#whatcha doin step bro?

[therealhousewifeofharrystyles]

Whatcha Doin' Step Bro

*Part 2*

Read Part 1 Here

Pairing: Harry Styles // Y/N (Step-Sibling EU)

Word Count: ~ 9k words

🔞WARNINGS🔞: adult language, rough smut, degradation, overstimulation, references to a filthy masturbation session, sexual fantasies involving a step sibling, inappropriate touching between step siblings, dom!harry, sub!y/n, cum fetish, oral sex (m & f receiving), unprotected p-in-v

[y/m/n=your middle name; if you don’t have one, you can just ignore it 😊]

You couldn’t stop thinking about it. About the thing. How wet his dick was, how he knew you were there at the doorway, the way he looked at you…and he just…came all over himself. You speed through your neighborhood streets to sink yourself into the realm of retail. It’s meant to be a distraction—a visual diversion to get your mind off of Harry and his dripping cock. But it’s as if a part of your subconscious is holding a marathon of your short-term memory, and the past 15 minutes loops on a suspiciously high-definition projector inside of your brain…

You wake up. Harry isn’t shitting on your day 1st thing in the morning. Life seems livable for an hour or so. You think it’s strange, but you want to savor it while you still can. As if he could sense your state of ease, Harry yells for you from his bedroom. You reluctantly decide to check on him. Being well-mannered, you knock on his door before entering. He responds strangely. Your imagination has brought you to dire conclusions. You open the door, growing concerned for his well-being. Then, boom—you get front-row seats to see your step brother and his stupid, perfect cock, and after his cum finishes shooting out of him like lotion out of a pump, he has the audacity to assume you’d want to sample some.

He’s such a scumbag. What—does he think you’re in some kind of pure taboo, bratty-sis, family strokes, sis-loves-me video?! Not that you ever watch those…or even know what they are…

Who are you kidding—you’ve explored this fantasy in the privacy of your bedroom more times than you can count. Especially since the other day when Harry fingered you in the laundry room and left you before you could cum. You’re still mad about that, by the way. Right after it happened, you bolted for your room where you shut your door behind you, dropped to your knees on the floor, and rubbed at your clit to finish what he’d started. You muffled your moans with your free hand as you rode out your perpetual orgasms. It was pathetic how quickly you’d gotten yourself writhing and humping against your fingers to the sick imagery of your step brother savoring your natural lubricant from his fingers. You’d only ever dreamt of something like that coming to fruition. You’ve been entertaining yourself in this perverse land of daydreams for so long—pretending to be repulsed by your step brother and his malignant vulgarity. 

Meanwhile, your thoughts have progressively been plagued by filthy scenarios where you and your step brother participate in extremely inappropriate activities in places where it’s extremely likely for the two of you to get caught. The details aren’t too important…but they do change according to whatever Harry chooses to say and/or do to you each day. 

For example—one time, it was late and you’d just arrived back home from a friend’s house. As you tiptoed across the first floor towards the main staircase, you were spooked by the sudden noise of someone clearing their throat in the living room. You froze and whipped your head in the direction where it came from, squinting in the darkness to try and identify any odd shapes or shadows. Then a phone screen lit up to illuminate his face. Harry’s face. Easily startled, you sucked in a gasp and knocked your elbow against the wooden railing. You clutched onto your arm to self-soothe and tried to hold in an echoing yelp. “Ouch…! Harryyy!” You whisper-yelled. Your eyes darted back to him as if he’d been the one to directly cause you harm. He wasn’t even looking at you; rather, he was pretending to be occupied with his device as if he was completely unaware of your presence. Prick. You knew he was up to something.

“Harry!” You hiss, slowly approaching him near the sofa.

That was when he finally acknowledged you by lazily lifting his gaze to travel up your figure, taking his sweet time in doing so. “Oh…you’re home.” His voice was both dull and bitter in its tone. You sensed more tension in the room than usual, and you wondered what sort of fight he was trying to pick at 2 o’clock in the goddamned morning. While you were sleepily making sense of the situation in your head, Harry went ahead and gave you a hefty clue as to why he seemed so peeved. 

“So, how’d it go with what’s-his-nuts?” He shut his phone off before reaching beside him and clicking a lamp on. It took a few uncomfortable seconds for your eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness. Due to the unpleasant combination of drowsiness, the lingering sting on your funny-bone, and the overall irritation climbing up your spine from Harry preventing you from going straight to sleep, you answered his stupid question with pure impatience. “His name is Max, and I had a lot of fun, actually.” You ended your statement with a sigh. The sound came off as more of a swooning sigh, but that was completely unintentional. You were just exhausted and you honestly didn’t feel like staying up even later just for your step brother to tease you about a guy you just hung out with.  “Ah, I see…” he hummed, staring you and your body down as if it were his property to defend.

Max was just a friend, but Harry wasn’t convinced of that. It certainly didn’t help matters that you’d returned home so late wearing the not-so-conservative outfit you’d chosen to wear. 

But you'd only participated in a movie marathon, and you both just lost track of time. Honestly—that was it. Sure, there may be a possibility that Max has a little crush on you. But he’s never tried to make a move on you or cross any boundaries. He’s nothing but a kind, funny, respectful gentleman towards you, and you value his friendship. 

Harry has met him in person a few times and he’s always put on this protective older brother persona as some intimidation tactic to make Max nervous whenever he comes over. It’s like he’s a jealous boyfriend or something, except he’s your step brother, and he essentially has no valid reason to act the way he does. Regardless, you still had to put up with the grump and his accusatory attitude after every interaction you have with your friend.

“…Hope you kids at least used protection…” Harry’s expression grew even more resentful, but to his surprise, your face immediately reflected the same. “Wha—what the fuck, Harry?!” You whisper-yelled, stomping all the way towards him with your arms crossed over your middle. The man just propped his leg upon his opposite knee and huffed in disbelief. “Oh, c’mon, Y/N. Don’t play coy w’me. Everyone knows he’s dying to fuck you—” 

“—Stop! He is not!”

“Ok. Keep tellin’ y’self that, babe—”

“—Don’t fucking call me that.” You held out an accusatory finger at him.

“Oi, whatever. I just hope he’s got a fresh box of Trojans at his place.” You made a face at him. “Ugh, just shut up, Harry.” 

He hummed, dropping his leg down so he could spread his knees wide and sit back against the couch cushion with his hands behind his head. “Hmm…oh, by the way…” He slowly stood to his feet, towering over you as if he were twice your size. You felt the remnants of whatever power or tenacity you had slip from your lips in a tiny whimper as his chest brushed against yours and your nipples perked up at the contact even through the layers of your clothing. You swallowed dryly. The lack of decent moisture in your mouth almost made you choke.

Harry leant down so his lips and stubble tickled your cheek. “…Don’t you ever tell me what I’m allowed to call you. I can speak to you however the fuck I want. You understand me?” His voice was deep and harsh, his accent thick. It only got like that when he was serious. I guess this was one of those times. Your heart sunk to the floor. He carefully pulled away and you were actually quite aroused by his display of dominance…at first. 

Your step brother was just trying to get a rise out of you. His method of doing so was really fucking hot and you desperately wanted to be a good girl so he’d reward you later…but that’s not what this was. No. Harry wanted to use your crush on him to his advantage. But guess what? You weren’t gonna let Harry walk all over you. Not when he got to have his fun making his way around the neighborhood with all the desperate housewives and their newly divorced 40-something friends. 

He acted like he wanted you—like you were his. Except he was only interested in bedding the local cougars and milfs. You weren't either of those things…i.e.: you weren’t his type. And so why would you want to waste your time sneaking around with your STEP BROTHER, of all people, when he’d just humiliate you and leave you for someone more experienced anyway? It wasn’t worth the pain of rejection nor the embarrassment once mom and dad would eventually find out. 

And so, instead of putting on your ‘good girl’ act, you glared at him. “HA! I don’t think so, you asshole. Fuck off!” Your voice was a bit more amplified than intended, but it didn’t seem to stir any commotion upstairs. Phew…

Harry, however, seemed to think you were a ticking time-bomb. Clasping a palm over your mouth as his other hand held the back of your neck over your hair, he shushed you and held you still whilst you struggled against his firm hold with flailing, combative arms. Your eyes were wide, your brows scrunched in frustration, and every muffled whine and grunt only further entertained Harry as he chuckled and held you tighter.

You pried his fingers off your lips just long enough to spit out the words, “L-Let go of m-me…you idiot!”

Harry laughed and replaced his fingers over your mouth where he previously had them. “And what are you gonna do ‘bout it, you little brat?” His lips curved up into a sneer. If you had the energy, you’d pounce right back at Harry and claw at those stupid fucking dimples until they were unrecognizable due to the scratches. Alas, your eyelids were becoming heavier with each blink and you were close to collapsing onto the floor. The two of you just stared at each other for a few dragging moments, quietly contemplating one another’s next move. But lack of energy was getting the best of both of you. Harry’s grip was weakening and your legs were wobbly. 

You used the last ounce of oomph you had left to shut your step brother up for the night. Shuffling your feet, you nudged Harry backwards until he fell back onto his plush chair. You then stood right in between his spread legs, leaned down until your face was level with his—your hands on either one of his knees, slowly sliding up his meaty thighs and gently squeezing and raking your smooth nails up and down his sweatpant-clad legs. You never took your eyes off of him, but he allowed his eyes to drift down to your heaving tits which threatened to spill out of your tube top and bra, and then downwards to watch as your dainty fingertips and thumbs dared to graze his growing bulge. You fluttered your long, wispy eyelashes—your eyes dreamy and sleepy, but intoxicating nonetheless—and the words that flowed from your delicious, pink tongue into Harry’s entranced ears escaped your lips like they were silk ribbons caught in the breeze.

“Fine, Harry. Maybe I did let Max fuck me tonight…” Bluffing. Harry’s jaw tightened and you could see how hard he was clenching his teeth by how his veins by his temples were more visible. A smile was tugging on the corners of your mouth, but you didn’t want to blow it. So you continued, “…But I think what really got him going was when I told him I’m on birth control…” You grinned as your words drained the remaining seafoam green from his irises to make more room for his expansive pupils. Harry’s lips separated and his chest was rising and falling quickly. “…And you know what, I can’t really blame him…” you paused and reached your hand up to his head, gently combing your fingers through his soft, already-tousled curls. His hands were twitching and straining on the chair’s armrests. Then, dipping your head next to his ear and lowering to a whisper, you said, “…I like it raw.” 

Harry huffed through his nose and smacked his head back against the cushion of his chair before he softly breathed out, “Fuck me…” 

After that night, you’d conjured up a new fantasy where it would’ve been you and Harry curled up on the couch watching a movie marathon. Except in this scenario, you imagined sharing a blanket where all you wore was a skimpy little night dress as Harry spooned you from behind to keep you warm. And then, once you’d finally started dozing off in his arms, he’d lift the hem up and slowly glide himself back and forth against your pussy lips, coating himself with your dampness before eventually pushing inside of you so that you could also keep him warm. After all, it’s only fair that you share with your big brother.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

Harry’s shameless display of sin and indecency, jerking his dick off while you watched, left you with nothing but your soaked underwear, pulsing clit, and of course, questions. Was all that cum…for you? Your heart quickens as you rewind time in your mind for the thousandth time to admire your memory of Harry in his state of arousal. You think back further to how things had escalated to that point. You still can’t believe it. Harry had really yelled out for you just so you could be in the room when he…Jesus Christ! And what were you going to do once you got back home?! How could you act like nothing ever happened when you’d not only been denied an orgasm the other day, but then forced to watch Harry pleasure himself—to what seemed to have been you. Also, what was he hoping would come out of all this, anyway? No pun intended. What if you had a friend over and both of you had been at his door?! Ugh, nevermind. He would’ve loved having a bigger audience for his cocksure production.

Strangely enough, you feel both embarrassed yet incredibly powerful at the same time. Thinking over the specifics in your head pushes you to the conclusion that all of that cum had been for you. And, god, he asked you if you wanted to taste it. What if you’d actually accepted? Just a little taste, you think to yourself. Your mouth salivates as you imagine your lips wrapped around Harry’s sticky fingers and your tongue licking them clean—just like they had back in that laundry room; except your taste buds would only detect him. You envision your step brother holding your hair back so that you can lap up the remainder that had landed onto his laurels and all the way up to his butterfly tattoo. He made such a big mess of himself. If he put on the show just for you, why shouldn’t you give him the basic courtesy of cleaning him up afterwards? You catch yourself pouting at the realization that all of his delicious cum had gone to waste. What a shame. If only you’d been more grateful. He just wanted to share—GAH! NO, Y/N! That’s your STEP-BROTHER! Yeah, watching him bust one out as his hungry eyes devour you through his orgasm…well, that’s pretty fucked up as it is! He’s played plenty of pranks on you in the past. Surely, you can just pass this off as another one…? Yeah, right! You’d never be able to look him in the eye ever again. You wouldn’t be able to open his goddamn bedroom door ever again! At least not without picturing him laying back against his bed frame, his eyes all soft and sleepy, his hair messy and stuck to his forehead…and his big hand sliding up and down his lubed-up cock…then that hot, white fluid squirted out from his tip over and over again until his balls were drained.

Harry’s orgasm didn't just look intense, it most-definitely was. You knew it because his toes curled and flexed, his balls tightened, he almost choked on the air in his throat, and his legs were shaking by the time cum was shooting out of him. Every stroke was so deliberate and strategic. His fist would tighten around the head of his shaft and twist, and you saw how that made his hips thrust up off of the bed in reflex. The size of his load was impressive, and it raises your body temperature to fantasize how it’d feel to have it pumping inside of you. You remember studying him and memorizing each movement as if you were preparing yourself for a future occasion where it would be your hands doing all the stroking…but you keep having to tell yourself that you and Harry could never let things get that far. You’ll just use these mental notes on some other guy later, maybe Max? Nevertheless, that shocking performance of self-pleasure will be burned into your memory forever. You’re certain of it.

You wish you were disgusted. You should be. You shouldn’t have enjoyed it so much, but your body refused to react negatively to witnessing your step brother perform such lewd acts on himself. Honestly, all you want to do now is go home to the privacy of your bedroom and do the same to yourself. To use the events from earlier as your inspiration. Doctors recommend masturbation for stress relief all the time, don’t they? A therapist, however, would definitely have a problem with you fantasizing about fucking your step brother. After all, it’s not exactly the most conventional family dynamic.

Whatever, it doesn’t even matter. What matters is that seeing Harry masturbating had awakened something animalistic inside of you that you never knew was there in the first place. You didn’t know how much you wanted a—nay—wanted Harry’s big, thick, drippy, heavy, gorgeous cock to empty hot loads of cum so deep inside of you that it wouldn’t come out until a day later. Well, you didn’t know how badly you wanted him to specifically stuff your cunt full of his seed until right now.

As you walk out of the store with your shopping bag and receipt, you feel your phone buzz in your purse. You assume it must be your dad or step-mom checking in to see how things are at home. Lifting the screen up to your face, you’re immediately proven incorrect. The notification is not from your parents, but rather from Harry. You’re met with the contact photo of him paired with his message that reads: 

“where u go, baby sis? 💔”

You scoff at his patronizing and just slide your phone back into your purse so you can continue browsing the shops. You couldn’t successfully distract yourself from Harry if you were texting him…it’s not like you’ve been thinking about him and his beautiful dick nonstop since you first left the house or anything…

*grumble-grumble*

Amidst all of your depraved sexual fantasies and your attempts to reject your physical attraction to Harry, you’d forgotten to feed yourself.

Yet another reason why you should’ve taken his offer, your inner monologue teases. You just scrunch your nose at your own thoughts, and then you remember you have leftover pasta from last night in the fridge. The growl in your tummy only intensifies from the anticipation of eating the cheese-filled noodles for lunch. A vibration goes off in your purse, but you ignore it. You’re feeling extra irritated now that you’ve realized how hungry and horny you are. It’s a lethal combination. 

You make the desperate choice of buying an overpriced orange cream-sicle to hold you over for a bit—you actually started to feel lightheaded for a minute, there. As you’re sitting on a bench and sucking on the citrus sweetness, you take your phone out once again. There are more texts from Harry:

--12:30pm

“Miss u🥺👉👈” —12:39pm

“R u mad at me?”—12:45pm

“So u hate me n u want me 2 die😣” —1:07pm

Goddamnit. You huff a breath out your nostrils before sending a quick response. 

“Go play with your foreskin, loser.” — read 1:07pm

You flip your phone face-down on top of your lap and continue to slurp on your ice cream. A couple minutes later, another buzz alerts you to check your notifications. Surprise—it’s Harry.

“That’s not very nice >:| besides, u know I already did that today🙄”—1:12pm

“How could I forget? I’ve been scarred for life thanks to you and your sorry excuse for a penis.”—1:13pm

“I think u accidentally sent that to me…I’ll send it to Max and let him know ur thinking of him😌”—1:15pm

You grunt and shove your phone back into your purse. Suddenly, you come to realize that your overwhelming desire/disdain for your step brother combined with your aggressive famishment has given you the necessary amount of confidence to return home and face the idiot without giving a flying fuck about the fact that you watched him bust a nut. 

Of all people, Harry should be the one who’s embarrassed to look you in the eye after what he did. Why should you feel exposed when it was his bare cock and balls that were revealed to you in their entirety. Granted, Harry is quite gifted…but that’s beside the point!!! The point is that you are starving and you want those leftovers NOW! Harry can go fuck himself—Alone, this time!!!

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

Once you pull up to your house, the only thing on your mind is that bowl of rich, buttery alfredo tortellini you’ve hidden in one of the vegetable drawers of the fridge. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Nah. Carbs are the ultimate ride-or-die when you’ve got mixed feelings about a guy. It doesn’t matter how many calories it is. You deserve it! You’ve had a long morning, and it was time for a tasty reward, goddamnit!

You open the door and slip your shoes off before making your merry way towards the kitchen, bags in-hand. The rich aroma of garlic and cheese dances its way into your nostrils and your heart immediately sinks. Your legs scurry themselves at a cartoonish speed towards the room where the smell is wafting out of. The kitchen island slows you down to a stop, your feet sliding against the hardwood floor. You drop your purse and shopping bag with a *clink* and a *plap*. You stand in place with your little hands balled into fists at your sides as you practically burn holes into your step brother’s face. He’s sitting atop one of the counter stools that’s placed opposite of you. Wearing only a pair of Calvin Klein boxer briefs and his cross necklace, you see the irony as remarkably twisted. Especially since he used his hand with the cross tattoo to perform such unholy deeds to himself.

Wonder what God thought about today’s Sunday morning semen brought to you by Harry ‘wanna taste?’ Styles, you fume internally.

Not only does it look as if he’s just gotten out of the shower, his hair damp and extra curly, and his tan skin a little dewy. But he’s sitting right in front of you, eating your leftover pasta—fresh out of the oven in its foil container, it seems. Your lunch that you’d been craving so desperately has been unfairly stolen from you. Harry just looks at you with his elbows resting on the marble and stabs into another steaming tortellino with his fork before swirling it around in the air, blowing on it, and popping it straight into his mouth—his teeth scraping against the fork in the process. 

You feel that your skin is red hot and your hands are shaking. Your jaw is clenched, your teeth grinding together in frustration. This man has no goddamn shame. None whatsoever. Just when you’re about to give him hell, he’s sliding your shopping bag towards himself with his foot and is digging through your new purchases. “Oooh! What do we have here?” Harry hums mischievously.

Your eyes widen. You jump at him and you practically claw at his snooping hands like a feral cat. What you just bought at the mall was none of Harry’s business! Wasn’t it enough that he was consuming your food right in front of you?! “Give me that!” You yell, internally debating whether or not it would be helpful to use your teeth as a weapon in this situation. You decide against it for both of your sakes. You don’t want Harry to think you’re giving him a hickey—you know he’d use that against you in any way he could.

In the end, you aren’t strong enough to fight him off, and he yanks out the first thing he finds and holds it up above your head to an unreachable height(for you). If you were 10, you would try jumping for it, but you’re in your 20’s and you have a set of tits that unfortunately obey the laws of physics. The last thing Harry needs is your boobs bouncing in his face at the same time as he’s dangling your new pair of red, lacy, crotchless panties from his finger. And so you huff and back away with your arms crossed, reluctantly accepting your fate. Harry, now standing like a building beside you, lowers the piece of lingerie to his eye level so he can study them closely. He smirks devilishly once he discovers the special opening.

“Y/N-Y/M/N!” He clutches at the pearls around his throat mockingly with his other hand and gasps. If you rolled your eyes any harder, they would roll out of their sockets. You’re completely out of patience at this point. You’ve dealt with quite enough in the past 72 hours, and you could use a fucking break. 

Just when you thought you’d gotten the final nail in the coffin, Harry swaps the underwear in the bag for a different item. Something bigger. Something that has discreet enough packaging to be mostly disguised, but the logo on the front of the box somewhat gives away what it is…

“Oooh! What’s Tracy’s Dog?” He grins, shaking the ominous black box next to his ear. “How ‘bout we have a lil’ look-see, hm?” 

You sigh, “Harry…please.” He looks at you and smirks again. He seems to be amused by your new toy, but you’re not in the mood for his shenanigans right now. These were meant to be private items that no one except you were to have known about. It’s ruined when your step-brother is in on the secret, because now it’ll just be an on-going joke that he’ll never let you live down until something better(worse) takes its place. This is the worst day ever. You can’t wait until classes start again in the fall so you can spend as much time away from that pest of a man as possible without your step-mom feeling offended by your constant absence. Your go-to excuse would be studying—and even if you weren’t busy with school, you’d find something to study if anyone in your family caught word that you had free time. You can’t fucking wait to get out of this house.

Harry lifts the cover off of the box to reveal its contents. A neon pink vibrator—with some…extra advantages, as well. He chuckles and picks up the manual, reading out, “Clit-sucking g-spot vibrator…woah, that sounds like a good time!” 

Your eyes narrow at the man, hiding that you’re suddenly aware that he’s only wearing his underwear and that he’s also sporting a little bit of a semi. However, you’re trying your damned hardest not to look directly at it. It’s peeking out from the edge of your peripherals. In the process of fighting against temptation, your mind reverts back to a couple hours prior…when Harry’s hair was wet with sweat. His skin was shiny and glossy, but not nearly as reflective and oiled up as his erection. The sounds keep echoing through your ears. Shlick, shlick, shlick. Your step brother shamelessly voiced his ecstasy to you as you stood in the doorway and admired him in a stunned silence. When you abandoned Harry in his post-orgasm haze, you’d initially planned upon seeking an innocent distraction to entertain your erotically fiendish train-of-thought—anything that would help get your mind off of what you’d just witnessed. That plan failed once you’d arrived at the mall and found yourself exploring the shelves inside Adult World. An employee there recommended the Tracy’s Dog toy that you bought and told you that it would “change your life.” 

Desperate for anything that would occupy your time for the next several days stuck in the house with Harry, you yanked your credit card out to pay for it. The nice cashier then threw in a complimentary pair of crotchless panties and you were sent on your way. Your previous plan to seek an innocent distraction morphed into purchasing a g-spot vibrator that also had a clit-sucker on the opposite end—and in your mind, the new ‘plan’ was to go home, wash the new toy, charge the toy whilst convincing Harry to go see a movie with his friends or some shit…you’d play with the new toy until it “changed your life” and then you’d end your activities with the leftover tortellini. It sounded like a great night. 

It’s too bad Harry had to go and fuck it all up for you right off the bat. Now, you’re no longer sexually frustrated—you’re furious. You’ve had quite enough. Snatching the box from his hands, you shove at his bare chest and whine, “Harryyy!” He stumbles backwards a step or so, not expecting you to get physical with him. “Oi, ‘the fuck’s your problem?” His brows crease, him obviously puzzled by your sudden outburst. You’re upset, but you’re just as surprised at yourself as he is. You’ve never really pushed Harry before. Sure, you two are siblings—step siblings, but for the short time that you’ve lived in the same household, the two of you have always stuck to the verbal-type of quarreling.

In a way, even though he’s twice as strong as you are and you hardly used any force on him with that shove, you now almost want to apologize. But then you remember that you’re not in the wrong here. Harry is. 

“My problem? You wanna know what my problem is, Harry?!” You raise your voice for emphasis. “You’re my fucking problem!” You start to step away towards the stairs, but you stop for a moment just to add, “And put that thing away, would you?! For Christ’s sake…” As you say this, you point to his crotch. Harry looks down and his hands smack over the front of his underwear to poorly cover his full-on boner which its unsheathed head was actually threatening to poke out from the waistband of the briefs. His cheeks flush a dark shade of pink as if he’s embarrassed, but you find it ridiculous that a mostly-concealed stiffy makes him blush when he’d had no problem performing as your personal little camboy just a few hours earlier.

You take your bag and purse and run up the stairs to your bedroom before slamming the door closed. At this moment, you wish your door could lock. Alas, you have to make-do trusting that your perverted step brother won’t barge in on you changing, or worse…

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

It’s been one day since the thing happened, and tensions have finally dissipated somewhat between you and Harry. You’re still not happy with him—for several reasons—but he hasn’t added anything more to the list, which you see as a silver lining. He’d actually ordered from your favorite Italian place and replaced your leftover tortellini with a fresh new order of it. To ensure that you wouldn’t worry about him repeating his offense from yesterday, he ordered two entrees for himself so that he’d have plenty of food left over and wouldn’t have any reason to touch yours. 

You’re honestly delighted by Harry’s kind gesture. It’s unexpected, for sure. But a welcome surprise, regardless. After the two of you finish eating, you insist upon doing the dishes. It’s not like there’s much for you to do, but you want to make it known to him that you’re appreciative of his olive branch offering.

You’ve been in the kitchen for a while now—probably around 30 minutes—just cleaning out the fridge, dusting, scrubbing the counters, all that junk. You don’t know how much time has passed until the sun has finally set and you need to flick the lights on to see what you’re doing. You’re just about finished, washing your hands in the sink, when you feel a pair of hands grip around your squishy hips. “Sup, lil sis.” A voice hums deeply against the shell of your ear. The combination of unanticipated touch and sound makes you instinctually jump. “AHHH! Harry!” You gasp. You grab a towel to dry your hands and then you turn around to face him. A stupid smirk covers his stupid, cocky face. And yet you can’t help that tingling warmth that burns down your abdomen and zings its way straight to your sensitive clit. 

You haven’t seen this smirk since he unboxed your magical clit-sucking vibrator contraption. It’s still in its box under your bed—charging, of course—because you’ve wanted to try it out when you have the house to yourself. You have the tendency to say some dirty things out loud when you touch yourself, and so you’d really like for Harry to be as far away from you as possible…even though you know he’s exactly who you’ll be thinking about, anyway…

This was so bad.

All you want right now is to jump up onto the counter and tug Harry in by his hair until his head is trapped between your thighs. The ache is killing you. Your step brother, of all people, is the one man you want to rail you against every surface in this goddamn house. You don’t care if the neighbors see. You don’t care if your parents find out. You just want your step brother’s cum. It’s yours. He’s made that clear to you. His cum is all for you. All for his pretty little step sis. 

As you stand trapped with your bum pressed against the sink, his hands on either side of you, Harry speaks to you once more. “How’d it taste?” 

You gulp at his words and hesitate. What’s he talking about? You never got to—ohh! He means…dinner…damn, your brain was really fucked. 

“G-good, thank you.” Your voice ends with a nervous giggle. His eyes scan down your body before nodding and running a hand through his hair. “Hmm. I’m glad. M’sorry, again, by the way…” He bites on the inside of his lip shyly, looking genuinely apologetic for making you upset. You give him a forgiving smile and rub his upper arm and shoulder with one of your hands. “It’s ok. It’s my fault, too…” You humor him. “…I should really learn how to share with my big brother...” As your fingers caress and squeeze onto his muscular bicep, you blink your eyes up at him in faux-innocence. Harry’s lips part and his nostrils flare.

Your touch, no matter how light or seemingly harmless, has a serious effect on the man. You can reckon because simply grazing your fingers down his taught, tatted skin past the sleeve of his shirt—making prolonged, direct contact—has triggered his feral reflexes. Without a moment of delay, he’s flipped you around, pressed you face down against the countertop, and has your wrists held in one of his hands at the small of your back. He nudges your legs apart with his knees so that his other hand can slide in between them. 4 of his fingers massage up and down your covered slit in a swirling motion, applying more pressure when he knows he’s reached your clit. You’re just stuck in his grasp, your ass wiggling and grinding against his hand as you moan and beg. “Mmhh…Please, Harry…so good…feels so fucking good…oh my god!”

You feel him squeeze your clothed clit with his thumb and forefinger as he speaks against your ear, “Ooh, yeah? You like it when your step brother touches you like this?” Then he releases you before spanking you on your pussy and then rubbing it with his fingers again afterwards. 

“F-fuck—yes! I love it,” you gasp.

Harry yanks you up by your hair, one hand holding your ponytail while the other still has your wrists manually bound. “I knew it. Knew you were holding out f’me.” He drags you stumbling over to the couch in the living room and positions you onto all fours atop the cushions. Now properly situated for him, you turn your head back to look at him. You can feel how dark your eyes have gotten by how narrowed your focus is—all you see is Harry. 

Keeping eye contact with you, he smooths his palms up and down your ass. Your leggings are thin enough for him to squeeze at the fleshiness of which he immediately takes advantage of. You moan, shaking your ass and hips back to further entice him. “Shit…” he pants out. You giggle and do it again which in turn earns you a hard spank onto your right ass cheek. You immediately stop your taunting. Harry grabs you by your hair, wrapping it around his fist and pulling you up to his chest with one swift yank. “We’re not just playing around anymore, Y/N…” Harry grunts in your ear. With his opposite hand, he gropes onto one of your breasts causing you to whine and arch your back at his unforgiving, heavy touch. He doesn’t seem to be concerned with the possibility of leaving marks and bruises all over your body. And you aren’t either. You’re enjoying this. Your desperate, throbbing cunt is aching for more of your step brother’s touch. It’s sick. It’s depraved. Your friends, parents, distant relatives—they’d be disgusted if they saw what was about to transpire between two step siblings. 

Your thoughts on the matter?

Let them fucking watch.

Harry releases you and you drop down onto your hands. With quick and reckless fingers, he pulls your leggings over the swell of your ass, tugging back and forth to get them down your thighs to reveal your new red, lacy, crotchless thong. Your pussy lips glisten with arousal. Harry chuckles to himself once he’s rid you of your pants and smooths his hands up and down your bare ass. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this…” He admits with a hard slap against your right ass cheek. You face forward and blush to yourself, too shy to openly share the same truth. Although, you assume you’re making it pretty obvious to him that the feeling is mutual. “…When I fingered you a few days ago, I was so close to just fucking you right there against the machines…so close, Y/N.”

Before you can even make an attempt at a delayed response, he’s dipping his face between your legs and licking a fat stripe up your slit, stealing your wet arousal onto his tongue for his own selfish quench. You suck in a shaky breath and giggle, wiggling your ass back against his face. He groans and spanks you on your left cheek, then the right, then the left, then both at the same time, and then he grabs at your hips and pulls you closer towards him as he shoves his mouth and nose deeper into your drippy cunt and slurps you up. “Oh my god!” You choke out as you struggle to find something to solidly grip onto. 

Harry pushes his sweatpants and boxer briefs down, his solid cock already weeping with precum and begging for a wet hole to fuck. His face is still buried between your legs when you take a peek at him from down below, your head upside down, and you see his package in all its beauty. You’re so ready to take him inside you, but you need to take care of something first. You whine, “W-wait, Harry, wait!”

He halts, pulls himself out from the comfort of your squishy thighs, then returns your gaze with his confused one. “What?” He slurs, his voice wet and drooly.

You shift your body so that you’re completely facing him now. “C-can I…?” Your thighs instinctively squeeze together before the words can even come out of you, and you let out a pathetic whimper. Harry licks his lips and wipes his chin with the back of his hand. “Can you…what?” His brow quirks up. 

You don’t know if it’s a good time to ask this, but you’ve already started asking, so you might as well finish. You doubt he’ll refuse…but you also worry that you won’t get fucked if he grants you this request. What if this moment is the only chance for your desperate needs to be met?! 

“Can I have a taste? J-just a lil’ one?” Your eyes flicker down to his bouncing erection that he’s now caught onto and is slowly stroking.

Silence. All except for the soft, wet rubbing sound coming from Harry carefully jerking his own cock whilst you’re sitting pretty on your knees with your hands laced together behind you. 

You sigh and bow your head, attempting to hide behind your ponytail due to feeling embarrassed to have given such a silly request. But you know better than to sulk and complain after not getting your way. So you use your cuteness to guilt him instead. 

“Please, Harry?” You’re really playing it up. Tears have actually welled up in your eyes to add to your act.

Harry blinks several times as if he had just been stuck staring into space for a moment. He’s dumbfounded, never having any woman beg to suck his dick before in his entire life. It’s a welcome surprise, and he shakes his head with a slight grin tugging on his lips as he responds to you. “Fuck yes, you can...go ‘head, love… sorry…fuckin’ hell…”

You practically jump up and happily clap your hands together, smiling stupidly at your success. Of course you realize that he’d only been floating around in his own little world when you asked the first time, and it wasn’t at all that he was refusing to grant your wish. Regardless, you feel that Harry can’t resist you when you beg. Looks like you’ll have to use this power against him forever.

You take his flushed dick in your hand, replacing his, and slowly pump him a couple of times before lowering your face down to its level. You keep your eyes on Harry’s as you stick your tongue out and flick it against the exposed tip, tasting the small bead of precum that was leaking from it. It’s salty. Musky. It’s Harry. You moan, nursing onto the tip with strengthening suction as if to be begging for just one more drop. He hisses and grabs onto your ponytail once again. You release your lips from him with a pop, giggling due to the knowledge that you’ve finally got a hold on this man. Then you begin swirling your tongue around the entire tip before wrapping your lips around it and sucking once again, but gently and sloppily this time, drooling and dousing his cock with your spit. Then you softly drag your glossy mouth up and down the underside of his cock like it’s a melty ice cream cone. Harry swears under his breath and takes his phone out of his pocket. He slides his thumb over the screen, opens the camera app and he clicks the record button. Your eyes flicker up towards the lens and you smile before sticking your tongue out flat and smacking Harry’s cock down onto it several times. 

You’ve never been recorded doing such lewd things before, but you trust Harry. You know how protective Harry is over you, so there’s no way in hell he’d let anyone see something that’s only meant for him. This is just a dirty little secret that you’ll always share as step siblings. You guess it’s something that’s bringing you closer together. Or maybe you’re both just sick and disgusting.

You then hold onto the base of him with both hands and dribble a good amount of spit down onto him. Your fingers smear it all over his shaft until he’s completely covered, and you begin pumping him with one of your dainty hands as best as you can. You beam up at the camera and to Harry again, biting your lip, and you bow your head back down to lick all the way up from his balls to his slit. Harry pets his hand through the long, silky hair of your ponytail. The gesture feels loving and kind. You love the thought that he’ll save this video on his phone to watch later. You love to think about him thinking about you. And so you want to make a show out of this as much as you can before Harry can’t take it any longer and makes you stop.

You take his cock and wet it a bit with some extra saliva before bobbing your head up and down, letting it slide against your tongue over and over again slowly. Eventually, this starts to get a little messy, but nothing too bad. Your spit is just leaking a little from the corners of your mouth. However, you decide to kick it up a notch and take him deeper. You bob your head on him so that the head of his cock nudges your throat several times in a row until you are forced to let go and are gasping for air. Drool is dripping from your chin, your cheeks and lashes are wet with tears, and your eyes are clouded with pure lust as you stare up at Harry as he half-assedly points his phone camera at you and gawks at the sight before him simultaneously. His eyebrows are furrowed and his mouth is gaped. This has been much more than just a little taste by this point. It doesn’t seem as though either of you could give a shit, as both of your minds are completely empty and neither one has hesitated or slowed down.

You finish the ‘performance’ by slapping your cheeks with Harry’s dick, still staring up at him as you do, and he twitches in your hand. The power you hold over him causes your sticky arousal to drip down your thighs and you end up rubbing them together to hold yourself over. Harry ends the recording, tosses his phone onto the carpet, and tugs on the back of his t-shirt, pulling it off. You resume your previous position on all fours. Your ass is stuck up high and perfectly accessible for him as he aligns himself up with your core. He rubs himself up and down your pussy to coat himself with your drippy essence. “I’m gonna fuck this cunt whenever and wherever I want…can’t be wasting my cock on any other slag…it should only go in here.” As he pronounces the last word, he pushes himself inside you all in one thrust. Your body arches in retaliation and you grasp onto the couch cushions with your shaky fingers. Harry wastes no time to let you adjust to his size and stretches you out by aggressively smacking his hips against your ass without mercy. It’s like you’ve been thrown into the middle of a race and it’s impossible to keep up. Your body is pounded into the couch until your knees fail to support you and you’re being yanked up to lean over the couch’s arm by your hair so that Harry can continuously bottom out until his balls slap perfectly against your clit with every plunge. And Harry’s not a silent ‘lover’ by any means. He’s proudly announcing his pleasure to every brick of this house to hear. You also learn how degrading his mouth can get as he continuously steals more and more of your innocence.

“Shit…your body was designed f’me, y’know that? Just f’me…just for your step brother to use as his little cocksleeve…” he seethes into your ear after having shoved his entire length into you and pausing for you to flutter and tremble from your insides out.

Your cunt is insanely wet, and you can feel that you’ve completely soaked through the cushions already. 

(You’ll have to figure out how to handle that later…)

It’s as if Harry’s cock makes your hole splash every time it enters it. You’ve gotten to the point where you don’t know how much time has gone by, you can hardly breathe, and you honestly can’t tell whether or not you’ve basically just been orgasming over and over for the past several minutes straight. He’s pounding into your cervix so hard that it’s painful and you’re starting to whimper helplessly. Thank God your cats have chosen to mind their own business this time and are upstairs sleeping, because they’d probably develop some sort of innate hatred towards Harry after witnessing something of which, to the uncorrupted eyes of a domesticated animal, definitely looks violent in a bad way. What a time that would be trying to explain to your parents why your cats have been defending you with their very lives, triggered by even the smallest glance from your step brother. If this ever happens again, you’ll need to make sure it’s done in guaranteed-complete privacy.

You can feel hot tears streaming down your face from the force of Harry’s thrusts that have bruised his cock head against your cervix, but you don’t want any of it to stop. “Fuck, baby. Love it when you squeeze me like tha’…” he groans, gripping tightly onto your fleshy hips and lifting them up each time he slams his lower half into you. The atmosphere is tainted with the mixture of your sexes. The only consistent sounds are your gasping breaths and the *slap-slap-slap* of your jiggling ass clapping against Harry’s pelvis. 

As you’re leant over the couch armrest, the carpet tickles your out-stretched fingertips and you feel braindead. Your thoughts are nonexistent—the only matter you can internally comprehend is satisfying the man connected to you. All you want is his cum; you want to be filled to the brim with it. You want to be overflowing with your step brother’s sticky seed so that you both can watch it drip out of your fertile cunt once he eventually has to pull out of you. 

His thrusts are now becoming stuttered and shallow, losing their original relentless rhythm. You choke on a wet gasp as you feel your step brother’s rough hands grip onto your ass before harshly spanking it. Harry drags out a growling groan and pulls you back up to his chest by your ponytail, then wraps his other hand around your throat, still fucking you on his cock. You hold onto the arm that’s holding you up by your neck as he seethes into your ear, “I was gonna cum all over your pretty face, my pet…” *slap-slap-slap* “…But now I think…” *slap-slap* “…I’ll fill up this tight little pussy, instead…” You moan loudly, your head falling back to rest against Harry’s shoulder as he continues to sloppily pound into your slick hole. He bites your ear and slides his choking hand down to your loosely-covered breasts to tease and grope them during your final moments of intimacy. He flicks your nipples with both of his thumbs as you both reach the highest peak together—you having reached it for the upteenth time this session. Harry cries out, his hands now completely circled around your torso and holding you down onto his squirting cock. You’re rocking your hips forwards and backwards, your internal walls pulsing and milking him of every last drop until he’s shaking from overstimulation. Still having one left in you, you reach your hand down between your legs and circle your clit, swiveling atop of Harry’s un-softening cock. He  shakily guides you by your hips, whimpering and gasping at the intensity he’s feeling in his extremely sensitive organ. Shockingly, as you’re fucking yourself to another orgasm on his cock, you feel a couple more small jets of cum shoot out inside of you; and as you look back at Harry, he’s a sweaty, whiny, weak, mess of a boy who’s been milked of all he’s got. You giggle, grinning victoriously at him before clenching your cunt and pulling off of him—attempting to keep all his cum inside of you. Some of it drips out, but you shove it back inside with your fingers. Harry watches with glossy eyes, rosy cheeks, and baited breath. 

You steal his boxer briefs off of his calves and slip them on over your crotchless panties. Harry is laying back against the couch cushions, his glistening cock throbbing and slowly softening against his abdomen. Before you scamper upstairs to change your sweaty clothes, you give Harry one last goodnight present.

You grab your phone from the coffee table and click record. Then, you kneel down onto the floor between Harry’s legs, pointing the camera at his nude and spent form. You giggle to yourself and take his cock in your free hand. The camera picks up Harry’s face as he jumps, his eyes widening and his abdomen tightening in defense. You flip to the front camera to record yourself as you lick the remnants of both you and Harry combined off of his still-stiff dick, and you make sure to swirl your tongue around the tip before giving it a good suck—releasing him with a *pop*. 

“Ahhh, fuck!” He whines.

You end the recording and kiss his swollen erection tenderly, making him squirm and giggle. You smile at his newly-expressed vulnerability. Harry realizes his mistake and straightens his posture. “Hm…uh…send that to me later, yeah?” 

You smirk at him. “Sure thing, loser.” With that, you stand up and take off up the stairs with your phone.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜・・゜゜・．.・゜゜

Sorry for the long wait, everybody! I hope you liked it!

Please follow, like, and reblog - and let me know if you want more of this kind of content! My requests & my inbox are always open! Hope everyone has a lovely week! ❤ xoxo,

༺♥༻❀༺♥༻ Regan ༺♥༻❀༺♥༻

[harrystylessmuttyfics]

AUs/Tropes

(WIP — Updated July 24th, 2023 at 11:24 AM)

Do you have a category you’d like us to add? Please reach out to us!

(🔞 — Trigger Warning)

AUs

Demon/Incubus!Harry

Ritual

Vanilla Lime (5 Chapters)

Hell of a Morning

Tales of the Modern Incubus (20 Chapters)

Teacher/Professor!Harry

Wildest Fantasies (17 Chapters)

Risk It

Pornstar!Harry

Money Shot

Gravity (7 Chapters)

Royal!Harry

The Queen’s Secret (16 Chapters)

The Mean Prince (3 Chapters)

Mafia/Gang!Harry

Getaway Car (8 Chapters)

Compromised (15 Chapters)

Smitten (7 Chapters)

Doctor!Harry

Dr. Styles

The Dental Assistant (7 Chapters)

Step!Harry

Whatcha Doin', Step-Bro?🔞

Whatcha Doin', Step-Bro? (Prequel)🔞

Tattoo/Piercing Artist!Harry

Tropes

Enemies to Lovers

Harry's Home (4 Chapters) 🔞

Friends to Lovers

Best Friend’s Brother/Brother’s Best Friend

Age Gap

[vvmylove]

I can make you mine Pt. 1

I love this dumbass guys

1k words-

As Y/N walks through the familiar office halls of the Workers building, she makes a left and enters Charles’ office. Inside, there was an unexpected guest, sitting with a stupidly wide grin on his face. None other than Goo Kim was sitting on the stupidly luxurious chair, with one leg over the other. 

Y/N frowns at the presence in the room, thinking the room was empty. Though, she maintains her professionalism as she walks over to one of the larger cabinets, shoving one of the drawers open. Pulling a large manilla folder, she could feel the stare of the guy burning into the back of her head. “What?” she asks him, annoyed. Holding the folder close, she turns around to face him. Goo tilts his head, oblivious to the obvious fact that she was annoyed. 

“Whatcha doin’ here?” he teases.

“I could be asking you the same thing,” she snaps back rapidly. Damn, she was in a mood today LMAOOOO. She raises her brow at the guy, a little suspicious of him as she slowly steps towards the door. 

Goo chuckles softly as he finally decides to stand up, walking over to her. He blocks the door with a swift motion of his hand, tilting himself to the side (does that even make sense?) “Whats the file for? Hm?” he asks, pointing over to the folder with his eyes. 

“I was sent here to deal with a few things,” Y/N says. Taking a step back from his ridiculous movement, she continues, “Who are you and what are you doing in Samuels office?” She eyes him, annoyed by the fact that some kid was standing in her way. 

Goo smirks, as he loved hearing this question. “Charles Choi’s” he sticks his pointer finger up, bringing it close to her face, “number one bodyguard,” he sneers confidently. “The one and only,” he exclaims, “Goo Kim!” 

She stops herself from throwing insults at the guy, in disbelief at his childish words. There was no way Charles would hire some random ass himbo as a bodyguard. “Im Y/N,” she sighs, not wanting to interact with him or waste anymore time. “Now I have matters to take care of,” she announced, ducking under the guy's arm to get through the door. 

Goo crosses his arms, his smirk growing wider with every word. “Nope,” he says simply, grabbing onto her arm and gently (not really) pushing her back into the office. Placing his other hand on her shoulder as he faced her, he took a few steps forward, his eyes never leaving hers.

 “You can’t just show up in my boss’s private office and not expect me to ask questions. Now, sit your ass back down so we can have this little chat” He orders, now shoving her onto one of the couches.

Y/N was surprised by his movements. Having no time to protest or argue back, she complies. In all honesty, she liked his boldness. It was something new, compared to the other workers who wouldn’t dare stand against her. “Okay Mr. President,” she snickers. Slamming the folder onto the desk right in front of him, she explains, “Charles had asked me to grab this for him, is there a problem with that?” She leans forward, sarcastically. 

Goo didn’t mind the attitude at all, in fact, he found it amusing. He arches a brow, willingly taking the folder off the desk and flips through the pages. “Huh…” his blind ass can’t read nor comprehend. 

She rolls her eyes, sensing the fact that he was unaware of such plans. “I thought you were a bodyguard,” she mocks, “maybe if you weren't so dense, you’d know what Charles has been planning for the past 5 weeks.” She pinches the bridge of her nose, irritated with the guy. 

As Goo was distracted, (bro’s ass was skimming the pages, looking for any sort of cash transactions involved, just so he could find a way to involve himself) Y/N stands up and snatches the folder from his hands. She hurriedly makes a run for it, sticking her tongue out at him before running out of the office. 

Goo’s eyes quickly shot up, jumping up from the chair. “Wait!” he says frantically, running up to catch up to her, grabbing her by the shoulder once he does. “Give that back! I was reading!” liar. He stood right in front of her, extending his arm towards her in an attempt to stop her. “I’ll take it to Charles myself, it’s for him, right?” He emphasizes the words “i’ll” as if that gives him any authority. 

Y/N looks at him weirdly, making sure her expression was obvious enough for him to understand. She flips the folder over, shoving it in his face. The manilla folder had her name plastered in unusually large text, as she cackles in his face. “This is my folder,” she mocks, “Charles is in the middle of a meeting right now.” 

Goo’s eyes widened, as he was unaware of the fact that his boss was in a meeting. “Oh” he frowns at the large text on the cover, pausing for a second. “Then… I'll come along, so I can report it to him,” Goo offers on the spot.

She shakes her head, huffing. Turning around, she ignores him, not caring if the stupid blond bitch had followed along or not. She treads down the luxurious halls of the Workers building, heels clicking onto the floor with every step. Holding the folder close to her, and taking a deep breath, she makes her way to the meeting. Goo had followed closely, enjoying the little bargain between them. 

Y/N makes sure to stay quiet as she walks over to Charles' side, handing him the folder with a forced smile. Goo beams as he towered over Y/N, waiting to see if Charles would have noticed his sudden appearance. Of course Charles would have noticed Goo, while he had turned to the side to obtain the folder from Y/N’s hand. As for himself, completely detached from the world of professionalism. 

“Sup” 

Y/N doesn’t hesitate to jab him by the side, questioning his casualty at a formal meeting. She gives one last nod over at Charles before dragging Goo out of the room. “You need to be more formal with your boss,” she rolls her eyes at him, “I’m not here to boss you around.”

Goo winces after receiving the jab, suddenly offended by her. “You think I don’t know how to be formal?” he points to himself dramatically. He shakes his head, suddenly thinking of a great idea. He found the girl in front of him pretty, especially liking how feisty she was. Y/N starts to walk ahead of him, and Goo turns his head to face her.

 “You're acting like I’m a puppy on a leash,” he argues, following closely behind. 

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Mukami Prologue

ー The scene starts on the way home from school

Yui: ( I completely lost track of time while busy finishing all of my duties for the day (1) )

( I’m hungry as well, so I better hurry home...Ah! )

Hey, Ruki-kun!

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( Huh? I guess he didn’t hear me? )

ー Yui runs up to him

Yui: ...Ruki-kun?

Ruki: ...Aah, it’s you. My bad. I was a bit lost in thought.

Yui: Thinking about tonight’s dinner, perhaps?

Ruki: ...As if.

Yui: R-Right...! I’m a little hungry right now, so it just blurted out...

Ruki: ...You sure are carefree, aren’t you?

I’ll make pot-au-feu tonight. You should come grocery shopping with me.

Yui: S-Sure.

( ...I wonder if something is weighing down heavy on his mind? )

( He seemed a little out of it when I called out to him... )

ー The scene shifts to the supermarket 

Yui: Check it out. They’ve got a food fair going on. 

Seems like they’ve got fresh vegetables straight from the farm. Why don’t we use this opportunity to buy from the...

Ruki: ...

Yui: ...Ruki-kun? 

Ruki: Ah...Right. Guess I’ll go have a look.

ー He walks away

Yui: ( I can’t help but feel like something is up with Ruki-kun today... )

( He keeps spacing out, I wonder what’s wrong with him? )

*TIMESKIP*

Ruki: ...They’re all organic, huh?

*Rustle* 

Ruki: I have to admit, they seem to be on par with the vegetables and fruits from Yuma’s garden. 

...

Yui: ( I can’t imagine that a Vampire such as Ruki-kun would be sick but... )

( I can’t help but be worried about him... )

...Is something the matter? Are you feeling a bit under the weather, perhaps? 

Ruki: No, that’s not it. It’s just ... ーー

*Rustle* 

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( He’s staring intently at the apple in his hand...? )

Ruki: ...Yui. Do you like your life here?

Yui: Of course I do.

...Ah, if you’re worried about the fact that I’m Eve, that has already been...

( I heard that the Sakamaki brothers have inherited Karlheinz-san’s powers but... )

( Right now, I would much rather stay together with the Mukami family. )

( I wonder if Ruki-kun was worried about me because of that...? )

Ruki: I see... ーー !? 

ー Somebody bumps into Ruki

*Thud* 

???: ーー !

*Thud*

Yui: ( Ah, the apple fell on the floor... )

Ruki: ーー Watch out. Look at where you’re going.

???: Ah, my bad.

*Rustle* 

???: I’ll buy this apple. ...Problem solved, right?

Ruki: No thank you. I’ll be buying that oーー

*Rustle* 

ー The mysterious guy takes a bite of the apple

*Chomp*

???: Nn...Nom...

Ahaha! Too bad! I already took a bite out of it!

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( He’s kind of creepy. He looks to be around the same age as us though... )

( Besides...I’m kind of worried about the man who has been standing behind him the whole time, staring directly at us. )

( Could they be friends? Or his older brother perhaps...? )

???: ...

Yui: ( ...Our eyes met!? )

Yuma: ーー Nn?

ー Yuma walks up to them

Yuma: What’s up, my dudes? Whatcha doin’ over here? 

Yui: Yuma-kun...!

Ruki: Where do I even begin? This guy... ーー

...

Yui: ( The boy from earlier just vanished...!? )

( The guy standing behind him as well... )

Yuma: God, you’re makin’ zero sense. There’s nobody here.

Ruki, could it be that the exhaustion is gettin’ to ya and you’ve begun hallucinatin’? 

Ruki: There’s no way...

Yui: E-Exactly. I saw that boy as well after all...

Yuma: Hmm. Is that so?

...But Ruki, for real mate, are ya alright?

If there’s anythin’ ya wanna share with us, hurry up and tell me already.

Ruki: There’s nothing, really. 

Yuma: ...

Ruki: ...I’ll go pay for our groceries. You guys should wait outside. 

ー Ruki walks away

Yuma: ーー Ah, oi!

Yui: ( Ruki-kun... )

Yuma: Haah...God, I’ve got myself one handful of a big bro. 

*Rustle* 

Yuma: Anyway, let’s step out for now just like Ruki told us. I’m sure ya get exhausted from bein’ ‘round all these people as well, right?

Yui: T-Thanks. But are you sure? Didn’t you come here for a reason...?

Yuma: Don’t worry ‘bout me. Since we ran into each other anyway, I’ll at least carry yer bags.

...Seems like Ruki already has plenty of worries of his own after all.

Yui: ( ...! Yuma-kun noticed... )

Yeah, thanks.

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts back to the road

Yui: ...Haah. 

( Ruki-kun is taking an awfully long time... )

Yuma: ーー Idiot. 

ー He flicks her forehead

*Smack* 

Yui: Ow...!? 

Yuma: Ya think that frown of yers will solve anythin’?

Yui: I-I guess you’re right. I’m sorry, Yuma-kun...

Yuma: ...But ya know what it is? Ruki tends to always keep everythin’ to himself.

I don’t understand what’s so bad ‘bout askin’ his brothers or you for advice tho. 

Yui: Yeah...

Yuma: I can’t really relate to that. But I guess it can’t be helped since it hasn’t been that long since that guy kicked the bucket, huh...?

Yui: ...

Monologue

Ever since Karlheinz-san,

has passed away,

Ruki-kun’s started behaving somewhat oddly. 

Of course, he considers him not just his life savior,

but also a father figure,

so we can hardly blame him for it...

However, I can’t help but feel,

that rather than him grieving over his death,

he seems distressed in some way.

Karlheinz-san’s overwhelming powers,

as well as the position of Vampire King,

right now...they have been entrusted to the Sakamaki brothers.

That might also be something,

which weighs down heavy on Ruki-kun’s mind.

Because the Mukami brothers,

were never even given the right,

to inherit his powers or the throne. 

That was proven by the fact,

that they did not qualify,

to become Adam.

ーー Furthermore,

if you also consider the fact that I am Eve.

Then it only makes sense,

that it is my destiny to one day,

get together with whoever succeeds to become Adam amongst the Sakamaki brothers.

Yui: ( ...Still, I no longer intend to live my life as Eve. )

( It is the Mukami family who truly matters to me after all... )

Yuma: ーー Oh. Seems like he’s finally on his way.

Oi, don’t be spacin’ out now. Let’s go. 

Yui: Y-Yeah...!

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the shopping district

Yuma: ...Is somethin’ goin’ on?

Yui: Yeah...I wonder what it is?

( A crowd of girls is holding their phone up to the sky and taking pictures? )

Ruki: Seems like that live broadcast (2) is to blame.

Yui: That is...Kou-kun!?

( Seems like it’s a commercial for some kind of mobile game. Kou-kun’s face is displayed on all of the screens. )

( Kou-kun’s so amazing. He really is incredibly popular...! )

Yuma: I feel like I haven’t seen his face in a while.

Ruki: ...It’s true that Kou has been passionately devoting himself to his job as of late. 

He stays away from home for extended periods of time more frequently than before. I will not deny that, however...

Yui: ( ...It does feel a little lonely. We haven’t seen him for a few days now. )

( I miss him. )

ー Somebody suddenly covers her eyes

*Rustle* 

Yui: ーー Kyah!?

???: Fufu, guess who?

Yui: T-This voice...

ー Kou suddenly shows up in front of her

Kou: Hey there, M-neko-chan~

You weren’t there when I got back home, so I came all the way here to look for you. 

Anyway, Ruki-kun! Those bags...Are the groceries for tonight’s dinner inside of there!? 

Ruki: Yes, exactly.

Kou: Are you perhaps making Vongole Bianco to treat me after all of my hard work!?

Ruki: ...We’re having pot-au-feu tonight.

Kou: Ehー? Rude! Why!?

Yuma: Hehe. Suck it up, mate. 

Ruki: Maybe you should let me know when you will be back if you want to eat your preferred menu.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to cook Vongole Bianco when you’re not eating with us.

Kou: ...Fine.

Anyway...Where is Azusa-kun? He’s not with you guys?

Yui: Yeah. We all just kind of ran into each other by sheer coincidence...

Kou: Which means that Azusa-kun might be sitting all alone at home right now?

Hmー We better hurry home quickly or things could get sticky...

Yuma: Right. That guy tends to really take that sorta thing to heart...

Yui: Really?

Ruki: Enough with the chit-chat. Let’s go home already.

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the entrance hall of the Mukami manor

Azusa: Welcome home, guys.

Yui: We’re back, Azusa-kun. Sorry it took us so long...

Azusa: No. It’s fine...

Still, how nice you all got to walk home together...

Yui: ( ...This feels a little awkward. It wasn’t the intention to leave him out. )

Yuma: Don’t take it to heart, Azusa. We just happened to run into each other.

Kou: Exactly! I managed to spot them at the perfect time from inside the car because Yuma-kun’s so tall!

So it’s not like we were trying to avoid you on purpose, you see? Right, Ruki-kun. 

Ruki: Of course. Don’t ask such silly questions.

Azusa: ...Yeah. Thanks, guys.

Yui: ( Thank god. Seems like he’s smiling again. )

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the dining room

Kou: Nn...Nom...Nnh...

Nn~ Delicious! Nothing beats Ruki-kun’s home-cooking! Ahー! Yuma-kun!

*Cling*

Yuma: Nn...Aah? What?

Kou: Over there on your fork! Don’t go snatching the chicken from my plate!

Yuma: As if I’d be so crazy as to eat anythin’ from yer plate. This piece was always mine. 

Kou: Ehー? You’re lying! I’m positive about it!

Ruki: ーー Kou, Yuma. I’d appreciate it if you could try and dine in peace.

Why don’t you try and learn from Azusa and Yui’s table manners a little? 

Yui: Eh? M-Mine...?

( I don’t think mine are good enough to set an example... )

Azusa: Here, Eve. This is for you...

It’s a slice of carrot cut into the shape of a heart...Isn’t it cute?

Yui: Fufu. Thank you, Azusa-kun.

Yuma: ...Haah. So we just gotta watch how Azusa flaunts his charm offensive.

Kou: I’ll just enjoy my meal...

*Cling* 

Yui: ( It’s so much fun to eat all together. )

( If only these kinds of peaceful moments could last forever... )

*TIMESKIP*

Kou: ...Phew, I’m completely stuffed!

Azusa: Kou, you made a mess around the table. You have to clean up after yourself...

Kou: Hey, Ruki-kun.

Ruki: ...

Kou: Ruki-kun...?

Yui: ( He’s acting the same as before. )

Ruki: ...I’m sorry for not speaking up sooner.

...There is actually something I have to tell you guys.

Yui: Eh...?

Monologue

With a complicated expression on his face,

Ruki-kun delivered the news to us. 

The information we received,

was reported to him by his Familiars...

ーー As we speak, their old home Eden,

is at risk of falling into ruin.

The others were at a loss of words,

by this sudden revelation. 

The current situation,

in which Karlheinz-san has passed away,

and his powers were inherited by his sons of the Sakamaki family,

is having its effects on Eden itself.

On top of that, it appears that this state of disarray,

has led the Founders amongst other Demon species,

to start making concrete plans,

to steal the sovereignty over the Demon World away from them. 

ーー The Demon World is amidst a true crisis right now.

Yui: ...No way...

( I can’t believe that Eden, the place they spent so much time, is about to be lost. )

( On top of that...The Sakamaki brothers are being targeted by many other Demons, aren’t they? )

( What to do? )

Kou: ーー Don’t worry, M-neko-chan. I mean, it’s none of our concern, is it?

We don’t owe those guys anything, so we don’t need to worry about them either, right?

Yui: ...Ugh...

Ruki: I agree. However...

That place which was known to be the epicentre of all magic was truly a Paradise.

Knowing that someone might overtake and destroy it is just very difficult for me to accept...

Kou: Ah...

Yui: ( Makes sense. I’m sure that place holds many memories for them... )

( I suppose that’s the reason why he had been acting off for a while now. )

Yuma: ーー But ya know, it’s not like that place is still a home for us to return to, right...?

In that case...

Azusa: I disagree...

Yui: Azusa-kun?

Azusa: I won’t deny...That this might not be the Eden we once knew.

But still...That place is filled with memories we shared with Karlheinz-sama and one another.

That’s why...I don’t think we can say it’s none of our concern.

Yuma: Azusa...

Ruki: ...

Kou: Right...

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the living room

*Thud* 

Yui: ...Haah...

( In the end, dinner time ended without coming to a consensus... )

( But...Everyone’s having a hard time deciding because I’m here with them, right...? )

( Even though I have what it takes to become Eve. )

( I chose to stay here at the Mukami manor instead of remaining with the Sakamaki’s where a possible Adam resides... )

( Even though it was my own decision to be here... )

( It’s possible that the Sakamaki brothers are misunderstanding the situation and they think that it’s the Mukami family forcing me to do so and not giving me the chance to escape. )

( I mean...I’m kind of necessary...as an important factor for one of them to be able to awaken as Adam... )

( So if we go to Eden, it might not be easy to get them to work together... )

I wonder if it’s right for me to be here...?

ー Azusa approaches her

Azusa: Ah, Eve...

Yui: Azusa-kun, what’s wrong?

Azusa: I’m worried about you. I couldn’t leave you alone now...

*Rustle* 

Azusa: This is...our personal issue. So there’s no reason for you to stress out over it.

Yui: Azusa-kun...

Azusa: Everything will be okay. So...Smile, please?

Yui: ...Thank you.

Kou: Ahーah. Azusa-kun stole all the glory. 

Yui: Kou-kun...

Kou: This is our own decision. 

If we want to gain something, then we have to give up something else in exchange.

...We’re all well aware of that, so you did nothing wrong, okay?

Yui: ...

Yuma: ...Haah. What’s with all the long faces?

It’s not set in stone that Eden will go to shit, right?

I’m sure there’s still plenty of stuff we can do, even if we can’t protect it directly? 

Ruki: ...I guess we truly are brothers. We end up all sharing the same thoughts, whether we want to or not. 

Azusa: Ruki...You were all worried about Eve...?

Yuma: Guess so. Can’t really turn yer back to someone who’s obviously feelin’ depressed, right?

Yui: Thanks, you guys...But I still think that...

Ruki: You want us to protect Eden?

Yui: ...

Ruki: ...In that case, I have a good suggestion.

I agree that everything comes at a price. 

That is simply this world’s logic. And I don’t want to disregard that.

...However, I want to have the best of both worlds. 

Yui: Eh...?

Kou: Wait, Ruki-kun!? Are you being for real!?

Ruki: Yes, of course. 

I don’t plan on letting those Sakamaki’s have her. Of course, we’ll also keep Eden safe. 

...I’m sure that’s how you all feel deep down as well, isn’t it? 

Yuma: Hehe. As to be expected of Ruki.

Kou: Now we’re talking!

Azusa: Yeah...!

Ruki: Well then, we’ll leave this place tomorrow morning. Go and get your own things packed until then. 

Yui: ...!

ー The screen fades to black

Yui: ( I had already made my resolve. )

( That no matter what happens, I refuse to leave himーー )

[ CHOOSE RUKI ] [ CHOOSE KOU ] [ CHOOSE YUMA ] [ CHOOSE AZUSA ]

Translation notes

(1) At Japanese schools, they often do not employ (many) janitorial or cleaning staff. Instead, the students themselves are in charge of cleaning the classrooms, wiping the blackboard after classes, taking documents to the faculty room, etc. This is called 日直 or ‘nicchoku’ which literally means ‘day-duty’. Every day or week, other students are in charge of doing these tasks. 

(2) Ruki uses the term ‘aurora vision’, which refers to the large TV screens you will often see on the sides of skyscrapers and other high buildings in big Japanese cities. They usually broadcast commercials and such.

[ddejavvu]

I am thirsty. And I am ready to drink at the fountain of lumberjack!James 🙏 New thoughts: imagine living in a cozy log cabin, waking up early to find that James isn’t in bed, walking to the window and seeing him just goin at it chopping wood in his pyjamas bc he gotta get the firewood ready before you wake up 🥴

Today is multiverse monday! Send me any au you can think of :)

BRO. FUCK. it's official i'm lumberjack!james's whore now. it's me.

--

The sheets were cozy and warm, but not cozy or warm enough. You awoke with a disgruntled groan, peering over at the other side of the bed to chide your husband for stealing all the covers. Except, he hadn't.

The blankets were all wrapped snugly around you, bundling you up to protect you from the harsh winds outside. What was missing was your husband, and you blearily rose from your sheets to try and find him.

"Jamie?" You wandered out into the hallway, rubbing your eyes tiredly, the dim lights illuminating your house amidst the raging snowstorm outside.

Worry blossomed in your chest when you determined that James was not in the house, peering hazily outside into the flurry to see if you could spot him.

You managed to make out a blurry figure by James's workshop, and through closer examination you were relieved to recognize your husband. Axe in hand and flannel pajamas donning his lower half, you watched as he swung hard at a log in front of him, cleanly splitting the wood in half. You marveled at his strength, knowing full well he was talented, but still shocked any time you saw his skills in action.

You quickly stepped out onto the front porch, squinting through the blizzard to keep him in your sights. You called out to him blearily, a gruff, 'Jamie?' echoing through the storm, making him swing on his heel to stare at you incredulously.

He dropped the axe, fresh powder already falling onto the tool as he jogged forwards, snow sticking to his hair and pajamas.

"Bug, whatcha doin' up?"

"Couldn't sleep without you," You mumbled, hands tugging gently at his near-frozen hands, "What are you doing out here?"

"We needed more firewood," James gestured out to the log he'd been splitting, "So I came to chop us some more."

"Oh," You cooed, "You're so thoughtful, Jamie."

"Can't have my little bug freezin'er ass off, now can we?"

"Hm, thoughtful and eloquent, then." You teased, pinching his cheek, the skin turning red under your touch.

"Some of my many talents," James bent into a deep bow, grandiose and dramatic, "Now madam, I must retire to my post, for if I do not, thou shalt freeze thine nipples off."

"Well," You giggled, "Get to it then, good sir."

"Anytime, my lady."

[rpmemestorehouse]

2010′s Internet Memes Starters

Change wording as needed

“Are you frustrated?”

“What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch? I'll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Navy Seals, and I've been involved in numerous secret raids on Al-Quaeda, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I-”

“Let me tell you why that’s bullshit.”

“Oh stop it, you.”

“Aww yiss.”

“France is bacon.”

“That’s cute.”

“Lie down. Try not to cry. Cry a lot.”

“Has science gone too far?”

“...said no-one ever.”

“We need to go deeper.”

“Do you think this is a motherfucking game?”

“NOPE.”

“Oh baby, a triple!”

“Brushie brushie brushie~”

“Spooky scary skeletons!”

“FUCK YEA.”

“You could stop at five or six stores, or, just ONE.”

“You hear about video games?”

“Release the kraken!”

“Will you fight? Or will you perish like a dog?”

“ ‘It will be FUN’, they said!”

“You’ve been GNOMED!”

“Deal with it.”

“And not a single fuck was given that day.”

“It’s a double rainbow!”

“The rent is too damn high!”

“You jelly?”

“Challenge accepted.”

“Come at me bro!”

“Pootis!”

“Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout?”

“Are you a wizard?”

“Bitch please!”

“I know that feel bro.”

“Shut up and take my money!”

“I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.”

“NO.”

“I hope you step on a LEGO.”

“That really rustled my jimmies.”

“And then a skeleton popped out!”

“I’ve seen some shit.”

“gEnIuS!”

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

“This isn’t even my final form!”

“You had one job.”

“Kill me.”

“Majestic as FUCK.”

“Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about [insert]?”

“I swear on me mum...”

“You have no power here!”

“REKT!”

“What a time to be alive.”

“If I pull that off, will you die?”

“It will be extremely painful...for you.”

“FUCK THIS GAY EARTH!”

“Hide the pain Harold.”

“Local man ruins everything.”

“Mom, get the camera!”

“I cri evrytiem.”

“The struggle is real.”

“I am the one who knocks!”

“Perfection.”

“This is the darkest timeline.”

“I’m about to end this man’s whole career.”

“I regret nothing!!!”

“I lied.”

“I’ve seen enough [insert] to know where THIS is going.”

“Oh god why-”

“Everyday I’m shufflin’-”

“You wot mate?”

“Everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked...”

“Man door hand hook car door-”

“Palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy, vomit on my sweater already, Mom's spaghetti-”

“Oppa Gangnam style!”

“When [place] is ashes, you have my permission to die.”

“I only cried for 20 minutes.”

“Pepperidge Farm remembers.”

“Go home, [Name], you’re drunk.”

“Fuck me, right?”

“I should buy a boat.”

“2deep4you”

“Apply cold water to that burn.”

“420 blaze it!”

“That’s a nice new [insert]. It would be a shame if something happened to it...”

“I too, like to live dangerously.”

“You know nothing, [Name].”

“I’m getting too old for this shit.”

“Does this look like the face of mercy?”

“It was me, [OWN NAME]!”

“Stop trying to make [insert] happen! It’s not going to happen!”

“You merely adopted the darkness.”

“See? Nobody cares.”

“I will find you, and I will kill you.”

“I understood that reference!”

“Listen here, you little shit-”

“It’s an older meme, sir, but it checks out.”

“Ravioli, ravioli, give me the formuoli.”

“How do you do, fellow kids?”

“Ow, the edge!”

“*teleports behind you* Nothing personal, kid.”

“Pee is stored in the balls.”

“We have food at home.”

“You must be new here.”

“Goats are like mushrooms, if you shoot a duck, I'm scared of toasters.”

“ERMAHGERD BERKS-”

“That’s the evilest thing I can imagine!”

“Dammit Moon Moon!”

“When u mom com home and make hte spagheti-“

“When will you learn? When will you learn?! THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES?!”

“helo would u like some of this hot choclety milk?”

“Be strong, [Name]. Be strong for Mother.”

“Ayy LMAO.”

“Surprise, bitch. I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me.”

“Shrek is love, Shrek is life.”

“Heard you were talking shit!”

“The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.”

“Look at me. I’m the captain now.”

“This could be us, but you playing.”

“They played us like a damn fiddle!”

“I came out to have a good time and I’m honestly feeling so attacked right now.”

“I’m in me mum’s car, broom broom!”

“Hand me the aux cord.”

“Press F to pay respects.”

“Trust nobody, not even yourself.”

“Anime was a mistake.”

“It’s just a prank, bro!”

“Don’t talk to me or my son ever again.”

“Are ya winning, son?”

“Had it not been for the laws of this land, I would have slaughtered you.”

“I lived bitch!”

“You just have to say that you're fine, when you're not really fine, but you just can't get into it because they would never understand.”

“*chuckles* I’m in danger.”

“That wasn’t very cash money of you.”

“They had us in the first half, not gonna lie.”

“DEEZ NUTS-”

“Alone on a Friday night? God, you’re pathetic.”

“Why the fuck you lyin’? Why you always lyin’? Mmmm oh my GOD, stop fuckin’ lyin’~”

“You’re gonna have a bad time.”

“I’m at soup!”

“IT’S TIME TO STOP!”

“Congratulations, you played yourself.”

“I’m you, but stronger.”

“This is fine.”

“Hello darkness my old friend~”

“Sosig.”

“Jesus Christ, it’s Jason Bourne!”

“I have crippling depression!”

“WE ARE NUMBER ONE!”

“That’s where you’re wrong, kiddo.”

“Take a fucking sip, babes.”

“Brother, may I have some oats?”

“God I wish that were me.”

“Ah, I see you’re a man of culture as well.”

“Oh, worm?”

“Hewwo!”

“Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?”

“Am I a joke to you?”

“Let me in. LET ME IIIIIINNNNN!!!!!”

“You know I had to do it to ‘em.”

“Why is the FBI here?”

“Oh no baby what is you doin’???”

“Hey man, you see that guy over there?”

“Buenos días, [Name]!”

“Hey there demons, it’s me, ya boy.”

“Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.”

“Then perish.”

“Somebody toucha my spaghet!”

“My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.”

“Weird flex, but okay.”

“I’m baby.”

“STONKS!”

“OK, boomer.”

“Yep, this one’s going in my cringe compilation.”

“This is so sad. Alexa, play Despacito.”

“Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.”

“All right then, keep your secrets.”

“They did surgery on a grape.”

“It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.”

“Look how they massacred my boy!”

“Bro! You just posted cringe! You are going to lose subscriber.”

“Wait, that’s illegal.”

“Bro, I’m straight-up not having a good time.”

“Gonna cry? Gonna piss your pants maybe?”

“I’m gonna do what’s called a pro gamer move.”

“Say sike right now.”

[thatkidwholikesthunderbirds]

TAG Mini Bang 2021

Hey fam, This is mine and the amazing @katblu42′s contribution to the @tagminibang. Katblu42 wrote the story, of which I love so much, and i made a couple of doodles to go with it.

We both worked really hard on it, hope you enjoy.

***

Deep Water

The summer is drawing to an end when an almost-twelve-year-old Virgil is lumped with looking after little bro Gordon for the day. When a simple walk in the woods becomes more than they bargained for, the pair must work together to overcome their fears.

Written by @katblu42

***

“Hey, Virgil. Whatcha doin’?” Gordon bounced down the stairs and watched his brother carefully pack his brand-new artist’s set of watercolour pencils, mini easel, and sketchbook into his backpack, using one of his hoodies for padding. “I’m gonna go out on the top track and try out my new pencils. It’s gonna be a really nice day for practicing landscapes. I want to try and capture the way the light filters through the trees and . . .” As Virgil excitedly rambled on about all the things he wanted to draw, Lucy emerged from the kitchen with a lunchbox packed with sandwiches and snacks and two water bottles for Virgil to add to his bag. She ignored the eye-rolling from the younger boy, who obviously didn’t share the enthusiasm for artistic inspiration. Placing a hand on Virgil’s shoulder as she handed him the last of the supplies, Lucy smiled. “Sounds like the two of you are going to see all kinds of wonders today,” she said. Virgil opened his mouth to question, but she didn’t give him a chance to speak. “You’re going to take your brother with you.” “But . . .” was all Virgil managed to squeak out, while Gordon sported a look of surprised incredulity. “It will do you both the world of good to spend some time together, just the two of you.”

Lucy knew these two didn’t always get along, mostly due to Gordon’s talent for finding exactly the right buttons to push to try Virgil’s patience. In fact, Gordon did that with everyone, but it somehow affected Virgil the most potently. Lucy, Jeff, and the other boys had little tolerance for Gordon’s annoying antics, but the fact that Virgil usually had an abundance of patience was exactly why Gordon got under his skin so much. With Virgil, Gordon would keep on pushing, keep needling, insistently nagging until that patience wore thin and caused Virgil to react in frustration. As a result, Lucy had noticed Virgil tending to avoid spending too much time with Gordon. But today she needed to pair them up together. Grandma would be by any minute to pick up Scott, as she was helping him log extra flying hours towards his pilot license while Jeff was away for work. John had already left for the library where they had been running a special summer program in the AV centre focussing on early space exploration because today was the last day he’d be able to see it. “Aw, Mom!” Virgil whined. “If he comes, I won’t get any drawing done.” “Yeah, Mom,” Gordon joined in, wrinkling his nose, “can’t I stay with you?” “Nope!” Lucy ruffled Gordon’s unruly blond locks. “I have errands to run today.” Gordon groaned. He hated being dragged all over town when his mom was running errands, mostly because the entire day was usually spent listening to her tell him he couldn’t run off too far or do anything fun – getting up to mischief, she called it. Lucy knew her day would be difficult enough with a toddler in tow without adding a hyperactive six-and-a-half-year-old to the mix. For a moment, she felt for Virgil. In a way, he had a point. He’d have to keep Gordon occupied, which would take his focus away from his artistic endeavours, but she had faith that the two of them would find a way to make it work. She stood between the two boys and, with a hand on a shoulder of each, pulled them into a hug. “You two go out and have fun.” She placed a kiss on first Virgil’s and then Gordon’s forehead. “Be good, look after each other, and don’t get into any trouble!” She ushered them through the door and watched them head out, turning back to wave goodbye to her from the front gate before continuing westward towards the top track. She would always worry about her boys out there on their own, but they all knew the rules and had repeatedly been warned of the various dangers contained within their little patch of wilderness. Virgil was not inclined to be reckless or break the rules, but the lure of an interesting view could distract him at times. Looking after a younger brother would help keep his attention more focused. It was one of Lucy’s secret weapons. Pairing a big brother with a little one always seemed to make the big brother more inclined to obey the rules and watch for dangers.

The two boys made quick progress across the open paddock towards the trees, Virgil striding out confidently, Gordon occasionally having to run for a few steps to catch up. Once they reached the track that wound its way through the trees, the pace began to slow. Virgil’s gaze wandered as he walked, noticing in great detail the colours of the foliage and tree bark, the stark contrasts formed by shafts of sunlight filtering between the trees and highlighting this branch or those leaves. He would hear the cry of a bird and look up, searching the treetops to see if he could catch sight of the culprit. Despite the distractions, however, Virgil didn’t stop walking. He had a destination in mind, and he was keen to get there so he could start drawing. Gordon found distractions of his own along the track. He’d hear skittering noises in the dirt and leaf litter beside the track and stop to see if he could spot the creature that had scuttled away. He found spiderwebs woven between the trees and bushes, and noted with interest whether or not the spider was home and if they’d caught anything. He, too, would search the trees and sky for birds that called out their various songs. Unlike Virgil, Gordon stopped often and would have to run to catch up to his bigger brother, usually after Virgil called out to him to hurry up. After falling behind for the fourth time, Gordon decided to run ahead along the track a bit. That way Virgil would have to catch up to him! He stopped short when he came to the fork in the track. An idea struck him, and he jogged back to his brother. “Hey, Virgil?” He had a glint in his eye that the older boy knew well enough to be worried about. “We should go down to the lake!” “No.” “Oh, come on! Why not?” His voice was verging on whiny and his expression close to a pout. “We’re not supposed to go to the lake on our own, it’s –” “We’re not on our own, we have each other!” Gordon didn’t want to give Virgil a chance to argue or talk about possible dangers. “We’re not gonna do anything dangerous or anything. It’s nice by the lake. Besides, you said your pencils were watercolours. Shouldn’t you draw something with water?” “That’s not . . . Uugghh!” Virgil sighed, rolled his eyes, and rubbed a hand through his hair. He knew steering this particular brother away from water was going to be a hard sell, and if he was honest with himself, his little brother was right about the lake being a good place to draw. It would give him an opportunity to practice drawing reflections, which was something he’d been wanting to experiment with. And the view across the lake was pretty spectacular. But swimming in the lake could be dangerous. If they went to the lake, Virgil knew his entire day would be spent watching Gordon in the water. Gordon studied the expression on his brother’s face for some sign of what he was thinking. He had that look of intense concentration he used when he was figuring out how to fix something. Virgil slowed to a stop and looked down at Gordon. “If we go to the lake –” As Virgil spoke, Gordon’s face broke out in a wide gap-toothed grin as he sensed he had won. “I said if! If we go to the lake, you have to promise me you won’t go for a swim. I came here to draw, not play lifeguard.” “Aww! Virge, it’s summer! It’s a great day for a swim.” His smile was gone, and he now had to trot alongside his brother as Virgil began walking again, setting a brisk pace. He was going to have to fight hard to get his way. “Pleeeeease!” No reaction. “What if I promise not to go in any deeper than up to here?” He indicated his waist. Virgil’s eyebrows drew down into somewhat of a scowl, but he slowed his walking pace again. “You have to stay dry above the knees,” he said. “Yes! Okay, I can do that.” Gordon’s big, infectious grin was back, and he literally bounced with happiness and excitement at his victory. “I promise I won’t go in past my knees, and I’ll be good so you can just do your drawings.” Virgil tried to keep his expression serious, but his little brother’s glee was so irresistible he couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Pretty soon he was grinning too, and they headed down the left fork in the track towards the lake. As they descended the narrow trail, weaving between trees and larger rocks, the hard-packed dirt underfoot gradually giving way to sandy soil, Gordon’s excitement was barely containable. He ran ahead down the track, calling to Virgil to hurry, ran back to his brother urging him to walk quicker, tugging at his hand, gave up, and ran ahead again before he could even see Virgil roll his eyes. The whole process was then repeated. Twice. Soon enough the trees lining the track thinned out, allowing glimpses of dark blue water. The track curved, and suddenly they emerged from the trees onto an expanse of silty sand with the lake spread out before them, rippling and glistening in the sunlight. The dark greens of the trees on the far side of the lake separated dark blue water from pale blue sky on the horizon. Gordon ran straight to the water’s edge, while Virgil took a moment to take in the entire scene. The lake itself didn’t cover a particularly large area, but it was very deep in places. Virgil estimated that it was more than half a mile from side to side, north to south, and possibly as far as three hundred metres to the trees on the other side from where Gordon now stood. The hills to the north funnelled water down into the lake via a network of creeks and streams. The surface of the lake looked relatively calm, but it hid unpredictable undercurrents as the water worked its way to the small stream that trickled away from the natural dam at the lake’s southern tip. There were a few tiny islands dotted throughout the lake, most of them closer to the far side, some large enough to have trees growing on them, others no more than large rocks with their tops protruding from the water. A short walk along the water’s edge northward took Virgil past a small wooden pier with a little dinghy tied to it, gently rocking and bumping with the lazy motion of the water. Beyond that, the flat sand gave way to a series of rocky, sloped banks. Picking his way up over some of the lower rocks, Virgil climbed up onto a large, relatively flat boulder that afforded him a good view and room to set out all his materials. He could see the beach (as Gordon called it) and his brother discarding his shoes and socks so he could explore the shallows and the little boat attached to the pier, with the water stretching away before him. Once he had carefully unpacked his easel and sketchbook and placed his pencils beside him within easy reach, Virgil began to sketch out some rough outlines. It wasn’t long before Gordon popped his head up over the edge of Virgil’s rock platform.

“Is that all you’ve done so far?” he asked with curious disbelief. “You should use more colours.” “Gordon.” Virgil’s tone was a warning. “Okay, okay,” Gordon said, raising his hands, palms outwards. “I just wondered if it’s lunchtime yet. I’m hungry.” Virgil resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he looked at his younger brother, searching for any signs of mischief and finding none. He realised Gordon was probably right, it was time for lunch. Virgil had been too caught up in what he was doing to notice how long it had been since they’d eaten breakfast. “All right, let’s see what Mom packed for us to eat.” He dug the lunchbox and water bottles out of his backpack while Gordon climbed up onto the rock and sat cross-legged beside him. Neither boy was surprised to find their mom had provided each of them with their favourite sandwich toppings, and they ate hungrily. Gordon would have polished off all the snacks too, but Virgil prudently suggested they should save those for later. They washed the sandwiches down with a hearty helping of water, making sure to save some of that too. When their little picnic was done, Gordon started to scamper back down over the rocks. “You can go back to drawing now,” he delivered a parting shot with that cheeky grin, “I’m gonna go see if I can find any fish.” “Stay out of the water,” Virgil warned. “You just ate.” “Ugh! I’m not stupid, Virgil! And besides, I’m only going in up to my knees, remember!” “I remember. I’ve just gotta make sure you do!” Virgil watched as Gordon started to clamber down the rocks. “Stay where I can see you!” he called after him. “And be careful! The rocks can get slippery.” “I’ll be fine!” Gordon yelled back, and added under his breath, “Spoilsport.” “I heard that!” Virgil didn’t see Gordon poke his tongue out before he ran off along the sand to go and get his feet wet again. He stood in the shallow water, running his hands over the slimy reeds looking for little fish. He spent some time digging his toes into the sand to see what little creatures came darting out into the water as it clouded around his feet. Virgil’s focus was split between the landscape that was rapidly developing on the paper and keeping tabs on Gordon. Every little, excited exclamation had Virgil looking along the beach, wondering what his brother had found. But his attention was inevitably pulled back to his watercolour sketch. Coming out of the water for a while, Gordon picked his way along the sand, gathering a pocketful of stones before finding a spot to stand and skip them across the surface of the lake. He was pretty proud of the one he managed to get to skip eight times before it sank. The clicky slap of the first skipped stone had Virgil’s head turning to watch, making sure his brother was still keeping out of trouble. He wondered who had taught Gordon to skip stones and fondly remembered Scott showing him how it was done. Gordon was actually pretty good at it, and he kept at it for quite a while. After that, Gordon wandered closer to the trees looking for beetles and interesting insects. He even took one or two of them over to show Virgil. He did the same with some of the smooth pebbles he’d found, especially the ones that had pretty colours or unusual patterns. Virgil liked those ones, he could tell. And every time he returned to Virgil up on his rock, while he munched on a snack or took a drink of water, he took a peek at what his brother was drawing. There was one main drawing of the view across the lake that was more and more detailed every time Gordon saw it, but there were some other smaller sketches too. Gordon wasn’t sure if they were like little practice drawings for things that Virgil wanted to add to the main one or if they were something else. It looked like some of those extra sketches included him, some were of the treasures he’d brought to show his brother, and some he couldn’t quite decipher yet. The afternoon sun beat down on them, too high in the sky for any shadows long enough to provide decent shade. Virgil barely noticed, but Gordon felt the heat. He had climbed back down from Virgil’s perch and was now sitting on the end of the little boat dock dangling his feet in the water. He kicked his feet, splashing and watching new ripples form. The water was pleasantly cool against his legs, but his head and shoulders yearned for that same refreshing feeling. He looked out across the lake, longing to jump in and immerse himself in liquid heaven. He was regretting his promise. “Gordon,” Virgil called down to him, “stop splashing around so much. I don’t want you falling in.” In response, Gordon just sighed. A gull squawked nearby, and he watched it wing its way to a large rock protruding from the water, joining other gulls and ibises sunning themselves. It was the closest island to where he sat, and it didn’t look too far to swim to. It was so hot. It would just be a quick swim. “Hey, Virgil,” Gordon called out, twisting his body around to look up at his brother, “how far do you think it is to that big rock out there?” Virgil took a moment to stand up and stretch muscles that he hadn’t really moved in nearly two hours. He looked where Gordon pointed and couldn’t help doing a rough calculation in his head to estimate the distance, but he knew where this question was leading. “Too far,” he answered. “You’re not going to swim to it. No deeper than your knees, remember?” “But, Virge . . .” “No, Gordon! It’s dangerous. We don’t swim out that far when Mom and Dad bring us down here, I’m not letting you go out there alone.” “But I’m a good swimmer, and the water’s really flat and calm, and it’s so hot . . .” “I said no!” Virgil was almost shouting now. Why wasn’t Gordon listening to him? Couldn’t he see how bad an idea this was? “It’s gotta be at least eighty metres out to that rock, and you can’t see the currents at work under the surface or the reeds or the cold spots or how deep it is. It’s not like swimming in the pool in town.” “Eighty metres is easy! I already have my two-hundred-meter freestyle achievement certificate. I’ll be out there and back in no time.” As he spoke, Gordon started removing his T-shirt. “Gordon, don’t!” Virgil’s heart was hammering at his rib cage like it was trying to break free, and he started making his way down the rocks towards the boat dock, knowing he wasn’t going to be quick enough. “Bet I’ll do it in the fastest time ever. Time me, Virgil.” And with a flash of a wicked grin, he turned and dived into the water. Virgil ran across the sand and onto the wooden dock, heart still pounding fit to burst as Gordon swam away. All he could do was stand there and watch. As scared as he was, he couldn’t help being a little bit in awe of his little brother. Even though he was little, he was a good swimmer. From his very first swimming lesson two years ago, he had been very much at home in the water. He learned fast and seemed to have the knack of skimming the surface of the water when he swam – unlike Virgil, who always felt like he was fighting the water, trying to stop it from pulling him down. He didn’t mind admitting that Gordon was a better swimmer than he was, but the little fish had no experience with open water – or getting out of trouble on his own. It wasn’t long before Gordon was halfway to the rock island, and everything seemed to be going fine. Virgil even managed to start to relax a bit. It seemed like he was going to make it out there just fine. His pace had slowed a little, but that was to be expected. Then suddenly something wasn’t right. Gordon had slowed right down, almost to a complete stop, his legs no longer breaking the surface with his kicks. He rolled onto his back and made a couple of awkward backstrokes, then he went under. Just for a millisecond. But it was enough to have Virgil scrambling to get into the dinghy. Gordon tried to shout, but the effort seemed to cause his head to bob under again. Virgil rowed as fast as he could, his head twisted to look over his shoulder, not wanting to take his eyes off his little brother, praying each time he went under that he’d see blond hair break the surface again. Swear words repeated over and over like a mantra with every stroke of the oars. Strong, long strokes propelled the little wooden boat through the water. He fought back panic. He would get there in time. He had to get there in time. He had to save his brother. Gordon seemed to be losing the battle to stay afloat, arms flailing, panicking, bobbing and spluttering. He knew Virgil was trying to get to him, and he was desperate to keep his head above water until he got there, but kicking was difficult and painful. His left leg was not obeying. He’d never experienced a cramp like this before. Virgil finally reached the spot where Gordon had just gone under again. Leaning over the side of the boat, mindful of leaning too far and capsizing, he grabbed a flailing arm with one hand and reached the other into the water to grab a handful of blond hair. He ignored the shock of the cold mere inches below the surface and hauled his brother up far enough for him to gasp for air. He adjusted his grip and dragged Gordon into the boat, where he lay coughing and spluttering, shivering and absolutely terrified. Virgil sat, boat rocking beneath them, breathing hard and equally terrified, watching his brother, grateful for the coughing because at least he knew he was still breathing. “You okay?” Virgil panted out once the coughing had died down a little. “Cramp!” Gordon gasped out in reply, indicating his left leg. “Calf muscle? Here?” Virgil was kneeling with Gordon’s left foot resting on his thigh, fingers gently kneading into his calf. Gordon responded with a nod and a little groan of pain. Virgil spent a few minutes massaging the cramped muscle. He wasn’t sure if Gordon’s tears were from the pain in his leg or fear or relief, but he suddenly felt like he’d do anything to stop them. All he could offer were words of reassurance. Words that comforted both of them. “It’s okay, Gords. You’re okay. You’re safe now.” Virgil’s fingers worked methodically, gently, gradually relaxing the muscle, relieving Gordon’s agony, and calming both of them down in the process. Gordon was soon wriggling his leg free of Virgil’s grasp to sit up on the floor of the little rowboat. He pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs, still shivering. “Hold on, Gordon.” Virgil shifted himself back onto the seat and took up the oars. “Let’s get you back to shore and then we can warm you up.” Rowing back to the wooden dock seemed to take so much longer than it had to row out into the lake. Virgil wasn’t sure if this was because there were currents working against him or if he was just a great deal more tired now. Or maybe it was the lack of terrifying urgency driving his actions on the return trip. Either way, he was grateful to make it safely to the dock and get the boat secured. Gordon was adamant he could get out of the boat on his own, but Virgil’s assistance was accepted readily when he found himself unsteady on his feet. Virgil retrieved the T-shirt Gordon had so hastily tossed aside earlier and draped it over his little brother’s back. It didn’t take much convincing for Gordon to remain sitting on the dock in the same knees-huddled-to-chest position he’d adopted in the boat while Virgil raced up to his rock platform to retrieve all his gear. He also made a quick dash across the sand to find Gordon’s discarded shoes before returning. He didn’t like how quiet and still the normally boisterous boy was. The paleness of his skin and the fact he was still shivering – or perhaps trembling – worried him even more. The now damp T-shirt had been pulled on over his head but offered little in the way of warmth. “Hey, Gordon. Arms up,” Virgil instructed, holding his own hoodie ready to slip over the blond head. Gordon did as he was told without comment or complaint, seeming to Virgil a little like some sort of robotic puppet. The hoodie was way too big, but it was soft and thick and most importantly dry. With head and arms now inserted into their correct holes, Virgil knelt in front of Gordon and pulled the hoodie down over his entire tucked-up body. Not even his feet protruded from beneath the hem. He then wrapped his arms around the whole bundle of little brother and rubbed vigorously to generate some heat. “Virgil?” Glossy brown eyes peeked out from beneath the sweater’s hood. The voice was quiet and had a quality to it that felt somehow small and uncertain. “I’m sorry.” The look in his brother’s eyes, more than the words, stung Virgil somewhere deep inside. “What?” Virgil answered. “What for?” “I didn’t listen. You told me not to and I . . .” “That doesn’t matter now.” Virgil’s arms tightened ever so slightly around him, and Gordon rested his head against his big brother’s shoulder. “All I care about right now is making sure you’re okay.” For a moment, the two boys stayed locked in the embrace, Gordon letting the feeling of safety envelop him, Virgil feeling the rise and fall of Gordon’s chest with every breath. He was relieved to find his brother relaxing into an even, steady pattern of deep breaths. There was no sign of any wheezing, and the coughs and splutters seemed long gone. “Come on. Let’s get you home,” Virgil said softly, giving Gordon’s back one final rub before releasing the hug. He slipped his backpack straps over his shoulders, held his hands out for Gordon to take so he could help him onto his feet, then lifted him up into a reverse piggyback hold. Gordon’s arms looped around his neck, and his legs wrapped around his waist without hesitation or protest, and Virgil set off for home at a slow but steady pace. The gentle but constant incline of the path back to the top track gave Virgil quite a workout with the additional weight he carried, but he took it in his stride. Gordon remained so still and quiet, hooded head resting against his left shoulder, Virgil thought he might have fallen asleep. He tried not to jostle his bundle of brother too much as he picked his way up the hill. When he reached the relative flat ground where the lake path rejoined the top track, Virgil took a moment to catch his breath, and Gordon stirred. “Hey, Virgil?” he said quietly. “When we get home . . . we don’t have to tell anyone what happened, do we?” “Gordon, we have to tell Mom. You nearly drowned!” Gordon caught his brother’s gaze and for the first time saw there was fear in those deep brown eyes. It made something in his insides feel fluttery. “But I’m okay,” he pleaded. “You saved me.” “I pulled you out of the water, but . . .” Virgil wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence and sighed. “If you got any water in your lungs, that would be bad. I’m not sure exactly how it works, but sometimes it can make a person have trouble breathing hours after they’ve been rescued from drowning.” “Oh.” The initial response was almost whispered, then Gordon’s features and tone brightened. “But –” “Did you swallow any water?” Virgil cut him off. “Because the water in the lake could make you sick if you did.” Gordon’s brow creased. “No. I don’t think so. Maybe?” Virgil sighed once more, then began walking again. “I don’t want to scare you, Gords, but what happened out there was a big deal.” “I know,” Gordon whimpered, and held on to Virgil a little tighter. “But I’m not scared now. I’m safe. I was afraid. In the water, when I thought . . . when I couldn’t . . . It was scary, but now I’m not scared because you’re here and you saved me.” Virgil remained silent. “Would it be less scary for you if you stay with me until you know I’m not going to get sick or stop breathing?” Gordon whispered. The rhythm of Virgil’s footfalls faltered for a step or two. “I promise I won’t leave your sight until you’re sure I’m okay. Then we don’t have to tell Mom unless I get sick. Okay?” For a moment, Virgil couldn’t say anything. The lump in his throat was too much of an obstacle. He blinked a few times to clear his swimming vision, huffed out a ragged sigh, and hitched his brother a little higher on his hips. “Okay, Little Fish. You got a deal. I won’t tell Mom, and you and I stick together like glue for tonight.” Not long after their deal was struck Virgil’s steady paces brought them out of the trees and into the paddock, with home in sight. It seemed they had beaten Lucy home, as her car wasn’t parked in its usual spot, but John’s bike was neatly leaned on its stand next to the others, and Virgil suspected Scott was already home too.

He was relieved to finally climb the stairs and deposit Gordon gently on his feet on the front porch. Slipping off his backpack and rolling his shoulders to ease tired muscles, Virgil followed his younger brother through the front door and into the kitchen. He might have known Gordon would gravitate towards food. At least this was a good sign – if Gordon was hungry, then he probably wasn’t feeling any ill effects from swallowing lake water. “Oh, look. It finally happened,” Scott said with a smirk and an elbow to John’s ribs. “One of Virgil’s hoodies grew legs and walked away.” “Ha-ha,” Gordon replied as he grabbed the jug of juice from the fridge. “Seriously, Gordon,” John spoke up from his seat at the kitchen table, where he and Scott had been finishing their afternoon snacks, “what’s with the hoodie? It’s gotta be ninety-six degrees outside.” “He just wanted to prove me wrong,” Virgil chimed in, walking straight to the cupboard and grabbing a couple of glasses. “I told him he would disappear completely inside one of my hoodies.” He noted the suspicious looks but ignored them as he poured juice for himself and Gordon. “How was the space thing at the library?” As John began eagerly explaining in great detail the highlights of the interactive exhibition, Virgil met Scott’s expression of curiosity with his best nothing-to-see-here shrug. He knew the innocent look he tried to project wouldn’t be enough to prevent Scott from seeing straight through the change of subject. Scott’s sapphire-blue eyes had the ability to cut like diamonds, and right at that moment Virgil felt the full weight of their scrutiny. He tried to give a reassuring smile and turn his attention to John’s increasingly fast-paced account of the space exhibit. “Actually, that sounds pretty cool,” Gordon said with an air of surprise and a warm smile at the conclusion of John’s animated description. He drained the dregs of his glass of juice and turned to Virgil. “I’m gonna go upstairs and change clothes.” “I’ll be up in a minute,” Virgil replied. Gordon left the room at a trot and bounded up the stairs. Scott and John were both back to studying Virgil intently. “What?” “Why’s Gordon so attached to you all of a sudden?” Scott asked. “He’s practically asking you for permission to leave the room.” Virgil’s gaze flicked between the blue and the turquoise, and he resisted the urge to squirm. “I don’t know. I guess we just had kind of a good day.” It was the only thing Virgil could think of to say. “You two spent the whole day together and you’re not sick of the sight of each other?” It was John’s turn to question the lack of frustrated bickering that would normally have surfaced between them. Virgil just shrugged, finished his own glass of juice, and picked up his backpack. “I’m gonna go put this stuff away.” He left the room, deliberately not hurrying but desperate to escape from the interrogation he felt was coming. As soon as he reached the top of the stairs, Gordon’s bedroom door opened. He was wearing his clownfish pyjamas, and Virgil couldn’t help but grin. “Virgil?” Gordon packed so much uncertainty into just his name Virgil was a little concerned at what might be coming. “Do you think maybe . . . I mean could we, maybe . . . Do you wanna build a blanket fort with me?” “Actually, I think that’s a pretty great idea.” When Lucy arrived home, wrangling a grizzly Alan who had missed his afternoon nap, and exhausted from a rather frustrating day full of unnecessary delays at every stop, she found Scott and John in the kitchen getting dinner started. Neither had seen the other two boys in a while, so she settled Alan in the living room with his favourite cartoon and headed upstairs to investigate. She found them in Gordon’s and Alan’s room. At least, she found evidence that this was where they had been for some time. Half of the room was obscured by a complex construction created out of pillows, blankets, and assorted bed linen supported by various pieces of furniture and some rather ingeniously rigged clothesline string. “Well, look at you two in here together, thick as thieves!” Lucy said as her head emerged from between two blankets that served as the entrance. “Hi, Mom! We’re building a blanket fort!” Gordon explained excitedly. Virgil rolled his eyes. “She can see that, doofus.” “And it is quite an impressive feat of engineering.” She winked and smiled. “What did you boys get up to on your walk today? Lots of exciting adventures, no doubt.” A look passed between the two. “Nothing,” Gordon blurted out, just as Virgil spoke. “Not much.” Virgil added a shrug and a somewhat apologetic expression. “Just . . . boy stuff.” “Yeah, Mom. Boy stuff,” Gordon repeated emphatically. “We can’t tell you because you’re a girl.” Lucy’s head tilted slightly, an eyebrow raised, and the corners of her mouth and eyes began a slow upward quirk into a smile. She wondered what they were up to, but she was happy the two of them were getting along well. “Hmm. Does this boy stuff include any drawings I’m allowed to see?” If they wouldn’t tell her where they’d been, perhaps she could discern something from Virgil’s sketches. “Can I show you later? Tomorrow maybe?” Virgil squirmed a little under the inquisitive gaze of those soft, honey-coloured eyes. Usually he loved sharing his artworks with Mom. She always praised the bits she thought he’d done well and knew exactly how to suggest little improvements without making it seem like he’d made mistakes. Sometimes it felt like she saw more in his drawings than what he’d put in them. “Okay,” she said, changing tack. “Are you two coming out of there to join the rest of us for dinner?” Another look between the brothers. The plot thickening before her eyes. “Can we come back in here after dinner?” Gordon asked. “Could we, maybe, both sleep in here for tonight?” Virgil followed up quickly. Lucy studied the faces of her two brown-eyed boys. These two were not regular partners in shenanigans. There was something going on here that she was not quite sure she understood just yet, but there didn’t seem to be any harm in what they were asking. “I don’t see why not,” she answered, and was rewarded with two beaming smiles. “Go wash up and you can set the table while I help your brothers finish up in the kitchen.” Dinner for the most part was about as chaotic as usual. Alan was still irritable and played with more of his food than he ate, making a mess of himself and the table in front of him in the process. Scott and John both gave lengthy answers to their mom’s enquiries about how they had spent the day. There were all the usual arguments over who would get the last helpings of this or that as plates and dishes were rapidly emptied, their contents hungrily devoured. Virgil and Gordon managed to talk about the more innocent parts of their day, clinging to descriptions of what plants were flowering, the types of birds they saw, the spiders and beetles and butterflies, rather than any specific mention of the lake. As the scrape of knives and forks on plates finally died down, Lucy began clearing serving dishes off the table. “How about tomorrow we all have a day at the pool?” Standing behind her water-baby as she spoke, she gave his hair a ruffle. John and Scott were both quick to answer with excited affirmatives, Alan enthusiastically exclaimed “Swim!”, but she didn’t see the panicked look that flashed across Gordon’s face as he looked across the table at Virgil. “That sounds great, Mom,” was Virgil’s reply as he kept his eyes firmly on Gordon, trying to relay a sense of calm reassurance that he didn’t really feel. If anyone noticed Gordon’s lack of enthusiasm at the suggestion, no one made mention of it. Perhaps his reaction was lost in the flurry of activity as the table was cleared and Alan was escorted upstairs for his bath. Virgil did notice an odd expression cross Scott’s face as he watched Gordon begin loading dirty cutlery into the dishwasher, but he said nothing before leaving the kitchen. John and Scott had helped cook dinner, so Virgil and Gordon were left to load the dishwasher and tidy the kitchen. “Gordon?” Virgil caught his little brother’s attention with a gentle flick of a tea towel, and a sullen expression was his reply. “Don’t you want to go to the pool tomorrow?” Gordon shrugged. Virgil kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to hear the conversation. “You always get excited about going to the pool. You’ve been begging Mom to take us every day for the entire summer. People will ask questions if you suddenly don’t want to go.” The look in Gordon’s eyes was a complicated mixture of fear, sadness, and uncertainty that had Virgil once again wanting to do anything he could to take away the pain. He was about to say something more when he heard John’s voice carry through from the living room and thought better of it. The discussion wasn’t over, but it would have to wait. The rest of their kitchen duty was completed in awkward silence. Chores done, they headed upstairs, back to their blanket fort. They had barely begun to settle into the pile of pillows and cushions when a small hand, followed by a headful of slightly damp blond hair, poked through from beneath a blanket wall. Bright blue eyes sparkled as a giggle escaped through a cheeky grin. “Peek-a-boo!” Alan exclaimed and wriggled his way into the enclosure. “Alan!?” Lucy parted the fort’s entrance with her arms so the blankets draped like a stage curtain. As her eyes came to rest on her littlest, a wave of relief was reflected in her fond smile.  “Say good night to your brothers and I’ll read you a story.” Liberal good-night cuddles were dished out to both big brothers before Lucy ushered Alan out so she could bundle him into bed. “You two – shower or bath, teeth brushing – go!” she instructed. By the time Virgil and Gordon had washed and brushed and were attired for bed (again in Gordon’s case), Alan was asleep, the bedroom was illuminated only by Alan’s star projecting night light, and their mom was holding her finger up to her lips. “Shh. Try not to wake your little brother,” she whispered. She gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t stay up all night!” Virgil and Gordon were soon alone and comfortably secure in their plush fortress. Their flashlights had been propped between pillows and furniture so they provided a soft glow amid the cosy gloom. “Talk to me, Fish,” Virgil said softly. “You’ve been so quiet since dinner. Are you feeling okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine.” Gordon’s slumped posture added to Virgil’s impression that his brother looked pretty miserable. “It’s just . . .” A huge sigh escaped his tiny frame. “You’re worried about tomorrow?” Virgil finished for him. “Do you think I could tell Mom I have to do some reading for school or something?” Virgil’s eyes widened and his heart dropped into his stomach. His little brother might not be physically sick or injured, but he was not okay. “You know that’s not gonna work, Gordon. You’ve been pestering her all summer to take you to the pool. If you suddenly don’t want to go, she’s going to be super suspicious. And nobody will believe that you would ditch the pool in favour of schoolwork. Especially in summer!” “I know.” Another sigh. A long silence. “It’s just, when Mom said we’d all go to the pool tomorrow I . . . Normally I’d be really excited, but this time I kind of got scared.” “What are you scared of?” Gordon thought Virgil’s question was a pretty stupid one considering what had happened at the lake, and his scowling glare communicated as much. “I mean, what exactly scares you about going to the pool? Are you afraid you might get into trouble like you did in the lake?” Gordon’s expression turned more quizzical as he considered what Virgil was trying to say. “Because the pool is going to be very different from the lake. The water is clear. You can always see the bottom. The temperature is controlled and kept fairly warm. There’s a lifeguard on duty all the time keeping everyone safe, and we’ll all be there with you. You won’t be on your own, far from shore.” “I guess.” “Gordon, you love the water. You always have, even when you were tiny. You’re always happiest when you’re in the water – even if it’s just the bath or splashing in puddles.” “Not anymore.” “You have to get back on the horse,” Virgil said absently, almost to himself. “What? What horse? What does that have to do with the pool?” “It’s a figure of speech. Something Grandpa says. If you fall off the horse, you’ve gotta get right back on. You can’t let one bad experience make you scared forever, and the sooner you get back up on the horse after falling, the easier it is to ride again.” Gordon looked uncertain. “So, you’re saying that I have to go to the pool tomorrow and get back in the water or else I might be scared of swimming forever?” “I’m saying you have to go to the pool tomorrow because swimming makes you happy. You’re good at it, and you can’t let today stop you from doing something that makes you light up like Fourth of July fireworks and grin like the Cheshire Cat.” There was another long silence. Gordon scooted a little closer to his big brother and rested his head against Virgil’s shoulder. “Will you stay with me tomorrow? At the pool?” Virgil wriggled his arm under his brother and tugged him closer. “For as long as you need me to,” he affirmed. “We’ll start off in the shallow end. Mess around for a while, just getting wet, splashing about. Pretty soon you’ll be swimming like a fish and I won’t be able to keep up. But I promise I’ll stay close and watch out for you, okay?” “Okay.” Despite how tired he sounded, there was a brightness to Gordon’s voice that caused a wave of relief to sweep over Virgil. The day’s exploits had exhausted the two boys. Their little nest was cosy and warm, and the close contact between them helped relax them both as they quickly drifted off to sleep. But Virgil’s usually sound sleep was disturbed by unpleasant dreams. Twice he woke suddenly, heart pounding and breathing hard, certain that something terrible had happened and with an unshakable need to check on Gordon, only to find him safely asleep beside him. He lay awake after each nightmare, watching the even rise and fall of his brother’s chest, noticing every little twitch and murmur made as he slept. He had a feeling it would be a while before he could completely shake these nightmares, but it was comforting to think that Gordon had been spared the same kind of disruption through the night.

*** Morning dawned bright and warm, and despite the duvet cover preventing much sunlight penetrating the sanctuary of the fort, Gordon was awake with the dawn chorus. He tried to let his brother sleep, happy to listen to the soft snores and try not to giggle, but he quickly became impatient. Virgil woke to gentle but insistent poking to the ribs and the repeated whispering of his name. When he peeled his eyes open, he was greeted with brown eyes mere inches in front of his own and a beaming smile. “We’re going to the pool today, Virgil,” Gordon whispered with a hint of excitement. “You have to get up.” “Okay, okay,” Virgil managed to somewhat grunt as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. Then he registered the expression on his little brother’s face, the gleam in the eyes and the fact that the smile still hadn’t faltered, and a smile of his own spread from the depths of his heart and across his face. The mixture of nerves and eagerness thrumming through Gordon all morning was enough to give the rest of the family the impression he was full of barely contained excitement fitting for the day of a visit to the pool. He repeatedly asked when they would be leaving and was repeatedly told they would head out after lunch. He offered to pack everyone’s towels and Alan’s floaties into a bag ready for later, and he fidgeted and bounced his way through to lunchtime. After lunch, as promised, Lucy piled all the boys into the family car and drove them to the public pool. She paid their admission, and they all tumbled through the turnstile. As usual, Scott, who had never grown out of wanting to go everywhere at top speed, and Gordon raced away to find them a spot on the grass where bags and towels could be unceremoniously dumped before they hit the water. By the time Virgil and John joined them, T-shirts had already been discarded and comments about the fate of the last person into the water were being bandied about. When Lucy was finally able to set down her load of Alan and the bagful of necessities required for their day out, her four oldest boys were already racing towards the Olympic-sized pool. Scott first, John not far behind, and Gordon practically dragging Virgil by the hand.

Lucy kept an eye on her boys happily splashing about with each other in the shallow end of the pool while she got herself and Alan stripped down to their bathing suits and slid Alan’s floaties on over his head and arms. They had started a game of Chicken Fight by the time she slid herself into the water and lifted Alan down into her arms. John, sitting on Scott’s shoulders and Gordon atop Virgil’s, were locked in grappling combat. Scott and John had the advantage of both height and reach, and it was not long before Gordon toppled into the water. A rematch produced the same result in short order, and Gordon exacted revenge by distracting Scott with an underwater pantsing, causing him to break his hold on John, who overbalanced and slid from Scott’s shoulders into the pool. Lucy and Alan laughed along with the others as Scott protested foul play. Handstand competitions and a game of Freeze Tag followed. Lucy took Alan to the toddler pool where he could splash about more freely, instructing the older boys to behave and try not to bother other pool users too much while she was gone. Virgil was pleased to see that, just as he’d predicted, Gordon was happily swimming rings around them all as they played. He’d stuck close to Virgil at first, but after the Chicken Fights, he was swimming farther and faster in his efforts to escape being tagged and spending longer underwater with every passing minute. It seemed he had slipped right back into his home environment without any lasting dramas. As the afternoon shadows grew long, one by one Lucy’s boys returned to their spot on the grass. She and Alan had grown tired of the water first, and Alan had even had a short sleep amongst the pile of towels as they waited for the others to tire themselves out. Scott was first of the older boys to tire of swimming and return to towel off and dress in dry clothes, with John quick to follow. Lucy was a little surprised at how long Virgil lasted in the water until she spotted him sitting on the edge of the pool with just his feet and lower legs in the water watching Gordon as he shot back and forth across the free-play area, dodging strangers. She gave a shrill two-finger whistle. Virgil, recognising the signal, turned his head to look back at her, and she beckoned with her hand to indicate it was time to go. It seemed to take a while to convince Gordon to get out of the pool, but Lucy was not surprised. The car ride home was a fairly quiet one, the boys having spent a great deal of energy over the course of the afternoon. They brightened at the suggestion of ordering pizza for dinner when they got home, and there was a brief buzz of conversation when she mentioned their father would be home by the weekend. He had only been away for two weeks, but the older boys had never really grown out of getting excited by his return. This latest trip wasn’t as far away as Mars or even the moon, but the prospect of having Dad home again still triggered that same feeling of welcoming someone who had been long absent. He may not visit space for work any longer, and his absences could be measured in days instead of months or years, but it was always great to have him home again. “He already has big plans for this year’s Last Day of Summer,” Lucy mentioned with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “It’s only ten days away now!” While Scott and John speculated on what their dad might have in store for the annual family day at the lake on the last weekend before they went back to school, Virgil felt a small hand slip inside his and squeeze. He looked to his left at Gordon staring silently out the car window and gave a slight hand squeeze of his own in reply. While today had helped, it was obvious his little brother was still harbouring some fear of returning to the lake. There was no chance for Virgil to talk one-on-one with Gordon when they got home from the pool. As was fairly normal in the Tracy household, there always seemed to be someone else around or something that needed doing, and before he knew it, Gordon was already tucked in bed and reading a bedtime story with Mom. Virgil took a little longer than normal in the shower, needing the time alone with his thoughts. If Gordon acted anything less than excited about going to the lake for Last Day of Summer, it wouldn’t be long before their little secret would come to light. He had to find a way to get Gordon’s confidence back, but he was starting to wonder if he could manage on his own. With something like this, he would normally talk things out with Scott. It felt wrong to be hiding something from him and even more wrong to be hiding things from Mom. He was beginning to wonder whether he should just let the cat out of the bag and tell the truth, but he really didn’t want to let his little brother down either. Unable to face revealing how close he’d come to letting his brother drown, Virgil ended up avoiding any chance of conversation for the evening and shut himself away in his room until it was time for bed. John was in and out of the shared bedroom as he began preparing to turn in for the night, but it was not unusual for the two of them to quietly do their own thing without really exchanging words. When Lucy popped her head inside the door to check on her two quietest boys and say good night, Virgil tried his best to act like everything was normal. Her gaze fell heavily on him for a moment, and he had to fight the urge to tell her everything about the day at the lake and ask her advice. “Don’t stay up too late, boys,” she playfully warned them. “Lights out by 9:30 please, Virgil, and John, no more stargazing after lights out!” “Okay, Mom,” they both answered automatically and in chorus. “Good night.” It took a while for Virgil to fall asleep that night, mind whirling with the thought of his little brother being afraid of something that had always been a source of such joy. There had to be a way to fix it – every problem had a solution, you just had to find it, that’s what Dad would say. As tired as he was, his mind kept trying to focus on finding that solution before drifting away into a sleepy fog. Gordon didn’t know exactly what time it was, but he knew it was very late. The house was quiet. The room wasn’t dark – Alan’s night-light saw to that – but he couldn’t hear any voices, any indication of anyone moving around downstairs or in the bathrooms and bedrooms. Everyone must be asleep. He had startled awake, sitting bolt upright, breathless, heart pounding, eyes prickling with oncoming tears and really wishing he wasn’t so alone. He’d been dreaming about the lake, and now he didn’t want to go back to sleep. Slipping silently from his bed, he tiptoed across the floor, careful not to disturb Alan, and crept out into the hall. He hesitated for a moment. Normally he would head for his parents’ room, but Mom would ask what the dream was about, and he didn’t want to tell her about swimming in the lake. He didn’t want to get in trouble – or get Virgil into trouble. Gordon changed direction and headed for Virgil’s and John’s room. Being very careful to open the door without a sound and close it just as silently behind him, Gordon stood in the pitch-dark bedroom for a moment and let his eyes adjust. He couldn’t understand why his bigger brothers liked it so dark, he found it a bit creepy, but he couldn’t turn on the light and risk waking John. It wasn’t long before he could make out the shape of Virgil’s bed amongst the gloom, and he stealthily padded across the carpet to stand beside his sleeping brother. Now that he was here, he wasn’t really sure how to wake him or whether he should. He stood twisting the fingers of both hands around each other, close to tears again. “Virgil?” he whispered, barely above a breath. No response. “Virge?” This time a little louder, a little more desperate, a little more whiney and accompanied by a sniff. He tried tapping Virgil’s shoulder a few times, but his brother didn’t budge from where he lay curled on his side, facing the wall. In the end, not knowing what else to do, Gordon climbed across the bottom of the bed and squeezed his way past Virgil’s knees, wriggled himself under the covers and Virgil’s arm, and curled himself into the space between his brother and the wall. It was around three a.m. when Virgil woke to find he wasn’t alone in the bed. He didn’t know how or when Gordon had come to be there, but he could hear him softly whimpering and feel him shaking with the occasional sob. “Gordon,” he whispered softly, “are you okay?” He tugged his brother a little tighter to him, feeling him struggle to get the sobbing under control and even out his breathing. “Had a bad dream,” came the ever-so-quiet response. Virgil eased his grip and shuffled over on the bed, allowing Gordon to roll over and face him, but he kept his hand resting against his brother’s back. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and the quiet darkness seemed both comforting and ominous at the same time. Gordon heaved a deep breath in and let it out in a sigh before breaking the silence. He kept his voice low, but once he started, the words tumbled out in a torrent. “I can’t go back to the lake for Last Day of Summer, Virgil. I don’t want to go back in the water and everyone will know that’s not normal and want to know why and I don’t want them to know what I did and –” “Shh,” Virgil soothed, rubbing Gordon’s back as he spoke. “We’ll work something out together. I promise.” “You mean so we don’t have to go?” “No, I mean so you won’t be afraid anymore. We have to go. It’s tradition. And I think we both have to go back to the lake and confront our fears.” “You’re scared too? Wait, what are you scared of?” It was Virgil’s turn to let out a sigh. “Gordon, as annoying as you sometimes are, you are my little brother, and if anything happened to you – anything really bad, I mean – I’d be . . .” Another sigh. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. And I guess I’m scared of what might have happened. I keep having bad dreams where I couldn’t save you.” Gordon was suddenly wrapped around him like an octopus, his skinny little arms squeezing tight around Virgil like he was never going to let go and legs twining their way between bedding and body to latch on too. Despite feeling a little bit trapped within the many-limbed embrace, Virgil felt oddly comforted by it. “You don’t have to hold so tight, little octopus. I’m not going anywhere,” Virgil whispered into blond hair. “I’m not an octopus,” came the muffled reply, buried somewhere in Virgil’s neck, “I’m a squid.” “Okay then, Squid. How about we try and get some sleep and work this out tomorrow?” Gordon’s hold on his brother relaxed enough for them both to get a little more comfortable in the bed, but it was clear he wasn’t letting go. Virgil managed to get one arm disentangled enough to trace his hand back and forth across Gordon’s back, helping to lull him to sleep. Slumber quickly claimed the older brother soon after.

*** Morning crept up on them, dawning overcast and gloomy, despite being summer warm. As a result, Gordon slept later than he normally would and was woken by John’s quiet movements as he rolled out of the bed on the other side of the room and shuffled towards the bathroom. If John noticed the interloper in Virgil’s bed, he didn’t say anything, so Gordon took the opportunity to unceremoniously climb over his brother and hightail it back to his own room. Virgil woke with a start after yet another nightmare. Sitting up and trying to reacquaint himself with reality, he realised Gordon was no longer with him, and his heart rate ratcheted up a few more notches in brief panic. Catching sight of the clock and taking a few slow, deep breaths, Virgil managed to convince himself that everything was fine, Gordon had obviously just woken up earlier and was more than likely perfectly okay. But he needed to check. He tumbled out of bed and, after a brief detour to the bathroom, stumbled his way down the corridor in search of Gordon. Finding the tiny two’s bedroom deserted, he headed downstairs and found his target in the living room. Virgil stood in the doorway watching Gordon playing with Alan for a few minutes. Seeing his goofball brother being his normal, animated self and hearing the shrieks and giggles his antics prompted from Alan were enough to reassure him that yes, Gordon was just fine. Sometime after Virgil had found himself some breakfast and begun to consider himself properly awake, John found him sitting at the piano, absently staring out the window. John didn’t recall hearing Virgil play any practice exercises, and Virgil’s brow was furrowed in deep concentration, so John concluded that he was there more for the familiarity than the urge to play music. He did this sometimes – sat there just thinking, wheels turning, gears shifting, working something out in his head – and John always found it interesting to watch the thought process play out through Virgil’s expressions. But the expression wasn’t changing. “Virgil?” John prompted with some concern. “You okay?” With a jolt, Virgil tore his eyes away from the view he wasn’t really seeing out the window and focussed them on John. “Yeah.” Virgil sighed. “I just have something I need to do, something that needs fixing, and I don’t know how to do it.” “Look it up,” John answered with a shrug. “That’s what I’d do. There’s probably a book about it somewhere or a repair manual or instructional video. If I want to know how something works or how to do something, I start with research.” With that, John walked away, leaving Virgil to ponder how to research fixing a fear of swimming in a lake. And then it hit him. Research was the answer, he just had to look up the right thing – not how to fix the fear, but all the things there were to be afraid of. The more information you know about the thing you’re afraid of, the less scary it becomes. So, all he had to do was look up everything that could cause someone to get into trouble swimming in a lake – and maybe rivers, streams, and oceans too – and learn everything about them. If he knew how to spot the dangers or how to prevent them and how to get out of trouble, then maybe Gordon wouldn’t be afraid anymore. Virgil set off at a run to go and find Gordon. At first, Gordon wasn’t sure about this idea of Virgil’s. Sitting in front of a holoscreen looking up information sounded a lot like homework. But Virgil was insistent that they at least give it a try. After all, it couldn’t hurt to know more about different waterways. “Okay, so where do we start?” Gordon asked as they settled themselves at the big desk in the corner of the living room. “Well, what scares you most when you think about going swimming in the lake?” “Getting another cramp.” Gordon’s reply was quiet, and suddenly Virgil hated himself for making his little brother revisit that moment when everything had gone wrong. He put his hand on Gordon’s shoulder and offered a reassuring squeeze. “Then let’s start there. We can find out what causes cramps when you swim and learn how to prevent them or how to manage them.” Virgil found a great deal of information on muscle cramps related to swimmers, which he quickly became quite absorbed in. He had to remind himself to stick to the sites with simple wording and steer clear of the ones that crossed too far into medical jargon territory. The boys learned the importance of warming up before swimming, being careful not to overexert the muscles, and staying hydrated. They also found that cold water could increase the chance of cramping. Virgil physically shivered at the memory of plunging his arm into deceptively cold water to grab at one of the only parts of his little brother he could still see. They researched swimming in cold water, what caused cold spots in lakes and rivers and whether you could spot them, and ways you could avoid them or deal with them. They learned about different types of currents – ones you could see, and ones you wouldn’t know about until you felt them. Submerged objects, reeds and seaweed, rocks and tree roots . . . “What are you guys doing?” Scott startled them so badly Virgil jumped and Gordon squeaked. “Researching water safety.” Virgil decided honesty was the best way to go . . . to a point. “It’s for Rescue Scouts.” “But we don’t go back to Rescue Scouts until a week after school goes back.” Scott eyed both brothers suspiciously. “We know, but there’s no harm in getting in early, and Gordon really wants his Water Safety badge.” Virgil had to resist the urge to squirm under the scrutiny of his big brother’s gaze as Scott remained silent for what seemed like a whole minute. “Well, it’s time for lunch,” Scott finally said before turning his back on them and heading for the kitchen. Gordon grinned up at Virgil, who huffed out a long exhale in relief. He didn’t think Scott completely believed the Rescue Scout story, but it seemed as though they would be able to continue their research unquestioned. In fact, no one questioned the time these two spent together in snatches of an hour or two here and there over a couple of days, continuing to search out information on the best ways to stay safe in just about any body of water. Gordon had even made a scrapbook of notes and pictures so he could keep track of all the things they’d learned. Excuses aside, when Rescue Scouts resumed after the summer break, Gordon would already be well on his way to earning his Water Safety badge in earnest. As promised, Jeff was back home by the time the boys awoke on Saturday morning, and he began dropping hints about his plans for the best Last Day of Summer yet. It was to be bigger and better than ever before because, for the first time since they began making the end-of-summer vacation a celebration, it coincided with Virgil’s birthday. The first hints encouraged the boys to check their tents and sleeping bags. It wouldn’t just be a day out with a picnic lunch this year, it would be an overnight campout. There was a promise of campfire tales and s’mores and a special surprise that required the night sky as a backdrop. There were hints about guests that prompted a whole day of guessing who might be joining them at the lake. Grandma and Grandpa were the first confirmed additions to the guest list, along with “Uncle” Lee and a mysterious extra guest from England and his daughter, who was apparently around Virgil’s and John’s age. Amidst all the building excitement about the big event at the end of the week, signs of Gordon’s nervousness about returning to the lake were easily missed by the rest of the family. Only Virgil saw the signs – the slight frown at Scott’s mention that they’d all need to remember to bring their swimmers and towels, the look of horror at John wondering if he’d see more stars if he rowed out into the lake after dark. Virgil decided he’d have to take Gordon back to the lake before the weekend. They needed to return to the scene of the crime. Gordon, having come to much the same conclusion in his own way, approached Virgil after breakfast on the Wednesday. The day was clear and bright, much like it had been on the morning of that fateful day little more than a week before. It seemed like a good day to go back and face the monster that the lake had become. “Virgil,” Gordon said quietly, despite there being no one else in the living room at the time, “can we go back to the lake today? Can you take me?” “Today seems like a good day to me,” Virgil answered with a gentle smile. “We’ll have to tell Dad we’re going out for most of the day.” Now that Jeff was back from his trip and working from the home office, Lucy was spending more time at work. The boys were expected to look after each other and only interrupt their father if it was important, but Jeff would check up on them all throughout the day. “Do we have to say where we’re going?” Gordon twined his fingertips around each other, raising his eyes to meet Virgil’s from a head trying to look down at the floor. “We’ll tell him we’re going back to the place we visited last week to finish the drawing,” Virgil suggested. “It’s not exactly a lie. We are going back to the same place.” The knock on Jeff’s office door was tentative but loud enough that he heard it over the voice of the colleague on the other end of the video call. He muted his audio to tell his visitor to wait a moment before unmuting and bringing the phone conversation to a conclusion. “Come in,” he finally called towards the closed door. He was a little surprised by the request for this particular pair to spend a day out together on their own, but he remembered Lucy mentioning something about these two having been out on the top track the week before. He gave them permission to go provided they tell Scott and John where they were going and promise to be back by five. “Take something to eat and plenty of water, Virgil,” he reminded the older boy, “and look after your brother.” “I will, Dad.” Virgil gave a solemn nod, and the two boys slipped back out of the office, closing the door behind them. Bag packed with sandwiches and water bottles, art supplies for the sake of appearances, and towels, the boys were soon striding out across the paddock towards the top track. This time there were no lingering looks at the scenery as they walked – the birds, spiders, and bugs were largely ignored. Unlike the last time they had set out together, Virgil had no desire to hurry, and he let his younger brother set the pace. He noted with a small amount of pride the purposeful strides, the determination in the set of squared shoulders, and the fire in amber eyes as Gordon focused his energy on reaching their destination so he could do what needed to be done. Gordon’s determined march stuttered to a somewhat abrupt halt when they rounded the last curve and stepped onto the silty sand of the lake’s beach. With his eyes fixed on the water, shoulders drooping, it seemed Gordon’s fire had died. Without a word, Virgil placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder, the simple gesture having the desired effect – lending the younger boy enough resolve to steel himself once again, lengthen his spine, and straighten his shoulders. Virgil steered them over to a patch of sand where he could spread out a towel for them to sit on. Shoes were shed in preparation for the inevitable trip to the water’s edge, but the boys remained seated. “What do you see out there?” Virgil asked. “It’s the same. Calm. Flat. But it’s different from last time too.” Virgil waited for a moment before trying again, wanting Gordon to see past the feeling of fear. “Remember what we learned about studying the ripples?” he prompted. “Is it really flat and calm?” There was silence as Gordon’s gaze focused intently on the expanse of blue stretching before them. The embers of the fire that had previously lit his eyes seemed to ignite anew as he studied the surface, looking for telltale signs. “There are reeds just under the surface over there,” he said, pointing a little to their left, “and the ripples over here are different to that bit farther out where it looks really smooth.” Virgil could see Gordon’s confidence growing as he gestured to various parts of the lake, telling his big brother what the differences in the rippled and smooth areas were likely to mean in terms of what was going on beneath the surface. Pretty soon they were on their feet and striding into the shallows to test the waters. Gordon entered the water at a slow walk, which Virgil thought was through caution or trepidation at first, but then Gordon gently trailed fingertips through the reeds and beckoned his big brother over. “Virgil, come look,” he called, looking up at him with a grin. “There are fish that feed in the reeds.” The next half hour was spent following Gordon through the shallows exploring the aquatic life found therein. As the younger boy got more caught up in watching the fish, finding different types of reeds, discovering eels, and excitedly pondering all manner of life in the depths of the lake, they wandered deeper into the water. Virgil followed and listened, answering questions as best he could when asked, smiling fondly all the while. The Squid was in his element. “Hey Gordon,” Virgil said as he playfully splashed a well-aimed hand scoop of water into the side of his little brother’s head. “You realise you’re getting your shirt wet, right?” Gordon looked down at the water that was now up to the middle of his chest and back up at his brother with a grin. “Oops.” They briefly returned to the little beach, shed their shirts, and laid them down in the sun to dry. “You know, when we come back this weekend, we’ll mostly be swimming out here where we just were.” Virgil nodded his head back towards the little patch of lake they’d just explored. “We could go a little deeper, actually lift our feet off the bottom and swim for a while. This is the only part of the lake any of us have ever really swum in before.” Gordon’s eyes sparkled with light reflecting off the water as he pondered Virgil’s words for a moment. Mom and Dad had always suggested the boys shouldn’t swim out past where they could touch the bottom and definitely never past the end of the wooden pier. Looking at the pier and the dinghy tied securely to its mooring drew his eye to the rock island beyond, tantalisingly close, yet so terrifyingly far. Virgil watched his squid brother scanning the water, casting his gaze over the safe and familiar. He saw the moment the line was crossed and thoughts turned to the challenge just that little farther afield. Once again, he placed a hand on Gordon’s shoulder, hoping to redirect his thoughts. “Why don’t we just go back in, swim around for a while, have some fun where we know it’s safe?” “Yeah, okay,” Gordon agreed, a little half-heartedly. Virgil took his brother by the hand, and by the time they’d taken two steps, they were running towards the water. He only let go once they were in deep enough that a tug of the hand lifted Gordon’s feet off the bottom and propelled him a short distance through the water. He received a splash to the face for his efforts, but his little brother was smiling and treading water. In no time at all, Gordon was literally swimming rings around his big brother, splashing at him and darting away, taunting him, daring him to swim after him. It was hunger that drove them out of the water and back onto the dry sand sometime later. PB&J sandwiches were retrieved from the backpack and devoured. The late summer sun warmed their shoulders as they sat in content silence, listening to the lapping of the water and the cries of the birds. Virgil would have been happy to remain there soaking it all in, but Gordon soon became restless, his gaze drifting back to where water birds were drying their outstretched wings. “Virgil, I wanna swim to the rock.” The fire was back in Gordon’s eyes. Virgil studied him for a moment, seeing that same determination that had driven the march to the lake. He wasn’t asking for permission, he was making a statement. It was what he’d come here to do – the demon he needed to conquer. Virgil wasn’t feeling anywhere near as courageous as his little brother looked at that moment. “Gordon . . .” “I need to do it, Virgil.” He turned his head, those glowing embers burning straight into his big brother’s wide brown eyes. “But I need you.” “I can’t . . .” “Use the boat. I’ll swim, you row. If I get into trouble, you’ll be right there.” Virgil had to look away. The intensity in those eyes, the body language, the strength of will in his little brother were too much. But it was the faith Gordon was placing in him that was twisting his gut. He caught sight of the rock island, out there beyond the boat docked at the pier. He was suddenly very aware of his own heartbeat thumping just a little too hard and a little too fast. Gordon needed this – needed him to do this with him. He couldn’t let the Squid down. “Okay,” he agreed with a sigh. He had expected a look of triumph, a smile, a victory dance . . . something. Anything but the simple nod and determined knitting of Gordon’s brow that he received in reply. The younger boy then grabbed his water bottle and took a long draught. “Staying hydrated helps stop you getting cramps, right?” Gordon asked. Virgil nodded. “And I should do some warmup stretches before I swim out there.” “Right again.” Virgil was gladdened by the amount of thought and preparation Gordon was putting into the task ahead of him this time. “And you’ll stay close in the boat?” There it was, the uncertainty just below that confident façade. “Right beside you all the way, little brother.” Virgil tried to school his expression into one of reassurance, but he wasn’t sure he managed it. They made their way across the sand and onto the wooden planks of the pier, then stood studying the expanse of water for a moment, watching the ripples and trying to read currents. Looking for dangers. At last Virgil could put it off no longer. Gordon was warmed up and ready to go, they had assessed the risks and had plans in mind for just about any eventuality. It was time to untie the boat and take up the oars. Sitting in the gently rocking dinghy, Virgil had to take a moment to close his eyes and concentrate on a few deep breaths to quell the hammering in his ribcage before looking back up at Gordon and giving a nod. He was as ready as he’d ever be. This time when Gordon dived in, he began his swim with a measured pace rather than a burst of speed that he wouldn’t be able to maintain. Virgil didn’t have to work too hard on the oar strokes to keep up with him. Not far out there was a brief moment of panic when Gordon suddenly stopped his forward momentum and started treading water. An odd expression furrowed his brow, then he ducked his head under the water. Dropping the oars and preparing to make a grab for his brother, Virgil was sure his heart stopped beating altogether for a second before the blond head re-emerged above the surface. Seeing the panic in his big brother’s eyes, Gordon grinned and held up the weed he’d just untangled from his leg. “It’s okay, Virge, no cramps, just waterweed.” And with that, he resumed his swim with a flurry of swift kicks and smooth strokes. By the time Virgil could regather the oars – and his wits – his little brother was ten meters ahead of him. It took only a few strong pulls on the oars to catch up again, but Virgil knew his pulse rate was not going to climb down out of the stratosphere until they were both on dry land. It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few minutes before Gordon was able to lay his hands on the slippery surface of the rock. Finding a decent hold, he clambered up far enough to sit on a crag, feet still in the water, triumphant grin lighting up his features, water droplets catching the sunlight, causing his hair and skin to glisten as he caught his breath. “I knew I could do it!” he panted as Virgil drew the dinghy close beside him. “I never doubted you, Squiddo,” Virgil agreed, practically beaming with pride at his brother’s achievement. “Now, are you gonna swim back? Or do you want a lift?” Gordon’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t really thought about the return trip. Virgil chuckled. “Um, I think maybe I’ll just come back with you in the boat.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, dragging it back from where it was dripping into his eyes. “No problem, Fish. You’ve proved enough for one day.” With a bit of manoeuvring, jostling, and boat rocking, Gordon was able to climb into the dinghy and settle himself into the seat at the prow. To him, the journey back to the dock seemed to take no time at all. Virgil’s strong, steady strokes with the oars propelled them quickly and smoothly through the water as though it took no effort at all. He jumped out of the boat and onto the pier before Virgil had even finished drawing the oars into the boat, then waited for Virgil to climb out and secure the mooring. “Virgil?” It was all the warning the older boy got as he turned to face his little brother, who closed the space between them at a run and launched himself into what became a squid hug, arms and legs tightly wrapped around Virgil’s torso. It took Virgil a couple of backward steps before he could steady himself under the sudden additional weight. “Thank you. You are the best big brother.” Virgil returned the embrace, allowing a chuckle to escape as he rested his head against damp hair. “You are a pretty amazing little brother, Squid.”

*** The Last Day of Summer celebration, and Virgil’s twelfth birthday turned out to be a fantastic, fun-filled event for all involved. Nothing could hold Gordon back from spending as much time as possible in the water, and so no one knew there had ever been a problem. The nightmares had run their course too. Summer vacation came to an end, and with the start of the school term, life returned to normal. A few weeks later a chance meeting at school pickup resulted in a few puzzle pieces slotting into place for Lucy. Gordon’s class teacher spotted Lucy waiting in the Kiss & Drop zone and made a passing comment about his wonderful piece of creative writing for the obligatory “What I Did Over Summer” assignment. When they got home, with the boys all occupied with snacks or homework and various afterschool activities, Lucy dug out Gordon’s writing workbook and found the story in question titled “My Summer Vacation,” with a large A+ written in red at the top of the page. My Summer Vacation I did lots of things in summer with my big brothers and we had lots of fun but there was one scary day. I went swimming in the lake when I wasn’t supposed to and I nearly drowned but my brother was there and he saved me. After that I was scared to go swimming, but he told me it would make him sad if I didn’t swim anymore because he says swimming makes me happy. We looked up all the ways you can get into trouble swimming in lakes and rivers and oceans. We found out all the ways you can look for dangers and get out of trouble in the water and how to be safe. Now I’m not scared to go swimming anymore. Well, that explained a great deal. Lucy smiled to herself and shook her head a little. She would have words with Virgil about the kind of secrets that needed to be shared with an adult, but she was struck once again by how amazing her boys could be and just how far they would go for one another.

***

[msjjmaybank]

Outer Banks

JJ Maybank x reader

One two three

~

I open my eyes feeling my body restricted. I look over my shoulder to see JJ snuggling into my back, between my shoulder blades. I sigh wanting to lay back down in his warmth. I remove his arms and slide out of his grasp. I move to the kitchen and open the fridge. The light doesn't come on and there is no sudden rush of cold air as it opens. "Toss me one." John B says from the extra drums I pass him a soda grabbing myself a water. John B flicks the lights, but we remain in the dimly lit room. "No power. Great."

John B walks to the couch flicking JJ in the head, "Yo, JJ, you been outside?" JJ mumbles, "I have polio, bro. I can't walk." I follow John B out looking at the damage. "Wow." It takes my breath away. "Oh, man." John B places his hands on his head. "This isn't good."

JJ stops down the steps, patting my bum on the way to John B. "Agatha did some work, huh?" I walk over looping my arm in JJ's away from John B's view. "Yeah, she did." JJ looks down at me with a smirk. Just like the old days.

"What you thinking?" I ask as John B looks over the land. "I'm thinkin' that storm surge pushed all the crabs out on the marsh maze. All those drums are gonna chase the crab."

JJ pipes up reminding us all, "What about the DCS? Wasn't that today?" John B shakes his head, "Nah, they're not gettin' on a ferry." I push myself between the boys slinging my arms around their shoulders, "Oh, come on boys. God's tellin' us to fish."

We load up the USS Pogue and set off into the waters. We come across a doc with Ms. Amy and her husband cleaning off the mess it made of their boat. " "Hi, Miss Amy! You guys get through it?" John B yells. She waves at us, "Still here."

JJ smiles nodding at John B, "She looked at me." John B laughs nodding along. A red blaze burns my neck. "Her husband was checking me out." John B laughs throwing his hands over his head. "I did see that."

JJ scoffs rolling his eyes, "Whatever."

I stand on the side of the small boat, balancing on one leg. "This place is a mess! You two will be cleaning this all summer." "That is my nightmare."

JJ pulls us over to Pope on the dock, "Well, look who we have here." JJ whoops. "We have a safety meeting. Attendance mandatory." Pope shakes his head, "I can't. My pop's got me on lockdown." John B, rolls his eyes, "Come on, man."

"Your dad's a pussy. Over." JJ says receiving a smack from me. A deep voice rings out with heavy steps on the dock, "Oh, I heard that, you little bastard." I step up smiling and batting my eyes, "We need your son." JJ nods along, "Yeah, and island rules. Day after a hurricane's a free day."

Pope’s father shakes his head, "Who made that up?" The three of us are at a loss for words, until JJ speaks up, "Pentagon, I think. We have security clearance."

Pope’s dad crosses his arms glaring at us, "Think I'm stupid?" Pope looks at his father with pleading and forgiveness, "I'll do it tomorrow. I promise. Tomorrow." "Hell no. You doin' it right now."

I lean over, "Get in the boat." JJ nods along placing his hand on my hip, "Get on, dude."

"Boy, if you get in that boat..." Pope jumps on the boat. "Go, go, go." "Bring your ass back up here!" "I promise I'll do it tomorrow, Dad." "You gonna clean shrimp, clean fish." "Love you, Pops," Pope calls. "Aww, so sweet!" I say sitting down at JJ's legs.

"So where to now?" I rest my head on JJ's knee feeling the wind. "One more pick up. You'll like her." I stare at John B, "A her? You have a her now?" "Not really. She just-" "Totally has the hots for you." JJ finishes John B's statement. "She does not!"

We roll up to the last dock seeing a beautiful mocha-skinned goddess walk to us. "Good morning." "Morning." John B mumbles back before helping her in. She hands off the cooler to Pope. "Whatcha got? You got some juice boxes?" She nods, "Just some yogurts and carrot sticks." I smile, grabbing a beer and cracking it open, "My favorite kind of juice box!" This girl stares at me. "Who is this?" I stick my hand out. "(y/n) Routledge, John B's sister, and adventurer." She takes my hand, "Oh shit. It's so good to meet you!" She pulls me into a hug with open arms. "Now that I have another gal pal, it's time to get this party started!

As we travel down the water JJ goes to stand on the edge of the boat. "What are you doing?" He looks back at me smiling, beer in hand. "Party trick." He cracks the beer, "Hey, Pope. Can you go a little faster?" As Pope accelerates, JJ attempts to pour the beer into his mouth. "Oh, man. this trick? It never works!" John B nods along with me. "We've tried this like 6,000 times."

"You're getting beer in my hair!" Kie squeals, I cover her up with a towel, saving her from the beer in the wind. Suddenly we are thrown forward. I hit the bottom of the boat hard. "You okay?" John B tugs me up softly. "Yeah, yeah." Pope hulls JJ out of the water. I rush to him, "Are you okay?" He wipes his eyes, "I think my heels touched the back of my head." He looks up at me, "Oh god, you're bleeding." JJ grabs my face in concern, he strokes my cheek, worry growing in his eyes.

"Are they a thing?" I hear Kie whisper softly. Both Pope and John B reply strongly, "No." "No way. That's my sister." John B grabs my arm pulling me away from JJ. John B presses his thumb to the cut causing me to hiss. "Stop, dude." JJ pushes John B's shoulder gaining a look of confusion from my brother. "What the hell is going on with you?"

I groan pushing past both of them and looking over into the water. A boat... deeply sunken in the water. "Pope, what did you do?" The team discusses behind me. "Sandbar. The channel changed." "No shit. Ugh, this is probably gonna mess this whole place up."

"I think there's a boat down there," I say keeping my eyes on the sunken mystery. "What, (y/n)?" Kie joins my side looking over the edge. "There's a boat down here!" I jump in swimming down. Who doesn't love an adventure right?

I swim down as far as I can, but have to rise to the surface. I gasp for air, Kie surfaces soon after me, "That is way too deep." I pull myself back to the boat with Kie. The boys resurface soon after we did, "Any dead bodies?" Kie pokes at the fun. '

"Anything worth my time?" John B shakes his head, "No. No. I found this motel key." John holds it up by the tag letting it swing. "A key." "Yes, a key, Pope."

JJ claps his hands in good spirit, "Great! We salvaged a motel key. Let me take that and your sister and we can finally spend some time alone." John B snatches the key faster than lightning. "Fuck off with that."

Kie speaks up, "Guys, we should report the wreck to the coast guard." I smile, "Maybe we'll get a finder's fee." JJ nods enticed, "Yeah, and not work all summer. Thanks, Agatha, ya batch." JJ flips off the sun in the sky as we ride on the water.

[therealhousewifeofharrystyles]

👰🏼‍♀️Mrs. Styles’ Masterlist📜

🔞= Smut // ⚠️= Taboo // 🎭= Angst // 💕= Fluff

Whatcha Doin', Step Bro?(Finished…?)

WDSB - Prequel 🔞⚠️💕

WDSB - Part 1 🔞⚠️

WDSB - Part 2 🔞⚠️💕

Harry's Home

HH - Part 1 🎭💕⚠️

HH - Part 2 🎭💕🔞⚠️

HH - Part 3 🎭🔞⚠️

HH - Part 4 🎭💕🔞⚠️

Oneshots

Berries & Cream 🔞⚠️

[harrystylessmuttyfics]

Oneshots

(WIP — Updated July 24th at 11:22 AM)

Do you have a category you’d like us to add? Please reach out to us!

(🔞 — Trigger Warning)

Good Together

Stranded

Masterpiece

Screw My Brain (Til’ it Hurts)

No Good For Me 🔞

Give Me Love

Meet Me in the Copy Room

Hey, Angel

Reclining Venus

Blue Dream

Under Summer Skies

Never Coming Back Down

Spoilin’ For a Fight

Dick Energy

Unavailable 🔞

Experimenting

Ruin You

Young 🔞

Open Up

On Halloween Morning 🔞

Mint Chocolate Chip (PT. 1) 🔞

Mint Chocolate Chip (PT. 2) 🔞

The Doctor and the Psychopath 🔞

Lock Your Doors 🔞

Harry’s Home (PT. 1)

Sugar

The Endeavor

Whatcha Doin’, Step-Bro? 🔞

Whatcha Doin', Step-Bro? (Prequel)🔞

[mhaclownery]

𝕾𝖐𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖈𝖎𝖗𝖈𝖑𝖊𝖘 𝖆𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝖒𝖊

𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘: swearing

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘: Kaminari Denki, Ashido Mina, Kirishima Eijirou, Sero Hanta, Bakugou Katsuki

𝖕𝖆𝖎𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘: Kaminari Denki x gn! Reader, background: Ashido Mina x Sero Hanta

𝖘𝖚𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖞: You and the Bakusquad go out on an outing, and Kaminari Denki uses this as the perfect opportunity to express his feelings.

𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙: 1.5K Words <3

𝖆 𝖙𝖚𝖒𝖇𝖑𝖗 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖛𝖊 ^^

You step out of the car, stretching slightly. You hadn't expected the roller rink that Kaminari suggested to be so far from UA but you still went with the idea anyway. Some Kaminari was driving and you as were in the passenger seat, Sero, Ashido, Kirishima and Bakugou had to cram themselves in the back seat. Bakugou was the first to clamber out of the SUV. "Fuck, if I had been in there any longer I just about would've murdered you, shitty hair." Kirishima laughs with a hint of nervousness to it. "This place seems cool, Kami.” Ashido says, inspecting the outside. “Yeah bro, you did a good job picking the spot this time.” Sero and Kaminari engage in their kinda confusing handshake, and Bakugou groaned. ”So, are we going or not?”

You guys enter the facility to see that it’s actually a mixture of things. There was a movie theatre, a roller rink, and an arcade. “Woah, this is wicked!” You say with a wide grin, as you playfully punch Denki’s arm. You turn around before you can see Denki blush. It’s was rather obvious to just about everyone, but you, that Denki has a huge crush on you. So, anytime you complimented him, it made him feel extra cool.

”So, what’s everyone wanna do?” You ask. “Well, Bakubro and I have been meaning to see that new movie.“ Kirishima explains, motioning in between himself and the blonde in question. “I’d person like to kick Hanta’s ass at some video games.” She smirks in Sero’s direction, causing Sero to playfully scoff. “Oh you’re on.” You’d been thinking about it the whole time that your friend’s were talking. You hadn’t been in the mood for a movie, nor were you any good at video games. “I think I wanna go skating. I actually used to learn tricks.” You turn to Denki. “What about you, Denks?” He gives a toothy grin at the use of his name. “Rollerskating is rad. I’m going with y/n.” You nod, smiling back. “Okay so, meet back at what, 8?” Ashido offers. “Sounds like a plan.”

After breaking, you and Denki head over to the roller skate check out center. "So, you used to skate, huh?" Kaminari elbows you playfully, with a joking tone. “My parents wanted me to do something with my spare time in grade school, so I chose roller skating.” Denki attempts to stand, after tying his skates, but his starts to falter as the skates begin to move. After regaining his composure, Denki offers his hand out to you to help you stand. You took it, lifting yourself up with him. You hadn’t realized how close you too really were until you were looking directly into his eyes. They were a vibrant yellow, that was a tad shade lighter than his hair. The color was oddly comforting to you, it felt familiar and safe. Denki’s face heats up slightly, a light pink blush dusted across his face. “Y-you might have to show me some those moves. I wanna see want Pro Skater Y/n has in store.” As he says this, he moves away creating a distance between you two as not to show you that he was flustered. He was confident from afar, really, but when it came to in person, it was a lot harder. Especially when it came to you, he was down bad for you. The amount of times that he’s ranted to Jirou or Sero about how much he liked you was astronomical. Once you got out on the rink, which was rather empty considering the rather large amount of people in the facility. Denki was shakily making his way, he wasn’t moving fast in any way, but he was ahead of you. “C’mon y/n! I thought you were the skating champ.” Denki calls over his shoulder, causing you to roll your eyes at the boy. You quickly begin to skate like a pro. In seconds you pass Denki, whilst skating backwards. Just to show off a little, you jump and spin 3 times in the air before landing swiftly. You look back to see Denki with his jaw dropped. You skate back over to him with a smirk. "How was that for Pro Skater Y/n?" You used your fingers to make air quotes around the pro skater comment. Denki smiles at you with a small laugh. "Alright, alright. You got me. I revoke any and all teasing. You're skating circles around me."

After watching fall just about 20 times, you finally decide to help him. "Here. Grab on to my arm." He grabs your arm, with a slight questioning look on his face. "We're just gonna skate together." You smirk, as you had other plans. Once you deem that he's secure, you start moving, switching his grip on your arms to your hands. As you move down the rink, you get progressively faster. Denki laughs nervously. "Whatcha doin' there, Y/n?" You don't answer as you put your plan in action. You were skating backwards and Denki was basically being pull forward in front of you. as you reach the speed you need to be going, you pull Denki forward and under your legs. Denki lets out a surprised yelp but goes along with it. You pull him back up and dip him. You're too busy laughing at him to notice, but he's starstruck. 'They are so beautiful.' He thinks, observing your features. You pull him up, still laughing slightly. You felt your stomach growl and decide you're going to get snacks. "Hey Denks, I'm gonna get snacks, you want anything?" He shakes his head, seemingly lost in his train of thought. You shrug and make your way over to the snack bar.

"That'll be 109 yen." You nod, pulling out to owed amount and handing it to the man. "Thank you-" You begin to say before you're cut off by the sound of the loud speaker chiming for an announcement. You think nothing of it as you walk away from the snack bar but are immediately stopped in your tracks as you hear no one but Denki fucking Kaminari's voice over the loud speaker. You narrowed your eyes and lo and behold, your best friend and crush was standing behind the adjacent counter. "Hey, everyone. You guys obviously don't know me. Well maybe you do, I don't know. But, I just wanted to say.." As soon as you think he can't make whatever he's about to do worse, this man stands on the counter. You're frozen in shock, as your friend is about to do whatever it is he's planning. Just your luck, the movie Kirishima and Bakugou went to see had let out, and Ashido and Sero had made their way to the lobby as well. So, this meant that the whole squad got to witness what was about to go down. "I'm hanging out with my best friends here today, and especially my best friend of all." He makes eye contact with you through the crowd. "But, I have something I need to say to them. Y/n L/n." He takes a deep breath and you felt your stomach twist in anticipation. "I want to be more than friends. I want to be your boyfriend. That is, if you'll have me?" You hear several 'aws' and all the eyes in the room turn to look at you, seeming yo have followed Denki's gaze. You weren't going to say no, obviously. This is Denki Kaminari we're talking about. Your longtime crush, who to be honest, you only dream of him asking you out. "Yes, you dumbass. I'll have you. Just get down." You attempted a menacing tone but the giant smile on your face kinda overrode it. The crowd claps as they would in any cliche rom-com. As you got closer to Denki, you weren't able to even exchange any words as the establishment manager came running over. "Hey! Get off that counter right now!" You and Denki share a look that said 'Oh shit." And took off running at the same time. The rest of the squad followed suit, as to not get reprimanded by the manager.

Once you all got to the car, for some reason, Bakugou took it upon himself to be the first to speak. "Good going, dumbass. You got us banned." Ashido smacks Bakugou's arm. "Oh shut it. It was cute as fuck. You're just jealous that Y/n's the first to get a boyfriend in the group." Bakugou mutters something under his breath but remains silent after that. "So, uh. Yeah. I really like you, Y/n. And-" You pull him in for a kiss, cutting him off from whatever ramble he was about to g on. "I like you too, Denks. Now let's go, I see the manager coming." You all scramble in the car, and getting out of there before he could say anything.

And so what if Aizawa got a call from the manager complaining about the incident, and just chose to forget about it? That's nobody's business but his own.

[suckmybigtoeoikawa]

Haikyuu boys with a thick/ plus sized s/o

(I’m definitely not doing this during my Spanish test 😃)

Lineup: Atsumu x reader and Terushima x Reader

MasterList

Sangwo- Atsumu

🐝: he loves your whole body

🐝: like one time you walked by him and he was like “Body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody”

🐝: you were like 🧍🏾‍♀️

🐝: anywho, I think he stands back from afar and just watches you do your thang yk

🐝: like you could be putting on a hoodie and he would just be watching you with hearts in his eyes

🐝: he just likes the way you do things

🐝: he often comes up to you with his musty smirk and runs his hand over your side

🐝: then after that he may squeeze your ass

Lord pray for my sins

🐝: he also hugs you from behind and snuggles into your neck

🐝: might even rub his yk what on your bootayyyy

🐝: ^ like he will take your hips and press it against his yk-

🐝: he’s also showing you off a lot, especially in front of his brother

“Osamu, look at my beautiful y/n.... where’s yers?”

“....I don’t have one-”

“HA LONELY BITCH”

🐝: put him in check please

🐝: I believe his love language is physical touch so he is always touching you

🐝: he may lay on you stomach for his own personal pillow

🐝: or even on your butt

🐝: he doesn’t care if your stomach is making noise or if you fart on him he’s gonna stay there peacefully

Like brotha are you okay-

Quick scenario:

After a long day of school/work/practice (you choose) you decided to take a bath. You grab some new clothes and your speaker, to play some music, and you start running the water.

Looking outside it’s just a view of your city, it’s very beautiful. You and Atsumu just moved in together about 3 months ago.

Atsumu usually comes back from practice around the same time you do, so you usually beat him to the bathroom (😼👊🏾)

After you fix the water to a nice temperature and level you get in, you also play your music while chillin in the bathtub. (Girl I would act like it in a whole ass music video 😛)

It was very peaceful ofc (because Atsumu’s loud ass wasn’t there) but interrupting the silence Atsumu comes busting in

“Hey baby, whatcha doin?”

“Atsumu do you know how to knock”

“....no”

“Uhm, anyways, hello”

“Gimme a kiss” he starts walking to you

“Waittt, I don’t want you to get wet”

He laughs “pleasseee, you would get wet from my kisses”

🧍🏾‍♀️

“Atsumu- your doing a lot”

“I know” he says grinning (boy stfu)

He walks over to you and kisses you. Gurllll.... that a was a far to deep kiss. You started to pull away and he just kept on coming forward, like he was gonna get in the tub with you.

“Atsumu”

He laughs and sits next to you, you both look at the window but ofc he doesn’t look at there for long because he’s looking at your body. He reaches his hand into the water just so he can touch your leg.

“Can I get in 😃”

Terushima

🍯: always holding onto your sides

🍯: he usually comes up to you and caresses your side

🍯: he likes when you flinch when he does it too

🍯: your constantly greeted by his hand touching some body part of yours

🍯: like your shoulder, hand, and his personal favorite, your ass

🍯: man cant get enough

🍯: he’s always looking there to

Exactly.. what Jackson said ^

🍯: but he also comes up behind you and slaps the back of your thighs (bro skip over this part it’s a lil story time but my coach for volleyball was telling our team about something and I slapped the back of my thigh and this girl on my team was looking dead at me.... it still haunts to me this day😪)

🍯: he does it in public to he has no shame 😪

🍯: he also grips on you a lot

🍯: like an illegal amount

🍯: you gotta tell him to stop

🍯: but y’know he’s a very persistent guy, he’s gonna keep on going

🍯: please fight him

Quick scenario:

You and Terushima were out shopping because you guys were bored sitting in the house all day.

“What about this dress?” You ask

“OUUUUUU PUT IT ON NEOWWW”

Like alright Jamal don’t pull out the nine-

You finally put on the dress after having a tussle with Terushima because he wanted to come in the dressing room with you.

Mrs girl- you look AMAZING in dat dress, lemme just say chefs kisses 😛

You know who else thought you look AMAZKNG in that dress, Terushima. He was all over you.

“🤭, baby.. come here” he pulled you close then pushed you back so he could see your dress

“Turn around” you turned around and he slapped you ass

“YOU NEED TO BUY THIS DRESS” he yells

Girl you covered his mouth so quick but then he licked your hand.

“Eww Teru-”

“Baby, gimme a kiss”

You reluctantly kiss him and he starts gripping on you, this then proceeds to turn into a make out session.

“Hey, excuse me, you can’t do that here” a store worker says interrupting you both

“Oh I’m sorry” you say pushing off of him

“Uhmm it’s fine I’m just gonna have to ask you guys to please not do that, because it’s making people uncomfortable” they explain

“Okay, sorry again”

That whole time the store worker was talking Terushima was looking at you in that dress, he clearly wasn’t paying attention at all. In his head he was drawing out every curve rhat he saw.

“Alright, imma change” you say turning back to the dressing room

“Okay” he says still fixated on your dress

Before you could even take two steps he slaps the back of your thigh on your way in the dressing room.

“Can you please buy the dress”

It’s up to you wether or not you wanna buy the dress but just know that if you do it wouldn’t live for long 🧍🏾‍♀️

********

MasterList

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

I hope you enjoyed it 🤍 Please Like, comment what you think and follow 🤍 have a great day 🤍

[missperegrinesdrugstash]

The ymbryne trio x caulenciaga x Myron for some reason

[NSFR]

Caul: *exists*

Balenciaga: whatcha doin step bro 😏

Alma: he’s not your “step-bro”

Balenciaga: I know-

Alma: then why did you refer to him like that

Balenciaga: it was a joke-

Alma: didn’t seem like one

Isabel: *takes a pepperoni from a cheese platter while watching them argue*

Balenciaga: oh my bird

Alma: no, tell me why you referred to him like that, with that smirk and title

*Myron appears out of no where *

Myron: its because they are *sex hand motions* 👉👌

Balenciaga: I swear to God you son of a biscuit mother trucker shut your damn mouth before i snap your cane like Jack did with your legs

Isabel: *spits out pepperoni*

Alma: what the fu-

Myron: damn girl ok *leaves*

Caul: does that mean I can break your back now Balenciaga?🥺🥺

Alma: OH MY GAWD

Isabel: ALMA NO-

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Kanato Dark [08]

ー The scene starts in the living room of the Sakamaki manor

Kanato: ( ...Nobody understands me. )

( Or rather, they simply cannot understand just how much I’m suffering right now... )

( In the end, they’re all powerless. They’re different from me... )

...!

*Flap flap flap* 

Kanato: ...What do you want? You’re such a noisy Familiar. 

*Flap flap flap* 

Kanato: ーー The Demon World is in trouble? 

Haah...I could care less about that. 

*Flap flap flap* 

Kanato: Che...Would you please just drop it already? Do not tell me what to do!

*Woosh* 

Kanato: ...Hmph. Serves you right. Finally it’s quiet agaiーー

Ayato: Found him! ーー Oi, Subaru!

Subaru: Che, I know!

ー Ayato and Subaru run up to him

Kanato: ...It’s one after the other today. What do you want!?

Ayato: Haah!? You haven’t been told ‘bout what happened in the Demon World!?

Kanato: I have, so what?

Subaru: ...Then you should realize you gotta do somethin’ ‘bout it or we’ll be in deep shit!? 

Accordin’ to what Reiji told us, the chaos has even caused those Founders to jump on board.

It’s startin’ to get seriously dangerous. 

Kanato: ...Hm. I see.

Ayato: Oi, Kanato! You really don’t plan on actin’ the slightest bit like a King, do you!? 

At this point, we’ll lose both our territory and our home, you know!?

Kanato: ...I don’t care! It’s none of my business!

Ayato: ...

Subaru: ...You still don’t realize that you’re the one who has to succeed the throne?

Fuck...Why did the Old Man decide to give his powers to Kanato...?

Kanato: Haah? I am the one who wants to complain here. 

Why do you guys keep on dumping all of these problems on me!?

These powers...I never even asked for them in the first place!

Ayato: Che...We know! Just calm down, Kanato!

Oi, Subaru! Do somethin’ ‘bout this!

Subaru: Haah!? Don’t push that responsibility on me!

Kanato: ...Oh shut up...Shut up! Not another word!!

Uwaaaaaaah!!!

ー Kanato runs away

Subaru: ...!?

Ayato: Fuck, wait!

ー The scene shifts to the shopping district

Kanato: ...Haah, haah...

( Reiji, Ayato, Subaru, ... )

( All of them...In the past they always ignored me, pushing me aside... )

( But when they actually need me, that’s when they suddenly remember I exist...! )

*Thud* 

Kanato: Ugh...

Thug A: Che...

Thug B: Oi, brat. Whatcha think you’re doin’ to my bro (1), huh? 

Kanato: ...

Thug B: Aah? Not only did ya bump into us, but you’re not even gonna say sorry!? 

Kanato: If you did not want me to bump into you, then why did you not simply step aside? I do not see why I would need to apologize. 

Thug B: Che...Someone’s takin’ us lightly, huh!?

*THUD*

Kanato: ...!

( ...Ridiculous. )

( They are nothing but weak humans in the end. If I use my powers, I can erase them off the surface of this earth in the blink of an eye. They stand no chance against me. )

ー The scene shifts to the street

Yui: Haah, haah...

Kino: Heyー! How long are we gonna keep on playing this game of tag?

Won’t you give up already? I’m kind of tired of it. 

Yui: ...Ugh...

( I have to run...Farther away! )

ー The scene shifts to the shopping district

Yui: ...Haah...! Haah...

( If I mix in with the crowd... ーー )

???: Aahn!? Don’t underestimate us!

*THUD*

Yui: ...A fight...?

Selection

→ Let’s stay away

Yui: ( I’m scared...I’ll try to stay away. )

Eh...?

( I swear I spotted someone with purple hair just nowーー )

ー Yui approaches

Yui: ...I knew it!

→ Let’s go take a look (❦)

Yui: ( I have a bad feeling about it somehow. )

( I’m scared but...I suppose I could take a quick glance from afar... )

ー Yui approaches

Yui: Ah...! 

( Is that Kanato-kun being ganged up on over there!? )

Yui: ( What is Kanato-kun doing here...? )

( And he’s being beat up on top of that!? )

( At this rate, he could snap at literally any moment, couldn’t he...? If he unleashes his magicーー )

Kanato-kun!!

ー She runs up to him

Kanato: ...!? Yui-san...

Yui: Calm down, Kanato-kun!

If you use your powers here, people could die, do you understand!?

Kanato: ...!

*Woosh* 

Yui: Kyaah!?

ー Yui is sent flying

*Thud* 

Yui: ...Uu...

Thug B: O-Oi! The chick got...!

Bro...This brat is bad news! That sorta power isn’t human!

Thug A: W-We’re gettin’ outta here! Follow me!

ー The thugs run away

Kanato: ...

( Something red is flowing from her body... )

( Is this...blood...? )

Why...?

Is it my fault...? Because I failed...to control my powers...?

No...It’s not. I mean, if only you hadn’t tried to protect those guys...

That’s why... ーー 

That’s why!! ...!!

ー Kanato runs away again

Monologue

Kanato-kun’s voice

echoes in my head. 

ーー I am alright (大丈夫). 

I’d love to say that and reach out for him. 

But my body refuses to move,

and my vision is gradually blurring. 

Then right before everything fades to black. 

I could have sworn I heard psychotic chuckling (狂気じみた声),

vaguely ringing in my ears.

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) He refers to the other guy as 兄貴 or ‘aniki’ which literally means older brother. However, they are most likely not actually related. Within gangs, it is very common for the higher ups to be referred to as ‘aniki’ (guys) or ‘aneki’ (girls), signifying their importance within the group. 

[firefly-in-darkness]

Galaxy Princess - 2/3

Galaxy Princess - 2/3

Characters → Y/N & Peter Quill, Mentions of other Marvel characters.

Summary → After the birth of superheroes, several alien attacks and the blip, you were pretty much ready for anything. That was until you met Peter Quill. He burst into your life at lightning speed and nothing could have prepared you for the way he turned your world upside down.

Word Count → 2k.

Warnings → 18+, Smut - oral (male receiving), p in v (unprotected - wrap it before you tap it bro).

Series Taglist → OPEN - send an ask.

Beta → @princessmisery666 // all mistakes are my own.

A/N → Should have posted this at half 7 but everything seemed to go wrong BUT it’s here now… This is for @crushedbyhyperbole - I am so sorry that this is months late to your challenge! [Prompt: To the moon and back - in Part 3]. This is GOTG Vol1&2 Peter Quill set in a post-Endgame world. AND YES MY SCHEDULE WENT COMPLETELY WRONG.

Return to: Series List // Marvel List

Previously: Spare bedding was placed on the sofa and Y/N directed him around the apartment, “The shower is just down the hall. If you can’t sleep, here’s the tv remote and help yourself to food.” 

“Thank you, Princess.” 

“Goodnight, Starlord.” 

“It’s Peter.” His cheeky smile had faded to something softer. 

“Y/N. Goodnight Peter.”  

“Sweet dreams, Y/N.” He laid down and continued to wave until she shut the bedroom door. 

Y/N was too tired to process that she was leaving a stranger on his own, in her home. There was an odd comfort from his determination to get back to his ship and crew; the place he belonged.

After spending the best part of an hour deciding when to leave the bedroom and greet her guest, breakfast the next morning was not as awkward as Y/N had imagined. The moment she sat down at the kitchen table; her apprehension disappeared. It seemed natural to be opposite Peter, eating toast and draining her mug of coffee as he did the same.

“I’ve got some clothes that you can borrow,” She mentioned, trying to sound casual.

“Boyfriend?” His eyebrow quirked, obviously noticing the drop of her eyes, “Ex-boyfriend?” 

The air in the room disappeared, sucked out like a vacuum. Y/N was unable to think straight as the image of the owner of the clothes flashed in her mind's eye. Tears began to form, blurring her vision but before they fell she bit down on her bottom lip. Redirecting the emotional pain.

“My um, brother. I’ll be right back,” She whispered and rushed from the room.

She pushed open the door opposite her bedroom, and breathed in the, now faint, scent of hazelnut and him. The feel of the clothes under her fingertips was bittersweet, and Y/N couldn’t help bringing the sleeve of his favourite hoodie to her nose and inhaling deeply. 

Approaching footsteps echoed around the almost empty room, she pulled out a pair of jeans and a cotton t-shirt, immediately failing at composing herself in time as Peter entered the room. Kindness lined his features, and she couldn’t look at him any longer than a second.

“I think they should fit, you’re a similar height but he is- was- a bit leaner.” She offered him the items.

 Skin ignited at the delicate touch of Peter’s calloused hands that wrapped around her forearm, “Thank you. What was his name?”

“Eli. Elijah,” She whispered, her eyes unmoving from the thumb stroking the inside of her wrist. “I don’t like talking about it. Why don’t you try the radio once more and I’ll head to the hardware store to see if I can fix the transmitter.”

Peter nodded, “Believe me, I know family is a tough subject for anyone.” She met his eyes, sincerity and sympathy stared back at her. “But if talking about it would help lighten some of the sadness in your eyes, I’d be happy to listen.” 

Y/N nodded and gave him a small smile, appreciating the kindness from the stranger.

The fixed transmitter sat on the windowsill. One of the three lights had finally turned on, it had beeped a few times which was, hopefully, a good sign. After four hours of waiting for something else to happen, Y/N and Peter resigned to watching Stranger Things.

Even though Peter was enthralled with the music and monsters that came from the television, he couldn’t help the way he felt as Y/N shared snippets of her life with him. The way she would talk to him about all the things she loved about science fiction, space and of all the new things on Earth. Y/N’s excitement was infectious, and he didn’t want to part with it.

To slow down and spend time with someone as enigmatic as she was a one-eighty on his usual fast-paced crazy life as a Guardian of the Galaxy.  And that’s when he knew that he’d have to stall his departure if possible.

While Y/N was getting ready for bed in the bathroom, Peter grabbed a cell phone from his red jacket and hopped out the window and onto the fire escape, perching on one of the steps. He flipped open the phone and dialled one of the few contacts he had.

“Hey, Bird Boy ‘Merica.” He chirped, glancing through the window to check that she hadn’t left the bathroom. “Can you give Rocket these coordinates? Pick up in five days? Cheers Cap.”

Pocketing the phone, he sat looking up to the sky, watching the stars twinkling in the distance, and for the first time since he was abducted all those years ago, he felt at home. Y/N’s footsteps brought him back to reality; he was leaving but not just yet.

“Whatcha doin’ out there?” She giggled, now in pyjamas and knotting the ties of her robe at her waist.

“Just checking out the sky, Princess.” He grinned at her.

Y/N climbed out the window and grabbed his hand, pulling him up the fire escape. They both greeted Stan on the way, a mischievous look on the older gentleman as he watched the pair laughing as they rushed up the stairs.

Once they reached the top, Y/N dropped his hand and twirled around with her arms open wide, then gestured to the sun lounger. “Welcome to my little piece of heaven.” She smiled proudly, “Take a seat.”

Peter sat back, legs either side of the lounger to allow Y/N to perch in between, “Come up here often?”

“Yeah, every Friday night, at least. It’s how I knew where you crashed,” She pointed to the woodlands in the distance.

“Well, I thank the stars that you were out here. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done.” Peter paused, watching the modesty line her features as she shrugged.

Y/N was different from the other girls he’d met. She had this look of adventure and passion for space, the universe, the unknown. Something that he had only seen in children. He could feel something blossoming; a desire to know more about her, spend more time with her, but he also knew that he’d be leaving and that was not going to put a downer on tonight.

Peter wanted to make the most of the time they had. However long they had. His hands gripped at Y/N’s waist, and he tugged her back, guiding her to lay on his chest. She hesitated at first but after a few seconds, she curled into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. Watching the sunset over the trees.

The cool breeze sent shivers up and down Y/N’s body, she held tighter onto Peter’s waist. Her mind raced with all the possibilities only to be destroyed by her insecurity; maybe this could be my way out? Don’t be silly. He’s just going to leave. You don’t know him; he could be a serial killer.

Peter brushed the strands of hair away from her face, bringing her out of her thoughts. Her body tensed as he tipped her chin upwards. She looked at him in wonder and slight confusion. Peter cupped her cheek, his lips met hers, and she was frozen in place.

After a moment, she melted into him, their lips moulded together seamlessly. Peter deepened the kiss, and earning a gasp from her, it allowed his tongue entrance into her mouth. It silenced her worries and all thoughts of this man being a stranger and being from out of space left her mind. The fact that they were on a rooftop and anyone could glance from the neighbouring apartments slipped away as his tongue danced with hers.

She couldn’t refrain from his touch any longer and adjusted her position; swinging her leg over his and straddled his lap, not breaking the kiss for a second. Peter’s arms snaked around her waist, holding her almost impossibly closer to him. 

The dressing gown fanned around them, giving her body access to the delicious friction of his erect cock through his jeans and her pyjama shorts, the material dampening at her core.

She wished she’d changed into the black underwear set that she had bought on a whim a couple of days ago. She was confident in pursuing this with Peter and she was glad her instincts were correct; it was just bad timing.

Peter’s deep moan disconnected their lips and Y/N bit hers as she watched the pleasure take over his features. His hands trailed down to her hips, gripping tightly to the soft gown, and untying the rope and pushing it off her shoulders. His lips met hers once more, she whimpered as his hands lifted her tank top over her head.

He drank in her appearance, his eyes scanning from her face down to her chest. He surged forward, his mouth leaving wet kisses to her jaw, following the path down her neck. Y/N’s hands found their way into his locks, tugging at the ends as he nipped at a sensitive spot on her collarbone.

Peter glanced up at her, an unspoken request for permission. She nodded and Peter obliged, latching around her nipple with his hand palmed at the other breast. Y/N gasped as his teeth scraped at the hardened bud then she tugged at Peter’s cotton top. He huffed as he finished his assault across her chest and pulled off the offensive article. Y/N stood up and shimmied out of the shorts. Peter followed suit with the denim and boxers.

The summer breeze struggled to cool their heated skin as they admired each other’s exposed figures. The moonlight cast shadows over their naked bodies yet highlighted every delicious dip and sensuous curve.

Y/N dropped to her knees in front of him, ignoring the debris that dug into her skin as she levelled herself with his cock. She used her index finger to smear the beaded pre-cum around his head. She curled her hand, gripping his shaft and languidly pumped.

“Fuck, Princess.” He grunted as she twisted her hand up and down his length. “Want your mouth.”

Y/N immediately parted her lips and began licking his tip then took him fully. The tip of his cock hitting the back of her throat caused her to choke slightly but as she regained her composure she looked up at Peter. Flushed cheeks and the darkened glint in his eyes held her gaze turned her into a mess.

Raspy moans and grunts spurred Y/N on; her tongue swirled, and she took him deeper into her throat once more. His hands gripped her shoulders, tugging her away to stand. The passion erupted between them, a clash of lips, teeth, and tongues. Peter’s hands slid down her body, grabbed at her thighs to lift and she obliged. 

Her legs wrapped around his waist as he laid her down on the sun lounger. She was in awe at his strength while he pulled the cushions to soften her head and back before letting her go completely. 

Peter pulled the blanket across them both then nuzzled at her neck, nipping at her sensitive spots, behind her ear, the corner of her jaw and along the edge of her collarbone. He rested on his left side, to keep her from toppling off the side and to keep his full weight off her.

Y/N whimpered at the way his cock teased at her entrance with each of the restricted ruts of his hips. His hands snaked down to her core, fingers rubbing at her clit, coating in her slick before two entered her pussy. 

Peter’s mouth continued the assault on her neck, leaving darkening marks while Y/N’s soft moans rang through the night. It coaxed the fire burning in her belly; the pleasure shivered to the tips of her fingers and the curl of her toes.

Y/N arched her back, her nipples grazing against the hard planes of his chest. Her head tipped back into the cushions; he was filling every part of her existence with ecstasy. The stars above them blurred as he added another finger; widening her ready to take his dick.

Peter entered her slowly; both adjusting to this new level of intimacy as his lips connected with hers and their tongues joined the fray. Y/N’s core twisted in desire and impatience as she ground her hips to encourage his movement.

Peter pushed and pulled against her body, his pelvis hitting her deliciously with each thrust. Her walls clenched around him as he continued to grind and dip and tug at her. Y/N surrendered her body to him, letting him take control, and relished in every second as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.

Her hands gripped tightly to his shoulders, nails digging into his tanned skin as his thrusts slowed but hardened. Their bodies moulded together as one, the feeling of weightlessness reached every corner of their existence as they reached their climax.

Peter pulled Y/N to lie across him, her head tucked into his neck. Their bodies relaxing into the cushions, their skin glistening with beaded sweat and the moonlight shining delicately across them both.

Y/N felt the gravitational pull back to reality; he was going to leave. It was only a matter of time.

To Be Continued...

Everything Tag List; @reann-loves-sebstan​ / @aroyaldarknessblr​ / @thefridgeismybestie​ / @kitkatd7​

Marvel Tag List; @natasha-danvers​ / @musesforart​

[gumnut-logic]

The Bear (Bit 1)

Just a little one, hopefully Bit 1 of 2.

I should be writing other stuff, but this came to mind in the car this morning and I wrote it down. A bit sad. A bit of neglect goes a long way.

-o-o-o-

They caught him post mission.

They didn’t even let him shed his uniform. He was covered in muck, mud in his hair and cranky as ever.

Scott grabbed one side, Gordon the other, and Alan played interference when those tired but still heavy-lifting muscles protested.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Scott grunted as Virgil attempted to wrest his arm away. “This is an intervention.”

“What?!”

Gordon grimaced on the other side of his brother and Scott gripped his side tighter, just in case. He needn’t have worried though. Gordon had hidden strengths.

“If you don’t stop wriggling, Virgil, I’m gonna stamp on your toes.”

And tactics.

Finally, the engineer went limp and did as he was told. Quietly they marched him out of the villa and down to the nearest beach. They dragged him up to the water’s edge, and, with Alan grabbing his legs in an imitation of a football tackle, they dumped his squawking ass in the ocean.

It may have been a concern with all the equipment Virgil stashed in his uniform, but as with all their IR gear, it was waterproof. Anything lost could be easily replaced.

The three of them stood at the waterline as Virgil spluttered and surfaced, wiping seawater from his eyes. “What the hell, guys?”

Scott stood tall. “You, my dear brother, have been a grumpy ass all week. You’re snarling so much you’re scaring the natives in the danger zones.” An indrawn breath. “You. Need. Downtime.” Each word was punctuated. “If you won’t give yourself a break, we will. You’re off rescues for the rest of the week.” He glared at his drenched brother.

Virgil had hair in his eyes. He opened his mouth.

“Or longer if you don’t behave.” Scott gestured at the beach. “Slow down. Reconnect with the planet or whatever it is you do. Feel the breeze. Smell the flowers. Watch grass grow. I don’t care. Just give yourself some time.”

Gordon opened his mouth. “Yeah, bro. We love the bear, but the claws are getting sharp.”

Virgil stared at them. Scott watched emotion flicker across his expression. Anger, remorse, anger again, a touch of fear, only for it all to be replaced with exhaustion. Virgil’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry.”

Scott sighed. “No need to be sorry, Virg. Just look after yourself.”

His brother’s eyes dropped to the gentle wash of the water he was standing in before looking up at them again. “I guess the lack of sleep is getting to me.”

“You guess?” Alan’s voice was high-pitched. “You’re scary, bro. You had me and three of our rescuees hiding in the back of Two’s module the entire way home today. I didn’t know you could even snarl like that. They thought you had a mental health issue. Took some fast talking, let me tell you.”

Virgil’s shoulders dropped even further, totally dejected.

Scott wilted a little. “C’mon, Virg, this isn’t you. You need rest.”

“Yeah, before you rip someone’s head off. Possibly mine.”

“Gordon!”

“Hey, you didn’t have to listen to today’s lecture on which buttons I was and wasn’t allowed to touch on Two’s dash. Anyone would think I might break something.”

Alan piped up. “In Virgil’s defence, you have broken things in the past.”

“They were accidents.”

“Accidents that Virgil had to repair. I recall one taking half a day and two trips to Aotearoa for parts.”

“Hey, who are we lecturing here?!”

Scott stepped in on that one. “Anyone who needs it.”

“Oh, in that case, I have a list.”

“Gordon.”

“What?”

Virgil stepped forward into shallower water and sat down. Drawing his knees in closer he dropped his forehead down to rest on them.

The small waves produced by the caldera washed around him with a soft rhythm.

“Uh, Virg?” Gordon was frowning at his brother. “Whatcha doin’?”

Muffled. “You can go now.”

“Virgil?” It was Scott’s turn to frown.

A sigh. “Go. I will do what you want. Just go.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Just go!” The bear emerged and snarled.

Scott took a step back and held up his hands. “Okay, Virg. We’re leaving. Just take some time.”

“Go.”

Gordon shot Scott a worried look. Scott answered with a frown and a gesture with his head. “We’re going. Call us if you need us.”

His brother grunted and Scott backed off up the beach, dragging Gordon and Alan with his eyes.

Once they hit the tree line, Scott turned and started striding up towards the villa. He thumbed his comms. “John?”

“Mission accomplished?”

“Yes. Can you keep an eye on him?”

“FAB.”

A glance back at the beach between the trees and he left, taking his two brothers with him.

-o-o-o-

TBC