#well today i had a presentation which i couldn't prepare as well for because i started too late

[adore-gregor]

So

[vettelsvee]

PREGNANCY JOURNEY | Sebastian Vettel

f1 masterlist | wattpad | ao3 | instagram

rbr sebastian vettel x schumacher!reader | part 1 here

summary: a little bit of your pregnancy journey with seb

word count: 2809

warnings: none of it! just seb and reader being cute (at least that's what i think sjsj). settled on 2012 season

a/n: I love dad!seb bye, pls send me requests bc he's literally the seb i love to write the most about

you can send your one shots requests here! feedback, as well as comments and reblogs, are truly appreciated!

Yours and Seb's families

It had only been two weeks since Sebastian and you had discovered you were going to be parents in that room in Hungary, and you wanted to start sharing the news with your family.

After much deliberation on how you could do it in such a special way, you decided to organize an intimate dinner at the house they shared in Switzerland.

As you enjoyed the delicious dishes you prepared yourself with the useless help of your boyfriend, nerves filled you both as you prepared to share the news at the end of the dinner. So, when desserts arrived at the table and you enjoyed them while chatting animatedly about trivial matters, Vettel gently took your hand under the table. With a glance, you knew it was time to tell your parents what you had been hiding.

You took your glass of wine, from which you hadn't been drinking, and stood up, causing the attentive gazes of the three present to focus on what you were about to say:

"Mom, Dad. Heike, Norbert," you began. "Today you're not here just because I'm showing off my ridiculous cooking skills, but for a more special reason."

Confusion arose among the older couples, who exchanged confused looks with each other.

You began to get emotional, finding it impossible to articulate your words. Therefore, Seb took over for you, continuing with the improvised speech:

"I know it might not be the right time," the younger German expressed, taking your hand, "but you're going to be grandparents."

"Wait… What do you mean, Sebastian?" your mum asked curiously, doubting what her son-in-law just told them.

"That's right, son," Norbert agreed with your mum. "What are you trying to tell us?"

"We're going to be parents," you whispered, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm pregnant."

As soon as your mum heard from your own mouth that you were expecting a child, she rushed to hug you tightly, immediately joined by Vettel's mother, causing all three women to have teary eyes. Norbert immediately ran to hug his son, shouting in excitement as he did so, and your dad, on the other hand, was in shock, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"Wait a moment, Y/N," Michael commented, rising and positioning himself next to his son-in-law. "Are you saying that you've been accompanying Seb all season while pregnant, and on top of that, you've kept it from me?"

You started laughing at your dad’s comment. Sebastian, on the other hand, began to feel fear for the first time in his life towards the man who initially became his idol and, over time, not only his friend and mentor, but also his father-in-law.

"Dad, no!" you denied. "I haven't been pregnant all this time. I'm currently about three weeks along, and we found out as soon as we arrived in Hungary because I was nauseous and dizzy the whole trip," you explained.

"I'm sorry if this caught you off guard," your boyfriend apologized, especially to Michael. "It’s not like we haven't been hiding the pregnancy," the young man declared, "but we needed time to process it and make sure it wasn't a false alarm."

Schumacher sighed in relief and wrapped his arm around his wife. Heike hugged her husband, who still couldn't believe he was going to be a grandfather for the first time.

"Yeah, okay…" your dad finally replied. "I'm glad to know that my eldest daughter hasn't been taking unnecessary risks and that, furthermore, you've been celebrating Seb's victories properly."

The mention of this made Sebastian wish he could disappear at that moment just like you.

"Michael, don't say that to them!" your mum exclaimed, hitting her husband's arm. "I still can't believe we're going to be grandparents. It's wonderful! Congratulations, guys!"

Once you exchanged hugs and congratulations, the quartet returned to the table to finish enjoying dinner. The truth was that your parents were concerned about your condition, but for different reasons: on one hand, Michael knew how stressful Formula 1 could be day in and day out, and he didn't want his eldest daughter to suffer accompanying Sebastian, so he would have to have a serious talk with you. Corinna, on the other hand, knew they still had to break the news to Gina and Mick, who would be aunt and uncle in about nine months. As for the Vettels, there was nothing to comment on or exceed: in a few months, the family would grow even more, and the excitement of having the little one in their arms was overwhelming them at that moment.

The former decided to stay silent for the moment, pondering when he could have a chance to talk to you alone. Corinna, however, decided to ask you about what how would you break the news to your siblings:

"Y/N, dear," she immediately captured your attention despite being deeply engrossed in a conversation with your father about Seb's performance that season. "Don’t you want to share the news with your siblings? I think they would like to know that you're pregnant, they would be quite happy..."

"Yes, of course..."

"For now, we would like to enjoy this stage of the pregnancy privately," Vettel interrupted you, "although that doesn't mean we won't tell them. For heaven's sake, Corinna, my siblings don't know anything yet either!"

The woman glanced at her husband, who shot her a look to calm down. Indeed, both families continued to celebrate the new life Seb and you had created and, in due time, would reveal to the rest of their loved ones and possibly the whole world.

Mick and Gina

You couldn't keep the secret any longer. It had only been a couple of days since your parents and in-laws found out you were going to be parents. The same went for Seb's siblings, whom you finally called on the phone because they couldn't come to Switzerland at the moment.

Now it was time for Gina and Mick to find out they were going to be aunt and uncle at fifteen and thirteen years old.

Summer vacation was coming to an end for both teenagers and the eldest Schumacher. The kids had to go back to school, while you would be traveling the world again with you father and you boyfriend in early September.

For that reason, and because you were really excited to see her siblings' reaction, you decided to tell them that afternoon they would go to the mall.

"Guys," you said as you ate your bowl of cereal, "we're going to the mall today. I want us to spend some time together and, well..." you dropped a hint, trying to be mysterious. "I have some news to share, actually."

Gina's eyes widened in surprise. Mick kept his gaze fixed on his buttered toast with jam, pretending not to hear although he was actually really excited.

"Of course, Y/N!" Gina exclaimed excitedly. "I can't wait to buy some new clothes, especially to hear what you have to tell us."

"Exactly that," replied the youngest brother, mouth full. "You're acting very suspiciously, as if you've killed someone. Have you killed someone?"

Gina flicked Mick on the head, who immediately protested, sparking an argument. You simply cleared away your breakfast dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, leaving the kitchen seconds later, not believing that those arguing over a trivial matter would later discover they were going to be uncles.

Once at the mall, the three of you strolled through the aisles, looking for stores of interest and, especially, trying to blend in with the crowd, surprisingly succeeding.

The truth was that days earlier, you and Sebastian had agreed that to break the news to the kids, they would invite them to dinner at their favorite restaurant. However, to avoid raising suspicion, you would say that Seb couldn't make it because he had scheduled a meeting with Red Bull to discuss a few strategy matters. This way, you thought, the kids would be even more surprised.

As the afternoon wore on, your nerves, along with bags of clothes for the kids, and a few indulgences for themselves, grew.

"Y/N, is Seb coming with us?" Mick asked, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Oh, no, I forgot to tell you! Seb mentioned he had a Skype call or something with Horner and Red Bull about strategy, so he can't make it."

You hated lying to your siblings, especially about Vettel-related matters, particularly to the youngest. They had a very good relationship and sometimes seemed more like siblings than the three Schumacher kids together.

"I know you were excited to see him," you continued explaining, "but I'm sure in a couple of days, or even tomorrow, I can tell him to come over."

"Exactly, Mick," Gina chimed in, "let's enjoy an afternoon with siblings, there will be plenty of time for you to see your brother-in-law!"

After a while of strolling, you finally decided to take your siblings to the restaurant they held in such high regard. As soon as you entered, you spotted the Red Bull driver sitting at a table checking emails on his phone.

Sebastian looked up and found a preteen Mick Schumacher running towards him, receiving a hug the moment he reached him.

"What are you doing here, Seb?!" Mick exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention. "We thought you had a meeting with your team!"

Sebastian tousled the boy's hair and stood up to greet both Gina and you, who were giving him knowing glances at what was about to unfold.

"I guess these past few months I've become quite the expert in lies," you said. "And you're not here for just any reason."

Mick and Gina exchanged glances, not fully believing what their older sister was telling them.

"Indeed," Vettel continued, "before we order anything, we'd like to tell you that, around March next year, we'll be adding one more member to the family."

"You're going to be aunt and uncle, guys."

Both of them stood there speechless, trying to process what they had just heard.

"Is this for real, sister?!" Mick whispered cautiously, aware that you were public figures and attention would be on them at that moment. "We're going to have a nephew, Gina!" he turned to his younger sister, who was still in disbelief.

"This is incredible, guys!" Gina exclaimed. "I can't wait for March next year now... And I thought the best thing that could happen to me was going to see One Direction that month!"

You and Sebastian exchanged a knowing glance, realizing that the joy the younger ones were feeling at that moment was even greater than they had initially expected.

"We're so happy that you're part of this beautiful journey ahead," Seb explained, giving them both a hug. "I'm sure, and I know your sister and your parents are too, that you're going to be amazing aunt and uncle. The baby is so lucky to have a family like yours."

You wiped away tears. You hated getting emotional over the slightest thing, but at the same time, you were grateful to be surrounded by so much positivity and support from the early stages of her pregnancy.

"That's for sure, Seb," Mick replied jokingly. "But you have to understand that I'm going to be the funny uncle, and most importantly, his favorite."

The dinner continued with laughter, anecdotes from the teenagers that Seb and you had missed because of the Grand Prix races and, especially, future plans they would make when little Vettel-Schumacher decided to make his way into the world.

Mark Webber

After a month-long break, 2012 Formula 1 season was finally back in Belgium.

You, despite being about three, almost four, months pregnant, decided to continue accompanying you boyfriend for the remaining nine races.

Friday, before free practice sessions began, you were in Seb’s room at the Red Bull Racing hospitality. The German held an instant camera in his hands intending to take a few pictures of you, something that had become routine to document your pregnancy. You, reclined on the sofa in the space, simply caressed your increasingly prominent belly.

The flash of the camera snapped you out of your trance, immediately feeling embarrassed.

"Seb, I've told you a thousand times I don't like you taking pictures of me when I'm not ready," you commented, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Sebastian couldn't care less.

"You're perfect, Y/N Schumacher," Sebastian replied, taking another snapshot of you. "Come on, stand up for a moment and pose with our son for your future husband. You don't have to worry about looking good or not, you're doing enough work creating a life in your belly."

You agreed to your boyfriend's proposal, excited enough to hug your belly and shed a few tears.

Hormones were acting like crazy on you, and Sebastian Vettel might too if he kept being so good to you.

The blonde raised his camera again and once more took a picture of the scene in front of him, highlighting your smile above all.

As the photo was revealed and Sebastian, sitting on the floor, was admiring it, the door to the room opened, revealing a somewhat angry and surprised Mark Webber.

"Well, well…" the man exclaimed. "What do we have here?"

Sebastian and you exchanged looks, a mix of excitement and nervousness. No one beyond your families knew you were expecting a baby, and with the way the Australian was acting, you knew that would soon change.

"What you have here is the future best mother in the world, Webber," Sebastian explained, gesturing from top to bottom at you and then touching your belly once he stood up.

"That's incredible, guys! I'm really happy for you!" Mark approached you and hugged you, genuinely pleased with the news you had just revealed and especially by the trust you had in him to do so.

"Well, it seems Horner will be pleased when you tell him the news," Seb's teammate continued, "because I'm sure he'll want to sign the little one as soon as he's old enough."

"Of course, Mark," Sebastian replied. "Not every day you create offspring with both Schumacher and Vettel blood."

"The royalty of Formula 1, if I may say," Michael Schumacher interjected, entering the Red Bull garage despite not being part of the team. "And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to see how my daughter and my grandchild are doing."

You asnwered with a small ironic laugh at her father's remark, who was mistaken at that moment to think that Charlotte Vettel-Schumacher would be a boy.

Kimi Räikkönen

The penultimate race of the 2012 season finally arrived, and you and Sebastian had finally revealed to the world that you were going to be parents. Although there were mixed reactions and comments, the majority of people who discovered that the eldest daughter of Michael Schumacher and the two-time world champion were going to have a child were quite pleased.

Both of you were in the paddock, arriving a bit later than usual. 

"Vettel, hey," Kimi called out as soon as he saw you two. "I heard rumors that you have a new passenger in your very own car. Is that true?"

You burst into laughter at Räikkönen's irony, who maintained a cool demeanor.

"Yes, Kimi, it's true," Seb replied, still chuckling. "The baby is due in March, so just a few months to go."

You nodded in agreement with your boyfriend's statement.

"So, there will be a new fan running around the paddock soon..." Räikkönen commented. "Make sure he doesn't miss the races, Y/N."

"Of course, no need to worry about it..."

"But, hey," Kimi interrupted you, "don't let him stay up all night watching replays of my victories, okay? He's needs some rest too."

Sebastian was bewildered. However, you were laughing even harder at Kimi's antics.

"Don't worry, mate," Vettel replied, "I assure you I'll train her in such a way that she'll be taking you on track before she's even ten."

"Yeah, right, whatever you say" the Finn said ironically. "Just make sure that when she decides to enter the world, you invite me to her big welcome party."

You nodded, playing along with the Lotus driver.

"It's surreal that you've won another victory, Vettel," Kimi continued. "And remember: invite me to the party. I want to welcome the little one with alcohol, lots of alcohol."

Kimi lowered his head in farewell and continued on his way to his garage, letting you both get on with your day.

You and Sebastian knew Kimi well enough to understand that most of his comments were sarcastic, but within the sarcasm, there was genuine happiness for them.

Who would have thought that years later, Charlotte Vettel-Schumacher would become the apple of her godfather, Kimi Räikkönen's, eye, every time she visited the paddock with her mother.

[luxsky]

Kicking out

Rhysand x reader

Summary: Reader tries to have a peaceful day without their partner hovering with overprotection, but destiny has other plans.

Warnings: Pregnancy, mentions of body aches, Rhysand being an overly protective rooster. Ignore any biological errors; I've never been pregnant and have no background in any health-related field, so everything here is either from my imagination or a quick Google search.

Autor's Note: This is my first time posting here, and I'm anxious and very, very nervous (especially because it's the first time I've written in a long time). I don't know if I like this or not, but this idea has been lingering in my head for days. Maybe I'll do a part two, but I'm not sure. Please, I welcome any kind of feedback here! (but be careful with how you say it). I apologize if the grammar is... bad? English is not my first language, and I'm not fluent (much of this had help from AI for translation, so if something doesn't make sense or is placed incorrectly, please let me know so I can correct it).

It's the beginning of fall, all you wanted to do was sit on the expensive and cozy sofa decorating the House of Wind and read a soft and cliché romance book while sipping on a cup of hot coffee. Except, you couldn't consume caffeine for the sake of the baby growing in your belly. Still, you had the option to sit and read a book, but your large and exuberant belly prevented you from sitting comfortably for too long. Well, nothing a few pillows and a blanket couldn't solve. Okay then, you didn't have coffee or a comfortable position, but you could still read your book, right?

Well, no, you've been trying to do that since the early afternoon when you sent Rhysand to his office, asking him to work a bit in his own court instead of watching over you. In fact, he had been a mother hen since the beginning of the pregnancy, and that was just one of the excuses you gave to get rid of his overprotectiveness. But it was becoming a challenging mission to concentrate on reading. You're nearing the end of your pregnancy, which is exciting in part, with the anticipation of meeting your little one consuming you, but the discomfort of carrying a baby constantly kicking your ribs has proven quite persistent.

It's been more than five minutes since you were stuck on the same page, reading and rereading but unable to focus on the book, back pain and intermittent cramps stealing all your concentration. You were used to a slight discomfort in your back since the beginning of the second trimester, but today, in particular, it was more of a significant and noticeable discomfort. You sighed in frustration and decided that maybe eating something would help. Putting the book aside, you remove the blanket from over you and swing your legs out of the sofa, prepared for the struggle it would be to get up. Normally, Rhys would help you, but if he left the office long enough to realize something was bothering you, he would spend the rest of the day hovering over you, worried and concerned.

Breathless and almost sweating, you managed to get up. At this point, the only clothes that fit you were light fabric dresses, or what you were currently wearing: one of Rhys's sweatpants and a sweater stolen from his closet. Your partner started sharing half of his wardrobe when your beautiful, stylish, and beloved clothes no longer fit you—you cried for a whole hour after trying to put on one of your favorite pants, and Rhys almost cried too, not knowing how to comfort you.

Walking towards the kitchen, you almost laughed, remembering the various times when hormones provided you with uncontrollable tears and frightened your partner. In those moments, you felt slightly vindicated by his insistence on being present for every breath you took. It's not that you didn't love your partner and appreciate his concern; it's just that he didn't know how to balance it at certain times. As soon as you told him you were pregnant, he became an overprotective mother hen full-time, and it suffocated you a bit. Of course, you talked about it, and he promised to control himself, but if you made a different move, he was already on top of you, asking what was wrong and insisting that you needed to stay in bed.

Reaching the kitchen, you pause for a moment to catch your breath and lean your hands on your back while deciding what to eat. God, this belly was weighing more than usual. Deciding to make a big, hearty sandwich, you start gathering all the necessary ingredients from the cabinets and placing them on the counter.

You feel your partner gently pulling that thread connecting you two, and the next moment, he's entering the kitchen, a furrow between his eyebrows indicating that he's thinking, and the slight contraction in his mouth tells you he's worried. "Darling, you should be resting."

You roll your eyes and let a faint smile form on your lips as you reply, "I was resting, but then I got bored." You lean against the counter for a minute, then turn to grab a knife to cut the tomatoes. When you turn again, Rhys is in front of you, reaching out towards you and taking the knife. "If you wanted something to eat, you just had to ask." You pout at him, but he ignores it and turns to the counter, starting to cut the tomatoes. "I just wanted to do something for myself; you don't let me touch anything since you found out I'm pregnant."

You're beside him, staring at the tomatoes he cut, waiting for a response. He turns his face to you and plants a quick kiss on your forehead, grabbing the bread and saying, "Because the only thing I'll let my partner do while she's pregnant is to make this baby. That's consuming enough energy, and I don't want you to tire yourself out."

"Well, your partner may be making a baby, but she assures you she has enough energy to make her own sandwich."

He raises an eyebrow, and a shit-eating grin forms on his lips. Like she had enough energy to organize the baby's clothes last night? His voice fills your mind, the thread connecting you two vibrating with his amusement. Bastard.

I only slept because you decided to intervene and didn't let me do anything else.

"Darling, I only intervened because you were asleep." He starts putting each ingredient on the bread, and you decide to sit — not because you're tired, obviously — in front of him. You go around the counter as you respond, "Well, I don't remember... Argh." The sudden pain reverberating in your back and cramping that comes and goes cut your speech in half. Damn, you really hoped it wouldn't happen now.

Rhys is in front of you before you can even move, one hand on your belly and the other gently placed on your face, guiding your eyes to meet his. "What's wrong? Is it you? The baby? Panic fills his voice and shines in his beloved violet eyes. His mouth has that contraction again.

The only response you give is a negative nod, trying to catch your breath as the pain passes. He continues with his hands on you and doesn't seem satisfied with your non-verbal answer. I'm fine, the baby is fine. It must have been just another kick in my rib.

His right hand holds the one he placed on your face, and his lips try to form a reassuring smile, which is probably just a funny grimace at the moment. He kisses your forehead, and there's still concern on his face when he pulls away just enough to put both hands on your belly. His gaze alternates between your face and your belly; he still seems reluctant, so he asks again, "Are you sure? I can call Madja just to check, and..."

''Shh." You interrupt him, placing a finger on his lips. Your gaze softened, and now you're the one placing both hands on your partner's face, your thumb stroking his cheek." I said we're fine; it's nothing serious. The baby has been restless all day."

That seems to convince him enough because he agrees and holds your hands, bringing his face closer to yours and planting a gentle kiss on your lips. You pull away after a moment, this time with a complete smile when you playfully say, "Now, go finish my sandwich, or else this baby will start kicking for food." Rhysand laughs with your remark and turns to the counter, finishing your sandwich.

He starts putting away the ingredients again after placing the plate in front of you. "Why didn't you tell me you were in pain? We could have asked Madja for something." He finishes putting away the last ingredient and turns to you again, only the counter separating him as he watches you take the first bite of the sandwich.

"Oh God, this is so good." You ignore his statement, too focused on savoring what might be the best sandwich of your life. He accepts your lack of response with a soft laugh and turns to the cabinets to grab a glass. "Do you want some juice?" you mumble a yes, with your mouth full of the sandwich, and wait for him to fill the glass. He has his back to you while rummaging through the cabinets.

Splash.

"What kind of juice do you want, dear? Because I think we only have orange or grape, but I can ask the House to make some other flavor." He turns to you, waiting for a response, but his face transforms when he sees your expression. "What? Is something wrong?"

Oh, well, this is going to be funny. You finish swallowing the sandwich, trying to formulate a word. He stays where he is, waiting for your response, frozen. But it's your next words that make him run towards you.

"I think my water just broke."

Another pang erupts in your back, and you realize that maybe it wasn't the baby that was restless. It was contractions.

And this baby is about to kick its way out of your belly.

[mingi-s-dimples]

2 seater - yungi

pairing: bf!mingi × fem!reader × bf!yunho

rating: 18+

genre: crumb of plot + smut (filth)

summary: Your boyfriends couldn't wait to meet you after a schedule you had... and you didn't arrive before midnight.

WC: 4k

warnings: non idol au, switch whiny!mingi × strict dom!yunho, dacryphilia (kinda?), threesome, creampie, double penetration, car sex, semi public sex, handjob, blowjob, hair pulling, throat holding, choking (both on dick & by hand), breast playing, oral (m), pet names (love, babe, darling), dry touching (through briefs), lil bit of a size kink, big dick!yungi, making out, multiple rounds, multiple orgasms (both m&f), ruined orgasm (f), overstim, teasing (lots), deepthroating, orgasm control (f), a little bit of pleading/begging (yunho felt cocky), completely consensual, unprotected (USE protection irl!!!), completely unedited, straight up filth, 3k words out of 4k is straight up smut, a crumb of aftercare (I promise they're good boys), probablt forgot to mention sth.

Author's Note: I loved writing this one too 😭 It took me so long... I've been away on vacation and finished writing it on the beach ajsjsj what can I say... what's better than sipping on a cocktail and writing filth ? Anyways.. hope you enjoy my work!!!

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction & does not represent in any way the reality of the members.

"... and that's it for now! Thank you for attending today's schedule and can't wait to see you in a week! Prepare for some new concepts.. I can't wait to present them to you !"

And as soon as he stopped talking, you let out a heavy sigh, thinking that today is finally over. Though, you were actually really happy of today's schedule, because it was the first one of this month and the most important. You were a model at one of your boyfriends' friend, Seonghwa. He was working along with Hongjoong, his other half and they were rocking it ! The company got really well known in the past few weeks, which meant you had a lot more work to do than usual. This time, you hit the jackpot by having a photoshoot especially for DG, one of your favourite brands. It was a really nice opportunity, so you didn't pass on it. As soon as you told your boyfriends, they were really, really happy for you, knowing you've been trying for a while to get in touch with the brand ambassadors. But now? You might have been given an opportunity to become an ambassador yourself. You had to celebrate, so you talked with your boyfriends beforehand.

*the night before the schedule*

"Yunho, Mingi, how should we celebrate these great news? Should I treat both of you to some beef? I know you love it so I might as well treat you nicely. Both of you helped me so much in this career, I really want to make up for it ! Let's go for dinner together next week! My schedule will be pretty free, what do you think?" you looked excited at them, with puppy eyes and sincere thoughts.

"Yes babe, anything that makes you happy. We were absolutely thrilled to be able to help you !!" both said in unison, them coming closer to you to give you a biggg warm & tight hug. Both of your boyfriends giving you soft kisses on your forehead, you felt so safe with them and... blessed to have them.

*after the schedule*

"Hey, babe." Your boyfriends said, looking at you, smiling.

You definitely didn't expect them to come to your workplace unannounced but... you weren't complaining. After a hard day of work, you wanted to get a warm hug from both of them.

"Huh? what are y'all doing here, sweeties? I'm happy to see you though !!! I cant wait to show you some behind pictures of today !!!" you said excited, tugging at your boyfriends arms.

"Oh love, tell us more! Let Yunho drive today, you might be really tired from today's schedule! Go in the backseat, let me help you" Mingi said as he pushed forward the passenger front seat, helping you get into the car. Despite it's size, which is quite small, the backseat was pretty spacious. You usually used it to keep clothes and accesories, modelling attire such as make up, hair products and other related stuff, like books and papers with poses you could take inspiration from. But surprisingly, today it was pretty much... clean and free of the things you were used to? "Hm, maybe Mingi and Yunho cleaned my car for me, they have the spare key.... hm yeah, probably.." u thought to yourself, slightly smiling.

As you started to tell your boyfriends about your day, Yunho started driving. At first you were on your normal and well known route home, until you took a right turn. You didn't think much of it, as you trusted them with your life. Although you couldn't see anything through the backseat windows, cause you tinted them black, you weren't even 1 percent skeptical.

"Boys, were are we going?" you asked confused, but with a hopeful look in your eyes.

"Oh, this? we're taking a longer route home, I thought the weather is really nice, look at the starry night, too. I know a place" he said and then gassed the car, full speed, looking at you through the retrospective mirror.

You were relieved, its not like they ever gave you a reason to not trust them. As you started to slow down and came to a stop, Mingi and Yunho helped you get out of the car.

"Oh wow, the view is amazing! This parking lot...I remember it. It was still functioning when I was a kid. I wonder whn they abandoned it. I loved the fact tbat it was on 4 levels, I' d always go there to stargaze, alone." But now, you were with your 2 most loved people in your life, laying on the hard and cold concrete. You didn't care about anytbing at the moment, only the nice core memory you'd have later in your life of this exact moment.

*several minutes pass and you decide you want to go home and prepare for a photoshoot u had tomorrow*

"Hotties, lets get in the car. I'd like to try and arrive home and prepare for tomorrows schedule. I hope it s okay" you said, looking in their eyes.

"Oh babe....it's totally fine" said Mingi, looking right into Yunho's eyes.

"But...we 're not quite done with you for the night" continued Yunho, smirking.

"Uh what do you mean, babe?" u said confused, staring them up and down.

As you went in the car, they looked back at you, smiling contently. They knew something you didn't.

*several hours before leaving to get y/n*

"Bro we gotta do it man, she's always been reading these typa books and in the latest one she s read there's a car scene. I bet she'd be into that ! I fucking bet on it" said Mingi, excited as ever.

"Chill, we don't know yet. But... we could try...what could possibly happen? It's not like we'll force her, of course. We'll just tell her our own little thought about her favourite book."

*in the parking lot*

The boys were staring you down, their gaze darkening upon seeing your outfit. A black thight dress, the one you used for this photoshoot. A simple, mini corset dress, iconic for DG's catalogue. You felt so little under their eyes, the eyes that looked at you with so much love, thirst... lust. As you were looking at them, unaware of their intentions, they started talking.

"So... babe" Mingi started. "I've seen those... little books that you read and.. we'd like to fulfill one of the little scenes in the latest book you've been reading.. " he said, giving Yunho a sneaky lustful smile.

"Yeah, Mingi read some of the pages because he was bored, before we decided to come pick you up and... god damn.. when I tell you how turned on he was... we needed to wait for another few minutes before being able to go out" Yunho said, giving you an understanding of what happened beforehand. Then both of them leaned in from the front seats and Yunho continued:

"So...babe. What do you think? he said, both the boys smiling at you.

The fact is.. you've always been dreaming... fantasising about having sex with them like the one you read in your books... in the kitchen, in the bathroom... on a really nice balcony in Thailand... in a car. Your mind always goes to those places whenever you read the books... thinking of how good you'd take them right there and then. On your knees, sucking them on turns. Or on your fours... pounded by both.. in your little aching holes, begging for more.

As an answer, you leaned in a sloppy kiss with Yunho. The only thing blocking the two men from jumping on you were the front seats, which Mingi took care of in a second. You saw yourself surrounded by your boyfriends, the backseats extended to the max and the front seats pressed down halfway, to have space but at the same time to not be seen by anyone. You were.. thrilled. The look on their faces when they got to you and saw your whole outfit, scrunched up, your lace panties visible, formed a wet spot between your folds. As you were still making out with Yunho, the only noises being the lewd ones from your tongues, Mingi started working on your dress.

He zipped it down, untied the corset and slowly let it fall off your shoulders. He then tapped Yunho on the shoulder and as soon as he stopped kissing you, Mingi took you closer and pushed you on your back, on Yunho's lap. He then forcefully took the dress off, leaving you in only your panties and bra. Yunho had put his hand on your throat, nibbing on your bottom lip with his thumb while looking at how Mingi was tugging at your panties. You had a wet spot between your thighs, only by thinking about how you'd take them so nicely. Only the thought you had moments ago, of fucking them like in your little books turned you on so bad, your walls clenching on nothing, wanting them both inside you at the same time, destroying your insides. Mingi has been longing for this the whole night so he was the first one to act. He approached you, making out with you and while one of his hands went to your waist, to keep you still, the other one went right to your aching pussy, touching the wet fabric. Yunho, on the other hand, had one of his hands on your throat and one on your bra, tugging at it and playing lazily with your nipple.. You were squirming under Mingi, trying to get more friction of his hand between your thighs, but to not avail. You then put your hand on his bulge through his pants, feeling how big it had gotten in the span of a few minutes. You could feel his tip throbbing with every touch of yours. He took your panties off and looked at you, his gaze darkening upon seeing your wet cunt.

"Damn, babe... so wet for me.. for us." Mingi said and he then put one of his fingers inside you. He inserted another one... and another one. His girthy fingers were stretching you out so good... tears forming in the corner of your eyes. Right before Mingi went all in with his fingers, Yunho wiped your tears and got rid of your bra. You were now standing almost bare in front of your boyfriends which... happened pretty often but.. today? You felt so little in front of them. You wanted to anything and everything they'd make you to do that night. And you were about to obey.

"Mingi.. let me help you out a bit" Yunho said and, while one of his hands was still on your throat, his other hand went straight to your boyfriend's pants. He unbuttoned and pulled them down, only to be able to see his stretched out boxers from his throbbing and aching hard cock. Yunho backed off and took your hand in his, guiding you to touch Mingi's boxers, now wet from his pre cum. He groaned at the feeling of your little fingers fondling with his tip through the wet cloth, his fingers now deep down in your pussy, touching your sweet spot. Yunho put his hand on your clit and started lazily rubbing circles on it, enjoying how you squirmed above him and his crotch, making his pants feel even tighter.

You felt like you could come only from the view you had. You felt overstimulated, but it was so good. Yunho had one of his hands on your throat and one on your clit, Mingi had one of his hands deep down in you, touching your cervix and playing with your g spot and one on your waist, while you had one of your hands rubbing Mingi's dick through the cloth and with the other one holding on for dear life on the seat.

"Okay.. Mingi, you had your way until now, back off for a moment" Yunho said in a strong tone, the other boy looking at him and pouting.

"Cmon man, look at my fucking dick, for fucks sake" he said whining.

"Mingi. I said something" Yunho said right before pushing you on your chest, one hand on your ass, tugging at your panties and the other one on your neck, keeping you down, right on Mingi's abs. You could feel the wet spot Mingi's pre cum made on his boxers right on your cheek, the boy flinching at your touch.

"Ass up, babe. Let me take off your panties" Yunho said and slid them off in a second, leaving you bare right in front of him. You couldn't see what he was doing but you could feel and hear. He took Mingi's hand and put it on your neck then used that hand to rub your wet and dripping cunt, while his other hand went to his pants, stripping them halfway only to be able to take his throbbing and angry dick out. He put two of his fingers in, prepping you for his enormous length, like he always does. As soon as he took them out and moved that hand to your waist, he flipped you on your back, moving your legs to his waist and stopping for a moment.

"Mingi, put a hand on her mouth, please. It's been a while since I've last fucked her this hard" he said and as soon as he finished talking he rubbed the tip of his leaking cock on your folds, up and down, a second later pounding into you. When he bottomed out, he let out a sigh of relief and you let out a loud muffled moans and cries.

"M-mingi.. what are you d-doing?" You tried to say, words muffled by your boy's hand, trying to look up at him. He was lazily stroking his throbbing length with his other hand, looking at you with so much lust... he would've destroyed you right there and then.

"Yunho, could you maybe.. please, f-flip her o-over? I'm going fucking crazy over here just looking at you fucking her ! " Mingi said angrily, tapping Yungo on his shoulder.

"Fine" he said and in an instant you were back on your belly, Yunho's cock rubbing on your ass and Mingi's dick on your lips. They gave each other a look and both of them went in at the same time, receiving a loud choked moan from you. Mingi's hand on your hair and Yunho's on your waist, you were being manhandled by your two darlings. You felt overstimulated, overwhelmed but it was so good..you could feel your legs shaking under you as well as your hands, trying to keep yourself on your elbows but to no avail. Mingi was holding on your hair and keeping your head up so you could suck and lick his length how he always liked it. You started from the tip, giving small sloppy kisses, then slowly licking down to the base of his cock. Then Mingi would usually take your hair in his fist and deep throat you, as he was doing now. when he bottomed out in your throat, he stayed like that for a few moments, letting you adjust to his length hitting the back of your throat. Tears were already swelling in your eyes, especially because of the fact that Yunho was pounding into your cunt like he hasn't fucked you in ages. As soon as he saw a tear of yours fall on Mingi's thigh, Yunho put his hand underneath your chin and wiped it, approaching you with soft, light kisses on your spine. He was slowing down his thrusts but he went deeper and deeper with every single one, his tip touching your cervix.

"Damn babe... you feel so f-fucking good.. all stretched out for me. Come on, hang on for juuust a little longer, I'm so close... Mingi looks like he's out of it, too" and he was right. Sweat was dripping off of his forehead, his throbbing tip twitching with every lick of your tongue, his grip on your hair starting to get tighter, him forcing his way deep down your throat and not even being able to look you in your eyes. He always said that if he sees you in that position, he'd cum instantly at how beautiful you looked, taking him so good.

"Babe if you keep doing this I'll come right down your throat" Mingi said between the pumps. All the lewd sounds you were making were sending shivers down both boys spines, Yunho's thrusts started getting sloppier, heavier, deeper. They didn't have any rythm anymore. You were squirming, breathing heavily under Yunho and slightly choking on Mingi's dick, his girth and length stretching your mouth so good, leaving you no room to breath. You were so dizzy, barely standing on your knees. Yunho was trying to hold you up, himself being weak, feeling how he'd come at any moment.

"Babe, I can't hold much longer" Yunho said and with a few more thrusts he came in you, bottoming down so you could take his cum all up in your hole. Mingi was also close, his hand shaky on your hair and with a few more deep thrusts down your throat he also came, raising his brows at you to let you know that he wants you to swallow every drop.

The boys slowly helped you off and put you on the seat, looking you up and down, trying to find any sign of discomfort after all what happened moments before. You could feel how Yunho's cum was dripping out of you, right on the seat. But it turned you on so bad, you wanted to jump on him and suck him good.

"Babe, everything good? Are you feeling okay? Were we too.. harsh?" Yunho said, looking at your tired eyes and rubbing your thighs slowly.

"Yeah, babe. Everything good?" Mingi said, giving you soft kisses on your forehead.

"Yes, of course. I am a bit dizzy but it was... incredible" you said, smiling at them.

The boys had other plans.

"Well... in that case." Mingi said, pushing you over. "Let me have my fun, I didn't yet fuck you tonight". He said looking a Yunho, raising his eyebrow at him, giving him a good idea.

"So babe... we haven't done this in a while... what do you think of both me and Mingi fucking you at the same time, hm? he said, smiling playfully and carresing your cheek.

"B-babe.. d-do you think it would work? Even though I'd love to... what if it's too much?" You said, staring him down.

"Oh, yeah? We'll see about that, darling." and in a moment you were laying back on Mingi's torso, your ass aligned to his crotch and Yunho admiring the view. Mingi's once again hard dick was twitching with every slight move of yours, pressing down on your folds. Yunho on the other hand, was looking at the two of you, smiling at the flustered faces y'all had because of the sudden position change.

"Mingi"

"You may.. start" Yunho said and right after Mingi inserted his cock in your ass, slightly moving so you could adjust to his size, Yunho didn't hesitate and pressed down on your throat, the other hand on your right leg, bringing himself closer to you with every thrust of his. You didn't yet come tonight, feeling a bit overwhelmed some moments ago from all the force they were using on you, but you weren't far either. You could feel a knot forming in your belly with every thrust of theirs, leaving out some lewd and muffled moans and whimpers. It hurt, but.. the feeling of closure, both of them thrusting into you like they never fucked you, manhandling you. Mingi's hands on your breasts, fondling with your nipples and Yunho's on your thighs, dragging himself closer with every thrust.

"B-babe, you h-avent finished yet. Are we not good to you, love?" Yunho said, admiring the view in front of him, tears falling off your face with every full thrusts of both guys. Right after wiping your tears, he backed off and left you in surprise.

"Wh-what are you doing? Why did y-you stop, Yuyu?" you said, trying to catch your breath, whinning at your ruined orgasm.

He was looking at you with so much thirst, so much lust. He wanted to eat you as a whole right there and then, but hold himself back.

"Beg. You were close, right? Beg for it. Mingi, stop for a moment." Yunho said and Mingi did as he wanted and stopped thrusting. He made you cockwarm him, there was no friction between the two of you.

It's not like they weren't close to finishing... but they already did once and Yunho wanted to play with you. He always did that, didn't matter the circumstance. And... you loved every second of it.

"Babe. please. I was really close, Yuyu." you pleaded, looking him. You went in for a kiss, Mingi leaving a soft moan at you moving suddenly on his cock to get closer to Yunho's face. He accepted the kiss, his hand going straight to you clit, rubbing circles on it. All you could hear was Mingi's soft whimpers while you were slowly moving on top of him, without Yunho seeing you and your own lewd sounds.

You moved one of your hands on Yunho's dick and as you felt you were both close, you wanted to also help Mingi so you got up and moved his cock to your folds, sliding it right in. You flinched at the sensation, both boys touching you. Yunho twitched when u squeezed his tip as Mingi first thrusted into you, leaving out a small whimper. You loved when he whimpered... he didn't do it often and it turned you on so bad, you felt like you'd cum only by hearing him let out pleasure sounds.

"Yuyu.. I'm really close -" you said, trying to catch your breath.

"M-me too" he said, going in for yet another kiss and closing the space between your bodies so you can stroke his dick better and deeper, down to the base of it. You were rubbing circles right on his tip, receiving some soft whimpers from him.

You could feel the yet again knot forming in your belly, now being closer to bursting than ever.

"B-babe" you tried to say.

"Yes, love?" Yunho said, himself close to finishing but keeping his composure.

"I - I need to-" you tried to say but couldn't finish the sentence.

"Hm? What did you say babe? Use your words, pretty" Mingi said, leaving you whining for their movements.

"P-please, fuck me harder. I need to feel both of y-you !" you said with all your power before falling on Mingi's chest, feeling dizzy from everything happening.

"See babe? wasn't that hard, was it?" Yunho said and gave Mingi a look and both started thrusting wildly into you.

Moments later you felt the heat in you burst and also felt how you were getting filled up by both boys, ceasing their movements slowly to come down from their highs.

"Oh, my god. Boys... this was. I don't have words" you said slowly, still feeling dizzy and weak.

"How was it, hm? Did you enjoy it? We sure... did." Yunho said as he looked at Mingi, seeing how flushed his cheeks were.

"Mingi, did you like it?" He said playfully.

"Y/n, we should do this more often. To be honest with you, before we left home we didn't even think of doing this. It was all Yunho's idea right after you said you were doing okay after all everything. He just went for it and I fucking loved it. God damn, I was so horny before we left, we ended up leaving 10 minutes later cause I had to bust one. You should've seen Yunho's face, he was laughing so hard at me !" the boy said, whinning.

"I can imagine" You said laughing.

"So..when do you finish.. work next week? We can come pick you up with Mingi's car. It's... more spacious. What do you think, mm?" Yunho said, stroking your cheek with his hand.

"Babe! We said we'd get dinner next week!"

"Yes but... what did I say wrong? You're so fucking beautiful, I can't just eat with you that night... we'll need to also eat you out." He said, gave you a kiss and then left Mingi to help you dress, while he went back in the driver's seat to start the car.

[writingforatwistedworld]

How would riddle, malleus and epel react to the overseer personally knowing their family their family was not aware they were the overseer (for malleus and epel the overseer met their grannys and for riddle they know his mom)

Self-aware au

I do not take any responsibility for you reading this no matter which age group you are from!

WARNINGS: Yandere themes, obsession, kidnapping, religion, cult, unhealthy relationship, threats, blood, imprisonment

Riddle Rosehearts/Epel Felmier/Malleus Draconia-Player knows one of their family members

Riddles mother

It was once more time for a holiday

NRC was prepared to host a few attractions and to have family members visit for a day or two

Riddle was warned by a letter from his mother that she was coming

So the day was here. The celebration was in full swing. And look at that, it's the mother of a certain redhead. Noo-I mean, yay...

Riddle was prepared for another scolding for something he “did wrong” but after greeting her son (in a way too stiff manner) she turned to you and... greeted you as well?

You see, little, helpful you had promised the former red tyrant to help his dorm with their celebration so you were also present when the madam came over

“Mother, why do you know the Overseer?” “What are you talking about, Riddle?”

Apparently, Trey had once invited you to meet his family after you showed interest in his siblings and the bakery. In the Queendom you had gone on a walk in the forest, slipped and twisted your ankle so badly that you couldn't walk anymore. Luckily Riddles mother came by (for some reason) and helped you, being a doctor and all

Now, lady is of course no idiot so after her son had asked her that question she was just a new addition to the garden as a statue

Riddle was terrified that you saw the polite yet also arrogant way his mother spoke to you in the past as something rude

Now, you were of course not the biggest fan of her but at least she healed you back then

Once you are gone, running off to Pomefiore to help over there, Riddle had a talk with his mother

Usually he would show her respect but today it was like the roles were reversed

Kind words and any kind of love he had left for her were thrown out of the window when he asked her “how she could have not recognized their uncrowned ruler?”

Riddle was this close to snapping and using his special magic on her

For the first time Riddles mother was afraid of her son

Never before had she seen him so angry

But oh well, better stay in line and be nice to you instead of finding out how far she could push his boundaries

It was almost like he wouldn't just chop her head off in a metaphorical sense with his special magic but rather literally in a much, much more bloody way

Epels Grandmother

Ah yes, Epels sweet sweet granny could of course not miss her beloved grandson

She even prepared some cake and other delicious treats for him. How sweet!

So when perfection themselves, the Overseer, suddenly marched over after they spotted a familiar mop of light lilac hair he nearly had a heart attack

But instead of his Granny being surprised she just said a nice hello, that it was good to see you again and how things had been since you had seen each other

Why did his granny know the Overseer? Why did his granny know God?

Now Epel couldn't of course ask that later part, considering that his villages view on you was in comparison rather... yeah let's call it “extreme”

Turns out he had forgotten something when he visited Harveston the last time and you brought it to him, only for you to meet his Grandmother before you ran into him. Giving her what he forgot the two of you had a nice little talk before you left

And this is the point when Epel felt like he was ready to bash his head against the wall

Vil must have noticed a short in Epels mood because the model just threw him a very poisonous look

So here Eprl was, standing like a lost little child between his Granny and f-ing God whilst the two of you had a nice little chat about the weather

When you finally said goodbye to the two, running off to Diasomnia because you were invited for tea, Epel was juts like “Granny, we need to talk.”

Say goodbye to your apple-free days because after that talk, there will be boxes of so-called “offerings” in front of your door. Every. Single. Day.

“Granny, don't be too shocked but you met God.” “Hoho, what are you talking about?” “...” “Oh...”

For the rest of the day her legs were so shaky that Epel was afraid for her health

I mean, come on, the very person who has drilled tales about a deity into your head finally meeting said deity is something that is guaranteed to have a way too high blood pressure

The next time you run into her she isn't entirely sweet anymore

Of course she is still nice but there is something creepy about her. The way her eyes drill into you, how her questions are always a tad bit too personal

And did she just utter a prayer with your name in it? Nah, must be your imagination

Malleus Grandmoter

How she didn't recognize you the first time you two met is a wonder considering that she has that sixth sense every Fae has that tingles even when you are being simply mentioned

But today is a great day, Malleus grandmother came over to visit her grandson, a rare day of rest for her

Maleus was just about to tell her that he had invited a guest when you showed up

So when he stood up to introduce you to her she was just like “Oh, the child of man I met that one day.”

Cue Malleus standing there like a plank

Poor man is so surprised that he can't even ask how the heck you two met each other

When he finally asked when you two met he found out that he had forgotten to send a letter of his so you had jumped through one of the mirrors and delivered it to the castle yourself

After almost getting impaled for jumping right into a heavily guarded castle you had explained yourself and boom, you had a fife minute talk with grandma Draconia

Ok, great, wonderful, but did she know that you were the Overseer?

When he told her who you were she had to set down her teacup, shock sinking into her bones

Following his words you asked what he meant with Overseer

This was the day Diasomnia saw their dorm leader drop a teacup

Like with Epel you are now more or less in trouble

I mean, yeah, it's nice to get literal national treasures sent to your doorstep but at the same time, what the heck??!

Back in the Valley of Thorns the Fae are panicking left and right

What do you mean, the Overseer has already visited us once? And we pointed all kind of sharp tools at them??!

It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you just woke up one day in a room that you had never seen before, living like a bird in a golden cage

You know, the next ruler has taken a liking to you and your loyal followers need to protect you

So sit still and don't try to run

[chiipay]

What if.. celebrating Christmas with Kaiser alongside his birthday? (Fluff)

Ohh cool idea. Ty (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠) I'll do my best to make a scenario that fit your imagination (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠). Also forgive me because my country is a tropical country- we don't have Christmas here.. so idk much about Christmas Day.

Snowy days- MICHAEL KAISER.

24th December

It's Christmas. Fucking Christmas. Oh how much Kaiser hates to be reminded of the day he was born. But he couldn't express it to you because well he didn't want to get slapped on Christmas day because he pissed you off. He decided to just let it slide hopefully Christmas would just go along without bothering him.

" Kaiser. Wake up. It's freezing here. Help me up with setting presents for the players. I'll give yours later for the day."

You were just moving stuff around Kaiser so called 'penthouse'. Hie place looks gloomy and empty- tf he did here? Just laying around? You shaken every bad thought of him deciding which present suites for every bastard munchen players-

"... dang-this is harder than i thought.." you mutter- thinking hard on the presents.

This is the first time you celebrate Christmas with Michael kaiser and you had no idea how to plan things out. You rought a few items to become presents for bastard munchen players- but you don't spend a single penny in your bank...it was Kaiser's.

'he insisted on using his credit card only- rich people phase ig..'

Your thoughts got distracted by Kaiser leaning his body on you from behind. He let out a long sigh while resting his head on your shoulder, eyes glancing at the sight of items you brought earlier.

Kaiser looks at some items and picks up one of them and he chooses...a perfume.

'...wtf. wtf is this?'

Kaiser holds the perfume bottle for a minute before scrunching his nose up making a disgusted expression. He tightened his grip on your stomach making you look towards the same direction as he is.

"..what?"

" who the hell did you bought a perfume for? My whole teammates are freaking male. They have male anatomy. Tf is this for?"

Kaiser brings the perfume closer to your face as you just look at it for a sec before returning your attention to him.

" oh- i thought it would be good to give it to grim. Y'know? Just some vibe- I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

You said nonchalantly not really finding what's wrong with giving a perfume to a guy. Kaiser gave you a weird look before just putting the bottle down and would just bury his head deeper into your hair, sniffing your scent.

'Nasty.' you think.

----------___________-----------_________

25th December.

" Michael- wake up... it's Christmas.."

Michael kaiser groaned in his sleep before slowly opening his eyes. A glimpse of his mother came to his blurry vision just for it to get more clearer it was you. His eyes twitched a bit when his vision was getting more clear but soon turned into a softened gaze.

"..heyy..you awake now? It's Christmas..and happy birthday micha."

'micha..' you didn't always call kaiser by a nickname because of how you didn't want to make him uncomfortable. He never really cared about it. Mostly he would often ignored you whenever you called him that...but somehow he couldn't resist how smooth when he got called like that by you.

"....merry Christmas i fucking guess." He hushed in his low voice.

He sat up on his bed and then slowly looked at you while you prepare him breakfast in bed. He blankly looks at you while you prepare for it. When you were done he slowly ate his breakfast in front of you while you watched him eat it motionlessly.

"...why did you suddenly make me breakfast in bed today? You've never done this before."

" dang- forgave me for acting nice then. It's your birthday so why not? If this was another normal day i would have just forced you to do your own meal."

Kaiser didn't respond but continued to eat repeatedly. He was in deep thoughts...-you think. You didn't want your morning with kaiser to end up being an awkward morning so you try to change the atmosphere.

"uh- do you want a present? I already got something for you..?"

" present?"

Kaiser hates presents. He couldn't react properly when he got one. He hates it if he can't react properly would you be upset with him? Would you hate him for that? Would you actually leav-

".. having you is already like having a hellish present. Why should i get another one?"

His words actually came out opposite of what he is thinking. But even so he didn't want a present. Having you is already like a present he got from fate. He's more surprised that his 'present' is still with him and wasn't broken at all.

" oh-uhh thank you?..." You had no idea if that's a compliment or not but sounds pretty sweet to you..?

The tips of your ears went red making kaiser grin at your reaction-

' jackpot.'

"alright then, here's my present for you, meine einzige Frau~"

He leans closer to you making you started and backing backwards but Kaiser already trapped you before he gates his mouth on yours.

[milaisreading]

Hi, is your request open? If so can I please request something like the bllk boys didn't know it's CD!YN's birthday because they're too engrossed on practicing and they just find out because Ego-san greeted her in the middle of lecturing them.

-Please excuse my grammar, English is not my first language TT

-also it's my birthday today so I gathered my courage to request for the first time to indulge myself (⁠^⁠～⁠^⁠;⁠)⁠ゞ

Have a greet day!

🌱🩷: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK! I feel honored to write this then. Hope you like it and hope you are having a great birthday, and getting a lot of presents 🥰❤️

Warnings: Reader uses she/her. In the story the boys will be using he/him when addressing Yn. Requests for this series are open.

⚽️Blue Lock belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura⚽️

Ever since (Y/n) became the captain of the rowdy team known as Blue Lock, her life changed a lot. Whether it was for the better or for worse, she didn't know. Maybe someday she will be able to judge it better, but for now she barely had any time to sit down and think this through. With how chaotic everyone was, the JFA gave her a clear warning:

'Make sure they behave during interviews and on TV. Their behavior is a reflection of you as a captain. It is also a reflection of Japan to the world. Don't tarnish it.'

Back then she wanted to say a lot of colorful words to the old men, and she still does, but now she had little to no energy to do that. In fact, she completely forgot what day was when thanks to how hectic everything became. And just like that December 24th came, which is also (Y/n)'s birthday.

While the outside, aka fans and general public saw some ads and public congratulations for the player's birthday, the girl and other Blue Lock players stayed blissfully unaware of everything.

"Here." (Y/n) sighed as she offered some salmon on her chopsticks to Bachira. Grinning, the boy took a bite, smiling in victory as he received death stares from everyone else.

"Bachira, you can eat on your own." Isagi rolled his eyes and looked back at (Y/n), speaking more softly now.

"Please, eat your own food. You look like you need some."

"Huh... oh, I don't mind, Isagi. I need to make sure you guys are healthy." (Y/n) smiled weakly, feeling way too tired to say more.

"(Y/n), feed me too. Feed me, too!" Nagi begged, tugging on her sleeve.

"Oh, sure-"

"Nagi, you have your own hands and chopsticks. Let (Y/n) eat his own food." Reo warned from the girl's left side as Nagi pouted.

"Please~" The albino gave (Y/n) some puppy eyes, and before she could agree, a tray was put between her and Nagi's face.

"Huh?" She looked at the person who did it, only to find Barou glaring at her classmate.

"Eat on your own. And you, eat something, now. Let Bachira eat on his own."

"But I don't want to-" Before Bachira could finish, Gagamaru shoved a pastry into the boy's mouth.

"I will feed him instead. You eat something." Gagamaru said as he grabbed a displeased Bachira's shoulders.

"Yeah, let us handle it." Isagi agreed.

"But-"

They are right. You should eat something. I didn't see you during breakfast today." Karasu said from the table next to them.

"What?! Why did you miss out on breakfast?" Rin yelled in worry, and (Y/n) gulped as she felt Reo and Barou glare at her.

"I didn't feel like eating this morning." She excused herself.

'I had to prepare everything for an upcoming interview.' She wanted to say, but couldn't bring herself to burden them with it.

"Not feeling like eating? You? I have a hard time believing that." Otoya said suspiciously.

Yukimiya sighed and took his plate of food, walked over to (Y/n) and put the plate in front of her.

"What?" She asked the boy.

"Have my food, too. It can't bring you any good to miss out on food."

"Uh..."

Reo frantically nodded his head.

"Have mine too."

"You should have something high in protein, (Y/n)." Hiori agreed.

"Take my tofu, too."

"I can give you some of my veggies as well. They are sweet-sour." Niko added on.

"No, guys. It's fine. Please eat. It's more important that you all are full and-"

"It's also important that the captain isn't hungry, (Y/n)." Kunigami said, putting a hand on her head.

'Where did he come from?!' She thought in surprise.

"Seriously, I am fine-"

"That pale face says otherwise. I should give you a nice skin care day, (Y/n)! A nice Vitamin C mask does wonders~" Aryu added in, causing (Y/n) to raise an eyebrow.

"I am really fine, Aryu. Please, focus on yourselves. We can't have you tired-"

"We-we can't have you faint on the field, (Y/n)! P-please listen to us!" Tokimitsu interjected, clearly worried over the girl's health.

"Yes! You are important for the team, too!" Kurona added in.

'I am? I am just the captain... a babysitter if you will...' Well, at least that's what she was made to feel by the JFA.

"Here! I was given this new nutritious shake to try. It's good for the bones." Chigiri said, handing her the pinkish drink.

"Uh... this is your-"

"Eat!"

"And drink that!"

"You should really get some rest after, too."

"My pillow is very soft, I will give it to you."

"I will carry you to your room."

"Hold up! Hold up, everyone!"

(Y/n) grew a little overwhelmed, but thankfully everything stopped once Ego's voice appeared.

"What is this ruckus?!" Everyone stopped and looked at the screen that was showing the confused adult. Gulping, (Y/n) put her utensils down and got up.

"I am so sorry, Ego-san. This one is my fault-"

"Silence. I know it's not. And don't put all the blame on yourself." (Y/n) shut up and looked at Ego silently, the boys watching the interaction in confusion.

"Besides, why aren't you resting today?"

"Uh... The JFA-"

"Forget what those old farts said, I told you to rest today."

"Are you sure?" (Y/n) asked, unsure if she should listen. On one hand she had Ego, and on the other she had the duty to keep everything in line, for the country.

"Yes, besides, it's your birthday. Go and rest."

"Bitthday?! You never told us it's your birthday today!" The team yelled in unison, causing (Y/n) to flinch a little.

"I myself forgot... if I can be honest." (Y/n) blushed as Ego sighed.

"Go. Sleep. Now. I will deal with the JFA. The rest of you stay and finish your lunch."

Ego ordered as the room fell silent.

'Ego... will handle it.' The girl slowly nodded her head and walked out of the cafeteria as everyone watched her silently.

Once she was away, and out of earshot, Ego spoke up again.

"So... you guys want to take part in a surprise party Anri and I are preparing?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Of course!"

"Party for (Y/n)! Yes!" The team agreed, eagerly waiting for what Ego will say next.

Walking back into her and Rin's room, the girl sighed and plopped herself on her bed, cuddling into the pillow.

'Ego-san will handle it. I can rest for now.' As if a weight got lifted of off her, (Y/n) sighed in relief and started to drift into a slumber. Feeling more carefree now.

Once Ego finished instructing everyone what they should do, he turned off his camera and looked back at Anri.

"Is everything ready?"

Happily, Anri nodded her head and went through the list.

"All the ingredients and instructions are set for Isagi, Barou, and Rin. The meat, veggies, sauces, and spices for the katsu are there for Kunigami, Hiori, and Yukimiya. Bachira, Niko, and Karasu will get the balloons and decorations to prepare. Sanrio themed ones are so hard to find during Christmas, especially of that pink sheep." Anri commented as Ego nodded from time to time.

"Nagi, Reo, Kurona, and Aryu have the wrapping paper set for the presents. And lastly, Tokimitsu, Gagamaru, Chigiri, and Otoya will clean up and prepare the cafeteria. In case (Y/n) wakes up earlier than expected, I will try to distract her till everything is done."

"Ok. Everything is under control then. I will leave now." Ego announced as Anri finished her talk, causing the woman to raise an eyebrow.

"Go? Where to?"

"To talk with the JFA. Nobody treats my players like they are some no-name babysitters."

As the day went on, (Y/n) slept peacefully while the boys were moving fast to cook, bake and set everything up for the party. Anri was watching over everything, in case they needed help in the kitchen, while also keeping an eye on the monitor showing the door to (Y/n) and Rin's room.

6 hours later...

By now it was 8 PM and (Y/n) slowly opened her eyes, and sat up on her bed as she stretched.

"I feel so much better now. What time is it even?" She mumbled blinking the sleep away to look at her clock.

"8 pm... already? I slept for so long?"

She said in surprise and then looked at Rin's bed.

"Rin isn't here yet... maybe they are practicing still. I will go and join them." (Y/n) said, getting up from her bed, but before she could move more, a knock was heard.

"Huh? Yes?" She called out.

"Oh! Good, you are awake!" Otoya's voice was heard and the door opened, only for (Y/n) to see the said boy and Bachira.

"Hi, guys? Sorry for missing practice today, I will join-"

"No,no. We aren't practicing today. Come with us, Ego-san told us to get you."

Bachira and Otoya walked over to the confused girl, grabbing each of her arms and dragged her out of the room.

"Ha? Did something happen?"

"Nope!" The two said, sending each other secretive smiles.

'What did I miss?' She raised an eyebrow.

"We are here! We are here!" Bachira said happily as Otoya hummed along. (Y/n) grew even more unnerved now as she sniffed the air a little.

'Am I crazy? Why does it smell like Katsu?' She thought.

"Open the door~" The duo said.

"Are you guys pulling a prank on me?" (Y/n) asked in confusion.

"No!"

"Please, just open the door." Bachira and Otoya answered. Reluctantly, (Y/n) nodded her head and walked closer to the door, slowly opening it.

"Happy birthday!"

"There you are! We were worried you won't wake up till tomorrow!"

"Happy birthday, (Y/n)! Hope you like everything!"

(Y/n) blinked in surprise as Otoya gently pushed her into the room. Flabbergasted, the girl looked around the room, now decorated with different balloons.

'Oh... Sweet Piano balloons! How did they find them?! They are so hard to find.' (Y/n) thought, blushing in excitement as she saw them. The players silently, and anxiously, watched the girl inspect everything.

"Huh..." (Y/n) muttered, eyes widening in amazement as she saw the cake, decorated with the pink sheep.

'Not even my parents did this for me...' (Y/n) thought, feeling her eyes water up a little.

The boys watched in panic as tears started to stream down the girl's face.

"Ah?! Did we mess something up?" Gagamaru asked in worry.

"I don't know!" Hiori said back as Isagi went to hand her a napkin, which (Y/n) gladly took it to wipe her tears away.

"We... we are sorry..." Rin said awkwardly.

"Did I mess up the decorations on the cake?" Barou looked over the cake.

"I think it's my fault. The balloons look a little deflated." Niko gulped.

"Maybe we should have done a better job on them." Karasu muttered nervously as Bachira and he glanced at each other.

"I swear I made sure the katsu doesn't burn." Yukimiya flinched.

"Did I mess up the salad?" Kunigami bit his fingernail in worry.

"You... you guys did everything amazing! Thank you so much!" (Y/n) finally busted out, hugging Isagi, who was the closest to her. Isagi tensed up and blushed a scarlet red, but hugged her back anyways.

"You are the greatest team ever!" (Y/n) announced with a huge smile, causing their worries to lift, and smiles to appear on their faces.

"Happy to hear that..." Nagi sighed in relief, but tugged on her shirt.

"Huh?" She looked over at the boy, still hugging Isagi.

"I want a hug, too."

"Me too! Me too!" Kurona nodded, running up to her, followed by Gagamaru and Tokimitsu.

"Me as well. Please."

"Me-me too, if you don't mind." Slowly, the other guys joined in on the asked and (Y/n) couldn't help but laugh softly.

'These guys are the best.'

[heyidkyay]

And I'm petrified of being alone, now |

Part Twelve

Matty Healy x reader

Summary: She’s just trying to get by, really. What with being a single parent to her four year old son whilst simultaneously trying to kick start a successful career as a radio presenter. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted though, friends close by, a mum who’s merely a phone call away, and of course her baby boy. What else is there to wish for? But then, it’s not long before her relatively normal life gets upended and turned on its head, and she’s suddenly forced to deal with situations she’s never even thought to imagine.

What happens when one mention of a certain controversial singer on her show sends a flood of unexpected challenges her way? 

Authors Note: This part took way too long to write. Had a bit of writers block ngl, but I managed to get it done last night when I couldn't sleep. Be prepared for a load of fluff but also some surprises. It's a good chapter, I enjoyed writing it once I finally got into it! But I'm also sorry for long wait! Hopefully the next will be along soon.

> Just a reminder! We left off on the red carpet with Mouse and Matty:) You can look back here if you'd like!

Masterlist

Mouse Updates! @/MOAMupdates 22m ago GFC Charity Event! The gals are currently live and interviewing The 1975! So far we’ve had Jamie Bell, Peter Capaldi, Dylan and Jordan Banjo! 2TIME @/user1 WHAT was that? 102 @/user2  chemistrychemistrychemistry Ugh! @/user3 SHE COOKED FOR HIM?? Soloveme? @/user4 What’s going on at this event?? It’s all over my feed😭 MILK @/user5 Screaming this is honestly all so mental Parisin75 @/user6 Wait so they’re friends now? Or is something else happening?? > Too_shy @/user7 Last time I checked but he seemed so happy on the carpet, and he wouldn’t look into the lens at all. His eyes were always focused just above it, either on Adi or Mouse! >> Drumonmepls @/user8 Couldn’t have been Adi!! She was to the left of Ross on and off screen!

***

It was days after the event that things seemed to finally settle again. For Matty, at least. Me? I was still getting the odd DM and tweet here and there, but I couldn’t complain, not with how it had been at the very start. Hordes upon hordes of people had come to make their opinions known on the stance of Matty and I’s ‘sudden’ friendship; fans had taken to both Twitter and Instagram, they’d called into the show, and a few had even turned up outside of the studio.

Matty had been helpful throughout it all though, mainly just finding ways to take my mind off of it and sending security down to the building just to ‘be on the safe side’. It’d been a nice gesture, sweet even. But had also meant that his management team had cracked down on him and the band, cooping the lot of them up in a recording studio and pressing them to finish up the album they were currently working on.

That in itself hadn’t affected me much, the whole Matty being distracted by work thing, because it had happened around about the same time that prep work for the Christmas period had kicked in. Which was basically a time where Adi and I focused on pre recording a few shows so that we could sail smoothly into the new year.

This year it had been hectic, to say the very least, but Finn had been a Godsend. Offering to pick up Teddy from nursery on the days when we were filming late and even keeping him occupied on the one weekend that we’d lost the previous day's audio- which had been a fucking nightmare.

Today though, was finally a day where I got some time to myself. Well, myself and Teddy, seeing as I’d completely and utterly missed him even with only having been gone a few extra hours in the day than usual. Still, the kid was my little ball of light and without him I’d be utterly lost.

“Alright there, Teds, what’re you drawing?”

It was a Sunday, the 17th to be precise, and so we only had a week and a bit left in the lead up to Christmas. I’d spent the morning wrapping most of Teddy’s presents before he’d woken and demanded sustenance- which, fair enough. But he was always a little moody whenever he first woke up. Bit like me, I suppose. And so, whilst I’d started cooking him his breakfast, I’d settled him down at the table with some paper and pens to keep him distracted, an old album by The Cranberries playing.

“Plane.” The toddler retorted easily enough, tongue poking out one side of his mouth in utmost concentration.

Grinning at the small action, I settled a cup of juice before him and then stroked a hand through his unruly hair. “Is that for mémé then?”

Teddy hummed, nodding his head at the odd angle it was resting at. I chuckled, always enamoured by his every little thing.

“That’s brilliant, bubs! I’m sure she’ll love it.” I assured him softly, trailing my fingers through his hair one last time before withdrawing to finish up with cooking.

“How many days?” Teddy asked once I’d plated everything up and taken my seat beside him at the table, immediately I knew what he was on about- seeing as he’d only asked the same question a dozen times a day since the last time we’d phoned my mum.

I pretended to think about it long and hard. “Um… about this many days.” I said, holding up six fingers.

Teddy’s brow instantly furrowed as he set about leaning as close as he could get over the tabletop to point towards each of my fingers. “One, two, three…”

“Six!”

I beamed once he’d finally got it, clapping along with him. “So good, you clever boy! Six- six days til mémé gets here!”

Teddy repeated the words in a breathy murmur, grinning gummily back at me as he wiggled in his chair. Then it was just “six” over and over again for a short while.

I tittered faintly to myself, shaking my head before we went about the rest of our breakfast in much the same manner.

It was almost ten to eleven when the doorbell went and I frowned at the thought of who it could possibly be.

“Mum, door.” Teddy informed me, still so invested in his colouring. I hummed softly in turn, wiping my hands before getting up to go answer it.

“Remember to put the lids back on.” I reminded him about the pens, tucking his hair behind his ear as I rounded his seat, “I’ll just be a sec, okay?”

“‘Kay.”

I smiled softly at his monosyllabic reply, listening to him mumble to himself as I padded my way into the hallway. From here I could just make out the darkened shadow standing on the other side of the door’s paned glass and flicked through a mental list of who it could possibly be, wondering if I'd forgotten anything that was supposed to be happening today. But I reckoned it could just as easily have been Finn dropping by for an impromptu visit, or Adi even.

Flicking the latch and pressing down on the handle, I opened it up only to blink at the figure that stood before me. They gifted me an impish grin as they pushed away from the door’s stoop and onto steady feet.

“Figured I’d just pop by, say hello.” Matty mentioned by way of hello, fiddling with an unlit cigarette he held between his fingers whilst I continued to stare back in surprise, “Studio’s been booked for the day, so I managed an easy escape.” He added when I made no move to reply, “Thought we could grab a coffee or something- if you ain't busy, that is.”

He tacked that last bit on in a rush, as though he was beginning to understand why I was so silent. He’d really, really caught me off guard here.

“Er, I mean it’s a bit out of the blue and that. Should've really texted, I know. But I figured I'd try my luck.” He blundered again, shifting awkwardly on my front step now, looking enough out of place for it to finally blink me out of my stupor.

“I-” I went to say but was ultimately interrupted by another voice from further inside the flat, one that was approaching on toddling feet all too fast for me to react to its sudden presence.

Matty’s eyes bulged a tad at the little face that poked its way out from behind my knees, and mine followed when it finally hit me what was actually happening. 

“God, sorry! You just- it’s- I just wasn’t expecting you.” I fumbled, arms reaching down on impulse to pick up the toddler by my feet. I forced out a heavy breath before plastering on a big smile for Teddy, who only seemed to have eyes for the curly haired man staring back at him. “Um, you wanting to come in then? I can do tea, I think. Coffee, even.”

I didn’t really give Matty much of a choice in the matter though, in truth, because I was sailing away to escape the sudden scenario that had started on my doorstep, simply so that I could wrap my head around it all. It was just as I made it back into the kitchen that I heard the door rattle close behind us though and then, as I'd perched Teddy back in his seat, I glanced up to find that Matty had in fact accepted the offer of a warm brew.

It was strange to watch it all fall into place for him, his eyes straying over toys that littered the livingroom floor, the tiny bike which sat in the corner, the star-chart that hung on the cupboard above the fridge, all of Teddy’s artwork and clothes that had been thrown about haphazardly over the last day or two.

I swallowed around my anxiety then, not really sure how I felt now that I knew that Matty finally knew. Because see, I had never really been sure. Teddy wasn’t much of a well kept secret amongst my longtime listeners but I didn’t go flaunting pictures around or mentioning him at every turn. For safety reasons and privacy’s sake. So I hadn't been too certain on whether Matty knew of him or not, having noticed that he’d failed to ever mention him in our texts or calls.

“Um, sorry for the mess. Work’s been a nightmare, and this is my first proper day off in weeks, you know? So." I shrugged a little helplessly, looking out at all of the chaos, then decided to pull on my big girl trousers and trek through this mess like I did everything else in life. “Tea, then? Or coffee?”

The small cough that escaped Matty’s throat echoed around the room once he’d found purchase in the kitchen’s entryway and his voice was tinged with a slight rasp when he finally spoke, “Yeah, uh yeah, please. Coffee.”

I smiled mostly to myself as I turned away to refill the kettle, my mind still whirling but finding relief in Matty’s obvious shock too. Whilst it began to boil though I had nothing much to occupy my mind with, so I decided to putter back on over to the table where Teds had started back up with his drawing and attempted to relax my shoulders. 

“Go on, sit down,” I said to Matty, pointing to a chair as I tried to steer us back into easier waters, “Feel lucky you just missed breakfast, this one tends to get it everywhere.” I chuckled lightly in hopes to fill the quiet I was met with.

Teddy glanced up at me then with a prominent pout, obviously not too pleased about my comment.  “No.” He argued and I heard Matty snort as he finally took a seat opposite, leaving Teddy to act as the buffer between us both.

“Uh, yes.” I fired back at the toddler, but little good it did me when Teddy only seemed to maintain his avid disagreement. 

“Uhuh. I eat it all today.” He reminded me, lips pushed out as his brows climbed higher up his forehead, leaning against the table’s edge again on his elbows. “See?” He added on, pointing a finger over towards where a sink full of soapy dishes now laid.

I smiled, unable to do anything but, though it was Matty who actually replied to him, which both surprised me and put me on immediate edge. “I mean, the little guys got a point. If you ate it all then there can’t be any mess, right?” He directed that last bit towards the little rugrat attempting to evade all guilt and I paused in wait to see how Teddy would respond.

Teddy appeared wary for a moment, blinking over at Matty in a startle, probably having not expected to be roped into a conversation, before his lips settled into something more like a grin. “Right!” He mimicked with a short nod of his head, his ‘r’ sounding more like a ‘w’.

Matty all but beamed at the sudden attention he’d drawn and continued to do so once Teddy started prattling away to him at a hundred miles an hour. I just left them to it, listening in as I padded back over to finish making the drinks. 

It was only after Matty had just about knocked back most of his coffee that Teddy grew tired of talking and asked if we could do something fun, eyes drifting over towards where we often kept his wellies. I knew just what fun he was looking to find.

I conceded easily enough, seeing as it was both his day as well as mine, and smiled with a gesture of my chin, “Go on then, but brush your teeth and find some proper clothes, then we can head on over. Alright?”

Teddy’s head shook up and down in rapid succession, already bolting up out of his seat to make a run for his bedroom. Matty wore an inquisitive look once it was just him and I, both of us sat on opposite sides of the table.

“The park.” I informed the singer, fiddling with the handle of my now empty mug whilst my eyes kept sliding back and forth from the counter to Matty himself.

The man simply hummed and leaned back in his seat, I was forced to watch on as he cast his eyes about the rest of my kitchen, taking his fill now that he had a moment to finally do so. I swallowed and struggled with the unforeseen worries of what he might see, what he might think of it all.

I wasn't well off, by any means. But I had a decent income, enough to provide for Teddy and I, as well as live comfortably. Though if the radio show suddenly dipped and we lost most of our viewing, then there’d be a whole different story to be told.

Even so, it was a much different life to the one Matty lived. That much I knew. So it wasn't too strange of me to wonder whether or not it met any of his standards. And how it alone made me feel.

“How old then?”

The question startled me somewhat, enough that I blinked and looked up at him without thought. My brows furrowed a tad and so he continued, “Teddy- was that it?” And at my nod of confirmation, he smiled at me for another answer, “How old is he?”

Caught off guard still, I gaped for a second and then forced myself to reply, “Um, four, he’ll be five soon enough.”

“Wow.” Was what Matty replied with in a soft murmur, his head moving in an ever so slight nod, “A good age though.” At my questioning look, he chuckled, “Or so I’ve been told.”

I hummed, mostly amused, then fiddled with one of the many pens Teddy had left behind at the table.

“They’ve all been good so far- the ages.” I said to him, rather stupidly, and grimaced around a low laugh at myself, “Just, I mean he’s a good kid, is all.”

Matty was smiling at me when I glanced back up, his eyes squinting with the strength of it. He knocked his fist on the table lightly, “Seems it. Just wish you’dve mentioned him sooner.”

I frowned at that, lips pursing as my nose wrinkled. I didn’t much like the way he’d phrased that last bit, because it’s not that I wasn’t proud of Teddy, I was always showing him off, constantly even. But I also didn’t feel as though everyone had the right to see to that. “Yeah, well he’s not a secret I’ve kept hidden. It’s just safer mostly.”

It was Matty’s turn to frown then, seemingly offended by the offhand remark. “What and that includes me, does it? You think that I’d be a danger to him?”

I stared back at him, brow dipped a tad, eyes squinted. Because I hadn’t meant to hurt him, far from, though could he really blame me for being cautious, for having wanted to keep Teddy away for as long as I had? 

“No,” I answered him, and it was an honest one, “But only now, after having known you as long as I have. I mean, you can’t really be surprised by the fact that I didn’t mention him in the beginning, Matty. I hardly knew you! I’d only ever had the picture that’d been painted of you in my head, I didn’t want that around him.”

He scoffed quietly at that and I heard the way his boot kicked out under the table as he shuffled further back in his chair to run a hand through his hair. “Yeah and what about now then?”

He had me there, I supposed. I sighed and raised a hand to rub at my tired eyes, this wasn't a conversation I had planned for yet, let alone on a morning like this.

“It’s hard, okay? It’s hard to know when to introduce him to new people, he’s only ever really known those closest to me, and after that it’s just been his nursery teacher and the handful of kids in his class.” I explained, watching Matty and hoping he heard the truth in my words, “And you’re this fucking celebrity people love, you’ve got places to be, fans to meet! I never once thought that you’d stick around, not for as long as you have at least. Or that you’d eventually pull me into your life.”

He looked up then, expression so carefully made. “And that’s a bad thing?”

I folded in on myself a little at his question. Unsure.

Matty rolled his lips together and dipped his chin in a slow nod, “Right.”

“Matty, it’s not like that.” I tried.

He was quick with his reply though, all but leaning into the table’s edge now, “Then what’s it like, Mouse?”

He hardly ever called me Mouse, from the day we’d met it had always been Squeaks.

I dragged a hand over my face and then into my hair, perhaps in hopes to bide my time, but mainly because I felt cornered. How was I supposed to tell Matty how much I valued him? His chaotic presence in my life, his texts and calls, his friendship. It was something I hadn’t known I’d needed, but he’d come along and surprised me. He had stuck around, even when I thought he wouldn’t, and he wasn’t asking for anything more than just my company. He didn’t have an ulterior motive, some trick up his sleeve. Or at least that’s what I believed.

“Does this change things, knowing I have a son?” I heard myself ask him, it was a genuine curiosity but I also had to know. I didn’t want to be strung along or let Matty into Teddy’s life like I had Finn and Adi, only for him to then up and leave when he finally grew bored of the normality of it all.

Matty simply stared back at me, those brown eyes of his narrowed as they flittered back and forth between my own, his lips parted slightly as he thought the question over.

“Do you want it to?”

And that hadn’t been the answer I was expecting.

Instantly I shook my head, dropping the pen so that my hands could fall limply into my lap. “Of course not, I like having you around, Matty. Me keeping Teddy from you has nothing to do with that.”

He continued to watch me.

Then finally he conceded with a prompt nod and I felt myself breathe in. “So, the park. Is there a spare invitation going?”

I let the air go in a stilted chuckle, smiling at the common ground he’d gifted us but also at the image of Matty messing about in a playground of all places. “Yes, yeah, ‘course.” I assured him, “Just, be prepared for any puddles, alright? He will soak you if you're within five feet of the splashzone.”

Matty finally laughed too, this soft thing I hadn’t really ever heard from him before, not in this way at least, and then grinned, whirling around in his seat when a stomping toddler came darting back into the room.

“Wellies ta!”

My eyes fell closed as I released another heavy sigh, “Please! Teds. Remember? Please, not ta.”

Teddy merely blinked back up at me and so I decided it would have to be a battle picked for yet another day. 

“Fine, go get them then.”

Matty snorted unhelpfully, which brought him to Teddy’s attention once more. “Need help with ‘em, little man?” He asked, raising a brow at me in hopes that it’d be okay.

I swallowed but ultimately nodded, I couldn’t not when Teddy’s curls started bouncing wildly with the nodding of his head at the question.

And so, I watched them go, Matty taking Teddy’s extended hand, praying that I hadn’t made a massive mistake here. Hoping that somehow Matty would prove me wrong and stay, for a little while.

–

The days after Matty’s impromptu visit came with little to no fuss, it was only when the man wasn’t in the studio that was on the phone to me- and by extension, Teddy as well, who’d taken quite the shine to him. Who could’ve known, hey?

Still, it was a massive change of pace. For me at least, I hadn’t managed to get a read on how Matty felt about it all, but I had yet to worry over it. Mostly because of the Christmas period and how stressed I’d been.

“Finn, I swear he’s driving me out of my mind!” I complained down the phone to my best mate, the thing was currently perched between my shoulder and ear whilst I attempted to throw my hair up into a half-arsed bun, if only to keep it out of my face. “The mess! I mean, it’s like a tornado’s gone and ripped its way through my flat!”

“He’s four, babe.” Came Finn’s unhelpful response. I huffed.

“Exactly! Four, how can someone so small create such a massive mess?” I stressed, trying to clear away as much of the clutter my living room was presently made up of as quickly as I could. “Mam’s gonna be here in,” I glanced hurriedly over at the clock on the far wall and felt my anxiety spike, “Just over an hour! I can’t let her walk into a bombsite!”

Finn laughed at that and so I scowled in retort, even if he couldn’t see me through the phone.

“Finn!” I admonished.

“Alright, sorry! It’s just, she’s your mum, babe. She won’t care what the flat looks like.” He tried to soothe me as he moved about on the other side, doing whatever it was that he was doing. “Why’s he made such a mess anyway?”

I gritted my teeth as I stepped on yet another rogue piece of Lego and just dropped down to start rounding everything and anything I could possibly see into a great big tub. 

“He’s excited, wanted to look nice for when mam shows up but also wanted to showcase to her all of his drawings and sculptures.” I told him, grimacing at the penstained action figure I picked up before tossing it amongst the heap too. “I’ve been in the kitchen mostly, cooking for when she arrives, so I didn’t really bear witness to the fact that he’d taken my permission and flipping run with it! You should see my front room, Finn.” I shook my head for the umpteenth time since I’d walked in and blinked at the chaos I’d been met with, “It’s a proper tip.”

I was given a resounding chuckle once more and simply decided to slump there on the floor, glad to note that most of everything had now been packed into the box. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.

“Finn, I don’t even want to go and see what his bedroom looks like as of right now. I can just picture how his wardrobe’s been overturned and all of his clothes have been tossed about the room.” 

I forced myself up onto my feet then, halfheartedly listening to Finn’s reply. I still needed to sort myself out before anything else and that thought alone stressed me out further.

And of course! Of course it would be in that exact moment that the doorbell went.

“Fuck.” I mumbled to myself, but found my feet already taking me towards the door. I paused only briefly by the mirror to catch sight of the mess my hair was in and tugged it free in hopes it’d help somewhat, “Listen babe, sorry for all my whinging but I’d best go. Door’s just gone and I’m guessing it’ll be that parcel I’ve been waiting on.”

“Cutting it pretty late there.” Finn said and I couldn’t agree more. It was the 23rd, Christmas was now only days away and still I’d yet to receive it- even after having ordered it well over three weeks ago!

“Fucking hell, tell me about it,” I groaned, opening the door up to be met with the sight of a big wrapped box blocking my vision. My forehead wrinkled in utter confusion, “Um, Finn? I really am going to have to call you back.”

“Why, what’s happened? Don’t leave me hanging! Who is it!”

The parcel dropped down an inch then to reveal a familiar grin and shining eyes. 

“Surprise?”

I hurriedly hung up the phone and shoved it into my back pocket, the feeling of bewilderment unable to override the instant worries that washed over me about what a state I must've looked. But I bullied those thoughts back down, ignoring the massive part of me that was currently screaming at the entire situation, for whatever reason I couldn’t even begin to really understand, cause it was just Matty, right? And instead propped myself up against the doorframe.

“What’s this then?” I asked, unable to help my smile when he was looking back at me seemingly so pleased with himself.

“Christmas, in’t it?” He replied all too easily, shaking the rather large present he held in his grasp to further the point.

“I can see that.” I chuckled, shaking my head a little at the picture he made, all bundled up on my front doorstep practically dwarfed by the box he’d brought along. “I just thought you were headed home today.”

He shrugged, an action that was made funnier by the large parcel, but continued smiling, “Meant to, just couldn’t leave without seeing you lot first.”

I blinked, startled by his words. But grinned when he merely widened both his eyes in exaggeration.

“It is fucking freezin’ out here, you know! Could invite a mate in.” Matty reminded me, so I hummed, mulling it over. But he wasn’t one to give up too easily and bribery appeared to be his best tactic here, “I’ve got presents. So open up or they’re going back.”

I narrowed my eyes in turn, “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, but darling I would.”

I found myself grinning at him again, something I tended to do whenever he was around it seemed. There was just something about him, I supposed. 

He went to take a step back then and I relented all too easily. “Alright.” I laughed, opening the door up wider to allow him in. Matty all but jumped over the threshold, bringing the cold in with him, and whilst he set about shaking off his coat I went to close the door behind him, only to be stopped by a bright red coat.

“Oh, thanks.” I said in surprise to the postie that managed to time his arrival so perfectly. “Thank you,” I repeated for good measure, shooting my head up from the packaged parcel he’d handed me, “Happy Holidays!” He grinned in return, already taking off back down the steps and parroting the same sentiment to me.

I finally managed to shut the door after that and was met with a ruddy-faced Matty, who was wrapped in a big jumper I was immediately jealous of.

“Last minute present?” He wondered with a smirk and I waved him off.

“Ordered it weeks ago, got here just in time.”

Matty hummed and turned back to glance down at the big box that now rested against my hallway radiator, level with my hip it seemed. “Where is the monster?” He asked me, using the name both he and Teddy had taken a liking to.

My brow furrowed slightly. “You really didn’t have to, Matty.” I said to him quietly, looking down at the present he’d gotten for my son. 

He was having none of it though, rolled his eyes in fact and hunched over to pick the box up again. “Shut up.”

I snorted and couldn’t help but bite back, “You shut up.”

“Real mature, sweetheart. Ain’t you parents meant to be all boring and nice?” Matty quipped as he wandered his way into my living room, I breathed in a sigh of relief when I followed behind and found that my efforts in cleaning hadn’t been in vain.

“Ha ha. Should’ve taken up comedy.” I retorted to him, fixing a few pillows that sat askew on the settee, something to which Matty also rolled his eyes at.

“Nah, band makes more money.” He answered easily, like he’d thought about it before, as he glanced about for the best place to put the box.

“By the tree if you want, or you can leave it next to the chair so he’ll see it when he barrels in.”

Matty laughed and went with the latter. “You been alright then?” He asked me, taking the time to glance at all the holiday cards that rested on the mantelpiece nearby.

“Yeah,” I sighed with a small smile, “Hectic but that’s expected, isn’t it?”

He shot me a warm grin, nodding. “Christmas, babe.” Was all he replied with, which was fair enough, then he went to reach out to pick up a picture frame of me and a very very tiny Teddy. “When was this?”

I stepped closer and smiled down at the photo, “I was still in hospital with him then, my midwife took it.”

Matty hummed, looking down at it with a soft smile. It was then that I heard a thump sound somewhere down the hall, so I released a weighted breath and forced myself to step away, “I’ve got to go check on Teddy, he wanted to dress himself this morning and he’s been way too quiet.”

With another laugh, Matty let me go, nosing through more of the photos and cards which sat along the shelf. Something I could understand, he’d only been here just twice before, but even still, he didn’t care for how blatant he was with his nosing. 

I took the parcel with me as I went, slipping into my bedroom to unwrap and grin down at it. It was Matty’s, which is why its arrival had been so perfect. I'd begun to think that I would have to give it to him the next time I saw him. But now was as good a time as ever.

In a rush, I pulled out a gift bag and some coloured tissue paper, having no time to actually wrap it, and plopped it in. Making my way into the next room to see where Teddy had gotten to.

When I pushed his door open further than it was, I was only slightly surprised by the state of it. The rugrat in question, though, was stood by his wardrobe door, pulling an array of funny faces in its mirror.

“Oi mister, what you been up to?”

Teddy startled slightly at my voice but was giggling when he spun around to spot me. “Got dressed myself.” He stated, pointing proudly at the t-shirt he’d managed to pull on.

“Hm, so you have!” Taking in the jeans and tee combo he’d picked, I then grinned over at him, “Looking good, boyo. Could be a little stylist when you’re older, you know!”

Teddy gave me one of his impish grins and then darted over towards me. “No!” He dragged out in reply, hands clutching at my legs now he was near, his sweet mischievous face staring up at me, “Gone be like you.”

I had to press my lips together then to keep the strength of my smile at bay, his words making my heart swell. “You little charmer.” I chuckled, running a hand through his unruly locks, “Come on though, you’ve got a visitor.”

His eyes widened as he jumped back to rock onto the balls of his feet. “Mémé?” He asked excitedly and I almost felt bad about it not being her, but I knew how much Teddy had also grown to like Matty in the recent days so I wasn't too fussed.

I shook my head, “Not yet, soon though. But somebody else came to see you.”

Teddy’s eyebrows rose as he thought about who it could be and so, knowing that we could possibly be here all day, I started to steer him out into the hallway.

“Finny?” He asked, then, “Santa?”

I snorted, then shook my head to both. “Nope and no. Why don’t we just go see, hey?”

And with that I pushed the door to the living room open wider and watched on as Teddy gasped at the sight of the curly haired frontman standing by our settee.

“Matty!” He all but squealed, practically catapulting himself across the room to make a dive for the man.

Matty laughed, though also seemed startled by the reaction he’d garnered. He swept Teddy up though, all the same, and jostled him around before settling the toddler on his hip, eyes bright with something when they glanced over at me. I smiled, a heavy feeling settling itself in my chest.

“Alright, mate? What you been up to?” Matty asked Teddy, falling back onto the cushions behind them and stationing the toddler next to him.

Teddy replied in earnest, excited to tell Matty all the tales he had stored away since the last time they’d spoken, which had been a few nights previous over a FaceTime call. 

I shook my head in amusement and trailed over towards the kitchen, silenting motioning to Matty to see if he wanted a drink. The answer, as always, was yes and so I set about brewing him his usual, along with my own, taking the time to clean myself up a bit too.

By the time I walked back in, Teddy had just about finished telling Matty all the details of his last day at nursery (they’d had a party), which I’m sure the man had already heard about, but who acted as though it was the most brilliant story he’d ever been told. 

“One coffee.” I said in greeting, placing the two mugs onto coasters before taking a perch on the armchair by them.

“Ta.” Matty replied, grinning madly when Teddy cackled gleefully and repeated the word over and over. I rolled my eyes at the pair of them and took a calming sip of tea, unaware of how much I’d been in dire need of it. Whoever claimed Sunday’s were a day of rest, were liars.

“He spotted it yet then?” I asked aloud, already knowing the answer seeing as how I didn’t currently have a bouncing Teddy on my hands.

The toddler’s face wrinkled in confusion and he shot his head over to see me, I grinned from behind my mug. “Huh?” He sounded.

Matty hid his next snort well but then hummed too, pushing forward in his seat to grab at his coffee. “Oh his present, you mean?”

That had Teddy’s head spinning. “Where!”

“Manners, bubs.” I reminded, and Teddy nodded so quickly I was honestly a little worried about the whiplash he might face before his eyes were back on Matty.

“Please, present?” Teddy asked, pouting up at the curly haired man with a sudden urgency, his words butchered by his missing bottom teeth.

Matty chuckled, glad for the fact that he’d put his coffee back down in the toddler's haste, and then gestured his head over to the right. “You mean that one?”

Teddy’s eyes, if even possible, widened further, eyebrows reaching the tips of his curls and mouth dropping open as he finally spotted it.

“For me?” He gasped in awe, shuffling down Matty’s leg to approach it, all of his movements now slow as if his shock was stopping him from reacting typically. 

I leaned forward to watch on and Matty did the same, obviously nervous for Teddy’s reaction.

“For you, mate. Was walking by this shop the other day and spotted it, thought of you.” Matty told him seriously, smiling too whilst he wrung his hands together, foot tapping anxiously away, though unaware of it.

Teddy looked back at him, chewing on his bottom lip carefully, taking two more steps before he was touching the wrapping. He oohed at it softly to himself but I caught the way Matty’s face brightened at the sound.

“‘pen now?” Teds asked, his eyes drifting away from the gift, towards me and Matty both.

Matty looked over at me then too, the same question echoed on his face. I nodded with a small smirk, “Go on.”

Teddy’s eyes lit up and he spun back around to marvel at it once more, “W’ats it?”

The snort that escaped me at his ask went unnoticed by the pair as Matty moved to join the toddler on the floor. “Gotta open it up and find out, I ‘spose.”

Teddy’s grin brightened and then he fell to his bum so that he could pull the present closer. “Help?”

Matty blinked at the request and I was witness to the way his throat bobbed before he nodded, “Yeah, sure mate. Here, pull this, alright?”

Teddy did as instructed, tugging on a small opening in the wrapping. 

I noted as he began to tear away at it, how oddly wrapped it really was, meaning that Matty had probably taken the time to wrap it himself. My chest tightened again at the thought.

“Box.” Teddy announced once all the wrapping paper had been discarded on the rug behind him, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from outright laughing at the befuddled expression he gave Matty.

The man had no qualms though, simply chuckled at the question and leaned in closer to force one side of the cardboard box up a little, “Gotta open up that too, monster.”

Teddy’s brows drew together in concentration as he followed Matty’s lead, forcing the lid open more before a loud gasp escaped him. Matty went back to wringing his hands, fiddling with the rings on his fingers whilst I moved over to the settee to get a look too.

My expression faltered at the sight of the beautiful gift Matty had given Teddy. Inside the box rested a guitar in an incredible shade of deep blue, it was small enough for Teddy to hold whilst also being big enough for him to grow with. Even with my obsessive love for music, not once had I ever really thought about buying Teddy such a thing, not one of this calibre at least. It must've cost a fortune.

“Matty.” I whispered, but the man didn’t even spare a look my way, eyes trained on my toddler, trying to garner his reaction.

“You know what it is, mate?” He asked after a moment and Teddy’s little head dipped in a slow nod. Because I knew he knew, he danced around constantly pretending to have one in his hands whenever we had the tele or radio on. Where there was music blaring, there would also be a Teddy playing air guitar.

“‘tar.” Teddy stated in a soft voice, both Matty and I smiled at the way he said it, but the former nodded, pulling the instrument out of the box so that Teddy could get a closer look.

“Cool right?”

Teddy nodded silently again, reaching out a hand to carefully touch the wooden neck, blinking and reeling back when a string strummed. Before he then giggled and reached out once more.

Matty seemed to slump in relief, evidently glad that Teddy liked it. But I’d go as far to even say he adored it, never had he ever been so gentle with anything.

“Have you got something to say to Matty, Teds?” I prompted, ignoring the way my throat caught at the emotion I felt. I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it.

Teddy pulled his eyes away from the guitar to gaze up at Matty as though he was something other. I merely blinked at the reaction and before I knew it Teddy had thrown himself into Matty’s arms, startling the man a tad. Matty welcomed him after a second though, glancing over the toddler’s head to share a look with me.

“T’ank you.” I heard Teddy muffle into the collar of Matty’s jumper then, actually saying the words this time. It seemed Matty knew what that meant too, because he tightened his hold on Teddy’s waist a little.

“You’re welcome, mate.”

The rest of Matty’s visit was used to teach Teddy a bit about the basics of a guitar, managing to play an E minor and get started on an A chord. Teddy listened to Matty with rapt attention, barely sparing anything else a second glance, which was startling for a toddler, let alone Teddy who was constantly go, go, go.

Watching them was all too lovely as well. For someone with such a cool front, Matty seemed to melt around Teddy, succumbing to that of the boy’s charm and easy going nature. It was sweet to see, surprising but endlessly sweet. Had me losing track of time, in truth. Which is why I jumped and cursed the way I did when the door finally knocked. 

“Mémé!”

[jewish-vents]

I've been a huge fan of Jessie Gender and their videos for a long time, she is an incredibly kind and thoughtful person, always trying to see everything from both perspectives to gain a deeper understanding

But being a leftist it was inevitable that she'd make some kind of video on the topic of I/P

Which is exactly what I saw in my feed today

It's hard to describe the anxiety I felt reading the title and seeing fucking Bibi in the thumbnail

I gathered my courage and clicked on the video, albeit skipping right to the "conclusion" section

Now granted I didn't watch the whole video and I'm sure Jessie has presented a lot of good points and has done their research but... what I heard in the conclusion section was honestly enough for me to not want to watch the rest of the video no matter how well done it is (similar to Dead Domain talking about the subject)

Of course OF FUCKING COURSE despise the framing of the video as a starting point of a discussion on antisemitism on the left and a rejection of binary thinking and how "anti" movements don't inherently facilitate actually building something instead of just destroying (which is so true) we still ended up with: "I fear this video will be taken as me saying that antisemitism is a large scale problem deep in the core of leftist ideology and buying into the horseshoe theory"

News flash it is, antisemitism is deeply ingrained into culture as a whole everywhere so of course there'd be a huge antisemitism problem on the left (because there is) and specific types of antisemitism endemic to the left *cough* soviet propaganda *cough*, not to mention that most leftists simply never bother to deal with antisemitism that has been ingrained in them by virtue of living in a society

Which is especially apparent now when I a lot of the time genuinely can't tell the difference between a leftist and a neonazi when it comes to jews which is really fucking scary you know?

Don't remember who said it but "antisemitism is the hammer forging the horseshoe theory"

I'm just so tired of this

Oh and we couldn't go five minutes of a conclusion without stating "genocide", of course of course...

I feel like I'm going insane

I should've expected this, after seeing this happen so many times I should be more prepared but I'm not

Maybe I'm overreacting and the rest of the video is fantastic (which I hope is the case) but I just can't think of any reason why torturing myself trying to watch it is a good idea

Not when we just had our own January 6th it seems

(fuck the officials endorsing storming a military base and military court IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU)

.

[ysmtttty]

Red Ferrari

Chapter 5

Azris AU, where Azriel is a mechanic and has his own service station. One day, Eris comes there because something is wrong with his car.

AO3 link Chapter 4 Chapter 6

Eris woke up to the rays of the sun and scolded himself for leaving the curtains open. For a second, he panicked at how much he had overslept, but then he remembered that it was Saturday and technically his day off. Not that it had stopped him before, but today he was ready to reprioritize and send productivity far, far away.

Last night had been... something. He felt it in the soreness, in the pulling pain in the places where bites and hickeys were scattered all over his body. Well, at least it was a sign that it had been real, since it hadn't felt real at all.

Eris ran his hand over the other half of the bed, feeling only cold sheets, and let out a disappointed sigh. Yes, maybe he had hoped Azriel would stay. A little. Just a tiny bit. Especially after Azriel had stayed last night, lying behind him and kissing his shoulder blades while Eris drifted off to sleep from exhaustion.

Well, not everything in life went the way we wanted, and in Eris's life, not much was going according to plan right now, although he was diligently trying to fix that.

After lying in bed a little longer, he got up, picking up his conveniently folded, though not particularly neat, clothes from the bedside table. For a second, he wanted to hit himself for thinking this gesture was cute.

Throwing on a shirt and gray pants, he went downstairs, hoping to have some coffee and maybe order some food, but he heard sounds coming from the kitchen even as he was on the stairs. Frowning and already preparing to grab a shoehorn as the first weapon that came to hand, Eris glanced toward the entryway. He was quite surprised when he saw Azriel's sneakers still present there.

Eris went to the kitchen, finding Azriel there. Dressed and standing with his back to him, rustling with some bag that hadn't been in his apartment before. As he approached, Eris couldn't help but notice the hickey-covered neck, which no collar would hide, and he mentally wondered how terrible he himself looked.

"Are you trying to rob my kitchen?" came the voice from behind. Azriel continued rummaging through the bag, brought from the store he had visited just ten minutes ago, spending twice as much as planned. Damn rich neighborhoods and their markups.

"Quite the opposite," he smiled and turned to Eris, who looked at him as if he were either a ghost or just an idiot because what was he even doing in his apartment that morning? By all rights, he should have been the first to run off, grabbing his clothes.

And honestly? Maybe that would have saved him from the typical awkward morning conversation. And Azriel had almost left, he had a whole hour to do so. But something at first kept him from getting out of bed; his favorite excuse was that the room was too cold and the bed seemed warm, and... if he were completely honest, Eris's body also radiated warmth, pleasant and comfortable warmth. Then he finally got out of bed and walked around the apartment with his bare butt, playing a find-your-clothes quest, since his clothes were scattered literally throughout the entire place and no, it was by no means a small place; and then something once again kept him from cowardly fleeing.

Unlikely his conscience, as with a mechanic overcharging without any problem, there was still little left of it. And certainly not love, because how could he be in love with Eris? But still, part of his mind screamed that after the stunt with the ignoring, his current escape would count as something equally bastardly. And a bastard was the last thing Azriel wanted to be right now. Any other time? No problem. Today and towards Eris? No, thank you.

"I wanted to make breakfast," Azriel said, almost laughing when Eris's eyes widened a bit in surprise. "But your fridge was as good as empty. Seriously, I could believe you were a vampire living off the blood of commoners."

"Judging by the fact that you're still alive and your carotid artery is quite intact, I ask you to take your supernatural suspicions off me," Eris shook his head, coming closer. "And responding to accusations against my fridge, I don't cook. My housekeeper does, but she's on vacation this week, so I'm living off deliveries."

"Well, it's too late now because I bought groceries, and you're about to try the best omelet of your life," Azriel said with feigned self-confidence.

"All right, my kitchen is all yours, Gordon Ramsay," Eris sat at the bar, watching Azriel take charge in his kitchen.

Azriel was amazed at how Eris knew absolutely nothing about his own kitchen. Every time he asked where something was, Eris shrugged and answered, "I don't know." The only thing he could answer was where the coffee mugs were and explain how to use the coffee machine, which Azriel at first tried to fiddle with and then gave up, deciding to figure it out later.

In just ten minutes, Azriel placed two plates of omelets in front of him. He could call it his culinary masterpiece, but breakfast was literally a mixture of eggs with everything he found and bought at the supermarket.

Eris poked at the omelet with his fork before taking a bite. Azriel thought about how he wanted to hear a positive reaction from him. Just wanted to. A silly whim.

"I have to admit, it's very tasty," Eris said, justifying his hope.

Azriel couldn't hold back a smile as Eris continued to eat. And damn, he was so beautiful. Impossibly so. Utterly unfairly. With marks on his skin that Azriel had carefully left on him last night, with sharp facial features, with those damn freckles.

"Your omelet is getting cold," Eris noted. "You can look and eat at the same time."

Azriel rolled his eyes at that smug tone and knowing grin.

"As you say," he grumbled and grabbed his fork.

They ate breakfast in silence, after which Eris stacked the plates in the sink and moved to the coffee machine to make them coffee. Azriel made no secret of staring at his butt while he stood with his back to him.

"This is surprisingly not awkward," he said suddenly. Eris raised an eyebrow questioningly as he approached the counter with two mugs of coffee. "Being here. In the morning."

"Does this mean I've earned a call or a message?" he asked mockingly, taking a sip of coffee. Azriel regretted speaking up for a second.

"Hey, I kind of apologized," he said in weak defense. "Several times."

"Hmm," Eris drawled.

"What do you mean, 'hmm'?"

"I don't think I consider sex as an apology."

Oh. Well, damn.

Azriel looked at him for a long time, not knowing what he should say. Because yesterday, it seemed like they had sort of smoothed things over and everything was resolved. However, now Eris was telling him that he still didn't forgive him for the ignoring. Deservedly? Yes. Did Azriel know what to do? Oh no, absolutely not.

In any other situation, he would have immediately called Cassian or Rhysand, demanding quick advice because despite how he criticized their advice, once a year, they were still helpful. However, now he had a) a broken phone; b) he was in the middle of a conversation and had nowhere to run.

"I could apologize on my knees," Azriel said instead. Eris smirked into his coffee mug. "What? You didn't complain yesterday."

In response, Eris just shook his head and continued to drink his coffee. Okay. Perhaps Azriel really regretted that his last relationship was long ago and not very successful because now he could use some experience. He really didn't have much experience with apologies.

He didn't even catch the moment when it went from "get laid once" to "I need to find a way to apologize to Eris." Nevertheless, it felt right. It felt right to be here in the morning and think about how to apologize for his bastard behavior.

"How about revenge, then?" Azriel said.

"Revenge?" Eris asked, raising an eyebrow, sounding both nonchalant and intrigued, clearly trying to mask interest.

"I'll invite you on a date; you can ignore me afterward," Azriel smiled, pleased with his idea to no end. Eris blinked a couple of times before smiling.

"So you're inviting me?"

Azriel smiled wider and nodded. "I can even do it officially. Eris, would you like to go on a date with me?"

"I'll think about it," Eris replied importantly. Azriel just rolled his eyes, sipping his coffee before it cooled.

"I don't have multiple cars to ask in a new one each time, but you're a lawyer; I can commit different minor offenses every day to call you under a new pretext," Azriel said, turning their situation around one hundred eighty degrees. "Just don't make it escalate to murder."

"I'm afraid my services are not affordable for an ordinary mechanic," Eris smirked, setting his mug on the counter and resting his chin on his intertwined fingers.

"I'm sure we can negotiate a payment method," Azriel mirrored his smile.

Eris chuckled softly and rolled his eyes. Azriel noticed himself breaking into a grin. Damn. He hadn't felt like this in a long time, simply enjoying spending time with someone.

"Next Friday, say, at seven," Azriel said. "Just don't expect a car show. I have a slightly more limited budget and fewer connections."

"Fortunately for you, I'm tired of expensive restaurants and VIP boxes. Besides, I'm very curious about what you consider a regular date."

"So the real me."

"The real you," Eris nodded.

"Deal," Azriel agreed, though his mind was chaotically and wildly pondering possible places for the date.

When Azriel finished his coffee, he lingered for a few more minutes, feeling that, for some strange reason, he still didn't want to leave. Eris leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms over his chest and watching him attentively as if trying to understand what he was thinking. Or maybe that was his way of silently telling him, "Get lost already," and Azriel just couldn't take the hint.

In any case, he soon remembered that he still had to pick up his car from the parking lot, buy a new phone, and go to Cassian because he had agreed to help him choose a gift for the "anniversary" of his acquaintance with Nesta. He wasn't sure if Nesta would be pleased, but he had promised to help anyway.

"I'm going," Azriel said. "I solemnly swear to text this time, send all the details, and... see you."

"See you," Eris saluted him with a small smile, watching him as Azriel put on his shoes and left the apartment.

"Where would you take Nesta on a date if she agreed?" Azriel asked while they were wandering through countless shops. Rhysand was staring at his phone, not even paying attention to them. Cassian was like a child, staring at all the shop windows around with adoration.

"Huh?" He realized the question was directed at him. "I don't know. Probably to a ballet or just a theater. Feyre said she loved those things when she was a child."

"Feyre?" Rhysand looked up, apparently treating the name like a keyword that caught his attention. Azriel and Cassian both rolled their eyes. "What?"

"At least pretend you're listening," Cassian grumbled, then turned back to Azriel. "What's the question for? Did Elain say something yesterday?"

Elain. Right, it all started with him agreeing to give Elain a ride to the restaurant yesterday. Right now, it seemed so distant that Azriel didn't immediately realize it was less than a day ago. However, he wasn't planning to tell his friends about what happened just yet. It might distract Cassian from their search, and they would definitely make him tell as much as possible. And while this was never a problem for him before, now Azriel felt a need to keep this moment intimate. Or maybe he was just tired of reporting every detail of his personal life to these two idiots.

"No, you and Nes just talked for a long time yesterday," Azriel shrugged. "I thought you might have melted her heart with your jokes and skilled hands."

"Funny," Cassian rolled his eyes. "Nesta said yesterday that if I didn't fix her car within an hour, she'd stab me with a screwdriver. No clarification as to where."

"Elite flirting, no doubt," Rhysand muttered, still looking at his phone.

Azriel sighed, realizing he wouldn't get any ideas from them for the date until he spelled it out. Cassian led them into yet another store full of decorative knick-knacks, looking at every item on the shelves with admiration. Rhysand stepped out of the store, answering a phone call and sounding very irritated. Azriel stood there thinking he might ask Rhysand for an advance and take Eris to a decent place.

However, the concept of a decent place was vague. Just a good restaurant? Kind of, but after the car show, it felt lame. A movie? They weren't teenagers. A walk in the park? Absolutely, definitely, ironclad no, no, and no. And for the rest of the ideas, his imagination was too poor.

"Why are you zoning out?" Cassian asked, giving him a flick on the forehead. Azriel frowned and kicked him back in retaliation.

"Didn't get enough sleep," Azriel grumbled, adjusting the collar of his turtleneck.

They went through a few more stores, where Cassian first asked for their and Rhysand's opinions and then picked the opposite item, grumbling that they had no taste.

"How's Feyre?" Azriel asked Rhysand when they were both waiting for Cassian to pay at the register.

"Great," Rhysand smiled. "Today we're going to an art museum exhibition she really wanted to see."

"Oh," Azriel replied, making a mental note.

Maybe he was clueless about art, but Eris should love that; it was quite in line with rich guys like him. Paintings that made no sense, museum exhibitions, all that. Although they had agreed to have the date more in "his style," Azriel didn't want to disappoint Eris with that very style.

"You're surprisingly interested in our personal lives today," Rhysand noted, looking thoughtful.

"You're surprisingly attentive for someone who spends ninety percent of the time on the phone," Azriel retorted with a shrug. Rhysand just snorted, demonstratively putting his phone in his jacket's inner pocket.

"You texted him, right?"

"Sort of," Azriel nodded weakly. "And we kind of agreed on a second date. I agreed. It's kind of like an apologetic date, so the bar is set high, and given how wealthy he is, that bar rises to the height of the Empire State Building."

"I'm sure you'll handle it," Rhysand shrugged, clearly not planning to offer him an easy solution. He could have. He must have had tons of ideas, probably with plans for dates for the next ten years.

"You've been a huge help," Azriel said sarcastically.

"Am I dating this guy or you?"

"I kind of asked for advice."

"What's the topic?" Cassian interrupted, dragging a bag with a newly purchased music box.

"Azriel's going on a second date," Rhysand immediately answered.

"Seriously? And you kept quiet all this time?!" Cassian exclaimed, almost offended. Azriel rolled his eyes. "Where are you going this time? Please tell me it's a helicopter ride over the city."

Azriel stared at him for a long time; Rhysand pulled out his phone and started jotting something down.

"I asked him on a date," Azriel said, greatly disappointing Cassian. "So I'm in charge of organizing and choosing the place. Open to any suggestions."

He was met with silence and two sympathetic looks. Well, great. Azriel just sighed and shook his head, realizing he wouldn't find good advice here.

Later that evening, he spent long hours on the internet, trying to figure out where to take someone on a date that wouldn't resemble a clichéd rom-com, wasn't lame, and was financially feasible. His only luck was that he had invited Eris on a date for Friday, meaning he had almost a week to organize everything.

On Sunday evening, he realized he was screwed.

On Monday at noon, Lucien burst into Eris’s office, this time with coffee and a paper bag full of pastries, clearly wanting to appease him to find out more details. Eris could have been annoyed if he hadn’t been the one who taught Lucien this trick in the first place.

“Spill,” Lucien demanded, settling into his seat after leaving the coffee and what turned out to be a croissant on his desk. Eris gave him a look before rolling his eyes.

“I’m working, Lucien,” he grumbled, setting aside the motion to dismiss the witnesses. “Don’t you have any classes today? Shifts at the bar?”

“You did something with him!” Lucien beamed, too perceptive. Eris regretted ever giving his brother free access here. This conversation was going to give him a headache. “You’re not even denying it. Damn, Eris, tell me you slept together.”

“First of all, gross, why are we even discussing my personal life this way?” Eris complained, wrinkling his nose. “Second, don’t you have anything better to do? You know, they needed an assistant in the office downstairs…”

“Don’t change the subject. Yes or no?”

“Yes, happy?” Eris rolled his eyes. “Now, for the love of God and my nervous system, stop asking such blunt questions.”

“And now you’re dating,” Lucien said with such gleeful eyes that Eris was ready to open the window and throw his younger brother out of it. “Or is he in radio silence again?”

Eris rolled his eyes and shook his head. Azriel was not, in fact, in radio silence as he had been before. For example, yesterday, they had called each other because Azriel wanted to let him know he had no idea where to take him, thanks for the honesty, and decided to ask about his preferences. Eris spent an extra twenty minutes explaining that he really meant he wanted to get to know Azriel better and for him to choose a place to his liking. Azriel said he’d regret it and hung up.

“We’re not dating,” Eris clarified, so his younger brother wouldn’t get any dumb ideas. Considering that he loved to report any gossip to his girlfriend, and his girlfriend turned out to be Azriel’s friend, this was extremely dangerous.

“For now,” Lucien smirked, as satisfied as a cat full of cream. Eris couldn’t resist and threw a pencil at him, which he didn’t manage to dodge and yelped, rubbing his head.

“I don’t understand your good mood,” Eris grumbled, ignoring Lucien’s pout.

“You look happy,” Lucien declared honestly and straightforwardly. “Don’t throw things at me for telling the truth. Lately, you do seem happier, and I’m glad because, to be honest, your ex-wife was a bitch, and the last four years have made you even grumpier than usual. And you weren’t a ball of sunshine to begin with. So I’m really glad there’s someone in your life who makes you happy.”

Eris looked at him silently, wondering how obvious his mood was to those around him. Maybe only to Lucien, as he was one of the few people always hovering around him. But even so, he never thought he looked so unhappy in his marriage to Mor. Especially considering he was obligated to appear as a contented husband in the eyes of society. He also never thought he could look and be happy at the same time.

“That’s surprisingly sappy. Write that in your poetry collection,” he said sarcastically. Lucien just rolled his eyes, getting up from his seat.

“I know it’s easier for you to be a sarcastic jerk, but I also know you know I’m right,” he said. “And I have to get to class.”

“Off you go,” Eris waved him off.

Eris was left alone in the office and couldn’t focus on the motion to dismiss. Damn Lucien and his sappy romance. He looked happy? Like hell, he changed externally at all. He didn’t fear admitting that he enjoyed Azriel’s company, but they hadn’t known each other long and weren’t even dating to seriously consider such a heavy concept as “happiness.”

Running a hand through his tousled hair, Eris sighed. This week, he had the first hearing for his divorce. They postponed it for the third time because, three times, they both hoped one of them would give in and simply concede. Considering they were only dividing Eris’s money, he’d concede in hell, but never here.

Eris still didn’t understand why Mor suddenly needed money so badly. Maybe she had a bad habit of going to the casino like her father, who, according to information from Eris’s reliable sources, had debts as before their marriage and still afterward. Apparently, even Beron’s connections couldn’t help him. Not that Eris cared.

Or maybe it was because Mor had some other addiction. He wouldn’t be surprised if her gatherings with the brainless trophy wives obsessed with matcha and Pilates ended in cocaine. However, perhaps these assumptions were made by his hatred for her rather than cold reason.

And yet, Mor recently openly showed him she wouldn’t hesitate to send that damned video to his clients, competitors, and maybe even family. And while he could, in theory, eliminate the competitors by having other levers of pressure on them, and as conservative as his client base was, they knew they wouldn’t find a better lawyer than him, his father might very well bury him alive. And he’d be damned for once admitting this to Mor.

He could blackmail her in return. Hire a private investigator, find all the necessary information, and threaten her on a grand scale. However, something very similar to sheer exhaustion inside him screamed to just give her this half of the resources, including the apartment and half the cars, and be rid of her as soon as possible. Eris could be the best lawyer in the country, but he wanted to involve innocent people in this divorce the least. And on sheer bluff, he likely wouldn’t get far, though he might take the risk.

On Wednesday, Eris went to the hearing. He was represented by one of the best lawyers in his firm, in whom he had great confidence. But even so, the trial stretched for an entire day, thanks to Mor's crocodile tears about how he humiliated her in the marriage and was often "on the verge of using physical force." Eris’s lawyer quickly refuted these accusations, but Eris felt it was just the beginning.

The court exhausted him horribly, so he didn’t immediately notice Azriel’s message on his phone when he got home.

“I finally figured out where we’re going,” he wrote. Eris, despite the huge lump of irritation and fatigue, smiled weakly.

“Dress code? I don’t want to end up in a suit for skydiving.”

“No parachutes.”

“But no suits either. Casual clothes, if you have those at all.”

“Oh no, my wardrobe and I are offended you think that.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven. Really, it’d be better if you dressed casually, pretty boy.”

Pretty boy. Eris stared at the screen for a long time, trying to process his emotions regarding this nickname, which definitely gave him vivid flashbacks from the night with Azriel when he called him that during the second round.

On Friday, Eris finished work at five, which surprised his subordinates, who were used to him working late and on weekends. He ignored their joking comments and surprised looks. Then, he was in great distress because, as it turned out, even in a closet the size of a large room, he didn't have many options for casual clothing.

It didn't mean he didn't have any, but the selection was slimmer than the choice of shirts and suits. He had more ties than anything considered casual.

After struggling with the selection, Eris found a light quarter button-up sweater and chose dark pants, hoping it would be considered casual, as he didn't have another option. After getting himself ready and applying cologne, Eris looked at the clock, noticing it was almost seven, so he headed to the parking lot, where a damn motorcycle awaited him instead of the expected Volvo.

"You look good," Azriel smirked, obviously pleased by Eris's surprise at the choice of transport.

"Are you seventeen?" Eris raised an eyebrow, eyeing the damn vehicle.

"I didn't want to drive you in a 'piece of junk I call a car,'" Azriel recalled Eris's own words. "It'll be fine, don't worry," he added reassuringly, tossing him a spare helmet.

Eris rolled his eyes and put on the helmet, forcing himself to push away intrusive thoughts about accidents and all possible unfortunate incidents.

"I'm not worrying," he grumbled, approaching the motorcycle. Azriel smirked at his reaction and got on first, with Eris sitting behind him, wrapping his arms around Azriel's waist. "You do realize you just gave me a good excuse to fondle you?"

"Who said I'm against it?" Azriel smirked. "Hold on tight."

Eris would have liked to say something sarcastic in response, but the roar of the motorcycle really made him tighten his grip on Azriel's waist. Considering Azriel's driving habits, Eris had every reason to fear for his life. Not that he'd ever admit it.

Azriel started the motorcycle, and they drove off the parking lot at a relatively slow speed before picking up speed and merging into traffic. Azriel had been riding motorcycles since he was fifteen, confident in his abilities like no one else, but he didn't drive at the speed he was used to racing through the night streets.

Was choosing a motorcycle his little revenge for Eris's comment about his car? Absolutely. Was it also a choice to impress? A definite yes, and he wasn't ashamed of it. Did he like how Eris pressed against him and gripped his body? Hell, yes.

Azriel skillfully avoided traffic jams, maneuvering between cars with years of honed experience. Fortunately for Eris, the ride didn't take long, and soon they arrived at their destination.

Getting off the motorcycle, Eris immediately took off his helmet and adjusted his clothes, grumbling about how he could have just borrowed a Ferrari again and saved himself the nerves. Azriel only chuckled at his grumbling, taking both helmets and leaving them right on the motorcycle hooks.

"Are you going to explain where you've brought me?" Eris asked, looking around. In front of him was only one place they could potentially go, and it was a bar with a neon, eye-piercing sign.

"You probably won't believe me, but it's better inside than it looks outside," Azriel smiled.

Eris tried not to show his skepticism about the place. He had asked Azriel not to stress about the choice of venue and to pick something close to his heart. If this was the place... well, he could endure one evening. Maybe it wasn't as bad inside as it looked due to the bright, sometimes burnt-out sign. Besides, he was here for Azriel, not the place.

They entered, and the place surprisingly looked civilized. Warm lighting, dark oak tables, and surprisingly comfortable ambiance. There was a small stage against the brick wall where local musicians took turns performing. Eris followed Azriel to a table that was reserved for them, located away from the others, in a corner, yet still close enough to the stage where a guitarist was currently performing.

"We can choose a place together next time," Azriel said.

"Next time?" Eris raised an eyebrow. "I am supposed to ignore you for a week after this date and only then consider a chance for a third date."

"I have certain persuasive methods," Azriel smirked.

Eris decided not to risk the menu and just agreed with whatever Azriel ordered. Ideally, he would have checked the kitchen first, but, as they say, ignorance is bliss. He didn't want to know about the establishment's sanitary level.

"How was your week?" Azriel asked, obviously trying to start some conversation. Eris didn't want to delve into the details of his divorce, as burdening someone with such problems on a second date was foolish.

So instead, he talked about work, idiots among people trying to hire him, and other details. After that, he let Azriel share something, and he began recounting some amusing incidents that happened in the workshop throughout the week.

When their food arrived, a band named Valkyries took the stage. Eris glanced with interest towards the stage, as did Azriel.

"Elain's sister?" Eris asked, looking at Nesta. Azriel nodded, deciding it was no surprise that Eris knew her. Since he had seen Elain, he should be familiar with Nesta. It was almost impossible to know Elain and never see her older sister. It was a good thing Cassian stayed on duty in the workshop today – he had a tradition of dropping by this bar every time the Valkyries performed, singing louder than anyone, "supporting" Nesta.

"She's less... intimidating when she's performing," Eris remarked, and Azriel couldn't help but laugh.

"I think the girls soften her," he said. His gaze fell on Gwyn, with whom he was good friends, and then on Emerie.

Azriel sipped his whiskey and glanced at Eris, who seemed to chew his fries cautiously while staring at the stage for quite a long time.

"Hey, should I start getting jealous?" Azriel joked, snapping Eris out of whatever thought maze he had gotten into.

"Sorry," he smiled apologetically, then looked back at the stage. "Do you know who the drummer is?"

"Emerie?" Azriel raised an eyebrow. "I'm not particularly well-acquainted with her. I just know she's a friend of Nesta and Gwyn."

Eris nodded and turned away from the stage. After the third glass of whiskey, he began to like the place. Well, he could admit there was some atmosphere here. Moreover, he and Azriel started to communicate well, laughing at something silly that Eris probably wouldn't laugh at under any other circumstances with anyone else.

Soon after the bottle was half-empty, or half-full, depending on how you look at it, Azriel grabbed it by the neck and stood up from his seat. Eris looked at him questioningly, but when Azriel extended his hand, he took it and stood up too.

"This isn't all," Azriel said, leading him to the other end of the bar. Eris thought about how he still hadn't let go of Azriel's hand and didn't particularly want to.

They reached a door marked "staff only," but Azriel opened it with ease, performing some maneuver with the doorknob before pulling Eris inside.

"Are you kidnapping me?" Eris asked, trying to see something in the darkness. "I'd prefer to be a victim than an accomplice. Less damaging to my career."

Azriel chuckled softly and closed the door behind them, muffling the loud sounds of the bar. With a click the room lit up, revealing a billiard table in the middle of a cozy room.

"A secret place," Azriel smiled with a certain pride and approached the player, turning on the music. "It's still a date; I didn't want to deprive us of privacy."

Eris approached the rack with billiard cues, picking one up. "You know how to play?" he asked.

"Yes," Azriel nodded as he put the bottle of whiskey on the counter. "Do you?"

Eris shrugged, approaching the billiard table. "I guess there's only one way to find out."

He gestured for Azriel to go ahead, watching from the sidelines as Azriel grabbed a cue and bent over the billiard table. Eris's eyes traveled over his body, and he wasn't at all ashamed. Hell, maybe he regretted that Azriel wore so many clothes right now.

A hit. The colored balls scattered across the billiard table, one immediately pocketing. Eris watched as Azriel's lips twisted into a proud smirk, thinking it was somewhat amusing.

After a few more successful shots, Azriel finally missed, and it was Eris's turn. Eris tightened his grip on the cue and aimed, striking the white ball and sending it toward the red one, which stopped just a few millimeters from the pocket.

"Almost," Azriel said in a somewhat encouraging tone. Eris snorted and straightened up.

"Almost," he nodded, stepping aside to give Azriel space to take his shot. And he pocketed the unfortunate red ball into his pocket. "Consider that I let you get this one," Eris joked.

"You don't know how to lose, do you?" Azriel smirked teasingly.

Eris rolled his eyes, waiting for his turn. This time, he pocketed exactly one ball, but Azriel only clicked his tongue, as if dissatisfied that Eris missed right after. A bit more time passed before his irritation apparently reached its limit.

"I can't understand how someone with such an elegant stance can play so terribly," Azriel grumbled. Eris laughed because he called his stance 'elegant.' "Are you sure you know how to play?"

"I am out of practice," Eris shrugged, about to make his move, but Azriel caught his wrist holding the cue.

"Relax your wrist," Azriel said firmly, and damn, that tone, both commanding and soft... Eris didn't immediately understand what he said, but soon he relaxed his wrist. "When you hold the cue, don't tense your hand so much."

"Oh, are you my billiards teacher now?" Eris smirked when Azriel stood behind him, and, okay, he didn't mind at all when Azriel grabbed his hips to adjust his stance.

"Yes, the first lesson is free, but after that, my rate is high," Azriel whispered in his ear, provoking chills in Eris. "Bend over," he said.

Eris bent over the billiards table, and if he had any willpower left before, now his brains were slowly but surely turning to mush. Azriel gave some instructions, but more than half of the words flew past his ears, and Azriel had to correct Eris himself.

A hand on his elbow, another hand on his hip, a firm chest pressed against his back. All of this combined with Azriel's voice giving commands did everything possible so that Eris could think of anything other than hitting the right ball with the cue.

"Come on, hit it," Azriel whispered, biting his earlobe. Eris didn't know if he wanted to kill him or kiss him for that.

Instead of striking himself, he waited for Azriel to move his hand and hit, guiding his body in the right way. Then again. And again. Each time whispering some praise. And no matter how many times he missed or how much he had to bend over to reach the right ball, Azriel was unwilling to break contact between their bodies. The only time he did so was when they were about to play a second round and needed to reset the balls.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who can't focus on the game," Eris teased, feeling Azriel's erection as he pressed his hips against his.

"Sink at least one ball on your own, and I promise to do something about it," Azriel laughed, pressing him harder against the billiards table. And then he stepped back. Damn.

Eris just shrugged at that promise and adjusted his grip on the cue to be as comfortable as possible, leaning forward and keeping his back straight. A second or two, and he hit the ball, which sent one ball into a pocket, and then, bouncing off the table wall, sent a second ball straight into the pocket. Eris then took another shot, with the white ball bouncing off the walls twice before sinking another ball into a pocket. In less than two minutes, all the balls disappeared from the table.

Straightening up, he smirked at Azriel, who was openly staring at him in shock.

"Would you believe me if I say it’s only because of your amazing teaching skills?" Eris grinned, but instead of replying, Azriel simply pulled him by the sweater collar and kissed him, pressing him against the billiards table. "I am holding you to your promise,” Eris murmured into his lips before returning the kiss.

tag list: @sizzlingstarlightsky @isnotwhatyourethinking @molcat07 @chairofchaos

[nicoline1998enilocin]

Hot day at the beach

PAIRING | Tom Hiddleston x Wife!Female!Reader

WORD COUNT | 4K

SUMMARY | You and Tom go for a relaxing beach day whilst on vacation to celebrate your anniversary. The two of you are having a lot of fun and good conversations, enjoying each other's presents. At the end of the day, you top the day off with a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and some exploring of each other's bodies for the rest of the night.

WARNING(S) | This is your official trigger warning, do not proceed if any of these topics upset you. Established relationship [ Tom & Reader are married ], smut [ Implied sex in the ocean, spanking, a little bit of nipple play, dry humping, panties used as a gag, oral F receiving, fingering, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!), anal penetration, prostate orgasm, squirting, multiple orgasms, use of a vibrator, overstimulation, use of handcuffs, praise kink, daddy kink, Dom/Sub relationship ( Soft!Dom Tom & Sub Reader) ], swearing, aftercare in the form of cuddles (the rest of the aftercare is implied).

A/N | So, this is my first time writing a bit of a D/S-themed fic (the smut part at least) so I hope I did well! If not, I would love to get some constructive criticism, I'm not at all part of this lifestyle but I very much enjoy reading about it, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Thank you so much for reading it! 🖤

Likes, comments and reblogs will be very much appreciated 💜

Main Masterlist | Tom Hiddleston Masterlist

''Good morning, Mrs. Hiddleston,'' Tom said as he walked into the bedroom with a tray of breakfast foods. He prepared breakfast while you slept in, and you sure could use every minute of sleep after last night. The two of you spent most of the night making love, and you were still sore from it but you welcomed it nevertheless. ''Mornin' Mr. Hiddleston,'' you said with a lovesick grin on your face, God you were still head over heels in love with your amazing husband. He put the tray on his side of the bed before pulling you in for a kiss, softly sliding his tongue against yours as a token of his love for you. ''I hope you're hungry because I've made you breakfast,'' he said as he pulled away and put the tray over your lap.

The breakfast was an assortment of fruits, pancakes, waffles, and orange juice. He couldn't decide what to make so he ultimately just went for everything so you two could share. The breakfast was spent with light conversation, soft kisses, and feeding each other various kinds of fruit, and maybe a not-so-innocent touch here and there, but it was the best breakfast the both of you shared in a long time. Due to Tom's shooting schedules, it was hard for the both of you to spend time together, but seeing how it was your 7th wedding anniversary, the two of you booked a two-week vacation in Mexico to enjoy each other and each other's presence.

''What is the plan for today?'' Tom asks and you tell him about your plans for today. ''I was thinking we could spend the day at the beach since it's going to be a beautiful day, and I was hoping to spend the evening around a campfire with s'mores and maybe some cuddles,'' you said with a small smile, this was your idea of the perfect day and it was finally time to make it come true. ''Sounds like the perfect plan, my love. But first, I have a special present for you that you may or may not want to use today,'' he said as he got off the bed and walked to his suitcase. He picked up a relatively small box with a red ribbon around it and he handed it to you.

You took off the ribbon and when you took the lid off, you were greeted with something both of you have talked about to spice up your sex life for a while - a new vibrator that has a clit stimulator in it too. ''Hm, I think this would be perfect to try out tonight, darlin','' you said as you got it out of the box and tried out the different settings so you had an idea of what you could expect. ''Can't wait,'' he said as he pulled you closer for another kiss, which he deepens instantly. The two of you spent the next half hour in a lazy make-out session before getting ready to go to the beach. You got a new bikini as a special surprise and you couldn't wait to surprise your husband with it when you were at the beach.

The two of you got ready and you put a beach robe over your bikini so you could keep it a surprise for him to open later. It didn't take long for the both of you to arrive at the beach and find a bit of a secluded spot, it was a relatively slow day for the time of year and the both of you were more than grateful for that. Tom laid out both of your beach towels before helping you sit down. ''Now, my love, are you going to show me what special surprise is underneath this beautiful robe? Because I have a feeling what might be underneath is delicious,'' he purred as he went to untie the knot that held your robe closed.

When it was untied he let that fall to the sides before hooking his hands underneath the fabric at your shoulders, allowing it to fall open and slide off your shoulders to reveal the gorgeous red bikini you've got especially for this trip. He took it off and put it away in your beach bag to wear later, and he didn't try to hide the fact that he was checking out how gorgeous you look in the bikini. It always made you feel good to know you could still surprise Tom in ways like this, even after all these years together. ''I take it that you like what you see?'' you teased as he slowly roamed his hands over your thighs and up to your hips. ''Delicious...'' is all he said before he surged forward to kiss you with a burning passion.

The two of you had another little make-out session on the beach before you had to apply sunscreen on both yourself as well as Tom. ''Why don't you lay down for me, darlin', that way I can rub you with some sunscreen,'' you purred this time and he happily complied, laying on his stomach first. You straddle his legs to apply it to his back and neck first, taking your sweet time before moving down to both his legs after which he turned around. That time you straddle him right over his groin and act like you're doing nothing wrong, but you can feel him growing hard as you softly grind on him while rubbing the sunscreen on his chest and stomach. ''If you keep doin' that, my love, we might be sent off for public indecency,'' he said as he grabbed your hips to get you to still your movements.

''But I wasn't even doing anything, Daddy,'' you whispered in his ear before giving him a soft pat on his chest as you sat back up. ''If you keep being such a tease you won't be cumming tonight, my love,'' he said with a stern voice and you immediately stopped, that's not what you were aiming for here. ''Sorry,'' is all you said before climbing off of him and laying on your stomach this time so Tom can apply sunscreen on your back too. He slowly massages it in and makes sure to get every single spot before doing the same to your legs and your stomach when you're flipped over. ''Hm, you're being such a good girl for me right now,'' he said as he leaned in for a kiss, and you chased him for more when he pulled away.

When the two of you were done you both picked up your books that you brought with you and just laid there reading in a comfortable silence for a while. You started to have the strange feeling you were being watched, so you put down your book and noticed a few fans staring at both of you, not sure whether to approach you or not. ''Darlin', want to go for a swim with me?'' you asked and he happily agreed, getting up so he could help you get up too, interlacing his fingers with yours as you walked towards the ocean. When you were almost here the two of you were stopped by the fans, asking for a picture and an autograph. ''Do you want me to take the picture for you?'' you asked, they usually wanted one just with Tom and that is perfectly fine, you were only known as Tom's wife anyways since you had a 'regular' office job.

''Oh no, we would love for you to join us!'' one of the girls said and you were pleasantly surprised by that fact, but you agreed happily. When the pictures were taken and Tom gave them all an autograph you were thanked profusely and the lovely girls wished both of you a happy vacation together. Tom grabbed a hold of your hand again and pulled you closer to him. ''I don't think I'll ever get used to people wanting to meet you,'' you chuckled. It was a part of your daily life, but it was still a little strange that people stopped him on the streets - or the beach, in this case - to take photos with him. ''It's okay, my love, you don't have to get used to it, and if you don't feel comfortable with it you know we don't have to stay for the photos right?'' he reassured you and you nodded.

After that the two of you went into the ocean and may or may not have had sex there, nobody will ever know even though you most definitely did. You spent time reading your books after that before it was time to go back to your beach house and get ready for your anniversary dinner that you had thought out. You and Tom switched each year who would make the reservations for your anniversary dinner and this year, it was your turn again. You found a fancy restaurant with authentic Mexican cuisine so you could get a true taste of the culture. Tom chose to wear a burnt orange suit and you wore a burnt orange dress to match him perfectly. Your hair was loose and your make-up light to let the dress be the star of the outfit.

When the two of you arrived you were treated like true celebrities and it felt nice, they probably knew who Tom is, and for once you wouldn't mind it if they treated you like that because they know who he is. ''To the rest of our lives, my love,'' Tom said as he picked up the glass of red wine and you did the same. ''To the rest of our lives, darlin','' you said and the two of you clinked your glasses before taking a sip and tasting the wine. Not long after the food arrived and the two of you were wrapped up in conversation. By the time dessert arrived you had a little surprise planned for Tom, because they put sparklers in the dessert to make it just a little bit more fun. ''Happy 7th anniversary'' was written across the plate and Tom stood up to give you a kiss, which you happily reciprocated.

After dinner, the two of you went back to your beach house and changed into comfortable lounge clothing so you could sit around the campfire that was currently roaring in the small backyard attached to the house. You got all the stuff needed for s'mores and Tom already sat down, eagerly waiting for his wife to come sit next to him and enjoy the warmth coming from the campfire. ''Welcome back, my love,'' he said as you sat down, leaning into Tom's side as if you were enjoying the atmosphere of the campfire right now. ''I love you, so much, my darlin', and I'm glad I get to spend the rest of my life with you,'' you said and you laid your head on his shoulder.

Making the s'mores was a pretty easy task and before the two of you knew it, they were all gone. Not much later you were straddling Tom and grinding your hips softly over his growing hardness as the two of you were wrapped up in yet another make-out session, you could never have enough of each other, and it was very noticeable with the everlasting honeymoon phase in your relationship. The passion was still there with a burning fire, and you two could be wrapped up in one another for days on end and still not have enough. But then again, that's why Tom got you the vibrator as a present, so the two of you could spice up your sex life in a different way.

You were letting out soft moans into Tom's mouth as he wrapped his arms around you and let his hands glide up and down your back, down to your ass where he have a gentle squeeze followed by a spanking on both cheeks which made you let out a little squeal. ''Oh Daddy, you make me feel so good,'' you moaned in between kisses, and Tom slowly lifted your shirt over your head as you continued your rolling motion on his lap, feeling the friction and the heat pooling there more and more. You decided not to wear a bra after dinner and you're glad you didn't, seeing the content look on your husband's face as he saw your bare breasts and perky nipples in front of him.

''Hm, already starting to get a little needy for me, my love?'' he asked as you let out a soft whine at the summer breeze blowing over your nipples, and all you could do is nod in response. He bends over to take one of your nipples in his mouth and starts suckling on it a little, as his hands wander over your hips and waist, rubbing circles on your back before moving to the front as he cups your breasts in his hands. He lets out a groan at the same time a deep moan leaves your lips as you grind harder onto his achingly hard cock. ''Fuck, love, just like that,'' he grits out through his teeth as he starts rubbing his thumbs over your nipples, making you writhe under his touch. When your orgasm is getting closer, Tom can tell by the way your moans get quicker and he takes one of your nipples in his mouth, sucking and slightly biting it until you become a complete mess and soak your panties and both your pants from your orgasm.

''Hm, someone's a little eager this evening,'' he says as he gives the same treatment to the other nipple, letting you ride out your orgasm and come down from your high which he manages to extend a little by playing with your nipples. He could do this for hours on end and never get sick of it, but now he wants to taste you after your orgasm, so he wraps his arms around your waist and he stands up. You instinctively wrap your legs around his hips and he walks both of you inside before gently placing you onto the bed. ''Such a good girl for me, my love,'' he says as he pushes your thighs apart, enjoying the wet spot your juices have created in your pants. ''So needy that you couldn't even wait to cum, huh?'' he asks and you nod, ''Yeah Daddy, need you so bad right now,'' you whimper and Tom just gets a big grin on his face, he loves having you like this.

''Now tell me, what is it that my baby wants? Does she want to cum like the good girl I know she is?'' Tom teases a little and you desperately nod, you want all the orgasms he's willing to give you, in whichever way he wants to give them to you. ''Yeah Daddy, please, need to cum again for you,'' you beg a little and Tom feels himself getting even harder, not that he thought that was even possible after the way he just made you cum. He kneels on the bed with his legs on the sides of yours and goes to take off your pants, leaving your panties on just a little longer, because he has a plan with those. When your pants are off he leans over to give you one more deep kiss before grabbing the handcuffs you brought your favorite red fluffy pair to match the new bikini you bought.

''I want you to be a good little slut for me tonight, so I can make you cum as many times as I want. That means you will have your hands cuffed together, so you won't be able to touch me, or yourself, is that okay with you?'' he asks and you tell him it's okay. ''Yes Daddy, please cuff me,'' you sigh a little and he gladly cuffs you to the top of the bed so you can't move your hands below your head. After that, he slowly litters your chest and stomach with kisses until the reaches the band of your panties, tugging them off with his teeth to make you go a little crazy and squirm under his touches. When he's pulled them off, he stuffs them in your mouth as a gag, to keep you a little more silent. ''As much as I love all the pretty noises you can make, I want you to be silent tonight, my love. You wouldn't want to disturb anyone else when you fall apart over and over, would you?'' he asked and you shook your head in response.

You relax a little as he rubs his hands over your stomach and hips, and he gets into position to eat you out like you deserve, he wants to drink every last drop of the juices that flow out of you and he can't wait any longer. He drags two fingers through your folds and he can feel you're soaking wet for him, making him go almost feral. ''God, such a wet slut for me, bet you're such a desperate, needy girl now,'' he smirks before slowly inserting two fingers in you at once, making you groan deeply as your back arches at the feeling, you're still sensitive from the orgasm you had earlier and Tom is well aware of this fact. Shortly after pumping his fingers in and out of you at an agonizingly slow pace, he attaches his mouth to your clit and it feels like you would combust right then and there, your orgasm so close you can almost taste it.

You let out a few muffled moans from behind your gag and Tom just smirks a little as he licks and sucks on your clit, while picking up the pace of his fingers, making that impeding orgasm come closer at a quick pace. ''Want to cum for me, love? Need to cum for your Daddy?'' he asks and you nod frantically while letting out muffled whimpers, your hips bucking up involuntarily as your back arches too, and you fall apart not long after. He picks up the pace of his fingers and tongue even more as he starts licking through your folds, but keeping his attention mostly on your clit and before you know it, you squirt all over his face when he curls his fingers to find your perfect spot. ''Oh fuck, yes, squirt all over my face, cum for me love, you're doing perfect right now,'' he says and he rides out your orgasm on his fingers before he gives a trail of small kisses up your face.

''For this part, I need to loosen up those beautiful hands of yours, my love, because I'm going to need some help working the vibrator into myself,'' Tom said, as your eyes grew wide. Sure, you've done this before with him, but your new vibrator would be even better, and Tom grabs both the vibrator and some lube so you can help him get ready. You squirt some lube onto your fingers as Tom spreads his cheeks for you, his face laying on the pillows where your head just was. Then you proceed to squirt some on his tight hole before rubbing it softly, trying to get him to relax. ''You're doing so well for me, darlin', just relax and before you know it you will have all the pleasure,'' you said softly and you could feel him relax under your touch, and before you know it, you can slide one finger in, working him open slowly.

Not long after you can fit in 2 more fingers and when he's comfortable with that, you slowly pull your fingers out as Tom lets out a soft whine at the loss of your fingers. ''I know darlin', but you will feel something much better than my fingers soon,'' you cooed as you lubed the vibrator, before pushing it up to his now relaxed hole. It takes a bit for him to fully relax but before you know it you can slowly slide in the tip, and the more the takes, the noisier he becomes. He lets out soft whines and moans at the feeling of immense pleasure, and it isn't even turned on yet. You turned it in a way that the clit stimulator part would fit perfectly against his perineum, giving him even more intense pleasure as it would be turned on soon. ''It's in, darlin','' you whisper in his ear and he sits up, adjusting to the feeling.

''On your hands and knees in front of me, ass up in the air,'' he commands and you happily agree with it, as you do what he says, awaiting what will happen to you soon. He lands a few slaps on your ass before spreading your ass and looking at both your hole and your pussy looking back at him. ''Hm, such a perfect girl for me, sitting like this for your Daddy. Tell me, do you want Daddy's cock inside you? Are you needy for Daddy's thick cock?'' he asks and you whimper again, this time into the pillows where your head is buried. Tom grabbed the remote of the vibrator and turned it on, making sure it was not too high as he doesn't want to cum too soon, but the second he turns it on he already lets out a needy whine at the feeling of it against both his prostate and his perineum.

He grabbed your hips with a bit of force and pulled you towards him, so he can rub his cock through your folds, using your dripping juices as the lube he needs to sink into you. He doesn't wait long as he thrusts into you in one smooth motion, bottoming out immediately making you let out a very high shriek that turned into a long moan as you adjusted to his size again. ''F-fuck Daddy, feels good,'' you moan and he starts thrusting into you, which makes the vibrator thrust into his prostate so Tom knows he won't last long like this, but he didn't care. It felt too good to worry about that, all he cares about is making both you and himself cum. ''Pussy feels so tight, feels so good for me, god you're made for me, love,'' he groans as he chases both your highs, and you snake your arm underneath your body to play with your clit.

''Oh, D-daddy, gonna cum, need to cum!'' you moan out and with a few more thrusts you squirt all over, the stimulation becoming too much as you can feel the vibrator too. Not long after Tom squirts thick ropes of his warm cum deep inside your pussy as his orgasm takes him over completely, the vibrator stimulating his prostate more and more, prolonging both your orgasms until neither of you can take it anymore. Tom pulls out of you and you whine at the loss, and he quickly takes out the vibrator because he's overstimulated, and he turns it off before he lays down beside you. He pulls you close to him and cradles you into his arms as he rubs soothing circles over your back.

''You did so well for me tonight, my love. You were perfect for me, and I love you so much,'' he cooed in your ear along with other sweet nothings and you smiled a little bit before finally being able to lift your head a bit. ''Love you,'' you muttered and Tom bent down to give you a longing kiss on your lips, which he slowly deepened, but he still kept it soft as he explored your mouth with his tongue in a lacy pace. When he pulls apart he tucks a curl behind your ear as he looks loving into your eyes, he would never get enough of seeing those beautiful eyes of yours. The rest of the night was spent with cuddles, a nice bath, and even more cuddles before falling asleep in each other's arms, limbs tangled in a way that neither of you knows where one begins, and the other ends. Neither of you would ever want to have it any other way.

[pleasantglitterflower]

Power Couple (Joe Burrow x Simone Biles)

Joe was very excited to land in Paris, after all he was going to surprise his girlfriend, who is simply Simone Biles. Simone didn't know, but I was already going to surprise her and was going to watch her performance in the final of the artistic gymnastics vaults at the Olympics.

  Joe was very sorry about not being able to accompany Simone in person at the Paris Olympics, as the training camp period before the NFL preseason would be taking place at the same time, and this season will be decisive for Joe, after months of treating a serious hand injury.

Simone was super understanding and understood the fact that Joe couldn't be in Paris, as he also needed to focus on his preparation to return to playing at a high level. The gymnast was like a compass for Joe's recovery, for the quarterback, if it weren't for Simone supporting and encouraging him, his recovery wouldn't have been so successful.

Joe did not give up and spoke with the Bengals board and coaching staff to get permission to travel to Paris, in return he would do extra training when he returned. Simone had no idea that her boyfriend was going to surprise her, Joe already had everything planned with the US artistic gymnastics team and Jade Carey, one of the American gymnasts competing in the Olympic Games, wished one day to have a boyfriend like Joe.

Bercy Arena - August 3,2024

The day of the competition finally arrived and Joe was very nervous. Although he was not very religious, he kept praying silently, asking the gods of gymnastics that Simone would perform her lifts very well and that no adversity would befall her.

First came the men's artistic gymnastics performance, and with each movement, he found it fascinating how those men executed their jumps with perfection. Despite knowing his whole life that he wanted to play football, he had always admired the entire concept of artistic gymnastics, so much so that whenever he had a break from a game, during his time at LSU, he would always go and watch the performances of the college's women's gymnastics team, led by Olivia Dunne. He laughed, thinking that if it were him trying to do one of those jumps, he would probably have broken all his bones. If you're going to get hurt, you might as well do it at the intensity of football.

The men's performance ended and finally the women's vault solo performance arrived. The main favorites for the gold medal were Simone and Rebeca Andrade, who are the two main references in artistic gymnastics today. Simone was the fourth gymnast to perform and her performance left no doubt that the gold medal was hers. She landed the vault that bears her name, the Biles II, and despite taking a 0.1 penalty for stepping off the jump, she received a spectacular 15.700 - 6.400 for the start score, 9.400 for the execution and -0.100 penalty.

Burrow couldn't contain himself and celebrated a lot when she performed Biles II, he was very happy and excited. On her second vault, Biles went for a very well-executed Cheng, which earned her a score of 14.900 - 5.600 for difficulty and 9.300 for execution. With that, she had an average of 15.300. Joe screamed so much, he probably wasn't as happy with the Bengals' victories as he was with Biles's jumps.

The other performances took place and then they waited for the results, and finally it became official: Simone Biles was the vault solo champion and broke another record. Joe couldn't control his emotions and cried with joy, he saw how hard Simone was on herself and how intensely she trained, it's always special when hard work is rewarded. He celebrated happily with other American fans, who fortunately, when they saw that Joe was very focused on watching the performance, didn't ask him for photos and autographs, because for those present there, he was a fan like any other.

Simone, Rebeca Andrade and Jade Carey took their places on the podium, respectively, and Joe was smiling very proud of his beloved. After all the formal celebrations, Simone began to interact with some fans, until she had an unexpected surprise, with Joe going to her and hugging her tightly. —Joe, I can't believe you actually came - Biles says shocked to see her man face to face with her

-I wouldn't miss the chance to see you win eye to eye my love, in person it's much better, the same way when you go see my games - Joe speaks, giving her a little kiss afterwards.

-I'm so happy you came my love, but what about training and the team?

-Honey, they really understood how important the Olympics are and allowed me to be here, but let's not talk about that, today is all about you and we have to celebrate, especially because the whole team is watching the competitions right now.

-I love you so much Joe, thank you so much for always being with me and supporting me in everything - she kisses the quarterback

-I am lucky enough to have a woman like you in my life Simone, you are so important in my life that if it weren't for you, I would be very lost, I love you forever - they give a movie kiss to the delight of everyone present in that gym, just proving that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are already in history as one of the most iconic Olympics of all time.

[hauntedwitch04]

Candles and fire

Nyx Acheron x reader

Words: 0.7k words

Warnings: none, just fluff and idiots totally in love with each other, some burnt pots

Author’s note: Hi everybody! Sorry to be this late, life is just being crazy right now.

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🎃Halloween party 🎃

DAY 7: “Love I swear if you light another candle our house may go on fire.”

You don't really know where your passion for candles comes from, you just know that one day you tried to get a packet of them, to decorate your home, smelling of cinnamon, and from that day your life totally changed.

The one you have today, often your friends and family, call it almost a disease, since every time you enter a store selling candles you have to be careful not to spend your entire salary and that of your mate, Nyx.

Ironically, the two of you actually met while you were looking for new candles to light in the fall and he was looking for a gift for his Aunt Nesta, who like you had discovered the power of candles and had made it a point to light one every time she read or embroidered. Seeing you so knowledgeable Nyx had thought well to ask your advice and one thing led to another you found yourselves on your fifth date on the largest and most beautiful deck in Velaris, gazing at the moon and stars when the bond clicked for both of you, and from there the rest is history.

You enter the house after a difficult day spent in your library, which is located in one of the most beautiful places in the Rainbow, when you are presented with a scene that you do not know whether to call heavenly or hellish. The home you share with your love is strewn with candles, and their vision sways between an angelic vision to the flames of hell.

"Nyx?" You ask, entering the house paying attention to where you put things down or where you walk. You get to the kitchen and see your mate busy with something at the stove. It probably must not be going the way he wants because you hear him cursing as he moves pans and pots off the stove, some with smoke and flames coming out, others with foam. You can't help but laugh at that scene, but in doing so you are discovered by your husband, who turns around. Nyx, seeing you, his eyes immediately light up.

"Love! You're back already!" The boy says happily, only to look around and immediately guilt shows in his expression. "I'm sorry, I wanted to try to surprise you: candlelight dinner, but I guess the only thing I'm good at is lighting candles and pots and pans on fire." He comments as he walks over to you and hugs you, leaving a sweet kiss on your lips.

"About this: love I swear if you light another candle our house may go on fire. I love candles, but I wouldn't want us to turn into skewers." You say and Nyx can't help but laugh as she presses her nose into your hair, breathing in the smell of your favorite shampoo.

"You think so?" The prince of the night asks amused, as he looks around again. "I'm really sorry though, for once I try to do something for you. I really am a terrible mate." Says Nyx, ducking down and hiding her face in the crook of your neck.

You stroke the back of his head, then force him to look into your eyes.

"Hey, cut the crap! You're the best mate a woman could ever want, you're handsome, funny, kind, good in bed, smart in short I think there are people who would kill to be loved by you even for a few minutes, and just because you couldn't get something done today doesn't mean you're any less perfect than everyone already knows you are." You say, leaving him a series of kisses all along his face in the process. "How about we make something together instead? It's been a long time since we've done that." You propose and immediately see his eyes light up, and he nods, as he takes you in front of the stove again, and amid laughter, kisses, and maybe something more, you finally manage to prepare something, and it doesn't even matter if it's the best thing in the world, because the only thing that really matters are the moments you've shared with the person you love.

[elacular-kink]

Poly-Techhic 4: Dinner date

Popping back to the present (3.5 B, oops all hiccups, will happen someday, but apparently not today), we will now see Kiran and Susanna go on their first date, for good and for ill.

Character Sheet

TW: Anxiety, Dysphoria (MtF), hunger, Internalized fatphobia, Body Issues, Embarrassment, Snobbish asshole, Emotional breakdown

Kinks: Hiccups, Embarrassment, Hunger, Stomach noises, hurt/comfort?

I was so nervous.

I was so unbelievably, unbearably, incredibly, unimaginably nervous.

Was my dress alright? It didn't look stupid, did it? Did I look feminine enough in it? Had I shaved well enough? Was I growing any stubble? Were my shoes okay? I knew we'd need to walk, so I'd chosen flats, but would they still be painful? Was the restaurant I'd chosen an acceptable distance away? Would it be a good restaurant? Would the food be good? How much should I eat? I wouldn't want to look like a pig in front of her, absolutely not, but I was hungry since I hadn't been able to stomach eating lunch today and—

Breathe. I tried to force myself to breathe.

My stomach growled. That didn't help.

I repeated Olivia's words in my head. "You don't have to be afraid of her. Susanna will tell you if she doesn't like something." And she hadn't told me she didn't like me. She'd communicated that on more than one occasion to people she actually didn't like, so I knew she was capable of it and willing to do it. So if she didn't like the restaurant, she'd say so and then we'd

We would...

Before I could think of an answer to that, I heard her voice. "Hey, Kiran." When I looked, Susanna was approaching me, wearing one of her usual cool black hoodies and a set of loose-fitting khakis. Did this mean I was overdressed? How formal was a strapless pink dress and a white loose-knit cardigan? Especially when that dress was supposed to be a midi but looked more like a mini because I was too tall and too fat and clothes were impossible to find and—"Fuck, you look really cute in that."

"A-ah!" I looked down and saw a soft smile underneath her hood. When she looked up at me I also saw that she had put on some eyeliner (crap, I was barely wearing any makeup, did I look okay?). "Th-thank you!" My stupid hands wouldn't stop flapping. "Y-you look, um—"

Susanna chuckled. "Don't worry. I know I'm not exactly Prince Charming over here. I'm actually dressed a little better than I look right now, but it's fuckin' cold out." Her eyes went down me and I followed them. When I looked down lower, I saw that she was actually wearing dark brown dress shoes. "Speaking of which, I'm amazed you're not freezing your ass off. Let's get a move on." She tilted her head in the direction of the restaurant and I squeaked and nodded. God, how was I supposed to handle a date with someone so cool?

We were walking. I'd walked this path to the restaurant a few times before to prepare, but it still felt like it'd fallen out of my brain. It felt even more like that when Susanna reached over and grabbed my hand. "I have a little trouble keeping pace with other people when we're walking together. Mind if I hang on?" I shook my head, nodded, then decided to communicate that I meant yes by intertwining my fingers with hers as best I could. She smiled at me again. "Cool. Sorry I couldn't get a ride, but Maya'd wanna come in with us, and I love her, but I'm trying to have a date with you here. And there's no way I'm making you sit in Olivia's deathtrap of a car." I'd seen said deathtrap and I agreed that I would prefer to never even touch it, much less enter it, though I certainly wouldn't be saying as much out loud.

"I-it's perfectly fine!" I shook my head. "I really should take more walks anyway. I could really stand to lose some weight."

Susanna frowned at me, her lips pursed. "Nah. Walking's good and all, but not because you need to lose weight. Your body's fine just the way it is."

I couldn't bear to look at her. "You don't need to say that."

"Yeah, I don't need to. But I'm gonna anyway. 'Cause I feel like it."

A little laugh worked its way out of me, and I was able to stop flapping my free hand long enough to brush my hair back. "Well...I suppose that I can't stop you in that case."

"Damn right you can't." For the remainder of the walk, Susanna filled the air between us with talk about her class on sound mixing. The combination of computers and music was something we could both have educated input on, and that helped me pay attention and stay engaged. Eventually, though, we arrived at the restaurant, whose name was something French that neither of us could quite pronounce. Susanna glanced through the windows at the white-sheeted tables within. "Uh...not to be a mooch or anything, but you're paying, right?"

"N-naturally, naturally." That had always been the plan, and I could imagine very few scenarios where I'd want any date to pay for our various activities rather than myself doing so. I may not have had much to offer, but as long as money still mattered, that was something I could treat people with.

"Cool. Then after you." Susanna pulled the door open and gestured for me to enter, and I couldn't help but giggle.

Once I had shaken my laughter away, I took a deep breath and walked up to the maître d'. This was where I had to be the social one, and I'd seen it done enough times to copy the behavior myself. "Mandal, party of two."

The man in the tuxedo looked past me at Susanna as she entered. "We don't wear hoods in this establishment, sir."

"M-ma'am!" I corrected him, blushing.

"It's cool, Kiran," Susanna pulled her hood down and I saw that, rather than laying flat or being mussed like it usually was, her hair looked like it had been styled with gel or spray, a perfect gently punkish messy spikiness to it. As she unzipped her hoodie, I saw that she was wearing a white button-up shirt underneath, the arms having been cuffed up past her elbows in an imitation of short sleeves, and the bottom tucked into her khakis and strapped down with a leather belt. Oh god, she looked so dapper. How was I supposed to cope? "I don't mind what people call me, and I figu—uh..." She'd started tying her hoodie around her waist when the maître d' took it from her and hung it up on a coat rack instead alongside mostly suit jackets. "Uh...yeah. Okay. That works."

The tuxedoed man sniffed and turned. "This way, ma'am and ma'am." He showed us to a small table and placed a set of black leather-bound menus in front of us. "I'll need to see ID if you intend to drink."

"Nah, I'm good. I'll just take water."

"Hmph." He took a note.

My stomach growled. I hoped to god it wasn't audible. The idea of ordering soda in a place like this made my stomach hurt even more. "I-I'll take water as well, please!" The maître d' made a noise I didn't know how to interpret and walked away.

Susanna sighed and flopped against the back of her chair. "Damn. You get taken to intimidating-ass places like this a lot?"

"A-ah...occasionally, yes. L-less often than other members of my family go to them." I kept a death grip on my menu so my hands couldn't flap.

"Man. I dunno how I'd handle it. I feel like the air in here hasn't been circulated since the 70s." She opened her own menu, then squinted down at it. "Uh...okay, do you know what the fu—uuuhhh...the heck any of these are?" Hearing her nearly swear, I choked back a laugh.

When I actually looked at my own menu, I saw that they had, in fact, only included the names and prices of various appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Luckily, I knew what they were, and I forced her to ignore the numbers as we considered the less intimidating spread of appetizers. Once I convinced her money was no object, she ordered canapés and I ordered a salad (hoping I'd grown into enough of an adult to actually eat it).

I particularly hoped I'd be able to eat my salad when my stomach growled very audibly. A small twinge of pain went through it, and I couldn't help but cringe for multiple reasons. "You good, Kiran?" Susanna asked. I nodded, but I couldn't bear to look her in the face. "Right. 'Scuse me, sir." My heart fell into my empty stomach as I saw her call over a waiter. I had no idea how to read the man's face as she requested our appetizers. Our water hadn't even arrived yet. "Right," she turned back to me once she was done. "Hopefully that'll—shit. You okay?" I wasn't sure. Was that polite enough? Had she offended someone? Why did she do that? "Hey. Take a breath, Kiran." Susanna audibly inhaled, then exhaled the same way. When she'd done that a few times, I was able to join her. "Yeah. There you go. Is that, uh..." She glanced back towards the waiter she'd summoned. "Is that a thing I shouldn't do?"

"I...I'm not sure."

"'Kay. I won't do it again. Sorry about that." She put a hand on mine and I saw that she'd painted her nails dark blue. It looked really cute. I wondered if I should try painting my nails.

After a bit too long, I managed to initiate a conversation about that. She told me she'd gone to a friend from one of her music courses for help with it. I was surprised to learn that she actually did used to paint her nails fairly often, but now that she roomed with Olivia, the smells of the polish and remover were too offensive for her to ever use them in their dorm, so she'd given up on it outside of special occasions. I managed to suggest that she could teach me and do her own nails at the same time in my building from time to time, and the smile she gave me absolutely filled my stomach with butterflies.

It was unfortunate that it was only butterflies and not anything else filling it because it kept growling. I felt ridiculous, and it felt like everyone in the restaurant must be staring at me. Why didn't I force myself to eat something? I knew my body got noisy when I was hungry. At least I could take some comfort in knowing that it could be worse.

I then immediately lost all of that comfort when a particularly loud growl was followed by an even louder "*HEEK!*"

Susanna's eyes were on me. I could feel them. I couldn't bear to look at her, but I could feel them. "Whoa. You okay, Kiran?" I didn't dare open my mouth to answer. Please be a "single", please please please please please be a "single".

Of course I wasn't that lucky. My body rocked with a barely muffled "*EEP*" that felt ear-splitting even as I slapped both hands down over my mouth. Fuck, how could my body be doing this to me? God dammit, why couldn't it ever do anything right? "*MMP!*" Even with my mouth completely covered, it was still so loud.

"Oh shit." Her voice was soft, and I heard her get up from her chair. Before I knew what was happening, I felt her presence beside me, her hand hovering over my back for a moment before carefully landing on it and beginning to rub it. "Hey. It's okay. You're okay, Kiran. Do you wanna try drinking some water?" God, did I? Would it help? I had no idea. "You don't have to." I couldn't just sit here and keep making these noises. I at least had to try. So I nodded. "Okay. I can hold your glass up for you, so you don't have to keep your mouth uncovered for too long." 

How could she be so considerate? I opened my eyes back up and saw her lift my glass with one hand. I removed one of my own and helped with it, waited until my next "*MNK!*" hiccup had passed, then put my lips to the water as quickly as I could and drank. I drained my glass as fast as possible, half holding my breath and desperately hoping that my body would shut up and let me continue having this date. But no. As soon as I put the glass down and opened my mouth to breathe, another deafening "*HIUK!*" forced itself out of me. I covered my face, hearing my voice whining with horror. Worse still, even though I managed to muffle my next "*HMK!*" I felt my stomach jolt and heard all of the water sloshing inside of it. God, what was wrong with me? How could my body be so obstructive and gross?"

"Shit. It's okay, Kiran. It's okay." I had no idea how it could possibly be okay, but the gentleness of Susanna's voice and the feeling of her hand rubbing up and down my back made it seem the tiniest bit more believable. "It, uh..." her voice paused in an odd way. "This is happening because you're hungry, right?" I nodded. "You think eating would help?" I nodded again. "Okay. Hopefully your salad'll get here soon. Think about what kind of main thing you'll wanna order, we should tell the waiter about that the next time he comes around."

How could she be so calm? I looked up and saw that her face was actually flushed bright red. When she saw I was looking at her, she quickly turned away. Fuck, she wasn't calm. She was embarrassed too. Of course she was. How couldn't she be?

"Ma'am, you're distracting other diners. Please sit back down in your chair." I heard the maître d''s voice behind us.

"Shi—uh, sure. Yeah, sorry about that." I felt her move away from me and missed her hand on my back, though she gently pulled one of my hands away from my mouth so that she could hold it from across the table.

"I'm sure that your fellow patrons would appreciate it if you would keep quiet as well, ma'am." I couldn't even bear to open my eyes.

"Hey. She can't help it." There was a slight growl to Susanna's voice, and her fingers gripped the top of my hand more firmly.

"Of course." Even I could hear the contempt in his voice as he walked away.

"...asshole. Don't worry about him, Kiran. Fuck that guy." Susanna kept her voice low as she swore, and I couldn't help but laugh. That almost made a louder hiccup come out of me, and even through my hand, I couldn't silence them. Not completely. And I could still hear my stomach sloshing. God, the chair might have even been creaking every time I moved.

Excruciating minutes passed with Susanna gently rubbing my hand, speaking softly to me about random, unthreatening topics, like video games that she was enjoying, or the less raunchy escapades Maya had dragged her and Olivia into. I appreciated it so much, but it didn't do anything for the fact that I just kept hiccupping every few seconds. Not to mention my stomach was growling...everything about me was so big and loud and obnoxious. I hated it so much. Why couldn't I be small enough to just disappear like she was?

"Madams?"

"Uh, hey, cool," I heard the voice of the waiter that Susanna had accosted earlier. "Do you know how long the salad's gonna take? Oh, also, I wanna order for her. Which one of these will take the least time to—"

"I-I'm sorry, madams, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." My eyes shot open and I looked at our waiter. Unlike the maître d', he looked apologetic enough that even I could see it.

"'Scuse me?" Susanna's voice hardened again, and her hand firmly gripped onto mine.

"Erm, other customers have been complaini—"

"What other customers? This place is mostly empty. If someone's really been complaining, can't you just move us further towards—"

"Other customers have been complaining, and I'm afraid that unless you're able to be less disruptive, we'll have to request that you leave." The waiter's voice sounded nearly pained as he said that.

"Look, if you could bring out her salad or some other food, that should help and she'll—" I couldn't help it. I sobbed. Then I hiccupped. I could feel the eyes of the waiter and Susanna on me, and I felt so humiliated that I couldn't even think. I had no idea whether to cover my mouth or my eyes, and the hand that had been under Susanna's was uselessly flapping instead of doing either of those things. "...fine. Okay, come on, Kiran." I forced my eyes open and saw Susanna, slightly blurry, take a wallet out of her pocket. She glanced at the menu, cringed, then pulled out a few bills and placed them on the table. "Change is a tip for you." 

Susanna grabbed my flapping hand and started dragging me away, pausing for a second to glare at the maître d'. I could hear him sniff as we left. "Don't forget your...jacket."

"...thanks." Susanna paused long enough to grab her hoodie, then dragged me the rest of the way out. "Okay, fuck that place. There's a Wawa just a block away, we'll get you something there, then I'll see if there's any better restaurants nearby where I can get you some real food."

"I'm–*HIUK!*" I choked out more sobs and I could feel tears rolling down my face. Pathetic. "I'm sorr–*EEK!*"

"Don't be." We reached the convenience store. I wasn't sure I'd ever been inside of one. "Okay, think about what kind of sandwich you might want. I'll grab you something quicker." I forced my eyes open and looked around. There were a few people here, and they glanced at me when I hiccuped, but then looked back away. The middle-aged woman behind the counter looked particularly unbothered by me...unbothered by anything, really. And unemotive about anything. Possibly chemically so. "You don't eat meat, right?" I nodded at Susanna. "Got it. Kinda, uh, limits our options, but..." She went to the counter and, before I could stop her, paid for an apple fritter, a fruit cup, and some sort of...bag of pickle slices? How did she know that I'd been craving pickles lately?

However she knew it, when she gave them to me, I immediately started eating, hoping to god that it would make my body stop making sounds. I was still crying, but at least I was doing so mostly silently. When she confirmed that I would be able to eat it, Susanna bought me a large sandwich with cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. I felt absurd for making her have to order and pay for me, but the fluorescent lights were making my head ache. "Hey. There's a park-type thing a couple blocks from here. It'd be pretty quiet, so you can take a minute and rest. That sound good?" I nodded, and she smiled up at me. "Cool. Come with me."

Susanna didn't hold my hand this time, just because both of mine were full with the sandwich and snacks she had bought me. I was still crying and hiccupping, and it made me feel so ridiculous. My attempts to eat weren't helping. And my feet ached. It was such a relief when we reached the park and she showed me to a bench. There was nobody there, and the street lamps were warm and unthreatening. "Okay. You don't have to try and hold back or hide, Kiran. We're alone here. You won't bother anyone."

Feeling her sit next to me and hearing her say that made me sob again, which didn't help my stupid hiccups. "I'm sorr–*HEEK!*"

"You shouldn't be. You didn't do anything wrong." I did, but I wasn't able to explain that to her right now. Whether or not I did, though, Susanna was rubbing my back again, not seeming bothered at all by the way I would jolt into her over and over. "Hey, I'm gonna call my mom for a minute, okay? Don't worry about being quiet or anything, this won't take long." I nodded. I doubted I even could be quiet, no matter how much I might have wanted to. I heard the sound of Susanna's phone and glanced at her. She'd ended up tying her hoodie around her waist, so she'd unrolled her shirtsleeves, which were now just barely avoiding covering her hands. Her face looked a little flushed, but the lack of light made it hard to be sure. "Yeah. Hey Mom. I need to borrow the Yelp account." She paused and rolled her eyes. "Yes yes, how are you, I'm great thanks, look, can we keep it short right now? I'm on a date...yeah, she's great, Mom." Susanna scowled and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Fine, I'll call you on Saturday, you can hold me to that. But I need the Yelp account now...because I'm gonna go nuclear Karen on someone's ass and you're the one who actually reviews things...No, I'm not overreacting, they made my date cry!" The genuine anger in her voice was a little scary, and I must have audibly gasped, because she turned towards me and stopped rubbing my back for a moment to gently pat my shoulder. "Yeah. Yeah, that's what I thought...God—...bless it, Mom, you really need to change that password...Well, I ask every time because I'm very polite and respectful." I couldn't help it. I laughed. I laughed and I hiccuped, and Susanna smiled at me. And my heart fluttered. "Okay. No, I don't need your help, I learned from the best...I know, I know, I won't use any profanity. I'll be good...yeah yeah, love you too. Bye." She hung up and exhaled. "Mom says hi. And...I only just now realized that I should ask you about this, so...are you okay with me being a bitch to that French place on Yelp?"

I looked down. "You...*HMK* You shouldn't be. They di–*IC* they didn't do anythi–*INK*–i-ing wrong."

"Bullshit. You're the one who didn't do anything wrong."

"But I did! *HIUK!*" Yelling was a terrible idea, but that didn't stop me from doing it, and my stupid eyes were tearing up again. "I didn't ea–*EEK* eat lunch today becau–*UCK* because I was nervous, but I kn–*HEEP* know that being hungr–*EEK* hungry makes my stomach gr–*UCK* growl and gives me th–*IC* the hic–*CUPS!* I ruined our d–*HUP* our date!"

"Bullshit!" It caught me off guard just how quickly she repeated herself, and she grabbed both of my hands. "You didn't ruin anything, Kiran. Your body did normal human things and that dickhead in the tux was a piece of shit about it. He sucks, that place sucks, fuck both of them. I didn't see any of the other patrons complaining, so I'm pretty sure it was just that prick. And even if it wasn't, fuck anyone who tried to give you shit about it." Susanna closed her eyes and took a slow breath. "You're allowed to take up space, Kiran. You're allowed to be a person and experience the shit that humans experience. You shouldn't have to be perfect. I mean, you'd think they were being assholes if they kicked Olivia out for the same reason, right?"

I blinked. "W...well yes, b–*UK* but...she can't he–*ULK* help it."

"And you can't either. Not right now at least. I don't care if you could have somehow avoided it earlier; the past is the past, now is now. And right now you can't help it." Her face was definitely strangely flushed right now, and she was avoiding eye contact too. "It's not your fault. You've just...you've just got the h-hiccups. That's all."

"Yeah. *HMK*. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." After a moment of hesitant hovering, Susanna got up and hugged me. Her arms wrapped around my neck and she leaned over, so her front was pressed against mine. My stomach jolted with a hiccup and it shook her whole body, and I heard her let out an odd little giggle at that. Somehow, that made me giggle too. "Don't be sorry. You don't huh--have to be." When another hiccup bounced her, it interrupted her voice. "And I don't mind. I'm frie—uh, friends with Oliv---via. Of course I do--on't."

That...made sense. I wrapped my arms around her too, and even though it was embarrassing to feel how my body shook and wobbled against hers, it felt good to have her small form pulled to me and feel how soft she really was. "Thank you. *HMK*"

"Of course."

I didn't really let go. And she didn't really either. So for a few minutes, we were just holding each other while I hiccupped, and....it was okay. It was okay. I apologized when I was loud next to her ear, and she told me it was fine. Eventually, she started wriggling and pulled back. I honestly could have stayed like that all night, but it wouldn't do either of us any good to be greedy. I went back to eating and she leaned against me, somehow managing to type on her phone while I kept shaking her. After a few minutes, she turned to me and showed me the review she'd typed out, which was the politest, most venomous thing I'd ever read in my life ("My mom's white. She taught me their secrets."). With a few small edits, I let her leave her one-star review, and she snickered to herself as she sent it before logging out.

As I was finishing up my sandwich, something occurred to me. "Susanna, *mnk* you didn't actually buy anyth–*IC* anything for yourself, did you?"

"Uh," she chuckled. "Nah. Guess I kind of forgot that."

"Mm. Did you find a re–*uck* restaurant nearby that lo–*HOOP*–nnnhf...excuse me, *mmk* looks good?"

Her lips pursed. "I mean, good to me or good to you? Because there's a diner-type place that I'm kinda curious about but—"

"Then let's go th---there. *mmk*"

She looked up at me. "You sure?"

"Well, my sug---gestion didn't exactly pan ou–*HUP* o-out, so...let's try your inst–*ic* instincts this time. You will be le–*HUP* letting me pay this time, though."

Susanna chuckled and scratched the back of her head. "S'long as you're sure, I guess. I want you to be comfortable."

"I want y–*HUP* you to be comfortable to–*HOOP*–oooohhh..." I rubbed my chest, a bit surprised they were still holding on. I still felt hungry, though. Which was...humiliating, given how many snacks I had just been given, but I did my best not to let it bother me. I decided to be gently self-deprecating instead of aggressively so for a change. "Besides, *hmk*, Olivia's not here to ge–*ulp* get them for you, so we would–*nnkt*–n't want you getting too hu–*UP*–ungry and catching the hi–*IC*–cups like me."

Instead of the soft laughter I expected, I was watching her close enough to see Susanna's face flush bright red. A second later, she laughed far louder than she usually did and scratched the back of her neck. "Y-yeah. Wouldn't want that, hahaha..."

That was...that was odd.

When we got to the diner the woman behind the counter glared at us and threw the menus aggressively on our table, then gave us both free hot chocolate because "it's cold out there, you goddamn kids." There were significantly more people in this restaurant, and I did get brief glances while I still had the hiccups, but only a few. Since we'd been seated at a booth more appropriate for four people, Susanna sat next to me, and I noticed that she leaned against me and took every opportunity to rub my back. Under the less aggressive fluorescent lights, I could see just how much more flushed her face was than normal, and see how it drained back to its usual color when the Portobello burger I ordered finally filled me up and chased my hiccups away. The whole time we talked about our classes, the music we listened to and played ("I used to play piano when I was young! Do you think you could teach me more?" "Maybe. I'm actually better at pipe organ, of all fucking things."), our families, our friends on the rugby teams, the friendships we were developing outside of them, and it was just...

It was just comfortable.

I just felt like myself.

I was a bit overfull by the time we left, and Susanna had poached what was left of my meal into a doggy bag that she would be keeping. As we were walking, I kept an eye on her, waiting for the inevitable as I felt that tiny tension in my chest that I always got after I ate a little too much, until eventually I—"*HEEK!*" hiccuped loudly again. Even though I'd been awaiting and anticipating it, I still felt myself blush bright red and automatically covered my mouth.

Under the street lights, I saw Susanna blush bright red too as she whipped around to stare at me. "Uh—" There was something tense about her voice, and she looked away faster than she normally would. "Y-you good?"

"Y-yes, excuse me." My little stutter matched hers. "I, um, had another one of those 'singles'."

She chuckled. She was bad at laughing on purpose. Even I could tell it wasn't quite right. And since she didn't have her hood on, when I leaned forward, even though she was facing away, I could see the tiny smile on her flushed face. "Don't worry about it, Kiran. I don't mind."

That seemed like it might not actually be true...or that it was, if anything, an understatement.

When we were in front of my house, it wasn't long after my "single", and Susanna was still a little unmoored. Even so, she smiled up at me. "Hey. I had fun tonight."

I could feel myself smiling and realized that my hands were flapping. I didn't have the energy to try and hold them back though. "I-I did too! Sincerely! The..." my hands stilled and I felt the shame of earlier crawl into the back of my throat. "The first restaurant was...bad. But everything else..." I laughed. "Everything else was really lovely. Even with the hiccups."

Red. Her face went red again. She fake-laughed again. She scratched the back of her neck again. "Glad to hear it. So, if we both had a good time..." she looked up. I dodged her eyes, but I already knew she didn't take offense to that. "Wanna try it again another week?"

My hands were flapping again. "Yes! Yes please!"

"Hehey, that works great!" Her smile was so wide. She then hesitated, lifted a hand, lowered it, then lifted it again and placed it on my cheek. I instinctively leaned into her touch. "Hey, Kiran. Think you could bend over a bit for me?"

My heart was pounding in my chest as I lowered myself. "Y...yes. Like this?"

"Yeah. Exactly like that." I felt the heat of her breath against my lips and my eyes shut without me before we touched. Hers were so chapped but so soft. I had no idea what I was doing. But she taught me. She taught me and I learned as best as I could. And we stayed together much longer than a second or two. When we finally pulled back, I was breathing heavily. So was she. Clouds of steam were forming between our lips. "...night, Kiran."

"Goodnight, Susanna."

Our faces were close enough that I felt her smile before I saw it. And then she walked away, only seeming to realize once I was behind her that she could put her hoodie back on.

I made my way back into the empty house, walking past the bedrooms where other students weren't and up the stairs to my own. And once I was curled up in my warm bed, I took out my phone and looked at my messages from what I was mostly sure was Maya.

Queen of Illusion: YOU BETTER TELL ME HOW THIS SHIT WENT WHEN YOU GET BACK PLEASE TELL ME YOU FUCKIN KISSED HER AND THEN KISS ME (IF YOU WANNA)

Kiran (Kiki): Hello Maya(?) Our date went wonderfully.

Queen of Illusion: Youre damn right it did! (And yup its me)

Kiran (Kiki): Before I get into that, though, may I ask you something that might seem a little ...strange?

Queen of Illusion: Bitch I might seem a little strange go 4 it

Kiran (Kiki): Alright.

Before I could bring myself to actually ask, I scrolled back a large number of messages until I found three spoilered ones. I finally clicked the spoilers of the last message.

3: Its something Liv does all the fuckin time

Alright. That made me significantly more confident in what I was about to type.

Kiran (Kiki): With regard to the missing context that you and Olivia have concerning Susanna Would that context possibly be that she has some sort of ...affinity? For hiccups?

Queen of Illusion: ...babe.

Kiran (Kiki): Did I say something wrong?

Queen of Illusion: Babe no You said everything fuckin right. And we are gonna have so much fuckin fun with this OPERATION "SEDUCE THAT BUTCH" IS A FUCKIN GO!

The mixture of excitement and terror in my stomach made me feel like I'd made the best decision of my life and a horrible mistake all at once.

[queenofcats17]

Is it ok if you write a thing about HS Sammy getting turned back into a child? (Both mentally and physically) I think that would cause some adorable shenanigans to occur (with the toons help ofc u-u)

Yeah, sure!

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

Sammy had long been the victim of magic shenanigans. And today was no different. Joey had been doing....something, and now Sammy was a child.

Now, this in itself presented a pretty big problem, as he couldn't very well do his job when he was a little kid. But there was another problem. And that problem was that Sammy had no memory of anything that had happened after the age of ten, the age he seemed to currently be. Meaning he didn't recognize anyone in the studio (aside from Jack) and didn't understand how he'd gotten here or where his parents were.

"....So this is bad," Joey said, glancing over at where Sammy was hiding behind Jack.

"You think?" Bendy growled.

"Do you think you can fix this?" Henry asked, trying to will away the headache he could already feel developing.

"Of course I can!" Joey quickly assured him, although his confidence faded quickly. "I just...don't know how long it'll take to reverse this..."

"I can watch him until he's back to normal," Jack volunteered. "He knows me, after all."

"That would be great, thank you, Jack." Henry gave Jack a weak smile.

"You're welcome." Jack returned Henry's smile before focusing his attention back on the small Sammy. "You wanna see my workstation?"

Sammy hesitated, then nodded, shrinking back further in the way that signaled there were too many people and he was overwhelmed.

"Alright, come on." Jack gently guided Sammy out of Joey's office and through the halls toward the Music Department.

As they traveled, Sammy remained glued to Jack's side, looking very much as though he were trying to hide. Which, honestly, he probably was. Sammy had never done particularly well with being suddenly thrust into new environments. He needed time to mentally prepare himself for the new space and the new people. Jack knew this had to be incredibly overwhelming for the small version of his friend. Which was why he was going to do his best to make this easier for Sammy.

When they got to the top of the stairs that led to the sewers, Sammy abruptly stopped, pulling back.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked.

Sammy shook his head, covering his nose. "It smells," he said. "I'm not going."

"Why don't we go to your office, then?" Jack suggested.

"My...office?" Sammy echoed with a frown.

"It won't smell," Jack said.

Sammy's frown deepened, but he nodded, taking Jack's hand again and following him back up the stairs to the office. Sammy squinted a bit as they approached the office, his gaze zeroing in on the sign above the window.

"Why does it have my name on it?" He asked, tugging on Jack's sleeve.

"Because it belongs to grown-up you," Jack answered, fishing out the key to the office and unlocking it.

Sammy's eyes widened at this. "...Grown up me must be really important..." He said quietly.

"Something like that," Jack laughed, holding the door open and ushering Sammy inside.

Sammy tentatively stepped inside, looking warily around. Jack remained where he was by the door, watching Sammy look around. It was interesting to look at Sammy and see the seeds of behaviors he regularly displayed as his adult self. The way he squinted when he was concentrating particularly hard, the way he folded his arms around himself when he was in a new environment.

He'd forgotten how cute Sammy had been as a child too. Granted, he probably hadn't noticed it when he'd been a child himself, but seeing child Sammy as an adult was really driving home to Jack just how adorable Sammy had been as a kid.

"What's this?"

Jack's attention was drawn back to Sammy as the boy pointed to the sheets of music on the desk. There were a few finished compositions, as well as a half-done song for Alice.

"It's sheet music," he answered, walking over to stand next to his friend.

Sammy let out an adorable huff, folding his arms. "I know that," he said indignantly. "But what are they?"

"I'm not sure what you mean." Jack gave an apologetic smile.

Sammy huffed again. "What are they for? The names are weird."

"They're songs for cartoons," Jack explained. "You wrote them."

Sammy's pouting was abruptly stopped as his eyes went wide. Slowly, he looked up at Jack with an awestruck expression.

"...I wrote them?" He asked quietly, pointing at himself.

Jack couldn't help but laugh. "You sure did. And I'm writing the words to go along with them."

Sammy's face split in a huge grin and he began to flap his hands. "We're making songs together!" He exclaimed, bouncing up and down.

Jack's smile widened. "Yeah, we are!"

"We're making songs together!!" Sammy repeated, beginning to jump around excitedly.

The display warmed Jack's heart. It honestly felt really good to see a little Sammy so ecstatic at the prospect of making music with him. He was happy to know his friend liked working with him.

The moment was interrupted, however, by a gentle knock on the door. Sammy froze, immediately scampering to hide behind Jack's legs.

"It's okay," Jack quietly assured him before addressing whoever was at the door. "Yeah?"

"I hope I'm not intruding." Susie's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Well, I wouldn't say you're intruding..." Jack glanced down at Sammy, who was staring intently at the door and clinging to Jack's pants.

Susie gave a little laugh. "I'm sensing there's a but."

"There is," Jack laughed as well. "Sammy's a bit skittish right now, that's all."

"Ah, right..." There was clear disappointment in Susie's voice.

"Is it okay if she comes in?" Jack asked, gently patting Sammy's head.

Sammy frowned, hunching his shoulders and continuing to stare at the door.

"...Just for a little," he said.

"Thank you." Jack turned back to the door. "He says you can come in for a little."

"Really?!" Susie exclaimed.

Like a startled cat, the loudness of the statement made Sammy withdraw further, prompting Jack to ask Susie to be a bit quieter.

After an apology, Susie tentatively entered. She looked on the verge of squealing upon seeing Sammy's little face peeking out from behind Jack's solid form, but she managed to keep it together.

"Oh, he's adorable..." She whispered.

"Who're you?" Sammy demanded, eyes narrowed.

"This is Susie," Jack said. "She sings some of the songs you and I write."

Susie gave a little wave. "Your songs are very nice."

Sammy continued to stare at Susie, his eyes still narrowed. Slowly, though, he crept out from behind Jack.

"Oh, you're so cute..." Susie said, still making a valiant effort to not squeal or scoop Sammy up.

"'m not cute..." Sammy grumbled, folding his arms. "...So you...sing?"

"I do!" Susie confirmed with a smile. "Would you like to hear?"

Sammy hesitated, thinking about it for a good long minute, before tentatively nodding.

Susie cleared her throat, standing up to her full height. Then, she launched into "Lonely Angel".

As soon as the first words left her lips, Sammy looked utterly enraptured. He stared at Susie with unbridled wonder as she sang. Jack made a mental note to bring this up to Sammy once he was back to normal. He couldn't wait to see how flustered Sammy would be.

"You have a beautiful voice..." Sammy whispered once Susie had finished singing.

"Aaw, thank you!" Susie put a hand to her chest. "You know, I was just about to go record a new song. Do you want to come watch?"

Sammy hesitated again, looking at Jack.

"I'll come with you," Jack assured him.

Satisfied by this response, Sammy turned back to Susie and gave a little nod, reaching out to take her hand.

Susie stifled a squeal, then led Sammy out of the office, with Jack following behind.

Sammy spent the rest of the day glued to Jack and Susie's sides. Despite his initial wariness of her, after hearing her sing he was suctioned to her side like a koala. Something about her made him feel safe, although he couldn't explain why.

Everyone thought it was absolutely adorable, especially Boris and Alice. They had the good sense not to say this while Sammy was around, for fear of making him embarrassed and cutting the koala impression short, but they were certainly thinking it. Wally was also making a mental note to tease Sammy about this later.

Thankfully, by the end of the day, Joey had managed to figure out a way to return Sammy to normal. It did take a bit of convincing to get little Sammy into the spell circle, but once they did it was a fairly simple process of executing the spell.

When the smoke cleared, there was adult Sammy, bright red and looking mortified.

"We will never speak of this again," he whispered.

"No promises~," Jack said with a big grin.

Sammy groaned, covering his face. Why did this always happen to him?

[writingmeraki]

[ 11: 37 ]

a son heungmin drabble!

genre : fluff, pinch of angst.

pairing : son heungmin x gn!reader, strangers to ???.

warnings : mentions of heartbreak indirectly, slight cussing, stupid choices (pls don't stay out in pouring rain nor run through rain.)

author's note : here is a small little drabble i came up with today hehe ^^ ! sonny deserves sm love and I really liked writing this ngl :D anyways hope you like it as well 🤎!!!

word count : 1.6k

The rain was pouring hard on the earth as though mother nature itself seemed to be upset. It poured angrily and harshly. Mercilessly.

In a way even though it left no mercy for whoever decided to face it head-on, it wrapped a sort of serene comfort around many, sad souls would find comfort in knowing the sky is mourning with them, for them. Happy souls could find joy in the lines the raindrops left on windows, the little puddles that were always the best to jump in. It was as if the rain was meant for everyone and it truly was.

Humans and their little joys in life.

You smiled up at the sky as you stood there, waiting under a shelter because you had missed your bus due to staying at the library longer than usual to finish your final psychology essay.

You were glad you did grab an umbrella before you left the house that day but it still seemed as though the fury of the earth had not yet calmed and you knew your umbrella stood no chance in a war against the harsh droplets of rain.

Your eyes scanned your surrounding ahead of you and you raised an eyebrow when you saw something or rather someone sitting on a bench a bit further away.

Huh? How did I miss them? You thought as you wondered how you completely missed a human but then you realized it was probably your tired state.

You looked at your expensive and rather beautiful,black watch which your best friend, Heechan, had gotten for you as a present even though you insisted you didn't need such an expensive gift.

'11:37' it read and you looked up at the stranger again wondering why they'd be sitting outside in such a downfall at the late hours of the night.

As you took in their figure, you realized it was a man.

You began to notice his body language and it seemed...

It seemed like he was down.

You found irony as to how his sullen mood seemed to have matched the equally sullen weather.

You should follow the stranger danger rule, your mother had always taught you that. It was something you obeyed even till now, when you were a fully grown twenty three year old human being.

Yet you couldn't help but want to at least figure out why he'd been sitting in the pouring rain, with his narrowed eyes, you think it was probably from the droplets entering his eyes and him trying to keep them open.

And for once it seemed as though your gut agreed with your initial thoughts and you being sensible you decided to just go with it.

As you opened up your umbrella, you still mentally prepared to become soaked even though you prayed to the heavens to have a bit of empathy for you.

You began walking towards him slowly yet firmly, careful so as to not slip and have to have an embarrassing first impression on a complete stranger.

The water puddles splashed against your feet as you cringed at the way your long pants began feeling more and more wet making you now have second guesses as to whether it was really worth it to confront the stranger.

Son Heungmin had been sitting on the bench physically being present at the place, his clothes being drenched showing no emotions on his face as he stared at well...nothing.

Yet his mind seemed to have been doing all the hard work, contemplating, questioning, wandering as a million different thoughts flew around it yet the most prominent one stood.

Why?

A simple yet heavy question that laid on the tip of his tongue but it seemed it was as if his mouth protested against letting out any sort of sound so the question just laid on his tongue and mind feeling more and more weighty as time passed by.

Suddenly before he could even make out how there stood a figure infront of him his body seemed to have realised it firstly when it felt no more of the strident downpour on it.

It took him a second to focus on the pair of shoes in front of him and his gaze immediately moved upwards.

You stood there holding the umbrella barely being able to cover the both of you but you would rather it cover the strange man more due to just the purity of your heart even though your mind did rationalise it was pointless seeing he was already soaked but hey at least it was still something right?

Beautiful.

Was the first actual thought that had made sense to him since the entire day as he scanned your face. And it was true, you were indeed a beautiful person with delicate yet sharp features, lips that now barely had your favourite strawberry flavoured chapstick, eyes that seemed tired yet held a sort of concern which made Sonny's broken heart race as he realised it was towards him.

"Hey, uh not to sound rude or anything but are you actually planning your own death sir?!"

You said in a loud voice to make sure he had heard you through the sounds of splattering, your voice though loud was laced with concern as you were now fully able to see him.

Pretty.

Was your first thought when he looked up at you and you saw his facial features, even though his hair was wet, it seemed to be in a perfectly elegant style with a few strands poking out, and oh God.

His face. It was not like you had never seen anyone attractive in your life, you'd even go as far as saying you even dated a few attractive ones but he seemed to have literally looked like he came out of some sort of fairytale.

His eyes though, you thought were the prettiest. They seemed to have so many emotions swirling through them and under the dim street light you could make out a deep brown colour.His lips were a shade of rosy pink which made them look so ki-

You cleared your throat and once again prayed to your body to not let the warmth your heart was feeling rush to your cheeks.

Mentally cussing at your thoughts regarding a damn stranger, an attractive one, you asked once again

"Hey! I ask-"

"No." He replied to your previous question more firmly than he thought as though he was obligated to answer making you frown a bit at his snappy tone.

He registered your small frown and realised it sounded rude so he quickly cleared his throat and followed "Uh- i mean no, i am fine, t-thank you for asking."

He told softly as he looked away before he could feel his breathing increasing from staring at the small unknowingly pout which had formed on your face.

Fuck.

He didn't even know you but he still found you so...cute?

"You don't seem fine, and I'm not meaning to be protruding your...your space but just a suggestion, you should probably sit under the shelter if you're going to want to sulk more."

You put your free hand over your mouth quickly after registering what you had said in the end and immediately apologized

"SHI- I didn't mean-"

The man let out a chuckle at your kind yet blunt words and it seemed as though for a moment he forgot why he had been sitting there in the first place finding a sense of comfort from your kind eyes and warmly actions, as he replied

"Well since you so kindly asked, sure I'd love to sit there."

He finished with a small genuine smile knowing you were probably feeling awkward, hoping it'd convey the message he wanted to mentally.

And it seemed as though it did when you felt your own small smile forming as you saw how his eyes turned into tiny crescent moons as his cheeks slightly bunched up

"Sadly this umbrella isn't big enough for the both of us, how about a little sprinting?"

Hesitantly yet slowly you reached your hand out as to lift him up so you at least you'd both be able to stay under the small umbrella comfortably.

Raising an eyebrow at your hand, he thought oh what the heck as he placed his large hand in yours and it seemed as though it was meant to fit as cliche as it sounds as he tightened his hand because it felt more slippery from the rain.

Never in your life did you think you'd willingly hold hands with a stranger but here you were staring right into his softened gaze as you stared back for a few seconds before once again clearing your throat and moving to step beside him as you still held his hand by your side.

You turned your head towards him and said

"On the count of three, we make a run for it?"

He nodded registering your words and slowly a small grin once again formed on his face as he realised you two seemed like teenagers in a typical romcom film.

And you shared the same thought unknowingly as you began with a giddy grin

"one, two, THREE!"

You both made a run for it, trying to keep up with each other, tightly holding onto each other's hands and you couldn't help but laugh because it just felt like a typical scene from a cliche romcom.

Sonny didn't hold back his own laughter as he found yours to be contagious and sweet, he wanted to hear it over and over again.

You took a glance at him when you heard him laugh, feeling a bit better when it seemed as though his mood had changed and were quite proud of yourself, you'll admit.

And as you both reached the shelter, you put down your umbrella and stood to take a breath, you both looked at each other and you couldn't help but chuckle even more as you realised the umbrella seemed to be pointless when you touched your slightly wet forehead.

And in that moment, as he stood there with a complete stranger, Sonny seemed to have completely forgotten about his broken heart and he wished, oh he wished for you to be able to stay just a little longer.

Enough for it to heal back again so he can maybe one day be the reason for your beautiful laughter.

all written works as well as images and edits (unless credited) belong to pri. do not plagiarise, repost, re-edit or claim as yours. pics mostly found on pinterest.

writingmeraki Ⓒ 2022