#time to be the btch god for no reason

[yuuugay]

simple luciel from @uroboros-if lineart to complete my list of stuff to draw this weekend sabfjkgfgsg

[lackablazeical]

haiiiii!!!! I've been vv scatter brained, bUT. I HAVE SONGS-

they aren't all specific to characters, so you can pick n choose who gets what n where

The Ballad of Sara Berry: unsure of why i feel this, I'm thinking Mikey. the whole story of trying to be the best till you eventually decide I'm automatically the best if my competition are dead, and they're all bitches anyway.

Hadestown, but specifically the song "Word to the Wise" (at 59:55 in the video) gives me April w the gossip mill energy

Beetlejuice the Musical, specifically That Beautiful Sound (and the Girl Scout song if u wanna see what lead up to T.B.S). I get Donnie w Razor Sharp Grin w this because why not revel in the midst of fearful and distressful screams that you are responsible for.

Mean Girls Musical, World Burn. it gives pyromaniac Mikey w the burning, fire, destructive aspects (same Mikey-). and it could work w April as well w the gossip mill and airing dirty laundry when necessary.

Slap a Btch, Rico Nasty. Ralph. that's it, all I got, some parts of it lyrically works w him, but it's also just the general vibe he's got. like Jade West w her "I'll pop ur head like a pimple." but he can also be kinda like soft Blue's Clues energy.

Super Psycho Love gives Leo, unsure as to why cause like. idk, the genre doesn't fit w the puzzle pieces of his character that I have-

also just. Partners in Crime. that is all-

Hiiiii music <33

For the first one I definitely get both Leo and Mikey vibes. Honestly lowkey all the Hamatos LMAO like

Well, Sara Berry was a popular bitch // Hot bod', hot boy, cheer captain, plus she was rich

You taste the silver Sara, you taste the crown // You thirst for blood from the roses in hand // Whoa, you spoil for sash and scepter, music to dance

Some girls are rational but Sara was not // She stared in mirrors thinking one single thought (Julie) // There's seven reasons this crown's not good as got (Anne, Eunice, Raquel, Marianna) // And so the night of prom, mercy, thus went her plot (Patricia, Quiara)

ALL OF THESE MAKE ME THINK OF THE HAMATOS WISHWKSNS

And the April one is so real my girlfriend LOVES hadestown so I appreciate the recc >:]]

I need to listen to more of the Beetlejuice musical too cus you're spot on w/ the Donnie idea- these Lyrics are SO him

The sound of a scream, is music to me // A sound that says fifteen years full-time therapy // Trauma and fear, it sings in my ear // Ain't it the sweetest noise around, that beautiful sound?

Panic and stress // Oh ain't it the best? // The sound of heart // Exploding inside a chest // It fills you with pride // We're ruining lives

AND WORLD BURN- OOUGH- How I didn't see April and Mikey is BEYOND ME WKBWKWNS

My name is Regina George and I am a massive deal // I will grind you to sand beneath my Louboutin heel // This is what I get for helping, helping someone lame fit in

I wanna watch the world burn, I got the gasoline // I wanna watch the world burn and everyone get mean

Because you took me down // But you didn't finish me off // My name is Regina George // And in case you're keeping score // Cady may have won the battle // But I will win the war

For Smack a Bitch, I get Raph vibe wise but also it's SUCH a Mikey vibe like oh my GOD so I'll just add it to both their playlists snrk

I get what you mean about Leo tho!!! Like some are a lil funky but like. These lines are so real

You're gonna // Be with me // I know you want me too // I think you want me too // Please say you want me too // Because you're going to // Say that you want me every day // That you want me every way

And of COURSE Partners in Crime is the Hamatos Be REALLLLLLL

[zhvakinnn]

Giyu's what?!..

Pairing: giyu x reader (any gender)

(platonic)

Butttt reader is giyuu's sister

Requested by: me, myself and i

One day giyuu's sister/brother/sibling became a hashira

This is a head cannon on what the hashiras reaction

(sorry if this is bad I've never written this kind of fanfic before,and sorry for my bad English)

•when he heard that someone became a hashira (which is you)

•(i don't know what breathing style you want, so I'm letting you choose)

•and they found out that reader is giyuu's sister/brother/sibling (you've told your name obviously)

•sanemi is the type when you walk in or just spoken a single word will curse the sh!t out of you (this man is mad for no bloody reason)

But if master ubayashiki said to be nice to you he might or not

•obanai is the type to avoid you (cough past trauma cough if you a girl)

But if your a boy he doesn't talk to you much and just ignore since you're giyuu's sibling afterall

(if your not a boy or a girl mostly each of these if you look like a boy then he will do what I wrote and if your a girl looking. Sorry I couldn't think for a specific gender)

• mitsuri is the type to always greet you, random hugs

(if you had long hair she will braid it)

(if you had short hair she will pigtails it)

(if your bald she mostly put head band on it)

But if your a boy hohoho some btch will watch you from afar having an intrusive thoughts about you

(just what I explained earlier I don't know how to make a specific gender)

• shinobu is the type to greet you and tease giyu you most of the time like

"my my I didn't know giyu can have friends"

•uzui is the type to tease you if your a girl like he'd be on he's knees and beg you to be he's 4th wife (oh god)

(if you wear something shiny like necklace earrings etc. He will call you ✨FLASHY✨)

If your a boy maybe or maybe not you may came in counter the HOT FLASH duo you migth be trio ( I don't know how to describe this-)

•himejima is the type to go soft on you whatever your gender is he will sometimes show you he's kitties

(he might be scary at first but you will know he's very soft)

•rengoku is the type to respect you he will instantly know what your pronounce will be and yes he will shout a loud good morning to everyone he knows your boundaries he can random headpat you even if your taller or storter than him

•miuchiro is the type to forgot who you are

(if you act motherly/fatherly/ parently he may not forgot about you )

Bonus:

Giyu doesn't show any emotion towards the others but he can have a soft spot on you

You are both the opposite you are joyful and he's the calm one but you still get along

After your parents and your elder sister death you made a promise to protect each other at all cost (mostly him)

FINALLY DONE

This is my first head cannon that I've made

[ramonag-if]

I was ready to hear out Salyra about her reasons for not seeing MC for two decades.... but she just have to go and went thru MC's stuff behind her back 💀... God damn it Salyra why did you think that was a good idea?! Her reasons for starting a family - that I can understand better but now I feel like I can't trust her with her doing stuff like these and the half truths. MC is an adult now, she doesn't need protecting anymore, she can handle herself and I hope Salyra will soon see that.

Buuut Irus announcing his relationship with the MC to everyone tho 🥰 I thought Princess Lamahu was gonna forced him to marry her for the alliance (thank goodness she didn't) - btch you tried 👀

Amazing update as always :) ❤️

Salyra seems to make a lot of players go in with the best of intentions only to change their minds 😂 She remembers the MC as a child and a part of her can't look past the child the MC used to be since she wasn't there to see the MC become an adult.

I can't promise that Salyra becomes better at understanding the MC - it will take a bit more time and Chapter 7 will be one of those chapters where her behaviour is pretty much the same as it was in previous chapters. Depending on how you play your relationship and character, Salyra will eventually come to accept that the MC is capable on their own.

Irus is smitten with the MC at this point and he'd never marry for political reasons unless it was to the MC 😂That said, Irus was eager to tell everyone about his relationship with the MC but unfortunately there was no other time than when dealing with Lamahu.

Thank you for your support 😊

[original-character-championship]

Bracket E Round 1

Poll 12

Cass (@ginger-btch) vs. Carina (@conscharacterscentralised)

279. Cassandra - Cass (@ginger-btch)

she/her

short girl anger problems. don't try her she'll fuck up your car. she has also nearly succumbed to the Shadow Man (tm) twice. her friends do not yet know about the Shadow Man. oh and she's a time traveler but has been stuck in the 80s her whole life because the time traveler government is hunting her down (mostly for personal reasons, she is not technically a war criminal).

She's a short kinda chubby redhead with a short hairstyle (it used to be long. its a whole thing). She usually wears this big brown jacket from her adoptive mother's adoptive mother. She had pinkish-purple eyes but I promise its for actual story reasons (she's from a humanoid race of time travelers). She's 15-18 (grows up over the course of the book series I'm writing).

280. Carina (@conscharacterscentralised)

She/they/it/xe (no prefernces)

Well they’re a representation of divine darkness and space who’s quite friendly and chill (even with all the visions plaguing her dreams). She’s also not got a “homeland” as she’s able to transition between universes and as such doesn’t hold domain over one single place. Also serves as a messenger for “god” and regards their position as an office duty, maintaining friendly relations to those who seek its advice.

Dark reddish brown skin with pale stars/freckles dotted around her body, especially the bridge of her nose, that turn to purple along their arms; three eyes - two where eye usually go that are fully dull pink and one bright eye on their forehead with a pink Iris with a spiral inside that appears to be bleeding purple liquid (actually a birthmark); a dark blue dress with a paler blue shawl and trim along the edge; light blonde hair (medium length) with two side bangs; slightly taller than average feminine build

[versadies]

Hello Dan, (not you father... I should stop with the dad jokes— AYYYY👈👈)

Okay, this will be a long ass but I'll try to make it straight to the point and complete. So be prepare as I put my heart and souls on this ask. 👁️👁️

I'm a sucker for childhood friends to lovers Au and mY GOD— Do I fall in love the fact that we save Thoma from the bullies and y/n and Thoma become best of friends after that, even though Thoma is pining for y/n already which makes it more better. 😊❤️❤️❤️

But you dare hurt our boi Thoma, huh? 🙃

Ayato, why the fck your dating y/n anyways if something about "your sister will get an arrange marriage and then you'll help her by getting yourself in an arrange marriage because you love your sister", Hm?? 😊🔪🔪 🔪

I get that you want be selfish for once in your life, but what you did was shtty. I'll hate you for that forever. And that poor women Chiisato(?) she genuinely loves you yet you kept the fact that you have a past lover and broke up with them for only... A few days ago???!

Ayato being rich, perfect, handsome— BULL SHT. Thoma your perfect for just being you!!!

Honestly, the whole arrange marriage exist because Chiisato's father wants like power of both companies right? WELL FCK THAT! You need no man or arrange marriage to make your companie successful! You can be a strong, independent, boss girl Chiisato! You no need Midato!!! 😤🔥🔥🔥

JUSTICE FOR CHIISATO GUYS!!! 😭 ✊✊✊

I'll bet my ass she'll btch slap the hekk of Ayato when she fines out about between Ayato and y/n, go girl runn!!!! 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

End of Ayato slander rant.

So... We met Diluc before huh? That's very lovely. I would love to see more interaction with him soon. It was so sweet of us to return his father's pocket watch! 😍😍 😍

I love the fact Thoma still loves us regardless of us being together with Ayato and still care about us as a best friend or lover(if possible). Guys, that unconditional love right there, they will be there for you in your worse and good times, will push aside their need to help you with yours (of course you better do the same thing). THOME BE A WHOLE PACKAGE AND KEEPER YO!! 😭 💞💞💞

Okay done.

Oh and Dan? Best fanfic I ever read in my entire life. I can't really express much how much I love everything about it but I'm sure other of your followers have better way of expressing it. 😊

Thank you, love and I hate you /hj

you putting sm effort into this is literally enough for me to know how much you love this series HELPPPP – im really flattered and happy that you took the time to do this, it means a lot esp since this is literally my first series ever and i was nervous it'll suck AHSKHSH

honestly when it comes to thoma, all i could think about was childhood friends to lovers au, and i wanted to put that in his interlude and that's what i did <3333

i honestly just think it didn't hit ayato that his sister will have to go to an arranged marriage until his parents brought it up, and i remembered his voiceline about how he didn't want ayaka to be in a political marriage so i took that reason (however this does not justify his actions for hurting y/n) as well as his undying love for his family, so overall he really just chose his family over y/n :(((

as for chisato..... i have no statement for her /gen, like idek what to say about her HELP AHAHSKHAK

between me and you, diluc's interaction was literally a last-minute plan when i was writing the fic. i thought it would be great if i added a small snippet of reader actually meeting the one (and ehe, let's just say this part is sort of important)

im glad you noticed that!!!!! i made sure to emphasize thoma's loyalty and he's indeed super loyal to us <333

your words made me smile a lot !! i'll sleep a lot better knowing that not only i made people go crazy over the angst, but also how people like you showed your love to my series <333 it means a lot to me !!!

thank you, continue suffering and loving this series /hj

[litiyerses]

'calypso should've joined the hunters' is one of the worst pjo takes ever and it really shows how little her character is seen aside from being leo's girlfriend. calypso has been cursed by the gods to an eternal loneliness, however from time to time gods would send people for her to fall in love with, just to make them leave her in the end. all this to make fun of her, to torment her, for the sole reason of siding with her father. she suffers like this for 3000+ years, finally she gets to be free just to be ripped off from her powers & immortality, which she never got from the island in the first place, right away. she resents the gods more than you guys can imagine and to think that she would willingly make herself one of their servants for hunting and fighting after all these years just beacuse you guys can't imagine a female character being single meanwhile being sentimental and not hating boys is a prime example of how most female characters aren't seen as 'character-worthy' when you take their boyfriends out of the picture. beacuse in your heads there is only option left for a female character who doesn't have/want a relationship: 'hates boys no emotions stone cold badass btch go purr'. she, or anyone else, can be single without having to swear off of it.

[myshyyangel]

"Problematic Writer" - the case of the BL that criticized its own industry.

"lovely writer" review.

As some of you know, I adored, loved, worship, this series. And for the right reasons.

Writing:

As surprising as it is, I was not impressed by the trailer of this bl, nor did I ever thought of watching it. I saw the other series that Kao was in and that left a bad taste in my mouth, I hated it. But I thought, "who am I not to watch the first ep??? For the gays, let's do it". And God did I love it. The writing though, it's just amazing, whoever wrote the series, y'all did that. I am in love with the transparency. Finally, a bl that says "I AM GAY", "I DONT LIKE GIRLS", "YOU SHOULD ASK FOR THIS INSTEAD OF JUST DOING IT", and so on... It's just magnificent, chef kisses, for a gay man to watch this... Y'all did it yes. There's no awkward representation, there are no stereotypes, I mean, maybe some times, but nothing overwhelming. There's only one character that was not even in the series, and the sides characters didn't get the proper treatment, but I am not mad about it. Ugh whoever wrote this, yes you did that. The family issues, well addressed, the consent always WELL FUCKING ADDRESSED YES. Nubsib deceiving Gene, WELL ADDRESSED, YES. Even the sexy moments, those were well written, although, i felt like I had no right to be watching, that's when you know there's chemistry and good writing.

Direction:

Alongside "Manner of Death", this bl didn't get me dizzy. Finally, a proper conversation without switching shots, we love to see it. Up was game on this, he is a good actor and because of the direction, you can see how good he is. Kao too, I think this is an improvement for him. There are not shots that you feel like "why is he showing me that door, I want to see the facial expressions", there's just one ep. That I felt like some shots were out of place. Long shots properly used and overall great.

Acting:

I already talked about Up, so I'll move on to Kao, he improved in this series, he really conveyed a 18 year old lol. Ep. 10 was a clear sign on how his acting has improved because he went from cute to

With no problem and naturally. BUT. The rest of the cast, the actor who plays Hin was good, but my only problem is the crying scenes... Which applys to Bruce and Ken. Now, in comparison to the average BL actor, this cast was great. Zorzo nailed her character, and hers was a strong character. Ken, he was a little weak at times, you can tell he felt a little uncomfortable at times (is like when you are recording a video and people are watching you and you are like hehe) but nothing that made me not want to see more. Bruce, oh Bruce, he is good, he just needs to work on his crying, but overall, I felt for him and cried with him. Aksjakjs freaking show so good omg.

Overall:

I know we won't get series like this all the time, but I just wish... For a gay person like, I was so happy every Wednesday, because of how this series made me feel. And I am so happy the threw the whole industry under the bus and dragged them. Some of the things that I loved the most:

Consent, even if its for a picture. "CAN I KISS YOU?".

Holding hands whenever they were going through a serious situation.

"I am Gay", "He is my boyfriend", this is not 1900.

Hetero man can do the same thing as Gay man, make up, clothing and all, and vice versa and there's nothing wrong with that.

"I don't like girls", but he is not an asshole, only with his sister lol but she deserves it.

Characters are grown, some of Aey's decisions are driven by jealousy but he admits he was wrong and does not justify himself.

Ally mothers, we love to see it.

Ally brothers and chill omg I loved them.

A FREAKING PARENT THAT IS GAY OMG I CRIED SO MUCH. Pete's father 🤝 Gene's father. Best fathers ever.

Criticizes social media.

Criticizes people in power such as Bua.

Hiring a Gay Director!!!

Not showing many of the toxic scenes for the series "bad enginner" because what's the whole point of the series then...

Oh but that "THIS IS HARRASMENT" YEEEESSSS BTCH TELL EM.

Gene not being in love with Nubsib when they were kids but rather telling him that it makes no sense because they were young. Omg yes, that would have been predat00r behavior and we condemn that sht.

I probably forgot about other points but... POINTS WERE MADE.

Rating: 10/10. Excellent, loved it, unforgettable. At the top of my list. Second after CherryMagic.

[dreamingofmilk]

Crab Legs

Synopsis: You made sure to not eat around Erik, you were too afraid of what he'd think. After a mishap, you still will never eat in front of him, but for a completely different reason.

Warnings: smut, cursing

Word Count: 1,725

"Alright, babe I have to go. Come walk me to the door." Erik lifted himself from the kitchen chair. Your stomach rumbled as you cleaned up his plate for him.

You hopped up to walk Erik to your front door, pouting the entire way, but secretly giddy he was leaving. "Bye Erik. I'll call you tomorrow."

You kissed him goodbye and closed your door. Now the real fun could begin. You and Erik have been seeing each other for about three months now, and things have been going great, but there's just one little problem. You can't really eat whenever he's around. You just feel self-conscious and awkward with him looking at you, so you can never bring yourself to eat more than a few bites. This meant that when you would go your separate ways you would get your fill. 

You had some crab legs sitting in your fridge, with the garlic butter of course. And now you'd be able to eat them without worrying about how you looked. You got to work heating everything up, the butter sauce bubbling on the stove, the spices swirling in the pan. You laid out a towel and some paper towels, this was your favorite meal. You knew it could get very messy if you don't prep correctly. You put your favorite movie on the tv and changed into a pair of comfy shorts and a crop top. You danced into the kitchen to get everything ready to eat, meticulously picking which crab legs you wanted and vigorously stirring the sauce to make sure all of the garlic and onion were mixed in properly. 

You brought everything to your station in the living room, pressed play on the movie and went to town. You sighed with pleasure when the first bit of crab meat hit your tongue. Humming as the butter sauce hit your tongue. Fuck this shit was good. 

From that point on, you ate with gusto, the sauce was dripping down your arms and your chin, and you had pieces of crab shell on your shirt. You were completely blissed out. You had finally reached your favorite part of the crab legs, the claws. You meticulously cracked one and gently pulled the meat out all in one piece. You took your time to perfectly cover the piece in sauce and brought it to your lips. 

"Mmhm!" You honestly couldn't control the loud moan that came out of your mouth. Shit was so good it honestly didn't make any sense. 

"Oh, so it's like that huh?" A deep voice boomed behind you.

You whipped your head around and saw Erik standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Fuck! 

You rushed to wipe your face and hands. "Erik!” You giggled quietly, your nerves wrapped around you tightly. You felt like a child that got playing in time out. “What are you doing here? How long have you been there?"

He held up his keys, "I forgot my keys so I came back up to grab them. Imagine my surprise when I see my girlfriend moaning and going in on some crab legs. Especially when I ain’t get no invite."

You could feel your face getting hot. This was honestly the most embarrassing moment of your life. You could still feel sauce sliding down your chin, your shirt has spots of sauce and bits of crab shells on it, your stomach poked out the way it always did after a good meal. God, what must he think of you? You probably look like a pig right now! 

You could feel the tears building behind your eyes. You looked at your lap and started wringing your hands. You just knew this conversation was going to hurt, but the anticipation was killing you. "Erik. I never meant for you to see this. I know I'm a sloppy eater. I understand if you want to leave."

"Leave? Leave where.” Erik looked around in confusion. “I don't understand Y/N. What are you talking about?"

You held back a sob. "I didn't want you to see me like this. I'm so embarrassed!"

You heard his boots coming closer. "Wait… Y/N. Is that why you hardly eat when we go out? You wait until you get home?" His voice was clear, but you couldn't tell how he was taking all of this. You still couldn't bring yourself to look at him. Seeing the disgust on his face would break you. 

You shifted nervously then nodded. "Yes."

Erik sighed, "Then I apologize. I fucked up."

Your head snapped up, shock taking over. You met his eyes and you saw the remorse. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong."

He was shaking his head before you finished. "My girlfriend doesn't feel comfortable eating around me. That means I'm not making you comfortable or something about me makes you doubt me. Somehow someway, I fucked up." He grabbed your chin and met your eyes. "Let me make something clear Y/N. I love you. I love your loud snoring, I love your bad singing, I love your brattiness when you don't get your way, I love all of that shit. All the things you think are flaws, I love all of them. I don't want them to change. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, you could say or do that would make me think any differently of you."

You were openly sobbing at this point. The relief you felt was overwhelming. This man was absolutely perfect. "I love you too baby. You're perfect."

Erik laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm not. I have anger problems. I blow up the bathroom three times a day. I drive like a maniac and I refuse to go to the doctor or take directions from anyone. I have my flaws too baby, and you've been accepting of every single one of them." 

You smiled, "You're right. I'm sorry I lost sight of that."

Erik shrugged, "I understand why you were self-conscious. I'm just letting you know you don't have to be. This isn't even a flaw as far as I'm concerned."

You tilted your head in confusion. "I'm literally covered in sauce and food. I made a complete pig of myself."

Erik crouched down in front of you. "You look so fucking sexy right now, Y/N." He bit his lip and crouched down right in front of you. "I love a woman that eats. Watching you tear into them crab legs got me hard as fuck baby." He started rubbing and squeezing your thigh. You looked at his crotch and you could see he was telling the truth. His dick was straining against his pants. 

The food long was forgotten, when you reached up to kiss him. Your mouths crashing into each other's.Quickly he pulled your sauce stained shirt up over your head. He had you flat on your back faster than you could register. He spread your legs and settled between them. He immediately started kissing and sucking on your neck. Your legs clenched and tried to curl up instinctively, but he kept pushing them back down.

"Unh unh, quit all that moving." Erik’s hand slides up to hold your hips still. His other hand’s fingers gripping the meat of your thighs

"Baaabyyy!!!" You whined, your body arching into him. 

He pulled away, just far enough to look at your face. "Yeah, baby?"

You pouted, "Please!"

He smirked, "Use your words, babygirl."

You groaned in frustration. "Fuck me!"

His smirk only grew wider, "I will, but there's something I want first."

"What?" You stared in confusion. 

He shook his head and smiled, "I'm tryna eat this pussy just like you did them crab legs."

He made a show of pulling your shorts down. He licked his lips once he realized you didn't have any underwear on. "Oh, you're out here wildin' huh?" He leaned down, and you could feel his breath where you wanted him the most. The anticipation was killing you. 

"Erik! Stop playing!" Erik smirked up at you as soon as the words left your mouth.

"Alright. Keep that same energy."

And with that he finally brought his mouth to your pussy. His tongue made quick circles around your clit, the euphoria was mind-blowing to be honest. You couldn't control any part of your body. Every nerve ending was firing off simultaneously. You tried to clench your thighs but Erik was having none of that. He gripped your legs and pushed them back so the top of your thighs pressed into your stomach. Now you couldn't do anything but lose your mind. 

"Fuck! Babe, no… it's too much. I can't! I'm gonna cum" You squirmed, trying to get away from his demon tongue. Erik pressed you down harder, "nah, Y/N, you were talking all that shit a second ago. Keep that energy!"

You fucked up honestly. Now he was serving demon tongue and you could feel his finger easing its way into your pussy. Erik had perfect hands honestly. His fingers were long and fat, and had just enough callouses to make you purr. He worked about half of his finger in, then started to pull out, much to your dismay. Then he shoved his entire finger in in one rough push.

You just managed to cover your mouth when an ear splitting scream pierced the air. An orgasm stronger than anything you've ever felt hit your body like a tsunami. You could feel your back arching, could faintly feel the clenching inside you as you squirted everywhere, your thighs, Erik's face, and the floor underneath. It took a few moments for you to register the screams tearing out of you. Your neighbors were going to give you dirty looks all week, but you couldn't bring yourself to care

And Erik, the trifling bastard that he is, didn't slow down at all, so you were hit with several aftershocks, your fists beating his shoulders as you tried your hardest to escape his hold for a second of relief. 

"Babe, seriously! I can't take anymore!" Your voice was hoarse.

Erik pulled up, his entire face from his nose down glistening in the dim light. "Bet them crab legs can't make you do that! Turn over and get this dick!"

You will NEVER eat crab legs in front of this man again.

TAGLIST

@aislinnsilver @wawakanda-btch @chaneajoyyy

[transrightsjimin]

feel like making a hateful comic abt this very frustrating interaction w my job coach

my god i got pissed at her being so clueless as to why i asked her to put on her facemask in the office "bc thats not the protocol, im just following the university's advice", then finally after me explaining nd asking her like 3 times she finally puts it on even if its worn poorly nd falling down her nose the whole time like w most ppl, nd i was getting pissed for a reason at how stubborn she was, though im rly bad at containing emotions so of fcking course i was rambling nd voice started to shake, and then she tells ME that i shouldnt be angry and "be more mindful of others". i try to tell tht btch thats exactly why i wear my mask, so i dont infect other ppl and just bc the university/RIVM / government doesnt acknowledge the spread of the virus via aerosoles, doesnt mean the risk is gone, nd i wear it to protect others. but she kept refuting it by saying i need to "respect other people's personal preferences" and "understand that not everyone is going to agree w you" and i said "I KNOW, i know im in the minority in this and thats the very issue".

the rest of the evaluation went well and im pissed at myself for letting my emotions get that far bc this is my fcking job coach this is the municipality person in charge of telling the municipality how sht is going nd im notan official employee for the upcoming 8 weeks until uni hopefully offers a contract??? but also im pissed at her and at the way hpw this is like the nth person being so clueless abt me wearing a facemask and acting like im being selfish for wanting others to wear one TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH IN A FCKING PANDEMIC

[hearteyes-for-killmonger]

3. RECKONING

"Where is N'Jobu," Abebe asks the other panthers at the great tree as I approach from behind, the pads of my paws treading on soft dirt and grass.

"I am right here. I went to run, was running, and I dropped my journal."

"You dropped it? Where did you drop it? Go get it," D'Kaba points with his glistening nose.

"I believe it fell into the human world."

"N'Jobu," Abebe chides with a click of his tongue, "You will be reprimanded by Bast if you do not locate that journal, go get it. Now! Before she finds out. We will pray in your favor."

Just like that it is time to travel to the human world for a bit of overdue excitement.

"Of course--And I will find it and bring it back here where it belongs."

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

🎶 Ones that hate us, handcuff us and mace us/Call us dumb niggas 'cause our culture is contagious/Third generation, South Central gang bangers/That lived long enough to see it changing/Think it's time we make arrangements/Finally wiggle out they mazes, find me out in different places/'I’m the spook by the door,' this the infiltration, double back, dressed in blue laces 🎶

Erik found the large crowd of people easily in Fruitvale, parking his car and walking to join them. Speaking with a few of the people in the crowd he gathered that they planned to be out there all night. He also gleaned that several of the officers had been acting threateningly. He decided to watch for himself waiting for a reason to be malicious and finally he got one as he saw an officer manhandle a little girl who he decided was too close. He looked at the name on the officer's badge and watched two women grab the child to carry her away to safety before he headed back to his car. He needed to know the officer's first name and now that he had the last name and a face to attach to it, that information would be simple to find. He searched the internet hoping it could be a simple discovery. Amazingly, he could not easily find this guy's information. It didn't seem that he had any social media or articles with his name. No worries, Erik had another idea.

Back at the house, he fished the journal from his vest and opened it on his office desk, rebooting his computer to hack into Mika's computer yet again. It didn't take long to find exactly what he was searching for.

Ray Thomas

He wrote it clearly. Searching up the stream on his phone of the protest, he waited. For the next minute he watched and finally the camera angle shifted, backing up before focusing on the officer who was clutching his chest, doubling over with a fearful expression. Erik took in each of his dying moments, wide-eyed and in awe. It was real. The journal was somehow real! Amazed, he turned off the protest stream and the computer to sit in the darkness.

"Oh shit. Does this really make me a murderer," he mouthed staring at the journal incredulously. For a while his mind went blank, panic setting in. This was bad. It was wrong to murder no matter the reason. Or was it? He was pretty sure that it was better to rescue the innocent than to spare the guilty. That's all he'd done truly. That wasn't a bad thing, it was a good thing. In situations where people were helplessly abused by those with power who knew they'd get away with it, the victims probably prayed as hard as they could for divine intervention. Well here he was giving them an answer.

Not only was he willing to help level the playing field, he was obligated as someone who could relate to the pain and was suddenly able to bring reckoning! What a rush. The guilt ebbed, replaced with a slowly-growing glee.

"I have to do this. I'd be letting the world down if I didn't. And if I don't do it--who will?"

Staring at the short column of names on the page in the journal, he felt a sense of pride begin to swell within him. "I can't believe I just took them niggas out. Three in one night," he gushed impressed with himself. In one night, he'd done more for the world than in thirty-two years of living. He knew now what he had to do. This was his purpose. This was why he was born.

"I see you're enjoying my journal," N'Jobu spoke watching Erik's quiet back and forth banter between he, him, and himself. N'Jobu had witnessed it all, Erik's penning of the names all the way to Erik's moment of epiphany.

Hearing the voice, Erik paused as his torso went straight as a board. Spinning in his chair, he came eye to eye with a large set that glowed a white-like yellow. Erik's eyes widened significantly but he did not recoil. In fact, he quickly composed himself.

"You don't seem too afraid of a talking panther in your home office, Erik Stevens. Why is that exactly?"

"If you planned to attack me, you would have. I won't even ask how ya ass can talk, I'm dealing with enough weird shit. This journal," he says grabbing it from the table. "You asking for it back?"

"Oh, I will have it back, Erik." He brussled at the sound of his own name. "See. I know when you die. I know how. I know where. I know your name and I can see exactly how long you have left to live down to the very second. Care to know how long you have left?"

"How long?"

"I won't tell you. But--since you've dirtied my journal with your impure human hands, by rule, my journal is now yours. Write in it--or don't, but you cannot destroy it. The journal is yours until you relinquish ownership or die. I should mention that as long as you retain ownership I will follow you as an elder of the past until one of the two results occur."

"So you're like a death god. Is that it?"

"I am N'Jobu. I am as I said, an elder of the past."

"But--you're not taking it back," Erik confirmed with a sneaky smirk holding the notebook. "Aight 'cause I just came up with a plan for how I'm a use it. That's why you chose me, isnt it? You knew I'd know what to do?"

"Chose you," N'Jobu laughed, "Chose you? Is that what you thought?" He laughed again. "You think because of your money or your intellect that you are perhaps--special? Don't make me laugh anymore than I am. Erik Stevens, you are common. You discovering my journal was mere happenstance. A fluke. I wrote with my claw in the language I believed to be the widest spoken and then I dropped it in an area where I knew many humans would gather. That is all."

"You admit you dropped it on purpose. Seems like a pretty important book for you to just be dropping."

"Boredom is a hell of a motivation," N'Jobu deadpanned. Erik's eyes narrowed and N'Jobu looked away to lick his paw.

"Fine. Maybe you were the closest Wakandan living away from Wakandan soil. Maybe that had something to do with the selection process, however, you are still nothing in the grand scheme of things. You are a blip in the scale of time. You have no real importance."

"Maybe--Still! I found the shit! Me! And I believe there's a reason a nigga like me would be trusted with something this powerful. I must be the only one who can set things into order, the way they should be! I'm the only one who can handle this mission and execute it efficiently. I'm the only one who can fuck some shit up!" Breathing heavily with bared teeth, his resolve burned through him like fire, lighting his eyes from within. Any human in that room would assume him deranged, but he was wielding impossible power. "With this journal, I'll force change. I'll reset the world! Yeah--I'll burn it all! The whole damn world if I have to."

Turning back to his desk, he used his phone to search up a list of local criminals in custody and incarcerated for graphically cruel and violent crimes. They deserved the worst deaths imaginable and he was the dealer. Picking up his pen, he got busy.

Vincent Adams. John Hess. Adam Steeve. George Zimmer. Hop Denton. Louis Stimper. Jake Torres. Skip Kazynski. Robert Folk.

He filled the page with names from top to bottom, three columns while N'Jobu looked on in intrigue, his tail swaying side to side.

"By the way, Mr. King of the World. If you killed off every murderer, wouldn't that leave you as the sole murderer? Would you then kill yourself?"

"The fuck? Nah playa. I'm the King. I plan to be here to maintain order."

"Very interesting train of thought you have. By the way, you should know that use of the journal means you forfeit your entry to the ancestral plane. I hope that does not hinder you," N'Jobu spoke, a devious smile in his voice.

"You tell me that now," Erik snapped facing the sitting panther with intense venom in his eyes. He'd have thought more carefully had he known. That information could've weighed heavily in his decision to use the book, but now it was too late.

N'Jobu's eyes shined with humor in response. "Whoops."

Tag list: @muse-of-mbaku  @goddessofthundathighs  @panthergoddessbast  @thadelightfulone  @misspooh  @marvelmaree  @youreadthatright  @forbeautyandlife  @theunsweetenedtruth  @bidibidibombaclaat  @myboyfriendgiriboy  @dameshaemonique  @blackpantherimagines    @vikkidc  @hidden-treasures21  @mysidefanting  @hold-me-like-a-heart-beat  @syndrlla97  @winteroflife  @thotyana-in-this-hoe    @texasbama  @gingerylimonte  @princessstevens    @magic-madness-heavensin  @wawakanda-btch  @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade  @wakanda-inspired  @blackgirloneshots  @thegucciwaffle  @thiccdaddy-mbaku    @purplehairgawdess  @indigoxsummers  @cccccx1    @dynastylnoire  @iamrheaspeaks  @blowmymbackout   @they-call-me-le  @theblulife  @raysunshine78  @sheisexcellent @fd-writes @soufcakmistress @ju5tp34chy

[akkivee]

it’s time for day 4!!!! hitoyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

First impressions: *reading the 4th live day 2 summary* he.... has two dislikes— huh??? fruit salad— huh?????????? tf is this guy????

Current impressions: god, for a guy who hates bullies and bullying, he makes it really easy to bully him mr. ‘i have two things i like or dislike but they’re different every time i start’ sir, clearly you like and dislike more than two things stop trying to be quirky lmao!!!!!!!!

hitoya is such a loser it’s hilarious!!!!!! he starts talking and i just about start laughing!!! he’s grouchy for no reason and managed to make biker gangs look tacky as hell!!!! lol i rag on him a lot (like a lot) but i wouldn’t bother if he wasn’t as interesting as he is. he complains a lot but he’s a good dude underneath it all. i’m a jakurai stan through and through so i can’t say i actively want him to beat jakurai but i do wish him the best. inferiority complexes are never fun to deal with and i hope he overcomes his 😔✊

Favorite thing:

he’s such a btch...... rei is 46 a full decade and a year older than hitoya yet hitoya acts like that old man yelling at kids for playing on his yard while rei is living it up man. he’s so funny what are you that grouchy for 🤣

Least favorite:

his hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s stupid and it’s hard to draw!!!!!!!!!!!

What i want to see from this character:

there are two things i want to see from hitoya. first thing: learning that his inferiority complex is unfounded and is accomplished in ways jakurai never can be. second thing: if hitoya is the lawyer rei mentions in ‘ahh, osaka dreamin’ night’ for being fake, i want to see what that means.

Favorite moment:

i have three!!! 1) when hitoya says something pretty mean spirited to jyushi but jyushi just laughs in his face like, ‘oh you say the darnedest things, hitoya-san!!’ showing nobody takes him seriously lol

2) when hitoya purposely tailors his two dislikes to describe kuukou and kuukou just laughs at him

3) his entire spotify radio but especially when he loses composure a bit to complain how fcking weird kuukou and jyushi are lmao

Headcanon:

hitoya was hit by a streak of bad luck after the death of his brother that negatively affected his family and he spent a few years struggling financially. it’s where his intense love of money stems from, tho he has always been a little money hungry lol

Ships:

i know he’d hate me for it, but he and jakurai should hold hands 🥺 he and rei would have an interesting relationship but i know for a fact hitoya would absolutely despise him, at least initially lol. i don’t think their hobbies match but i kinda wanna see him and juto interact with each other

links to: ichiro | jiro | saburo | samatoki | juto | rio | ramuda | gentaro | dice | jakurai | hifumi | doppo | kuukou | jyushi | sasara | rosho | rei

[neshabeingchildish]

Poly Wanna? 09

I have been struggling super hard and super long with trying to wrap this chapter up and lo and behold, I decided to just move forward and hope that it communicates what i was trying to communicate. I know it's a long chapter, but I just couldn't mentally wrestle with it anymore. Might have wound up changing it completely and I worked too hard to do that to myself. Hopefully, we're still having a good time, here. 

 Lemme know if I need to take you off the tag. Idk who’s actually reading because I’ve only heard from a couple of people, so idk if y’all still interested.

@adorkable-blackgirl  @chenoahchantel  @riebellion  @woahjusttakeiteasy-man  @up-the-tube   @ciara-knightly  @cactus-con  @oof–musicals @lesbian-so-what  @meadowstryingtobepretty @imma-sensitive-btch @okaygal21 @midernacht @divinereign4ever @xoxoemille@itsyaapollochild

Just Trying to Figure It All Out

Music was playing through the sound system as Henry cooked, Jasper set the table and readied the room. Charlotte had went to get washed up and dressed. The guys were talking about general stuff like the menu and how the night went for Charlotte (which, technically, they had gotten back so late that it was practically the next day) and she slept well into the afternoon, almost evening. Now, Henry was making a gourmet Italian meal, Jasper was making the place extremely comfortable, and Charlotte was staring at herself in the mirror, wondering if she was doing too much.

She had an espresso colored evening gown on with spaghetti straps and had pulled her hair up and decked it with flowers. The gown hugged her body, was satin and shiny and made her look like she was dipped in chocolate syrup, meanwhile, the cocoa butter on her skin had her beaming. 

Upon further review of this bedroom, she probably should have guessed that it had been created for her. The bedding was silk sheets and pillow cases (numerous pillows), with a layer of blankets -  a super fluffy one with a weighted one on top, then a cute, thin one with a floral pattern. The room smelled of rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, patchouli, and ylang ylang. She’d thrown some rose and chamomile into her diffuser and together with whatever he had making scents - the room smelled like perfection. Plus, she adored the number of plants in there. She wanted to be a plant mom, but never had the time. All of these were plants that she loved (at least the aesthetic and scents of). Plus… she noticed when she went to grab her luggage from the closet..  he had a jar of gummy bears on the dresser by the door and a little tent card that read “Organic and Fresh,” in his own handwriting.

She grabbed a handful of them, helped herself to more Bang Bang Bubbly, and came out of the room, nervously. She paused and heard the guys laughing together. She peeked in and saw them playfully fighting over the cheese grater. Jasper was wrapped around Henry, who held the grater just out of his reach and pushed him backwards with his hips. It was very… intimate. Charlotte stepped into the room and made a small sigh of a noise that sorta sounded like a little whimper, just for attention.

Henry and Jasper both turned to look at her and they froze, still wrapped up in the wrestle, but completely distracted, now. They whispered, “Fuuuuuuck,” when they saw her and separated to stare. She sauntered in with her hands clasped together, kinda nervously. She didn’t know where her eyes should be, so she kept them on her fingers. She still felt the two pairs that were stuck on her. Henry’s mouth was wide open and Jasper licked his lips. “You look gooooood,” Henry managed to break the silence.

She blushed and looked at the ground, “My bruises are showing. I can’t look that good.”

“You will ALWAYS look that good!” Jasper said and came to her, gathering her for a kiss.  Now, Henry looked at the ground, and set down the cheese grater. He folded his arms and leaned against the counter as Jasper led Charlotte to the table to help her settle in her seat. “Are you feeling any better?” 

“I’m full of Bubbly,” she said and shrugged her shoulders. 

Jasper squatted next to her chair and asked, “What can I get you to drink?”

“Just water, please?” 

He kissed her shoulder and said, “Coming right up. God, you’re gorgeous!” He tapped her chin with his fingertips and went to get the water. She traced circles on the table and Henry came with a bucket of ice with a bottle of wine in it and sat down. Jasper returned with water and pointed out, “I’ve put the fresh fruit platter right in front of you, so that you don’t have to reach for it.” She smiled brightly. Her man knew what to do, like all of the time. She smiled sadly. “I wanna tell Jasper that I pressured Henry into telling me about what happened between them. But, we’re all at peace and everyone’s having a good time, so I don’t wanna do it at dinner. I wanna do it when we’re alone.. Then again, what if Henry were to mention it at dinner and it looks like I was keeping it from him? At this point, I’m so stressed out, but I also don’t want to ruin the time that we’re spending together. So… I just shut up and hope that it didn’t come up.”

The song Been to the Moon that Charlotte was singing the night that Henry went to the lounge began to play and Charlotte, with a mouth full of fruit, said, “Oooh! I love this song!” 

“Yeah, I love it too, now. I wish that I had it in your voice,” Henry said, opening the wine. She waved a hand at him, feigning flattery. “It was the only song I remembered you sang that night, because the lyrics were pretty moving… and appropriate.” She blushed. That almost sounded like a declaration of love. She didn’t need that, not after that hug earlier. She wanted for Henry to pipe down. In fact, whatever she entered the room with he and Jasper doing… “Henry is confusing me. I can’t tell what he wants, and I know it shouldn’t matter, but for some reason, I’m preoccupied with it. Does he want to take Jasper away from me? Does he want to take me from Jasper? Does he just… wanna come between the two of us so that we can be alone or available to him?” *Bites her lip and looks both worried but really adorable too.*

“I was thinking that after dinner, maybe we could hang out and watch movies, unless you two just wanna be alone,” Henry suggested. He knew that he was much too eager to spend time with them, but he wanted to get as much of it as he could while nobody was mad or sad because of him. 

“Sounds good to me,” Charlotte said. “I honestly can’t feel my feet or my face, so it’s not much that I can do anyway.”

“After about 3 days of Bang Bang Bubbly, I usually have my acupuncturist come over. Then, I sleep for hours and wake up unscathed,” Henry said. “That stuff changed my life. I’ll have her come in for you,” He began to send a message from his phone. “She’ll be here Wednesday morning to see you.” He smiled and set his phone down. “So! I feel like I didn’t get around to talking about things in the steam room, talking about everything, I mean. I didn’t really feel like I got everything out in the open that you both needed and I can’t really stand for you two not to have whatever you need out of me.” 

Charlotte looked at Jasper, to see if he was going to say something. He was more interested in his plate. Charlotte placed her fork down and nodded her head, “Well… I want to say something. I wanted to tell Jasper about earlier.” Jasper paused when she said his name. “I have to tell you something. So, earlier, before you got here, I was kinda naughty…” His eyes narrowed in confusion and he tilted his head. “I used Henry’s desperation to get me to be nice to him to find out about what happened between the two of you, once and for all.” Now, as the look of realization set in, one of sadness flooded over him as well.

“And, what do you think of me now?”

“I think that you were in such a terrible place for 2 years of your life, and maybe if I hadn’t been so salty, I could’ve been the friend that you needed, to see you through that. What happened was a mess and you... had to have been sad, longer than before you broke up. You had to have noticed things. We always do, whether we want to or not. I’m sorry that you were treated that way.” She moved her chair closer to him, cupped his face and rubbed his cheeks with her thumbs. Henry watched them in what was literally the worst pain that he could recall feeling in his heart. 

Jasper placed his larger hands over Charlotte’s and asked, “That doesn’t make you wanna leave me? That I was so weak and stupid? I avoided telling you, because anybody that I’ve told, if I was interested in them, they felt like there were things unresolved between Henry and I and they didn’t want me. That’s why I’ve been afraid to tell you.”

“Don’t be afraid. I have your back, forever Jasper. If we don’t last, I’m never gonna hurt you, okay? Forever and for always, I’m gonna be your friend and want what’s best for you.” He pressed his forehead to hers and just rested there for a moment. 

Jasper eventually broke the contact and noticed Henry, watching them with his hands clasped on top of the table. He didn’t comment on Henry’s blend of emotions. Instead, focused the conversation on Charlotte, “So… Your dad stopped by last night. He was really worried and shoved right passed me to search the apartment and see if you were home. I told him that you were at Henry’s, and he thought that I was lying. He was like, “The only person that she wants to talk to less than me is him!” Like, did he stop by here? I don’t know if he knows where Henry lives, but I didn’t know that he knew where I lived, so I don’t know.”

“I’ve spoken to him, since then. I didn’t tell him where Henry lives, but I told him that I would stop by to see him after I was feeling better.” 

Bringing on the Heartbreak by Def Leppard came on the playlist and the three all went completely apesh*t. Using utensils as microphones and instruments, a lot of unnecessary headbanging and hairography, but it was SUCH a classic and they were old enough to enjoy it and understand it and admit to appreciating the genre, even though they once called it “old people music.” Well… Charlotte and Henry hadn’t been too fond of it back in their day. Jasper would tell them that they were bad at appreciating good music. He was very much into to kind of stuff that his dad liked, mainly because he wasn’t really given many options of his own. He kinda had to listen to whatever his folks played and his dad was all about the hard rock and rock ballads, while his mom listened to some Irish folk music and weird instrumentals that Charlotte was always sure were made simply for vibrations to match drug usage. They never talked about it much, but they were relatively certain that she had some history with it. 

When they sat back down, Charlotte was ready to sing more, now. She had Henry show her how his music system worked and she was getting ready to browse, but George Michaels began to play and she laughed and asked, “What IS it with you and these old songs?” 

“I spend most of my social time around old people!” He said. 

“This is actually a great song, though,” She said swaying to Careless Whisper.

“All of his songs are great,” Henry corrected her. 

“Booty Bear, come dance with me!” Charlotte said. Jasper was staring thoughtfully into his empty plate and blinked when he heard her request.

“I’m kinda stuffed. Maybe Henry can dance with you,” he said. Something was wrong with him, but she didn’t know if she should ask him now or wait until they were alone, so she and Henry started to dance to Careless Whisper, singing along and breaking contact for saxophone portions that Charlotte couldn’t contain her movements to a slow dance for. One More Try came on next and now, Jasper jumped up and she smiled, about to ask him if he was gonna dance with her now, but he took the remote and turned it off. His hands were shaking a little, but he forced a smile. “Sorry. I didn’t wanna hear that one.” Lips of an Angel by Hinder came on and Jasper set the remote down and went to clear his plate from the table, “I’ll get it, Jasp,” Henry offered and went to him. He touched the small of his back and asked quietly, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I just… it’s bad memories, is all.” He smiled a little and Charlotte watched them, listening to this song and she would never admit that she felt a way. She felt like she was watching a music video. “My girlfriend’s in the next room, sometimes I wish she was you. I guess we never really moved on…” Jasper and Henry hugged and then Henry cleared the table and told them they could get comfortable in his room. Charlotte met Jasper, asked, “What just happened?”

“I… That George Michael’s song One More Try… That’s the last song thing that I could remember before I passed out. It just brought some things up.”

“And Henry was able to comfort you?”

“No. I mean, he gave me a hug, but that was nothing…” *Charlotte singing* And I never want to say goodbye, but (god) you make it hard to be faithful. With the lips of an angel… Is THAT something that you wanna hear in the background of your man hugging his ex that he was in love with most of his life, and then find out that what made him sad that night was thinking about the night that they broke up? Because, I was shook.

Henry threw everything into the dishwasher and went into his bedroom. Charlotte had grabbed the fluffy blanket from her room and was snuggled in it in the bed when he came in. "Where's Jasper?"

"Washing his feet."

"Wash… what?"

"You know how smelly they can get! He's gonna wash them and put some of the oil blend I made him for foot odor. Lavender, lemon, peppermint & tea tree… in case you're about to unleash something dank from those canvas sneaks."

"Nope. My essential oils game is STRONG. You smell that blend in your room? Daddy did that on his own!"

"Did… did.. you just refer to yourself as "Daddy?"

"I did and I hate that I did."

“I hate that you had Lips of an Angel playing and hugging my boyfriend,’ she said, unable to hold that inside for much longer.

“Oh. It’s just on that particular playlist. It’s not like I planned it that way.”

“So, you had no idea that George Michael’s One More Try was playing the night that he almost died?”

“WHAT? I was just now years old when I heard this! Is… Is he okay?” Henry honestly looked upset.

“I think so. I just… Are you still in love with him?” She asked. She could tell from Henry’s facial expression and hesitation what the answer was, but he didn’t get a chance to actually answer her.

Jasper came in, slightly damp, wearing a belly shirt, shorts and socks. "Decided to just take a whole shower. Hen… you need any foot oil?"

"No! My feet smell good!" Henry cheered, grateful for that rescue. 

"This bed is extremely comfortable," Charlotte said, sliding over for Jasper. He simply smiled and got closer to her while Henry grabbed the remote for the projector. He'd turned his bedroom into somewhat of a home theater. He had a movie screen on the wall that the bed faced, instead of a TV and projected any movie that he had access to on his computer onto the screen.

"How's horror sound?" He wondered.

"I'm for it," Jasper quickly answered. 

Charlotte cringed, "Why not something sci-fi or fantasy?"

"What do you wanna watch?"Henry asked.

She took his remote and he simply laughed and laid down next to her. "I guess you're in charge."

"Nothing new," Jasper said. "I don't run anything in our home."

"That's a lie!" Charlotte said, browsing her movie options.

"Lemme guess… he's the boss in the bedroom." Jasper blushed as Charlotte's face said it all. "I knew it. Everybody thinks he's sweet and innocent when he's really a sexual force to be reckoned with."

"I can't even speak half the time when he's done with me," she admitted, finally selecting something. "Forget having me wrapped around his finger. He's got me wrapped around his third leg."

"Stahp!" Jasper insisted, smiling so hard his face hurt. 

Henry's eyes trailed the length of Jasper and for a moment, he thought about being wrapped around him. They made eye contact and Jasper's expression questioned him. He turned towards the screen and grabbed one of the pillows to hug against himself. Charlotte set down the remote and said, “Jasper, full disclosure, I told Henry what you were upset about tonight.” Jasper’s smile faded.

“I just don’t understand why Charlotte is dragging me through so many emotions on this night. Like, on the one hand, I see that she’s just trying to be open and honest and I DO value that, so much. She’s the most genuine person I’ve ever dated and everything that she does comes from a place of integrity and concern. But, right now, I just wanna, chill and not think about anymore of my pain, and she just keeps… coming back to it.”

“I don’t wanna talk about that, Char.”

“The Bang Bang Bubbly may be affecting her inhibitions.”

“No,” she said and shook her head. “I just don’t want to let anything go unchecked and I have some things that made my list at dinner. I’ve already asked Henry about that Hinder song, but I should tell you, I felt some kind of way watching the two of you interact while that song was on.”

“We were just talking,” Jasper said, with a tight smile. “No need to be jealous. You know that nothing is happening here, with the history that we have.”

“The history matters. Even I sometimes can look at Henry and forget for a moment that we had the worst breakup that I have ever had in my life, and I had an ex give me back an anniversary present on my birthday and dump me at the same time.”

“Whoa, what? To… Basically all of that?” Henry asked.

She ignored him and told Jasper, “I understand it if sometimes you feel confused.”

“I gave myself 2 years to get over him for the 2 years that I gave into him and I’m confident that I met my deadline,” Jasper said. “I’m very good at doing things that I put my mind to.”

“I know, but… You didn’t give him 2 years, though. You always loved him. What if it takes the rest of you life and that never goes away? What if you’re in a state of settling right now? You know, you can’t live your best life by limiting your intentions.”

Jasper picked up the remote and began browsing, “Guess we’re not gonna have our tears of joy wedding moment, at this rate,” he said sourly. (This had become their little inside joke), but Henry coughed on air or spit.

“You… two are getting married?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know…” Jasper said. “It’s an ongoing little joke we have, sort of.”

Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows and asked Henry, “Why, would that make you feel some kind of way?” Jasper nervously tapped his foot, wanting her to cut this out. 

Henry squeezed the pillow far tighter than necessary and shrugged his shoulders, trying to answer calmly. “Well, I am human, so sure. Of course, it would make me feel some kind of way. I have very deep histories with both of you and seeing you together already stirs a lot of things up. But, I would be happy for you, like I’m happy for you now. You both deserve each other. There’s not two people alive more deserving of love than the two that loved me more than I ever deserved.”

“Would you look at that! I found a fantasy movie,” Jasper said and flung the remote, then laid back. 

Charlotte felt like she should probably stop talking. Jasper was visibly bothered by what she was saying and clearly just wanted her to shut up and watch the movie. But, she couldn’t! “I’m glad that the three of us are here tonight and everything's out in the open. I asked you about how you would feel, because I’ve been noticing some things and I have to say something about it.”

“Okay?” Henry said, realizing that was directed at him. Jasper sighed and pursed his lips together.

“You and Jasper might not realize it, but you’ve been looking at each other. You seem to have these unspoken conversations and maybe me now knowing what happened between you will make those make more sense, but I feel like… I don’t know… Like the two of you didn’t get a chance to be what you could’ve been and that now that you’re  a better person, Jasper definitely sees it and is curious about how it would go with this version of you… I’m… intimidated by it and I don’t want to be…” She shook her head. “It was like none of the words that I imagined could come out. Because, then the possibility might become more real. I don’t wanna be like my mom. I don’t wanna be like Jasper. I don’t wanna get played for a fool. I don’t want to be in the middle of something that was bound to happen and think that I was important when I was really just a placeholder. I don’t wanna be on TV crying as somebody I trusted flips on me, because they just couldn’t stand to not have this one thing.”

“I’d never do that to you,” Jasper said, reading her mind.

“I don’t think you’d purposefully do anything. I think that you were in love with somebody since you were a kid, and…”

“And it failed, miserably!”

“Because, he hadn’t evolved enough to be ready for you.”

“It sounds like you’re shoving me onto Henry and you just told me like five minutes ago that you’re not gonna hurt me. I’m feeling dangerously close to being hurt, right now.”

“That feeling might be fear! I just want you to think about it. My parents moved really fast and moved on their feelings and wound up married and with child before they even paused to see if they LIKED each other, as people. Turned out that they did not. I want me and you, Jasper, to always like each other. We’ve done really well for the past year and I just want us to always be great together, even if it’s not together…”

Jasper gasped and covered his mouth, “Are you breaking up with me?”

“I’m… extending to you some freedom to explore and figure out what you want, kinda how you did for Henry, but hopefully, with more respect between us. I just want you to be sure that you’re not missing out on anything.”

“But, we’re still together?”

“Yes.”

“You just want the door open, in case I want something with Henry?”

“I don’t necessarily want the door open, but feel like I would be more comfortable putting it out there right now that if something happens between you and Henry, I understand and I’ll let you figure out what that means for you.” 

“Okay. Thanks for that. Ummm…” Jasper now avoided even looking in Henry’s direction. He didn’t want to know what he thought about what Charlotte said. He didn’t even know what he thought about it, himself.

“I really put my foot in my mouth, and that is not something that I normally do, so I’ll just go ahead and blame it on the Bubbly, which I have 2 more days of taking to go.”

Charlotte got up out of the bed and walked out of the room. “Where are you going?” Both men asked her. She shook her head and kept going. They probably think I’m stupid or crazy right now and I don’t blame them. Jasper told Henry, “Please, stop encouraging her to ask or talk about us. If anybody should be talking to her about us, it should be me.”

“Okay, but I thought you wanted me and her to work on us.”

“Not if it means she’s thinking I need myself a side of Henry!”

“A side of Henry could do you some good!”

“Shut the fuck up, Henry,” Jasper said and went after Charlotte. Henry followed. She just needed some breathing room, but Jasper’s emotions had been all over the place and he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. “Char? Where are you going?”

“I haven’t been to the Man Cave,” she said. 

“Well, I’m sure that’s fine with Henry,” he said and looked back at him. Henry nodded and passed her to lead them to the elevator.

.

They made their way into the Man Cave. It was set up similar to the way it used to be, but Charlotte immediately noticed new tech and a different tone of the Cave. She went to explore, since they weren’t being filmed while there, and while she was, Henry tried to talk to Jasper, “Just so you know, she’s probably just medicated and loopy. I’m not gonna pay that any mind. I know that you’ve only got eyes for her.”

Jasper rolled his eyes and sighed, “And I know that you still want her.”

“If you know that, why did you let her stay here, by herself with me? I mean, even with feeling guilty about what happened, I would think that you wouldn’t trust me not to… Try…” Henry scoffed. “You thought that I was gonna try to come on to her! Did you even actually wanna see us try to mend things, or did you just set things up to see if I was gonna try to snake my way back to her?”

“Both,” Jasper said and shrugged his shoulders. In the background, Charlotte was getting excited about various additions to the place that they all used to spend most of their time. 

“Wow. So, did you even forgive me, or did you say that so that I could let my guard down and open myself up?”

“I forgave you a long time ago. Forgiving doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting and I know that you want what I have.”

“I want what both of you have!” Henry hissed, then covered his face. “Yeah, yeah, I do still want her… but I want you too. I know that’s not possible and I know that’s one sides… or two sided, I guess… But, that’s my feelings. I have to live with those and I’ve resigned myself to it. I guess I just have to try harder for you to be comfortable enough to know that I’m bigger than my feelings, now. I’m bigger than my wants…” They both realized that the room was quiet and turned to see Charlotte, staring at them, holding something in her hand. Henry stepped back from Jasper and went over to her. “Hey, you’re finding all kinda stuff.”

“Yeah. What did I miss?” She asked (about he and Jasper’s little exchange). 

“Just that you don’t have to worry about Jasper and I rekindling anything,” he smiled, but it was sad. It was that old smile that he used to give her whenever he lost a battle and didn’t want to talk about it, but didn’t want her to worry, either. She always used to worry. But, this time, she just felt bad for him. 

“I could take it. I’ve actually been in mutually agreed open relationships before, and I’ve identified as poly for the past few years…”

Henry’s eyebrows shot up, “Really? You were… involved in a polyamorous relationship, or you simply realized that you lean towards such arrangements?”

“A little of both. It began with one of my open relationships’ friends. We got along a lot better than they did, but they were far more sexually compatible, so while they were seeing each other, myself and this other person began dating, of course, everyone was in communication about it. My partner felt a little weird about it at first, as he was the person who introduced us and saw him as “his,” but couldn’t deny that he saw the chemistry and didn’t want to obstruct our openness. It was the only time one of us fell for the other’s side interest, but that had never been a rule not to.”

“So, you’ve been in a relationship before… with two guys?” Henry asked, a little more encouraged than a few minutes ago.

“I have. It was difficult and didn’t last, because sometimes whenever you have more than a couple of people, especially if one or more isn’t used to the openness and honesty and sharing… Sometimes the dynamics can be confusing. Those days whenever you don’t really want to be bothered, so they go on without you, and you still feel slighted, even though if you were only with one person and you didn’t want to be bothered, you’d appreciate them respecting that. Whenever you measure up things, whether intensional or not and realize that the sex drive or sexual attraction for some of the others might be different in a way that makes you insecure… I mean… There’s a lot of reasons that relationship didn’t last.”

“Did you remove yourself from it?” He asked.

“No. I was broken up with by my original partner and when that happened, his side interest broke things off with him. He said that he came into a packaged arrangement and he didn’t want to be just with one of us. Of course, my ex said that he didn’t mind that they kept things open, but he just wasn’t interested in continuing to see me, on his end. I wasn’t interested in that. I was new to discovering myself and it seemed messy. None of the other stuff seemed messy, just like… you know, relationship work. But, when it got to where I couldn’t figure out what the purpose of the work would be, I definitely dipped. Long story short, I can handle Jasper exploring you without feeling discarded, and in the event that I’m not meant for a longer journey, I can accept that shit with grace.”

Whenever she brought the subject back to Jasper, Henry sighed, “He’s not interested.”

“That’s a lie.”

“He’s not interested in trying, and I respect that… Wait… Jasper was giving me a morality test, is that what you’re doing right now? Is this the part where I find out that contrary to my previous belief that seeing the two of you in love was my sentencing, it’s actually having both of you play multiple games to see if my heart is in the right place?”

She furrowed her eyebrows and turned up her nose, “I’d sooner not even deal with you at all. I don’t have time for games. I’m a broke ass genius. I’d use game playing energy to get a real job. What does this thing do?” she changed the subject, now, to the contraption in her hands.

“I can’t say that they are in it together, but I feel like it’s a coincidence that Jasper was testing me and she takes that time to openly announce that she’s fine with us trying a thing, and then she had that pretty convincing story of her experience with a polyamorous relationship with two men, a relationship that didn’t work out. If you’ve already failed at a similar relationship, then why would you be open to another?”

“It boggles my mind that he would wonder that, because that is precisely how relationships work. Most of us don’t have a relationship with the same person for our entire dating span. So, to think that polyamorous people would just give up when their first try doesn’t work out is… Does he ACTUALLY have those credentials? Because, I don’t know if I’d go to therapy with somebody who says the things that he says about relationships, not even for sexual advice… Though, maybe he’s only good at speaking about that aspect, and not the emotional. He could have just said that he and Jasper are too afraid to try out their emotions with me in the picture and kept it moving.”

The spa-hospital-sleeping-waking up etc schedule had thrown everyone’s body off a little bit. So that they were all still awake whenever it was time for the sun to come up. “We need to get to the roof. We won’t be able to see it anywhere else,” Jasper told Charlotte.

“You can see it from the balcony,” Henry said. Jasper remembered just as brightly as it was yesterday how Henry had snapped at him for interrupting sunrise for him before, and flinched at the thought. But, Henry took his hand and pulled him towards the balcony. He glanced at Charlotte, to see if this was okay and she followed, without much of a reaction on her face. They leaned against the bar and watched in complete silence. Jasper was in the middle, with Charlotte and Henry on either side of him. 

Charlotte and Henry usually both watched the sun come up, but Jasper was having an emotional moment - because Charlotte had never withheld this time from him, yet Henry had. Today, they were both here with him and not only was Henry no longer withholding this moment from him, but Charlotte was here, as well. It was perfect and he was overcome. They didn’t know what he was thinking, but damn if he wasn’t gorgeous in the growing light of the sun. Charlotte had never noticed before; she was usually quite engaged with the view of the earth being brought into a new day. Henry hadn’t turned from said view since Char had left. But this day, both of them were staring at Jasper and he was a vision to behold. 

They caught a glimpse of each other, staring lovingly at the man in between them and silently agreed not to bother each other about the fixation that they gladly returned to after that acknowledgement. At the same time, unplanned, they each moved a hand to the small of his back and their fingers accidentally brushed together.  Both of them moved their hands to a different spot on his back and he collected them into each of his arms. “This is the warmest that the sunrise has felt in a while,” Henry said and snuggled in closer. Charlotte slid her hand beneath the back of Jasper’s crop top to stroke his skin more intimately. 

“Yeah, it’s a perfect day,” Jasper agreed. He turned to smile at Charlotte, first and kiss her on the forehead, then leaned his head against Henry’s shoulder.

Henry had to water his plants after that, and talk to them. Charlotte offered to help, wanting to spend time with his herb garden, but he preferred to walk her through it, so they did that first and Jasper just hung around, amazed that Henry was finally so open with him and these areas of his life. Suddenly, Charlotte’s offer didn’t seem so… scary. Then again, the difference was that Charlotte was here. Yeah, he and Henry had made up and been nice to each other since their breakup and even during plant time, when Jasper interrupted, Henry was cordial about it. But, here, with Charlotte, that made a difference in how loving Henry was. Henry had admitted that he wanted both of them, to Jasper. So, of course, it made sense that he was standing way too close and unnecessarily touching her to show her how to care for the plants, but Jasper still didn’t trust this. He still felt a little bit jealous, though he was also kinda gushy about it. 

Henry and Charlotte were a beautiful couple. He’d thought about them together, years ago. He’d thought about if he had been with her instead, would they have lasted and would she have dated Henry later. He thought about the three of them together… But, that was before the issues. That could never be a thing now. Although… She brought up the idea of he and Henry exploring. He could bring up the idea of the three of them.. And always play it off like he was trying to show her how ridiculous her idea sounded, if she didn’t seem into it. He decided that he would do that! But… this wasn’t the right time, was it? “You two are getting dirty. Might have to have a shower party soon!” He said, then immediately regretted it. 

“What’s a shower party?” Henry asked. Charlotte had just looked at him like people looked at his 11th toe.

“I think he was making a joke about us taking a shower together.”

“Dude. You’re gonna make it weird. We’re having a nice morning,” Henry said. He and Charlotte laughed and she returned to the herbs. But, Henry stared at Jasper. He looked nervous and unsure of himself. Like, he wanted to say something, but he didn’t know how. “You okay there, Buddy?” Henry wondered.

“Why not the three of us?” Jasper asked.

“Oh, boy,” Charlotte said.

“I mean… why just me and Henry? There’s definitely something there between the two of you too. I guess I don’t understand why you think he’s good enough or changed enough for me to make attempts, but not for you.”

“It’s got nothing to do with that at all.”

“She’s insecure and just wants to be sure. You know, like how you set me up to try to get her by leaving her here with me? You two are playing the same damn game, Jasper.”

“I’ve already discussed that I’m not playing any games. You’re the master game player, so I know that you would know, but I assure you, if I was playing games, you wouldn’t be smart enough to peep it,” she said. She and Henry began fussing at each other, for the first time since they began speaking again and Jasper felt like he might have a panic attack. 

Look at what he’d done! Henry tried to do something nice and take care of Char in this bright and beautiful space, and Jasper mistrusted him. Char tried to open up a chance for him to resolve any of his past, with perfect trust and no judgement and he’d shot her down. Now, he had them arguing again, and they were doing so well, since last night! He sniffled and both of them heard it, even through their loud voices. 

He couldn’t hear their words of concern and affirmation through the sound of his heartbeat in his ears, but he could tell that they were both more concerned with seeing about him than with arguing with each other, unlike his parents, which sometimes, arguments made him think of… especially if he felt like it was his fault. 

Charlotte stepped back and let Henry try to reach out to Jasper, cupping his face and trying to make eye contact with him. “Jasper, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to start arguing, okay? It’s just banter, a little bickering, like old times. Remember when we used to do this? You’d just drown us out most of the time. It was no big deal. We’re good. We’re good. You’re okay. It wasn’t your fault, and nothing bad happened.” Jasper stared at him and it was like he’d finally realized where he was. “Heyyyy,” Henry said. Jasper fell onto him and hugged him. Charlotte rubbed his back and she and Henry exchanged guilty glances. 

She suggested, “Since our sleep schedules are messed up, we might as well try to stay awake until tonight and get back on a regular rotation. You wanna go home?” 

“You can stay!” Henry said. “I’ll make myself scarce. I mean, I’ll hang out in my room or down here or something. You two relax.”

“I’m fine,” Jasper said and shook Henry off of him. “I just had a moment.” He tried to smile. “Got a little headache.”

“I’ve got something for that,” Charlotte said and collected him. To Henry, she said, “Thanks for bringing him out.”

“I love him too,” he said casually, with a shrug of his shoulders.

[eye-raq]

Ember 8

The Ride Continues.

Erik Stevens x Kimora Myers.

Summary: For this stage along the journey of Kimora and Erik being together, Erik spends some time with his client and new friend Cyprine. Erik and Cyprine POV

So Ember PART ONE will be exactly 15 chapters. Chapter 15 will be a 15A and 15B. 

“Right on the edge of fear was where trust could grow” - Cherise Sinclair

@panthergoddessbast @eriknutinthispoosy @whoramilaje @hearteyes-for-killmonger @killmongersprncss @thehonorablekingerik @thehomierobbstark @vikkidc @allhailnjadaka @killmonger-dolan @killmongersaidheyauntie @killmongersgurl @erikismybitch @killmongerskingdom @killmongersmistress @killmongerthirst @killmongerthiskoochie @hdkween @erikslulbaby @killmongerkink @supersizemeplz @marvelpotterlove @itsangeludaku@itsangeludaku @hidden-treasures21 @wawakanda-btch @bidibidibombaclaat @iamrheaspeaks @drsunshine97 @laketaj24 @sweettea-and-honeybutter @loosewindmill @janelledarling @unfriendly-blk-hottie @uhlxis @softnani @muse-of-mbaku @princesskillmonger @amarvelhoe @simplyyamberr @purple-apricots @chaneajoyyy @blowmymbackout @forbeautyandlife @wayla-kayla @tamagxcci @thedelightfulone @killmonger-bakari @disneysdarlingdiva @nickidub718 @lucidaquarian @missumuch1918 @wakanda-inspired @kaytauru @wakandantings @hairhattedhooligan @onyxvixen-writer @lostgalaxies @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @destinio1 

California called for rain that day; the liquid pouring down like hail almost. It was a humid rain; the kind where your skin felt sticky and everything clung to your body. It mistifies in the air and tracks this evergreen smell that reminds you of the tropics. As for Erik, he enjoyed the weather. The smell and the way the wind blew was his perfect utopia while he finished up on his client's car.

Cyprine.

[My name is Cyprine, but you can call me C.C] 

The girl he met not so long ago. Her Acura was definitely up to par;, especially for her standards. Erik could practically hear her sassy words cascading off her sharp tongue, causing him to smile and shake his head. He cranked some music, YG 10 TIMES playing on his Beats Pill.

Erik wipes in a circular motion over the brand new car engine that resides within her car, visibly pleased with his skills. It was crisp and shiny; the cast iron and aluminum alloy acting as a reflection as Erik smugly stared down into it.

You couldn’t tell him shit. Erik was THAT DUDE when it came down to fixing cars, even that dude in general.

He didn’t have the title for best Mechanic in Cali for nothing. He softly closed the hood of her car, lifting from his crouched position to wipe along the length of the car. His waterproof all black Timberlands dragged loudly along the concrete flooring and the tank top he wore clung to his tacky russet reddish-brown skin from the rain, stained in car engine oil.

A crack of thunder broke out, but Erik didn’t jump. He let out a breath before pulling out his phone, calling up Cyprine to give her the go-to come through and get her car.

“Guess who?” He leaned against her car, folding his legs.

“The guy who’s turning my Lucifer into sex on wheels.”

He chuckled softly, scratching his brow.

“Bingo.”

“That’s music to my ears...is it cool to come through now? I’m a little antsy as you could probably tell.”

“Depends if the weather is your best friend, it’s pretty crazy out there Cyprine.”

“And? I wanna feel that familiar leather on my back again Erik.”

Erik shrugged his shoulders.

“Fine by me, I’m here so.”

“Cool, be there in 20.”

———

Cyprine hung up with Erik, pulling up her lyft app right before clocking out from her job as an assistant curator at the Getty Center. It was a simple shift for her today, the cozy warmth of her office space giving her a comforting feel on this gloomy day. She had the task of assisting the lead curator in assembling and presenting the new renaissance exhibit set to start the following Monday. She closed her MacBook, unfolding her deep bronze shapely legs, sliding back from her desk. Cyprine has a natural strut that radiated erotica, walking towards her heavy duty antique coat rack that sat in a lone corner near the door to her office.

She picked up her black Akris belted cashmere overcoat, fastening it around her waist, picking up Her umbrella. Her Uber is just 5 minutes away, brown eyes staring at the GPS map of the car; a Dodge Charger, with a driver by the name of Kevin. Grabbing up her bag, she finally made her exit, closing and locking her office door. She felt someone brush past her, turning to find that it was her co-worker; Alicia. Alicia was an accounting manager there at the Getty Center.

“Don’t get that coat too wet now girl, I bet it cost a pretty penny.”

Cyprine looked over her shoulder, a light giggle escaping her lips, curly hair flipping.

“I’ll try not to, take care Alicia be careful out there.”

“Same to you C.C.”

———

Finally exiting the building, her Uber sat patiently and right on time, the heavy rain seemingly letting up and the clouds shifting. The click-clack of her olive green pumps pounded the pavement in a sweet melody, trickles of rain from the puddles splaying out from under her step. Cyprine’s dainty fingers finally grabbing hold of the back seat handle on the right side of the car. She slid in quickly, closing her umbrella and shutting the door with ease. She let out a relaxing breath, flipping her hair over her shoulders.

“Cyprine right?”

“Yes, that would be me.” She eyed the cute young man in the rear view mirror. His eyes lingered for a minute, his oval-shaped pure hazel orbs finally settling on his phone as he started the route.

“Headed over to Golden Speed?”

She looked up as the car headed into traffic.

“You know that mechanic shop?”

“Yeah, it’s the best in Cali.”

Cyprine places a small smile on her lips, Erik himself making its way into her brain.

_________________________

“It’s gonna be about 1500 for the interior design, and then roughly 3000 for the new engine.”

Erik sat behind his desk, twiddling a pen in his hand as he studied a file in front of him that he created for a new client. The phone call was with that very client; a Lakers player.

“You want a good quality engine right? I’m good for it homie, that’s what I’m known for.”

A smile crept up Erik’s lips, then afterward a snicker; clearly, the guy on the other line had said something hilarious.

“Listen, I’m not gonna keep you, bro,  just come through in two days and I can get you started...ared take care.”

Erik hung up, lifting from his desk at the same time as he heard that familiar voice.

“Is there an Erik Stevens available? I’m here for a pickup.” 

Erik followed that melody of a voice with his ears, finally meeting the eyes of C.C, her hands untying the belt of her fancy black coat, olive green pumps echoing as she walked towards him. A tight yellow turtleneck dress was underneath that very coat, her hair in its natural state, with soft curls, parted on the side.

She reached out her hand playfully, a professional look on her face.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Cyprine.”

Erik cleared his throat, fighting a dimpled smile to keep up with the charade.

“Cyprine huh? It’s a please miss.” 

Erik did a bow, kissing her hand playfully, with a waggle of his eyebrows. Cyprine snorted a laughter, pulling her hand away before slapping Erik playfully on the shoulder.

“You miss me, little nigga?” Erik leaned forward on his desk, tilting his head in her face as if daring her to say otherwise.

“Not as much as I missed my Lucifer where is she?!!”

“Patience is a virtue.” His appealing voice replied, lifting from his workstation.

She kissed her teeth, finally removing her cashmere coat and tossing it on Erik’s desk. Erik turned towards her, walking backward in the direction of her car that he covered for a surprise. His eyes roamed over her from her head to her toes, then back up, before finally meeting her eyes again.

“Who the fuck you tryna impress?”

Cyprine held his stare before giving him an evil eye.

“I don’t have to try when it comes down to catching a nigga attention. Men are easy prey.”

Erik’s eyebrows disappeared under his dreads.

“eh, not all guys. Some are predators.” He was visibly amused.

Erik turned to continue his trail, finally stopping in front of her car.

“Now, are you sure you’re ready?”

She felt antsy, her fingers twiddling and feet pacing.

“Yeah, I’m ready just pull the sheet back.”

“No countdown?” Erik suggested with a mild expression on his face.

“No, no. Just do it E.”

Erik gave her a triumphant smirk, gripping the end of the cover before flinging it back in one clean motion, gathering the fabric.

He heard her gasp loud in his ears, that same feeling he always got whenever he made a client happy filling his chest.

“OH MY FUCKING GOD.”

It was beautiful, every single detail she gave him finally made a reality. The candy apple green was dangerous; almost like poison, and she just knew that she would fuck shit up on the road with this baby. The diamond-encrusted headrests that spelled out Lucifer gave her an early 2000s type of feel.

“Fucking sex on wheels.” She stared at it longingly.

“Nasty sex on wheels.” Replied Erik, rubbing the roof of the car.

“Damn Erik. You didn’t come to play did you?”

He opened his arms wide, his ego definitely on a trillion.

“Need I remind you? I’m the one for a reason girl.”

She rolled her eyes into her head, walking up to the car. The look on Cyprine’s face was the look he enjoyed seeing. She was drawn to this new whip and the way her fingers stroked the surface let Erik know that she would make even better use of this.

“Now this what I want you to do.”

Erik motioned with his hand for her to come around to him.

“C’mere, get in the car and start it up.”

Cyprine took no time to walk around towards Erik, stepping in front of him quickly and excitedly, damn near knocking him back with her hips.

“Damn girl.” Erik stumbles a little before catching himself.

“Don’t let me find out you can’t handle curves, Erik.”

He looked slack-jawed like somebody hit him clean across his face. That look had her hollering with laughter.

“I can’t believe you just said some shit like that out your mouth.” That’s all he could muster.

“Shhh.”

She hushed him, finally opening her car door and slipping inside. It smelled like sandalwood and cedar; guessing that it was Erik’s scent that filled her nostrils from the time he spent designing the interior.

Cyprine closed the door, grasping her familiar keys. She turned the ignition, feeling the car rumble under her, vibrating her body.

Erik knocked on her window, causing her to lower it ever so slightly.

“Pump the gas pedal. Don’t hold back either.”

She had a wide-eyed expression, her heeled foot pressing down on the gas pedal in short bursts.

That damn engine. 

“You hear that engine girl? 191 Horsepower. You hear the way it’s revving up?”

Both of their eyes locked in a shared understanding.

She pumped it again, letting her foot settle on the gas peddle a little longer, watching Erik’s face contort in absolute pleasure. If you could get off on cars, Erik sure as hell would, she thought.

It was like music to her ears. She felt like she was in a fast and furious movie the way it sounded.

“Fuck me sideways.” She spoke.

“Like you said, sex on wheels right? I think it’ll fuck you more ways than that.”

Cyprine let out a soft chuckle, turning her gaze to Erik. She tilted her head back against the seat, a grateful look in her eyes, and maybe tears?

“Aye! Don’t start that shit girl.”

“I can’t help it! It’s so fucking beautiful.” She wiped at her eyes, groaning.

“I’m such a fucking baby with shit like this.”

Erik opened her car door, holding out his hand to help her out. She pulled at her dress, the fabric bunched up from her sitting.

“It’s no problem with that, you are all around pleased with my work and I’m more than proud to see that look on your pretty face. You looked like a child at Christmas time girl.”

She couldn’t help but to smile at that, the touchy side of her lunging forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him in for a hug. It happened just as quick as it started, C.C pulling away.

“I’m sorry I felt like you deserved that.”

“Why are you apologizing? It’s just a damn hug you act like you tried to kill me.”

She shoved him.

“Smart ass.”

“You smell good though so it’s coo.”

Erik turned to walk away back to his workstation, pulling out her file.

“Okay so everything is paid for, you like the design. All ends were met so we are good Miss Cyprine. All I need is for you to sign these areas that I have marked with an X, just to confirm everything.”

Cyprine grabbed a ballpoint gold ink pen from a small cup on Erik’s desk, leaning forward to study the script.

“Sign here..” Erik tapped on the paper delicately with his pointer finger.

“Then here…” Cyprine made one last swish of her wrist as she wrote out the fancy cursive of her name in Erik’s signature gold ink.

Erik smiles goofily at her, closing her file and placing it in a neat pile on top of at least 10 others.

“Wow. A hard-working man who makes his money.”

She was impressed. She may not have understood the workings of a mechanical engineer, but she understood hustle, and Erik was that and then some.

“Making money doing what I love. That’s always been my goal.”

She focused her eyes on an empty space between them, before shaking her head slightly, staring down at her fingers.

“Honestly, Erik I really appreciate what you’ve done.”

“Don’t trip, it’s not a problem.”

Her feet were beginning to bother her, finally deciding to seat herself on the edge of his desk.

“Long ass day?” Erik asked.

“Yes. My feet are killing me and I need a drink. It’s a Friday night why the hell not right?”

Erik stroked his beard, both of their eyes meeting before Erik broke it off, a thought surfacing.

“Well, seeing as we’re friends and all, you could cruise through my place. We can get drunk and listen to some music? how’s that sound?”

Cyprine paused, one eyebrow arched perfectly and questioningly.

“Your place?”

“Yeah.” Erik’s shoulders shot up.

“What’s so special about your place?”

“Step foot in it then you’ll see.”

“Well, what if I don’t like it?” She teased.

“You mean what if you LOVE IT.”

“You smug motherfucker.” He was irritating.

“So what’s it gonna be little nigga? Drinking alone? Or drinking with me?”

She pondered that, her eyes squinting on him to try and read any sign of a joke, but he was dead serious.

“Fine. Lead the way host.”

“Yee! That’s what’s up.” His huge brown eyes dancing with humor.

Erik pointed to her Lucifer.

“Let’s see how quick you can keep up with me in these streets with that car of yours.”

She liked a challenge, taking no time to agree with Erik.

“Oh yeah? Well, let’s see then Erik.”

_____________________________

Erik pulled his matte black Audi R8 with gold trimming into the roundabout lobby entrance outside of his luxury loft apartment building. He pulled up to the garage, entering in his personal PIN number to allow access into the garage to park. His favorite spot on the first level was available, pulling in swiftly. The engine made an intense vroom vroom sound, then came to a complete stop, his eyes training on the new and improved Acura pull up behind him. He smiled like the Cheshire Cat, his competitive, fixed eyes watching her window roll down, her curly mane whipping out the window, chocolate face coming into view with a bright white smile.

“You cheater! You lucky I don’t know where you stay I would have been the first one pulling in here.”

“I like how you believe that!! You must not know girl I race cars faster than both of ours stop playing with me!!.”

Erik pulled his head back into his car, finally opening the door to exit, quickly opening the back door to grab his uniform top with the Golden Speed logo embroidered on the small front pocket.

Erik motioned for C.C to follow him towards the revolving doors, the light from the fancy chandelier drawing patterns along those swinging doors. Erik sped in first, quickly twirling the doors to make it difficult for C.C to get through. He watched her annoyed expression, that small hand of hers giving him the finger before lunging forward to squeeze her tiny but voluptuous frame inside. Her heels clicked quickly along the marble flooring before finally making it into the air-conditioned building, coming face to face with extra Erik.

“You see these shoes right? You know it’s such thing as death by heels.”

Erik scuffed folding his arms, eyes falling to her heeled feet and strong calves.

“The way your legs are built you would have been alright C.C.”

“Oh, so I have nice legs?” She questioned slyly, walking ahead of him with a switch in her hips to purposely showcase her stallion legs. They glowed like she was dipped in a bath of essential oils.

“They cool.” Erik shrugged nonchalantly, speeding up to meet her strides, bumping her softly.

Erik made it to the elevators, pressing the ascending button. Cyprine stares at both of their reflections on the elevator directly in front of them, her oval-shaped brown eyes falling on Erik’s purposely low ones. He gave her a wink, followed by a charming smile, causing her to look down at her olive green pumps, watching the way her feet slid across the polished flooring. A soft ding sounded to her right, indicating that the last elevator out of the four was available for them.

“Ladies first.” Erik motioned for Cyprine to go first, reaching out from behind her to hold open the elevator door so it wouldn’t close; it had the tendency to do that in these buildings.

“Such a gentleman Mr. Stevens.” She spoke softly, focusing on Erik’s toned frame enter the elevator, turning his back towards her, his pointer finger pressing number 12. He rested his body against the mirrored wall just behind him, his eyes staring up at the many rows of light panels that littered the ceiling. His arms were folded over each other, fingers resting in the crease of his arms.

The smell that radiated off of him was the smell of rain with a hint of apricot or peach mixed with a woodsy scent. It was masculine but soft and inviting. Cyprine caught herself turning her head towards him to get a better whiff, pausing when she caught sight of him eyeing her down with a curious flicker of his eyebrow.

“Are you smelling me?” He had amusement in the way he asked that as if he were trying to make her feel uncomfortable next to him. She rolled her eyes heavily into her head, almost as if she were possessed. But deep down, Erik knew and I’m sure she knew, the effect that he caused.

“Maybe I am. You’re so close.”

“Hmph...did you know that this elevator space is roughly 80 inches wide? Then I would say about...54 inches in depth from the back wall to the elevator door.”

“I had no clue E...I’m not an expert on such things,” Cyprine commented with sarcasm, making quotations with her fingers.

“Well, the point I’m trying to make is that out of all the space within this elevator...you decide to stay settled next to me.”

Erik continues, leaning his right shoulder against the wall, downcasting his eyes on Cyprine.

“You ever notice how when there is one person on an elevator, they stand in the center, then when someone else comes in that person moves to the corner?”

Erik leaned down towards her face, Cyprine looking forward towards the LED screen, watching the count from each floor.

8, 9, 10…

“You didn’t do that though...your ass just wanted to be near me. Say it.”

“I’m not giving you the satisfaction.”

The elevator dinged, sliding open slow, Erik’s double doors to his loft staring straight ahead.

“Come on little nigga just say it and we can go.”

Cyprine lifted from the elevator wall, flipping her hair like a diva, preparing to make her exit, only to have Erik lunge forward, stepping in front of her to block her from leaving.

“You insufferable ass.” She had her hands on her hips, eyeing him from head to toe with malice.

“You insufferable ass.” Erik mocked, following up with a low dark chuckle that would usually make your knees weak but in this case, Cyprine was hungry, tired, and her pretty pedicured feet wanted freedom from the tight hold her pumps were providing.

“SAY IT. And I’ll let you pass.” He waited there, his eyes never leaving her face; unblinking.

Cyprine’s bratty nature fought to be difficult but that wouldn’t help situations, Erik would simply toy with her further, almost tormenting.

“You smell like a tropical rainforest with a hint of fresh soil and wet oak. HAPPY?!”

Erik had this bewildered look on his face, something she couldn’t quite describe but the way his tongue dragged along the inside of his mouth, those gold slugs shining as if they were freshly polished, and his full lips pulling back over his teeth was evidence that he took that response as a “yes”

“You gonna move or what irky.” She stepped forward, pushing her front against him forcefully to attempt pushing him back and out of the way.

“I love it when you women do that, Y'all actually think you can move all this muscle.” Erik finally stepped away, turning towards his door.

“Just like you men think Y'all always run shit when you don’t be running nothing but ya mouths.” Snapped Cyprine.

“Oh, we gonna have a discussion baby girl when we get in here.”

Erik patted his black cargo pockets, face set in a confused expression, his eyebrows knitted together extra tight. Did I leave them in the ignition? Nah, I couldn’t have that doesn’t make sense, he thought.  Did I drop them while coming in the building? Panic set in a little at the thought of misplacing his keys when FINALLY he felt the hard outline of them deep within a lower pocket on the left side of his pants. He let out a sigh, pulling them out swiftly to unlock the doors to his domain.

“For a second there I thought we would have to call a locksmith.” Teased Cyprine.

“Shut up!” Erik barked over his shoulder, finally pushing his doors open, darkness awaiting ahead.

Cyprine watched as Erik disappeared into his Loft, then it was her turn to make a move. She took a tentative step forward, silence within his home as she finally slipped beyond those doors, closing them behind her. Swiftly, the lights one by one ignited the place, shocking her for a moment. She heard Erik’s familiar devious chuckle past the grand foyer, beyond a wall that was littered with many paintings; mostly abstract with amazing color contrast.

She shook her head slowly, stepping around the wall to find Erik perched against a railing that led down a small staircase into his living room area. Cyprine would usually respond to his shenanigans but the sight before she had her lips sealed tight. It was a large adaptable open space. It was beautiful, luxurious with its contrast of creams, browns, and deep royal blues. The wide ceiling to floor windows gave you the best view of downtown with the twinkling lights from the skyscrapers and the bustling cars down below. There was an edgy staircase with a glass railing leading to the upper level, and a matching one going downward towards what she assumed was the basement. She settled at the top of the short staircase, mouth slightly parted and eyes filled with awe and admiration.

“Is it okay to say I told you so yet little nigga?!”

Cyprine settles her gaze back on Erik, eyes flickering to his sock covered feet rubbing into the alpaca fur rug. He had his chin up and chest poked out with pride, winking at her with a smile.

“Not quite. Don’t get your hopes up high I still haven’t seen the entire place yet.” She removed her heels, feet pressing firmly against the polished marble flooring. The lime green color popped against the floor and of course her mahogany skin.

“But your living room area is amazing though, I’ll rate it a 10/10. Who is your interior designer?!! I mean this shit is beautiful.”

“A client of mines, we had small talk and he told me he does interior design work so I hired him. He basically is in charge of keeping up with the look of my home, and I give him free car work.”

Cyprine was VERY impressed by Erik.

“Well, I may need to hire him because DAMN. He’s really good at what he does.”

“Yeah, I’ll give you his info but for now..”

Erik motioned for her to follow him.

“Let me give you a tour of my crib before we let loose.”

Let loose? What was she in for? This was going to be a long night.

Cyprine followed Erik, watching his muscular back,  solid and strapping, as he walked ahead of her. Cyprine couldn’t help but train her eyes there, this nigga Erik was BUILT. She didn’t want to comment on his physique, afraid he might not like the approval.

“Dining room, that as you can probably tell I don’t use.”

An asymmetrical glass wine cabinet as big as the staircase above it was outstanding. Every rack was filled with a bottle of wine whether it be white or red, sweet or dry. Cyprine could faintly make out the date 1977 on a bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon; 40 years old.  She then eyed the edgy long brown dining table with matching seats that could hold at least 20 people. There was a simple plant in the middle; what looked to be white roses.

“Wow...how could you not eat in here?” She was genuinely curious.

“More for display honestly, but I have used it for dinner parties with some friends, courtesy to Mama B.”

Mama B? Cyprine briefly wondered about that before Erik continued on, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Give me a rating. You’re not getting out of this one.”

She smiled softly, “10/10 Erik. Now keep going host I’m sure there is plenty more.”

Erik curved a corner, gone from sight for a second until Cyprine finally caught up, the view in front of her practically knocking her back a few notches.

“This is where I throw down girl. Don’t play with me either I can sense the snide comments. Big E can cook baby.”

“Big E can burn some shit” she replied with a small snort.

There was an increase in the pitch of his voice.

“Lil nigga...when you step into my place, beyond those fucking doors, you don’t play with me right?!” He had a slight closed lip smile on his face that she didn’t bother to pay any attention to.

Two sets of kitchen islands sat in the middle with four bar chairs each, quartz countertops even including the ones near the sink, oven, and impressive smart refrigerator in a stainless steel.  It was as if she stepped into a kitchen owned by a celebrity chef.

“What the fuck.” She muttered under her breath as she stepped into the fancy kitchen area. This dude even had a walk-in freezer box with a glass door!

“You-I-.”

She couldn’t even speak proper words.

“You-I-what?” He couldn’t hold back the heavily dimpled smile then. The more shocked she looked, the more triumphant it made him.

“Okay, So...I have nothing bad to say about this loft so far. You got the room for me?” She laughed softly, waving him away with her hand.

“It’s  coo I’m kidding.”

“I got the room for 4 maybe,” Erik replies with one raised eyebrow.

“Aight so let’s go to our final destination. I’m not gonna drag your little ass all over the place.”

Erik walked around one of the counters, heading back out towards the living room.

Down those stairs they went, the plush carpet comforting her now bearable feet. There was a long hallway to travel down, an archway ahead of them. Finally, within that room, Erik flicked on the lights, throwing his arms out to welcome her into his-

“MAN CAVE.”

walls were a beige color but the outer lining was painted all black, a fancy bar off to the side in black marble with gold trimming, a wall rack behind it filled with liquor. Any drink you could imagine was on those racks, Ciroc of different flavors, Hennessy, Patron, 1800, more wine, Long Island, Skyy Vodkas, Jose Cuervo margaritas, Rum, and many more. A big black leather L shaped couch was in the middle of the den, with a small beige and black coffee table in the center.

A large TV, almost like a projector screen, was on the wall straight ahead, and in the far corner, there was a pool table and a mini kitchen that housed a countertop, a glass rack, and cabinets. The walls had different worldly art on them, the most she could make out was from Africa, and what looked like pieces from India, maybe even Russia?

All in all, this place was screaming Erik everywhere. The gold and black aesthetic was all him and she could tell by the few pieces of clothing that littered here and there, this was his main area. He probably sleeps down here too, she thought.

“You wouldn’t believe this if I told you.”

Cyprine’s head whipped towards the direction of Erik behind the bar, pulling on a fresh T-shirt and tossing his dirty white beater. She blinked a few times to focus.

“Try me.”

His shoulders bunched upward, “I took a bartending course about...three or four months ago.” Erik pulled out a cocktail strainer, a jigger, an ice tong, stainless steel cocktail shakers, and bottle pourers.

“Didn’t feel like paying money for drinks at the bar huh?” Cyprine finally walked over towards him, settling on one of his leather bar stools. She peered over the bar, seeing a sink there with draft taps and an icebox. She was amazed by this man and his place.

“I didn’t feel like paying for drinks that tasted like water instead of liquor what’s the fun in that shit? What the fuck I look like going to some hyped up lounge paying anywhere from 11 to 20 dollars for bar drinks? Then they wanna run you a couple hundred for bottles of champagne that taste like piss.”

“How the fuck you know how piss taste?! Let me find out!” Cyprine barked out a laughter, clutching her chest right above her bouncing breasts. Erik pulled a few ice cubes out of his icebox, quickly chucking them at her while she successfully dodged the first but not the last one.

He was big mad about this for some reason, and that had Cyprine snickering into the palm of her hand. Erik could be so funny even when he wasn’t trying, which was most of the time she got to know him.

“So, what makes you so special huh?” Cyprine rested her chin on the palm of her hand, watching as Erik turned away from her, studying his drink rack.

“Well, let’s think about the 1920s, right? EVERYBODY was drinking. Bootleggers made hella money off of secret parties filled with alcohol. Back then, they partied and it didn’t end in chaos like now; people acting a fool. Nah, the parties we HAD-not talking about white people..” he paused, looking over his shoulder to see if she was paying attention. Cyprine leaned back and looked up to show him she had focus.

“Nah, we had it big. People drank to enjoy themselves, that’s what I wanna do. I wanna drink to enjoy myself and why not make other people enjoy themselves right? Make a banging ass drink and let the festivities began. You agree?”

Cyprine didn’t expect a full blown explanation from Erik with a bit of history added into the mix over his reason for getting his bartender license. However, she thoroughly enjoyed hearing him talk the way he talked, all knowledgeable and excited.

“Wow. You just gave me more hope than I had before E. I like a good drink, so why don’t you surprise me huh?”

That charming smile resurfaced, and from there Erik went to work pulling down bottles she couldn’t quite catch.

“Alexa, play Up by LoveRance.”

The instrumental started out in that melody that had your hips rolling. Cyprine naturally fell into music, she was a dancer so of course, it came naturally to her. The music was a start that had he ready to unwind with him.

“So, we plan on getting drunk?”

“Why you saying WE like I’m making that decision for you lil nigga?”

“Because you’re the one making the special drinks irky. So, should I be worried?”

Erik brought over his bottles, but instead of keeping them in view, he decides to hide them under the bar. Sly ass motherfucker. 

“What type of drunk are you? Let me know now before I give you my hook up. C’mon girl I don’t need you throwing up and pissing on yourself.”

Cyprine could slap the black off his skin for playing with her like that.

“FUCK YOU. I’m not a sloppy drunk. I’m very mellow when I drink, depends on how much you give me and I am OUT.”

“I can deal with that.” Replied Erik, eyes never leaving his motions as he mixed. He would use the jigger to pour into his drink mixer, shaking it over his head, dreads swinging to his motions, the ice rattling along the stainless steel of the mixer cup.

“Oh, you don’t need to work in a bar.”

“Why the fuck not? I got skills.” His voice cracked a little in the most serene way, half smiling with those teeth that would make you wet.

“Because you’re a distraction, sir. Your tip bucket would be filled with panties, not money.”

Erik didn't respond, but his eyes glanced sideways, eyebrow raised with a tilt of his head as if he were trying to read beyond her response. With a shrug of his shoulders, he sucked on the tips of his fingers to remove some liquid, finally lifting up a cocktail glass, sliding it towards her.

Cyprine studies the burnt orange liquid, a lemon on the side as a garnish.

She grips the stem of the glass softly, while her other hand graces the top of the sweating glass. She took a whiff of it, so far lemon  I.Tshe thought.

Slowly, her bow-shaped lips parted, hanging over the edge of the glass with her eyes closed. The liquid began to drizzle into her warm mouth.

She made an audible whimper in the back of her throat. Damn. Whatever he did it was fucking fantastic. She definitely could distinguish the taste of Hennessy, but what else? It was so well mixed that you got a burst of flavors, and that did nothing but make her taste buds tingle.

A beatific expression overcame her soft features, dreamy eyes landing on Erik.

“What is this? That’s all I want to know.”

“It’s called Between the Sheets.” 

She sure as hell felt like she was between the sheets. That and LoveRance in the background talking about beating the pussy up made her feel like she was really between a mattress and a man with a long hard dick.

“Mhmm.” That’s all she could say as she went back to savoring her drink.

“Hennessy V.S, light rum, Grand Mariner, fresh lemon juice.”

Erik watched her tip the last bits into her mouth, licking her lips slowly before flipping her hair over her shoulder, sliding her empty glass towards Erik expectantly.

“More please.”

“So graceful.” He teased with a smile, biting his lip.

“Make it in a bigger cup though that wasn’t enough.” She replies with a raise of her chin.

Erik took a sip of his simple glass of Hennessy Black,  pulling the drinks from under the bar to make her another round.

The song changed to XXX by Kendrick Lamar.

“Tell me what you do for a living C.C?”

Cyprine took a black velvet scrunchie out of her Fendi shoulder bag, pulling her curly hair up into a pineapple, the short hairs in the back of her neck and on the sides of her face falling out with a bounce.

“Assistant Curator at the Getty Center.”

“Impressive,” Erik added her garnish for a finishing touch, handing over her glass swiftly.

“I plan on being head Curator. Give me about 3 more months.”

“I don’t doubt it girl, you got potential.”

“How do you know? You hardly know me.”

“I know that any black woman who packages herself as well as you do with an attitude got her shit on lock and ain’t about to stop for nothing or nobody.”

“Yeah, you right about that nigga.”

“Of course I’m right. I shouldn’t have to remind you of that girl.”

Erik gave her a warning look.

“Don’t make me have to remind you again.”

Cyprine bent her head, hugging her arms with a smile gracing her lips.

“Yes, Mr. Stevens.”

Cyprine took a generous sip of her second drink, watching as Erik kneaded his right shoulder, rolling both twice before letting out a soft moan.

“Tense?” She asked out of curiosity.

“Pretty much. My body is sore.”

“Hmm…” Cyprine drummed her fingers on the surface of the bar for a second, before letting out a smooth breath.

“Sit down right here.”

“Why?”

“So I can be of assistance. I have magical fingers I can help you work out those kinks in your shoulders.”

Erik strokes his beard, studying her for a second before walking around to where she sat, making himself comfortable. Cyprine eases off the stool, her blood feeling as if it rushed to her head from just two drinks.

Erik, of course, was physically bigger than her. Even sitting down, C.C had to stand on her tiptoes almost to get a good grip on his shoulders.

Erik threaded a hand through his hair, looking over his shoulder as her hands took their place on his upper back. She pressed the pads of her thumbs into his shoulder blades hard in a circular motion, feeling Erik’s toned back arch.

“Woah.” He chuckled softly.

“Do That again but harder this time.” He instructed, feeling Cyprine’s thumbs stab deeper into his upper back, almost painful but he loved it. “Fuckkk.” He sounded out softly, his head falling forward.

The knots in his muscles seemed to melt away after all that increasing pressure.

He had an alluring expression on his face, hands bracing the bar tightly as she moved one hand to his right shoulder, and another hand to the back of his neck. She used the pads of four of her fingers to rub in a pressured circular motion, faintly hearing the bones of his lower neck crack.

“Jesus Erik that sounded like the body of an old ass man.” She teased.

“If you were working five days a week doing nothing but crouching, kneeling, heavy lifting, and pulling, you would be saying the same shit about your body.”

“I would never let my precious temple get this bad.”

Erik had a calculating look on his face.

“You must have a man to work out the kinks after he folds that body while he fucking you.”

Cyprine tried to compose herself after that nasty comment, her weary gaze aimed at Erik’s back.

“There, all finished.” She stepped away quickly, grabbing her drink to swallow the last bit.

“I’d like to try something new please.”

Erik huffed like an overgrown child.

“That’s it? The middle of my back still hurts C.C.”

He had a pout in his lips and it was the cutest thing she had ever witnessed from him. Nope nope.

“Make me another special mix, and if I’m up to it I’ll finish the job.”

______________________

Erik got to working on another Hennessy mix while Cyprine watched with interest, giggling at him from time to time.

“This one is called Black Velvet.” 

Cyprine wasted no time to begin drinking. Velvet on the tongue, warmth in the heart. This drink was seductive and elegant on the palate and it definitely would keep you coming back for more.

“Slow down girl before you catch that heat,” Erik warned her with humor.

“Well, what if I want the heat?” Erik and Cyprine shared a look.

“Calm that kitty down lil nigga. Don’t let me find out you're frisky when you drink.”

She gave a half shrug, inclining her head to the side.

“One thing's for sure I get horny when I drink.” It went quiet then...

Hem hem was the audible sound of Erik clearing his throat as he finished off his third glass of Hennessy Black.

The time wasn’t even a thought and so was the drinks. The sink behind Erik’s bar was filled with orange and lemon peels, wasted ice, and dirty shakers. The duo was nothing but a snickering, goofy, non-comprehensive mess and it was a sight to see.

“Equinox.”

Erik’s T-shirt was discarded now from all the mess he made, the beautiful body that would usually go unnoticed did for Cyprine. She was so tipsy that the sight in front of her didn’t matter.

“Equinocssss.” She sounded out slow and with a slur, her shoulders rolling and her chin elevated with grace. She bounced on the stool, her ass jiggling with every motion as if a man were behind her to tease. She grabbed the glass, bringing it to her bow-shaped lips. A moan escaped her mouth and her hand came crashing with the smooth surface of the bar, slapping it hard.

“What exactly does that mean hmmm???”

“When everything is in balance, that is the equinox.” Erik shoved his hands in his cargo pockets, his eyes so low you would confuse it with sleepwalking. He had a smirk on his face and that tongue kept creeping out of its cavern to lick at his already lubricated lips.

“You should make your own drink, the way you’re advertising this shit. I would buy it for sure.”

C.C took another sip before throwing her hands up, almost knocking the glass over.

“Oops.”

“Why are you single Cyprine?” Erik checked the weight of his bottle of Hennessy black before pouring another glass.

“Cuz guys can’t handle me that’s why. I’m not a bad girl for no reason.”

“So you’re breaking hearts huh? Devil wearing Fendi?”

“I’m not that bad!!! I’ve had my heart broken for the record. But, if I smell bullshit, you might as well turn the other way, and I can smell bullshit on a nigga Okur.”

Erik leans in towards her.

“Besides smelling like a rainforest, do you smell bullshit on me?”

Cyprine leans in towards his neck, taking a long obnoxious sniff causing Erik to snort loudly.

“Nah, you just smell like you.”

“You hella funny when you drink,” Erik replies.

She attempted to drink, but it was gone.

“Well, I need another it seems.” She pouted.

“Something new or another Equinox.”

“Something new!!!” She clapped her hands together happily.

“By the way Erik, if you’re single, why?”

He cocked his head, pausing to gather his thoughts.

“I’ve had plenty of reasons why I’m single.”

“Damn E, why in the fucking world would you be single? It just doesn’t make sense...unless you're a womanizer?” She let out a bitter laugh.

“I want a woman who's my equal, who can take what I’m dishing out.”

Erik handed her a small glass, watching her take a sip, a knowing smile gracing her soft lips.

“Henny and pineapple juice.” He Spoke for her.

“So...when was the last time…”

Cyprine spaces out, her finger dipping into her glass, twirling it.

“The last time I had sex?” Erik finished for her.

“About...4 ½ maybe 5 months ago.”

Cyprine’s throat went sore from swallowing her drink the wrong way.

“No fucking way.”

She didn't want to believe that at all. Erik didn’t seem the type to go that long without some pussy.

“Saving yourself?” She toyed with a lock of hair, her eyes looking as if she were bewildered.

“Uhh...I guess you can say that, but not really, not until marriage or anything, I’m just picky with my women.” He laughed softly, taking a long sip of his drink.

Cyprine figures that maybe there was a girl he admires, and from that, she could discern that she had to have all the qualities he wanted in a woman.

“You like them chocolate, intellectual, freaky..”

“Goofy, sexy, stylish.” Erik finished, counting off on his fingers.

They paused, laughing obnoxiously before stopping suddenly to drink some more.

________________

“Erik it’s almost 10pm.” Cyprine’s eyes scanned the dirty bar, her arm a little wet from spilled drinks. She yawned, her head lolling back and forth like a rag doll. Erik snapped his fingers, causing her to open her eyes quickly.

“You were right when you said you get tired.” He kissed his teeth.

“I can’t help it, I had to work from 9 to 5.”

“Girl I was in the shop longer than that.”

Erik stopped the music from playing, throwing his T-shirt over his shoulder. He walked up to Cyprine, helping her off the stool only for her to arch into him, almost like dead weight.

“Erik c’mon I’m not that fucking heavy.” She teased, laughing as he tried to lift her. Erik was equally drunk but more in control, his muscles failing him as he finally got her to stand on two feet. As if reading each other’s minds, they both began to laugh continuously.

“Stop making me fucking laugh! I’m trying to help you out, lil nigga.”

“Shut yo bitch ass up and throw me over your shoulder!”

Erik grunted, feeling Cyprine wrap her arms around his neck, while he brought his arm down to cup under her ass, pulling her up and over his shoulder. Her ass sat on his forearm like it was her personal seat as Erik walked up the stairs and towards his bedroom.

Finally there on the third level, Erik kicked open his cracked door, flicking on the light, watching as the wide clear space came to life.

“Mmmph.” Cyprine lifted her head, her hair practically all over her head, studying her surroundings with squinted eyes.

“Where are we exactly?”

“My bedroom.”

“Really?! damn I’m too drunk to take this in right now.”

“Good, can’t have your young eyes staring at shit it shouldn’t be.”

Cyprine punched Erik softly in the middle of his back, her muscles not helping her the slightest.

“If I hadn’t said fuck you already, FUCK YOU.” She felt queasy from being thrown over his shoulder like a rag doll.

“Nah, not fuck me Cyprine...”

Erik flopped her down on his bed, the organic cotton melting into her chocolate skin like clouds of milk. She curled up, her dress riding up, exposing her black savage beauty panties in lace. Erik moves her onto the bed further, pulling down her dress before walking over to his wardrobe, grabbing up a fresh white T-shirt.

“I’ll get you some water, here is a T-shirt. I’m not driving you home tonight I’m drunk myself, and you’re definitely not driving girl.”

She wiggled against his bed, her beautiful dreamy eyes staring up into Erik’s like an innocent girl. 

“You don’t look drunk though.” 

“That’s because I’m solid, takes a lot to bring me down.”

Cyprine made a low rumbling noise behind her throat, sitting up from the mattress with her curls matted.

“You're solid alright.” Erik paused.

“Stop drunk talking and change.”

Without warning she started pulling her dress up, causing Erik to turn away towards the door with an amused smirk.

“No peeking Stevens!”

“I’m not a pervert lil nigga.”

“Finished.”

—————

Cyprine took small sips from the glass of water, snuggling into Erik’s bed with her eyes dropping half way. Erik was dressed in a pair of basketball shorts and a white beater, a large white blanket under his arm, walking towards the bedroom door.

“Hey.”

Erik turned with a searching look.

“Thanks for today big head. I thoroughly enjoyed drinking with you.”

“Back at you lil nigga, get some sleep aight?”

“Wait!”

Erik rolled his eyes, dropping the blanket, turning to her with folded arms.

“Yes?”

“Text her. Tell her she’s on your mind.”

Erik stares her down with an interesting look, grazing his lower lip with his thumb.

“When I wake up, give me a full story, nasty details included.”

She made an incoherent noise, then finally sleep overtook her.

“Goodnight Lil nigga.”

Erik picked up his blanket, turning to walk down to his den. He pulled out his phone, seeing that it was 10:45pm, deciding to take a chance and text Kimora.

Let me guess, you are still up right? I know you all too well. 

[supersizemeplz]

Authority

Part Two

Erik Killmonger x Black PlusSized Reader

Another #supersizedfic short. Continuation of this one shot. How you and him met. Enjoy!

September 26, 2015

Classical music filled the air, maneuvering through the bodies of the dancing attendees. The bar was the busiest place at the event, flooded with military men and a handful of politicians along with their wives. You watched from your position at the elegantly illuminated bar. Sipping your fruity alcohol instead of downing it to avoid becoming tipsy.

Across the room, older high ranked military leaders talked in a group amongst themselves. You'd known most of them from your childhood visits with your uncle. A group your uncle now attended alone since your father's passing during your pre-teens. As if he'd felt your gaze, your uncle raised his glass with a smile to acknowledge you. You smiled as you returned the gesture. He was the only reason you'd still come to this gathering of BS.

"You'd rather be at home too, huh?" You raised an eyebrow at the voice. A body tingling tone. Glancing at the mystery male, he gave you a subtle smirk. Look at God.. His plump lips caught your gaze before you realized you hadn't replied. You cleared your throat.

"Actually, I would. But this means a lot to my uncle.." You sipped your drink, shrugging. "He's a Seal, but now he trains the recruits. Which brings us here.." You motioned around the room. These events were invite only, personnel or special rank soldiers. That thought made you glance at him. "What about you?"

He threw a glance at you before answering, sitting his glass on the counter. "I was a Seal, as well. Enlisted as soon as I hit eighteen.." The duo of ice cubes in his drink swam around the glass as he swirled it. You seen his jaw clench a bit before he relaxed. "Only family I've ever known since.."

He'd left it at that, and you didn't push him for more. You toyed with your wine glass, tapping the point of your acrylics against it to the beat of the live band. His eyes went to your nails. A shimmering gold covered in a clear gloss. It complimented your brown skin, and he liked it.

Erik was a man that paid attention to detail. He'd been trained that way, and it was a hard habit to switch on and off. Just before he'd approached you, he took time to observe you. He sat at a table across the room, sipping on his drink as he watched you interact with people. You'd force a smile with most, but he could tell who you actually liked though your faux smile was very convincing. He'd had the same talent. He'd noticed you relaxed with those who you liked, shifting weight to one hip and gesturing with your hands as you spoke. And those you tolerated were greeted with a fake smile, straight posture, and hands that stayed in place. More uptight and disciplined.

He caught your gaze again when you spoke your name. You were looking at him now, fingers now still from their previous tapping. He watched as you sipped from your beverage, your full lips never transferring lipstick to the rim of the glass. "I didn't catch your name though.." Your body had relaxed from it's disciplined stance, hip shifting as you admired him.

That made him grin a bit. You liked him.

He licked his lips as he looked you over, noticing your lips part slightly as you watched him do so. You seemed harmless enough. "Erik Stevens.." He offered a handshake to which you happily accepted. Your hands were soft to the touch, a contrast of his though his were well taken care of. Erik was just a hands on guy so they weren't as soft.

You hummed at the sound of his name, repeating it softly as if to see how it felt on your tongue. He sipped his drink to hide the amused smile that teased his lips. You grinned, showing your pretty thirty twos before placing your empty glass against the counter. "Well, Mr. Stevens. You wanna ditch this party?"

That surprised him. He took another sip.of his drink to think his answer. You raised an eyebrow, eyeing his thick fingers grip his glass. His broad shoulders finally shrugged as he abandoned his glass. "I'll drive.." He winked. You cracked a smile before leading the way, his eyes admiring your dress hugging your backside as you did so.

One whole hour..

An hour is how long it took for you both to end up at American Express. A gas station that rested just out of town. You'd wandered the streets in boredom, conversing about any topic that came to mind. A couple conspiracy theories, current events, food, movies, and crazy what if's you'd always wanted to try out. Until his gas light popped up.

He'd pulled the dark sports car into the empty parking lot of the gas station, parking a few pumps from the door. The engine went silent as he rested against the soft leather seat, turning his head to look at you. "You want something out of here?" He finally sat up, ready to get out the car. Until he'd heard you mumble something. He'd laughed at what he thought he heard. "You want what?"

You stared out of the window, tucking your bottom lip between your teeth as you eyed the male clerk through the large window. Tall, lanky, caucasian, and middle aged. He couldn't see you through the dark tint of the car window though you doubted he noticed you pull in anyway. He'd rested against the counter, arms folded as he watched a television that hung over his head.

Turning to look at Erik, your expression stayed flat. "Money.." Your hands worked to put your hair in a bun as you spoke, being careful not to pull your wig off. "I want money.." He stared at you as you opened his glove compartment, pulling out the wipes he kept in there. You glanced at his face as you rid your lips of the lipstick you wore.

Of course Erik wasn't new to robbery, the process of getting in and getting out with what you want in a limited time frame. He'd done it once or twice in his childhood, all the time for his assigned missions. The thing is, he usually had a plan. Everything was thought out, not spur of the moment. Yet, those jobs were way more intense than sticking up a little gas station. Still he was a bit iffy.

The sound of you unzipping his duffle bag brought him from his thoughts. You pulled out a pair of sweats and a hoodie. "Shit. You're serious? Right now?" He watched as you shimmied into his sweats underneath your dress which your hips filled out with ease. He couldn't help but think of how cute you looked in his clothes.

You replied with a distracted 'why not?'. He licked his lips as you slipped the dress over your head, exposing your breast sitting up in your bra. They jiggled with your movements as you slipped on his grey hoodie. "Because that's random as hell. And takes planning..."

You tossed your dress in the backseat, catching sight of the mask that rested on the other end. "Weren't you the one who just told me to stop living with what ifs and go for it?" He'd tensed as you brought the African mask to your lap. Your nails followed the lines that adorned the wood before you smiled, looking up to him. He saw a familiar glint in your eye. He'd often had the same crazed glint in his before missions. "So I'm going for it.." You slipped the mask on, pulling the gun he'd told you about earlier from beneath his seat. "Now, you in or out Stevens?"

He stared at the mask you wore for a moment, feeling that addictive adrenaline course through his veins for the thousandth time. You were the female version of him. The younger him. But with training, you'd become just as skilled as him, if not better.

His lips spread into a smile, flashing those gold fangs you'd only caught glimpses of. He slipped off his suit jacket before reaching into the back to grab a ski mask, pulling it over his face. You chuckled as he let out a growl, revealing the gun hidden in a holster around his ankle. "Lets get you that money, princess.."

______________________

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[hennessystevens-udaku]

After All This Time...

“Why the hell did I let you talk me into watching this shit?” I scolded Aly’Sha through yet another set of tears. We were curled up in the middle of the California king bed in extravagant suite of the JW Marriott resort eating snacks and watching movies, the current selection being Sex and the City.

“You two are not Carrie and Big,” Kalika reminded me.

“She’s right, Henny. Erik worships the ground you walk on, he wouldn’t dare do anything like that to you,” Aly’Sha chimed in.

I took their words into consideration and the tears finally stopped. Erik wouldn’t abandon me, would he?

________________________________________________________

After months of planning and preparation the day had finally come. All of our close friends and associates had joined us in Venice, Italy to witness two broken souls become one. The entire lawn was littered with black tables covered in gold cloth and black and gold rose centerpieces that cascaded off of the tables.. The aisle was lined with black lanterns leading to the floral arch overlooking the lavish pool. On the other side of the law, the wedding party table was decorated in the opposite fashion, donned with a black table cloth with a tall white column in the middle, overflowing with black and gold roses. Everything was absolutely perfect. Well almost…

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S NOT HERE?!” I heard Aly’Sha scream from the other side of the suite. I’d made it through hair and makeup and was in the process of pulling on my dress when Odell came in with the alarming news.

“Hennessy!” Aly’Sha called from somewhere behind me.

All of the negative thoughts from the last night were back with a vengeance as a sudden wave of anxiety hit me. I was immediately thrown back it my childhood, the little black girl in foster care being told that no one would ever love me and that I didn’t deserve to be loved. The deeper I sunk into my thoughts, the more my tears fell. Thank God for smudge-proof makeup.

“Hennessy, please open the door,” Aly’Sha tried again.

The more I willed myself to think happy thoughts, the more my mind composed damn near impossible scenarios of our tragic demise.

“What if he doesn’t show up? What if he decides he doesn’t want me anymore? What if he goes off on a mission and doesn’t come back?”

“That’s it, I’m kicking his ass,” I heard Kalika say before the door of the suite slammed.

________________________________________________________

The crispy September breeze coming off of the Grand Canal was just what I needed to calm the nerves building inside of me. Here I was, Erik N’Jadaka Stevens, man-whore of legendary proportions, getting ready to turn in my player’s card and pledge my life to one woman. I’d never been one to do the relationship thing or even fall in love, but there was something about the 5’0 doe-eyed beauty that refused to let me go. With her, life was simple, I never had to think about the “what-ifs” of life. She calmed me with just the touch of her hand and the way my name rolls off her tongue is like the chorus of angels. We’d gone through so much during our 5 year relationship, from escorts to illegally getting high under the Hollywood sign for the hell of it. She was truly my best friend and the female version of me, and deep down I knew that she was the woman I wanted to be with until the end of time, no matter how loudly my nerves screamed otherwise.

“Your black ass better have a good ass reason to be out here and not back at the resort,” I heard Kalika call from behind me. I chuckled to myself before turning to face the small woman. Though they weren’t related by birth, she and Hennessy were almost the same person with the exact same temper. Add Aly’Sha to the mix and it was a three-way battle of sass, usually directed at me. I should’ve known she’d know where to find me, seeing as how we all shared common interests.

“I just needed some time to think, little sis. I was actually on my way back,” I said, rubbing the back of my head.

“You had better been heading back, all hell is breaking loose back at the resort,” Kalika stated, staring up at me.

“What’s going on?” I inquired as we made out way back toward the resort.

“Odell just came in and said you weren’t here, no explanation or anything. Hennessy overheard and-”

“Say less,” I said cutting off her off. The last thing I needed was for her to think that I was having second thoughts or that I’d brought her all the way to another country to just get cold feet.

When we made it back to the resort, I immediately went to the bridal suite. I found Aly’Sha standing outside of the locked bathroom door, begging her to let her in, but to no avail.

________________________________________________________

“Princess.”

His deep voice pulled me out of my head almost instantly.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” I replied weakly.

“So I’m supposed to just let my favorite girl bawl her eyes out in a bathroom when she’s supposed to getting ready to spend the rest of her life with me? Is that what you really want?”

“No,” I responded with a chuckle.

“Besides as long I don’t look at you, there’s no bad luck, right?”

He had an answer for everything.

“You’re my Princess, right?” He asked.

“You know I am, E.” I replied with no hesitation.

“Then you should know that no matter what happens, I got you. We’re not Carrie and Bigg, we’re Hennessy and Erik: the hood heroes. Two smart ass kids from fucked up backgrounds that found each other when we needed each other the most. No matter how many missions I go on, I’m making it my business to come back to you. You’re my best friend, my almost wife, and my future mother of my fat ass, big head ass babies. We’re unstoppable, babygirl.”

I smiled at his words because deep down I knew he was right. He always knew what to say to bring me back to reality. I wiped the last of the tears from my face before finally unlocking the door.

“Close your eyes!” Aly’Sha screamed as I pulled the door open. I looked to see Erik with his back to me.

“Take my hand Princess,” he called out to me.

I walked over to him and put my back to his, taking both of his hands in mine.

We stood there for a while before he finally spoke.

“You know I fall in love with you a little more everyday, Princess. Who would've known that random night looking for some weed would lead to this? I still get butterflies whenever you say my name,” he admitted.

I froze before speaking.

“After all this time?”

“Always.”

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