#to save himself the headache he just asked if it was anyone he knew (to rule out liontrap) and decided to move on from that

[multishipper-baby]

Random thought but I do imagine that Owynn and Eak occasionally saw other people over the years, especially when their relationship was going through a rough patch. I don't think they ever considered their relationship to be open, it just sort of... Became an unspoken agreement between them.

[cloudsmateria]

love crushed - cloud x reader

summary: cloud can't sleep with you on his mind, unable to accept his feelings. until eventually you both get caught unable to sleep. confessions occur, seggs happens perchance.

tw: seggs, quite rough seggs

He finally gave up. After hours of writhing in his hotel room, trying to convince himself over and over again, he knew he wasn’t winning. You had been circulating his mind, doing laps, your face crossing his vision every second. Continuously recalling your cut-up face today, panting, exhausted, the way his heart failed at the sight of you. You had no hesitation when it came to saving anyone, even at the expense of yourself. 

He groaned, dragging himself out of bed to get fresh air on the balcony. He dragged his hands down his face as he leaned against the railings, looking over Junon. He was being such a fucking girl about this, really. Just a simple crush and it was like he was 14 years old again, getting sweaty hands at the mere thought of you, and yet he still didn't want to accept it, what was right in front of him.

Cloud sighed deeply, resting his elbows against the railings and clasping his hands together. He couldn’t do this anymore. He couldn't be away from you. Even if you didn’t return his feelings, it wasn't going to stop him, no way in hell, he just needed you by his side, sitting in that bed he was already thinking about knocking on your door just to talk to you and see if you were still okay from that fight that happened hours ago. 

"I don't like her. I'm just not used to having new friends," he told himself, the wind ruffling his hair and his heart pounding at the thought of you, eventually shaking his head, that didn't feel right. He couldn't even deny it anymore. "...It's just a crush, I'll get over it."

The lie tasted bitter on his tongue.

Cloud was already heading to your room, his hand raised to knock on the door before he realised what he was doing. He cursed himself, dropping his arm back down to his side. This was fucking ridiculous, what was he doing? Cloud didn't even realise the way he was acting, but this was unlike him. Normally, he was cool and collected, always had been, but you, you turned his world upside down and he had no idea how to handle it. 

"Why am I doing this?" He thinks, softly leaning his head against the door. "She's probably sleeping, why are you disturbing her for this stupid shit?" He asked himself, turning around and walking down the hall towards the elevator. He pressed the button, waiting as he looked back at your door. And you stepped out, half asleep and still in your pajamas, it was so dark you didn't even see Cloud at the end of the hallway. 

You shuffled down the hallway. Your head was killing you, all those thoughts that had been swarming you for the past few hours, and now you had a headache. It was a horrible, horrible, night. You needed to go see Aerith to see if she had any healing spells, or Tifa to see if she had any medication, maybe you could go out and clear your head.

You bumped straight into Cloud's chest while you were rubbing your eyes.

"Y/n?"

"Cloud?"

"What are you doing up? Are you okay?"

"I could ask you the same thing. Not trying to sneak out on us are you?" You say, looking up at him, squinting. The hallway lights were bright and you couldn't see his expression properly.

"Just taking a walk."

"Oh my god, that's great. Can I join you?"

"Sure. Everything okay?"

"Yeah," you sigh, "I just couldn't sleep, I've got a lot of things on my mind."

"I know what that's like."

"You couldn't sleep either, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Wanna talk about it?" You ask, walking next to him as you both go downstairs.

"Not really." You smiled.

"You're never going to open up to me, are you? It's nice to get things off your chest, you know. I'm a great listener."

"You're also so nosy."

"Only for hot, mysterious guys." You giggle, poking him in the chest. He rolls his eyes, shaking his head and trying not to smile, but you notice his mouth twitching and the tips of his ears going red. "Where are we going, by the way?"

"Down on the beach, unless you want to go somewhere else?"

"No, it's fine. I love the beach."

"You'll freeze."

"I won't."

"You're still wearing your PJs."

"I don't need a lecture, Cloud."

"Well it's my problem if you get sick, isn't it?"

"That's cute. Assuming the responsibility of taking care of me."

"Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"

"Touche."

You both walked in silence to the beach, the breeze was warm and the stars were shining bright in the sky. The waves were crashing on the shore, the smell of the ocean was filling the air, and Cloud was beside you.

"What's on your mind?" He asked. 

"Hit my head when we were fighting earlier, had a headache. And just thinking about some stupid shit that happened years ago, it's so annoying when you can't get things out of your head and you get a headache."

"I get it. I feel the same way. Sometimes it feels like a million things are happening and all at once."

"Exactly."

You were quiet for a moment, listening to the ocean and feeling the soft sand beneath your feet. He turned to face you while you were looking over the water, moonlight softly reflecting in your eyes, lighting up your face. Breathtaking. Although brutally reminded of earlier as his eyes dropped down to the cut on your cheek, the gash on your arm. 

"I’m sorry that I couldn't get to you quick enough earlier."

"It's fine, you don’t have to protect me. Just ended up with a concussion."

"Why do you always get yourself hurt for other people?" You laughed. 

"I couldn't let Tifa get hurt, could I? She deserves princess treatment. You would know, you have a crush on her, don't you?" 

"What?" Cloud choked.

"Knowing a girl that pretty since you were kids? Sounds like a great love story." You were genuinely curious, not wanting to be a homewrecker or get the wrong idea from him at any point. You could get the vibe that she liked him too, that they were flirting sometimes. 

"Tifa is my best friend, I've known her for years."

"You guys were arguing like a couple in Nice. Or is it a relationship?"

"We're childhood friends."

"That's not what I asked, Cloud."

"No, it’s not.”

"What about Aerith?"

"Aerith is like my sister."

"Do you have a crush on her then? Is that why you always get flustered around her?"

"Why does it matter? You've got a thing for Reno, don't you?" You burst out laughing, he couldn't help but smile watching you die for a minute straight, until you could feel abs coming through. But he genuinely wanted a straight answer. "Don't you?"

"No?" You snorted. 

"Leslie or Tseng?"

"Oh my God, Cloud. You're going to kill me." You laughed. "What makes you think that?"

"You kept calling them hot. The way you look at both of them too. "

"The way I look at him? Are you jealous?" You tease.

"Of course not." He said sternly.

"Why are you getting so defensive, Strife?" You smirk.

"I'm not."

"Sounds like jealousy to me."

"Why would I get jealous?"

"Are you sure you're not jealous, Cloudy? You're getting a bit worked up."

"Y/n..." He mutterest annoyedly.

"You're not denying it."

"What's there to deny? ...Oh, come on. I saw the way you looked at Reno."

"Reno's a pain in the ass. An attractive pain in the ass. But I don't like him." Thank God, he thinks. "What about you then? Aerith or Tifa?"

"No."

"No to both of them?"

"Why are you surprised?"

"Because they're gorgeous! Are you gay?!"

"No. I'm just... not attracted to them. That's all."

"Ok so... not gay, not attracted to Tifa or Aerith." You list. "You have to like someone."

"Who do you like thetn?" I’m not ready for an unrequited confession, you think. 

"I asked first."

"Are you 5?"

"We're literally sitting here talking about crushes and you're dodging the question. You’re the five-year-old."

"This is ridiculous."

"Who is it?"

"Are we really going to do this here?"

"Please."

"I like you." Cloud says, finally looking at you. You freeze, blinking a couple of times. His heart sinks to his stomach, knowing he should’ve expected rejection and feeling like a fucking idiot. 

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Say it again."

"I like you, Y/n. What? Have I ruined everything?"  One more butterfly and you would've flown away. 

"You don't." You say, trying to confirm it.

"Why is that so hard to believe?"

"If you're being serious I'm going to do something really stupid."

"Wha-" You grabbed the collar of his vest, pushing his face toward you, lips connecting.  His hands find your waist quickly, pulling you closer and deepening the kiss. Your hands snake around his neck, running through his hair, his hand cupping your cheek, thumb stroking it. He pulls away, biting your bottom lip, picking your hips to wrap your legs around his waist, panting heavily and taken shocked.  

"You have no idea how long it took for me to come to terms with the fact I like you."

“I can’t believe it either.” You smile, kissing him again. “I bagged Cloud Strife.”

“And I bagged you.”

"Let’s get back to the hotel. It’s cold.”

“Almost like I said. And who’s going to be the one taking care of you?”

“It’s almost like I wanted you to warm me up.” You smiled. 

…

He quickly had you against the door the second you got in, kissing down your neck feverishly. It was the only thing he could do after you had been relentlessly going through his mind all week. He wanted nothing more than to feel every inch of you.

"Cloud," you moan, pulling at his vest and throwing it off of him.

"What?" He breathes, his hand reaching the back of your neck to pull you into another kiss.

"Do you know how hot you are?"

"Do you know how hot you are? Why the hell are you not naked yet?" He mumbles into your mouth, ripping your shirt off.

"Fuck." You gasp, as his lips travel down your chest, unclipping your bra. "Couldn't even wait to get onto the bed? Ah-!" His nimble fingers came to your breast, rolling the bud, his mouth sucking in your other nipple, tongue swirling around it. You grip onto his hair, your body burning, twitching. He lifts his head, his lips capturing yours again.

"You're beautiful."

"You're making me blush." You breathe, as his finger catches in your waistband, moving slowly.

“It looks good on you."

"Hurry up, please,"

"Begging already?"

"You've had me waiting long enough, I swear-" He presses his lips against yours again, silencing you.

"Patience."

"I can’t." You mutter as he pulls off your shorts and undergarments, bringing his face down, arms wrapped around your thighs to prop you up against the wall.

"Please, Cloud."

"God, I love it when you beg. You have no idea what it does to me." He groans, taking in what is in front of him. 

"Fucking do something about it." You say frustratedly, bucking your hips forward to prompt any kind of contact. 

"Didn't expect you to be such a brat." He nudges his nose against your clit, making your thighs squeeze, although forced back open by his arms.

"Cloud!"

He licks a long stripe down your pussy, his tongue slipping in. His tongue flicks, making you arch as you whisper his name over and over.

"Cloud, fuck, Cloud,"

"So pretty," he says, muffled.

"More, please."

He takes your clit into his mouth, his tongue swirling around it, his arms holding you up as you start to shake. His tongue works its way down, sliding in and out, nose pressed deeply into your sensitive bud. It didn't take you long to feel yourself build up to your finish.

"I'm close." You whimper, he feels your thighs tighten, letting your thighs squeeze his head and hang your legs over your shoulder. 

"Come on, baby."

You moan as your climax reaches, eyes rolling back, gripping his hair tightly. Your legs begin to twitch, his head lifting up.

"So perfect for me." He hums, standing up, held up by your ass as he brings your face up for a kiss. He brings you over to lie on his bed. He kisses down your body, making you whine.

"What about you?" You ask. 

"What about me?"

"Don't you want to finish?"

"You want me to fuck you?"

"God, yes."

"Are you sure you can handle it, princess?" He asks, undoing his trousers and removing the rest of his clothes. “How do you want it?”

"However you want."

"I asked how you wanted it, Y/n.”

"I'm indecisive, I just need you. Do whatever you want, please."

"You sure you're not going to regret that? I won't hold back." He says, kicking off his trousers. You can see the bulge through his boxers, making your heart stop for a minute. "Having second thoughts?"

"That's a lot for my first time."

"You're a virgin?"

"I don't exactly have time for boyfriends when I move all over the place."

"I'll be gentle then."

"I thought you said you weren't holding back." You sit up, watching him as he pulls it out, and kicks away his boxers too. Speechless.

"Only if you had a deathwish." He teases. 

"Can I suck it?"

"Only if you promise not to bite."

"No promises."

He smiles, stroking his cock a couple of times, standing over you. He lets your hand wrap around it, guiding you to his tip. You take him in your mouth, his hand tangling itself in your hair, gently guiding himself down your throat.

"You're so pretty." He groans. You swirl your tongue, making him buck his hips slightly, a moan escaping his lips. You hum, sending vibrations down his dick, his grip tightening in your hair.

"Faster," he pleads, thrusting into your mouth, your eyes watering as he goes deeper. "Fuck,"

He pulls out, you lick a long strip down the underside, sucking the tip. You can taste the precum as you go back to deepthroating him as far as you can manage until you feel his balls tighten.

"God, I could cum in your mouth right now."

You can feel him getting close, his grip starts to tighten. He pulls you away by your hair.

"I was going to let you finish me, but I want to hear you scream." He pushes you back down onto the bed, spreading your legs wide open. You can feel the heat radiating off of his dick, as it rests on your pelvis. "You still want this?"

"Yes, Cloud. Please, please."

"Needy thing." He says, leaning down to peck your lips. He swirls a finger around your clit, before pushing the tip against it, slowly running it up and down. He watches the way your face contorts in pleasure, as you grab the pillow underneath your head. He lines himself up, changing his mind at the last second with a grin, rubbing it up between your lips again. 

"Stop teasing me,"

"It's so fun to watch your squirm,"

"I'll finish myself off."

"Oh yeah? How are you going to do that if I'm holding you down?" He grabs your wrists, pinning them above your head.

"I can't wait any longer, please."

"Since you're begging so nicely."

"God, finally." He leans over again, kissing you one more time before lining himself up. Slowly, pushing the tip in, and letting you adjust to the stretch as he stayed there for a minute. He groaned, it was already so tight, hot, wet.

"Fuck... So tight." He mutters, thrusting the tip in. "You okay?"

"Yeah." You twitch around him, and he feels it. He pushes in slowly, inch by inch. His cock filling you, the stretch getting wider, as he slides in completely, the inside of you full.

"Ah- Fuck."

"Want me to stop?" You shake your head. He bites down on his bottom lip. "God you feel so good." Slowly, he pulls out, the head catching on the edge, and pushes in again. The pace stays slow for a while, his hand holding your wrists above your head.

"Taking me so good." He moans, kissing your neck again. You whimper, any discomfort starting to melt away, pleasure taking over.

"Harder, Cloud."

He complies, snapping his hips into you, the pace slowly picking up. You cry out and his hand comes off your wrists to clamp around your mouth before you woke up everyone else, his thrusts turning into a fast and rough pace, the sound of skin slapping on skin echoing through the room. His breath was hot on your neck, panting.

"You want it rough?" 

"God, please, yes." He pulls out suddenly, flipping you over onto your chest, your ass hanging in the air. 

His hand came to your hip, slamming back into you, grabbing a handful of hair and yanking it back, forcing your back to arch. His pace was brutal, his hand leaving your hip, coming to the small of your back, holding you in that position. The room filled with nothing but the sound of his balls hitting your clit, the obscene wet noise of his cock slipping in and out. You bury your face into the pillow, muffling the noises spilling out of your mouth.

"God, you take my cock so well. Such a good girl." He groans. His pace begins to stagger, his dick twitching inside you. "Can't believe I had to wait this long for you."

He pulls your head back, pressing his chest against your back. He kisses and sucks at the skin of your neck, his hips snapping against your ass, the sound of the headboard knocking against the wall. His hand comes back down to your clit, rubbing harsh circles, and it was overwhelming. You felt tears form in the corner of your eyes.

"I'm so close."

"Me too."

"Come on, y/n, cum on my cock." His hips snapped again, and you couldn't hold back anymore. The knot in your stomach released, your legs shaking.

"Fuck." He groans, his hips stuttering and his hand coming down to grip your ass, feeling the convulsions of your body around his dick. "I'm going to cum inside."

"Please."

"You want it?"

"Uh-huh."

He buries himself inside, a guttural groan escaping his throat, the heat of his cum filling you up, twitching, his thrusts slowing, riding out his orgasm. His arms wrapped around your body, keeping you pressed against his chest, as you both lay there, panting, trying to catch your breath.

"Fuck." He chuckles. "That was..."

"Wow."

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"I'm seeing stars, I think. Or maybe I'm in love."

"You're definitely in love." He smiles, kissing your cheek. He thrusts deep into you one more time, his cock sensitive, the both of you moaning. "Round two?" He suggests.

"I'll die." He laughs and pulls out of you, you whimpering at the loss. He rolls onto his back, pulling you with him.

"I'll get you a pill tomorrow morning, okay?"

"I have an important question."

He wraps his arms around your waist, his forehead pressed against yours. "Go on."

"How did you learn how to fuck so good?"

"I had a lot of pent-up energy."

"So I was just an easy outlet?"

"Maybe."

"I don't want to hear another word."

"I'm joking. It was pent up feelings, you idiot."

"Or maybe you're just a man whore?"

"No, definitely not. Just pent up feelings, like I said."

"For how long?"

"Like a year."

"That's a long time."

"I know."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I thought you didn't like me."

"Cloud."

“Mm.”

“You’re stupid.”

“I know. We could’ve fucked sooner.”

"Is that what you're really thinking about?"

"Not really. I'm thinking about how good your pussy feels around my cock."

"You're gross."

"You're gross, you made me cum inside you. They're going to give us an earful tomorrow, they definitely heard us." He mumbles, littering kisses up and down your neck again, wrapping his arms around you tighter. 

"Guess we better get some sleep then?"

“Anything you say, princess.”

-

this is my first time writing smut. not sure how to feel about it. maybe a little too fast paced but very fun to write, learnt a lot.

[dilf-din]

Hand Under my Sweatshirt, Baby Kiss it Better

Poe Dameron x f!reader | part two to Emergency Contact (college friends/modern au)

WC: 4650

Warnings: friends to lovers, brief negative self image talk, alcohol mention

A/N: this is honestly one of my favorite mini series I’ve ever written. Poe is so fun to write, and I hope you love him as much as I do 🫶🏼

It had been weeks since you woke up beside Poe with blurry vision and a quickening heartbeat. Nothing happened outside of the tender gaze you caught him casting your way in the gloomy winter light.

“You still snore.”

“Shut up,” you retorted, slinging a small pillow across your chest at him.

The two of you shared a late breakfast of cold pizza followed by an awkward long goodbye before he walked out of your apartment, leaving you feeling like you were once again caught in the tailspin of him. You sat on your couch feeling stunned by the events of the last twelve hours while August hopped on the arm next to you. Your fingers absentmindedly ran through the fur between his ears while you tried to remember if you said anything embarrassing the night before.

It was Poe, you reminded yourself, there is no embarrassment with him. He’s the warmest person you’ve ever known. No one can bring a room together like him. Poe was the guy in the group who always made eye contact to make sure you knew someone was listening. He opened the door at every gathering, even if he wasn’t the host, and led people to beer, the bathroom, the coat rack, their friends. You had always been proud to call yourself his friend. He had helped you fake reference calls for jobs, sweet talk professors, and get out of at least a dozen bad first dates. He would show up with the a story so improbable, you would roll your eyes if it was falling from anyone else’s lips, but he sold it every time, dragging you back to the pavement and cackling as you called him on his bullshit.

“Hey, did I deliver or did I deliver, Ace?” he would grin.

“You’re an idiot. I owe you one,” you would shake your head in disbelief.

“It’s on the house,” he would beam, leaning off the curb to hail a nearby cab.

The sound of your coworker calling your name brought you back to reality.

“Sorry, what?” you asked, pulling your glasses from your face and pinching the bridge of your nose to relieve the slight headache that had accumulated from staring at a screen all morning.

“I said, your lunch date is here,” she said in a sing songy voice.

“Lunch date? What lunch date?” you asked, scanning over the tops of the rows of cubicles to see Poe’s mess of curls standing near the neon sign at the entrance.

“Kate!” you hissed, dropping your head down, “That’s’ him,” you mouthed.

Her eyes went wide.

“The guy from the other night? The guy from college?” she whispered.

“Yes,” you hissed out as you frantically checked your reflection in your phone’s front facing mirror. You were not dressed for an outing today, wearing a years old sweater over a shirt with a stain that you had tucked into a pencil skirt. The only saving grace was the new boots you had worn that made your legs look amazing.

“Tell him I’m grabbing my stuff,” you said to her as you bent down to fish your purse out from under your desk, promptly hitting your head in the process.

“Mother fu-“

“Is today a bad day, Ace?” Poe’s voice called from much closer than you expected him.

Heat flushed into your face as you tried to delicately pull yourself out from under your desk without snagging your hair or a loose thread on anything.

“No, sorry, I just. I just wasn’t expecting this,” you stammered.

“No, I should’ve called first,” he said, suddenly feeling awkward himself. “I was just literally in the neighborhood. I had a meeting four floors up this morning. Do you have time for lunch?”

“Yeah! Yeah I was just about to stop. What did you have in mind?” you smiled.

“Let’s get sandwiches and go for a walk,” he smiled, offering his arm for you to pull yourself up. He held open your jacket for you to slip into, and handed you your purse once you had secured your buttons.

Poe looked dapper as always, dressed in a sleek pair of slacks with an orange button down tucked in under a black peacoat and houndstooth scarf. The late winter wind was doing God’s work to muss his thick curls and kiss his cheeks a lovely shade of red. You walked arm in arm with him, waiting for him to spark up a conversation, but he was oddly quiet, his brow furrowed as if he was preoccupied.

“Did things blow over with your roommate?” you asked casually. Your question seemed to draw him back to the present.

His eyes widened and brightened as he responded, “Oh yeah, we’re fine. Our lease is up next month anyway and I’ve got a place lined up pretty close to yours, actually,” he shared nonchalantly.

Hearing that he would be closer made your heartbeat quicken in an achingly embarrassing way. Suddenly, you felt like a teenager with a crush again.

“Oh. With roommates or alone?”

“It’ll be my first big boy apartment,” he smiled cheekily.

“We’ll have to throw you a housewarming,” you nudged his ribs with the elbow that was linked with his, “Get everyone together, some beer and take out, we’ll get you set up in no time.”

“That would be nice, Ace,” he smiled thoughtfully, cocking his head to one side, admiring your caring heart and the way the sun brought out the brightest flecks in your eyes.

The conversation flowed easily after that as you followed him into his favorite sandwich shop and then into the park across the street. It was mostly filled with people running alone on their lunch breaks, with headphones in and sweat glistening even in the chilly air, but there were a few pairs chatting on one of the walking trails.

By now, you had unlinked elbows so you could tear into the parchment paper wrapping the sandwiches you had picked out. Poe of course had paid for yours, sending you a wink as you rummaged through your bag for your wallet.

The first bite was heaven in your mouth. The sandwich gods shined down on you as you took in all the fresh baked bread and hand sliced meat and cheeses. A groan slipped out involuntarily, but you were too shocked to care.

“Right?” Poe asked through a mouthful, swallowing before continuing, “I can’t believe you’ve never been here before.”

“This might be my new go-to lunch spot,” you said, eagerly taking another bite.

Conversation was light as you both ate your lunches, taking care to move out of the way for joggers and bikers as you walked slowly around the track. Dappled sunlight kissed the ground where it could find it through the cover of the trees. A wind stirred the waters of the small pond while a family of ducks floated in the very center, like a painting in real life.

The two of you had just rounded the last corner of the track when Poe’s watch buzzed on his wrist. He checked it with a furrowed brow and sighed.

“I’ve gotta start making my way back, Ace.”

“Me too,” you agreed, checking the time on your phone.

“Teeth check,” he announced and you both flashed a wide grin at each other to make sure there was nothing stuck, a practice you had started in college after a cilantro incident.

“All clear,” you nodded.

“Perfect,” he said, warm brown eyes lingering on your features fondly.

You suddenly felt uncomfortable and cast your eyes to the ground, toeing at a pebble stuck in a crack.

You both spoke at the same time, chuckling, while you gestured for him to go first.

“Ace I can’t stop thinking about you,” he blurted out, “Please let me take you out sometime?”

A date with Poe Dameron? A cocktail of joy and insecurity brewed in the pit of your belly. You’ve always wished to be one of the girls on his arm, but that was just it. Poe had experience, he was charismatic and fun and spontaneous. Sure, you had dated here and there, but nothing ever stuck. In the back of your mind, you knew you had never really been able to fully give yourself to someone because they weren’t him.

“I don’t know,” you said hesitantly, “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“I think it’s a great idea, maybe the best I’ve ever had. I’m just sorry it took me so long,” he said, stepping further into your space.

Poe drew in a deep breath before continuing, “Ace, call me crazy, say the word and I’ll drop it forever, but there’s something here. There always has been, and I think there always will be.”

You swallowed hard before casting your gaze up into his eyes, rich with sincerity and longing. The anxiety that this was all an elaborate joke dissipated when you saw the way he looked at you. Poe always saw you, even when you were gawky kids. He loved you steadfastly through flings and summers abroad and finals and midterms. And here, now, you could feel just how much he meant the things he was saying.

A lump in your throat formed and tears pricked at your eyes. You tried to hide it, but he saw the change in your demeanor, causing his own face to fall.

“Hey, talk to me,” he pulled you to the side of the path to give another runner space to pass and to allow you a little more privacy. His hands stayed cupping your elbows, a thumb rubbing the sharp edge sweetly through the thick fabric of your coat.

“What if we’re wrong? What if we can’t go back to the way things were?” you whispered bittersweetly, a single tear slipping down your cheek. You had lost him so many times before, watched him date and charm so many others. You weren’t sure your heart could handle it again if this ended poorly.

Poe shook his head adamantly, “Ace, I’ve never been so sure. Please give me a chance. Friday night. I’ll pick you up. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

You nodded and he drew you into a hug, gentle hands rubbing right between your shoulder blades. The scent of him on the collar of his jacket smelled like home, and you nuzzled into his neck for a single, indulgent second.

His own eyes closed as he relished the familiar scent of your shampoo, pressing a kiss to the side of your head.

Poe hesitantly let you out of his embrace, giving you one more smile before you parted ways back to your separate offices.

Your head and heart pounded with each step as you tried to convince yourself that this was reality. You were going on a date with the boy you loved, and you were starting to think that he might love you too.

——

When Friday rolled around, things could not have gone worse from the moment you woke up late. It was like an avalanche of bad luck had been waiting to crash down on you. August threw up in the shoes you were going to wear, resulting in an unplanned outfit change and missing your train. A late train meant no breakfast, and your entire department got reamed by your boss for something that wasn’t even your fault. So when you finally trudged through the door with the clock nearing six, you tried to rally any pleasantness that still lied within you, faked a smile in the small flower mirror hanging by the door as you shed your coat and the shoes that had rubbed blisters into your heels.

August mewled quietly, staring up at you with apologetic blue eyes as he rounded the corner of the kitchen island.

“Don’t eat my leftovers off the counter next time,” you chided lightly, giving his head a rub. A sigh escaped your lips as you headed to your room in search of an outfit for tonight. Poe had specified somewhere between cocktail and black tie for the dress code, snd you hoped you could scrape something together that fit the bill. There were a few dresses hanging at the very end of your closet that you typically saved for weddings. None of them were spectacular. Most of them came off the clearance rack, just picking whatever they had in your size. None of them were a real representation of your style or things that made you feel confident.

As you were perusing your options, your phone buzzed on the end of the bed, showing an incoming call from Kate.

You put her on speaker and explained to her your dilemma.

“The green one is nice!” she enthused.

“Yeah but it has that ruching that’s so,” you couldn’t even find the words to finish the sentence.

The two of you bounced ideas back and forth as you became increasingly upset at your lack of options. Your hair still needed some love and there was the burden of makeup to face as well.

Your phone buzzed again, and you checked to see Poe calling.

“Shoot, I’ve got to answer.”

“Good luck, babe,” Kate said, trying to sound cheerful as you switched to the other line.

“Hey, Ace! How goes it?”

“Um, I’m a little behind schedule,” you admitted sheepishly.

“That’s okay. I’m actually done early so I don’t mind waiting. I’m headed out the door now,” Poe explained as he propped the phone up on his shoulder and fished his keys from the hook by the door.

The tears were back and you tried your best to mask the heavy emotion in your voice.

“Okay, I’ll do my best to be ready,” but it came out shaky.

“Ace? Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing, I just had a hard day. I’m really looking forward to this,” you said, which was actually true. But the words came out with a sniffle, and he was fully unconvinced.

“Hang tight, I’ll be there soon,” he responded with a determination you knew all too well.

“Drive safe,” you called out as the phone went silent.

You squeezed into a dress and did your best to fix your leftover hair from the work day, still more displeased than pleased with the results. You had just pulled on another pair of shoes that rubbed your fresh blisters and winced as you made your way to the knock at the door.

Poe was standing there in sweats with two large paper grocery bags and a bottle of wine.

“What’s this?” you asked, taking a step back and allowing him space to enter your apartment.

“I’m not gonna make you go out when you’re crying, Ace. I know that’s not even close to your first choice on a good day,” he explained as he set the bags and bottle on the counter. He shucked a backpack from his shoulders and handed you a pair of his sweatpants and a grey tee shirt that he fished from the biggest compartment.

“Go put this on, and I’ll get started on dinner.”

For the third time, tears welled in your eyes and you were speechless as he pulled you into a strong embrace.

“I got you, sweet girl,” he murmured in your ear, nuzzling his nose against it.

It was the first time you felt so fully known, and it terrified and comforted you, as love often did.

“Go,” he urged, “Go shower. You can help me when you’re done,” he smiled sincerely.

“Thank you,” you said quietly, as any other words failed to come.

——

The warmth of your shower was like absolution from your day. You dried off feeling ten pounds lighter, and stared fondly at the clothes he brought for you to wear. They fit like a hug from an old friend, the embrace of a lover. Steam escaped into your room as you exited and rejoined Poe.

You two had hung out together countless times, but this time felt different, because it was. Anticipation threaded your veins as you rounded the corner back into the kitchen.

The sound of your favorite Chicago album carried over the noise of the kitchen, and you smiled at the thought of him thumbing through your records to find something you would enjoy. Poe hummed softly along as he diced a shallot and scraped it next to a neatly chopped pile of herbs. He was wearing black joggers with a white stripe down the side and a tight fitting black tee that hugged his lean frame.

Overcome with a shot of boldness, you crossed the space separating you and wound your arms around his waist, pressing your cheek into the chiseled space between his shoulders. His hips were swaying lightly to the music playing, and you joined him in the subtle motion.

“Hey beautiful,” he said softly, lifting an arm to pull you against his chest, “Feeling better?”

You nodded and peered into the pans of sizzling food.

“Shrimp scampi,” he explained, giving you two squeezes on your waist to signify he needed to move his arm and continue cooking.

Your favorite meal. A smile crossed your lips as you stepped back to see what needed to be done.

“Can you get the bread in the oven?” he asked over his shoulder.

With a nod, you got to work.

As much as he wanted to press about the state you were in when he arrived, he gifted you with even more time to unwind your thoughts as the two of you only traded comments about the meal you were preparing.

It didn’t take long for the last elements to come together and for the two of you take a seat at your small dining set. Poe lit a few candles he had packed, and dimmed the kitchen lights to wash everything in a warm, orange glow matching his aura.

He uncorked the wine, and poured it with a flourish. It was a white Zinfandel, but a few labels above what you would normally indulge in for yourself.

He sat across from you, taking in the sight of your features in the candlelight, your still wet hair and fresh face. Poe swallowed down a lump as he willed himself not to mess this up like he had so many other things in the past. He waited a few bites before striking up conversation.

“How is it?” he asked, twirling some pasta onto his fork.

“Perfect. This is perfect,” you smiled warmly, allowing yourself a moment of happiness before guilt started biting at your ankles again, and your face fell. “I’m sorry about your reservations. I feel like I spoiled the whole evening you had planned.”

“Hey, don’t do that. Spending time with you was the plan. Now, unless you secretly think this scampi is horrible, nothing has been ruined,” he teased.

“No! It’s really great. This was all so thoughtful.”

“Tell me what happened today? What got you all bent out of shape?” his hand closed the small gap between you and rested on top of yours.

Heat spread up your arm to your neck and cheeks, seeming to radiate from the small point of contact he was offering you. So many nights spent wondering what his hands would feel like on your skin. It was enough to make you short circuit almost, but you collected yourself, and began to recount the details of your day from hell.

His brow set heavy as he hung on every word, eyes rising and falling with sympathy as it kept seeming to get worse. The grip of his hand tightening around yours when your voice faltered on the portion of getting yelled at by your supervisor.

“That guy’s an ass,” he said bitterly.

“He’s just a nepo baby,” you rolled your eyes, “His uncle is one of our chief partners.”

“Take me to your next Christmas party and I’ll spill a drink on him,” he promised, picking up the wine glass with his free hand and taking a long sip.

Christmas was almost a year away. You couldn’t help but wonder if he really saw a future with you.

The two of you continued your meal as he shared about his own day and upcoming moving plans. When your plates and glasses were empty, Poe stood up and offered you a hand which you took without hesitation.

“I brought a few of your favorites,” he gestured at the coffee table. The hand he had used to help you out of your chair was still intertwined with yours, causing your heartbeat to drum all the way to the top of your head, and you were worried he would see you shaking with each thump.

“Hmmm. The Princess Diaries,” you smiled.

“Perfect,” he squeezed your hand, “You pop it in, and I’ll get one last surprise.

Poe headed into the kitchen while you cracked open the old dvd case and slipped it into your beat up player from college.

The familiar title music had just started playing when he sat down on the couch presenting a plate with the biggest cannoli you had ever seen.

“I was gonna grab forks, but that seemed like a lost cause,” he chuckled.

“I don’t mind sharing with you,” your hand slid to his lower thigh, rubbing a thumb over his knee before retracting.

It felt like playing with electricity, toying with a live wire to finally touch him beyond a friendly hug. He felt it too.

The pink in his cheeks gave you a smug feeling, to know you weren’t imagining the effect you had on him.

He cleared his throat a little and leaned farther back into the sofa, creating space for you to join him. You pulled your legs up and shook out your faded blanket over them before settling into his side.

“You still have this old thing?”

“It could say the same about you,” you teased, wiggling your shoulder against his ribs and drawing out a chuckle.

“That’s fair, that’s fair,” he conceded.

Several minutes later, when the cannoli was as long gone, you were fully stretched across his lap while his hand traced lines up and down your back. Featherlight touches and rougher scratches made you melt into him. He reveled in the feel of you against him, almost coming undone at the sight of you in his shirt, hair messily fanned over his lap and torso.

When his hand rested at the small of your back, you took a deep breath.

“Poe, what are we doing?”

You felt him tense beneath you, and righted yourself so you could look him in the eye.

“Did I do something wrong? Did I make you uncomfortable?” he instantly questioned, filled with worry at souring his chance with you.

“No, no it’s not that. Can I just be honest for a minute?”

“‘Course, Ace,” he brushed a stray lock of hair behind your ear, fingers lightly brushing your cheek.

One moment of bravery was all you needed to finally know peace.

You looked down at his feet and drew a deep breath before looking him in the eye again.

“I have loved you since I was eighteen years old,” your voice wavered, coming out as barely a whisper. “I have watched you try with girl after girl, heard about date after date, all the time just wanting so desperately to be one of them. But now that I’m older, I don’t just want to be one of the girls in your life, Poe, I want to be the girl.”

His soft eyes locked with yours as you felt emboldened to continue spilling your guts.

“I know my worth, and if this is just another fling to you, I want out. I owe myself that much.”

He waited another beat to make sure you were finished before responding.

“Ace,” he breathed out your name so tenderly, “Do you know why it never worked with those other girls?” he ducked his head down to meet your gaze again.

“They weren’t you. They could never be you. I’ve been such a mess since I was a kid, and I didn’t want to get you tangled up in that, in me. I know what you deserve, which is why I feel out of my mind for even asking that you would give me a chance,” he swallowed hard, “No one knows me like you, they never could.”

The air was thick with things left unsaid for nearly a decade, heavy words that left a decision to be made by the both of you.

Poe reached out to cup your cheek, and you couldn’t help but lean into it, always chasing his warmth.

“I’m in if you are,” you smiled, your voice low, only for the two of you.

His pupils widened, a physical embodiment of hope sparking, and another laugh spilled from his plush lips.

“I’m in. I’m so in. You’re crazy if you think I’m ever letting you go,” he laughed, pressing his forehead to yours and wrinkling his nose.

“Poe?” you whispered, so close he could feel your breath on his lips.

“Yeah, Ace?”

“Please kiss me,” your lips brushed his as the words fell, and he took the invitation with open hands, an open mouth, and an open heart.

He swallowed your question until you were sharing one breath, his lips moving against yours fervently. His hand never left the firm hold he had on your cheek reaching around to the back of your neck, using it as leverage to angle you closer.

You sighed into his mouth as his other hand found your waist, and he finally knew what heaven felt like.

Taut, sinewy arms enveloped you in a way you had only know in your dreams. His curls invited you to tangle your hands in them, drawing a groan from him as you tugged.

“You’re killing me”, he laughed against your lips.

“Let me live my fantasy for just another minute,” you nipped at his neck and he threw his head back to further expose his throat to you.

You could’ve sank a pair of fangs into him, drained him of all life, and he would’ve let you, thanked you, even. Poe was completely under your spell.

“I didn’t know you had this side to you, Ace,” he teased, breathing heavily. Lips parted, hair mussed, breath coming in shallow draws, the set of his jaw above his thick neck. He looked like an Adonis.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” you retorted with a grin.

“Hmm, I doubt it. After knowing you had a fat crush on me, I think I’ve got all your secrets,” he pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of your mouth, barely grazing your lips.

“Ooh, that’ll cost you,” you said in an accusatory tone.

“I’ll pay whatever you’re asking,” he murmured, completely wrapped around your finger.

——

“We’ll wash dishes tomorrow,” you commented on the state of the kitchen, pausing before asking, “You’re staying, right?”

“You’d have to chase me out with a broom,” he wrapped his arms around your waist, peppering your neck with kisses.

The two of you got ready for bed with an abundance of playful hip bumps and nudges as you fought for space in your small bathroom.

You pulled back the covers and crawled under them together like you had done it a hundred times before, every movement coming naturally.

You snuggled up into his bare chest, resting against one of his biceps, and it felt like new beginnings. When you woke tomorrow, everything would be different.

His heartbeat was calmer now, drumming against your fingertips as your breaths synced to his.

“Hey, Ace?”

“Yeah?”

“I forgot to mention one thing.”

You angled your head to see the faint outline of his profile in the moonlight.

“I love you too.”

[semisolidmind]

What if Reader fell in love with another demon (like one living on the mountain or one that has come to talk with the kings).

And would this change anything if this love is a mutual love or not a mutual love ?

(mutual attraction or no, any other suitors of reader aren't gonna last very long once the monkey demons learn about them)

if its a visiting demon sovereign, then i guess the boys are down an ally. no biggie, they never liked that guy anyways. if reader asks where he went, the fellas can just say they caught him stealing from the royal treasury or something.

for the ffm citizen hypothetical, it's probably a particularly sweet farmer (cough @lavenderskye29 's xi-wang cough).

perhaps this citizen doesn't feel like it's fair that their queen is forced into her role. they've had the chance to talk with her, become friends with her...they've begun to understand why their leaders are so enamored with her. they want to help reader, even if just a little.

the warlords initially don't think much of the new "friend" reader mentions occasionally at evening meals or grooming sessions. she's a friendly human and she loves getting to know new people; she makes new friends on the mountain all the time. nothing to worry about.

it's only when macaque catches wind of this potential homewrecker talking about their plans to help reader escape (conveniently out loud) that he decides to have a little talk with them. for now, mac will save his brother the headache of worrying about this and deal with it himself (that, and he's sure that wukong would just outright kill the guy if he knew).

he catches the farmer in the peach groves, harvesting the season's latest crop. they startle and freeze when macaque's voice echoes from the shadows of the fruit trees, seemingly from all around them.

"So, couldn't help but overhear you talking about your little plan a minute ago. That takes guts; I'm almost impressed. Honestly, where do you get the audacity?"

the farmer grows more and more nervous as the grove grows dark, the sun drowned out by the six-eared demons' dark aura.

"Not to mention you're hitting waaaay above your pay grade. You honestly think someone like her would settle for someone like you?"

the shadows laugh cruelly, and macaque shifts the darkness closer to his anxiously shivering victim.

"You do realize she's married, right? And not to just anyone, farm boy. She's married to a king– your king...and to me."

the dark-furred demon kicked off from the tree he was leaning on, emerging from the shadows. his eyes burned like amethyst stars from underneath his angrily-knit brows, fangs grit in a threatening smile. his tail lashed angrily behind him as he tried to keep his temper in check. macaque paced toward the farmer slowly, stopping once he was right in front of them.

"She's really precious to us, y'know? So if you don't want to lose something precious to you, say, your limbs or your life...you'll stay away from her. This is your only warning, by the way. Happy harvest, tough guy."

macaque steps out of the farmer's space, giving a two finger salute as he sinks into the shadows at his feet. the farmer flinches away as the shadows fade back into the light of day, their fur standing on end.

they–they might need to be more careful about what they say from now on.

[look-at-the-soul]

Save yourself- Tommy Shelby x reader

So ages agooooo @runnning-outof-time posted a Kaleo song that I kept listening to over and over again, then @shelbydelrey made a cheating theme celebration 🎉 and I had been working since forever in both ideas but something was missing… until I decided to mix it and this came as the result.

K, I hope you like the result of using this particular song (Idk what idea you had in mind for it), but it gave me these vibes.💖

Isa, I couldn’t decide how to approach this particular theme, but Tommy cheating seemed to come to life by itself… and I hope it’s not too late to celebrate you 💕

⚠️ Cheating, angst

Y/N removed the hat as she walked into the House of Watery Lane, feeling so much better than the previous night, she had to leave the Grand re-opening of The Garrison early after feeling unwell, but after some tea and crackers, the only food her stomach seemed to accept. Polly offered her house because it was closer and she didn’t want to disturb anyone or ruin the fun for them, Ada was finally visiting them, Arthur was the happiest she had seen him in a long time, proud of the new and flashy decoration, and Tommy… well he just was enjoying himself to take him back home just because she was tired and nauseous.

Opening the door, she found a scene she never wanted to see; Tommy, her Tommy in bed with not one, but two women.

It weighs heavier on one's heart

I could tell right from the start that sweet ones are hard to come across

Her heart stopped beating for an instant, while the realization was sinking in… there was an indescribable ache, so hard to breathe… imagining his arms around them, giving those women the same pleasure he gave her endless nights.

He was just as shocked as she was, and quickly he tried to get up, untangling himself from them, shit, what did he do? Y/N didn’t deserved that. As she felt her stomach up in her throat, she couldn’t watch them anymore.

Snapping fast from her trance, she found herself turning around, strangely calmed, a realization hitting her like a bullet, heartbeat now drumming against her ribs, her fingers felt numb, clumsy, as if she had a big cloud inside her head.

She wasn’t going to make a huge drama out of it, she wouldn’t ask for explanations, she didn’t feel like listening to lame excuses to justify his actions. No, she walked out of there in silence, with her heart shattered into million pieces, yes, but she would get over it, just like she had been all of her life.

Tommy rushed to get dressed, shouting for her to wait, he would ask for forgiveness, beg on his knees, tell her it was just a mistake. Fumbling with his pants, he picked up his peaky cap from the floor, breaking an empty bottle of whiskey as he stumbled. Trying hard to tuck in his shirt inside of his pants, but she was gone already. She was the best thing of his fucking life and he ruined.

Heart like yours is rare to find

Someone else's gain will be my loss

Revenge could come in different forms, she could’ve steal all the money from the safe in their room or the one in his office, fuck him over, force him to buy her expensive presents to make it up for it all, she could fuck anyone right there in front of him just to give him back what he did. Anyone would suggest make him pay, make him beg and watch him suffer…

But she wasn’t going to make an scandal. No, her reaction was much lethal than that.

She would leave in silence, without tears, without shouting, no pointing fingers.

He turned out to be just like his father, she knew that would kill him, the comparison.

Choose your words before you speak

Can you see that all you've got is time?

Tommy rushed down the street cursing at himself, feeling the worse headache forming and found her in their bedroom, a single travel bag over the bed, she was calmly folding her clothes.

Just as she packed their bags to go to their country house.

“Y/N please.” Tommy pleaded desperate.

His words meant nothing now, all of those empty promises, the dreams they had together… gone.

Seeing her like that was worse than hear her shouting, breaking things, yelling at him. That would’ve been the expected reaction after what she saw. But she wasn’t even crying or hitting him, he deserved that.

He’d have preferred that, a million slaps than this.

She took a moment to check her belongings and walked towards the dresser to retrieve her passport and important papers. She arrived to this house with just a few things and she would leave just about the same.

“Y/N… nothing I could say could repair what I did, but I swear it meant nothing, it was a mistake, I was so drunk…” she wasn’t even listening to him anymore, it was just a buzz in the back of her mind. “I lost control…” he drank a lot, mixed it with an obscene amount of snow, didn’t even realize…fuck.

Walking into the nursery, she went directly to the first drawer and carefully, took a blanket that Polly knitted for the baby, the nappies and the rabbit that Ada bought for their unborn child. Yeah, she really didn’t need all those expensive gifts he gave her.

“I’ll go somewhere else, you can stay here I won’t bother you,” Tommy kept babbling while she walked past him, back into the bedroom they once shared.

Still in complete silence.

He knew Y/N better than the palm of his hand, he knew he should stay away right now, but he needed her to stop packing, this silent treatment only added more worry and stress to his already altered heart.

And that was the only time she dared to look at him in the eyes, making him wish she never did. Shoving away his hand from her body as he tried to reach her.

Tommy deserved a slap, deserved to have his balls cut, but she wasn’t going to lose time in that.

He started to see white dots when Y/N closed the bag, it wasn’t completely full yet and she seemed to be done.

And not just with the bag, but with him as well.

Tommy rubbed his hands all over his face, lost for words, feeling his entire world coming to an imminent end. It didn’t matter that he was stronger than her, in that very moment he felt so small, so useless, knowing that nothing he did, would make her change her mind.

But he tried, he tried to grab the bag from her hands as she stood at the top of the stairs, still begging for forgiveness.

“Fine, I don’t need that either.” She wasn’t even going to try to fight him over the bag, especially not close to the stairs, she just wanted to leave.

She knew she deserved better, not because she was someone important, but because she knew her value and she wanted respect, simple as that. Birmingham could be his territory, but he wasn’t her owner.

“No no, Y/N, listen to me please…” he rushed down, to stop her from opening the door.

But she was determined to leave, with or without the bag, of course that wasn’t going to stop her.

Before she met him, she had several wooers, with better intentions than him, but he was determined to make her fall for him, and that was the greatest mistake of her life.

Oh darling, save yourself for someone else

“We’ve a story together, Y/N, please…”

Save yourself

Oh, won't you save yourself?

“You can’t take away my child!” He snapped breathlessly, panicking because he was running out of time, of reasons to make her stay.

Are you going to break?

The look Y/N gave him, could’ve easily turned him into stone, a sarcastic smile playing in her lips.

“Now it’s a good time to remember you have a baby on the way, should’ve think of that last night, don’t you think?”

Y/N ripped the bag from his hand.

It would be just her baby and herself, away from this life, away from the risks, away from his lies.

She was unsure of a lot of things, but there was one around her mind in that very moment, sometimes you need to save yourself.

The worst part of it, was that Tommy knew deep down, that Y/N would be better off without him.

***

Master list

As usual, your thoughts are my favorite part 💕

Tag list: @lyarr24 @runnning-outof-time @cillmequick @gypsy-girl-08 @datewithgianni @cloudofdisney @ange-thoughts @gretelshelby @lespendy @onlydeadcells @fastfan @stevie75 @prettylittlehoneyeyesxoxo @esposadomd @strayrockette @forbidden-forest-witch @elenavampire21 @forgottenpeakywriter @zablife @peakyscillian @moral-terpitude @babaohhhriley @shelbydelrey @shaddixlife @sloanexx @cilliansangel @rangerelik

[flowerandblood]

The sweetest fruit (12) (End)

[ Aemond • Targaryen x Valyrian! • female ]

[ warnings: sex content, kissing, mention of suicide attempt and miscarriage, fluff ]

[description: (Anon Request) Aemond is to meet his future wife from Essos, in whose veins runs the blood of Old Valyria. They’ve been engaged since they were kids, but he’s in no hurry to get married and he’s not happy about her arrival. His future wife, however, turns out to be someone completely different than he expected. Smut, angst and a lot of sexual tension.]

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

Previous chapters: Masterlist

_____

Alys awoke at dawn, lying curled up on a couch in Prince Aemond's chamber. She dreamed that one day he would take her to the palace to spend the night with him, but she did not suspect that it would happen because she would come to save his wife.

She sat up, rubbing her temple. She slept only three hours, checking Lady Vhassar's pulse every half hour. Fortunately, her condition was stable. Aemond did not fall asleep until she told him that the threat to her life had passed.

She looked at the bed next to which the maester sat in a chair, snoring softly. She saw them both asleep, snuggled close to each other, his face buried in her hair, his arms wrapped around her body. She hugged him too, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

She thought she had lost, but for some reason she felt at peace. She had imagined her differently.

She thought that she seduced her prince just to profit from him. That she didn't really feel anything for him, but only pretended, like most of the Volantis women she knew.

After what she saw, she knew that this girl loved him. Aemond reciprocated her feelings so fervently that she had to look away every time he spoke to her.

She stood up quietly walking over to the table, grabbing some pomegranates in her hands. She began squeezing the juice out of them into a cup.

Pomegranate fruit counteracted the formation of inflammations and infections. She didn't want the girl to die because of the dirty dagger she had cut herself with after what they had done for her. She heard someone move on the bed and glanced in that direction. Aemond put his hand to his wife's neck, checking for a pulse. He exhaled softly and returned to his interrupted, restless doze as soon as he felt, that she was still alive.

***

Lady Vhassar awoke with a terrible headache. Everything was spinning around her. She tightened her hands on the material of her husband's chemise, snuggling into him with a purr, seeking help. She felt oddly distracted and didn't even remember getting to bed. She heard Aemond shift uneasily, propping himself up on one elbow, looking at her.

"Alys, she's awake!" She heard him call out to a woman and she frowned. She did not know a servant by that name. She looked at him surprised and furrowed her brows.

"Who is Alys?" She asked softly, as she tried to roll onto her back and felt something tied around her wrist. She lifted her hand and froze. She felt her heart start pounding, her breathing quickened. She panicked, memories flooding her suddenly like a great sea wave.

Red blood between her thighs, the maester's words, Namyss telling her that her husband had flown off on his dragon without telling anyone. She knew what that meant, she knew she had been a disappointment for him in the end. Nothing she could do in bed mattered if she couldn't give him an heir.

She thought that she had to make it easier for him, that he would not willingly get rid of the burden that she was. She felt that she had fallen into a vast emptiness. If she was going to bring him sadness instead of joy, her existence no longer made sense to her.

After she asked Namyss to fetch her bath oils from her old chamber, she took his dagger. She stepped into the tub full of hot water, leaned her head against the edge, and thought that it would be over soon. That she would just fall asleep.

She wished that she had told him before he left that she truly loved him. She thought that it was beautiful to die with the feeling that you loved someone so deeply.

"Shhh. Easy, my sweetest." She shivered when she heard her husband whisper against her ear. He nuzzled her head back to his chest. He stroked her head as if she were a small child.

"Do not think about it. Alys has come to help you." He whispered.

Lady Vhassar drank the pomegranate juice that Alys had prepared for her. Aemond said that he had to go out for a while to inform the king and queen that she was better, and he would be back soon.

The maester still slept with his mouth parted, snoring once in a while. Alys sat next to her on the bed. They stared at each other for a moment and both looked away.

"I wanted him to stay with me. He refused. If he had agreed, you would be dead by now." She said calmly, looking at her hands. Lady Vhassar's stomach tightened at her words.

"But now that I'm here, I'm glad that he did." She said finally, and Lady Vhassar looked at her, surprised. Something that could be called a smile appeared on her face.

“While I was sleeping, I saw your daughter in a dream, flying through the air on a great black dragon. You will bear him three children, but only she will have his eyes." She said calmly.

Lady Vhassar shuddered at her words, gasping for air with a choked sound. Tears that would not leave her body, locked deep in her heart, streamed down her face. She involuntarily grabbed her hand. Alys was touched by this unexpected gesture, and squeezed her fingers.

"Your diet. You can't stay pregnant by eating fruit alone. You do not provide your body with basic building materials. Did your mother also have trouble getting or staying pregnant?” She asked, and Lady Vhassar nodded, unable to say more.

“You need to eat a lot of meat, fish, vegetable and animal fats. Also drink infusions of these herbs." She said as she stood up, taking several jars out of her bag, placing them one by one on the table next to her. “They will help your body sustain the pregnancy. Mix them together and drink infusions once a week.”

She said calmly. They both flinched as the door opened. Aemond walked quickly to the bed and sat down next to his wife, taking her hand in his and kissing it quickly.

"How do you feel? Do you need anything?" He asked, but she shook her head.

"It's time for me." Alys said, turning away from them. They both looked at her surprised. Lady Vhassar tightened her hand on her husband's hand.

"Take her back to Harrenhal." She said softly. Aemond shook his head.

"No. I have already asked Helaena to do me this favor. I'm not going to take my eye off you." He said warningly. His wife wanted to protest, but Alys cut her off.

"Don't worry, my lady. And remember what I told you."

***

Lady Vhassar began to recover in the days that followed. She could remove the bandages now, the wounds on her wrists beginning to heal. She knew they would leave scars. A symbol of what she wanted to do. She apologized to her husband every day.

“I felt as if I was a different person. As if someone had drawn a black veil over me, or locked me in a dark cellar, with no sun."

Aemond kissed her bare shoulder. Just two days after what happened they started making love again. This time, however, was different than before. It felt as if they really had become one flesh.

Their sweaty bodies were entwined in a tight embrace, her husband holding her tight, as if he was afraid that she would melt away, disappear. He slid in and out of her slowly, unhurriedly, making them gasp loudly, prolonging their sweet delight and agony at the same time.

He leaned over her once in a while, kissing her with the wet, loud click of their saliva, biting into her fleshy lips like in the sweetest of fruits. One of his hands cupped her cheek, the other held her thigh, his forehead pressed against hers, beads of sweat running down his face and back.

"Do not leave me." He whispered again, and she wanted to cry at his words. She kept telling him that she would never do it, but he said it again and again.

"Never." She whispered.

He frowned and sped up, his thrusts more intense and aggressive, drawing a loud, drawn out moan from her. He grabbed her wrists, pulling them up to her head, so that he could see her freshly healed scars out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes? So what is it? Hmm?" He asked, regret and despair in his quivering voice.

She barely stopped herself from bursting into sobs, feeling both pleasure and pain at the same time. She opened her thighs wider for him, allowing him to enter her as deeply as he wanted, both of them gasping louder, shaking.

"Forgive me. It won't happen again. I will always be with you." She whispered laboriously between his thrusts. He stared at her in pain, his mouth parted helplessly, tears in his eye as well as hers.

"How could you do this to me?" He drawled, squirting his face against her shoulder, bursting into silent sobs for the first time since then, finally allowing his emotions, depression, anger, sadness, and grief to flow out of him.

They both stopped moving and just hugged each other tightly, enjoying the closeness of their naked bodies, each other's touch. She stroked his slightly damp hair, kissing his temple, feeling him tremble all over, sobbing.

"My sweet husband" She whispered in his ear, and he tightened his hands on her heated body, as if to make sure that she was still with him. She kissed his shoulder and neck, wanting to give him every kind of affection he needed.

He finally got up on his elbows, his face and eye red with tears. She wiped the moisture from his cheek with her hand and with a light, easy motion pulled his eyepatch off his head. His sapphire artificial eyeball glared at her ominously, his other eye filled with pain and fear.

They kissed again, this time more aggressively, more passionately, as if they both wanted to take it out on each other, to retaliate for the misfortune that the gods had brought upon them by taking their child away from them.

He began to move inside her again, his thrusts brutal and sure this time, imposing a fast, intense pace that made them both pant and moan loudly, eyes squeezed shut.

"Aemond" She moaned sweetly like a prayer, a plea, a begging. Her husband looked down at her as he fucked her, panting heavily.

"I will fuck you until you understand that your life and death belong to me alone." He hissed, his hands tightening on her hips, accelerating, her body arching like a string.

She sobbed softly at his words, feeling her coming closer to fulfillment, her hands tightening on the pillow around her head.

"Please, punish me, my prince. Show me to whom I belong." She sputtered, wanting him to take it out on her, needing it herself. He groaned low at her words, surprised, his thrusts being a total mess, sloppy and chaotic.

"You are. Fucking. Mine. I - oh, Gods -" He panted heavily and moaned low as he cum inside her, feeling a huge wave of relief and heat rush through his body.

The light movement of his fingers around her clit as he moved inside her for a moment longer, combined with his words made her come right after him, sobbing, her body trembling in convulsions of pleasure.

Aemond collapsed on top of her, panting, and the two of them hugged tightly. As they lay side by side, breathless and fulfilled, she told him what Alys had said to her.

“She told me that I would give you three children. But that only our daughter will have your eyes." She said and smiled slightly. Aemond froze for a moment. He hugged her so tight that she thought he was going to strangle her.

Since then, both of them have regained hope. She had the impression that this drastic experience made them drop their masks completely. Sometimes when they talked to each other she caught herself thinking, that they addressed each other just like her parents.

She always believed that they were her marker of a perfect marriage, which she would not be able to achieve, because she had no choice when choosing a spouse. It turned out differently.

Lady Vhassar has adopted a more balanced diet. When, after a few months, it turned out that she was expecting a child again, she was terrified, but also better prepared.

She drank infusions from Alys and ate healthy, replenishing all the necessary nutrients and vitamins into her body. Once she got past the stage where she had previously lost her pregnancy, she calmed down.

Aemond was by her side practically the entire time. He was furious when she left the chamber for longer without his knowledge or disappeared unannounced. He constantly kept his hand on her belly or on her heart at night, wanting to make sure that she was breathing and alive.

Her pregnancy made her desire even more intense and she could do it almost non-stop. Her husband didn't complain, spending the night between her thighs, then allowing her to reciprocate. They knew each other well enough to know what they both wanted without words.

She watched with delight as her husband devoured the fruits she showed him in bed during the day. He became addicted to them, because he liked them so much.

When their daughter was born, she saw him cry with happiness for the first time. They both cried as they watched the baby writhe and squeal in her arms. Indeed, her eyes were exactly like his, her pale, white hair was soft and shiny.

She and Aemond had agreed that if it was a boy, he would name him, and if it was a girl, it would be her decision. She smiled, as she looked at her daughter.

"Alyssane. That's what she will be called. Like my great-great-grandmother and the woman who predicted her life."

While Alyssane was growing up, Lady Vhassar bore her husband two more sons, Dareon and Vaemon. Vaemon was the only one to inherit her black hair, which she gladly accepted. Each of their children had their own dragons. Alyssane was the best dragonrider of all of them.

She and her father were like two drops of water, but she had a sharp tongue and her mother's directness which made her character fiery and temperamental. However, she had great respect for her parents - especially her mother. She watched with admiration as she softened her father's gloomy and aloof nature, getting exactly what she wanted out of him.

She saw her father looking at her mother. How he couldn't keep his hands off her when they were alone. She saw how he talked to her in private.

When she was little and heard moans from their chamber at night, she thought that he was hurting her mother. She even told him one morning that if her mother cried out in pain because of him again, she would pierce his heart with a dagger. She remembered his embarrassed expression and her mother's laugh.

That day, Lady Vhassar explained to her daughter the mysteries of female love and pleasure that she knew nothing about. She told her about the first time she visited her father in his chamber.

Alyssane was impressed with how well her mother had planned everything. She knew that eventually her plan had spun out of control.

"Well, what can I say. I fell in love with your father. And I'm still in that state to this day." She said softly, as she walked beside her on the soft grass of the Red Keep gardens. Alyssane thought in silence.

"So since you've been with my father you haven't slept with another man?" She asked timidly. Her mother looked at her amused.

"No. Your father doesn't share what's his. Just like me."

_____

Thank you for such a wonderful reception of this series. It was wonderful to write, full of passion and love. I love Lady Vhassar, be like her! Confident, knowing their worth, tender and warm! 💖

Aemond Taglist:

(bold means I couldn't tag you)

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[pufflehuffing]

H.L. HEADCANONS | How MC and the boys became friends. (GN!MC)

Ominis

Did not care about MC in the slightest when they first arrived at Hogwarts. In fact, Ominis detested MC for their camaraderie with Sebastian.

Sebastian had told him about MC's ventures outside of the castle and the power they wielded, and Ominis immediately felt all colour drain from his face. He knew Sebastian wanted to manipulate them into helping him save Anne, and he hated MC's naivety about the situation. He hated how Sebastian told them about the Undercroft, about his blindness, about his family... Ominis detested being seen as a weakling or a black sheep.

Speaking of, one day, he caught MC walking out of the Undercroft in the Defense Against The Dark Arts Tower, recognizing their scent and the sound of their heavy boots on the marble floor. "You breathe a word about this place to anyone and not even your precious Professor Fig will be able to help you. My father is friends with the Headmaster and I'm not afraid to exploit that connection if I need to," he had threatened.

After a few more weeks, he had noticed how at ease Sebastian had become, at least as much as he could possibly be given the circumstances. Sebastian was sleeping more peacefully, and seemed more chipper after meeting MC. It brought Ominis comfort knowing someone was cheering up his friend, and in turn, he also started opening up to MC.

On the following Tuesday, Ominis found himself in the Undercroft. He was suffering from a migraine and had attempted to hide from the sensation of the busy hallways. His blindness made his other senses that much sharper, but it came at the price of having so many headaches...

He heard the gears from the entrance turning and mentally prepared himself for another hour-long story from Sebastian about how he beat Leander Prewett during a duel, but he was surprised when he heard another familiar set of boots walk towards him. He turned his head to the source of the sound and patiently waited for MC to speak up.

They had asked Ominis if he was alright, to which the blonde boy waved his hand dismissively, rubbing his temple with the other. MC was intelligent enough to realize the noise was bothering him and conjured a wet cloth, carefully placing it in Ominis' hand and guiding it to his forehead. MC silently sat beside him on the table and offered him a careful hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

The touch felt foreign, and Ominis wasn't sure if he appreciated it. Nevertheless, he didn't pull away. After a few moments of silence the cloth had gotten cold and Ominis sighed as he laid it on the table behind them.

His blind eyes turned to MC's feet as he spoke softly but curtly, the same way he spoke to his closest friend, Sebastian. "I know we had a bit of a rocky start, but you've proven yourself – as a friend."

Sebastian

Initially only wanted to befriend MC because of their ability to wield ancient magic, not really caring much about forming a true connection because he's too wrapped up in his own problems

However, pretty soon after going to Hogsmeade together for the first time Sebastian had already memorized MC's lesson plan as if it were the back of his hand, knowing exactly where they were at all times of the day. He claimed it was just so he knew when to ask them for more help regarding Anne.

It wasn't until one day, late in the evening, when Ominis and him were in their dormitory that Sebastian realized he actually wanted to impress MC with his knowledge and quick wits. Ominis had argued with him about Sebastian always sneaking into the restricted section to look for more information on curses, and at one point Ominis had called Sebastian a fool for involving an innocent bystander in his mess. Sebastian laid awake the entire night, wondering just how much of his mind was occupied with MC's pretty smile, and what the warm feeling in his chest meant.

Whenever he had a free period, he would spend it in the library, quenching his thirst for knowledge. One day, he decided to read a book about hormones, careful to not let anyone catch him studying something so embarrassing.

Truth is, Sebastian had started noticing the pretty students of Hogwarts, and he did wonder what it would be like to go to The Three Broomsticks in a more... intimate setting with someone, but nothing prepared him for the fuzzy, almost nauseating feeling in his stomach. Uncle Solomon had never before told him about the birds and the bees, or what may happen to teenagers' minds at a certain age, so all Sebastian could do was read the dusty tomes of the library.

When Sebastian realized he had a crush on MC, he held his face in his hands as he leaned his elbows on the table and groaned. "This cannot be real, as if I don't have enough things to worry about right now," He sighed.

He closed the book and returned it to its shelf before sauntering to his next class. He had noticed MC walk into Charms and mentally cursed himself, trying to surpress the butterflies and goosebumps.

Garreth

Had noticed MC immediately in Potions. He was very grateful when they had obtained a Fwooper feather for him from professor Sharp's office, and when they snuck into Honeydukes to "borrow" some dried Billywig stings. They hadn't become friends, but Garreth knew he could count on MC whenever he needed another ingredient. They had a reputation of sneaking out of the castle all the time, and Garreth figured it would come in handy if they could bring back some fluxweed or ashwinder eggs every once in a while.

Weasleys were known for getting into trouble and Garreth was no different. After his aunt Matilda had heard of his secret potion's station in his dormitory, she had given him detention. What surprised Garreth more, however, was the fact that MC was in detention too. He sat down at the desk next to them and waited for professor Binns had started rambling about yet another vague battle that occured in the Scottish Highlands some centuries ago.

He had then asked what the special occasion was with a teasing voice and a hint of mischief in his eyes, and MC had told him they were caught sneaking into the One-Eyed Witch Passage. Garreth simply grinned, proud to see that MC isn't afraid to get under his aunt's skin too.

The two students started teasing each other back and forth, retorting playfully whenever they could. Garreth was excited, incredibly excited even, to have met his partner-in-crime. He raised an eyebrow and gestured to the door at one point, hinting to leave while professor Binns still had his back turned.

Once outside the classroom the pair started running to the Viaduct bridge, hoping to cut off any prefects that roamed around the hallways on their way to their respective dormitories. Once they had reached MC's common room, Garreth asked them to meet up tomorrow, hoping to get to know them even better outside of their professional business ventures of sneaking in ingredients for a few potions in return.

[cherrycoloredfaith]

Kiss Off

pt 1 | pt 2 | pt 4

Chapter 3: Three for My Headache

Eddie

Eddie slammed the door to his office. Well, really his bedroom. It’s not ideal for him to live outside the city, but once Eddie realized he wanted to live alone while not being able to afford it, he took Wayne on his offer. It’s messy and lonely, but he’s actually able to save up his money. 

He leaned against the door, inhaling deeply. He didn’t mean to snap–especially not in front of Max. She knew what Eddie’s been through, but he felt ridiculous confiding in her with his issues. Even more so when he lost control of his temper. He didn’t know what was wrong with him.

He waited until he heard the front door open and shut. Then, he moved to the window, peeking through the blinds to catch a glimpse of his worst nightmare, walking away in his stupid jeans, getting into his stupid car and driving away. Eddie took a sigh of relief. 

Kicking off his boots, he started to relax. He headed back out into the kitchen to pour himself some water; Max stared at him with her arms crossed, her gameboy forgotten on the table. “Dude, what was that about?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” said Eddie, giving her a smile he knew wouldn’t meet his eyes. 

“If you really intend to hide your feelings, you’re doing a terrible job… Is this about–?” Max asked. 

“I’m not talking about this.” Eddie drained his glass. “Especially not with you. Wayne’s leaving soon if you need a ride home.” 

Max narrowed her eyes on the man, but stood and gathered her things. “Whatever, Eddie. I’m just saying, Steve seems nice.” She headed out the door without another word. 

Looking down at his feet, Eddie began to think through his day. Steve did struggle at most of his tasks, but he knew with practice, it’d get better. That was what he reported to Wayne anyway. Steve clearly could work with his hands, however delicate they seemed. Eddie wasn’t worried about Steve’s performance, but instead was fretting over the ways he made Eddie want to laugh and get close to him and touch his hair. 

So far, Eddie did all the wrong things around Steve. He became quiet, or he was too abrasive, or god forbid, he flirted with the man. Since last year, he told himself he’d never let anyone have power over him again. Not like it was. He was supposed to be scary, to be loud and obnoxious. All that went out the window when he caught his first glimpse of Steve. 

There he stood, at the door of the office, perfectly clean, his chestnut hair framing his face in waves, clearly freshly trimmed. His curious eyes landed on him with an ease Eddie did not mirror but tried. He had been arguing with Wayne, saying he didn’t need a new crew member; the residual tension hadn’t eased, and Eddie needed out . Without addressing Steve in the slightest after giving him his most intimidating smile and foreboding description of life at Munson Construction, he was out of there, running to the clubhouse to catch his cool. He ran towards the back porch to hide, lighting his cigarette.

Eddie and Wayne had built it a couple years ago to create a space for cookouts with the guys and various gatherings. You wouldn’t notice it unless you knew it was there. It looks out onto the line of trees beyond the small field. Just out of view is their garage storing all of their equipment and supplies. They’re a small company, but have been growing for the past few years, getting bigger and bigger jobs. Eddie knew they needed the extra hands.

But Eddie didn’t want someone joining their circle. Let alone a very handsome someone. Why the hell did Wayne not let Eddie pick a perfectly ugly candidate? Wayne argued they didn’t do interviews in person, but couldn’t the man make an exception? He had to go pick up the prettiest motherfucker Eddie’s ever seen?

Wayne gave him and the guys the day off as Steve was just getting his bearings and finishing up paperwork. After Max checked in with Eddie on what he’d have to teach Steve tomorrow, he cowered on that porch until he heard his car leave. 

Now, Eddie stood in his kitchen, running his hands over his eyes. He scrunched his face in disgust, remembering how he was covered in dirt from the day, and walked towards the bathroom to have a shower. 

Shedding his clothes, he forced himself not to think of him, but this was his first bit of alone time all day.  Pulling on the hair tie, he let his ponytail loose, sighing in relief at the feeling. He stepped into the shower and was focusing on the task at hand. 

The water was slightly cold, as it always was when Eddie first stepped in. A year living here, he knew to wait for it to heat up. Instead, today he welcomed the chill.  He felt the dirt and sweat of the day wash away and reached for his 5N1 shampoo. He gave it a sniff, the familiar cedarwood vanilla bringing flashes of last summer. Eddie shamefully wondered what Steve smelled like. 

A vision passed behind Eddie’s closed eyes from earlier today.  Eddie stood gazing down while Steve kneeled, checking the slumped pile of concrete they were testing. He was giving Steve a chance to assess it himself, but Eddie knew right when he mixed it the ratio was off. He needed to teach Steve what it looked like when it was wrong. The moment gave Eddie a chance to watch Steve’s concentrated expression as he analyzed. With his head tilted and one eyebrow cocked, he regarded the deflated cone shape with uncertainty. “Looks good to me,” he said confidently. To Eddie’s horror,  from his spot on the ground, Steve looked up at his face with his big brown eyes, lips parted and panting from the heat. The perfect flush from the sun painted his cheeks, glowing with a sheen of sweat.

He remembers dropping his jaw slightly, probably wearing the dumbest look on his face.  Eddie blinked, stilling,  to try and recollect what was just happening. He laughed it off, “No, Harrington, not at all.” 

The memory played out in full a couple times, and then Eddie was stuck on that same frame. That look of innocence and hope in Steve’s eyes. He just knew Steve wanted to please him, to be right for him. It made him hard to hate. Hard to stay away and keep his distance. Eddie knew he was in trouble. 

And the way Steve reveled in Eddie’s praise earlier. He could think of a few other opportunities for Steve to earn it again, just to see that look on his face once more. 

Soap cascaded down from his hair to his shoulders, down, down, down. So did his hands as he scrubbed away the grime. 

Maybe, if he kept his eyes closed, he wouldn’t feel the shame. He wouldn’t have to face the reality of it. 

With a sigh of resignation, he gave in. Reaching down for himself, he kept his eyes shut. Slowly warming water pounded his face until he leaned against the wall. He gasped for air the moment he surfaced from the stream of the showerhead and his hand came into contact with his slowly hardening cock. As he began to grip tighter and tighter, he failed to think of anyone else but him. The sweat that beaded on his skin, dripping down his neck. The slight burn on his skin that would soon turn into the most delicious tan. He pictured his lips as they wrapped themselves around his water bottle. 

In a sudden moment of clarity, Eddie halted, opening his eyes to the harsh fluorescents of the bathroom. What the fuck was he actually doing? Jerking it to his crew member after knowing him for a day? He had to stop this before it got out of hand– fuck! –out of control! He had to stop this before everything he feared came true at the fault of his own.

He was aching all over with need, but he fought it back. Trying to return his focus to finish washing the dirt from the day’s work, he got more soap, scrubbed his fingernails, his feet, behind his ears, anywhere he could think of. He washed his hair for a second time. Then, finally, his face–which led him to close his eyes once more. 

Immediately, flashes of Steve kept coming until he couldn’t take it anymore. He gave in. Eddie fell to his knees as he touched himself to the thought of that mouth, of those eyes shining up at him. He stroked up until he got closer and closer to the edge. His orgasm washed over him like a wave so intense the water hitting his back stung his skin as it made contact, like his nerves were shot. 

He was panting. By the time his heartbeat slowed, the soap had all washed away. Hanging his head, he relished in the calm and clarity. He was looking forward to the weekend ahead without having to see the man that will likely be the next to haunt him.

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

Steve

The sour mood created by Eddie followed Steve around like a dark cloud, even up until Robin returned from school. She walked through the door, textbooks in hand, backpack hanging off one shoulder, looking frazzled as always. 

Steve was preparing to ask her for another night of moping and smoking, but when she noticed  him sitting on the couch, once again upside down, she started to shake her head.

“Nope. Nope, no, Steve. Not again. Not another night in. You’ve been cagey ever since we moved. We’re going out tonight,” she ordered. She didn’t give the impression she would take no for an answer. Something in her expression told Steve she’d really start to worry if he refused. 

He knew he needed it to be honest, despite how spent his body was from his first day on the job. He’d struggled to gather the courage to make friends since he was so focused on finding work. Even after a month, all he had was Robin. 

He didn’t think he was getting fired, based on the conversation he and Eddie had in the truck, but the knots in his stomach wouldn’t unclench. Robin was right, he needed distraction and a little fun–so what if he’s a little tired?

“Alright, yeah, you got it,” he agreed, getting up from his signature moping position. 

“Good. You can tell me how your day went once we’ve got a drink in our hands,” she pointed at him. 

They split off into their respective rooms to get ready. He knew Robin had added decorations to her’s but Steve’s bedroom couldn’t be more bland. Everytime he tried to come up with ideas for it, he couldn’t name one thing he liked for himself. He had essentials: a bed frame and a night stand. A dresser, too. It hadn’t really sunk in for Steve that this was his new life, his new home. 

Steve already showered once he got back, but now he needed to change and fix his still damp hair. He picked out an outfit of light denim jeans and a dark purple polo that hugged him in all the right places–something to make him feel like himself. 

Robin emerged from her room a few minutes later, looking fashionable in blue slacks, a patterned button down, and suspenders. She swung a relaxed purse over her shoulder. “Ready?” she asked. 

They walked to a nearby bar, one Robin had raved about prior to their apartment searching. She informed him at the time that it was the only real lesbian bar in the city, but it was just dumb luck they ended up moving nearby. Steve silently prayed there wouldn’t only be lesbians there. 

While Steve was prevented from discussing his day, Robin talked about hers as they strolled down the street. She only had a few courses this summer, but they were primarily what she had to talk about nowadays. 

“This next test is going to be crazy, absolutely no one is ready. And really what kind of professor puts a test on a Monday anyway? My answer, the worst kinds. They really should make rules against this kind of teacher/student abuse,” she continued, hardly stopping to breathe. “Oh, Steve, I may need you to quiz me later–”

As he silently listened, he took in the sights around him, trying to familiarize himself with the path to and from the bar. It was nearing 6 PM, but the streets were calm for a Friday night, he thought. The neighborhood wasn’t overly busy, but Steve suspected later in the evening would be a different story. He took deep breaths as he tried to come back to himself. He wanted to tap into the Steve he felt he left behind in Hawkins. Not the one who was an asshole back in high school, but he missed his confidence, his own surety. Even though he hated it there and knew he wanted to leave. Now, here he was. Walking down the Indianapolis street with his best friend in a place that could actually accept him for who he is. So, why did he feel tears stinging behind his eyes as the harsh wind beat against his face?

He quickly blinked them away before Robin had time to notice them. 

Fuck this , he thought. He started to make a deal with himself; he was going to meet someone in this hopefully-not-all lesbian bar. He was going to forget about Eddie, forget about Hawkins. Forget who he used to be or whoever he wished he was. 

Once they arrived, they snagged seats at the bar, both ordering their drinks to start off the night. Moments later, with their drinks in their hands, Robin stopped talking about school. “Alright, Steve-o, tell me what happened,” she requested. 

Steve considered filling her in, but now that he was sat with a drink in his hand and a newfound determination to prove himself, he paused. “You know what, never mind. We can talk about it later? I just want to relax.” He scanned the room looking for potential strangers to talk to. He’d need Robin’s help as both of their “gay-dars” were pretty shit, but maybe he’d have good chances with a guy here. “Rob… I think I want to try and meet someone.”

“Someone that isn’t your new boss?” she teased.

“Someone who is definitely not my new boss.”

She gave him a sad smile. “Okay, I’ll let you know if I see any contenders. Keep an eye out for me, too,” she requested.

They were on their second drinks before Steve actually began to relax. Their seats were turned out to the room, so the pair had a good view of the crowds. Steve was enjoying himself, talking with Robin about the latest movies, reminiscing on when they worked together. As he went to take another sip of his drink, across the room, he caught a glimpse of dark curling hair–quickly disappearing behind someone else. 

Eddie?– Steve gasped as he drank which caused him to choke. He coughed, Robin slapping her hand on his back to pretend to help. A few people around them turned their heads to see what was happening. Robin looked from his face to the direction he was staring as he regained his composure, trying to see whatever caught his attention. He caught his breath just as he felt his face heating. 

“Dude, what happened?” Robin asked as she looked at him, concerned. 

“Uh, I thought I saw someone.” Is it possible that Eddie could be here tonight? Would he even go to a gay bar? Was it possible for Eddie to be gay? Steve realized he hadn’t even considered it. 

He blinked away his watering eyes for the second time that night. Before he knew it, he realized who he saw earlier was walking right for him. A very beautiful girl with a halo of brunette curls. A moment later, he realized she was smiling at Robin. As he looked to her, he recognized the look on her face: completely frozen–he had to act fast. He, sort of gently, kicked her shin with the toe of his sneakers and watched her snap out of her trance just as the mystery girl walked up. 

“Hey, uh, Robin, right? I think we have Advanced English Lit together. With Professor Lyonne?” she asked warmly. She was short, even with Robin sitting at the bar, the strange girl cast her eyes upwards while tucking her chin low, a small smile playing at her lips. Steve watched as she batted her eyelashes. This girl was a pro, and he knew Robin was a goner. 

“Y-yeah! Yes, wow. Nancy, right? Whoa, crazy seeing you here! Do you come here often? I’ve been here a few times, I haven’t noticed you–I mean–I’ve not–uh–seen you around these kinds of places, haha,” Robin stumbled over her words. Steve’s surprised her eyes didn’t bulge out of her head and form heart shapes. 

Nancy actually laughed, “I’ve not been here for a while, but, yeah, you could call me a regular .” She scrunched her nose at the end of her sentence, sending the confirmation both Steve and Robin were looking for. 

They both nodded in understanding, and Nancy’s eyes finally landed on Steve. Before she could wonder anything, he spoke up, “Hey, Nancy. I’m Robin’s best friend , Steve. And I was just about to walk around for a bit.” He stood and offered her his seat. Nancy took it graciously, and the two began talking about their class, leaning a little closer than necessary.

Steve smiled to himself as he walked towards the restroom. It wasn’t until he looked himself in the mirror that he saw how flushed he had become. Between choking on his drink and thinking he saw his boss, Steve's nerves were shot. Why would seeing Eddie have such an effect on him anyway? Why should Steve care if he goes to a gay bar? As if the obvious metal head would show his face at a lesbian bar exclusively playing dream pop. It was foolish of him to be thinking so much about this man he hardly knew. Schooling his features, he refocused on finding someone new to fill his thoughts. 

Steve roamed around the room aimlessly, avoiding the overly dark corners, so he mostly found himself standing alone on the outskirts of a dance floor. There was a good mix of people–young and old, masculine and feminine–but, unfortunately, no one caught his eye. 

Eventually, Steve returned to Robin and Nancy, and the evening carried on. The girls shared a  few slightly awkward dances while he looked on, guarding their seats. They did include him in their conversations after he would strike out trying to meet someone new. Once with a guy, tanned skin, and blonde waves, another with a redhead who he misread and was definitely not into him. By 10:00, he was defeated and wanted nothing more than to go home; all his hopes for the evening had run out. 

Robin was clearly much luckier. Steve could read the look on Robin’s face when she glanced over Nancy’s shoulders; it said “ please go somewhere while I bring this super pretty girl home with me for a few hours and I owe you one .” Of course, she wouldn’t say that out loud, but once she mentioned to Steve that they wanted to go back to theirs to “study,” he knew what he was going to do. Giving her a squeeze on the shoulder, he said his goodbyes for the night.  He wouldn’t bother her; he could no longer feel the effects of his drinks and more than anything wanted to go for a drive. 

[columbiastapshoes]

drunken confession trucoop anyone ?!

hi i know this used to be a rocky horror blog but these gay little detectives will not leave my brain so. have a thing <3 if ppl like this i can write more and make them kiss maybe but this is all i have for now! this is spoiler free (implied spoilers but if you don't know them already nothing will be revealed i assure you), a whole lot of mutual pining, some sexual innuendos but no sexual content, and they do not kiss im sorry :( also shoutout to my irl friend for telling me how to describe our idea of harry's room and giving me some prompts for the actual confession tee hee

Cooper could smell the whiskey in Harry’s breath as they walked back to his cabin. Their night at the bar was not intended to go this long, but Harry had insisted on ‘one more drink’ again and again, and he was looking up at Cooper like he was the whole world… Cooper couldn’t resist anything from him. After Cooper became too concerned to give into Harry’s drunken pleading, he had taken him back home, and now Harry’s arm was slung around his shoulder as he somehow managed to trip up each and every stair. Cooper lifted him up ever-so-slightly for the last step, so Harry wouldn’t risk spraining an ankle anymore.

“Do you have your keys?” He asked, lifting Harry’s sinking chin up so he could look at him. Harry just smiled up at him, his brown eyes shining with an almost orange glow in the moonlight. He nodded slowly. 

“In my back pocket,” he said, “you should get ‘em for me.” His smile widened into a grin, and Cooper couldn’t help but smile a bit himself, shaking his head as his face started to feel a bit warm.

“Very amusing, Harry. I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of opening your own door. I doubt you still need to lean on me, now that we’re not walking.” If he was being perfectly honest, the feeling of Harry’s weight on him was making his stomach twist itself into knots, but this was probably the worst possible time to let those feelings get in the way of helping a friend to bed. Harry sighed, reluctantly moving his arm off of Cooper’s shoulders to reach into his pocket for his keys. As soon as they weren’t touching anymore, Cooper began to realize just how cold the night air had become. He shivered as Harry attempted to unlock his door, but couldn’t seem to maintain a grip on the key. Cooper walked up to him, gently taking Harry’s hand and guiding it to turn the key in the slot. He could feel Harry’s eyes on him, but he refused to look back at him– not now. Not tonight. Not when he knew everything Harry was saying and doing was just a result of alcohol, and he would come to Cooper apologizing for everything in the morning, and Cooper would tell him it’s quite alright when in reality it was more than quite alright and he would take care of Harry through any situation in the whole world–

“Coop? I opened it. See? You can come in.”  Cooper shook himself. The alcohol seemed to be kicking in for him, too. He nodded.

“Yes, good job. Mind the-” Harry stumbled over the short ledge separating the house from the porch- “...bump.” Harry laughed– one of Cooper’s favorite noises in the world– and pulled him into the living room by the wrist. Trying to keep his composure, Cooper nodded. “Alright. Where’s your bedroom?” 

Harry’s eyes widened. “Coop…” he murmured, his words mixing together, “right now? Didn’t take you as that kinda guy, but hey, I ain’t-”

“I’m putting you to bed, Harry. I don’t think there’s much that will save you from a raging headache in the morning, but at least you’ll be able to sleep for longer now.”

“Stuff like this that makes me ’member why I like you, Coop. You’re real nice. Thinkin’ all the way into tomorrow morning for me… that’s a lot.” He grinned, and Cooper found himself smiling as well. 

“Yes, well, I just want to make sure you’re able to look at at least one file at work tomorrow. Unfortunately, this case can’t be paused so you can sleep a hangover off.” Harry nodded, but Cooper could tell he wasn’t entirely following what he was saying. Without a word, Harry took Cooper’s hand (something that sent a string of energy down Cooper’s whole arm– static shock, maybe?) and led him into his bedroom.

Harry reached over and turned on the ceiling lamp, illuminating exactly what Cooper had pictured his room to look like for months now. A large wooden bed took up most of the space, with a large amount of blankets piled onto it with a wool flannel comforter on the very top. There were two wooden nightstands on either side, and Cooper’s heart sank as he saw a framed picture of Josie on the nightstand that Harry seemed to use. He felt a pang of guilt settle into his stomach. Who was he to long for Harry like this when Harry clearly had his whole attention elsewhere? He forced himself to look away from Josie’s face to notice the ornate lampshade next to it, shades of various colors swirling around each other and dangling down in golden tassels. Below it sat an antler knife, seemingly hand-carved, and a book Cooper couldn’t fully make out in the dim orange lighting. He’d have to ask Harry about it sometime. Next to the bed, his closet door hung open, a small walk-in with a single lightbulb hanging rather precariously from the ceiling. Against the other wall was a large leather chair, although the leather was so worn down that it was practically falling off the cushions. The jackets and clothes strewn across it made up for the decay, though– it felt more well loved than abandoned. Harry stepped into the room, tripping over his feet a bit as he walked across a dark patterned carpet, one that Cooper found absolutely beautiful, but he decided to tell Harry that later.

“I’m assuming you have more comfortable clothes to wear to bed? I wouldn’t want you sleeping in what you have on now,” Cooper said softly as Harry sat on the bed, staring at a spot on the floor. He nodded, looking back up at Cooper with that big smile again. 

“Yeah… hey, might need help changing int-”

“Harry.”

“Sorry. I got it.” Cooper smiled, shaking his head again as he stepped back out of the room, closing the door behind him. He sighed, leaning against the adjacent wooden wall and closing his eyes for a moment. Harry’s room was so… Harry. Like his mind had spilled out across the walls and created the warm, comforting, loving atmosphere he had always felt whenever they talked. It was beautiful, and it was nice, and that small, irritating part of Cooper’s brain was beside itself imagining sleeping in that bed with him, kissing him goodnight, waking up there with Harry’s mouth pressed against his bare shoulder… he wished that part of his mind had an off switch. He heard the soft noises of Harry moving around in his room, taking off clothes, putting on other clothes, yawning, those little human noises that made Cooper want to stay by his side forever even more. After a moment of listening, the door opened again, and Harry stood behind it, looking at Cooper with now half-closed eyes.  He had changed into a dark red wool sweater with a knit design of a golden buck on the center, dark plaid pants, and fuzzy golden socks. Cooper felt a rush of warmth run through his body. He had only ever seen Harry in his work clothes, maybe a different shirt if he was lucky, never something as informal as this. He looked as beautiful as ever, maybe even more beautiful. But Cooper refused to linger on those thoughts for too long. He nodded politely, walking back into Harry’s room.

“Looks comfortable,” he said as Harry yawned and sank back down onto the bed.

“Yeah… makin’ me sleepy,” he mumbled, and Cooper couldn’t help but laugh a bit at  Harry’s change in vocabulary. 

“Quite convenient, Harry, as I suggest you get some rest. It’ll be a rough morning tomorrow.” Without really thinking, Cooper walked over and folded over a corner of the sheets, causing Harry to smile and move there. Cooper put the blankets back over Harry and kneeled down next to him, feeling like he might pass out at any moment. 

“Y’know,” Harry said softly, gazing at Cooper with an expression he couldn’t quite place, “you should come in here at night more. The light makes you look real gorgeous.” He sighed. “You always look gorgeous, though.” Cooper’s face felt very hot all of a sudden, and he cleared his throat, attempting to calm down his racing heart.

“Thank you, Harry. I would love to spend more time with you at a later day. For now, though, you need to sleep.” There was a pause as Harry moved his blankets even further up, covering his chest so just his face was visible. Cooper always seemed to know what was going on inside Harry’s head, but at the moment he just couldn’t quite place the look in his eyes. He took a deep breath in, and with a voice barely above a whisper, he spoke.

“I wish we could be together.” Cooper frowned, tilting his head slightly. He didn’t mean it the way Cooper wished he did, right? No. It was something else. Something he didn’t know the meaning of.

“What do you mean?” He asked. Harry sighed again, moving a bit closer to Cooper so their faces were a lot closer together than they usually were. Cooper could practically taste the whiskey on his breath now.

“Dunno. I guess I just… like you, Coop. Like you a lot. Always have. Always wanted to kiss you, too.” He laughed at Cooper’s widened eyes. “Yeah. Really wanna kiss you all the time. You’re so… good. You’re good, and nice, and smart, and fucking beautiful. Sickeningly beautiful. Hurts to look at you sometimes.” 

“Harry,” Cooper whispered, not knowing what else to add. His entire body was shivering slightly, but at the same time he felt incredibly warm. He didn’t know if he was supposed to just tell the truth and say that he felt the exact same way, or if he was supposed to laugh it off. He settled on something in-between the two. “You’re- not going to be very happy with yourself when you remember telling me this tomorrow.”

Harry shook his head, his hair rustling against his pillow. “Yeah, I know, but it’s the truth. I want to love you, Coop, and I want you to love me. But we can’t. Can’t love each other the way we want to.”

“Why not?” Cooper found himself asking before he had time to assess the situation. His body tensed. That was not a good move. Harry was drunk, and if he remembered Cooper responding like that to his clearly fictional rambling in the morning… it was over. Harry smiled gently, slipping a hand out from under the blanket and moving a piece of Cooper’s hair out of his face, something that made Cooper shiver once more. 

“Nothing. Sorry.” He turned over, facing away from Cooper and adjusting the blankets. Before he fell completely silent, though, he hit Cooper with possibly the worst thing he had said all night. “Just wish you were a girl sometimes. Night, Coop. Thanks for everything.” And with that, he stopped talking, leaving Cooper to sit there like a deer in headlights, wondering where to go from here.

[love-marimo]

The Theory of Everything (Alhaitham x Reader)

Sumeru city is as bustling as the pitter-patters of rain in its forests. Scholars, merchants, adventurers, thespians, performers and even commonfolk are in harmony with each other ー whether they seek refuge, or a deadline to follow through, or they simply want to entertain themselves and the passersby ー there seems to be a place reserved just for anyone and everybody else. Perhaps that is why it is called the city of wisdom ー it gathers people from all walks of life together to share their knowledge, woes and experiences through their own poem and song.

And you found it perfect. Sumeru is your home, and for sure even wanderers feel their hearts fill with the warmth of belongingness once they step foot in the city.

So when the skies' hue meet the melodies of the Dusk Birds, you gleefully make your way to the Akademiya, where a certain stoic scribe awaits, albeit deniably, for your presence.

Alhaitham heaves a long sigh. Another long day, he thinks to himself. He had just finished signing documents submitted by the scholars of all Darshans that were filed 1-4 days prior. On top of that, he had to attend a meeting with Spantamad researchers in their planned expedition in the deserts of Sumeru.

So, to say that he wants to relax at his home and continue reading one of the science fiction books you gifted him (he loves it very much, thank you)… is an understatement.

Since his working hours are coming to a close, he decided that he'll take a minute or two to relax before heading home. Leaning back on his chair, he rubbed circles on his temples and closed his eyes.

For a while, he seemed like a content cat, enjoying his solitude.

So when he heard your loud voice greeting the scholars who are on their way home, as if he practiced this a thousand times (he didn't, he genuinely just doesn't want you seeing him slipping up), he immediately grabbed his pen and a few papers to pretend that he's doing something productive.

Which he does ー he always does, and you always tell him that he doesn't seem to notice it.

"Is he still here?" You ask, and a faint voice replies to you just outside his office.

"Good! Take care on the way home." You replied before opening the door to his office.

Alhaitham doesn't know how to respond, you always surprise him and it's always at times when he would much rather be alone.

But can he blame you? You always end up bringing much better company than his own solace offers.

Again, he's too aloof to admit it to you, but he enjoys being with you. He wishes you seek him like this forever.

"Knock, knock~" You smile, voice suddenly as gentle as the breeze. As if you knew how to read the room, you quietly walked towards the chair in front of his desk.

"Hello." Alhaitham fixed the papers and placed them back where they came from.

"You were pretending to sign them just now, weren't you?" You leaned your chin on top of your hands.

Alhaitham lets out a breathy laugh, as if he surrenders to your receptive eyes.

You laugh with him as well, getting up to walk behind his chair.

"Close your eyes." You say, and he does so. You fish your pocket for the ointment you bought from a travelling merchant from Liyue.

He wishes you don't see the smile plastered on his face, lest he'll wish for the ground to eat him alive.

"This one is made from the extract of Silk Flowers, Glaze Lilies and Lotuses. I hope you don't mind the fragrance. This was from a merchant from Liyue. He said it's good for headaches. Too bad you didn't get to visit his stall. It was amazing, really. He even sells this beautiful reddish silk robe. I didn't buy it of course, I've been saving up for the new novel series of this author I've been hearing about for a while. Though I really wanted it…" You rambled, and he finds your soft voice pleasant. It was as if he was listening to a songbird sing him to sleep.

You massaged his temples with the ointment, and a comfortable silence befalls between the two of you.

"You know you could be doing other important things right now." He finally says.

You flick his forehead.

"Are you implying that I'm wasting my time when I'm with you?" You bite back.

"You do nothing whenever you come here."

"Well, what do you do when you come over to my place? Nothing, so do not talk me out of visiting you in the Akademiya. Besidesー"

"I commend your promptness. You come here just right after I am through with my working hours." Alhaitham holds back a laugh.

A pause.

"Besides, I am well liked by the scholars and sages here ー is what I was about to say… Unlike you." You smile, awaiting his response.

"…Can I see the ointment?" Alhaitham changes the subject, a silent acceptance of defeat. You laugh and hand it over to him.

Wrapping your hands around his nape, you rested your chin on his shoulder.

"Feel any better now?"

"I like its mild scent. Did you buy a perfume version of this?" He asked.

"I did. I'll wear it every time I come to Surasthana. I can finally smell like the flowers there." You chuckle, stroking his hair.

"We should go." Go home, is what he meant.

"Perfect! I was about to invite you to come to the Razan Garden." A misinterpretation, coming from your end.

"And stay there until you fall asleep on me? You seem to treat that place as your second bedroom." In truth, he really doesn't want to go. He is exhausted and he wants to finally be able to do nothing and fall asleep.

Yet here you are. The bluish glow of the flowers in bloom blend in with the color of the starry night sky.

"Ta-da! They're in full bloom. I tended to these flowers for months. What do you think?" You cheered.

"Impressive. Here, rub the ointment on your wrists. You told me you want to smell like flowers." Alhaitham returns the ointment to you and you smile.

You both take a seat on the bench to admire the city.

Alhaitham stares at your figure, engulfed by the tranquility of the sanctuary ー both the place and the being, which to him is you.

"Haitham, do you believe in gods?" You were staring at the stars.

"I do. I believe that gods and humans should be treated as equals. I do not see the point of bowing down to such deities… Offerings made for their honor… I believe it encourages pride and self-righteousness amongst the devotees themselves, whether they are aware of it or not." Alhaitham replies.

"What if they didn't exist?"

"Then we will inevitably create ones among us."

You pondered about his reply for a moment, and he admires the way you put your fingers on your chin. How adorable, he wishes to tell you.

"Why?" You face him and seated yourself in between his thighs, head resting on his chest.

"Humans are dogmatic creatures who seek order. Even if we evolve into a society who does not serve a ruler, we will still follow a set of laws, either implemented by us or the gods themselves." He replies, and when you fall deeper into your thoughts, he adds,

"We each define order in different ways, but in the end we will always seek the common ground. No matter how stubborn one is, they are bound to seek people who are similar to them, but of course this isn't always the case."

You gather your thoughts and Alhaitham kisses your cheek.

"I haven't thought of that before."

"I'm surprised. You've read too much philosophy and fiction. I thought you'd be into these things more than I am."

You brow twitches and you look up at him.

"Is that an insult?"

"I am only describing what I have observed."

You sigh at his reply, now it is your turn to accept defeat, and to that he chuckles.

"Do you know why I love to travel a lot?" Alhaitham hums in reply.

"I want to discover the edge of Teyvat. Even if in reality, it's the last place I'm going to step foot into. To know the stories and secrets of different nations… fuels a beautiful passion in my heart."

Alhaitham suddenly hugs you tight. Was it out of endearment? Fear of not seeing you again? Admiration? You didn't bother reading too much into it, for all you know it could be all those things all at once.

So you enjoyed his presence and held his arms in return.

"We are as old as the stars. The iron in our blood… the nitrogen in our DNA… do you find it bittersweet that what embodies our lives were once in the hearts of dying stars?"

Alhaitham ruffles your hair, satisfied with your rhetoric.

"And once we pass on for the next generation to take place, the cycle continues." He agrees.

The noise of the city echoes beneath you.

Beautiful. That is one word that Alhaitham would describe you and being around you.

You could talk and ponder about anything and you never get tired of asking him questions that even he doesn't have a definite answer to.

He enjoys it. He enjoys pondering about life with you.

"You sure love to think about the General Relativity and Quantum theory by relating the cosmos and human life." He describes.

"I don't think it's supposed to be that way. Quantum theory mostly deals with atoms and particles."

"I know. I was just trying to create metaphors."

"Well…aren't they scientific?" You attempted to pull a joke.

"That's very funny." He says sarcastically, and you laughed.

"Hey, Haitham."

"Yes?"

"If you believe in gods… do you believe in my beauty?" You sat on the railing and you wiggled your brows at him expectantly.

He sighs. He doesn't just believe in it, because it's the truth. And what else are you supposed to do with the truth?

Being with you feels like time speeds and slows down altogether. He always finds himself wishing for it to last, yet he also wants it to be over to save room for a new moment with you.

"Stop asking pointless questions." He reprimands.

"But, Haitham~ I want to know."

"You already know the answer to that."

"Eh, I want to hear it from you. I cannot have my own mind drown in my delusions."

Alhaitham laughs. "Well, that happens. You like to think about farfetched things."

"That's not funny!" You pout.

Alhaitham looks into your eyes and smiles at you.

"I believe in it."

Your eyes light up, gesturing for him to continue his answer.

"I believe in your beauty. The theory of everything is nothing compared to the moments I share with you." You may or may not sense it, but his heart was beating out of his chest. It's a wonder how he managed to say that without breaking character.

"Hehe, that's more like it." You smiled and peppered kisses on his face, to which he chuckled in reply.

He doesn't want to say it out loud, but you make him want to believe such a unification of the larger and the microscopic aspects of the world and the cosmos. You make him want to stop questioning everything.

He will give you the world and bend the laws of nature if you so wish. But you're too fickle-minded and frankly, he'd rather not do that too.

He loves you and himself enough to not do such ruthless things. He likes the comfort of his current life and where it's heading.

Especially because you're in it, so he'd prefer not to cause unnecessary disturbances to ruin your relationship.

The summer night's winds course through your bodies. You shiver slightly in his hold.

"We really need to go home now." He finally decides.

"Sure, I really just wanted you to see the flowers I worked so hard on maintaining." You say casually, yawning, as if you didn't have a deep conversation just a while ago.

Yes, you truly are fickle minded. Alhaitham smiles to himself.

ー Lolita

[richielipschitzaot]

OOC: Richie timeline au (an au I created) in more depth:

This will not be canonically correct to the Lords In Black, or any chronological timeline.

SPOILERS FOR MOST HATCHETFIELD LORE AHEAD!

It started when the muscial apocalypse broke through (TGWDLM). Richie had been at school at the time, and it hadn’t taken long for it to get to the school. It got everywhere. Pete had the smart idea of leaving, getting in his brother’s shitty car and trying to get out of town. Ruth, Pete, Steph, Grace and Richie all made their way down, and saw Paul, Ted + others all getting killed, becoming infected. Soon they all did too, there was no way they could leave. In his final moments, Richie had ended up finding an old time watch, tied to Tinky, which he was unaware of. He was just grabbing it to have something, some sort of weapon- but he knew he was dying, so he made one final wish, although he had no expectation of it coming true.

“I wish I could’ve stopped this in a different timeline.”

Richie remembers dying, and of course he thinks it’s all over now.

Everything was black, and then there a blinding orange light.

Richie woke up with a blaring headache, feeling like he got dragged up from the dead.

The date was a couple months before this had all happened, a day he’d had to stay at Paul’s as his parents traveled for work. He was so confused, and scared, but he was compelled to find Paul, who was perfectly fine.. how was he perfectly fine? He just watched him die.

Richie throws himself at Paul, hugging him and crying, trying to speak but not getting much through his tears, just saying how glad he was that he was alive. Paul assumes this was some sort of weird nightmare, and just awkwardly tries to comfort him.

Richie tries to get through his day, thinking it was all just a big nightmare, but he can’t help but think about all the inconsistencies in that logic.

That night he has a dream. A blinding orange light again, and Tinky’s voice. Tinky clarifies he did him a favour, gave him what he wanted. He clarifies what this means for Richie, that he asked to be able to save people in a seperate timeline, so now he can. But if he’s unable, the timeline will end and he’ll end up here again.

He’ll have to do it again. (But it will be a different story every time.)

But just as Richie asks how he’s supposed to save everyone, the dream ends.

He can be confused at times, and seem a little off, but he usually stays somewhat normal.

He’s gone through so many timelines, not being able to save anyone and waking up again and again and again, every time on the same date- the horrible things don’t ever happen immediately, so he gets to live his life for a couple months before a disaster happens.

He writes down the date of every new disaster, of every time he’s died.

The tag for this is #Richie timeline au

:3 Go wild

@paul-matthews87

[aneurinallday]

Green Eyes

Chapter 3: Smoke and Mirrors

Thomas wasn’t quite sure what drew him back to Alec’s side, but he returned to the Arcadia club the following week, and then a week later, and then a few days after that.

On cold nights, when he lay alone in the bed that he and Grace had shared, he knew in his heart that he would never experience true intimacy again. But then he thought of Alec, waiting for him in that warm and rosy-hued room, and felt the barest trace of yearning.

He started looking forward to his business trips to Birmingham - spending less and less time at home with his son, and more and more time at his old flat in Small Heath, from which it was only a short drive to the Arcadia.

Thomas was under no illusions that there was any genuine connection between them - Alec was just a whore, after all - but he enjoyed the young man’s company nevertheless. The conversation wasn’t sparkling, but Alec had a cheerful manner that could put anyone at ease.

He asked for nothing, and let Thomas do whatever he wanted. They had sex when Thomas was in the mood, but sometimes they just sat and talked, and other times they simply lay in silence. In his own effortless way, this beautiful creature had cast a spell that Thomas was all too happy to succumb to.

Alec didn’t seem to mind what they did - it was easy money either way. Each time Thomas visited, he left a bigger gratuity. First ten shillings, then twelve, then fifteen, then a whole shiny pound coin. Alec was free to spend it on whatever he wanted - Thomas didn’t ask - and Cobb never took issue with it. The money he was raking in from the Shelby alliance far outweighed whatever he might be losing out on in tips, no matter how generous the tipper.

One day in March, almost three months into his patronage of the Arcadia, Thomas found himself in particular need of relaxation. He’d been fighting off a headache all day, and the tension in his neck and shoulders had grown unbearable. He needed to unwind. He left the offices of the Shelby Company Limited as soon as he was able, and headed directly to the Arcadia.

It was early in the evening, and the club was still gearing up for peak hours. Thomas entered to find the band tuning their instruments and the dance floor relatively quiet. Cobb was seated at the nearby bar, sharing a drink with a handful of his men.

“You’re early, Mister Shelby,” he said, “Here to blow off some steam?”

“I am.”

“The usual?”

“Yes.”

Cobb and his boys shared a chuckle among themselves.

“You can’t get enough of him, can you? Not that I can blame you. Bragg, go fetch Green Eyes.” Cobb jerked a thumb in the direction of the stage.

Thomas’s gaze followed, and he saw that Alec was sitting alone at the back of the stage, staring at nothing. His shoulders were slumped and his hands were folded in his lap. He looked subdued. Bragg went over to him, leaned down, and spoke in his ear. Alec’s face lit up, and he scurried across the dance floor to meet Thomas.

“Mister Shelby!” he greeted him.

A hint of a smile softened Thomas’s mouth.

“You seem surprised. Is this not a good time?”

“No, no. Every time is a good time. I just wasn’t expecting you ‘til later.”

While they spoke, Cobb rose from the bar and stalked over to them. Up-close, it was apparent from his flushed face and glassy eyes that he was drunk.

“Come here.” He roughly grabbed Alec’s face and angled it towards the light, showing it off. “Look at him. Look at that face. If he had a cunt, I’d fuck him myself.”

The singer extricated himself with a laugh, but distaste curled the corners of his mouth. Cobb’s touch seemed to repulse him. He shifted closer to Thomas - but whether he was subconsciously seeking Thomas’s protection or merely reminding Cobb that he was busy working,  Thomas wasn’t sure.

“You’re welcome to take him off my hands, if you want, Mister Shelby. Think of the petrol money you’ll save - you won’t need to drive down here every time you fancy a fuck. How much do you reckon he’s worth - fifty pounds?”

“I’ll pass, thanks,” said Thomas.

“Oh, come on. It’d be more convenient for you. You could have him whenever you wanted.”

“It’s possible to have too much of a good thing, Mister Cobb. Would you excuse me?”

He pulled Alec away, and they ascended the stairs towards their waiting refuge. Sequins sparkled on Alec’s flapper dress, which Thomas noticed was professionally tailored, flattering his waist and shoulders.

“I haven’t seen that dress before,” Thomas remarked.

“Oh, it’s new. I bought it with the money you gave me. Do you like it?”

“It’s nice.”

“You can tear it, if you like. I’ll just buy another one.”

A half-hour later, they lay in a hazy afterglow atop sweat-dampened sheets, their clothes strewn about the floor.

“Fuck,” Thomas sighed, “I need to stop coming here.”

“Why? Are you afraid you’ll get too attached?”

“I’m afraid you’ll bleed me dry.”

Thomas pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, popped one in his mouth, and lit it. Alec watched him. His green gaze followed the tendril of smoke as it curled in the air.

“I heard some of Cobb’s Boys talking about you,” he said.

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm.”

The room was cooling, and they were calming, their tense muscles relaxing. Thomas offered Alec a puff of his cigarette. The young man accepted, and Thomas watched his lips as they curled attractively around the filter.

“I learned a lot of interesting things,” Alec continued, exhaling, “I learned that you’re a gang-lord, and that you fix horse races, and that you smuggle alcohol to the Americans because it’s illegal over there.”

“Anything else?”

“You like to cut people with a razor.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

“So it’s not true, then?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Alec smiled.

“Should I be afraid of you, Mister Shelby?”

“No.”

“Not of the man who hides a razor blade in his cap?”

“You’re safe with me,” Thomas assured him, “I only cut people who deserve it.”

Alec handed the cigarette back and rose. He walked naked to the vanity table, where he sat on the upholstered stool with his back turned to Thomas. He checked his face in the mirror, then added more red to his lips and more rouge his cheeks.

Thomas sat up in bed and watched him, listening to the gentle clatter and tinkle of his little bottles and compacts.

“You looked sad earlier,” said Thomas.

“Did I?”

“Mhm. Something on your mind?”

“No. Nothing.”

Thomas could tell he was lying. He remembered the way Alec’s face had brightened upon hearing news of his arrival, as if a visit from Thomas were the only bright spot in his day. When considering the sort of men who frequented the Arcadia, a terrible possibility presented itself: that Thomas Shelby was Alec’s only decent regular. The only one who didn’t degrade and abuse him.

“Do you like working here?” Thomas asked.

Alec shrugged.

“It’s a job. It pays a wage.”

“There are other jobs, you know. You can leave if you want.”

“It’s not that simple, Mister Shelby,” said Alec, “When you work for Mister Cobb, you don’t get to just walk away from your obligations. Besides, where else would I work? In a factory? In a steel mill?”

“You could come and work for me.”

“What, smuggling opium? I’d rather stay here - at least I get to sing and dance. That’s all I want.”

“You can be a singer without having to bend over. There’s plenty of clubs that would hire you.”

Alec didn’t reply. He was focused intently on his reflection, carefully applying more dark liner to his eyes.

“All I’m saying is, you don’t have to be here,” Thomas said. “I can help you get a job. You could even leave Birmingham. Go to London where the big clubs are. You could make a name for yourself out there, while you’re still young.”

Alec stood up abruptly.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he blurted out. “Some people don’t have a choice, Mister Shelby.”

“Everyone has a choice. Even if it’s a bad one, it’s still a choice.”

“Mister Shelby, do you think that because you’ve been to war and you run a business, you know everything? Well, you don’t. You don’t know anything about me, or about Mister Cobb, or about what it’s like working here. You don’t know how much worse my other options are.”

“Cobb doesn’t own you. You don’t have to work for him. You deserve better.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Alec snapped, “Do you think this is what I wanted my life to be like? Do you think I enjoy this? Spending every night being drooled on and pawed at by disgusting men? Rich filth who think that because I’m poor, they’re entitled to every bit of me? And you’re one of them, Mister Shelby. You’re no different than they are.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Nothing. Either fuck me again or fuck off. That’s all I’m good for, after all.”

Alec gripped to the edge of the vanity table behind him, as if he didn’t know what to do with his hands.

“You come and fuck me, and then you go back to your nice house and your normal life like nothing happened. You’re just as pathetic as the ones who come creeping in here like scared dogs, so ashamed of themselves that they can barely look at us. Or the ones who come and beat us black-and-blue because they know they can get away with it. Because they think we don’t exist outside of these rooms, outside of their needs. When you go home tonight, you won’t have to think about me any more, but I’ll still have to think about you.”

As Thomas listened, he could feel the warmth fading, and see the young man’s shine dimming. The spell was broken. He’d gotten so caught up in the image of Alec as an ever-happy, ever-willing, never-complaining receptacle, that he’d almost forgotten that Alec was - like him - just a human being. A human being capable of resentment and frustration, trying to make ends meet the only way he knew how, struggling to survive in this miserable hell-hole of a city.

In a way, Thomas was glad of the reminder. It stopped him from getting too attached.

“Alright, then.” Thomas rose and started putting his clothes back on. “I’ll get out of your hair.”

Alec stood there watching him, his hands fidgeting among the expensive perfumes and cosmetics behind him, as if trying to process the situation.

“Are you leaving?” he asked hesitantly.

“What does it look like?”

Realising what he’d done, Alec changed his tone.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I don’t know where that came from. I don’t know why I said all that.”

“I do. You’ve got too comfortable with me, and you forgot that I’m a paying customer. Here,” Thomas pulled out a bank-note and tossed it at Alec, who fumbled to catch it. “That’s ten pounds. That’ll pay your rent for half a year. Go find a job, or stay here until you’re too old to lure customers in the door and Cobb throws you out on the street. I don’t care.”

He left and stalked down the opulent corridor, flicking away his cigarette butt into one of Cobb’s fancy plant-plots.

“Wait!” Alec grabbed his sequinned dress of the floor - torn at the seam - and hurried after him while struggling into it. “Wait. Come back to bed.”

“You’ve made it clear you don’t want me there.”

“I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean what I said. Of course I enjoy your company - of course I do! You’re the only client I look forward to,” he babbled. He was panicking. He could feel Thomas’s goodwill - and more importantly, Thomas’s patronage - slipping through his fingers.

They reached the stairs and began to descend. The dance floor was filling up, and the band was in full swing. Thomas shouldered his way roughly past dancing couples, while Alec tried to keep up with him.

“Please, Mister Shelby, don’t let me ruin your evening. Let’s have a drink on me, and then go back upstairs. I’ll let you tie me to the bed. I’ll let you hit me. You can do whatever you want. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

“I don’t want anything.” Thomas’s head suddenly ached, a deep and throbbing pain behind his eyeballs. The smoke and loud music and crowded bodies were getting to him, and Alec was pestering him like a mosquito. He was gripped by the urge to flee.

“I take back what I said. Sometimes I say stupid things, I can’t help it - I’m not clever. Sometimes I forget my place, and I need someone to put me back in it.”

Alec was barely even looking at Thomas, his green eyes nervously scanning the crowd.

“What’s the matter?” Thomas asked, “Are you worried Cobb will see you not doing your job?”

“Mister Shelby, don’t go.” Alec caught hold of Thomas’s arm and tried to pull him back towards the stairs. Thomas jerked away. “Please don’t go. It’ll look bad on my record.”

They were interrupted by Bragg’s voice behind them.

“Losing your touch, Green Eyes?”

Alec immediately let go of Thomas, his hands fidgeting with the fabric of his dress, doing his best to appear as though everything was normal.

“Hello, Bragg,” he said through a pained smile. “Shouldn’t you be guarding the door? Mister Cobb wouldn’t like it if he found out you’d been slacking again.”

Bragg threw him a contemptuous look and then ignored him.

“Leaving already, Mister Shelby?” he asked. “Should I let Mister Cobb know you’re going?”

“Don’t bother. I’ve got business to attend to,” said Thomas.

“What’s the matter? The boy not good enough? Did he do something wrong?”

For a moment, the devil in Thomas almost said yes. But Alec was looking at him with large, desperate eyes that were starting to moisten, the green filled with wordless pleading. In that moment, he looked very young. Thomas turned away in disgust.

“Nah, I just got tired of him. Nothing to do with the quality of your club. Make sure Mister Cobb understands that.”

Without a backwards glance, Thomas exited the club that no longer held any charm for him - leaving Alec standing alone on the dance floor, clutching the crumpled bank-note with tears in his eyes.

[tteodoroki]

persistent [tartaglia x hydro!reader]

cw: childe is a warning himself, violence, slight suggestive themes, not beta-read we die like Guizhong

notes: I love this skrunkly fucker. Also Alexa, play Obsessed by Mariah Carey.

“How are you today, comrade?” Childe asks, a bright smile on his face as he strolls up to you with a few quick steps. You have to resist the urge to roll your eyes. It’s not even midday and you can already feel a headache approaching. Archons, all you wanted to do was run a few errands today in peace.

You choose to nod in acknowledgement of his presence. From past experiences with the ginger haired man, you knew that ignoring him all together would prove more of an annoyance than engaging in conversation with him. If there was anything that got under his skin, it was you ignoring him. As tempting as it seemed, you had little patience to deal with his shenanigans.

“Ah, well, you’re probably wondering what I’m doing here, huh?” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as you glanced at him out of the corner of your eye before continuing your walk around the docks. You knew exactly what he was doing and exactly why he was there. The same reason he’s been following you for the past few weeks; your damn vision.

“I just wanted to remind you that the invitation to join me and the rest of the Harbingers is still on the table.”

And there it is. If you had a mora for every time Childe brought up joining the Harbingers to serve the Tsaritsa, you would have enough mora to leave Liyue and flee to Inazuma of Sumeru to get away from Childe and his incessant proposition. Sighing, you stop walking, the Harbinger quick to follow your lead.

“Look, Tartaglia,” You start, your hands inching to grasp the hydro vision that rested comfortably on your hip. A nervous habit of yours, but it never failed to ease your anxiety. “I have told you a hundred times that I am not interested in joining the Fatui. I am not going to leave Liyue for Snezhnaya, and I am not going to serve the Tsaritsa. I do not care how many times you ask, my answer will always remain the same.” Somehow, you manage to keep your voice even and calm, despite your growing agitation and desire to physically make him leave you alone.

For once, Childe was at a loss for words. For as long as he’s known you (which to your dismay has been quite some time) he has never seen you become this annoyed with anyone. Not even Bolai whenever he tries to up-charge you on his goods which are never nearly as good as he makes them out to be. Maybe his plan to convince you to join the Harbingers was a little too plain. He’s tried to charm you through gifts and stories, with promises of being able to see the world as a Harbinger. Any of these approaches surely would have won any regular person over within a heartbeat. But, Childe knew better than anyone that you weren’t a regular person.

Given his lack of response and far off look, you roll your eyes before walking away to continue with your errands. Archons, how did this mess even begin with?

As a child, you were blessed with a vision. It was no surprise to you or your parents, as the both of them are respected vision holders themselves. You were never a rowdy or reckless child, so your family never thought you would use your vision to fight. With a hydro vision, you would probably go on to work with Baizhu at Bubu Pharmacy to help heal the people of Liyue. A noble purpose, you suppose, but not very exciting. You heard stories, tales from Madam Ping about vision holders of all kinds hailing from all seven nations in Teyvat. Her stories sparked something in you, and one day you decided that you too would be like the vision holders from Madam Ping’s stories. Strong and adventurous. You too would save people.

Oh if only things were that simple.

One night, years after your received your vision, you found yourself among the brilliant pools of water of Luhua Pool. It was quite a travel from your home, but you heard from others that vision holders would travel days to sacred spots in order to connect with their vision. People blessed with pyro visions traveling to active volcanos or people with cryo visions traveling to the heart of Dragonspine. The closest thing you could think of was the crystalline water in Luhua Pool. So, you meditated. You prayed to the Hydro Archon, Focalors, to grant you the strength and wisdom to accomplish something great with your vision. You spent hours, praying, meditating, and even mimicking movements of other vision holders you’ve seen within the pools. The best you were able to achieve was a few waves and accidentally shooting yourself in the face with a stream of water.

As you continued to practice training with your vision, a stray treasure hoarder appeared. He saw your vision strapped to your side and made an attempt to take it from you by force. Everything happened in such a blur. You faintly remember screaming and then all of a sudden the treasure hoarder was no longer charging at you, but instead was on the ground, his limbs dislocated and mangled, bent at horrifying angles that would take a miracle to put back into place. He thoroughly looked like he had been attacked by a wild boar, and the mere sight made you want to pass out. You looked around, trying to figure out what had happened, until you saw it; your vision, it was glowing. It didn’t take a genius to put it all together, and the horrifying thought of you hurting this man to this extent made your heart threaten to beat out of your chest.

You didn’t know what to do or who to talk to so you did the first thing you could think of; you ran.

You ran all the way from Luhua Pool to Liyue Harbor in one night. You just prayed to Rex Lapis that the adepti did not see that it was you that hurt that man, even if it was in self defense. You shivered at the thought of being stared down and judged by one of the adepti.

Madam Ping was the first person you talked to after the incident. You omitted some of the details, such as maiming the man and leaving him for dead, but you were able to find out more information about what it is that happened.

Hemokinesis, or blood manipulation. That was the basis of what happened. According to Madam Ping and many of the books she gave you regarding hydro vision users, it is a very rare skill amongst hydro vision holders, with only 2 recorded vision holders in history. Madam Ping told you that not even the Hydro Archon is capable of such an ability, and that this subversion of the hydro vision was gifted by Celestia in order to protect the innocent when the Archons cannot.

You sat in Madam Ping’s home, staring silently into the cup of ginseng tea she poured to ease your troubles. As you sat there, you made a silent vow to use your new abilities to keep Liyue Harbor safe. Celestia blessed you with such a skill for a reason, and Madam Ping assured you that even if it wasn’t clear now, it will be in the future. Archons, why did she have to be so cryptic?

The Gods do not make mistakes, she insisted. Your young mind had believed her then, and you prayed to the Archons that she was right.

Ever since that day, you never hid the fact that you had a hydro vision. In fact, you were proud of it despite your initial apprehension. You were one of the few blessed with a vision in Liyue, which was a high honor. But, you still could not figure out why Childe was so insistent on you joining the Fatui. It had nothing to do with your natural Liyue citizenship, as the Fatui have deep connections within the harbor through the Northland Bank. You weren’t a high ranking official or someone with status and influence like Lady Ningguang and you weren’t a leader in the Millelith. To the average Liyue citizen, you were just you; someone from a well respected family that had a long line of vision holders. That was it, and only one person knew the extent of your true power, and she would never divulge such a secret to anyone else, especially not to someone like Childe.

Whatever the reason was, you tried not to think too much of it. Even if Childe miraculously knew of your talents, it wasn’t as if the Tsaritsa herself could force you to join. The Fatui had no diplomatic leverage over you, so you would just have to deal with Childe’s constant proposals, as annoying as they were.

“Hello there, comrade!”

You inhaled sharply at the sound of the annoyingly familiar voice. Archons, didn’t he have anything better to do?

“Don’t you have people to intimidate and corrupt, Childe?” You ask, your face scrunching up in distaste as you continued to walk towards your home.

“There’s nothing more important to me than seeing your beautiful face, [Y/N].” Tartaglia chuckles, offering you a boyish smile. You could feel your blood start to boil, your hands clenching into fists at your side.

“Childe, what the hell will it take for you to leave me alone, huh? I’ve told you for months now that I will not join the Fatui, and you are so persistent on pursuing me and I don’t understand why!” You seethe, your eyes narrowing at the man in frustration.

Unfazed by your anger, Tartaglia looks at you with a gleam in his eyes that is almost unsettling. If not for your pent up anger, you would have been cautious of the look of excitement that flickered across his face.

“Fight me.”

Two simple words made your body tense and your mind spin. He wanted you to fight? What for?

Sensing your confusion, Tartaglia smiled. “If you beat me, then I will leave you alone. Even if I win, I won’t even ask you to join the Fatui, I’ll just take you out for dinner!”

“Childe, I’m not going to fight you.” You roll your eyes. It’s not that you couldn’t fight him, Madam Ping trained you throughout your life. Even if he was a Fatui Harbinger, you knew that your vision would protect you. No, if things went south, you knew that it would end up with Childe finding out about your abilities, and you didn’t want to think about the headache that would cause you in the long run.

“[Y/N], c’mon!” He whines, giving you a pouty look. At his grown age? How ridiculous.

“Childe, I’ve already said no! What’s so hard to understand?”

“But why not?”

“Because I don’t want to!”

“Why not?”

“I already told you!”

“It’s not-“

Before Tartaglia can speak, you feel something inside you snap. Your patience long gone and by the Archons all you wanted him to do was shut up. You feel the basket of produce you purchased earlier slip from your fingers, and all you can hear is the blood rushing through your ears as suddenly Tartaglia is thrown backwards, body smacking straight into a sunsettia tree.

“I said no.”

Tartaglia had no idea what happened, but suddenly he’s pinned to a tree, vision blurry, the familiar taste of blood in his mouth as he tries to gather his bearings. Through his blurry vision, he makes out your form, your body positioned in a stance he vaguely recognizes as a form of Liyue martial arts, your vision that rested on your hip now glowing. Tartaglia wants to speak, to say anything, but he feels as if a Mitachurl is sitting on his chest and finds it hard to even breathe at the moment.

“I don’t know why you have been so annoyingly persistent, but it ends now.” He hears you speak, but the ringing in his ears makes it difficult. He feels the blood that has been pooling in his mouth suddenly vanish, and in return feels jagged spikes pressed against his face and neck. Tartaglia considers that he has a severe concussion, and that his mind is playing tricks on him, but another part of him knows that this is real. That it’s you doing this. It sends a chill down his spine, knowing that you could end his life with a simple flick of your wrist. How invigorating.

“Consider this my final warning, Childe. If you cross my path ever again, I will not be as kind.” With that being said, you reach down and grab the basket that fell from your hands and continue your journey back home, praying to the Archons that this was the last you’d see of the Harbinger.

But oh, if only you knew that this merely spurred Tartaglia’s desire to have you by his side. To make you his. This was merely the beginning.

[voasprofile]

replaced au pt 2

loosely (and by that I mean literally like one scene was taken out of it)based on a movie that came out recently guess what it is and you'll get nothing

gn reader but was referred to as 'minx' can that be used to refer to people who are gn or male alligned

cause for me minx means a cunning person, almost like calling someone a fox

but apparently google says a minx is a 'an impudent, cunning, or boldly flirtatious girl or young woman.'

so if you're not comfortable being referred as a minx scroll away

female yuu

nb! reader

forgor to mention that characters may also be ooc

also rushed so maybe shitty

damn a lot of my fics are rushed I just noticed

replaced au pt 1

malleus couldn't believe it, he just couldn't!

after saving the seven overblot victims from dying, without a prize or even that much appreciation

she was suddenly branded a villain?

malleus knows humans can be just as possessive as anyone of them here, but was that really the case?

but his suspicion really arose when the people once could be called her friends weren't acting consistent

one day acting like the ground y/n walks in were as pure as a newborn baby's soul

others acting like y/n was any other student

those incidents, and the headaches the nrc population has been dealing with. especially the first years

some days leona too is suspicious some days he could care less

the lazy days, he's bothered with the smell of dried roses and cinnamon

this discourages him to go to populated areas, as it concentrates there 

other days he himself is drowned in such scent

but really who cares it's just a scent

leona hasn't been attending any of his classes, going to populated areas including the open area in his dorm in days 

the headaches from the perfume was gone. god who even wears that much perfume

so he finally went out, he didn't know where to go but somewhere no one was would satisfy him

he walked and walked until it lead him to a familiar trail, ramshackle

he quickly turned back, no use in getting associated with people like that

but a few feet away from him was a bastard, a horned one that is

"what are you doing here?" the bastard asked

"nothing just leaving" he muttered passing him, they were again a few feet apart when he heard the aggravating voice again

"do you believe her?" malleus had asked

truthfully it had slipped his mind, but when the horned one asked about it, he remembered the incident that took place a month ago

"who?" he turned around to see malleus already facing him

"y/n, do you not find anything suspicious?" malleus asked tilting his head to the side

"no" he turned ready to leave as this situation was bothering him

"I did, do you not find the first years once around yuu acting strange? the inconsistencies? the headaches? nothing really?" malleus pressed

getting fed up he answered "yes, I did find something strange. but why would I tell you? do you have something that's useful or interesting for me?"

"I believe that y/n had deceived everyone in the school, and yuu is suffering for it" he replies

damn the one he likes was suffering because he bumped into the newcomer

so he caves "the whole school is covered in this scent, I suspect the one causing the headaches and weird behaviour,  the more people in the area the more dense the scent is" he paused

"like a diluted love potion" 

leona was smart. he may not attend classes, but somehow he still get good grades. so how did he only notice now

a certain minx smirked from the dorm near them

the two planned to go to the headmaster about this

malleus wanting someone with authority to properly locate the problem and punish who did it

leona not wanting to handle it his own

but right now leona was waiting for malleus near the headmasters office, he was late. and this time he did knew where the event was happening

after a few minutes leona got impatient and started to look for him

'damn him, planning this whole thing, dragging me along. then had the guts to leave me waiting?'

he stormed over to the cafeteria, that's where most people are at this hour

his eyes scan the room, landing on one particular table

there, a particularly love sick fae and the newcomer acting as if they were dating the two months they've known each other

but what really bothered him was y/n sent a knowing smirk to him, and went back to being all sweet and gross to the person leona was supposed to be with in the headmasters room

so leona left, maybe it was because of the headache, maybe it was because he felt pity to the ramshackle prefect

someone was knocking on the door, yuu thought that maybe y/n has a visitor so being a good roommate she opened the door

it was leona, so she was sure that it was for y/n

"oh, y/n's out right now" she whispered closing the door

but his foot prevented that

"yuu look, I don't know how to apologize properly. so I'm sorry" he took a big breath before continuing "the new comer love potioned most the school to get in our heads and manipulated us"

the scene escalates as yuu finally breaks

that's why they're villainizing her?

hours of comforting yuu, leona let's her rest

after that hellish month, he can't even comprehend how tired she must be

ending in a comfortable position of him laying on the sofa, and yuu on his chest

"yuu?" he asks thinking she'd be asleep "hmm?" she mumbles

"aren't you angry?" he asks "you know, malleus knew about the potion, he knew about the lies." he slid in

"what?" she couldn't believe it, how could he?

they were friends, now he sides with them knowing that?

"yeah, earlier I went to the cafeteria and saw them acting like a couple" he says 

y'know honesty is the best policy, so he should be honest with her. sort of

"how could he do that to you? I thought you two were close friends" he continues

"I guess we were" she mutters nuzzling her face more into his chest, just wanting to rest

"he really fucked up, I mean your special. but people refuse to see it." he whispers

"you were honest, kind, patient. forget about him, let's expose their lies" he says

"can I even do that? I mean the whole school is at their disposal" she wants to yes, but she doesn't want to lose to a wannabe like y/n

"trust me, I'll make them pay for what they did to you" he says caressing her hair, lulling her to sleep

waking up, she feels the most refreshed she's been in weeks. maybe it's because leona comforted her, or because she slept with him. but whatever

asking about his plan now, she was worried. what if it doesn't work?

but listening to it now, oh it's gonna work alright

"I learnt this yesterday, the staff isn't under their potion, so that's an advantage to us. also there are days where the potion is weak, we'll have to strike then" he says

"but for now, let's collect evidence against her" so that week consisted of yuu following y/n around to catch them doing shady things

but as the days go on, she feels disheartened. literally nothing happened, in fact her previous friends look happier with them than they ever did with her

so she tells herself this is the last day, maybe leona was wrong. there was no potion

following them into an abandoned hall of the school, they enter a room. a library with miscellaneous things as it was used as a storage room of sorts

so she hid behind one of the book shelf, when a strong smell of roses and cinnamon attacks their nose

she held her nose and peeked, what could cause such strong smell

it was y/n filling up a bottle with the contents of an old cauldron, smiling to themselves

yuu took that opportunity to record the whole thing, and stayed back to get a sample of it

once done she immediately met up with leona to tell him what she caught

"then I saw them filling up a spray bottle with the potion, do you think that this will be enough?" she asks him

"this is perfect, you're amazing yuu" he smiles at her

oh no, don't blush don't blush don't blush

"thank you" she smiles back

as yuu was getting evidence, leona was looking to see if the potion was weak today. it was

so the two marched up to the headmages office to tell him everything

to their luck the staff were holding a meeting

their lies, the potion, the hell they put yuu through. with evidence of course, presenting them the video, and the sample

"oh my, to think they would do such thing" crewel mutters

"could you lead us to that room?" crowley asks

crowley was normally laid back, but this this is not okay

the staff went to the room were the potion was brewed, and there they were

standing over a cauldron brewing more, they're assuming after running out

they got startled, dropping the container

"professors! haha what are you doing here" they said fidgeting almost immediately

"puppy step aside, we'll have to inspect the potion you're making" crewel says

y/n trembles. no this cannot happen, they almost won!

their eyes shot from crewel to the other's in the group

who could have known? was it apart of the staff? was it a student? it was yuu!

y/n glared at her

this bitch, how dare she

at a last attempt of escape y/n tipped the cauldron hoping for it to splash on all of them

but before it could really splash, crowley had stopped the liquid mid air and tying them up with his whip

how could they have lost? everything was at their hands! they could've won!

they slumped, giving up. what could they even do now?

heading back to the headmages office, sending anyone who knew how to brew an anti-love potion to a closed classroom then handing it out to every single student

crowley called for a dormleader meeting and that's where he explained everything

everyone was aghast how dare that vile-

he also explains now that they are going through a trial, as a citizen of this world and as an adult. due to the severity of the crime

no they were not imprisoned, but was sent to a secluded building with 24 hours surveillance camera, and a therapist

no they were not satisfied, a month was wasted because of them. but they guess that it's fine, they are in isolation and away from everyone after all

yuu had never been spammed irl

but I guess there's a first for everything. they remember it all the way they ostracized her, almost like they forced her into isolation

but leonas words were stuck in her mind

aren't you angry?

yes I am

you were honest, kind, patient.

yes I was

forget about him

I will

and so she did

she forgave all those who were under the potion, but malleus, oh malleus she could never forgive. even in her dying breath

he betrayed her, why should she forgive him?

she won't

a lazy lion smirks knowing this

I am brewing sum mf angst in my wattpad my works thing. I am in a angsty roll goddamn who hurt me. I'm so tired from school and like there's no cute guys there, and literally no one caught my eye guy or girl

ooh also I forgot to mention this is based on the movie school for good and evil(is that the title i forgor) in netflix

[decaydanceredacted]

BASEMENT BILVY.. I FEEL SICK. how ive never thought of basement bilvy before is genuinely shocking. i have. so many thoughts on this. he would be so pretty in chains. im crazy. i have too many things to say on this topic. im going to restrain myself. be glad. petes been alone down in the basement for who-knows-how-long now, save for the daily visits from gabe and the less regular visits from gabe + travie, when gabe starts talking about maybe getting pete a friend to play with. it's not right keeping a boy all on his own, the isolation isn't good for them! and hes got to be a responsible owner, after all, he's not a monster. pete, well trained as he is, never really responds to these comments, as hes not allowed to speak, but the idea scares him a little. maybe even more than it excites him. he doesn't want to share the attention he gets, but being all on his own whenever gabe has to go to work is always so scary. poor baby :( so he thinks maybe it wouldn't be so bad. theres still a part of his mind that doesnt want this happening to anyone else, but it's the part of his mind that tells him to fight back and run, so he knows not to listen to it anymore. gabes at a show one night, some random grimy venue, when he sees an angel in the crowd. this beautiful, tall, pale thing, and he knows he has to have him. as soon as he learns the name he ignores it to call him bilvy. william is too boyish and bill is too short. bilvy rolls off his tounge better. it makes the boy giggle. his hair is short, but every time gabe blinks he imagines him with long, wavy hair, curled in on himself in fearhatredlove next to pete, and he gets a little light headed. he hopes his hair grows fast. bill's easier to get drunk and alone than pete was, a proper lightweight, no fat on his bones. the bustle of the crowd makes it easy to slip something into bilvys drink, and makes it even easier to leave with him unnoticed. before bill knows what's going on, hes waking up on the cold concrete of gabes basement. he's getting nudged by someones boot, and has to sit up to avoid the pressure. the first thing he notices when his eyes adjust is the man standing above him, (the man from the show last night? he can't recall a name, though) staring down at him with an emotion he cant figure out. he's still groggy from whatever knocked him out, but the cold air hitting his body makes him realise that he's stark naked, and it wakes him up quicker than he ever has. he looks away, searching the room for an escape, maybe, but is immediately distracted by the sight of another person. he's in a similar state, naked and kneeling near the feet of the man, staring down at the ground. bill forces himself not to think about how long he must've been down here to be acting that way. he fights through his pounding headache and sore throat to ask where he is, why is he here, 'where am i? where am i? who are you?' he attempts to get on his feet, get away from the man towering above him, but kicks to his shins send him tumbling back to the ground. the tall man whistles, and the boy at his feet jumps on bilvy, pinning him to the ground. bills attempts at throwing him off are fruitless, and eventually he stops struggling and just starts screaming and sobbing. (it hurts petes head, but he knows better than to let go of the boy to cover his ears.) the tall man crouches beside them, grinning at tears. he knew bilvy would be a pretty crier. gabes feeling generous, so he decides to let the boy cry for as long as he needs. he can wait to start training until after bills tired himself out too much to fight back. he's so excited to have two pets to play with. i mean whatever im normal and dont want to see those boys tied up together on the floor. i dont even care about basement!au actually im cool and fine. - sweat anon.

.

[marksbear]

hello hello!

i'd like to request hughie (if you do write for him) x a male supe reader who has kinda the same vibe as homelander, like a powerful, asshole

(and lowkey homicidal, but lets gloss over that 🤗)

who's more of a villain (basically w/ vought/ an antagonist against the boys and all that)

anyways main idea is that hughie isn't supposed to be fucking the reader 'cause they're not even on the same team 💀 but is anyways cause how could he resist

Finally a request for the boys it's been such a long time since I had one! 😭 Hey! I hope you are doing good Anon! And I hope you like the fic!

I made sure that the reader can choose his own powers but I added one so the story can be better! And H/n= Hero name!

I hope you don't mind if I do a oneshot if you want a headcanons just send in another request for a headcanons! I don't mind it at all in fact i'll love it. I just have a thing for The Boys - Love, bear.

Hughie Campbell x SUPE MALE READER

Warnings, y/n is homicidal, manipulator Y/n, two faced reader, fluff interactions with Hughie and Y/n, mean reader, Y/n has a secret power

All the boys were in Hughie's house for some odd reason and sitting on the couch all gathered up together watching the news. H/n just broke the world record for saving the most people under five minutes.

It was two hundred and seventy six people he saved in such a short time. Him just saving people made the whole world go crazy. Over two hundred people in just five minutes made the people love him.

Hughie gets up from his spot off the couch and goes outside to call boyfriend.

WITH Y/N

"AHAH You should have seen me! I killed half the other people I didn't save! I'm telling you I convinced the whole world I saved every single body but in reality I killed about eighty!" Y/n says an underground hero that's just like him.

"You know what kid, you're gonna be just like me...Not as powerful and good looking though." Y/n tells the young supe who worships him like a god. "You think so Mr H/n?!" The young supe asks with such excitement in his voice.

"Kid. I know so. When have I ever been wrong?" Y/n says smugly with an evil smirk on his face. The young look up in awe stuck in a trance until Y/n ringer goes off.

"Well kid I gotta go." Y/n pats the kid on the back leaving with an evil smirk and snaps his fingers getting the young out of his trance.

That's the one Vought didn't know Y/n has. He gets people into a trance like he was the most interesting and best person ever. Manipulating people with his powers was easy just look them in the eye and just snap his fingers boom there under his control like hes a king or a god.

Some of the good perks are that it doesn't matter every bad thing he does He can make anyone see it as a good thing and it saved man-kind. His favorite thing to do is trick someone to do his mission for him or make interviewers leave him alone. And he can add new memories to people and take away old ones.

The down side to his hidden power is the major headaches he has and fainting spells. His fainting spells always seem to happen during missions that's why he tries to save the people fast before he passes out.

(Okay back to one shot because his little power is gonna be important later!)

"Hello?" Y/n says answering his phone not even bothering to see who's calling him. "Hey Y/n! Uhm I saw you on the news!" Hughie says giddy and all smiley once he hears Y/n voice and his smile is bigger when he hears Y/n chuckle.

Female, Frenchie, Mother milk and Billy look outside the window trying to eavesdrop the conversation.

"Oh really? Did I look good for you or what?" Y/n jokes making Hughie laugh. "Of course you did! You always look great." Hughie compliments making Y/n's heart skip a beat.

Y/n knew who Hughie works with. Hell that's how they even met. He was about to kill Hughie once he had to look for him it was either capture or kill him and he chose to kill him. Y/n didn't know why he couldn't bring himself to finish him off. He had Hughie on the ground bleeding to death but once they made eye-contact they locked in.

Y/n met hundreds of handsome men like Hughie but he was different so he decided to spare him but with a cost. With the snap of his fingers he entered memories of Hughie and himself dating for a very long time. He gave Hughie his number and called the ambulance for him and wiped his memory of the fight happening.

"Hughie. You're too kind I swear..." Y/n face becomes hot and leans on the wall. "How about I come to your place later huh? If you're not busy that is." Y/n offers putting his phone closer to his ear.

"Sorry can't kinda busy with work." Hughie lies to his boyfriend. "Oh. Uhm okay." Y/n heart aches a little knowing that his boyfriend is hiding something and lying to him. But he can't judge he lied for this whole relationship to be a thing. "Well gotta go. Y'know supe things." Y/n jokes with a straight face.

"Bye Y/n love you----" Y/n cuts Hughie off by hanging up. Y/n looks at young supe he was just talking to and smirks to himself.

If Hughie was too busy with his boy band for him how about he has something else to keep him company and entertained. As soon as he makes his move Homelander stops him talking about something. Everything he said becomes muffled and his vision blurry makes his head feel dizzy. "John catch meee.." Y/n slurs out passing out on the Number one hero.

Homelander catches him swiftly with a sigh and picks him up taking him to the meeting room. Lots of the other Seven members ask Homelander what happened and is Y/n okay. Homelander places Y/n in his seat and goes to his own starting the meeting.

By the time Y/n wakes up its dark and he's all alone. Y/n looks around with a major migraine feeling like hes gonna die with every single movement. Y/n forces himself to get out of the chair and his leg wobbles out of the room and out of Vought.

Y/n calls a cab and leans on the wall from a random shop. Once the cab arrives Y/n gets in quickly telling the driver to go to Hughie's job. Y/n groans from the music in the car. Once they arrived Y/n snapped his fingers and told the driver to leave so he didn't have to pay. Y/n opens the store door and gets into defense mode once he sees all the Boys members in the store staring back at him.

As everyone gets into their fighting stance Hughie quickly gets in front of Y/n blocking him. Even though Y/n can easily defend himself against the whole group maybe even kill them all he appreciates Hughie's kind gesture. "Oi Hughie the fuck are ya doin?!"

"H/n isn't like the rest of them! Hes different I swear!"Hughie shouts at Butcher. The Boys stare at Hughie like he has three heads. "H/n he actually cares about being a hero! He actually saves people not for the money or fame to actually save them to save them."

Oh boy if only the world knew the real H/n. A real fuckin bastard.

"How the hell do you know? What he saved you a couple times and what now hes your ideal? " Mothers Milk says full of confusion.

"We have been dating for almost eight months now and he already knows that I'm in the Boys. If he was like those fake supe's wouldn't he already turn me in?" When Hughie said that he had proved a valuable point. Making Y/n smirk a little before raising up his hands.

"Yeah. So what hes fucking with the enemy. If I was like my co-workers all of you would have been dead right now. So how about we make a trounce until further notice." Y/n offers giving his hand out to Billy. Billy knew countless innocent lives were taken by those very hands. He knew the truth about him. He can see through Y/n's gentle face and his kind words from the news.

He knew the K/n was a cold blooded killer, one of the reasons why he became a hero was to get an ego boost and powerful. As he looks into H/n eyes taking his hand in a tight grip as they shake on it.

"Don't fuck with me H/n." Billy whispers into his ear.

"Stay out of my way." H/n gives Billy a fake smile.

THE END

Editor bear! I'm going to remake this tomorrow! I know I can write better than this 😭