren’t bad parents and so I was happy to uphold their legacy.

“So, how’s life being a healer?” I rolled my eyes at his attempt to make polite small talk.

“You don’t have to act like you’re interested.” It had been two years since we left Hogwarts, but I had unfortunately seen Sirius Black plenty since that time so I wasn't surprised he knew. As long as I could remember the noble wizarding families had been holding celebrations for just about any occasion they could find an excuse for and for some reason, Sirius Black always showed up to them.

“C’mon,” he teased, “I want to hear how horribly you’re doing so I can feel good about myself.”

I didn’t like being around Sirius Black, but he was somehow always there. We were the closest to age in that society and I think this was the root of our issue. Our parents were delighted we were so close in age and had practically forced us to be friends when we were younger. But Sirius was always too loud and bossy and I was always more annoyed by his presence than I enjoyed it. I was sure Sirius would say the exact same thing about me, we always butt heads but somehow, we were always in the presence of the other. I think our parents hoped that we would one day end up together, but that changed when Sirius decided to get himself into Gryffindor and my mother had been swearing against him ever since.

“Is it true that Sirius Back was sorted into Gryffindor?” I replayed the sorting through my mind. I was back home for summer break and my mother wanted to know everything.

I remembered sitting with him on the train when he told the new people we had met that he wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor and my heart threatened to beat out of my chest because I knew if his parents ever found out he would be dead. I remembered him flickering his eyes over to me to see how I reacted and I remembered purposely looking away so he wouldn't see my disappointment. He was the only one in the pureblood society who was in my year, a part of me didn’t really want to be separated even if he did get on my nerves. A part of me thought we’d still be friends at Hogwarts. Or that he would still be by my side, constantly annoying me.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way his grey eyes never tore away from mine as the Sorting Hat yelled GRYFFINDOR when it touched his head and he made his way to the opposite side of the room. Or the way he looked almost sad when the hat yelled SLYTHERIN before it even properly touched my head as if there was any other house for me to be sorted into.

“Yeah,” I had mumbled, not really wanting to be part of this conversation with my mother.

“What a disgrace,” she scoffed, “but it is unfortunate that you won’t be friends anymore,” she sighed, “he was annoying but I liked you two together.” Even at that age I knew there was a deeper meaning to the comment. That she wasn’t just referring to us as friends.

I raised my eyebrows at him and let him stare at me expectantly for a moment before I answered his question. “Being a healer is,” I paused, “fun.”

“Sure,” he shook his head and I didn’t really want to be talking about this when I was trying to forget my current situation. Despite Sirius’ house deviation, he still stayed with his parents, even if he was old enough to move out, and he still showed up to all of the celebrations and I think this was the only reason our society still tolerated him.

During school Sirius used to spend the summers at his friends house, but he always showed up to those occasions and I wasn’t sure why. When we were younger we still spoke at these events, but then Sirius made new friends and our playful conversations got a bit more tense and now people didn’t even look twice when Sirius and I were arguing at them.

“And yourself?” I knew the answer, everyone knew the answer, but for some reason I wanted to see if anything had changed.

“You know me,” he shrugged, “don’t like confining myself to one thing.” I suddenly remembered all of the girls he had dated during Hogwarts. I was sure there were just as many after, but I wasn’t forced to be in the same place as him and quite frankly, I didn’t really care to keep up with Sirius Black’s escapades. Besides, most of them were muggleborns and I didn’t even know who they were so there was no fun in that.

“So you're relying on mummy and daddy then?” He laughed but I could tell that I had hit a sore point.

“Something like that.”

In our second year Sirius and his friends played a humiliating prank on the Slytherin’s that made me smell like dungbombs for a week and gave me red hair for almost a month. To me that was what made our relationship nasty. When everyone around me was saying what a disgrace Sirius Black was to be sorted into Gryffindor, I just shrugged. He was still the stupid kid I had grown up with, but I’d never forgotten that humiliation, and the way him and his friends laughed and how he never stopped, even when he saw it had upset me.

We didn’t really speak at Hogwarts, but we acknowledged each other's existence. We grew up together and it didn’t matter that we took different paths, because we would always be connected by that. But after that stupid prank, I ignored him. I think this annoyed him as if he had a right to be annoyed at me and so at the next pureblood society event, Sirius confronted me and that was when people learnt that Sirius Black and I no longer got along.

Unfortunately for Sirius, I wasn’t a disgrace in the eyes of these people and most of them thought Sirius Black was a deviant who, if not for the fact he still stayed with his parents, would have been shunned from the community a long time ago for his muggle loving behaviour.

“Are you going to the Christmas party?” I was sure he already knew the answer and I had to refrain from rolling my eyes.

The pureblood societies celebrations were always over the top, but the Christmas one was infamous and it was blasphemy to not make an appearance. This year it was at the Malfoy’s.

“What do you think?” I gave him a bored look and he shrugged.

“I was hoping you grew a backbone and finally stood up to them.” I took a deep breath. I couldn’t really say anything. I didn’t want him thinking that at this very moment all I wanted was a backbone.

“Well you still show up to them.” He didn’t say anything and only sipped his drink. “They’re not bad people.” I mumbled, feeling the need to defend my family, especially in front of this stupid blood traitor.

“So the rumours aren’t true then?” I squinted my eyes at him, hoping he wasn’t about to say what I thought he was referring to. “Your parents aren’t marrying you off to Tiberius Nott?” I turned away from him. My heart was suddenly in my throat. How did he even know? “That’s what I thought.”

“You know nothing,” I hissed at him. I would’ve yelled it but I didn’t want any attention to be drawn to us, even if there was only one person left on the other side of the room. I had never had a partner throughout my nineteen years of life. I just wasn’t interested. Everyone around me was too immature or were beneath my family and those few who weren’t I just wasn’t interested in. My parents were fine with this as they wanted me to focus on my studies instead, but now that I had left Hogwarts, it seemed that my parents had changed their mind and were now stressed because I didn’t have a suitable husband lined up.

“You’re almost twenty,” my mother had stressed. She had told me this morning that if I didn’t find anyone by the new year I would be wed to Tiberius Nott. I wasn’t exactly sure how Sirius knew considering I only found out this afternoon, but I never questioned how fast gossip spread in our society.

“So you’re completely fine being married off to a blood supremist almost 15 years older than you?” I didn’t want him to know that that was the exact reason I was here tonight. He let out a dry chuckle and suddenly all the emotions I had been feeling since my parents had told me this were threatening to fall over the edge.

“How dare you? Nott is from a respectable family and he is nice and-”

“And really rich.” He shrugged his shoulders as if he understood but I knew he didn't. I let out a little huff in response.

“Well I’m getting old,” I sighed, “most people our age are already married and expecting.” I said it with mock happiness and he nodded at that, knowing I was right.

“But we’re so young, don’t you think?” I didn’t want to agree with him.

“I think,” I paused, not really knowing how to reply to this, “I want a comfortable life and a respectable one too.”

“Each to their own,” he shrugged and I don’t know why I kept the conversation going.

“I’m surprised you still go to these things.” I had finished my second glass for the night and stopped it there, but Sirius had already caught up to me and he wasn’t showing any signs of stopping.

“Who said I’m going?” When I didn’t say anything he continued. “Walburga still hasn’t given up on me and if I make an appearance and make it seem like I give a shit about it they keep giving me money.” I nodded, respecting his ability to be truthful about it.

“So you understand the desire to live a comfortable life?” I challenged him.

“No, darling,” he gave me a cocky grin and I rolled my eyes, “I just don’t want to live on the streets.”

“You could always get a job.”

“I could,” he nodded, “but what’s the fun in that?” I had a feeling that he liked taking from his parents, that it made him feel like he was in control and was the one who was doing the using like most noble families do of their children. Why else would he stay with them when he had made it notoriously known he did not want to be associated with them? I didn’t like Sirius Black but I knew he wasn’t dumb. If he applied himself I’m sure he could get somewhere. His lack of motivation only made me detest him even more.

“I’m surprised you’re not getting married off either, because-” I cut myself off with a dramatic gasp, “what’s that?” He squinted his eyes at me as I pointed to his hair. “Is that,” I paused, “a grey hair?” I whispered the last part and it made him roll his eyes. I reached out to touch it but he swatted my hand away.

“You’re hilarious.” But he wasn’t laughing. Vain as always. “Don’t think they haven’t tried, but despite popular belief, I’m quite happy being the family disappointment.”

“It’s not something to be proud of.” He shrugged his shoulders but for some reason I couldn’t let it go. “Don’t you want to prove them wrong? Show them that you can actually do something and you’re only a disappointment because of your beliefs?”

“Good to know you think so highly of me.”

“I’m serious.” His eyes sparkled and the corners of his lips twitched up but I gave him such a sour look that he didn’t say the obvious three words ready to escape his lips.

“What’s the point?” I was glad he chose a different three words. I didn’t have an answer right now so I didn’t say anything. “Well,” he let out a sigh and grabbed a cigarette and lighter out of his pocket. I didn’t think they allowed that in here but I didn’t say anything. “Oh, sorry,” he paused as if he just remembered something, “you want one?” He pointed the cigarette at me and I scrunched my nose up at it in disgust and he gave me a toothy grin. “I guess Merry Christmas to us.”

He pointed his new glass up at me in mock cheers and I repeated his words, “Merry Christmas.”

“I should get going.” I sighed and started making sure I had everything on me.

“Eager to get away from me, darling?” I rolled my eyes.

“Have to prepare myself for tomorrow.” He gave me a look as if to say fair enough and saying one last goodbye I apparated back home. The house was quiet. Everyone was asleep and it was pitch black. I made my way up quietly and got ready for bed. My parents let me have some freedoms, but I don’t think they’d be too impressed to see me get home at such a late hour, especially when we had to be looking our best for the party tomorrow.

~~~

The party was in full swing. The Malfoy’s had gone all out. The Manor was full of snow covered Christmas trees that went so high I couldn’t even tell where they finished. Silver and gold decorations were hanging up and there were presents placed in all corners. It was late afternoon and twinkling lights adorned almost every surface to illuminate the room and I was in awe. There was Christmas music playing softly in the background from a live band and everyone was chattering around me. I knew most of these decorations were being held in place by magic, but I felt there was an emotional magic present that I couldn’t necessarily describe.

Most people were arriving at the same time as us but while everyone was greeting the other I was in awe of the magical wonderland in front of us.

“It’s all right, I guess.” It was that stupid voice again. It wasn’t uncommon for Sirius to come and annoy me at these parties, I just had to get through it and then find my friends. All of the children from these pureblood families were quite close. Even if they were all in different years to me, we had spent our Hogwarts life together and had grown up together. Sirius hated them all and so I got to enjoy the rest of the celebration without his company.

I scoffed at him but didn’t reply. “Is this all for me?” He turned to look me up and down and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion before I realised I was wearing a red dress. It was long, tight fitted and had a slit on one of my legs. The sleeves were puffy but became fitted just after my elbow. I knew I looked good because I wouldn’t have showed up if I didn’t. I had spent the whole morning making sure my jewellery and shoes perfectly matched, that my makeup and hair were flawless, and that my nails and bag completed the outfit. I wished I could have said the same for Sirius who had shown up in that godawful leather jacket that looked like it had been worn one too many times and pants that were definitely a size too big and fitted him horribly. His boots were a whole other issue.

“Red is a Christmas colour you idiot.” I folded my arms across my chest and tried to keep my confidence. His hair looked neater than what it did last night and I wondered if that had anything to do with Walburga, he was freshly shaven and the lights made his eyes look almost silver which annoyed me because I liked silver. It was a Slytherin colour.

“Well, I think red suits you,” he gave me a wink and took a glass of champagne from one of the plates the servers circling the room were carrying and with that, he was gone. I also grabbed a glass from the server and sipped it lightly. I usually wore other Christmas colours, specifically green, but I hadn’t worn red for a while and was dying for a chance to wear this new dress. But I didn’t have to explain myself for Sirius Black.

I made my way over to greet everyone as was expected. I kept my smile wide and my compliments sincere and when I finally found Narcissa I couldn’t stop gushing about what a marvellous job she had done. Narcissa was only a few years older than me and we were quite close friends.

I was laughing at something she said until I paused when I saw a tall brunette walk in. He seemed to find my eye immediately and sent me a toothless smile and a slight wink. I felt my heart reach my throat the same way it had done last night when Sirius had said his name. Tiberius Nott. It felt like the walls were coming in on me, I was sure that some of the trees were going to fall down and if they weren’t, it was definitely going to be an abnormally large Christmas ornament hanging up. Narcissa followed my eye and gave me what I assumed was an excited smile before I excused myself and made my way outside. Of course, everyone knew my fate. I passed my empty champagne glass to a server and pushed the door open.

It wasn’t that Tiberius was necessarily unattractive, but I couldn't even remember if I had previously spoken to him and I knew if I had it would have been formal small talk in an attempt on my behalf to uphold my family's name.

It was snowing outside and the cold brought me into reality and out of the feeling that I was suffocating. Sirius was right, I’m still so young. I’m barely twenty and I’m already getting married off. I was standing on their backyard porch, trying not to let my heels get stuck in between the icy wood. I was watching the snow fall down, it was late in the afternoon so the sky was a dull grey and I was contemplating the direction my life was about to go in.

“A bit chilly, innit?” It was that fucking voice again.

“Are you stalking me?” I wrapped my arms tight around myself to keep warm. Sirius and I spoke at these things, but not often and I think this was the most we had spoken since we were children. He grinned as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it up. “They’re horrible for you, you know?” He just shrugged in response. I knew Sirius smoked but I’d never actually seen him smoke.

“So why did you run out of there all dramatic like?” A wave of fear rushed over me. I was hoping that I hadn’t made a scene, that no one saw me, and that he hadn’t seen me run out after making eye contact with him.

“Just needed some air,” I shrugged. The look he gave me told me that he didn’t believe me but he didn’t push it.

We stood alone out the back, watching a white sheet start to fall on the grass in their backyard. I could still hear the music playing inside and could hear the constant chatter from everyone indoors but it was all muffled.

It was cold and I was shivering. I could smell the smoke from Sirius’ cigarette and I wanted to cough just to annoy him. My teeth were chattering and I was sure that the icy air was going straight to my brain because for some reason I spoke my biggest fear aloud to none other than Sirius Black.

“I don’t want to marry him.”

It was silent. He pulled his cigarette out of his mouth.

“Tiberius?”

“No,” I scoffed, “Santa.” I couldn’t believe he asked and he let out a humourless chuckle. He put his cigarette back between his lips and I continued. “They’ve given me until the end of the year but if I don't find anyone, then…” I started speaking slower and I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

Thankfully Sirius spoke before I had to. “You’ll just have to find yourself someone before the end of the year then.” He took a drag before continuing. “You’ll be fine, you have plenty of time.” I should have just left the conversation there. I should have just rolled my eyes and stormed back inside. I’m sure it was warm inside.

“Half the people eligible by my parent's standards are already taken and the other half I’m not interested in,” I complained, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m telling you this, we’re not even friends.” I think a part of me thought that he would understand, but his response was telling me the opposite.

“Maybe you’ll have to explore outside your parents' standards.” He shrugged and I scoffed.

“I already told you, I want a comfortable life, a respectable one and that’s not going to happen without their support.”

“Sounds pretty boring to me.” I turned to face him. I was still shorter than him in my ridiculously high heels and I sighed.

“Well we can’t all be brave Gryffindors like yourself, can we?” He removed his cigarette from his lips and left his mouth open. I squinted my eyes at him, he looked like he was halfway through a thought and I was suddenly concerned of where he was going to go with this.

“No,” he mumbled, “but maybe you could be with one.”

“You’re not making sense.” I was still shivering with only my dress to keep me warm and I was frustrated and angry at this conversation and I went to walk back inside.

“No, hold on.” He grabbed onto my arm and I turned around. “Listen, I have a plan.” I gave him a weary look which only made him more confident. He discarded his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it.

“Are you going to pick it up?”

“Listen to me.” I rolled my eyes and he continued, his hand still on my upper arm. “I’m at my wits end trying to figure out a way to ensure my parents don’t cut me off. They’ve just about had enough of me and I definitely don’t make things easier for them.”

“Okay?” I gave him a look as if to say, ‘what does your stupid family problems have to do with mine?’

“Your parents have given you a shitty ultimatum, either find someone eligible or get married off to someone almost double your age to carry on your ‘noble legacy.’” He said the last two words in a mock posh accent.

“Thanks for the reminder.” He ignored me.

“So, why don’t we date?” I blinked up at him a few times waiting for him to burst out in laughter and say it was just one of his stupid pranks, but he never did. I took the liberty myself and started laughing instead. He let go of my arm and gave me a small frown.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes.” I knew he was because he didn’t make the obvious joke that usually falls from his lips anytime someone asks him that. “Not actually dating,” he continued, “but like, just to get them to lay off us.”

“So a fake relationship?”

“Sure.” He shrugged his shoulders and I couldn’t believe that I was actually considering this. “Whatever you want to call it.” He let go of my arm.

“I feel like you get more out of it than I do.” If we were comparing reputations in our society, I definitely had a better one compared to Sirius and I didn’t think my image would improve by being on his arm.

“I’m not sure if I should take offence to that.” He said it more like a question.

“You should,” I paused and he gave me a shocked look, “in the ‘noble wizarding family community’,” I put air quotations around it, “I have a much better reputation than you.” When he didn’t say anything I continued like an idiot. “My parents have high standards for me and if you still didn’t live with yours you would have been shunned from the community a very long time ago, I’m surprised you’re still even here.” He nodded at me as if he understood but I wasn’t convinced this was over.

“You’re right,” he agreed, “but it’s either you find your own boyfriend and keep your reputation pristine, or you don’t and you go marry Tiberius.” He whispered his name. He could have stopped there but in true Sirius Black fashion he continued. “Surely he has a few good years left to give you children, no?” I rolled my eyes and I folded my arms around my chest to try to keep some warmth on me.

I was fidgeting on the spot, looking down at my tall, shimmering shoes, hoping that something would happen that would give me my answer on what to do.

I didn’t really want Sirius to be my first boyfriend. But I guess he wasn’t all that bad. He wasn’t ugly. We had grown up together so we knew each other quite well. Maybe we had been horrible to each other in the last few years but really, I wasn’t in a position to be picky right now.

“Fine, but we need to set some rules first.” He gave me a look as if he was surprised I had agreed but there was no going back on it now.

“Okay, hit me.” He seemed to relax and it annoyed me. Things would have to change if we were going to make this work.

“Well we only made it official last night.” I said it more like a question to see if he thought it was a good idea.

“Sure, it’s believable, we tell them we went out and saw each other and started reminiscing of when we were younger and actually started getting along,” he paused, “and we really bonded over how shit our families are.” I knew he was joking so I didn’t give him the satisfaction of fighting it.

“We only need to see each other when we have celebrations that require an appearance from both of us.”

“Do you really not want to be around me, darling? I promise I can show you a good time.” He gave me a wink and I gagged at his innuendo.

“We obviously don’t tell anyone.”

“Obviously.”

“And this can end whenever we say so, okay?” He shrugged his shoulders and nodded.

“Sounds good to me.” We stood there in silence for a beat before I continued.

“And you’ll need to make some changes as well.” His face turned to one of confusion but I continued before he could interrupt. “No more smoking, it’s disgusting and I will not be smelling like cigarette smoke.” He went to argue and I continued, “And I mean, who wears a leather jacket to one of these parties? Completely ridiculous. An utter embarrassment.” I shook my head at him, where was the class?

“Fine,” he smirked and took it off. I honestly wouldn’t have found it odd if he just threw it in the snow and left it there. It was something he would do. What I wasn’t expecting him to do was to drape it around my shoulders instead. “You wear it then.” I was ready to push it off me and tell him there was no way in hell I was ever going to wear it, but a wave of heat rushed through me and there was an odd scent coming from it that made me freeze before I did so.

“What cologne do you wear?” He gave me a satisfactory look when I pulled it tighter around my body. I was cold and it was warm. That was all.

“Do you like it?”

“It smells like wet dog.” Maybe in reference to my joke he let out a laugh that sounded ridiculously like a bark and I squinted my eyes at him. The jacket was heavy on me and I think that was the main reason I kept it on. The ends of his sleeves fell past my fingers and they were a little scuffed and faded. There was a lingering smell of cigarette along with the wet dog scent and I hoped it wouldn’t linger on me.

He was left in a plain white dress shirt and those horribly big pants. He put an arm around me and said, “let’s go tell them the great news, darling.”

“You’re also not allowed to call me ‘darling’.”

“Why?” He sounded almost offended.

“It sounds so old fashioned,” I scrunched my nose up in distaste as I let him guide me inside, “and because you call all your hookups that.” I’m pretty sure every girl at Hogwarts had been called ‘darling’ by Sirius Black at some point.

“So you’ve been talking to my hookups?” I pushed at his chest and he laughed as we walked back in. “So what can I call you?” I was about to answer but then I felt everyone’s eyes on us.

Sirius Black wasn’t a loner. Usually at these parties he was mingling around, annoying anyone who would listen. Other times he was in the corner with some random muggleborn he had brought just to annoy everyone. There was never a time that he had his arm around me, a pawn in the system he hates so much wearing his infamous leather jacket.

“Fuck,” I mumbled under my breath but Sirius only chuckled. He didn’t seem to care that everyone was watching us, trying to see if this was just some joke or if we had magically befriended the other in the last half hour. Everyone knew that Sirius Black and I did not get along so people were interested.

It seemed everyone was frozen. I was frozen. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination but I thought the music had stopped playing when we walked in and everyone's attention turned to us. I was sure I was moving in slow motion.

He guided me through the room, saying ‘hello’ to random people we passed. If he didn’t have a hand on my back to guide me I didn’t think I’d be able to move.

It wasn’t until my mother came up to us that we stopped in our tracks.

“What’s this?” There was a look of uncertainty with a touch of distaste on her face. I could feel a few eyes turn away, but a majority stayed on us. The band started a new song and I let out a nervous laugh.

“I was going to tell you this morning but I wasn’t sure how to.” I hoped she would link the nervousness in my voice to the anxiety of having to tell her I was dating Sirius Black.

“Don’t tell me you’re dating.” She was blinking unusually fast and she pulled out a fan and opened it up quickly. I shivered at the waves of cold air.

“I-uh, we,” my inability to speak answered her question and her lips formed a straight line. Sirius’ mother made her way over and repeated my mother’s question. Her face was a mix of confusion and a tinge of hope and I hated that I was right. Sirius was definitely getting more out of this situation.

“Mother, great news.” Sirius let me do the talking with mine so I let him do the talking with his. “We’re dating.” She was so shocked she brought a hand to her face.

“That’s wonderful, darling.” I found it humorous she used the same nickname Sirius used and decided I would tease him about it later.

My mother let out a nervous laugh and agreed, but her look told me that we would be having a talk about this the second we left.

I wish I could say I was shocked how fast the news spread of our new relationship, but I wasn’t. I knew how much everyone in this room, including myself (and Sirius), loved a good piece of gossip and honestly I couldn’t blame them. By the end of the next five minutes, everyone knew about our relationship. I was perfect in most of these people’s eyes so it was odd to find someone so flawed attached to my arm especially when these people could barely remember a time Sirius and I weren’t arguing with the other.

We sat by ourselves and I kept grabbing a glass of champagne every time a server passed us.

I told Sirius I wanted to walk around and talk to people or at least go see my friends so I could stop worrying about us, but he told me I looked like I was going to throw up and he didn’t trust me to lead a believable lie. If I was being honest, I did feel a little sick and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle everyone questioning what had changed between Sirius and I so I stayed with him until everyone was saying goodbye and we were heading out the door.

“Well, thanks.” I mumbled as Sirius and I stood outside the front door, waiting for our parents to finish saying goodbye. It had stopped snowing for a moment, but it was still freezing outside. It was night now and it was dark, but the Malfoys had put up enough Christmas lights outside for me to see the smug look on Sirius’ face.

“Thank you,” he said much more enthusiastically than me. “So I guess I’ll see you at the Parkinson’s New Years Eve party?” I nodded my head slowly, suddenly rethinking my choices.

“I guess so.” Everyone around us was saying their goodbyes and I was trying to find my parents.

“Princess,” he began and my eyes found his grey ones. I gave him a questioning look at the name. “Please work on your emotions by then, okay? I’ll let you off this time because we can say you were just nervous about introducing me as your boyfriend, which, even though I don’t really understand, I think is still plausible, but please,” he emphasised, “try to look like you actually like me, okay?” I scowled at him but he kept smiling like a fool. “Oh and I will be taking this back, thank you.” He reached out to take his leather jacket off me that I hadn’t realised I was still wearing. “Can’t have everyone thinking I turned soft.”

I rolled my eyes and stopped myself from bringing my arms around my chest. I felt lighter. I felt like a pool of warmth had been stolen from me and I was forced to jump into an ice bath instead. But I didn’t want him knowing that.

“Goodbye, princess.” I was sure I was going to be sick, but instead I mumbled out a goodbye and he quickly reached out for my hand to press a kiss to the back of it before walking over to his parents and apparating away.

“What the fuck?” I honestly thought the words had come out of my own mouth because that was exactly what I was thinking. But it wasn’t. It was my mother who was pulling me by the arm and apparating us back home.

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