#you can play detective and try to figure out why! but i feel like it's rather obvious. and i've been... 🤨-ing the fandom with increasing

[a-bad-case-of-the-stephs]

Let’s talk about the significance of how Stephanie Browns first ever appearance is tied directly to a TV broadcast about Batman, and how it perfectly explains why she's such a remarkable character.

Detective Comics #647

The full sentence the TV broadcaster says is “It’s not up to some masked vigilante to protect our citizens …. No matter how good his intentions…No matter how noble his cause”.

This scene asks us to compare the characters of Batman, who the statement is textually about, and Stephanie, who is viewing it and (presumably), being inspired by it. The panel itself seems to encourage use to try to apply these lines to Steph instead of Batman, framing the latter proclamation directly above her head, almost like a text box telling us this information about her. If we apply these lines to her, we can see an idea emerge.

There is this figure, who is not only not necessary, but unacceptable on the face of it, “…No matter how good [her] intentions...” / “…No matter how noble [her] cause…”

The first time we see Stephanie brown, she is being showcased alongside a condemnation, which is followed by her disregarding the message of this broadcast, and appearing for the very first time as Spoiler.

Dismissal and Stephanie ignoring this condemnation continues on to be one of the central facets of Stephanie’s character. In the same introduction arc we already see the dismissal/disregard dynamic established.

Batman and/or Robin tell her to Fuck Off, she chooses not to:

Detective #649

This pattern continues on for some time. She is dismissed by Batman

Robin #16, Robin #26, Robin #50 (1993)

And by Tim Drake/Robin:

Robin #25, Robin #35, and Robin #26 (1993)

And by her own mother:

Robin #71 (1993)

When she finally becomes an official part of the team in 2001, there is a break in this pattern. But, as always, Stephanie is eventually pushed out again:

Gotham Knights #37 (2000)

But, as always, Steph says “fuck that”, and refuses to stop.

Even in the face of dear friends agreeing she should give it up.

Batgirl #38 (2000)

And when Steph is brought in as Robin, she is again dismissed, in this case “Fired” soon after. She doesn’t quit of course, leading to the disastrous events of War Games.

Robin #128 (1993)

And when she comes back from being “dead” she is dismissed again, by Robin.

Robin #182 (1993)

This isn’t every time someone tells her to quit being Spoiler, but instead a showcase of how prevalent the Dismissal/Disregarding dynamic is for her character.

I am working on two other posts, one which will explain in depth Why the way she was “fired” as Spoiler has everything to do with Bruce Wayne’s own hangups and emotionally manipulative quirks and very little to do with her own skill level. The other will analyze why she feels the compulsion to be keep being Spoiler even after having Every reason to quit and being told to do so hundreds of times.

However, for the purposes of this post, all that matters is that this Dismissal/Disregarding dynamic exists and is a huge and reoccurring part of Stephanie’s character.

Whether or not you think she “deserved” how often she was rejected, and whether or not you think her disregarding the rejection was “good” or not doesn’t come into play here.

For now, let’s focus on the implications this dynamic has for her character in a meta sense, as a character who is used and discarded.

A character who is for all intents and purposes, the narrative punching bag. She endures character dismissal and belittling, three separate backstory instances of sexual harassment as a child and teenager, teenage pregnancy, abuse, taking care of a parent struggling with addiction, brutal and (debatably) sexualized torture, character assassination, death, retconned death, and further character assassination until 2009, where she finally gets her own solo comic, and a modicum of respect. The thing that separates the horrible shit Stephanie goes through and the bad things that happen to other characters is only rarely are Stephanie’s struggles treated as significant on their own, and almost always her narrative is used for drama or to prop up Robin Tim Drake’s plot. Very rarely does she get treated with the care and attention her character merits.

But let’s go back to that news broadcast, all the way back in Detective #647. How does she take it, when we are told, when Stephanie is told, first thing, straight out of the gate, plain and simple: No matter how good your intentions, no matter how noble your cause, you is not enough, or you’re too much, or your just not right?

It is met by a triumphantly tragic: “And?”

Stephanie hears from the VERY start the same refrain she will hear for years and years: she is not good enough, she needs to go home, she needs to quit and she does the exact thing she will continue to do every following time she is told this: she puts on the damn Spoiler outfit and she still tries anyway. Again and again.

The next time we see Stephanie Brown after this, the second time we ever see her character, she has donned the Spoiler costume, and she’s got to work. “And?” She seems to say. “As if!” She seems to shout. What a perfectly awe inspiring thing, and what a perfect summary of what makes Stephanie Brown so damn cool.

For better or worse, you cannot keep her down. I love Stephanie Brown so much.

And if you want to read a comic which understands this, which treats the terrific character of Stephanie Brown with respect and love, and which for the first time maybe ever lets her stubborn refusal to give up go her way? Read Batgirl (2009)!!

Batgirl #3 (2008) & Bruce Wayne: The Road Home - Batgirl (2010)

[caxde]

lovingsomeone | steddie x reader

summary: Eddie's got a crush on you, Steve's got a crush on you, and you're not sure who you like. A school dance and a summer party help you figure things out. (9.3k)(srry i got carried away)

warnings: smut! 18+ mdni use of alcohol and weed, afab reader, p in v sex, masturbation, oral sex and overall teenage horniness. Steve being overconfident and Eddie being a nervous wreck.

a/n: I did a first part to it answering a request and kept writing, so i put it all together! enjoy<3 english is not my first language!

“So, will you actually say something to her this time?” Robin teased Eddie for the hundredth time. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He snapped back, shaking his head as he overly enunciated every word, trying desperately to not blush at the thought of you. 

“Sure you don’t.” She breathed out, pushing her head back. 

Robin had always been preceptive, even more so when it came to her best friends. Maybe that’s why Robin had no problem when it came time to figure out what was going on. 

She was the first -and maybe only one- to catch Eddie’s lips opening, the clenched fists, the way he always tried to make you laugh or how he looked fastly over at you everytime something funny happened, just so he could see you smile. 

It wasn’t long after when she clocked Steve doing something similar. Steve would always fix his hair before talking to you, he took a step closer than he had to when he was talking to you, his hand lingered when he passed something to you. Most importantly, Steve was a big flirt, and Robin could tell it was working. 

She still was unsure about you. 

She had caught you looking at Eddie when he was deep into a story, your eyelids half closed, as if you were daydreaming about him, and she was sure she had seen you bite your lower lip after looking at his neck. 

But today you had called Steve an idiot with a dumb smile, a playful touch to his chest that had left your cheeks with a pinkish hue, only made worse when Steve grabbed your hand so he could make you twirl to the sound of the music emanating from his car before he left when he dropped you both off. 

Robin was now sitting outside the car park, with an Eddie who was lost into you. 

Eddie couldn’t keep his eyes off of you, and the way your hair moved as you walked closer to them. 

“You’re doing okay?” She asked with an eyebrow raised, as she schotched over so you’d sit next to her as you always did. 

Eddie didn’t even look up, he just grabbed the chocolate bar he had in his pocket, for exactly that reason, handing it over to you. 

“You don’t have to.” Your voice came out all shy, a soft smile as you looked at the colorufull wrapper that laid right in his hands. 

“I know.” Eddie muttered, nodding his head at you, the usual grin he had only for you appearing on his face. 

“Thanks Eds.” You managed to say, grabbing it and biting it. 

Robin rolled her eyes as soon as she saw Eddie focusing on the way your lips opened, stifling a laugh as she shook her head. Both of you are oblivious to the way the other feels.

“Are we still going to the dance tonight?” You asked, breaking the small moment of silence that had formed. 

“Is it tonight?” Eddie asked, his usual teasing tone in his voice every time this topic came up. 

“Yes…” You squinted your eyes at him, knowing he’d smile as soon as he saw you. 

“Yeah, we’ll be here.” Robin confirmed, standing up from the little curbside she had settled into. “Can you give me a ride, Eds?” She asked, tussing her hair in the middle of the question. 

“Uh, sure. D’you need a ride, dove?” Eddie was embarrassed as soon as he muttered the nickname he tried, recomforted by the way you seemed to be pleased by it. 

“I think Steve’s picking me up.” You felt a bit guilty saying it, made worse by Eddie pressing his lips together, followed by a short nod as he went to find his van. 

“Okay, what’s the deal?” Robin had had enough of playing detective. She needed to know what was going through your mind. 

“What do you mean?” You scrunch your nose, not really wanting to know if she was asking what you thought she meant. 

“Oh come on! Eddie’s got a crush on you, Steve has a crush on you, you..?” She left the question open, wanting you to finish it with an answer, instead you got all flustered, standing up straight in a fast motion, trying to make sense of what she had just said. 

“Eddie doesn’t have a crush on me! Neither does Steve, he’s just being nice… And I just, they’re both…” 

“Hot?” 

“Shut up…” You punched her on her shoulder, a giggle escaping both of your lips. “They both treat me so well, and they’re kind and yeah… they’re hot.” 

Robin couldn’t help but laugh, and neither could you, it only made it worse when Robin suggested that if you played your cards right, you might see Paris. 

It continued until Steve’s car stopped next to you. 

Steve stepped out, fixing his hair in a movement that made you wish you could be the one fixing it. His other hand held a small gathering of wild flowers, with pink carnations sticking out of them. Robin's mouth opened wide, as she saw how Steve moved closer to you, looking nervous. 

“Hi.” You chirped, as soon as he stood right in front of you, his feet almost touching yours. 

“Hi.” He stuttered a bit, his nervous energy made evident. He gave a quick glance at Robin, who just nodded, stepping back a bit. “I uh… I know this might be cheesy but, these are for you–” He stopped talking when your fingers brushed his, the same feeling he always had invading your body. An electricity, a warmness that was hard to explain. 

“They are lovely… Why…?” The sweetest tone that could be heard as a melody came out of your lips, and Steve could live in it for an eternity. 

“I… I kinnda wanna take you to the dance, if you’re okay with it.” He begged, a faint trace on it on his tone, as he stepped a bit closer, your feet between his opened legs. His eyes locked into yours, you were a goner as soon as you looked at him and the way his lips curved a bit more on the right than they did on the left. 

“Like a date?” You echoed, a glimpse of hope evident enough that his teeth were now showing when he smiled as he nodded. “I’d love to.” 

Steve caressed your cheek as he reached to hold your hand, walking you to his car as he opened the door for you, he was still going to drive you home. 

Unlucky for Eddie, he had seen the whole thing, and Robin said nothing, just waited for him to start the car. 

-

You and Robin were supposed to get picked up by Steve, who was supposed to pick Eddie up. 

It did happen, only that the tension in the car between both boys could be felt, even from outside and with the windows rolled up. 

No music was playing on the radio, Steve was grabbing the steering wheel a bit harder than he needed to -his knuckles turning white- whilst Eddie kept playing with his index finger, one swipe left, two swipes right. 

Eddie wanted to talk, to ask Steve is he was serious about it, but the smell of aftershave was intoxicating enough to confirm he was. 

As soon as the car stopped, Eddie looked at the wooden doors of Robin’s house, and the way Steve walked them up with such confidence -even if he was just faking it, he was nervous about it all going well, so much so he hadn’t even realised he drove over with no music on- he left a knock on the door, for it to open shortly after. 

You were truly breathtaking. 

Red had never looked that good. The dress hugged your chest, a flowy skirt dropping from your waist, your arms decorated with the same red colour as what looked like a scarf fell from them. Your hair was out of your face, your eyes shined a bit more, your lips looked pinker, juicier. He was losing his mind. 

It only hurt a bit more when he realised he had his hand out, waiting for yours to fit in it, but you moved past him, accepting Steve’s instead, as he twirled you around, praising you, telling you just how good you looked. A shower of compliments Eddie was also thinking, but couldn’t articulate. He just stared at the floor, only looking up when he felt Robin’s touch on his shoulder, a look of compassion held between the both of them. 

Nobody would blame you, or the hyperfixation you had all of a sudden with the way Steve’s neck looked, the red tie wrapping around it, contrasting with the white shirt. What was worse, you had never realised just how many moles and freckles Steve’s skin had, the one that laid where his jaw met his neck was particularly driving you insane. You danced the night away, mostly it was the four of you in a little circle, chatting and drinking whatever was inside the punch. Steve’s hands only found your waist when a slow song played. His thumbs grabbed you a bit too hard, in a way that he knew immediately why you bit your lower lip, and in response your hands were behind his neck, your nails tracing a patron in his skin, tugging his hair slightly. He grinned, chuckled and made you laugh, his eyes shining, looking at yours. You had never seen such beauty in brown until now. 

Maybe you did like Steve, and maybe he did like you. 

Eddie went outside. As soon as he saw you biting your lip, his hands on your waist, yours in his hair, he needed some air. 

He wished it were him. He wasn’t as fancy as Steve was, he had a white shirt under his uncle's old muted brown shirt. He struggled to remember in which pocket he put the Marlboro's away. He had been fidgeting with his lighter for a while, needing, craving a moment of silence. 

He was almost done smoking as he felt sorry for himself, when he heard the doors opening, the sudden music became clear for those brief seconds. 

He turned around, seeing you walking towards him with the biggest smile he had seen in your face for a while. 

For a brief moment, he forgot he was hurt. 

“You do look beautiful Moon” You told him as soon as you reached him, your body next to his, snatching the half smoked cigarette that he had in between his fingers. 

He scoffed, turning his whole body to look at you, he saw the way you smiled up at him, you were being sincere which was only just as hurting as you dancing with him had been. 

“Beautiful?” He questioned, a slight teasing on his tone as he inched closer, breathing in the smoke you let out, stealing the cigarette back. 

“Yeah, beautiful handsome Eddie.” You uttered, the faint smell of alcohol left your mouth, Eddie scrunch his nose. 

“You’re drunk?” 

“No, only had one drink. But you’ve been moody, I miss you in there.” You chirped back, your usual playful tone didn’t make him smile, not even grin. You got worried right there and then. Your hand reaching for his, trying to pull him back into the party. 

“I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” He implied, nodding at Steve who was just now opening the door, looking for you with a lovesick grin on his face. 

“What’s going on?” You weren’t sure what you had done to leave him in such a state, he seemed hurt, his words colder than they had even been. 

“Nothing.” Eddie lied, you hated lies. 

Something in you clicked, as you saw the way Steve smiled you, a contradiction to Eddie’s pursed lips as his jawline looked sharper than it ever did. 

Robin’s words echoed in your head Eddie’s got a crush on you, Steve’s got a crush on you. 

“Well, next time have the courage to ask me out before someone else does…” You snapped back, your arms crossing over your chest, a protective stance taking hold of you as you stepped back. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shook his head, his hair brushing against his face, an apologetic look on his eyes that made you want to cry. 

“It means don’t just suppose nobody will want me, am I supposed to wait for you forever?” 

Eddie couldn’t quite believe that declaration, knowing now you might also have some feeling for him, but he was a little too late. You sniffled your nose, shaking your head, your hair flowing everywhere. “Forget it.” You declared, leaving the little bubble you were in. 

You walked over to Steve, and he just looked at you, the smile he had turned as soon as he saw the way your eyes were crystalizing, menacing with tears. He cupped your cheeks with his hands. 

You gave in, your body hitting his, Eddie just saw the way your shoulders moved up and down. 

You were crying now. 

“Honey…” Steve begged as he took you in his arms. “Do you want to leave?” 

“I’m sorry.” You whispered back, feeling warmer in his arms, the coldness of Eddie’s words brushing away with the closeness of Steve’s body. 

“Don’t be. We can go anywhere you want. As long as I’m with you I’m happy.” He blurted, his eyes looking at yours, his thumbs brushing out the tear that came out of them. 

“Are you sure?” 

“‘curse I am.” He added, a smile returning to his lips, before he kissed the crown of your head. “I can also drop you off.” He offered, you shook you head. 

“I don’t wanna be alone.” You answered, your voice still barely above a whisper. 

“That’s fine, you wanna go for a walk?” He replayed instead, taking your hand, intertwining your fingers with his. 

As soon as you nodded he started walking. He didn’t push for you to talk, he didn’t try to make assumptions, but of course he did. 

The last he had seen was you talking with Eddie. Steve had always thought that Eddie was beautiful, he had a magnetic pull with people that was hard to explain, and he also knew that Eddie was sharp with his words. So he gave you enough time to gather your thoughts. 

“I do like you…” You confessed, your tone remaining low and soft as you spoke, looking at the ground, not confident enough to look at him right now. 

“I like you too.” He gleamed with pride, though he thought that much was obvious. 

“I… I figured that out with the flowers.” You recalled, as a shiver from the cold air made you shake a bit. 

Steve wasted no second, his tuxedo jacket laying on your shoulders now. 

“The flowers gave me away?” He teased, a short chuckle in the back of his throat. “It wasn’t my constant offer to drive you anywhere?” He admitted with a defeated laugh. 

“I thought you were being nice.” You admitted, still not looking at him, much more interested in the way your shoe made contact with the ground beneath your feet. 

“I was. I also have this crush on you.” The word sended shivers down your spine. 

“Robin says Eddie also has a crush on me.” That when you looked up, seeing a defeated nod from Steve only confirmed it. “I… I don’t know what to do.” 

“I don’t wanna tell you what to do, but… while you figure it out, can I defend my case?” He pleaded, his waist bumping into yours, his finger under your chin. He was being brave, he was finally taking his chance. 

As soon as you nodded, and your lips parted, your eyes darting between his eyes and his lips, a neediness that became clear as you realised what was about to happen, Steve got closer. Close enough to breathe the same air as you, his mouth a whisper away from yours, enjoying that tension that had formulated in the air. He was enjoying that bit of power, feeling how bad you wanted him. You were the one to finally close the distance, and he was ecstatic about it. He took his time, his lips moving gracefully against yours, your hands tugging the back of his neck, one of his was lost in the space between your neck and your jawline, applying a pressure that made you moan against his lips, thought maybe that was due to the way his other hand was grabbing your waist, his fingers would leave a mark, that much was clear. 

As soon as you break off the kiss, the lovesick smile on both of your faces was evident. 

“That was…” He muttered, left speechless by your kisses, needing more of them. 

“You are a good kisser.” You slightly teased him back, recalling the rumors about him in a joyful manner. 

He kissed you a lot more after that, having to stop walking in the middle of the road as you went to find his car. 

Robin saw it, and decided it was best if she kept her mouth shut this time, but she did overhear the last thing Steve whispered to you before going back into the car. “I don’t mind sharing, you can figure out whatever you need, honey.” 

She already saw the headache coming, and really regretted that Eddie didn’t see the way your cheeks flustered at the idea of being with him for a while. 

2.9

-

-

“Babe, can you help me?” You cried out, the sun hitting you a bit too hard, you started to feel your skin burning if you weren’t careful. 

“Sure, be with you in a second.” Steve adds, gleaming at the sound of your voice calling him such a pretty nickname. Him and Robin were a bit busy, stacking the small cooler with every kind of beer and seltzer they could name, topping it with ice so it would stay cold during the hot summer’s day. The first of many to come. 

The pool had been officially opened, and with that, the usual invasion of the Harrington household started. This year however, Steve decided to throw a little party, so it wouldn’t be a surprise gathering at his house. 

Robin still hadn’t said anything about what she heard at prom, and she intended to keep it that way, she was having fun watching, as you struggled to operate. 

Steve came over, sitting behind you, a little kiss on your shoulder letting you know he was all yours for now. You passed him the sunscreen, it smelt like coconut and vanilla, as he spread it on your back and shoulders, he took the opportunity to be a bit more handsy than he needed to. He started massaging your back, knowing the effect it had on you, as he heard the stifled groan on the back of your throat, quiet enough that he’d be the only one to hear it. Once he reached the lower part of your back, he spent way too much time in it, tracing patterns that had no meaning besides getting your body closer, and closer to his crotch, moving you a bit so you’d feel the way it grew against your butt cheeks. You looked back at him, over your shoulder, to see him smiling, that stupid smile that let you know just how much he wanted you, now and everyday. You shook your head, laying on his chest with enough mischievousness to let your cheeks hold his bulge between them, you felt him breathe out in a needy manner, right against your cheek. He gave you a kiss on your lips, his hand now caressing your stomach, fully visible thanks to the white bikini you chose to wear. 

“Not while we have company, Harrington.” You whispered into his ear once his lips parted from yours. He groaned, deciding to just hold you tightly, his head buried where your neck met your shoulder, leaving wet kisses in that spot he knew you liked. 

“I told you… I don’t mind sharing.” He recalled the conversation you had about your curly haired friend he knew you had a crush on, even if you evidently liked him. 

“Shush.” You dismissed him, holding his face near yours, a kiss left on his lips, as you bit his lower one. “Let’s just stay here until the others come?” You pleaded, not wanting to think about it, not really ready to think about Eddie coming here right now. 

He answered with another kiss against your sun kissed skin, decidedly staying like this. Enjoying each other’s presence, soft touches and caresses. 

The last few weeks with Steve had been amazing, but Eddie had grown cold as soon as he heard that you seemingly had made your choice, even if you were far from it. 

Steve's words didn’t help. 

In your mind, Steve seemed excited with the idea of you making out, or whatever it was with his friend, as long as you kept doing it with him. It was a dangling temptation, a dream, a forbidden fruit that had all of a sudden become edible. 

You weren’t sure how much time had passed, you just knew Steve’s fingers were too busy tracing little drawings on your lower stomach, dangerously close to the edge of the thong that was part of your two piece. When all of a sudden your eyes opened from the noise that was coming out of the house. Eddie had arrived, accompanied by Nancy and Jonathan. The couple came out first. 

“Hey lovebugs!” Nancy screamed, her usual upbeat tone making Steve open his eyes, he waved back, you did the same movement, which made her chuckle. 

Eddie followed them closely, even in such warm weather, he still had his blue jeans on, only this time his white tank top let his arms out on the sun, you got lost in him for just a second. 

Eddie avoided your stare, got lost in your body instead. Robin clocked the way he swallowed, his muscles in his neck tensing as he tried not to look too much. It was hard, since he knew he could be the one holding you as near as he desired. 

Jonathan grabbed two beers, and offered one to Eddie, he felt compassion for him, just like Robin, he was used to being observant, and had known about Eddie’s feelings for a while, and he had been in the same situation, only he had a bit more luck. 

- 

The moment came where you decided to finally jump into the water, all of your friends deciding they wanted to stay dry, watching you as you floated in the pool. 

You were pretty good at knowing who was staring, even if they had the same coloured eyes, Eddie’s and Steve’s staring felt different. Eddie’s was full of regret, he had wanted to talk to you ever since you left the dance, Steve’s was full of hunger -at least while you looked like that, skin wet, and your hair framing your face in a way he’d call heavenly if asked.- though if you were honest, you felt a trace of desire in Eddie’s eyes everytime yours met. 

Robin had enough of that show, and even if she promised to herself she wouldn’t say anything, she needed to talk to someone, so she did. 

“Nance, can you help me get some wine?” She asked, a lift of the eyebrow and she understood she needed to speak to her. 

“Sure.” She added before following her into the house. 

Eddie and Jonathan stayed there, grinding some weed for later. Steve looked at them, and stood up, walking to the edge of the pool, sitting on it, waiting for you to come. 

Robin started rumbling as soon as they reached the kitchen. 

“I need to tell you something, but you can’t say anything. But if I don’t tell it to someone I’m gonna lose my mind” She was talking in a fast-paced manner that let Nancy know just how much she had been needing to talk. 

“Jesus okay. Breathe.” She said, pushing her shoulders down. “Now, shoot.” 

“I overhead the new couple at the prom.” She started, waiting for a nod from Nancy so she could continue. “Steve told her that he knows about Eddie’s feelings, and that he’s okay sharing? What does that even mean? Has he ever said something like that to you? Do you think… Maybe Steve wants to…?” 

Nancy’s eyes opened wide, at the amount of information and preceding questions she asked, her head working overtime to keep up with her friend. 

“He’s okay sharing as in…” 

“I think he wants her to make a move or something, so she can know for sure she wants to be with him but that’s just…” She didn’t dare to finish the sentence, not without implying something she’d hate for people to imply about herself. 

“Steve really has changed.” Nancy over enunciated, raising her eyebrows as she looked over for the wine. Robin erupted in laughter. 

“What do you think I should do?” She implored now, stepping in closer to her, grabbing some glasses for the white wine. 

“You? Nothing. I’m sure Eddie’ll catch on soon enough.” She pointed out, as she started to head out. “He’s practically drooling everytime she looks at her.” She joked as Robin chuckled, following her closely. 

At the same time, Jonathan looked at Eddie, and how concentrated he was on grinding the weed so he could smoke it. He knew Eddie was feeling a bit overwhelmed, and he knew how much it could help, so he stayed put, waiting for him to finish. 

“Look dude, I don’t really know you that much but uh… You’ve got something in your mind.. If you need to uh.. talk it out…” He offered, feeling incredibly embarrassed by that leap he was making, knowing Eddie had the right to blow him off. 

He didn’t. He looked up, nodding with a half smile as he mouthed a thanks. He looked over at Steve walking closer to you and the sense of urgency came back. 

“Pass me the paper, please?” He babbled, as his hand reached out. Grabbing it and starting to roll what would -hopefully- calm him down. “I just… I fucked it up.” He added, nodding at you, and the way you smiled as soon as you saw Steve. 

“Why’d you say that?” 

“She told me if she was supposed to wait for me forever, next thing I know, she’s kissing Steve.” He sputtered, a trace of hurt could still be felt on his voice. Jonathan gave him a reassuring touch on his shoulder. 

“That’s Steve… Though to be fair… You shouldn’t lose hope.” He recomforted him, looking at Nancy as she came back, a smile on his face. 

Talking of Steve he found his way to you. His legs on the water, moving it slightly, the waves hitting your body. You looked over at him, a smile wide on his face. 

You swam closer to him, instead of laying against the granite that circled the pool, you let your arms rest on his thigh, looking up at him with dreamy eyes. 

“Hi.” You beamed at him, the softness of your tone made him get even more lost into you. 

“Hi.” He echoed, one of his hands cupping your cheek, you gave in to the touch. “You should get out, Nancy went to get your favourite wine.”  You smiled deeply at him, he really did care for you. 

“Going.” You whisper as you find your way to the stairs, pushing your head down one last time, so the hair wouldn’t annoy you. 

Eddie caught that. And the way you walked out of the pool was enough for his cock to push against his zipper. He crossed his legs, enjoying the show a bit more, as he lit the joint he had been preparing. He got a bit lost, especially on the way your hair not only framed your face, but your breasts, that seemed to shine as water dropped out of them. It didn’t help that you were wearing white, he was going to lose his mind. 

Only this time, Steve caught him, a cheeky grin appearing on his face as he made eye contact with Eddie, who became flustered. Steve just nodded, and mouthed its fine. Eddie had never been more confused. 

“We’ve got your wine!” Robin cheered, as she raised a glass to you. You took a good sip of it, the lightness of it invading your mouth, a smile left on your lips. 

“Cheers.” You added, taking another taste. “I’ll just go change really quick.”You excused yourself, bending down a bit so you could put your drink down. It was torture for Eddie, who was trying extremely hard not to be too evident, but right now he just felt you were starting to tease him, bending over when that little fabric was covering you. 

Maybe you were. 

It was intoxicating, knowing that you did have that power over both of them. While Eddie was a bit too lost in your behind, Steve got lost in your chest, even if he was more taken aback with the eye contact you liked to keep. You walked slowly back into the house, up the stairs to the left where Steve’s room was. You grabbed one of his oversized white shirts, and a pair of faded, soft, basketball shorts that were too short on him, yet perfect for you. You found your way to the downstairs bathroom, knowing that you could hang your bikini there until it dries off, and that no one would really know -or care- if you were wearing underwear or not. 

You left the door ajar, it would only take a moment. 

The top part was changed in a swift movement, so was the down one. 

You looked at yourself in the mirror, your hair becoming a tangled mess, it would only get worse if you didn’t brush it off soon. You looked for one, something, anything, unsuccessfully. 

The door opened all of a sudden. Eddie was there, an apologetic look on his face. 

“Sorry, thought nobody was here.” He pleaded, as he started to close the wooden door. 

“It’s fine, I’m just looking for a hairbrush, then I’ll leave.” You tried to explain to him, not really wanting him to leave, fully aware that those were the first words you’ve exchanged. 

“You won’t reach it.” Eddie mumbled, walking back in. He closed the door, and opened the cabinet that was higher up, grabbing a little box that had various different combs on it. He grabbed the one that was better for your hair and looked at you. “D’you want me to…?” He gestured with his hands, up and down, a brushing motion. 

You nodded, your back now facing him, as you looked at your reflection in the mirror. Eddie looked back at you, your eyes meeting on the reflective surface. He pursed his lips, the high made everything feel ten times more intense. It was intoxicating enough being near you, getting to be this close to you made it hard for him to concentrate. 

You kept looking at him, and every move he made, the tension that was getting created in that little space growing larger and larger. A sense of electricity, of magnetism pulling you in closer, close enough that your waist touched his. He breathed out loudly, knowing this was getting a bit too much. But the small tugging in his pants only made your lip quiver with more confidence, he wanted this just as much as you did. You got on your tip-toes for a moment, just to go slowly down, your butt graceing his crotch slowly. You could see the way his eyes shut down for that moment, how his mouth opened, how his hands grabbed your hair and the brush harder, trying not to say anything. It was intoxicating. He finished brushing your hair, and he let the comb hit the floor. You made eye contact through the mirror once again, as he breathed in that loud manner again, shaking his head at you, struggling to let something out of his lips. 

“Dove… I…” He tried, your hands already on the back of his neck, pushing him in against you, you needed to feel him, as near as you could. 

“I do like you.” You confessed in between whispers, your fingers tugging his hair. “I just… I’m confused.” You admitted, your hips had started a little pattern, grinding against his crotch. A needines was beating on your chest, traveling all the way down to where you made contact with him. 

“Fuck…” And with that you knew what was coming. 

Eddie let out a moan out of hornyness and anger. He had wanted you for so long, he would be an idiot if he didn’t at least give you a kiss. 

Just one kiss, he told himself. 

His hands grabbed your waist tightly, turning you so you’d finally look at his eyes, not at a mirror, the brown of them almost gone, a hunger you were experiencing just as much as he was. Even if he was dying for more, he started kissing your cheek, a trembling hand grabbing your butt, messaging it, your leg lifting on instinct, pushing his crotch with yours, the feeling of the zipper messing with you, the soft fabric not protecting you much. He kept kissing your neck, and the little zone behind your ear, leaving soft moans every time his mouth left your skin. Once you were drunk on him, he cupped your face with one hand, the other still holding your butt firmly, and finally let your lips touch. You became one in that moment, your waist still moving, your hands scratching his back in an attempt to obtain more. You needed to drink every single drop of him. His hand started teasing at your behind, a smile when he noticed the lack of underwear, and just how sensitive you were. If he pushed the short upwards, the fabric touched you in a way that made you whimper. 

It wasn’t fair, you also deserved to play. 

Your hands left his back, travelled to his crotch, undoing the belt in a swift movement. The sound of the belt buckle made him snap back. 

That was more than one kiss. 

“We can’t…” He said, pulling strength from somewhere, he wasn’t sure where. 

“Steve doesn’t mind.” You tried to make him understand, unsuccessfully. 

“If I was him, I would want you all to myself.” 

-

The sun was setting, Nancy was half asleep into Jonathan’s arms, Robin was a bit too inebriated, laughing at every small detail she saw. 

It wasn’t difficult. 

When you came out of the bathroom, a flustered Eddie followed you minutes after. Steve looked at you with a puzzled look, and you just nodded. 

Now you were sitting between them both. 

Jonathan looked at Steve’s grip on your thigh, while your pinky was grabbing Eddie’s. He opened his eyes as soon as he understood. He gave Eddie a quick look, he just nodded in quiet disbelief. 

“I think we should go.” Jonathan said in a soft-spoken voice, brushing Nancy’s hair. 

“I’m way too wasted to drive.” Eddie muttered in response, a cheap excuse everyone noticed. He wasn’t ready to leave. 

Jonathan offered his hand, Eddie’s van keys fell onto his palm. 

“Okay then, we’ll go.” He stood up, helping Nancy up, gesturing to Robin to follow him. She looked back at the three of you, she struggled to hide a chuckle. 

“Fine… au revouir!” She teased as soon as she looked at you, your cheeks getting that pinkish tone to them again. You hid your face behind your palm, begging she was the only one out of them that understood the stupid joke. The shocked giggle out of Steve’s lips let you know he got it too. 

“I’ll walk with you to the door.” Steve added, off-handedly. As soon as he stood up and took a couple of steps, he looked at you over his shoulder, the prettiest smile on his face. 

It was a do whatever you need, a i want you to do it, a please do it. 

The type of look that drove you insane. 

Eddie lit up another spliff, standing up, your eyes looking up at him, all doe-like. If only you could read his mind, he thought. 

“I think I’ll go for a swim.” You were unsure if it was an invitation, or if he just needed some space, a moment to think it all well. 

Truth be told, Eddie was curious about what you’d do now, once he took his shirt off, careful not to burn anything, smoke still coming out of his mouth, a delightful picture you would keep in your mind for a long time. 

You hadn’t seen him shirtless. 

It was a sight to see, you thought. You knew he had muscles, you didn’t know his were somehow more defined than Steve’s. His chest was pale, decorated with ink, your fingers suddenly tingling the urge to trace over them, especially the one he had near his hip bone. 

Eddie enjoyed seeing you like that, for once you were the one thirsting over his body, your mouth half opened, having trouble taking your eyes off his chest, while yours all of a sudden raised faster. Your breathing quickening. 

His back was also well defined, framed by his hair swinging a bit with every step he took, his curls bouncing in an hypnotizing manner. 

He sat down on the steps of the swimming pool, his waist submerged in the water. He smiled as soon as he heard your cautious steps approaching him. You sat near him, your body not in the water, only your legs, looking at his side profile. You could draw him from memory alone, you realised. He didn’t say anything, he just looked at you, his usual grin that always made you smile back. He offered the joint to you, you shook your head, a drink still in your hand. 

“We’re swimming?” Steve proposed at the sight of you two, already taking his shirt off. 

Before any of you could answer, he had already jumped into the water, swimming back in the middle of you, taking the offer of the spliff Eddie had in between his fingers with a shrug. 

“I’m not wearing uh…” Your eyes darted nervously at Eddie, and the memory of his fingers discovering it just a few minutes ago. He did the same, his hand twitching as he made eye contact with you. 

“I’m sure Eddie won’t care.” He assured, his tone dropping a bit. The husky tone hypnotising you. Steve looked at the curly headed boy waiting for a response. He just scratched his chin, looking back at you, his eyelids half closed. “See, he doesn’t.” He gestured back at him, getting a bit closer to you. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to” He whispered, needing you to know he meant it, the softness of his words made you know he was telling the truth. 

As soon as you felt Steve’s hand on your thigh, and how good the water droplets falling from them felt on your skin, you opened your legs, letting him gain access, his hands finding the hem of your shorts rapidly, pulling them down softly. 

Eddie was hypnotised by it. The way your legs looked, the look of devotion you had for Steve, how confident you seemed, the shy soft smile in your face as you were enjoying his touch against your skin as the shorts became a faint memory. He looked attentive as Steve’s hands reached the end of your shirt, how his lips kissed your knee, eyes closed, how a soft moan escaped your lips. He felt himself grow, no longer restricted by his jeans. The spliff long forgotten by your side, his full attention in how more parts of you were revealed, as Steve slowly took your shirt off. The first thing he saw was the curvature of your back, your stomach following it closely. When he saw your breasts under the sunset, he realised he had never been as hard. You shook your head as soon as the shirt was off, your hair flowing freely. Your hand caressing Steve’s face, inching closer to him, leaving a sound kiss on his lips. He was trying to repress the urge he had of touching himself, it felt like he was looking at a private show, just for him. 

Steve helped you into the water, his hands holding tightly onto your waist, pulling you in slowly. Enjoying the sound you made as water hitted your full body. He had only eyes for you. His nose touched yours, asking for permission to kiss you once again, his bare chest hitting yours, you were the one who broke the distance, pushing into him with the usual care. Steve’s lips were soft, fitted with yours perfectly, you thought. 

Eddie couldn’t take it anymore. He had to touch himself. It was pathetic, he thought, you were making out in front of him, and he needed to touch himself, feeling like if he didn’t take it out, it would just start to hurt, so he did. He grabbed the waistband of his swimsuit down, already stroking his dick in a slow movement, when all of a sudden, you made eye contact with him, while you were still kissing Steve. You broke the kiss, yet Steve kept kissing your neck, one of his hands already on the small of your back, pushing your entrance to his erection. You moaned at the sight of him, and Eddie’s movements deepened. 

“You wanna kiss her?” Steve asked as soon as he opened his eyes, seeing the way Eddie looked at you, his cock still out. “Come.” He invited him, with a quick shake of his head. “She really wants you to do so, Munson.” That did it for him, that and the fact that you moaned as soon as you heard his last name, though maybe that had more to do with the way Steve’s fingers were teasing you now. 

He didn’t really waste that much time, he took off his swimsuit before coming into the water, not caring about anything else but the way your eyes looked at him, needing him. You felt his dick on your stomach, the hardness of it coming into contact with you thanks to the short distance. Eddie’s hands didn’t shake now, he was decided. They held your face, coping your cheeks in the way he had hoped to do so for so long, breaking the distance, as your lips found each other. Your tongues touching, finally, both of you thought, as your hands reached for his body, as did his. 

Steve was still enjoying himself, touching you, feeling how you squirm under his touch, your legs shaking a bit as he kept teasing, your clit missing him everytime he messed around. 

Eddie couldn’t stop kissing you, he was enjoying it maybe a bit much. He had never tasted something better, and he never wanted to. He wished in between kisses to remember this sensation forever, your hands on his body, fingers buried deep into his skin, begging for more as you moaned into his mouth. 

Your hands were dangerously low, but it didn’t matter. 

A sharp gasp escaped your lips as you felt Steve’s fingers reaching inside you, moving them slowly, each movement deeper than the last. 

“Please.” You begged, looking up at Steve, his hand reaching for your neck, leaving a thigh squeez before he kissed your cheek. “Please.” You whimpered again, looking outside the pool. 

Eddie understood, and followed closely. Steve pushed your body up, you were now sitting on the stone that circled the pool, your body slowly hitted the ground, legs hanging from the edge, grabbing Eddie’s hand so you’d have him near, your hand started messing with his pelvic bone, a few brushes, caresses and he was already doing that loud breathing that proved to drive you insane. 

Steve didn’t waste no time, grabbing the back of your legs, pushing your body closer to the edge, leaving kisses on your knee, then your upper thigh, the inside of it, everywhere his lips had access to, while his hand got a bit busy feeling you, and the wetness of your entrance. 

Eddie brushed your hair behind your ear, before diving in for a kiss, his lips touching yours, just so he could have an excuse to start kissing your neck, hearing you make such pretty noises that close to his ear was something he never thought he would be able to. To be fair, he moaned as soon as your hand wrapped around his dick, starting the slow movement, he smiled in between kisses as you kept it going. 

The combination of it all; Eddie moaning your name that close to your ear, your whole body filled with goosebumps, as Steve started kissing your clit, it made you arch your back. 

“You’re sensitive today.” Steve teased, as his lips went back to the spot that was driving you mad, one of his fingers starting to make his way inside you, you felt him smile as he heard you moan at that. 

“Jesus sweetheart…” Eddie breathed out, a groan escaping the back of his throat, his voice was the lowest you had ever heard. “If you keep touching me like that, making those sounds…” He couldn’t even finish the sentence. 

He saw the way you smiled proudly at the praise, your teeth biting your lower lip, while you breathed heavily, he had to kiss you again, that way he knew you’d be moaning into eachothers’ mouths.

Once Steve had three fingers inside you, his movements finding the perfect pace, his mouth all over you, legs shaking while his head was in between he could tell you were close, Eddie’s hands stroking your body helping in that. Speaking of, he looked at him, he could also tell he was trying not to come, not yet. He stopped eating you out, his head resting on your tight. 

“You wanna…?” He asked you first, nodding to him. He could tell you did, just by the way your eyes shined as soon as he asked, he had to hide a giggle once he looked at Eddie who was concentrating on something else. 

“Edds” You begged, moaning his name. It made him tilt his head backwards a bit, your hand still tightly wrapped around his dick. “Can you fuck me?” He had to bite the inside of his lips so he wouldn't come right then. His hands grabbing your legs, turning your body to him, so your entrance would be at his level was enough confirmation. Before Eddie started, while he was admiring you in all your glory, you looked deep into Steve’s eyes, your hand finally dropping his swimsuit, stroking him. A hunger in your eyes before you asked “Can I?” 

He nodded. 

Then he looked around, knowing that it would be more comfortable for you if you were on the couch. 

“Inside.” He groaned, looking at you first, then turning to Eddie. 

Before you knew it, Eddie was sitting on the couch, too much in a hurry to care if it became a bit wet, his hands got lost in your waist, kissing the zone between your belly button and your cunt, your skin reacting to every touch, pulling you in softly, slowly. While Steve was next to you, his hand still touching your clit, getting you warmed up for Eddie, as your hand curved around his cock, stroking it. 

You noticed, while Eddie was longer, Steve was wider. Both of them large, though Eddie’s curved a bit, you knew that would be something you’d like, and you were eager to prove it to yourself. 

Your free hand touched Eddie’s chin, making him look up at you, his gaze into yours, lowering as you sat on top of him. 

You both moaned as he entered you, you made your way down slowly, fully wrapping around him, a sensation you were sure you could never forget. His hand grabbing your waist, guiding you gracefully. You left a quick kiss on his lips, before turning to find Steve. 

He waited for you to guide him, he knew just how overstimulating everything must be, as much as he wished for you to do something right now, he waited, patiently, stroking his own erection as he looked at you, and the way you bounced on top of Eddie’s cock. 

You pulled him in, his knees on the couch, his body sitting where the head usually rests, his hand petting your hair, you didn’t waste that much time, filling your mouth with him. 

“Honey…” He blurted, having trouble articulating words. “You’re taking both of us so well.” He praised, as he started to pull your hair, your head following the movements, effectively mouthfucking you at the pace he wished, a series of profanities falling from his mouth. 

“You really are.” Eddie added, his hands pulling you in deeper, your eyes closing out of pure pleasure, as his cock pushed into you, a rhythm you felt right in your stomach. 

Eddie couldn’t help himself, he started with just a thigh squeeze, just to end up slapping your ass, the sound of the clapping only turning you on faster. Eddie was so close, his arms wrapped around you, in complete devotion. You took a second, continuing to work on Steve with your hand to kiss Eddie, Steve’s precum still on your throat, but he didn’t care. He needed you there, his forehead against yours, his mouth moaning and half screaming your name. 

“I’m not gonna last long.” He said, drunk on you from head to toe. 

“I want you…” You started, having to gather some air before continuing, you could feel his dick ripping you deeper every time he reentered, his hand pushing you deeper into him every time you did. “To come, please, Eddie, please.” You ended begging in a whimper, that did it for him. 

You kissed him, before your head fell into his shoulder, biting him as you felt the way his muscles flexed around you, his head falling backwards.

“Shit” Eddie groaned as soon as he felt himself come, deep on you, looking deep in your eyes, a smile evident in them. Steve didn’t even think about it before doing it, once he made eye contact with him, his lips were on his, a soft kiss that needed to happen. Eddie’s hands still on the small of your back, Steve’s on the back of your neck. 

“Hot.” You whispered, making you all three laugh, breaking the soft tension that was in the air. 

You got off, Eddie groaned as he felt you leave, he didn’t want you to ever leave his side. You looked back at Steve, he knew what you wanted, no words needed. He nodded, before kissing you again, his hands pulling you a bit closer to him, before turning you over. 

Your stomach laid on the couch cushions, your ass high as he could get it, a sight he loved if he was honest, only this time your head rested on Eddie’s lap, while he brushed your head, Eddie’s brown eyes looking up at Steve, another sight to be seen he thought. He took a moment to take it in, before his hands grabbed your waist, helping them find his way inside you, a moan of pure delight as you felt him. You bite Eddie’s thigh, careful not to moan too loud. 

The sight of Steve fucking you, you trying desperately not to scream as he moved slowly, filling you up wider that he had, the small kisses and bites you were leaving on his skin were enough for him to get hard again, and you took that opportunity gladly, your tongue on the tip of his dick, licking tentatively, as you heard him groan at the feeling of you playing with him, his hands on his head, already overstimulated. Steve took that as what it was, and he went in harder, and harder, and harder. 

“That’s it, you’re doing so good baby.” He moaned, his fingers turning white as he held you, no doubt leaving a mark on your body. 

“Shit…” Eddie moaned again, as your lips opened wider, swallowing him deeper and deeper. “You’re… fuck you’re amazing.” He struggled to say as he whimpered, the praise only making you go in ways he never imagined. 

Steve felt how your walls were closing, a clear indication you were getting exactly where he wanted you to be, his nails digging in your skin, in the kind of way he knew drove you insane, your back arched even more, letting him get deeper than he ever had. 

“Eddie” Steve said, looking at him, his eyes were half gone once he looked back. “Touch her, she’s close.” 

You confirmed as much, whining while your mouth was still filled with Eddie’s cock, your left hand stroking him at the same pace as Steve was fucking you. 

As soon as you felt Eddie’s fingers on your clit, the coldness of the rings only making you enjoy it even more, you knew you weren’t gonna last long. Eddie felt it too, you were struggling to concentrate on sucking him off, so he pulled himself out of your mouth, kissing you instead. 

“I rather hear you, sweetheart.” He whispered into your ear.

“Keep doing that, please.” You begged at both of them. 

They did, somehow with the same rhythm, Eddie’s hand knew exactly how to touch you, while the other one was touching himself. Steve kept fucking you, the sound of your body hitting his was magic, you thought. Symphonies could be written with the way it all sounded, Eddie praising you, guiding you through it, Steve’s groaning your name as he pushed in and out, and you being as loud as you wanted to. 

It didn’t take long before Steve felt it, your legs thigting, the sharp intake of your breathing, your hand closing in a fist. 

“You can come, honey.” He groaned, as he too felt himself not being able to hold it for much longer. 

“Please.” Eddie added, as he too wasn’t gonna last that much more. 

You did, your back arched as you felt Steve hit you for a couple more times before the warmness filled you up, leaving every inch of your skin he could find covered with kisses. Eddie came, the cum falling in his stomach and hand. 

“Jesus…” Eddie muttered, as he let his body fully relax. 

“Yeah…” Steve added, pulling out of you, pulling you in for a hug as soon as his body hitted the couch. 

You melted into his arms, nudging Eddie to come closer. He did with a half smile, you enjoyed Steve’s caressing of your skin whilst your fingers got lost into Eddie’s hair. 

“Robin’s gonna kill me when I tell her…” Eddie muttered, before realising that he wasn’t sure if you were going to tell people about it. 

“What will you tell her?” Steve asked, as if he could read his thoughts. Not in an inquisitive tone, more of a curious one. 

“Tell her you went to Paris.” You half joked, a giggle escaping your lips. “She already knows, I’m sure.” You let the two confused men know. 

“Does she?” Steve’s curiosity piked, you nodded, leaving a kiss on his chest.

“She said I should visit it right before the dance.” You let them know. 

“Well, thanks Robin.” Eddie laughed, intertwining your fingers with yours. 

“Are you staying over?” Steve asked at Eddie, you could sense a bit of hopefulness in his tone. 

“If you let me.” 

“We should go to bed then, comfier.” Steve added, the biggest smile on his face. “Maybe we’ll do this again.” He finished with a kiss on the top of your head.

[the-moon-files]

I’m not sure if I’ve said this one already or not, but I wanted to tell you anyways! It’s about the humans-are-not-hylians AU!

You know the uncanny valley evolution? That thing where when you look at something that resembles a living being too closely and some part of your mind is screaming that it’s not whatever it looks like and to get away from it? Imagine that with the reader! They can spot shapeshifters easily because of this, but it instills the same extreme primal fear we’d experience, so it might be hard for the reader to confront them at first and they’ll instead just tell the Chain for a while.

This might be a double edged sword, though, because when Twilight is in his wolf form, the reader still gets that same feeling when “Wolfie” is looking at them, whether or not they know it’s Twilight. In this case, the first time the reader spots Wolfie approaching the camp, they probably freak out and try to avoid him, even if the Links are okay with him or if he seems familiar to them.

The bottom line is that wolf isn’t a wolf, so what is he?

“It’s okay, he’s a really friendly wolf!”

“...That’s not a wolf...”

Sorry i took forever to respond!! im slow as always, life is too busy for even my hobbies lately sobs 😭

bro this is especially true bc someone looked back at TP games and how he looks in his “wolf” form, and apparently he is actually a dog lol - like at most a wolf-hybrid, i added this in to support this Hyrule-is-hella-Uncanny AU lol

Moon: Guide! - Gender Neutral/Masc!Reader (”you”/he/him)

Orbit: Short headcanons

Stars: mentions of most of our Links <3

Comets & Meteors: CWs: typical LU/Loz violence, mild swearing, etc & TWs: mild possible derealization trigger, talk of Link’s Awakening and Koholint.

Please comment if I missed any. /gen

The Yiga clan members have never fooled you, not Once in person, unlike back when hyrule was still a video game

it was the constant smell of bananas, the way their eyes were always a little unfocused or they moved their head to move around their eyes, rather than their actual pupils moving, the facial muscles all stiff, usually stuck in an uncomfortable smile-

it makes more sense once u realize that they technically have a mask under that glamour hylian face, but its never not hilarious to see Wild look over his shoulder at you before approaching a lone traveler on the roads and watch him get increasingly frantic to get ur attention to see if theyre yiga lmao

u bet ur ass every link was relying on you on their adventures to know shapeshifters/illusions/glamours/etc. on sight and tell them to better prep them/warn them

tbh they all got at least a little better at being able to tell the difference the longer they heard you point out stuff/talk abt exactly why it was off-putting

(that said some of ur heroes are better at it than others, both in general, and certain aspects of it: like Twilight isn’t able to pick up illusions/glamours for the life of him, literally, sometimes, but he is more likely to figure out shapeshifters by scent after you Guided him)

(no, your heart didnt crack a little after learning that the boys had a harder time with deceit after you stopped playing the game = “were forced to leave after their adventure” bc while they were better at detecting it, they werent on ur human level yet..)

(…the only deception you ever really fell for was Koholint. It was so painful too, because Legend quietly disclosed to you one late night that you would constantly get strange feelings/uncanny disturbances, but were never able to put a name to it for him, which both made you jumpy/paranoid on the island, but made him regret ever letting his guard down all the more or feel guilty for what felt like dismissing ur instincts the more he relaxed… Legend never doubted your sense for the uncanny ever again. He takes it seriously every time now.

When you feel as if you should apologize, he tells u not to, that these days he takes comfort in it actually, it makes him feel safer. Legend looks to your face for confirmation that something isn’t a dream, and if you look at ease, so is he.)

its the way you casually laugh at Twi being called “Wolfie” when he’s obviously a wolf-dog hybrid or just a big dog

and when everyones confused u just explain smth smth, wolf heads are larger in comparison to their body, their legs are narrow, their paws are big, dogs are like the oppposite, or way more proportional like “Wolfie” is, dogs bob around when they run like “wolfie”, and have shorter legs,

smth smth wolves cant have eye colors like blue, only dogs/wolf-dog hybrids can silly-

and Wolfie is just like, 😐 😑 😐

turning around and walking away, bc hylias knotted fucking braid- he really cant escape the dog accusations now, you literally used ur freaky truth-seeing instinct and read his shapeshifter ass from head to literal toe/paw-

Wild/Hyrule look fascinated, Wind and Legend cant breath theyre laughing so hard, Time is coughing suspiciously into his fist and pops back up smirking, Four is laughing but also encouraging you to keep going, Sky is desperately trying to keep it together while also trying to get Twi to come back lmao, Wars is literally pointing and laughing ashkljdl-

ok but Twi gets his revenge later by tricking you into yapping abt how Hyrule/Four/Time all kind of look “off” sometimes too

like how u swear Rulie is glowing subtly when the moon is full, or how the world distorts behind his back sometimes,

or how Four’s eyes change colors all the time, his fighting style looks like its rotating between 4 diff ppl’s techniques,

or how Time’s face wrinkles like smile lines/crows feet at the corner of his eyes will randomly appear and disappear, how he’ll have some stubble one day then 3 days later despite having not shaven (u literally saw him wake up and do his morning routine) it’ll disappear like it was never there in the first place-

and when Twi has stopped asking you abt the others as they all reel over the knowledge of what all u can tell abt them,

(ur quietly relieved no one asked abt Wild.

You resolve urself to just lie if anyone asks, even to Wild himself.)

☆

hey im alive!! im slow yknow how it is,

ive been doing too much, and i cant wait to be done with this class so i can have free time guilt free again 🥲

god thats one good thing abt getting out of academia i dont miss and would only wish on my worst enemy,

the anxiety of doing smth, even necessary stuff like eating/sleeping/showering, and feeling liek you should be doing homework instead, god its so awful

cant wait to feel like an adult with my own life again lmao

that certification better work and get me a white collar job goddamit 🤞

anyway, hope ur all having a good weekend,

and just to let u know, im so happy acc that im alive to see the first zelda game that actually follows what i originally thought the plot of zelda games was when i was a kid lmao

(zelda as the protag, saving link!!)

Peace out,

🌙

[ribbonedreverie]

I adore your writing style. It makes me want to read everything you’ve ever written and it’s rare that I find something that resonates so much with me.

I don’t know if this is a request you’d accept but would you mind doing one of those “he won’t say I love you” for Ranpo? Your understanding of the characters is amazing. And I want to get better at conveying it like you do!

Ranpo Edogawa – “You Already Know”

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Ranpo doesn’t say “I love you.”

Ranpo does not waste words on things he finds obvious. Love, to him, is not a puzzle to be solved or a riddle to be unraveled—it is simply fact. Something he has already decided, something he expects you to have figured out long before the thought even crosses your mind.

That’s why he won’t say he loves you.

Because why would he? You already know, don’t you?

He is a man who sees everything, who notices every flicker of emotion, every unspoken thought, every tiny movement you don’t even realize you’re making. So, of course, he assumes you can do the same.

You don’t need him to say it. It’s written in the way he lingers a little too long when he leans against you, in the way his fingers toy with the sleeve of your shirt, in the way he makes himself comfortable in your space like he belongs there.

He won’t say he loves you.

But you’ll hear it in the way he sighs dramatically whenever you try to focus on something other than him. You’ll see it in the way he pouts when you don’t play along with his antics. You’ll feel it in the way he doesn’t demand your attention—he simply expects it, because it has always been his.

He won’t say he loves you.

But when he steals your snacks, he always leaves you the last bite. When you’re tired, he wordlessly hands you his favorite candy—the one he never shares with anyone else. When you’re nervous, he teases you just enough to make you smile, just enough to make you forget why you were anxious in the first place.

And when you fall asleep beside him, he doesn’t move away. Doesn’t shift, doesn’t complain, doesn’t even pretend he minds. He just lets you stay.

He won’t say he loves you.

But he will trust you, and that is something he does not give easily. He lets you see him in the quiet moments, in the stillness between his usual arrogance and mischief, in the rare seconds when the world slows down and he is simply Ranpo—not a detective, not a genius, just someone who likes the way you feel beside him.

He won’t say he loves you.

But if you ever tell him you’re not sure if he cares, he will only scoff, rolling his eyes, like you’ve asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

“You really need me to say it?” He clicks his tongue, nudging his foot against yours beneath the table. “Tch. I thought you were smarter than that.”

He won’t say he loves you.

But he will smirk, pop another piece of candy in his mouth, and lean in just close enough for you to hear the quiet amusement in his voice when he murmurs—

“I guess you’re not as good at reading me as I thought.”

And that? That is the closest thing to a confession you will ever get.

Because Ranpo Edogawa doesn’t say I love you.

But you already know.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Thank you so much! This was actually my first time writing for Ranpo, so I was really hoping I could capture his character properly—I hope you enjoy it! I really appreciate your request; it was so much fun to write, and your support means the world to me. Thank you for reading! ♡

[reminiscingtonight]

arsenal, hoodies and hickies for tobin! (bonus if shes still playing for them and maybe dating someones sibling)

Spill The Tea (Alessia Russo x Press!Reader)

A/N: changed the req a bit bc there is no Tobin without Christen so I made the reader Christen’s sibling

“Is this something I’m going to need to tell Christen or can I trust you to be a responsible adult?”

There’s this thing with Tobin. Ever since she started dating your sister all those years ago, she’s really slipped into the role of the fourth older sister you don’t need. 

While she isn’t as nitpicky as Tyler and Christen or as interrogative as Channing, Tobin still liked to harp on you quite a lot. So you’ve heard this question come out of her mouth more times than you can count. And by now you know better than to expect Tobin to keep a secret from Christen.

You tilt your head towards her, a singular eyebrow raising up in question as your arms stay halfway through your training shirt. Of all times Tobin could’ve started a conversation of course she had to wait until you were quite literally trapped with nowhere to escape. 

“Why do you think I have anything to tell you?”

“You have a hickey the size of Maine on your neck.”

You follow her eyes down to your skin. Your still very bruised skin. 

The memory of mischievous eyes sparkling as you tried to sneak out this morning flashes clearly through your mind as you hastily pull on a neck warmer from your cubby.

You can still feel Tobin’s eyes on the side of your face as you try to busy yourself pulling on the last of your clothes. 

“You’re seeing someone, don’t lie.”

“And why do you think so?” You look up to see Tobin giving you a look. You roll your eyes. “Apart from the hickey.”

“You’re really going to make me play detective today?” When you don’t respond Tobin lets out an annoyed grunt. “Where to start? Well you’ve been sneaking in at 6 in the morning for the past couple of weeks.”

It’s not your fault you haven’t been given a drawer yet. Frankly the number of times you’ve stayed over should’ve already gotten you a place to store your things but Alessia’s been extremely paranoid about letting you leave traces of yourself at hers. Something about how her England teammates like coming over unannounced. A lot. Better to keep no trace of you at her place lest a blabbermouth blabbers too much.

“And changing your phone password? Not cool, dude.”

You cringe at the memory of Tobin storming into your room at half past twelve the other day, exasperated at the fact that a). you weren’t up and making her breakfast yet, and b). she couldn’t get into your phone to doordash some food.

You and Tobin shared everything. Cooking duties. The occasional snapback. Your phone passwords. But that last one was the first thing you changed when you started seeing Alessia. 

“And finally, this,” Tobin pokes at the light blue hoodie peeking out of your duffle, ��is not yours.”

You try ducking under her arm to get out of the locker room but Tobin grabs a firm hold of your training top, jerking you back towards her.

You’re nose to nose now and the forward has no problem using her height advantage to stare you down. “I’ll ask again. Who have you been locking lips with?”

You scowl. “Well you’re playing detective today right? Guess.”

Tobin’s lips pinch shut, a displeased look on her face.

Before she can retaliate, a brief call of her name by Kim has Tobin turning away. When her hands loosen their hold, you bolt, taking full advantage of Tobin’s brief dip of attention.

Unbeknownst to you, a pair of blue eyes follow you out of the room.

It isn’t until you’re already stretching on the sideline that long legs catch up to you. A soft smile breaks onto your face at the sight of other girl, hands opening and closing as you mime at her to come closer for a kiss.

For a second you think Alessia's going to crumble to your demands. 

And then you see her panicked expression.

“Did Tobin figure out we’re dating?”

Sighing, you push yourself off the ground, taking care to brush grass off your legs. “No, Tobin’s smart but she isn’t that smart.”

Alessia gives you a look that has you wondering if she’s offended on the behalf of the striker. 

You roll your eyes before giving her a light shove. “Relax, all she saw was your hoodie. She’s not going to know it’s yours.”

Alessia’s eyes widen at the mention of the sweatshirt you snuck out of her house this morning. Usually it’s cute and all and she really does love seeing you in her clothes, but faced with the fact that it’s branded with the UNC logo on the front? Or the fact that Tobin knows you followed in Christen’s footsteps and went to Stanford instead of Chapel Hill? 

“My hoodie? Babe! Of course she’s going to know it’s mine!”

“Relax,” you repeat, hands coming up to rub at her tense shoulders. “There are four of you who played at UNC who are on the team now. She’ll be too busy trying to figure out if it’s you, Lotte, or Foxy to ever find the real culprit.”

If anything, your words only seem to agitate her more. Alessia slaps your hands away, arms crossing over her chest. “You’d rather Tobin think you’re dating Lotte or Em over me?”

Safe to say, any words you try to defend yourself with only digs you deeper into the hole.

Tobin’s pleasantly surprised to see you moping on the couch later that night.

.

It doesn't take as long as you’re expecting for Tobin to figure it out.

You’re doing your weekly check-in with your sister a couple days later when Christen’s face suddenly widens into a teasing smirk. 

“So Tobin tells me you have a new girlfriend.”

You resist the urge to fling your phone across the room. Instead, you do the mature thing and hang up the phone.

Christen doesn’t look impressed when she calls back and you pick up. 

“Oh don’t be a wuss. There’s nothing you can do without me knowing. So spill. Tell me all about her.”

 You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Really, Chris? This is what you want to talk about?”

Even from a continent away you can see the megawatt smile being sent your way. “Couldn’t take my number so you had to take out a girl who has it too, huh?”

Tobin cringes in her room when she hears the telltale sound of your phone crashing against the wall.

[totalswag]

Drew Starkey and Actress Reader are together for a while now, they're in a place, you know celebrities meet at a party or parade or exhibition something like that. That's when they meet the Reader's ex boyfriend, they get along well, they've moved on, on good terms but Drew seems a little jealous, i see him asking little questions, but in reality he has nothing to fear since he trusts her a lot, he knows she loves him so much back. Can you do this please ?

unexpected encounter — DREW STARKEY

authors note thank you for the lovely request! sorry this took awhile to be posted. life has been very busy. i hope this is what you were looking for lovie.

summary drew meeting your ex for the first time and he seems to be jealous.

warnings jealous drew thats it

Golden Globes after-party is tonight.

Since you announced your relationship to the world, this will be your second public appearance together. Drew was dressed in an all-black suit to compliment her basic black dress with a bit of shine to draw attention. You like to match your outfits here and there.

This was also an excellent opportunity for Drew to meet new people in the film industry as well as some of his favorite actors and actresses. When he met some of his favorite people, it warmed your heart to see him so happy and giggly.

As usual, there was a large crowd at the after party. You were able to communicate with other actors and actresses. Your father is a well-known actor, and seeing some of his former co-stars is always pleasant.

In the middle of a conversation with Margot Robbie talking about her recent film, Barbie, you heard a familiar voice call out your name.

Margot excused herself, saying, "I'll see you later." She tells you, "Love you, sweet girl," before pulling away from the hug.

She’s amazing.

"Oh, hello, Y/N. It's been a while; how are you?" Your ex-boyfriend, Adam, came into view, astonished to find you there, but smiled at the end.

“Yes, it has been a while and I’ve been great, you?” You reply with a normal tone. “This is my boyfriend Drew, he’s also in the film industry” wrapping your arm around his, looking up at him with a soft gaze.

No matter how you ended things with Adam, you still had love for him at the end of the day.

You can feel the stress increasing in Drew’s body. He only becomes like this when he detects a threat and he wants to protect you at all cost. You’ve stated to him in the very beginning of your relationship you were in a two year relationship with Adam, also in the film industry. You ended on good terms and moved on from each other.

You have no feelings for Adam.

The only thing on your mind was why your partner was acting like this. A million thoughts race through your mind as you try to figure out why.

You can understand why he is suddenly acting this way. You would have the same reaction if you met Drew's ex for the first time. He knows you just have eyes for him.

"Nice to meet you, Drew," he adds confidently, extending his hand.

"Adam," he said, firmly shaking his hand. "You play Rafe Cameron on the Outer Banks, correct? "My cousin loves you," he says with a chuckle.

Drew was taken back by the chuckle from Adams mouth, “Yeah I play him in the show and I appreciate it, you can tell them that I said thank you” his response was calm.

The two begin conversing, getting to know one other. You continue to stand beside the two grown men, even joining in on the conversation. Drew's questions or comments drew your attention.

Adam nods, turning his body towards you, “Congrats on your movie by the way, you did amazing,” talking about your newest movie you starred in with Sydnee Sweeny.

“Thank you Adam, filming that movie was a hassle but a lot of fun all together” you kept your arms around Drew’s arm the whole time.

Eventually, you realized it was time to leave Adam and finish your night with Drew. The night has just begun, and there is food calling your name.

"It was nice to see you, but it appears that we should get going; I hope you have a good rest of your night, Adam," Drew said, indicating between Drew and you. 

"Of course, yes, enjoy the rest of your night" Adam claps his hands together before shaking Drew's hand and hugging you.

By the end of the night, Drew and you are sitting down at the table with a few of your friends while music plays from the band on stage.

Drew and you were facing each other, your hand fiddling with his gold chain while he questioned you about Adam.

"Baby, you understand how much I love you and value our relationship. I'm sorry if I was acting like a dosh," Drew rambles on, but you cut him off by kissing him to silence him.

"You weren't acting like a dosh; you were professional the entire time, and I understand why you were the way you were," you said, placing your palm on top of his and softly pressing your thumb on his hand.

"I actually love you a lot more," he says, smiling.

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[hotchsprncess]

Hi! Can I please request a Hotch fic with a chubby BAU!reader? Where they’re on a case and the lead detective isn’t really taking reader seriously and says/mentions something backhanded about reader’s appearance and Aaron just happens to overhear it and defends her 🤭

Then she acts like it didn’t really bother her but Aaron can just tell something’s up, could end in smut (either hotel room or when they’re back home) or just good old fluff! you can throw in some daddy kink in there if you want 🙂‍↕️

Also sorry if this is too long of a request, please don’t feel obligated to respond to this!!

.ᐟ MDNI .ᐟ

OMG thank you so much for this amazing idea 🤭 the way i'm beyond excited to write this is unreal!!!! hope you enjoy °⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ p.s: there is a lot of plot/build up in this fic, so it may take a while to get to the smut but i promise it's there :p

i like you, have a cupcake ⊹ aaron hotchner

ᝰ summary : after being disrespected by the lead detective in new york, hotch can tell that it's hit close to home. once he decides to check on you back at the hotel, there's no telling what he'll do to make you feel better.

ᝰ warnings : fem chubby/plus size bau!reader, discussion of case/unsub, reader being undermined/body shamed, discussion of insecurity/body image, use of y/l/n (twice), co-workers to lovers (ish, asked on a date), sub!reader, softdom!aaron, some nipple play, clit smacks (literally 2), oral f receiving (he's a munch idc), daddy kink, praise (maybe a tad of degradation), dirty talk, p in v, multiple orgasms, creampie, fluffy ending

you loved new york city, but not when you were here on a case. 3 days in felt like 5 already, and everyone was getting impatient. you all sat around the table, with the exception of hotch standing at the evidence board, trying to build a stronger profile.

"it's just so elusive, i don't get why the mo is going back and forth between strangulation, stabbing, and shooting" jj wonders out loud, the shuffling sound of flipping through photos filling the room.

"are we looking at a team here? i mean, there's 3 distinct mos. maybe they're taking turns" rossi chimes in, everyone nodding along to what he says.

"the victimology is all over the map though" reid gestures to the evidence board, "the 2 stabbings were young white females, the 1 shooting was a middle-aged asian male, and the 3 strangulations were all single women of varying races, aged 50-55 who lived alone. it doesn't correlate with a team who would likely be going after the same demographic"

"and we're still sure this is the same guy?" lead detective thomas calls out from the corner of the room, sipping coffee out of his nypd mug.

"a penny was left at each scene in the victim's hand. it might seem coincidental, but the chances of all of these individuals holding a single penny while they were attacked is under 0.1%. so yes, it's the same unsub" reid provides a statistic as he usually does, causing the gears to turn in your head.

"what if it's one person with dissociative identity disorder? like you said, the victimology doesn't make sense for a team, but for someone with did an alter is a completely different person with different experiences, motives, preferences, etcetera. the signature of the penny remains the same, so maybe that's motivated by the host personality. they all share a reason to kill, but that's the extent of the similarities" you figure that even though someone may see it as far fetched, it's worth proposing.

"seriously? first of all, i doubt that even exists, let alone that this guy has it. like agent rossi said, a team seems more accurate" detective thomas counters your theory, making you curl in on yourself a bit.

"actually, what agent y/l/n said is very applicable to this case and might just help us solve it. let's deliver the updated profile" hotch responds, shutting up detective thomas as the team starts to head out of the conference room.

"great work" he whispers to you as you pass by him, a gentle blush filling your cheeks. praise from your boss was always welcomed, not only because he defended your theory but also because you maybe had a little crush on him.

later that day around 7pm, one of the nypd officers brought in treats that his wife had made. there were cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and even a few muffins. everyone dug in as you waited until the crowd dissipated to go have your pick. your stomach rumbled as you approached the counter, filling your cup with coffee as you scanned the beautiful desserts. you felt the presence of someone beside you, looking to see that it was detective thomas. you felt a little anxious around him, but nonetheless hoped to keep the peace with some small talk.

"these all look great, huh?" you propose, stirring some sugar into your coffee.

"very..." you notice his eyes scan you from your peripheral, "not sure you need any of them though"

you'd had your fair share of body shaming throughout the years, but that didn't mean it hurt any less. it was one thing that detective thomas already undermined you and your profiling skills, but he also blatantly body shamed you to your face as if he had no cares in the world. it made you sink further into yourself, unsure of what to say and also not wanting to cause a scene. you were in the fbi and you had the reputation of the bau to uphold, you couldn't afford to let him have it despite desperately wanting to put him in his place. though, you didn't have the chance to react anyways because hotch was one step ahead of you.

"that was extremely unprofessional and rude of you, detective. my team and i, including agent y/l/n, are here out of our own free will. if you can't show her respect i will not hesitate to walk out of here with my team and leave you to your own devices. am i clear?" his tone is authoritative and his threat very serious. hotch didn't mess around.

"uh... yeah. crystal" detective thomas is visibly awkward after hotch's scolding. good.

"are you going to apologize to her or do i need to teach you how to do that too?" you wanted to chuckle at hotch's response but decided to hold it in for everyone's sake.

"i'm sorry, agent. won't happen again"

all you do is nod in response, walking away from the coffee counter and retreating back into the conference room. another rumble of your stomach reminded you just how hungry you were, but the thought of stuffing your face with a cupcake after that made your appetite dissolve. you felt out of place, like everyone heard what he said and was analyzing your appearance. you knew that wasn't the case, but that's exactly how it felt. the feeling was ultimately unwelcomed.

after 5 more hours of work and another victim, the team decided to call it a night. with your input of did the profile of the unsub was getting stronger and connecting the victims became easier, lifting everyone's spirits a bit.

you bid your goodnights to the rest of the team as you exited the hotel elevator and made your way down the hall to your room. you decided a shower was necessary after the long day, humming as the warm water encapsulated you.

you avoided looking in the mirror for too long as you stepped out of the shower, still feeling a little uncomfortable from earlier. you slipped into your pyjamas, consisting of a baggy crewneck sweater and sleep shorts, before settling against the headboard and grabbing your book from the bedside table. before you could even finish the first sentence, a knock at your door grabbed your attention. you shuffled your way to the door, looking through the peephole to spot hotch on the other side. your heart skipped a beat before unlocking the door, a small smile on his face when you opened it.

"sorry to bother, but i just wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay" hotch can appear standoffish in the field, but his care for others was very strong and genuine.

"oh, thank you, i'm okay... i don't want to make earlier a big deal or anything, i've heard it before"

a slight frown forms on hotch's face at your words, "i'm sorry to hear that, you don't deserve to be spoken to that way"

you nod shyly at his response, spotting the container in his hands.

"oh! here" hotch holds the container out towards you, "i noticed you didn't end up eating anything at the station, so i grabbed you a cupcake"

your heart swells at the thoughtfulness of your boss, grabbing the container from his hands, fingers brushing against his. "that's sweet of you, thank you" you continue without thinking, "did you want to come in? i have a couple beers in the fridge"

"i don't want to impose-"

"you aren't at all, please..." you open the door wider, allowing him to pass by you. you're overwhelmed with the scent of his cologne, not too strong but still potent and manly. hopefully it sticks in the room after he leaves.

you set down the container and grab two beers from the mini fridge, passing one to hotch as he sits across from you at the little dining table in your room.

"do you party by yourself often when we're away on cases?" he teases, gesturing to the beer in his hand.

"oh no, jj and i party together" you giggle softly, a chuckle slipping from his mouth. "i'll invite you next time"

"that would be great" he shoots you a smile before taking a sip, you doing the same.

"i-" you take a breath, "like i said, i don't want to make earlier a big deal, but i do want to thank you for defending me. being a female in this area of work can already be hard enough, but being..." you sigh, "not fitting into the beauty standard just adds another layer, i guess, so thank you"

"you don't have to thank me, you never should've been disrespected like that. and for what it's worth, i think you're beautiful" his hand reaches for yours which is resting on the table, squeezing it softly.

your cheeks fill with heat, the feeling of his large hand around yours bringing solace.

"i know it may be inappropriate, but i don't care. you're so beautiful, i can't help but want to make sure that you know it" his tone is as serious as can be, yet beyond genuine.

"aaron" you breathe, locking eyes with him. you get lost in the deep brown hue of his eyes as they fill with something you can't quite pinpoint.

"come here" he speaks barely above a whisper, coaxing you over to his side of the table as he rises from his chair. your hand remains in his as you walk over, stopping in front of him before his hands trail to your hips. he hoists you onto the table, a small gasp escaping you. a subtle smirk grazes his lips as he situates himself between your legs, leaning in closer.

"if this isn't okay, tell me" the urge to squeeze the plush of your hips was overwhelming aaron, but he harnessed some self-control in order to make sure you were comfortable.

"it's more than okay" you reply, hands reaching up to loosen the tie he was still wearing.

aaron doesn't miss a beat, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss. you hum at the feeling, tugging off his tie and letting your hands roam his shoulders. he squeezes your hips, his hands trailing up your body underneath your sweater. his hands are rough but his touch is intoxicating, indulging in every inch of you. he takes ahold of your breasts, groping the mounds and flicking your nipples with his thumbs. he pulls away from the kiss, a whine escaping your lips.

"i know, baby. just wanna take this off, is that okay?" the pet name goes straight to your core as you nod in response to his question.

"words. tell me it's okay" the dominance in his voice has wetness pooling in your panties.

"it's okay, please" you practically beg, eager to feel him all over you.

"good girl, lift your arms up" he strips you of your sweater, tossing it onto the chair he was previously seated in.

his eyes rake over your body, close to drooling at the sight of your bare breasts and the plush of your tummy; he was in awe.

"fucking beautiful" he groans, kissing you again but with a little more fervor this time. he lets his lips trail down your jaw and neck, making their way between your breasts and over your tummy. he reaches the waistband of your shorts, looking up at you for confirmation.

"please, yes" you whine impatiently, remembering his need to hear you verbally respond.

he smirks proudly before pulling off your shorts and panties in one shot, kneeling on the rough carpet of the hotel room as he spreads you open.

"my god" he murmurs, pressing kisses along the insides of your thighs. "i always loved your thighs, the way those skirts you wear hug them so perfectly..." he muses as you squirm under his touch and gaze, his mouth so close yet so far.

"i'm getting there, sweetheart, be patient" this only makes you whimper more, aaron landing a gentle smack to your clit. "did you hear me?"

"mhmmm" you whine, another smack landing on your needy clit.

"you'll get what you want faster if you answer properly, you know that by now, don't you?" he uses his thumbs to spread your pussy open, your slick staring back at him.

"yes, yes daddy!" the name slips before you can stop it, your mouth moving faster than your brain due to the pure desperation you felt. having your boss (and the man you secretly have feelings for) between your legs was a sight you thought you'd only see in your dreams, so your current position was dizzying to say the least.

the sound that left aaron was reminiscent of a growl, immediately diving in to collect your juices on his tongue. you couldn't hold back your moans if you tried, nails clawing at the wooden table underneath you.

"you taste so good... so good for daddy" he murmurs, sucking your clit into his mouth. each time he suckles on your bud he sends you further into ecstasy, your back arching and pushing your pussy further into his face.

"oh my god, fuck oh my god" you babble breathlessly, aaron's ministrations not faltering even as you grind your pussy against his mouth. he lets go of your clit just to start flicking it with his tongue, hands gripping your thighs and holding them back so he had room to devour you.

"i'm- i'm close"

"yeah? you're gonna cum on my tongue?" aaron's tongue dives into your hole before suckling on your clit again, pushing you over the edge.

"daddy" you squeal as you cum for aaron, a hum rumbling in his throat as he tastes your sweetness. your chest rises and falls rapidly as you attempt to regulate your breath, the task proving difficult as he sexily unbuttons his shirt and unbuckles his belt.

"you did so good, baby. can you get on the bed for me?" he asks gently as he unzips his pants, observing every movement of yours.

"of course" you make your way to the bed, sitting in the middle and waiting (im)patiently for aaron to make his way over and touch you again. he removes his boxers before he saunters over, your eyes almost bulging out of your head at the sight of his cock. he was around 7 inches in length yet still a perfect thickness, the head leaking precum and looking unbelievably enticing.

"lie back and hold those legs for me" he hums in satisfaction as you obey his orders, tapping his tip on your clit. the wet smacking sound has you whimpering, your eyes practically begging him to push inside.

"is there something you want?" you learned quickly that aaron loved to taunt and tease, but also hear you ask for him; express your desire.

"give me your cock, daddy, i need you inside me"

"need me, huh?" he smirks as he slowly pushes just his tip inside, remaining stagnant for a moment though it felt like hours. "who am i to deny a girl her needs?" he pushes all the way in, the sudden fill making you gasp.

he starts to thrust, finding a pace that still allows him to fuck deeply into you. his hands are pressing your legs back now, your own yanking at the duvet below you. the sound of his hips slamming into yours echoes off the hotel walls, your pussy sucking in his cock each time he pulls out.

"so perfect, you feel so good around daddy" he moans, pounding into you like it's the last thing he'd ever do. "thought about this pussy so many times, pressing you like this and making you mine"

you whine at his words, the prospect of forming a coherent sentence seeming far fetched by how much his cock was jumbling your brain.

"you cock drunk? hm? you're so cute" he breathes out, his hips picking up their pace as he plunges deep into you again and again. you clench around him, indicating that your orgasm was on it's descent again.

"are you gonna cum again? answer me"

"yes daddy! i- oh i'm gonna cum, gonna cum" you moan loudly, speaking nonsense as you begin to cum around his cock.

aaron lets out a low growl, continuing to pound relentlessly. "that's it, that's a good fucking girl, let it all out"

your legs quiver in his grasp as you come down from your second orgasm, his cock sliding in and out of you with ease.

"please cum inside me, daddy. fill me with your cum, please please please" you plead as you stare up at aaron, the pleasure plastered on his face now ingrained in your mind.

"fuck... anything for you, sweetheart, i'm gonna fill this pussy" he groans, his hips stuttering as he starts to cum. you feel the twitch of his cock as he pumps you full, his hands gingerly releasing your legs and lying them flat on the bed.

"holy shit" you giggle, rubbing your hands up and down his biceps.

"you could say that again" aaron chuckles, pulling out slowly and lying beside you on the bed. his hand finds it's home on your waist as you snuggle close to him, your head resting on his chest.

"i definitely couldn't have guessed that this is how my evening would go" you mumble, tracing shapes on his chest with your finger.

"me neither, but i'm happy it did... i've been wanting that to happen for a long time" aaron hugs you close as your bodies exchange heat.

"oh yeah?"

"mhm, and i want you to know that i have more than sexual attraction to you... i'd love to take you on a date once we get home, if you'd want that"

a smile takes over your face at his question, "i'd love that"

aaron presses a kiss to your head,

"sounds like a plan, sweetheart"

[obsessedwrhys]

Hey so how do you think rise donnie would deal with a magical crush who is very chill with his tech and magic ramblings. He is in the room when April asks magival crush “is he bothering you? He can be a bit insufferable sometimes. He can’t just let things go and just accept magic as is”. And crush is like “oh. I don’t mind it. I mean, everyone thought rainbows were magical. They still are, but now you know how they work. I kind of like watching his big head try and figure this stuff out”?

A LOVE BEYOND LOGIC

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ just lots of fluff and flirting (I went overboard with the flirting), reader does get hurt but it's just minor, used of (Y/N) but only once, I hope this is a good read ☹, reader is fem!!

ᯓ★

It was another normal Tuesday for everybody in the lair, like always, you found yourself sunk into the bean bag your best friend plus boyfriend, Donnie, personally installed in his lab just for you. Well how he manages to become your boyfriend is a different story.

It all happened so fast, you were both blabbered about magic and science and suddenly he's pouring his heart out for you. What's more surprising is that this ain't exactly your home realm. You're pretty lucky enough to have score yourself a bunch of friendly people willing to let you stay at their place, not to mention be fine with your whole magical fiesta.

Anyways, you were concentrating on the game in your phone until you hear Donnie let out a frustrated groan. Curious, you looked to see him struggling with what seemed to be his next hopeful project. It's just not looking too hopeful right now.

"You okay?" You asked and his gaze darts towards you. He waves his hand dismissively.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I must have gotten the formula wrong" He said and at the same time, he walked over to the other table to check on his notes. You put your phone away before getting up to approach him.

"Can I help?" You asked.

You then stood beside him, your eyes examining how his hands are placed at both sides of the notebook as he has his head focused at it in the middle. His brows were slightly furrowed from trying to figure out what went wrong. Even with the stress, you can't help but find the concentration on his face somehow making him appear more attractive.

"No... no... I wouldn't wanna trouble you with this burden..." He muttered almost like a whisper since his mind is already preoccupied with focusing.

"Watching you torture yourself with this is already a burden" You joked and he couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"You're right, I'll try my best to figure this out sooner" He shoots you a sweet smile before walking off to the table in the center that has his project on top.

"Maybe after this we can go exploring. You said you wanted to visit the museum right? If we're lucky enough, I can shut down the surveillance so we can go in undetected, it'll be like the place is ours" He said, putting on his safety goggles as he continues on his work. You couldn't help but feel all giddy inside just hearing him remember you telling him that a few days ago.

You clear your throat, calming yourself.

"That'd be awesome. I don't know if you know this but I can detect old magic in artifacts. Connecting with them makes me stronger" You grabbed an unfinished rubix cube from his shelf and began to play with it as you made yourself float. Even with your body levitating a few feet above him, he didn't mind but was more focused on the task at hand.

"Huh... is that why you're so eager to go? To make yourself more powerful?" He said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Not entirely, I did say I wanted to explore it with you" You said and just hearing you say that, he tried to bite back a smile, a sense of pride swelling up in his chest.

"Gaining power and spending time with me? You're awfully greedy. Are all magical beings like this from your realm?" He playfully teased and you couldn't help but let out a humoured scoff.

"Too bad it must just be me" You responded and it made him laugh to himself while shaking his head.

"What else should I be aware of about your powers?" He asks and you hummed as you thought it over.

"Well... my powers get crazy strong when I feel a strong emotion. Whether it be sad or anger. Somehow being overwhelmed can 'cause me to lose control" You said and it automatically caught his interest.

"Lose control?" He repeats while putting on gloves before using the angle grinder on the metal.

"Huh... I can understand why... the heightened emotions you feel can create a swirling vortex of energy that can overwhelm your conscious control, making it easily for you to lose any sense of control over yourself, it's almost inevitable" He asserted like he always does when he's invested with every new discovery about your magical abilities.

"Really? Are you saying that's a bad thing?" You raised an eyebrow as you finally landed beside him, at the same time Donnie stops using the angle grinder and puts it aside. He pulls over his goggles, letting it rest just above his head.

"Not exactly, there are other emotions that can also work... Magic is no different than science. There's always a different formula available to replace the other" He said, twisting some screws onto the machine and once he's done, he turns it on before stepping back to see it on and working.

"And maybe sometimes... different is better" He smiled, satisfied with his success. He then turn to look at you who seemed puzzled, in your hand holds the rubix cube you have yet to finish.

"I'm sort of getting it but what other emotions is there that doesn't involve me turning into a raging monster?"

"There is one... an emotion that makes you feel calm yet overwhelmed at the same time... but you'll have to fall"

"Fall?" You watch as he goes to the other side of the room to grab a handkerchief to wipe his face clean.

"Fall in love... can't be hard right?" He looks at you, his eyes warm like it'll be enough to melt you. The way he stares at you makes it seem as though you're the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. You blush as you let out an awkward chuckle.

"Love? Are you saying that because half of the movies we watch, the main character happens to win in the last minute against the bad guy because of the power of love?" You joked, trying to hide the fact that your heart is beating faster than it would.

"This is purely science. I don't recall any movies using that trope" He says and you couldn't help but tilt your head, your brows raised in disbelief.

"Beauty and the Beast"

"Hey he was cursed by a witch"

"Tangled"

"That was more about cutting her hair"

"Uh Hero? Frozen?!??! Every freaking Christmas movie ever created?!?!!" He stares at you, silent for a second and you can see from his face that he's thinking it over.

".... you had me at Frozen. Ah alright, you're missing the whole point of all of this" He approaches you and you can't help but try to at least avoid the effect he's having on you.

"What I'm trying to prove here is that maybe you can try focusing on that emotion. Maybe it can even save you out of a messy situation one day. Who knows?" He crosses his arms, a confident smirk on his face. You roll your eyes with a smile of your own.

"You and your science talk. I do appreciate it but sometimes it's a wonder you haven't talked my ear off" You joked and it makes him laugh once again.

"Oh please, my voice is not irritating, at least not compared to yours"

"Excuse me??"

Right as you finished talking, April enters. She stops in her tracks as she awkwardly shifts her focus from Donnie's face to yours. Sensing the clear look of annoyance on your face, she decides to step in between in whatever conversation you two are having.

"Hey now, I've been gone for only a few hours and you guys are already trying to tear each other down" She laughs half heartedly. Clearly sensing the shift of emotion in the atmosphere, Donnie shrugs as he chooses to walk back to his station.

"Oh well, and uh (Y/N), you should go with April. It's almost evening and you usually eats at this hour. I'll find you later" He says with his back turned to you. Not really caring much about it, you also shrug before turning the other way.

"I was gonna go eat anyways" You said but deep inside you could feel that flutter of emotion again. Without much complain, you decided to go to the kitchen to April, the rubix cube still in your hand.

You're seated at the chair and toying around with the cube that you failed to acknowledge the concern look on April's face. She hands you your plate of food before taking her seat beside you. It was when you both started eating that you finally notice. But before you can ask, she beats you to it.

"Are you okay? I saw your face back there and it seemed like you guys were arguing. Is Donnie bothering you again? I know how far he can go trying to experiment on you" She said and her words nearly caught you off guard. You're aware of her concern about your safety but you weren't sure she would be THIS concern. Especially directing it towards Donnie.

"Wait no we weren't arguing just now. He just said some stupid comeback at my joke. Besides, what makes you think he'd do that?" You asked and she turns to look at you as if your question was a dumb one.

"Um, hello? He's Donatello. The 'Magic is not a real thing' Donatello... Did you forget how he was trying to have you join his crazy experiments when you first got here??" She said and you couldn't help but laugh a bit from how unreal the situation you're in.

"Okay first of all, he doesn't hate magic. He's just amazed about it you know? It's like giving a baby their first taste of sweet candy"

"You're comparing him to a baby now?"

"It was just a metaphor"

"Fineeee!! But how is he okay with letting you hang around in his lab? Doesn't magic and science not work together?"

"Oof if that was the case then people would think that thunder and lightning was a sign of God's fury from above"

"Okaaay... you have a point but... why do you like hanging around in his lab? It doesn't seem to be your cup of tea" You look at her and you see a teasing grin on her face.

Oh boy.

"His lair is... quiet... it's comforting"

"Ah yes... the sound of him drilling for hours is very relaxing. Not to mention the loud noises of his hammer! Wh-What a paradise!!" She says while ending up laughing at her own sarcasm. You let out a defeafed sigh.

"Okay maybe I happen to enjoy watching him work. It's exciting!! Do you see the way he puts things together?" You said with pride that you failed to notice the smile on your face.

"Uh huh" She looks at you and its clear that she doesn't buy it one bit.

Minutes later after you both are done eating and chatting about your everyday lives, you found your way back into the lab.

As expected, you found Donnie in his chair and seemingly working on his next project. Seeing how busy he looks, you decided to just go back to your place on the bean bag... but the sound of your footsteps caught his attention. His eyes slightly perked up as he swung around in his chair to look at you.

"You're back so quick...?" He said, his tone coming off surprised.

"Yeah... why? Do you need some alone time?" You took a step back and he quickly got to his feet like he's trying to stop you.

"That's not what I meant... uh I need to ask you an offer" He then leaned his back against the table and from the way his eyes is struggling to maintain eye contact with you, you could tell it wasn't anything good.

"Do you mind if you could used your powers to give my machine a boost? I need to make sure if it's resistant from getting fried easily" He looks at you, his gaze making him appear hopeful that you'll be fine with that... and honestly why wouldn't you be?

"Sure, just tell me how much is too much" You walk over to the machine displayed on the center and he mirrors your action. You stand side by side as you gently place your hand on top of the core.

"How about we start with something small and we'll work our way up from there?" He suggests which you nodded in agreement.

Just like that, you activated your powers and at the same time made sure you weren't using too much of it. In relief the machine didn't blow up but was running just fine. Almost at the same time, You and Donnie exchanged thankful smiles when turning to look at one another. With the first stage cleared, you decided to up the heat a bit.

"ZZZzzzz" The machine buzzes a bit from the increased intensity of your powers but surprisingly it's still intact and working right.

"Alright... moment of truth..." You grit your teeth anxiously... then activated the full force of your powers.

⌁KRRRRK⌁

Almost like a flash, you could feel surges of electricity coursing through your vines so due to your instincts you quickly pulled your hand away cause of the pain. And for the machine it was now overloading but somehow still functioning. Before you could even do anything, Donnie is already by your side with a med kit in hand.

"Are you okay? I know you're an enhanced being but still that must have hurt" He places the kit on the table and opened it to take out anything you needed.

"Just a small wound" You said, showing him the tiny burn on your pinky. Instantly he's already treating it with the petroleum jelly.

You don't say anything but choose to watch him tend to your minor injury. From his body language you could tell that he was very focused on not hurting you in the slightest. Soon after he wraps a clean bandage loosely around your pinky, he looks at you with a wave of warmth on his face. How he looks at you so softly is making your heart beat like it did not long ago.

"So... are you still up for our visit to the musuem?" He asks and you chuckle in disbelief.

"Seriously? You're not gonna even explain why you invented this thing in the first place? Not after my effort of helping you out?"

"Oh that? I wanted to surprise you but since you asked, this is gonna be our one way ticket to shutting the surveillance off. Just stick this bad boy into the breaker and the cameras are out" He picks it up and effortlessly puts it into the back of the truck, you follow him not far behind.

"You built all that just to spend one night with me at the musuem?" You tilt your head and he freezes in place, his back facing you as he stands at the back of the van.

"Uh... yeah... why not?" He rubs his neck awkwardly. From that you could tell that you've somehow made him flustered. You laugh and the sound of you laughing made him turn around out of curiosity.

"What are you laughing about?" He said despite the movements of his lips beginning to form a grin.

"Nothing nothing..." You look at him, a smile still present on your face but soon you show him your pinky, the same one he helped bandage it up for you.

"Kiss it to make it better?" You said with your hardest attempt of making puppy dog eyes. He shakes his slightly out of amusement.

"Only because you asked" He takes a few steps forward and carefully holds your arm by the wrist before guiding it towards his lips. He kisses it delicately and while he does so, his eyes are remained locked on yours. The intensity of his gaze made you blush that you couldn't help but look away.

"There... is my baby done whining now?" He said with his hands now intertwined with yours. You roll your eyes as you let him pull you into his embrace.

"Yeah yeah... let's go to the musuem now smarty pants" He chuckles at your response with his arms wrapped securely around you, his fingers tracing gently down your spine.

"Should we watch a movie after we get back?"

"Frozen?"

"Perfect"

[dreamlikevening]

What Are You Birthing This Season? 🐇🌱⛅️🌷

Pick a Fabergé Egg 🪺

🥚 One

note - i used the ios dictation feature to feel more personally connected to your energies so the text is actually my spoken words translated into my phone, i made some minor grammatical edits so bear that in mind hehe

What are you birthing?

OK hello hello testing OK testing testing? I’m getting the image of a microphone 🎤 music notes. could be a musician. The word “hints” came to mind, somebody who’s into mystery-detective novels. The page of wands came out — energy of discovering a new passion so right off the bat, something that you are birthing… this season is a more curious and discovery oriented approach to life where you are seeking out new things where you can get new joys. It is also ace of cups energy finding something new that you are grateful for and enjoy the endeavor of stepping into it and this can play out in so many ways new enjoyable relationship, relationships, new conversations to have with people talking about topics that are refreshing to hear and to converse about rather than focusing on the past and old topics (old shadowy topics). It’s stepping into YOUR energy. We also have two of wands so there’s a lot here about adventuring and exploring. so let’s see what you were actually birthing with this energy of getting out there to make new findings. What are your birthing? you are getting recognized for something (more likely than not, it is a creative endeavor) At the beginning we did have those musical notes that I channeled you’re getting recognized for some sort of creative endeavor or an activity that you do that requires a lot of going with your instinct going with what your heart is saying, kind of the decorative design of your mind rather than the analytical. rather than the structured and methodical. you could be very highly celebrated for this so let’s find out what it is. It is definitely something newer to you so for example, with the microphone, it would be let’s say you’ve recently started learning how to sing then you will be soon recognized for your natural abilities and your approach to singing and even though it is new to you and you’re still learning about it growing curious about it trying to figure it out, people already see you as really talented in this aspect the way you are birthing the scale is simply by curiosity and it is related to you getting out there in the world. it could get you to many interesting places not just physical, but also mental so new ways of being that can really bring out your true self is what I’m getting. so overall, you are birthing great recognition, and a more expanded way of being where you are less restricted and less calculated. You literally have four fire cards, and then the world which I think just really represents the energy that you are going to be thriving in!

Why is it important for you?

OK, so why is this energy important for you? I am using angel cards and we got “Employment Change - your career path is leading you in a higher direction with positive changes to support your dreams priorities passions in life purpose.” this is kind of a super clear message, but this birth is important because it is going to serve a very specific and heightened purpose in your life when it comes to how you earn income when it comes to how you feel aligned and together and like you’ve got your life purpose in check. 10th house qualities so your 10th house placement could be significant at the time of this birth!

How to get closer to this “birth”?

As for how to attain it, how to tap into this energy. how can group one tap into this exploring energy? “Bountiful Nature - spending time in nature helps shift you to a higher vibration and reminds you of God‘s infinite abundance.” this is very self-explanatory the way you will attain this energy is by spending more time outside getting some air, touching some grass being around trees around flowers going to gardens even if it’s just sitting out in a patio, a backyard, front porch if you’re a musician — using nature as your muse, if you are a writer using nature as your muse. taking inspiration from nature and creating something out of it, painting an artwork about flowers, drawing and doodling flowers, writing a poem about animals anything related to nature tap into that even looking up facts about nature anything anything! that is how you will tap into this inspired and “willing to explore energy” that will grant you this creative power that is being birthed by you🌻🌱.

🥚 Two

note - i used the ios dictation feature to feel more personally connected to your energies so the text is actually my spoken words translated into my phone, i made some minor grammatical edits so bear that in mind hehe

What are you birthing?

hello hello 222 what are you birthing? Also welcome you are birthing. It seems the star energy as well as six of cups energy oh and another card wanted to come out (10 of swords) OK when it comes to matters of healing, you stand out to people. you inspire other people to begin to leave things in the past. leave the bad in the past. you have a very generous caring star energy that makes people want to look at you. Look forward to seeing you and also looking forward to see what they can learn from you and take from you. This isn’t the kind of take where it affects you negatively, but it’s the kind of taking from you where a person is willing to listen to you except you, as you are and embrace themselves as a result of who you are which is very inspiring, kind role model energy so I am getting that you are birthing connections where you feel okay and you actually feel stronger and more empowered by giving to others something that actually benefits them and benefits you. it is harmonious energy so you are birthing those kinds of life connections. Let’s see what else you are birthing, OK it seems you are definitely birthing connection and birthing the ability to show up. This means showing up for yourself, showing up for others, showing up for matters of the heart, things that light you up. you are able to showcase those things or make them prominent and stand out in your life, so let’s say you have a passion for a certain musical group or a passion for making clothes. This would be a season of your life where you are promoting your passion for this thing, whether it be by posting all your thoughts and insights on fashion on a blog or talking very much about an artist you really love. This is just being open to the world and really demonstrating those things that make you you to the rest of the world and deriving connections to other people through just that. Ace of pentacles and I hear “this will make you coin” !!

(cards were the star, six of cups, ten of swords, & the sun)

Why is it important for you?

it is important for you because it will raise your energy levels. Also raise magnetism levels. There’s actually imagery in this card with two white doves. There’s a planet earth in the palm of the angel’s hands. The angel is carrying a basket of flowers and there’s a black and white bunny below her, she is surrounded by pretty flowers in the garden type scenery so this birth will grant you more energy more vitality more ability to notice the beauty around you because of the meaning that is placed behind the things you are sharing with the world. You’ll look forward to giving and sharing, therefore life will look forward to giving back to you. This is for sure increasing manifestation abilities because you are putting things out there in the world and things that match what you’re putting out there will return back to you in a very meaningful and joyful way.

How to get closer to this “birth”?

I was given a one liner for you: “Consistently working on your priorities will make them flourish like a lush flower garden.”

^ angel oracle card titled - “Do The Work”

Thank you so much for being here! Please share your insights if any <3

🥚 Three

note - i used the ios dictation feature to feel more personally connected to your energies so the text is actually my spoken words translated into my phone, i made some minor grammatical edits so bear that in mind hehe

What are you birthing?

Group 3 I am excited to see what you are birthing so let’s get into it. What is group 3birthing? OK that was fast nine of swords in reverse, wheel of Fortune. You are birthing a surprising outcome in your life. Something unexpected — most likely linked to a thing you overthink a lot something that causes you a lot of anxiety. There is an unexpected factor here that is going to come in and swing this situation in a different direction. Stork imagery, and this could be related to your household. I just saw the 10 of pentacles. family… themes of the home. The surprising factor here - night of swords, new communication coming in receiving some piece of information that was not present before. hearing about a person that you were not expecting to hear about. hearing a story or an update on a situation that you were not expecting to receive at all. this seems completely out of left field. it seems like an answer to something where you were close-minded. this is definitely about getting clarity over something where you felt very unlucky very unclear where you were lacking answers and it seems to be related to how you viewed the world. It seems like an unhealthy mindset thing was going on and there’s a surprising turn of events where you are getting a calmer view so it seems that what you are birthing is moving forward in a new way that is more beneficial to you, leaving baggage behind six of swords, you’re entering an improved way of living.

Why is it important for you?

I’m pulling an angel card. your card is “Let Go Of Guilt - when you allow your light to shine brightly you inspire others forgive yourself for what you think you’ve done or not done and trust that God loves you unconditionally for who you are learn and grow from past mistakes instead of beating yourself for them.”

this will be very personally linked to you depending on who is reading this as this is a general reading so for each person that reads this, they will know what it resonates with in their case but I could not have said it better than the card myself, and I believe that spirit is calling in this advanced way of being where you can start to understand things better. it feels like going from being a pessimist to becoming an optimist. That is the energy and it seems to be important for you so you can grow and forgive, leading a kinder tomorrow.

How to get close to this “birth”?

Getting another angel card. how can my group number three get close to this birth? Your card is “Quiet Retreat - It’s time to disconnect from the outer world so that you can discern and process your true thoughts and feelings from your inner world, create this quiet time for yourself and you’ll have more clarity about what to do next.” this is for sure advising you to reflect more on what you are feeling rather than losing yourself in expectations from the outside or all the meaningless directions coming in from everywhere BUT you. the focus here should be your thoughts your feelings, your plans, your goals your wishes highlight YOUR, so intentionally set time to figure yourself out. Listen to yourself!

Thank you so much dear group number three for all the hard work you do and the light you shed upon this world. May your journey proceed calmly like the waters, I send you so much love!

have a wonderful rest of your day or night🌼

[anim-ttrpgs]

i didnt realize eureka was an urban fantasy rpg for a while and i was getting really confused as to why this noir game had vampires in it before i figured it out

I guess a lot of times we do just call it “Eureka” instead of the full title “Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy”..

This is also giving me an excuse to talk about “noir” and “neo-noir.” But let me preface that by saying that trying to very strictly and definitively sort things neatly into genres is often a fool’s errand, not because the whole concept of genre is useless, it’s just that it’s necessarily a bit loose and subjective. And also noir is a film genre not a TTRPG genre so there’s a bit of translation weirdness in even saying that.

Noir is actually a very specific and kinda narrows genre, which Eureka can do, but not one that it does effortlessly. Eureka is much more firmly and deliberately in the “neo-noir” genre. Neo-noir is, well, kind of Noir 2, Noir Expanded. Neo-noir is often described as more modern films which are inspired by the original genre of noir, taking those noir themes of gritty grounded storytelling, crime, morally grey protagonists, and unjust societal systems, and applying them a bit more broadly and sometimes to more fantastical scenarios. Blade Runner is often cited as a great example of a neo-noir film.

That’s where I feel Eureka falls. It doesn’t inherently deal with morally grey protagonists, but it often will, even if the player didn’t set out to make their PC morally grey it can often just happen because of the gritty groundedness of Eureka’s setting and mechanics and the inherent interaction with the aforementioned unjust societal systems. Neither noir nor neo-noir necessitate that the protagonist be a detective or even investigating anything, but even if they aren’t a detective, they often are investigating something and that leads them to morally grey situations and the seedy criminal underbelly of society propped up by unjust societal systems. Eureka is like that. Because it’s such a toolbox game and also a TTRPG, you could technically play a Eureka campaign without brushing up against any of those elements, but the way the mechanics are set up, the gameplay will always be steering you gently towards at least one of those noir-like themes.

[theressaicon]

m!Android caregiver x crazy psychiatric patient gn!reader

part 3

Before reading this part, look at the part 1! and part 2!

Warnings: psychotic behavior, schizophrenia, hearing voices, seeing floating eyes, hallucinations, taking medication, body to body contact, naked gn!reader (taking a shower), dirty thoughts lmao

Otherwise: soft caregiver android, gentle with gn!reader, understanding, fluff, willing gn!reader in love~, confused android Alois because of his feelings (?), protective

All the corridors Alois walked through seemed emptier than usual. Despite the overheating of his entire program, his visual self had not changed. Pale synthetic skin, inhuman blue eyes and a straightened posture.

At first glance, one cannot tell that he is not a human but an android with the program of a caregiver. He was heading to a ward for mentally disabled people who weren't nearly as dangerous as you. At least that's what the file of information that was uploaded into his knowledge described.

He detected people with abnormal behavior, some laughing uncontrollably, others making strange noises, each with at least one caregiver by their side.

Mr. Paul, a slightly overweight man with square-shaped glasses, was on a break and waiting for Alois. When he checked on Alois's work, he wanted him to come see him after. He was not his superior, but Alois obeyed his colleague's order without question.

The building had a break room with a small kitchen and places to sit. Paul was eating a sandwich that looked less healthy than most of the patients.

„Hello again." Alois greeted and closed the door behind him. Paul started talking to him with his mouth full, Alois apologized for not understanding him. Swallowing, Paul started again. „I'm telling you to sit down." His voice was more neutral than Alois's.

When Alois sat down opposite him, Paul started eating again. „Hey um.. Do you have like.. a brain?" „I have an artificial nerve center that could be compared to a brain." Wiping his mouth with his fat thumb, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

„Means you're able to learn, eh?" „That is correct." „So I'll tell you something you don't have in your patient's file." Alois got concerned. „Did they forget to upload some important information?" he asked immediately. „You bet." Paul put down his sandwich and took a sip of the coffee placed on his right."

„People can be very manipulative. You may not have noticed it, but they're playing with ya." Alois decided to remain silent. „They're up to something." „Why do you think that, sir?" „'Cause I was here when they were brought here. They were like a normal patient at first. Well, not normal, no patient here is normal, but y'know what I mean."

He dug dramatically into his sandwich again. „It is said that they went crazy after their accident. Before that, they were completely fine, sane." Alois had no idea what happened to you, he only knew your current condition.

„They suddenly stopped communicating and kept attacking for no reason during any interaction." He took another sip and leaned back in his chair, which made a creaking noise under his weight.

„We've been trying to figure out how to communicate with them for a month now. But the bastard won't cooperate. They act like a dog. Growls, barks, and bites. Literally." Paul tucked his greasy hair behind his ear.

„Look what that bitch did to me." He showed that he only had the top part of his earlobe, the rest was bitten off and scarred. Alois didn't like the vocabulary he was using. „Boss says they do it out of fear. But they take quite a lot of pills for schizophrenia, so I don't know what the fuck they're still afraid of."

Alois was evaluating his thoughts. He knew what you were going through, he had planned to write it down in your public file. However a lot of things didn't make sense to him. Why do you see things that you shouldn't be able to see with your medication?

„I heard from them that they constantly hear unpleasant voices." Alois finally spoke. „Oh you heard that from them, huh?" „Yes, I deci-" „So they just pretended not to talk the whole time! I knew it!" Paul pointed his dirty finger at Alois as if it was his fault.

„That is not-.." Alois was cut off once again. „They're planning to break out!" „Your assumptions are not adequate." „Are you really that stupid? I thought you'd have a higher IQ as an android." Paul leaned closer to him and began to assert his assumptions again.

„I saw them sitting there without wearing a straitjacket. They were calm. Do you understand? CALM! And when I appeared, they pretended in front of me that something was happening to them. They were covering their ears and whining like a victim. They are trying to wrap you around their finger and then run away!"

„Trust is one of the most important aspec-" „You know what I think? They're possessed by the devil. It's necessary that-.." „But that's not related to-" Suddenly Paul slammed his fist on the table, his coffee mug clinking for a moment. „Don't ever interrupt me, you idiotic robot."

In the silence that ensued, Alois received recommendations for various medications that Paul, as a potential patient, could take. „I still have work to do, I am asking you to excuse me." Alois ended their conversation.

He got up from his chair and was about to leave until Paul opened his mouth again. „Wait." Alois focused his blue eyes on his expression. „Sit down." He said strictly. Alois obeyed. „Mhm.. and now blink." Alois found these commands strange, but he obeyed. Paul chuckled. „Alright, get out."

Alois wasn't as stupid as Paul thought. He knew very well that he had given him these orders only to feel that he had power over him. Alois had no emotions towards his behavior. But he didn't want to discuss anything further with him, he knew that it would be a waste of time. He had questions, but asking an obsessive, unhealthy person wouldn't help him answer them. So he hoped to find help from someone who was sensible.

The sign on the door, 'PhDr. Broderick J. Benignus', marked the office of the head of the entire psychiatric hospital. Knocking, he waited for his voice. It sounded authoritative, but without roughness. „Come in." He opened the door and stepped inside, closing the door afterwards.

„Greetings, sir." The gentleman with the narrow glasses on his nose looked up. His expression changed completely before he spoke. "Hello, Alois, I didn't expect you here so early. Is something the matter?" He took off his glasses with a smile and encouraged him to sit in the chair opposite.

„I would like to discuss my patient with you." „Problems?" „...the opposite." „Oh?" He explained to him that your behavior partly does not correspond to the informations and datas he received. With a little patience, he can communicate with you verbally and did not forget to say how much you are trying to cooperate.

„This situation is really strange, I admit." He thought for a moment, took a deep breath, then continued. „However, their behavior is spontaneous, they have a clear reason why they trust you. Did you find out why?" „Y/N L/N explained to me that they feel the safest with me." „That's only good, I did the right thing by asking for your services. Did they confide in you more specifically about why they only feel comfortable with you?" Alois remembered the drawings he still had in his pocket.

„..Yes." „Does their explanation make sense?" "„Also yes." „In that case, I don't see a problem with why the situation should be so strange after all." Alois lowered his blue eyes slightly and continued listening. „You're working here on your first day and yet you've found out more information about L/N's condition than any of us in a month."

After a moment of silence, Alois confided one more thing. „Mr. Paul wanted to talk to me. He shared his opinion on my patient." „I assume he's still upset about having a piece of his ear bitten off?" „Yes, that too."

„You see, Mr. Paul isn't exactly the sharpest pencil in the pencil case. We have a decent number of caregivers, but not enough doctors. While he's good at diagnostics, he's not exactly a good companion."

„It was clear from his words that he harbored hatred for my patient. I don't want to change his opinion and I won't, it just seems to me that he is trying to influence my own opinion of Y/N."

„I understand your concerns, Alois." PhDr. Benignus sympathized. „Whose patient is Y/N L/N?" „...mine, sir." „Who is responsible for them?" „I am responsible for them." „Are your tasks clear to you?" „Yes, they are." „Then form your own opinion about your own patient. You are the only one who can help L/N. You can be inspired by the opinions of others, but if they seem wrong to you, they seem wrong to you for a good reason. Listen to yourself. The only superior you have here is me, but you are also my equal, do you understand?"

Things began to fall into place for Alois and his burdensome thoughts became lighter. „Yes sir, thank you for your time and help." „Glad I could help. If something else happens, you know what to do."

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'How long have I been here?' You asked yourself. 'How long has this been going on?' Your thoughts led you to questions about how long these strange things had been happening to you. You tried to converse with the eyeballs around you. All they did was stare. Most of them were touching you. They had no set temperature, they seemed slimy, yet without texture.

No matter how hard you listened, you couldn't understand a single word that was whispered. There were so many different voices, yet they were all the same. You could hear your heart beating, you felt your lungs expanding with each breath, the mechanism of your intestines was unpleasantly recognizable. Everything you were experiencing at the moment was complemented by a headache.

You would never have believed that you would like the creaking sound of that heavy metal door to your room. A smile graced your face as you looked at your personal caregiver. Ah, how handsome he was from head to toe. Eyeballs around you angled out of Alois's way as he approached you. „Hello, Y/N, it's so nice to see you again." He spoke with a smile and pulled out a piece of clear tape from his coat pocket. He grabbed the drawing of him that you had drawn and taped it to the wall above your bed. You giggled like a happy baby. The way he leaned over you? Hello?

„On a scale from one to ten, how much do you like toasts?" He started the conversation while he was untying your legs. You remembered that you made toasts quite often, so you probably liked them. To answer his question, you mouthed the word „eight", rising your shoulders, not being sure.

As soon as he untied you, he had to tie you down to the armchair in the dining room again. Although you preferred to have your limbs free, your priority was to be with Alois. You understood that if you behaved well, circumstances would also be good. Disappointed people were capable of breaking you, but a disappointed Alois would break your heart irreparably. He would treat you with respect and care if you cooperated, that's what he said himself. There isn't even a point in making trouble to the only person that actually cares for you.

The table trolley was already ready with your dinner, toasts with a glass of orange juice. „I'm going to ask you to open your mouth." Alois requested, placing one of the toasts he was holding in a tissue to your mouth. You started to open your mouth, but something seemed strange. Your eyes scanned the room. This had never happened before: All the eyeballs were gathered around the camera in the upper corner of the room.

They were all staring straight at it, not one of them paying attention to you this time. While it was a relief on one hand, it was strange. Alois looked in the direction you were looking and asked what you saw. It was hard to speak. „Take it easy, don't rush. Look at me and take it slow." You swallowed to moisten your parched throat a little. „The eye..ba-balls… c-..amera." „All off them?" You nodded. Alois stood up from his chair and fixed his gaze on the camera. Nothing happened for a moment, then sudenly all of them darted back across the room. You let Alois know that the eyballs were back on you.

You were both equally confused. For the rest of your dinner you ate in silence, Alois saying a few words here and there to make you smile. Your arrangement was the same as usual. You counted to ten until Alois returned. The more times this happened, the better you got at it. Even though you always ended up sweaty and your heart could have jumped out of your chest, his return was worth it.

First, he placed a white towel with new clothes he had brought on the chair where he had been sitting before, next he knelt down to untie the belt holding your legs. 'The view of him at my feet isn't so bad..' You thought. 'Oh no, what the hell am I thinking!?' After Alois untied your chest as well, he helped you to stand up. „Your cardiovascular activity is still high, is something wrong?" You didn't plan on telling him that you imagined him in the least holy position possible. So you just smiled like a sunshine and snuggled closer to him.

You had mixed feelings on the way to the shower room. Not only were you uncomfortable with someone looking at you or even touching you without your clothes on, but you were traumatized by the water. Water is one of the reasons you ended up where you are now.

Before that, Alois let you use the restroom. It was the smallest room, with only a toilet and dim lighting. While it was the most humiliating situation for you, Alois was only following instructions. He leaned over to move your pants to your ankles, but stopped at your mumbling.

„There is no need to feel embarrassed." The mumbling of yours did not stop. „Here, I will look away." Alois turned his head in different direction and pulled your pants down. You knew the rest. After doing what you needed to do you were supposed to kick the door two times.

Taking your sweet time, you were overthinking the stuff that will have to happen afterwards. The truth was you would let him touch you in any-fucking-way, any-fucking-time except THIS time! Breathe in, breathe out. The only eyes that were on you right now where the floating ones.

Straightening up, you kicked the door twice and closed your legs as much as possible. The door opened, revealing Alois who had a piece of toilet paper in one hand. Before he could do anything, you shook your head aggressively. Remember when you promised yourself you would always cooperate? Well, about that...

If Alois ever had the need to sigh, he would now. „You know what? I am going to wash your whole body anyways. Stand up." Were you relieved or stressed even more? You didn't know yourself.

As soon as you entered the shower room, the lights came on automatically. It was brighter than any other room, hurting your eyes. The walls were tiled. A shower head was hung in the middle of one of the walls, with a small drain hole underneath for water to drain.

A few days ago, this place was all blood. You don't know what happened to the caregiver when those eyeballs came out of him. You followed your defensive instincts. The worst feelings only caught up with you after a while. You swore you could still taste his blood on your tongue. Unexpectedly the sick feeling and dizziness overwhelmed you, making you lightheaded. Alois had his hand on your back, noticing the change in your balance.

„I've got you." His voice grounded you again. Eyeballs flew close to the floor, like dogs trying to pick up a scent trail. With each step, your anxiety grew and your stomach began to tighten.

The built-in chains in the wall reflected the unpleasant light directly into your misty eyes. 'Alois is a caregiver, he's an android who can't have dirty thoughts like any other disgusting human... like me.'

„I know you know the procedure, but I suggest that I describe each step to you so as not to catch you off guard in any way." The words that came out of him echoed off the tiles. Your head bowed and with your eyes closed you nodded.

„First, I am going to take off your straitjacket and t-shirt." He stepped closer and released your arms, untying the jacket. Next, carefully turned you to face the wall and while standing behind you, he asked you to raise your hands above your head. You already felt exposed enough. Then Alois folded the clothes he had taken off and placed them on the floor in the other corner of the room.

As he walked back towards you, he spoke again. „Now I will have to lock your hands with handcuffs, attached to the chains." Without examining you with his eyes, he leaned over your shoulder and the chains jingled in his hand. The chains hung loosely around your wrists because you were standing close to the wall. Two steps back would cause your arms to stretch out.

In the past you had tried to rip the chains off the wall. However, it was so strong that even Alois probably wouldn't be able to separate them from the wall. „Would you be so kind and lifted one of your feet up?" The steady speech of his made you feel at ease. Carefully, without rushing, your shoes got taken off one by one.

Still on knees, Alois tapped on one of your hips to aware you of his next move. „I remind you that you don't need to be shy in front of me. I am a trained caregiver like any other doctor." The room was closed off with no windows, but the temperature felt lower when you didn't have a single piece of clothing on.

Standing with your hands handcuffed and facing the wall, you felt too vulnerable. Nothing could happen to you, you knew that, but you weren't safe from your own thoughts. „Just a moment, please." Alois's voice echoed.

Mind blurry, but present, you were shaken up. He was aware that you wanted to get out of this room and situation as quickly as possible. He didn't want to let you suffer, but hygiene was very important and he wasn't going to neglect it.

Reaching his hand for the shower head hanging next to you, he continued to describe what was going to happen. „I will set the water temperature to the optimum first." He stood directly behind you, yet the unfamiliar voices reached you.

Your pupils shrank to the size of pins. That tightness in chest was unbearable. You stopped caring that you were naked, flashbacks reminding you of the event that put you in a place like this.

The vehicle's dim lights illuminated the narrow road, not a crack in sight. The sun had not been shining for a few hours now, the clouds obscured stars with the moon. But in the stream of memories, there is a hole full of emptiness, then nothing for a long time.

Water from the shower head began to hiss against the wall you stood next to, creating an unpleasant vision of another memory.

In the pitch darkness, you felt your wet skin, clothes stuck to you with icy water, and panic. This emotion was also reflected in your present, your breathing quickened, but you couldn't move an inch.

In the back of your mind, you heard Alois say your name, but your attention was long lost.

The wind was relentless that night, the leaves of the trees rustling so loudly that you couldn't hear the wood cracking above your head.

At last, a strong shock wave bursted through your sore body, forcing you to let out a painful scream.

After opening your eyes, you stood back in the shower room, pulling on the chains that held your hands. Saliva spurted out of your mouth from your screams, you looked like a wild animal with rabies.

The water quickly turned off as Alois touched your left shoulder with his left hand, still standing behind you. Resisting, you snapped at his hand with your teeth, missing. With quick movements, he put you in a headlock and tried to hold you in place.

He let you scream at the top of your lungs for a while longer before he began to speak in a low voice. „Y/N, shh. Nothing bad is happening." His words went in one of your ears and out the other.

The flailing of yours continued, eyeballs appearing around the two of you. „Ten, nine, eight,.." Alois's voice rang in your ears softly. „..seven, six, five,.." Joining him, your struggling eased. „..four, three, two, one." Standing still, you were as one.

Your thoughts calmed down, then you began to apologize for your behavior. However, Alois only half-heard you, he was trying to repeat the instructions to himself.

»Secure the patient, maintain hygiene - wash the patient, dry them and dress them.«

They seemed simple, yet they didn't fit the program like they should. 'Securing' you meant handcuffing you to the wall to immobilize your movements.

However, his work should result in you being in the highest comfort possible. Was he overthinking too much?

»The caregiver helps solve the patient's problems.« _ »The patient's comfort is a priority.« _ »Through mutual trust, the caregiver finds ways to solve problems in an individual way.«

„Listen to yourself."

„You know what to do."

„..their behavior is spontaneous, they have a clear reason why they trust you."

All the advice, data, and gossip was coming from all directions. The robotic body of his started to overheat again like an old computer. You could feel his warmth through his white T-shirt, bringing you the feeling of comfort in his embrace.

„You are like a cat." Alois's voice echoed. A gentle hand covered in synthetic skin caressed your arm with more words. „You bite, scratch... make warning sounds and defended yourself." He slowly released you from the headlock he had you in. „After a while of coaxing, you calm down and slowly start to trust."

His tall figure was still standing by your side, or rather behind you. You turned your head to look at him. „..And as far as I can tell, you do not like water. Like a cat." Petting your head affectionately, he watched you change your expression as you cracked a smile at the last comment.

Some of the adrenaline drained from your blood and you suddenly began to feel a burning sensation on your wrists. There's no wonder, pulling on the chains in an attempt to free yourself must damage a bare skin.

„Would you wish to try a different method?" After a violent nod of your head, he left the room for a moment. Before eyeballs could crawl to you tho, he was back again. Alois was holding a washcloth in his hand, which he then placed on the floor. You were surprised by his decision to remove your handcuffs, as if you weren’t trying to rip them off the wall just a moment ago. But you weren’t going to complain in any way.

„I believe we will not be needing these." The confidence in his voice made your poor heart skip a beat. The carefulness of his humanly-looking hands was inhuman. He barely touched the red spots left by the handcuffs.

The chains jingled and you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. Walls seemed to expand along with your lungs.

Alois soaked the aforementioned washcloth with the weakest stream of water. „I hope you're not in a hurry, I'm about to take my time with you." Whatever it sounded like, you were writhing in your skin like an earthworm.

As soon as your metal friend turned around, you broke out in a cold sweat. It was only then that you realized again that you weren't wearing a single piece of clothing. „I know that expression, Y/N. Stay calm, everything remains professional."

It didn't take long for you to relax under the wet washcloth that Alois was using tenderly. He started with your face, holding your cheek with one hand to stop you from twitching. You melted into his palm, your legs going weak. He was only at your ears and you already felt like jelly.

He wet the washcloth again and focused on your neck and shoulders. His hand moved to your shoulder blade to keep you steady. While Alois focused on ridding you of bacteria, you were almost drowning in his neon blue eyes.

You were sure they glowed in the dark. The color of his eyes was the least human thing he had, yet the most beautiful. „Is there something on your mind, Y/N?" Alois felt how you shivered under his fingers.

Your shoulders tensed, making Alois stop. He focused his attention on your expression, trying to study it. There was a desire to stay and at the same time to run away.

Your thoughts have traveled to where they shouldn't have. Again. Then you lowered your eyes, feeling that if Alois looked into them for too long, he would be able to read all your thoughts.

Your cleaning process continued in the same way. He was careful, occasionally holding a part of your body to keep your balance. He promised you that he would save the intimate areas for last.

There are remnants of foam left on you, decorating your figure. „Y/N, would it be possible to try running the water on you again?" You were expecting this question and mentally prepared yourself for it.

„It's not about making your washing process as fast as possible, but it's about getting rid of more dirt this way." Alois meant nothing but well.

Deep down, you wanted to get rid of your fear, nonetheless it was easier said than done. Alois gave you a moment to think. After a moment of thinking, you started to feel a little cold. Alois noticed and responded by soaking the washcloth in warm water before continuing to clean you up.

Both of you remained quiet. An uneasy silence reigned throughout the tiled room. Your eyes wandered down to Alois's frame, kneeling on one knee.

He focused on washing your shin while holding your calf with his other hand. Whether he was above or below you, your eyes never got tired of this view.

Looking at him brought you comfort. Until your eyes met; that made you nervous... yet seen. Just as he did, you glanced straight in front of you, "admiring" the tiles.

„Your body temperature is dropping more and more." He stated into the silence, his voice echoing.

He stood up in your view and turned you closer to the wall. After positioning himself behind you, like he did last time, he carefully grabbed your arms and motioned for you to sit down. Surprised, you found yourself in his lap.

He obviously didn't mind that you were all soapy and wet. You felt a warmth in your back that drove the shivers away from your body.

This was the first time Alois had used his heating system of his own free will, but you didn't need to know that.

Sometimes laughter escaped your mouth as Alois tried to wash your feet. You were still twitching like before, but at least now with positive emotions. It gave him a sense of satisfaction that he was doing his job correctly.

Time flowed like the water that still hadn't been released. You tried to find a normal memory in that twisted head of yours, where you shower in. It took a lot of strength, because of all the fear you had felt for eternity.

'There it is...' your inner voice spoke through the scrubbing noises of washcloth. You remembered that you used to have a small bathroom, an average sink and a narrow shower.

The light in that bathroom flickered softly, but the water felt pleasantly warm, almost hot, on your skin. You hadn't felt warm water on your body for a long time. But you hadn't forgotten that pleasant feeling after a long hard day at work.

The fear of running water turned into a sudden desire. You didn't need therapeutic exercises or a consultation with a psychologist. Just time and space.

Alois saw you pointing your finger and reaching for the shower head. „Very brave gesture."

Your blood froze in your veins at the first touch of the water, but with Alois's patience you soon relaxed.

The shivers left you and you felt warmth not only from the inside but also from the outside.

...

'This is the first time I've seen her so relaxed.' Alois's inner voice spoke. Usually he would see various notifications and charts, that was his way of "thinking". Now he could only read one coded sentence.

»Patient's comfort reached.«

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As quickly as the worries had disappeared, they had reappeared. There was this buzz in the back of your head.

Instinct made you look towards the door. Eyeballs were shaking and flying around it like crazy. Neither of them were paying attention to you. Luckily.

The tension in your muscles appeared like before. Your android caregiver studied your sudden reaction and mood swing. His hearing was more sensitive than a human's. You saw something, he heard something.

You were both looking in the same direction at the moment. The splashing of water was interrupted by the door being roughly opened.

„What is your reason for being here, Dr. Paul?" Alois's voice rang out as he stood himself protectively in front of you.

You immediately crossed your arms in front of your bare chest. You hunched over, trying to hide your figure as effectively as possible behind Alois, who was having a conversation with the evil doctor.

Pointing at you, Paul shouted with unknowable emotion in his voice: „Their hands are not cuffed!" Fear surged through your veins, you carefully grabbed Alois's white coat.

„I have assessed that handcuffs are not necessary." Alois uttered. „Ohh, boss is NOT going to like this." Paul grew a smirk on his fat, sweaty face, taking a few steps towards were you two were standing.

„You're not supposed to be here." „I'm a doctor, I have every right to be here." You felt too vulnerable. Even when you were hidden behind Alois, you were still naked and helpless.

While Alois turned off the running water and hung the shower head up, Paul moved closer and closer.

It was here again. It would happen again. It was happening again. The eyeballs that had been circling around him a moment ago were now entering his body one by one. With each step his entire appearance changed; he was literally turning black.

His disgusting voice turned into rasps and grunts. Suddenly he spoke in a language you didn't know. His upper limbs were being dragged on the floor, dark smoke was coming out of his back that smelled like something burned.

„My patient is in discomfort, I ask you to leave. Now." „No metal thing will tell me what to do!" Alois detected the anxiety in your body, you were shaking with terror.

With a quick movement, he took off his coat, which you had been gripping on, and placed it around your shoulders, as he took a step closer to the still approaching Paul.

Dr. Paul shouted at the top of his lungs, but you only heard screams and growls coming from the monster he had transformed into.

„I order you to get out of my way immediately, I intend to take care of them MYSELF!" „Paul, I warn you, do not attempt to touch my client." Alois replied in an assertive voice as he walked slowly towards him.

Now Alois and the monster faced each other. The black figure roared and screeched while Alois spoke with surprising calmness.

The monster turned its head towards you and back to Alois repeatedly. In any other situation, it would have rushed at you, but Alois kept it at bay.

„I am fully aware of your rights, mine, and my patient's." „Do you think you're something more than ME!?" Dr. Paul kept spitting. „No, that is what you think."

That doctor obsessed with you has had enough. „That's it- I'LL PUNISH THEM MYSELF! Come here, you little-" That black monster took its last step towards you, until...

As soon as Alois touched Dr. Paul, the black matter that had surrounded him before spread out in all directions and transformed back into eyeballs.

You saw the crazy doctor again. This time, however, he was hanging above the ground because your caregiver was holding him by the collar of his shirt.

While he kicked his feet nervously, Alois continued to speak calmly to him. „I see that you have problems with aggression, I would recommend Himalaya Mentat, Advance Modin, Puhdistamo L-Theanine or Chinese medicine. I'm sure you're familiar with these medications."

„P-PUT ME DOWN YOU FUCKING ROBOT!" „And also Kardious for high blood pressure. Your heart rate exceeds 140/90 mm Hg."

Your fear and stress turned into giggles. The person who often hurt you was now helpless and at a disadvantage. Who wouldn't laugh?

Paul saw you and started sweating more than before. „Let me down, Alois... You're embarrassing me!" „You're embarrassing yourself, Dr. Paul."

After a while of 'torturing', Alois put Paul down and led him into the hallway. Then he returned to you, intending to continue as if nothing had happened.

„May I have my coat back, please?" Alois started. You wanted to playfully provoke, but decided to be nice instead. After all, he literally saved you. And according to your files, he may have saved Paul's other earlobe as well.

„You handled this situation perfectly, I apologize for my colleague. He... is not a very good companion." he told you as he turned the warm water back on, letting you relax under it for a few more minutes.

As he promised, he left the intimate parts until the very end. He was patient and offered different options that you might feel comfortable with.

„Would it be better for you to sit down?"

„Would you like me to use the washcloth?"

„I could do it with my eyes closed..."

„No, I can't 'just rinse' you with water, that would be neglect."

„Yes, I believe you are capable of doing it yourself. However, I would still have to check your work afterwards."

You tried to get out of it as best as you could, but to no avail. Finally, he brought you a plastic chair, sat you down, wrapped you in a towel so you wouldn't be cold, and cleaned what he could with a washcloth.

You froze when he grabbed your ankle while you were kicking your feet in discomfort. He held you tightly, strictly... But still careful not to bruise your skin.

He rinsed you off with water one last time and dried you thoroughly before dressing you in new clean clothes, including a straitjacket.

Before he could put it on you, you wrapped your arms around his hard metal waist as a thank you for not letting Dr. Paul hurt you.

...You would let him pet your head forever.

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Despite the unwelcome visitor, this was the most calmly managed showering for you in this facility.

But time was running out, there were only a few last moments left to spend with Alois before your brain was drugged again.

„Does it feel good to feel clean?" Alois broke the silence with this sentence. Overwhelmed with thoughts, you decided to simply nod.

You weren't the only one with a head full of thoughts. While you were thinking about how to extend your time together, Alois was thinking of various alternatives for how the situation with Dr. Paul would be handled.

He wanted to share his thoughts with someone reasonable, like PhDr. Broderick J. Benignus, and for some reason he wanted to share them with you as well. But would that be appropriate? Wouldn't it be a mistake to discuss this situation with his own patient? On the other hand, it also affected you.

First things first, it was time to brush your teeth.

Another armchair, another belts to hold you down. Before Alois could think about whether it was necessary to tie you down, you were already sitting in the armchair.

„You are improving." he announced. You took his sentence as a compliment and responded with a smile. „I am going to modify your file." he said as he fastened you. „There aren't many positive things written there."

Suddenly, he pulled out a case with a toothbrush inside from his pants pocket. „I feel like you don't deserve such reputation."

The toothbrush had a short handle with rounded edges for safety. The workers believed that even an ordinary toothbrush could kill one of them if it fell into your hands.

Alois took his time to clean every tooth so that no plaque remained on them. He used a non-irritating toothpaste and occasionally let you rinsed your mouth with water from a cup he held to your mouth.

Everything went smoothly. You used the time of your silence to daydream about the way he took off his coat, handing it to you...

You noticed that his arm was covered in synthetic skin only up to the shoulder, which was black and shiny. When you hugged him after the shower, his torso and waist were very hard.

They certainly weren't covered in fake skin just like his shoulders. What other parts of him were 'exposed'?

Your eyes wandered to his body kneeling in front of you, his focus on you. Only you. You were the center of his attention. 'Am I getting addicted to his presence?' you asked yourself.

There was no mirror in the room and the armchair was turned towards the wall. You couldn't see behind yourself, but could feel all the movement that was happening behind you.

So many strange things have happened this day. First you planned to bite your new caregiver's hand off and now you're trying to find a way to extend your time with him.

„Flush your mouth, please." Alois requested, holding the cup filled with fresh water to your lips. „I have dental floss here too."

Caregivers hasn't flossed your teeth since they discovered you bite off fingers. You would have broken your teeth on his metal fingers. However there was no reason to hurt him. If you were allowed to, you would kiss his knuckles instead. 'Would he feel it? Would he like it perhaps?'

„May I try with you?" Confused, you tilted your head to the side. „...to floss your teeth." 'Ah right..' For a moment you thought he wanted you to kiss his knuckles. Shame.

His fingers moved naturally. Every now and then you grimaced at the grinding of your teeth with the dental floss and at the pain. „Your gums are slightly inflamed. I don't like to see that." Your eyes dropped.

„Don't worry, I don't blame you. It's not your fault." Alois let you rinse your mouth out one last time. „Despite the physical and mental pain, you behave very well. Thank you for your cooperation."

You shamelessly tried to force him to put a cherry on top of the cake. „A..are.. you- ehm. pr-oud?" He placed his palm on your head and, with the words „Yes, Y/N, I am sincerely proud of you." caressed you.

From his other pocket he took out plaster pills that were given to you when you were still tied. They had a faster effect because they didn't have to be swallowed, they dissolved on the tongue.

If the shower didn't take that long, you would have plenty of time left for conversation after brushing your teeth. On the other hand, the pills could make you so tired that you wouldn't even notice it was the next day.

„uhm.." you tried to say your last words before being knocked out. „Do you have something to tell me?" Alois made sure and politely knelt down on one knee to be at your eye level.

„I.. w-wa-nt.. to..." Your jaw started shaking, you couldn't speak well. „Shh, it is alright. I am aware that we are pressed for time." placing his human like hand on your tied one, he made you take a few deep breaths. „However you are my priority."

Tears almost started to form in your eyes from hearing him saying that you matter. For the first day in a month in this facility you weren't taken as a totally psychotic, chronically ill pacient.

It must have taken an android to remind you that you were still human. Getting yourself together, you spoke nearly fluently. „I want.. to spend m-more time wit-th.. you."

„It is wonderful to hear this from you. I'm glad I have gained your trust." He spoke in the same cheerful tone as when you called him a stag.

While he was talking, he was unbuckling your belts. „I promise to do everything in my power to help you with your problem." When he released you, he offered you his opened palm.

„And I also promise you that when you wake up in the morning, you will have me by your side again." You took his hand and swallowed the pill he gave you yourself.

„What an independent patient you are. I'll have to come up with some kind of reward." 'Oh I'd have an idea of a reward.' said your inner voice bashfully.

Alois led you into the hallway, you holding his hand. He didn't resist. Your eyelids drooped and before you knew it, you were sitting in a wheelchair watching flying eyeballs dodge to sides.

With all your strength, you tried to help Alois get you onto the bed, but he did most of the work.

You heared his voice but you didn't understand his words. Well, the important thing was that you heard him. Alois was aware that you didn't know what he's saying, but he was convinced that his voice would bring you the comfort you needed. And he was right.

After the last belt he had to immobilize you with, he gave you an injection in your thigh that you didn't even register. You looked at him through only one half-open eyelid, wanting him to be the last thing you would see that day.

By stroking your hair, Alois put you into a deep sleep. That was the first time you didn't fall asleep exhausted and surrounded by strange eyeballs and voices.

Although you were no longer mentally present, Alois sat next to your bed for a longer while, examining your sleeping figure.

He couldn't help but check your blood flow, watch your chest rise and fall, scan your brain activity. When he was satisfied, he stood up and left with one last glance in your direction.

Time to address the situation about Dr. Paul and his unacceptable behavior. Even though he's his colleague, his priority now is you.

Alois has a great sense of justice.

Alois is not letting this slide.

a/n: Don't worry, in the next episode you are going to find out what really happened to Reader and why they see what they sees. (`･ω･´)

@horrific-dust @sunndust @liv-007

[writingtips-resources]

Here's How I Structure a Multi-POV Novel Without Confusion

Multi-POV novels—the kind that can either be a masterpiece or an absolute mess if you’re not careful.

When I first started writing one, I thought, How hard could it be?

But now, after some trial, error, and a lot of coffee-fueled nights, I’ve nailed down a structure that keeps things clear and engaging for readers.

Let me walk you through it—step by step

The First Rule is Every POV Must Have a Purpose and Unique Voice

If a POV doesn’t add something valuable to the story—cut it. Readers shouldn’t have to wade through pointless internal monologues about side character #47's childhood traumas.

Ask yourself:

Does this POV reveal crucial information the reader wouldn’t otherwise know?

Does it deepen emotional stakes?

Does it move the plot forward?

If you’re nodding along then.....

Good—you’ve earned that POV a seat at the table.

Imagine this:

you’re halfway through a chapter, and you can’t figure out who’s narrating.

Disaster, right?

That’s why giving each character a unique way of speaking, thinking, and being is non-negotiable.

Here’s how I do it:

Lucas: Logical, sharp, always weighing pros and cons. He’d say something like, “Emotions don’t win battles. Plans do.”

Sophie: Spirited, emotional, and unapologetically blunt. Her take? “Oh, great. Another lecture from Mr. Perfect Plan.”

See the difference? It’s not just what they say—it’s how they process the world.

The Second Rule is "Anchor Each POV with a Clear Voice and Goal"

Each character’s perspective should feel distinct. If readers can’t tell your brooding knight from your witty rogue based on narrative voice alone, you’re in trouble.

Try these tips for Voice

Adjust sentence length (a soldier might speak in short, clipped thoughts, while a scholar might ramble).

Use vocabulary that fits their personality.

Keep internal thoughts consistent with their motivations.

Also, keep in mind that "Every POV character has their own agenda".

If Lucas is all about closing a business deal, and Sophie’s trying to uncover the truth about her goddaughter’s past, their internal monologues and actions will naturally feel distinct.

Here’s what that looks like:

Lucas is obsessing over a strategy: “The numbers didn’t lie. If she couldn’t see that, it was her loss.”

Sophie is focused on her next big move: “I wasn’t backing down. Not until I got the answers Alex deserved.”

The goals drive the story forward by keeping their perspectives crystal clear.

The Third Rule is "Make the Transitions Crystal Clear and in Flow

Head-hopping mid-paragraph? Please, no.

Switching POVs mid-scene without a clear break? Also no.

Please understand that "Smooth transitions are key". Instead of jumping abruptly from one character’s head to another, I leave breadcrumbs. Like:

End Lucas’s chapter with: “I’d like to see her try.”

Start Sophie’s chapter with: “Challenge accepted.”

It’s seamless, keeps the pacing intact, and gives readers a little thrill.

Here are three golden rules for smooth transitions:

Use chapter or scene breaks.

Start each new POV with a strong opening line that grounds the reader.

If possible, include the POV character's name at the beginning.

Also, one more thing to add( before i forget)

"Use the setting to ground readers in a character’s world. If the scene opens with a high-rise office view, they’ll know it’s Lucas. If it’s a messy studio with books everywhere, it’s Sophie".

The Fourth Rule is "Keep Timelines Straight"

If two characters are narrating events that happen simultaneously, make sure the timeline aligns. Readers shouldn’t have to create a conspiracy board to figure out who was where and when.

I always create a timeline cheat sheet for myself. Sticky notes. Spreadsheets. Hieroglyphs on my office wall.

Choose-Whatever works for you...

Also, you should Clear Breaks Between POVs

No reader wants to play detective to figure out whose head they’re in. I stick to clear chapter or scene breaks for each POV switch. And yes, I label chapters with the character’s name when needed.

For example:

Chapter 5: Lucas I wasn’t in the mood for interruptions, but Sophie didn’t care about moods. Or interruptions.

Chapter 6: Sophie He looked at me like I’d just derailed his perfectly planned life. Honestly, I probably did."

The fifth Rule is "Maintain the Balance among POVs"

Not every character needs equal screen time, but every POV should feel intentional.

Main characters can carry more chapters.

Side characters should pop in when their perspective really matters.

Readers love patterns. If you’re alternating between two or three characters, stick to that order as much as possible. Don’t go: Lucas, Sophie, Lucas, Sophie, Random Villain. Chaos.

And please, for the love of storytelling, don’t introduce a new POV in the final 10 pages unless you’re trying to give your readers whiplash.

One of my favorite tricks is 👇

Ending a POV with a cliffhanger, then switching to another character. It’s a love-hate moment for readers—they have to keep going to find out what happens.

The Sixth Rule is "Work on Emotional Arcs because They Still Matter"

Every POV character needs their own emotional journey, even if they’re not the protagonist. Readers should care about their stakes, struggles, and triumphs.

Some of Key Emotional Arc Considerations are👇👇👇👇👇

What is the character's primary goal or motivation?

What obstacles or conflicts are preventing them from achieving it?

How does the character evolve or transform by the conclusion of their arc?

NOW, It's time to Test It Out (Seriously)

Hand your manuscript to a beta reader or your critique partner or maybe a writer fellow- and ask:

Did any POVs feel unnecessary?

Were the transitions smooth?

Did you ever feel lost or confused?

If they respond with, “Oh yeah, I knew exactly whose head I was in every chapter,”

Then

Boommmm—you nailed it

Share your favorite examples of well-structured multi-POV novels in the comments, and let’s discuss what made them effective.

Feel free to highlight specific techniques or moments that stood out to you.

free resources, blog, services,

[zepskies]

Smoke Eater - Part 6

Pairing: Firefighter!Dean Winchester x F. Reader 

Summary: Dean Winchester is the cocky, but well-respected Lieutenant at Firehouse 25. He leads by example, but he’s also known to break a few hearts. He’s starting to crave something he’s never had, though. Something stable. Something real. 

That’s when he meets you, on a truly terrible day, trapped in a rickety old elevator.   

🔥 Series Masterlist

Word Count: 7,000 Tags/Warnings: Fluff, jealousy, angst, hurt/comfort

Part 6: “Just Casual”

A few days after the house fire that claimed the life of Paul Richardson, father of two, Chief Bobby Singer was joined in his office by Detectives Winchester and Novak, along with his resident Squad Captain and Truck Lieutenant, Benny and Dean.

“The Richardson fire has officially been determined an arson,” Bobby revealed.

“They found a time-delay incendiary device hidden in the attic. No fingerprints. But that’s not even the odd thing,” he said. “The medical examiner found a brand mark on his wrist that was inconsistent with his other burns. Which is why you’re here, I reckon.”

Bobby directed his gaze at both John and Cas, who didn’t look surprised to hear this news.

Dean raised a brow. His gaze shifted to his father, but John only met his stare for a moment before he answered Bobby’s unspoken question.

“We’ve been investigating a series of murders in the area over the past six months,” John said. “Each victim died in their home, with the same brand somewhere on their body. Typically the wrist, or the back of the neck.”

“So we officially have a serial killer turned arsonist on our hands,” Bobby concluded. His attention shifted to Benny and Dean. “Keep this close to the vest, but keep your eyes open.”

“Arsonists are hard to catch,” Dean said, looking to the detectives. “What do you know about this guy?”

Cas glanced at John. The older man could feel his stare, but had to ignore it for now.

“Not much as of yet,” John said. “Right now he’s a coil of smoke, if you’ll pardon the phrase. Our psychologist says he’s most likely a white male, statistically speaking. College educated, or at the very least intelligent, efficient, and so far, he thinks every step through. Like he said, no prints. But the brand is a message.”

“To who, and why, is what we’ve been trying to figure out,” Cas added. “We think that’s the key to pinpointing a suspect.”

“Really,” Dean said. He raised a brow and crossed his arms. “Six months, and that’s all you’ve got?”

“Dean,” John started, but the Lieutenant shook his head.

“Come on, Dad. I know you. Who is this guy?”

“Dean, this is the best I can give you right now, but believe me, we’re working on it,” John said, that tone that boded no further argument.

Bullshit, Dean wanted to shoot back. But he held his tongue for now. He knew that John wouldn’t budge. Instinct still told Dean that his father was holding something back though.

As the men filtered out of Bobby’s office, Dean held Cas back for a moment.

“Watch the old man’s back, all right,” Dean said. “He’s got a penchant for being reckless.”

Cas gave him a wry, pointed look. “I’m doing my best. Winchesters are a stubborn lot.” 

Dean smirked and walked out with him. Meg was headed inside, having just come in from an ambulance call. She smiled when she saw her boyfriend.

“Hey, lover,” she greeted. And she smacked his ass in front of God and the entire Rescue Squad, who liked to sit outside the firehouse and play cards at their table.

Ramirez and the others smirked and called out their customary whoops and cat calls. Dean smirked at the actual blushing discomfort that tightened up Cas’s face and shoulders.

“Dinner tonight at Casablanca’s, right?” Meg asked, unfazed by the catcalling peanut gallery.

“Right,” Cas said stiffly. But he still brushed her cheek with his thumb in affection. “See you later.”

“Yep,” she nodded, though she shot Dean a wry brow. “What? I stole your boyfriend. Get over it.���

She continued on her path back inside the firehouse, leaving Dean and Cas to stare after her in annoyance and begrudging fondness, respectively.

Dean turned to his friend and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Good luck and Godspeed, my friend. That woman’s fuckin’ terrifying.” 

Cas gave him a lazy salute as he walked away. He found that John had already started up their police car. He was in the driver’s seat, as always, with a hand resting casually on the steering wheel.

Dean typically sat in much the same way. Cas thought both men were more comfortable in a car than anywhere else in life. Except, maybe, the precinct and the firehouse.

Cas slid into the passenger seat and gave his partner a knowing look.

“I still think you should tell Sam and Dean what’s really happening here,” he said.

John looked over at him with an almost unreadable expression. But they had been partners for a few years now; long enough for Cas to get a read on the older veteran.

“I understand why you want to keep them out of this, but now this guy is starting fires. Here, in Dean’s district,” Cas pointed out. “Wouldn’t it be safer for him if he had clearer eyes walking into the next one?”

If, God forbid, something should go wrong on the next call Dean responded to, John would never forgive himself. Both he and Cas knew this, but John never answered his partner’s question. He didn’t want his sons getting their noses in this just yet, even if it meant the worry he saw in Dean’s eyes.

So he put the car in “drive” and peeled away from the firehouse.

Trying to match your schedule with Dean’s was a challenge you two were trying to figure out. Though you’d fallen into a pattern of talking on the phone to fill the void when you two couldn’t meet.

Even after almost two more weeks and a third date, you were pleasantly surprised that you and Dean still had plenty to talk about. You told him more about your childhood with your grandparents, while he told you funny stories about him and Sam growing up with their dad, though he was often gone while working on cases.

It was family friend and Fire Chief, Bobby Singer who looked after them whenever John couldn’t, or his old partner Jody Mills, or even Ellen Harvelle, owner of the Roadhouse.

The more you learned about Dean, the more invested you became. And he listened to you when you went on tangents about new recipes you wanted to try out (as long as he got to be your official Taste Tester).

You two argued, playfully and fervently, about music. And you’d been creating a list of old shows the other hadn’t seen, but absolutely needed to.

Dean had suggested Dukes of Hazzard, for example, while you suggested Smallville. You each only agreed to put up with this list if you two watched it together. (Needless to say, there would be some marathon binge watching in your future.)

You particularly took notice though, when Dean invited you to join him at the Roadhouse to meet Cas, one of his best friends, and his girlfriend Meg. You’d invited Andréa to come along, and even Dean’s friend Benny, who she’d also been seeing ever since that night at the Roadhouse.

Apparently, the couple had their own plans.

You tried not to feel some type of way about her brush-off, but your friend had been increasingly distant since she met Benny Lafitte. However, you supposed you couldn’t judge. You hadn’t been calling her as much either, ever since you met Dean.

You knew that if you kept dating him, some adjustments would have to come in your life. You also promised yourself that you’d never be someone who forgot your friends for a man…even for a man like Dean Winchester.

Tonight, however, you’d come directly from work to meet him at the bar. It made more sense than to make him come pick you up from your house, so you sat with a ginger ale while you waited. He’d promised you via text that he was on the way, just stuck in traffic.

Okay, drive safe. 😘 Don’t speed, please.

You knew how he liked floor the Impala with that damn lead foot of his.

No promises. 🏎️

You wanted to roll your eyes, but you were smiling unconsciously as you read his reply.

You were soon knocked out of your thoughts when a smooth voice said your name. You looked up and to your right, and there stood a familiar face. The man greeted you with an easy smile as he sat down next to you.

“I thought that was you,” he said. He reached out his hand and re-introduced himself. “Gordon Walker. Not sure if you remember me.”

“Oh, yes! Of course I do, Gordon,” you smiled and shook his hand.

“It’s good to see you again,” he said. His dark eyes subtly took you in from head to toe in your skirt, heels, and blouse. “Though I’ve gotta admit, I’ve never seen you here before.”

“Ah, right,” you said. “Well—”

Before you could explain, Gordon held up a finger as he noticed your drink of choice.

“Oh, wait a sec. Let me get you something stronger than soda,” he said. He started to flag down Jo, but you shook your head and made a cutting motion with your hand.

“Uh, no, that’s okay,” you said. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“What?” Gordon asked.

It was getting busy in the bar, making it loud enough that you could understand why he hadn’t heard you. You leaned over towards his ear.

“I’m good for now, thanks,” you said, raising your voice a bit. Gordon leaned in even closer and chanced resting a hand above your knee.

“You sure?” he asked. He gave you a smile that was all smooth sex appeal and confidence, without being arrogant.

It was undoubtedly attractive, but you were more shocked than charmed in your blush. You instinctively leaned back when you felt his hand on your thigh. Your hand clenched on the counter.

While your brain scrambled to figure out a response that would successfully remove it (without snapping rudely like you were itching to), a hand slipped along your lower back.

You jolted a bit in your seat with a flare of unease, until you turned your head and found Dean.

“Hey, baby,” he greeted, and dropped a kiss at your hairline. He also clapped a heavy hand on Gordon’s shoulder and squeezed. The other man graciously got the hint and leaned back, withdrawing his hand from your thigh.

“Hi,” you said, finally able to breathe a bit easier. You gave Dean a smile, and he returned it.

He looked over at his friend with a sharper smile. “Hey, Gord. How’s your night goin’?”

“Good.” Gordon nodded, now with a knowing gleam in his eye. “Though I’m sure your night’s gonna go better.”

You weren’t sure how to take that remark, considering the way Dean reacted with a tighter expression and pursed lips. Then, they flickered at a smile.

“Well, we’re meeting up with Meg and Cas in a minute. You should join us,” Dean said. Even though his tone wasn’t so very inviting. The two men seemed to have a wordless conversation between the lines that you couldn’t decipher.

Gordon shook his head, but raised his drink. “No worries, you guys hang. I’m leaving in a few.”

“All right. Let us know if you change your mind,” Dean said. He thumped Gordon once more on the back, more friendly this time.

Dean’s other hand slipped around your waist. He tapped you on the side.

“Come on, I’ve got us a table. It’s quieter,” he said.

You nodded and slid out of your seat. You offered Gordon a polite smile, even if you’d rather not.

“Have a good night,” you said.

The other man’s smile was less flirtatious and more polite this time as well.

“You too,” he said. 

Dean helped you onto your feet, like the gentleman he was, and he continued to lead you away from the bar with a hand on the small of your back. You instinctively pressed against his side to squeeze past the throng of patrons.

When you reached a high-top table in the corner, he pulled out your chair and held your hand as you climbed up in your skirt. You thanked him with a more genuine smile. Though once he was seated next to you, you leaned towards him and laid a hand on his arm, which rested on the table.

“I tried to tell him I was waiting for you. He took me by surprise,” you whispered.

Dean’s brows rose, but his face soon evened out with a smile. He tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

“Don’t worry about it. He didn’t know about us,” he said. “He was shootin’ his shot…a bit aggressively. Sorry about that.”

“Oh…it’s okay. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before,” you replied. Though butterflies ran through your belly when you considered what us meant.

You noted his frown at what you’d said though, and so you aimed to change the subject.

“But Cas and Meg know, right?” you asked.

Dean nodded. His frown started to lift. “Yeah. Cas is one of my best friends. Meg is…well. She’s the little sister I wish I didn’t have.”

You shook your head in amusement. Then you let out a squeal as Dean hooked a foot around the leg of your chair and brought you closer. He stopped you from becoming too unbalanced by wrapping an arm around your waist. You clenched your hands into the open panels of his plaid shirt, and his charming smile greeted you.

“Hi,” he said.

You laughed. “Yeah, you mentioned that earlier.”

“Well, I’m doing it right this time,” he said. And he dipped down for a lingering kiss.

Across the bar was Jo Harvelle, doing her job behind the counter. She poured five shots in succession and doled them out to a party of frat bros without even looking.

Her eyes were drawn to the back corner of the bar, where you and Dean sat closely together, exchanging whispers and the occasional steamy kiss.

“Mind your business,” came Ellen’s whisper in her ear.

Jo whipped her head to glare softly at her mother, but she saw Ellen’s point. It was both obvious and pathetic of her to stare.

Despite the unease making her feel a bit sick to her stomach, Jo went over to Gordon down at the end. His sympathetic smile bothered her; she knew then she hadn’t just been caught by her mother.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” he remarked.

“What?” Jo said. She began wiping down his area of the counter. “Would it kill you to keep it in the glass?”

Gordon gave her an amused look as he sat back in his seat. His tumbler of whiskey was drained.

“Look, I’m sorry, all right?” he said.

Both of them knew he wasn’t apologizing for the spill.

Jo’s brows knitted together, mostly in annoyance. “Again, for what?”

“I know it’s gotta be hard to see him actually moving on,” he replied.

Her lips pursed, and her eyes darted to the back of the room again. She stared for a moment at the side of your face.

“Knowing him, whatever it is won’t last,” she muttered.

Gordon hissed at the "burn," with a deep chuckle. She knew her words weren’t kind, but it was how she felt.

“That may be,” he allowed. “But he’s not just chasing tail anymore. That’s what scares you.” 

Gordon dropped a nice tip for her next to his glass. He grabbed his coat off the back of his chair and left Jo with the churning in her gut.

Cas and Meg finally arrived a few minutes later.

Dean knew you’d been to the Roadhouse before, but this was different. You were meeting some of his friends, and he realized how much he wanted you to. He felt…comfortable around you. And he wanted his friends to know you, and to like you.

“As you know, Meg’s our Paramedic in Charge over at 25,” he began, gesturing at the woman as she got settled in her seat.

You admired her long brown hair, tall boots, and black leather jacket. She seemed to ooze confidence and dark charisma as she tossed you a smirk.

“Guilty,” she said.

You smiled back. Dean gestured at her boyfriend next, clad in a beige trench coat, slacks, and blazer.

“And Cas, who bravely suffers being my dad’s partner on the job.”

Cas nodded wryly at the introduction. His dark hair and blue eyes were striking, you could admit. His tie was loose and slightly rumpled. Along with the stubble coating his face, he was handsome, if a bit scruffy. It was hard for you to believe he’d earned the top scores his year in the Police Academy, but you supposed that looks could be deceiving.

“What’s that like?” you asked with a smirk. “From what I’ve heard about John Winchester, he sounds like he’s a bit of a hard-ass.”

Dean barked with a dry laugh. “An understatement.”

“He has a crab-like shell,” Cas agreed. “But he has a soft center where it counts, not unlike his sons.”

You turned to Dean with a more teasing smile. “Aww…”

He rolled his eyes, even though his arm, which had been draped across the back your chair, now dropped to curl around your waist.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever, Columbo,” he remarked at his blue-eyed friend.

Always had to get the last dig in, it seemed, but you couldn’t help but laugh a little along with Meg at Cas’s expense.

“You guys all seem really close,” you said. It was nice for you to see.

Dean shrugged like it was no big deal. Or rather, like it was commonplace.

“Well, maybe family ain’t just about blood,” he said.

Meg rolled her eyes. “Ugh. What a friggin’ sap.”

“You love it,” Dean grinned. She smiled, begrudgingly.

Family ain’t just about blood.

You liked that sentiment as well. It seemed to be true here. 

Even Ellen Harvelle treated Dean like a son when she came over to greet your table. She kissed his cheek and gave Meg and Cas’s shoulders a squeeze. Even you got a warm hand on your shoulder when she introduced herself.

“Welcome, hun. I understand it’s not your first time here, but if you got any questions on the menu, you let me know,” she said.

Dean shot you a conspiratorial smile, and it got you wondering what he was about to do.

“I mean, I don’t know why you don’t put the order in for chili fries the second you see me come through the door,” he teased. “Come on, Ellen. How long’ve I been coming here? Since before I had a license?”

Ellen narrowed her eyes and flicked the side of Dean’s head, regardless of his flinching protest.

“Don’t you go sayin’ that so damn loud,” she reproached. “You never drank underage at my bar.”

His eyes averted with a smile, in a way that told you Ellen was a damn liar. You bit your lip to try and hide your smile.

“Anyway, I’ll get your damn fries—”

“And a beer,” Dean interjected. She rolled her eyes.

“And a beer. Four?” she pointed at the rest of you, and you, Cas, and Meg nodded in agreement.

“All right, four beers. Anything else, darlin’?” She looked at you with a mother’s charm.

You looked up from the menu and unconsciously smiled.

“Um, sure. Can I get the chicken sandwich?”

She patted your shoulder. “You sure can.”

Ellen then took the rest of their orders without writing a thing down. You were impressed by her memory. At the end though, Dean didn’t let her go without a hand on her arm.

“Thanks, Ellen,” he said with a more sincere smile.

“A-huh,” she replied, with all due sarcasm. But there was a fondness in her eyes that was hard to miss when she playfully grabbed the back of his neck. “Knucklehead.”

A giggle escaped you, and Ellen tossed you a wink before she went to put in the orders and get the drinks.

Conversation flowed easier when the alcohol came. One beer became two, and even three (four, for Meg). By then, you were sure it was one beer too many for yourself, but you didn’t want to be the odd one out. You were mostly listening to the three of them bounce back and forth between reminiscing with old stories and roasting one another mercilessly.

It was hilarious and entertaining, but you were trying not to get caught in the crosshairs of the volleying. Inevitably though, Meg’s attention turned to you with a certain sly smile.

“You must be real special,” she remarked, gesturing at Dean. “He usually doesn’t bring his girls around here, where he actually likes to hang out. Guess that’d mean he’d have to see ‘em again with the lights on.”

You blinked in surprise.

“Meg,” Dean’s voice cut like a warning.

Your eyes widened as you took in the change, his deeper voice, his more serious gaze, versus Meg’s nonchalance. Even Cas gave her a chiding look.

“Not sure I want to know what that means,” you tried to joke.

But you could guess. It was fairly obvious.

You glanced over at Dean, whose lips pursed. Before either of you could say anything more, Meg chimed in.

“Oooh, is this gonna be your first fight?” she teased.

Dean’s brows furrowed with a glare. “That’s enough.”

“And that’s our cue,” Cas nodded. He’d already slipped out his wallet as soon as his girlfriend started talking. He left a generous few bills to cover their half of the night, plus tip, and got up out of his seat. He claimed his coat and then encouraged Meg off her chair.

“What? I’m not done with my beer,” she protested.

“I think you are,” Cas said.

Meg scoffed, but she allowed his manhandling as he wrapped a supportive arm around her waist.

“You’re not the boss of me, Clarence,” she snipped.

“Certainly not,” he agreed. “But you’re a lightweight. Time to go home, before you insult the entire bar.”

“You’re no fucking fair,” she groused, hitting his chest over his jacket. Cas leveled you and Dean with a long-suffering look of apology.

Dean waved him off with a “no sweat it” look and a shake of his head. Meg annoyed the shit out of him sometimes, especially when she was drunk. He turned to you with a sigh.

“Again, sorry about that. I didn’t think I’d have to apologize for my friends more than once tonight,” he said.

You shook your head. “It’s...okay. Overall, they were really fun.”

Dean scoffed. “I don’t think Cas has been called fun even once in his life.”

You smiled in amusement, but Meg’s words still swirled around in your head like heady wine.

“Dean,” you began, but your attempt to broach the issue was cut off by his cell phone ringing. He gave you an apologetic look and fished in his pocket for his phone. His brows rose when he saw the caller ID.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I gotta take this,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, okay—” You’d barely nodded when Dean was up and out of his chair, heading out of the bar. You could still see him through one of the faded glass doors as he held the phone up to his ear.

It was late, and quieter now. A blonde server came to take your plates, and you actually remembered her.

“Oh, hi! Jo, right?” you asked. She hesitated when you spoke, but she bobbed her head.

“That’s me,” she said. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks,” you said with a smile. “I met your mom. She’s really nice.”

Jo uttered a wry laugh as she stacked the plates and silverware. You helped her collect the silverware and empty beer bottles.

“Yeah, when you get her good side,” she replied. 

You smirked at that, remembering how Ellen snapped back and forth with Dean. You had no doubt that woman could be a pistol if you pissed her off.

“Well, it's nice here,” you admitted, once again taking stock of the décor. The music, the warm lighting, the good food… “It’s cozy.”

Jo’s smile quirked to one side as she paused.

“Well, it’s been in my family for three generations of Harvelles,” she said. “This was my father’s favorite place in the world.”

You caught the note of melancholy in her words, in her eyes.

“Was?” you echoed. She met your gaze and nodded.

“He was a firefighter,” she said. “He died on the job.”

You dimmed considerably. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Jo only nodded.

“How did he…” Your curiosity got the best of you, but you soon shook your head and backtracked. “Never mind, you don’t have to explain.”

“It was a fire that wasn’t properly vented,” Jo answered your half-spoken question. Her blue eyes were heavier. “He got caught in an updraft…but he actually worked at Firehouse 25. He was their brother. That’s why this’ll always be their place.”

You processed that with a slow nod of wonder.

“It’s good that you and your mom will always have that support,” you said eventually. “Even though…it might be hard too, to always be reminded.”

Jo’s lips quirked again. “It’s more the first one, but…sometimes the second one. A lot of these guys have known me since I had braces. It’s hard to shake that perpetual little sister thing.”

You smiled at that. “Yeah, I’d imagine that gets old real quick. A bunch of over-protective older brothers.”

“Overbearing, more like,” she scoffed. You laughed.

Unconsciously, you glanced over to the front of the bar, where you saw Dean still on the phone. You remembered the second date you were meant to have, when he was late due to a five-car pileup his team responded to.

You remembered that night he called you for the first time, after a long day he didn’t want to tell you about. He’d let you distract him instead. All the while, it had you wondering what he’d seen. What he’d responded to that day.

Had it been another car accident? A fire? What made someone as upbeat and funny and smooth as Dean seem to lose all the life in his voice?

Though while you were lost in your thoughts, Jo was watching you.

Jealousy roiled inside her, unbidden. She didn’t want to hate you, because unlike the girls Dean usually messed around with, you had some self-respect. Jo heard Meg’s snide clips at you earlier, and no one could fake the surprise in your eyes. Unless you were just that good a damn actor…

But no, she didn’t get that vibe from you.

It didn’t mean she had to like you though. 

“You’re right to think twice,” Jo said, earning your attention back with a swivel of your head. “What Meg said…she wasn’t wrong. Dean’s broken a few hearts, if you catch my drift.”

Just a few well-placed words, Jo thought. She realized then that she had the power to twist the wrench here, widening the gap between you and Dean. Feed your doubts.

She didn’t have to feel bad about it if it was the truth.

And yet…she saw the way your gaze fell. The disappointment setting in, the anxious clench of your hands on the table. You glanced over at Dean again out of the corner of your eye.

Jo realized then just what she was doing, not just to Dean, but to herself.

You’re not some petty bitch, she dully reminded herself.

“But,” she found herself adding. You raised your gaze back to her. Jo let out a subtle breath.

“It’s not always his fault,” she admitted. And maybe she was speaking a bit too much from experience. “The job demands a lot from him.”

Slowly, you nodded. You looked pensive, but not like you’d made up your mind.

Fine, Jo thought, as she collected the dishes and left your table.

She didn’t know if she wanted to sway you one way or the other on taking a chance on Dean Winchester.   

While you were talking to Jo, Dean was taking his father’s unexpected call.

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” he said.

“Hey, son. How are ya?” John’s voice was gruff and tired. Dean frowned to hear it.

“I’m good. I’m out right now, but did you need something?”

“Have you responded to any fires lately?”

“You mean like the Richardson fire?” Dean asked pointedly. “No, haven’t had one since. And no cattle prod brandings either.”

“All right, good. Just checking in.”

Good? Dean thought. John would be chomping at the bit for a new arson. If he was “just checking in,” then he was worried about something. Is he worried about me?

“What’s going on? Is there something I need to know?” Dean asked in suspicion. This was why he had taken the call. “Seriously, you can tell me. I’m not even gonna bitch at you like Sam does.”

John chuckled. But then he hesitated. Dean knew he’d hit on something.

“Dad?” he pressed.

John’s sigh was a heavy one. “Okay. What I’m about to tell you, you don’t fucking repeat. Not to anyone, you understand me? Not even your brother.”

Dean’s brows furrowed in trepidation. “Okay, fine. What the hell is it?”

“Richardson, the father of two?” John reminded. “He was a lawyer, linked to a money laundering scheme through a company called Stull Storage. It’s an old company, dates back to the seventies.”

“Okay…” 

As John continued to explain, the more confused Dean became… 

About 30 years ago, John Winchester had been a young, but promising officer in the Narcotics division. He’d married young, and by then was just barely clearing the five-year mark. Already he had the house he’d inherited from his wife’s parents, a four-year-old son, and a newborn.

Stull Storage’s units were used by a drug ring that John had been trying to infiltrate, undercover. Those units had stored cocaine, illegal weapons, and other flavors of contraband, mostly from South America (and back).

“We got close to breaking that case, once, but after the fire…I transferred out of Narcotics, as you know,” John said.

Dean knew the real story there. After his mom died, his father went into a spiral, trying to find whoever set that fire—even after the Fire Department found no evidence of arson. John had eventually been forced out of Narcotics. He requested Homicide.

As he’d told Dean once when he was extremely drunk: I seem to do better at my job when the bodies are already dead.

“Now I know that I was right about your mother’s death,” John said.

Dean released a shaky sigh. “Aw, man. Not this again, Dad. For Christ’s sake.”

“There was something wrong about that fire, Dean,” he said, raising his voice to be heard over Dean’s objections. “I just didn’t find the connection…until now.”

Dean muttered a curse under his breath. His gaze fell to the ground. Sam was usually the one who drew a hard line at hearing any more about their mom’s supposed murder, but now Dean had reached the end of his tether. It was too much.

He glanced back through the glass doors to make sure you were okay. He saw you talking to Jo, and he frowned at himself.

Here you were, waiting on him back in the bar, and his dad was calling him in the middle of the night, chasing ghosts again.

“Look…it’s been my whole damn life with this.” Dean held the phone to his ear with one hand, and rubbed at his forehead with the other. “I just can’t do this with you anymore.”    

“Dean, listen,” John urged. “You wanna know what I’m digging into, this is it. I got Mary’s file unsealed.”

Dean’s eyes widened. “What? Thought you couldn’t do that without new evidence and a court order.”

“Well, I’ve got the evidence…maybe I was a bit impatient with the court order.”

Dean rolled his eyes. His father liked to play a little fast and loose with the rules.

“At the time, the medical examiner dismissed it. She’d been burned…” John paused on a deeper breath. “But I saw it. Mary had a burn on her wrist. It was the same brand found on Richardson. On Jerry Stillwell, CPA. Amanda Waller, journalist. It’s all connected, Dean. How they’re connected to one another, I’m not sure yet. We’re still digging…but I do know this. Richardson was a message.”

Dean’s back hit the wall of the Roadhouse. His brows furrowed as he struggled to digest everything John was saying.

“A message?” he asked. “To who?”

“To me, I think. Those kids, and their mother…you got ‘em out alive, but they weren’t meant to,” John said, his voice sounding heavy. "The wife told me her husband was erratic when he got home, holding his wrist. He'd been burned before the fire. He wouldn't say what happened...then they smelled the goddamn smoke."

"Shit," Dean replied. He leaned heavily against the wall, pressing a hand to his forehead. There was an ache starting between his eyes.

“Yeah," John agreed. "The drug ring I was investigating, when I was in Narcotics. I was getting close. And I mean close. I was about to get the Big Kahuna. The kingpin of the whole operation…and then the house fire.”

Fuck. Dean wiped at his mouth anxiously as he realized what John was saying. Fuck.

“He burned me, Dean. He must have,” John said. Meaning, the drug lord he was trying to pin down somehow discovered his identity. “Your mom paid the price of that.”

“Who is this guy?” Dean asked. His hand holding the phone was starting to tremble.

“I still don’t know his real name. Workin’ on that one too,” John said. “But they called him Azazel.”

When Dean eventually hung up with his father and returned to you at the bar, he saw you brighten. But you soon dimmed with a tinge of worry. Something of his thoughts must’ve shown on his face.

Shit. He tried his best to school his features.

“Hey, sorry about that,” he said, grasping your shoulder. “I’ll take you home.”

“I met you here, remember?” you asked.

Dean paused, then shook his head. Get it together, asshole.

“Right," he said. "Well, I’ll walk you to your car. Let me just pay real quick.”

After he sorted out the bill (he didn’t know that you’d slipped in an extra $30 in Cas’s stack for your part), he led you out, saying goodbye to Ellen and Jo while you went.

You hesitated when the two of you got to the car. Something wasn’t right with him. And both Jo and Meg’s words still rolled back and forth through your head.

“Dean, are you okay? Who was it on the phone?” you asked.

“I’m fine. It was just my dad, called to have me take a look at his car. We were just arguing about our schedules…I’m sure you can relate,” he replied, trying at a smile.

You weren’t sure if you believed him. Though he was nearly convincing, he was also shifting on his feet, hands in his pockets. His gaze roamed away from yours, above your head and over your shoulder.

“Um, I might’ve had a beer too many,” you said with a half-chuckle. “Could you walk with me for a bit? Just until my head clears enough to drive.”

“I could take you home,” Dean offered.

“And leave my car here?” you asked. In a public parking lot behind a bar?

You shook your head and pointed down the road.

“Just there and back…but if you need to go, I guess I could just sit in my car for a while.”

Dean shook his head with a frown. He couldn’t tell you that a damn serial killer was on the loose.

“No, it’s okay,” he said. “It’s a relatively safe neighborhood, but not so much at night. Not by yourself.”

He laid a hand on your back to start walking with you, but his hand soon fell back to his side. You glanced at him, but he looked straight ahead, unusually quiet and reserved.

It felt like he was checking out of this night with you. Like he just wanted to usher you into the car and leave. Did he just not want to deal with what Meg said?

“You must be real special,” she remarked, gesturing at Dean. “He usually doesn’t bring his girls around here, where he actually likes to hang out. Guess that’d mean he’d have to see ‘em again with the lights on.”

Letting out a breath, you tried to see if you could broach the subject.

“It was nice to meet some more of your friends,” you said, and with a nervous laugh, “even if it did get awkward there at the end.”

Dean finally looked over at you.

“We never exactly talked about what each of us was looking for,” you said. “What we were really doing here.” 

You stood your ground, but you tried not to look censuring. Just open to whatever he might have to say. Even so, unease churned inside you.

Dean sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Look, she wasn’t exactly wrong about me.”

You considered that with a nod, biting the inside of your lip.

“When was the last time you were in a relationship?” you asked. Dean gave a humorless huff of a laugh. This really was the last thing he wanted to get into tonight, but he had a feeling he had no choice.

“A few months ago, for about a minute,” he said. “But uh, before then…never.”

Together, you began to cross the street while the cars on either side waited at the red light. Pedestrians had the right of way for the next 30 seconds. You looked over at him and steeled yourself.

“Dean, is this is something casual for you?”

“Define casual,” he attempted to joke (or to deflect). Though the bravado fell the moment he saw that look on your face: tight and disappointed…and hurt.  

He reached for your hand, but you weren’t having it. You slipped away from him and continued walking at a more brusque clip, even in those platform heels.  

“Okay, hold on.” He quickly followed after you and tugged you back by the hand. It had you both stopping in the middle of the crosswalk.  

Dean squeezed your hand and peered into your eyes.

“Look, I’m sorry. Don’t close up on me,” he implored. “…Please.”

Despite your better judgment, and your pursed lips, you waited. Something told you this man didn’t often say please.

“The truth is, I’m trying to do something different here with you. I don’t think we would’ve made it to date #4 if we were just casual,” he said. “I’m not playing games either.”

You wanted to trust that he was serious. Once again, your mind and your heart were at odds; the former told you to be wary, while the latter told you to trust the earnestness in his eyes.

Your heart won. “Okay, Dean.”

“Yeah?” he asked, with hopeful brows raised.

“Yeah,” you nodded.

You finally smiled. And you leaned up, resting a hand against his chest, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His stubble was coarse, but familiar against your lips.

Dean turned his head and leaned in for a proper kiss. His hands found the curve of your waist and brought you closer against his chest. You both sunk deeper into it, your lips gliding as your head tilted into the kiss…

Until a horn honked loudly, making you both jolt at the sound.

The streetlight was green, and several cars were waiting for you to cross. You snorted in amusement, leading Dean to grin down at you. He tugged you back into step with him across the street.

Again, you hesitated at your car. Dean was more himself as he’d held your hand all the way back.

He now held your car door open while you threw in your purse. But when you turned back to him, you still saw something brooding behind his eyes.

You drew near and grasped the open edges of his shirt. This man wore a lot of plaid when he was out of uniform, always with an undershirt. Tonight it was green plaid on gray, complete with some faded jeans and a pair of boots. This was the only “casual” way in which you wanted Dean.  

“Hey,” you started.

“Hmm?” he replied, holding you by your arms.

“I get that we haven’t known each other all that long. So you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,” you said. “But did something happen when you stepped out? When you talked to your dad?”

Dean paused. His eyes, a pale green under the streetlamp, flicked to yours.

“I just want to know that you’re okay,” you said. “And if you’re not, that’s okay too.”

After a moment to blink in surprise, your earnestness got to him. His grip moved down your arms, and he took one of your hands. His dad’s warning echoed through his mind.

What I’m about to tell you, you don’t fucking repeat. Not to anyone, you understand me? Not even your brother.

Dean knew his dad didn’t make demands without a reason, even if he wasn’t typically so forthcoming with them. But Dean drew enough courage to be as honest as he could be. You deserved that much, after everything you'd put up with tonight.

“My mom died...when I was about four,” he said. “It was a house fire.”

Your eyes widened. All this time, you’d assumed his mother had passed away. You hadn’t expected that, though. You squeezed his hands.

“I’m so sorry,” you said, and you meant it. Dean just shook his head.

“It was ruled an accident. Really they just didn’t have much evidence either way,” he continued. “But uh, my dad’s been obsessed with the idea that it wasn’t. That someone started the fire on purpose… Well, today, he might’ve found his proof.”

He held your gaze for as long as he could, but in the end, he just couldn’t. His chest was tight. Saying those words out loud made them real, and he wasn’t sure of how to handle it.  

“Oh, Dean,” you said, starting and stopping, as you struggled to formulate a response that wasn’t just “I’m sorry,” or “Are you okay?” 

He clearly wasn’t. You also didn’t want to give him platitudes like, “That’s crazy,” or the ever-inspired: “Wow.” 

Or some other variation of what you’re supposed to say. You wanted to give him something honest. Something real. 

So you curled your hands around his arms, earning his gaze.

“You must be reeling right now,” you said. “Do you think he’s onto something this time?”  

“I don’t know what to think,” said Dean. “I’ve been pressing him for answers, but…honestly? I wish he hadn’t told me a damn thing.” 

You didn’t know what to say to that. You were surprised that he actually confided in you with this. But the only thing you could think to do was lean up on your toes and slip your arms around his neck. You hugged him, warm and tight. 

You couldn’t even imagine what he was feeling, but you just wanted him to know that someone was there for him. You were there for him. 

Dean eventually hugged you back. He held you, reassuring you as well as himself. He blew out a cathartic breath, and his hand came up to cup the back of your head. His lips tugged upwards.

“You’re a sweetheart, you know that?” he said. 

A smile spread across your face. Your fingers soothed through his hair gently. You pressed your lips into his neck.

“I aim to please,” you said against his skin.

Dean smiled more fully at that. The new warmth in his chest warred against the roiling in his stomach. Despite his best efforts, his smile faded.

His mom’s killer was still out there.

The thought was haunting his mind, and he knew it probably would for many nights to come.

So for now, he’d just hold you a bit tighter.

AN: 🥲 I honestly didn't mean it to end so angsty, but Dean finally got some much-needed hurt/comfort there! What did you think of how Jo handled her jealous side? And Gordon "shooting his shot" lol.

Coming soon in Part 7, we finally get to a huge milestone between these two lovebirds, with a side helping of baking shenanigans. 😏❤️‍🔥

Next Time:

“Ey, ey!” he raised a warning finger with his free hand. “You’re about to take this to a new level.”

You met his gaze through your lashes with a playful smile. “So?”

Dean raised a brow at you. He could admit, you had audacity. All he could do was call your bluff.

He took one of your battered fingers into his mouth. Your eyes widened at the feel of his soft tongue swirling around your finger, sucking it clean. All the while, his eyes never broke from yours.

Lord have mercy, you thought. Really, it was the only coherent one in your head.

Keep Reading: PART 7

Dean Winchester Masterlist

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[be-with-me-so-happily]

Could you do a fic where the reader and Harry spend a whole week with Gemma and Anne at Anne’s house but they basically spend more time with you and Harry gets jealous but like fluff kind of jealous

sry if it doesn’t make much sense

It makes total sense! I absolutely think Harry would be a bit pouty in this situation! I straight up wrote this and then posted it. I'm not sure if this is exactly what you asked for, I changed it a little, and I made it a fun little blurb, but hopefully you like it nonetheless. 🩷

Harry hears the clicking of heels against the footpath, the jingle of keys, and the front door creak as it opens then shuts. The chatter and giggles sound from the entryway, each voice distinguishable as yours, Gemma's, and his mum's.

"Hello, darling!" His mum exclaims, walking up behind the sofa adjacent to where he sits, his feet resting on the coffee table, and his arms across his body, as he gives the illusion of being deeply engrossed in the show that plays on the television.

Don't get it wrong, he finds peace when he can simply relax in his mum's house and simply be himself. He looks forward to it, even craves it when his schedule is so busy. But this week has been different.

If he thought he fell in love with you quickly, his mum fell even faster. The moment she first met you, all that time ago, was as if two comparative souls had finally found each other. Add Gemma to the mix, and it felt as if you had always been a part of their family.

Visits with the other two women in his life have been sparse lately, especially with his chaotic schedule, and he had looked forward to nothing more than bringing you back to Holmes Chapel and just being with the people he loves most. However, for 5 days straight, no one has been with him. Okay, that's not entirely true, but at this point it may as well be. The three most important people in his life have spent that time practically glued to each other's hips. Shopping together, had manicures, went out for brunch, and all the while Harry has been sprawled out on the sofa, or the bed, with not much else to do.

He loves that the three of you always get on so well, but now he feels left out, and he can't seem to avoid the subtle pout that he can detect on the corners of his mouth.

"Harry?" Your voice sounds through, and he looks over to find you standing next to his mother, both of you adorning a similar inquisitive look between your brows. "Are you alright?"

He simply nods, returning his focus back to the show that he honestly can't even remember the name of. He had only turned it on to provide some sort of noise in the otherwise vacant house.

A figure appears, almost immediately, beside him, and without fully looking, he knows it's you. Your gorgeous shape, your intoxicating fragrance, your sweet giggle. Harry looks up to meet your gaze, one filled with disbelief, curiosity, and a hint of sass.

He watches as you put down your new shopping bags, secretly hoping you have spoiled yourself a bit, but knowing you most likely refrained. His eyes stay on yours, lowering as you kneel down in front of him, warmth emanating from your palms into his thighs.

"Why are you sulking?" You ask, a lightness to your tone that he knows you mean well.

"Did you have fun?" He mumbles, his eyes flickering over your new purchases.

"I did..." You reply, squinting at him, your stare digging right into him, appearing to search for the real answer to her previous question. "Are you upset that we went to the shops?"

"No." He unintentionally tightens his arms around himself, and notices your eyes widen with clarity.

"H..." You smirk, and he sees you try to hide it as you pull your lips inward.

"Alright. Yes. Well, sort of." He begins, stumbling through his words as he feels all of his thoughts amp up to burst through. "It's just... it feels like I haven't seen you in days. Feels like I haven't seen any of you in days. No one wants to hang out with me."

He knows he sounds childish, but at the same time, he feels like a child. His mum, sister, and basically his best friend are all ignoring him. Childish? Yes, but also valid.

"That's not tru-"

"Yes it is." He interrupts. "As soon as we got here, my mum has been talking your ear off... and you've been making all your plans with Gemma..."

"Oh-... oh my god. Are you jealous?" Your bottom lip pushes forward, and your body shakes, alerting Harry to the fact that you are holding back your laughter. The fact that you are so cute when you laugh, and also that you are trying to stay serious for him, draws out a smile of his own. He was never actually mad, and even if he was, he couldn't stay mad at you for very long.

"Maybe a little." He finally admits, wishing he had done it sooner with the way your compassionate eyes are making his heart beat faster.

"Wait... jealous of me? Or Anne and Gemma?"

"A bit of both, I suppose."

"Harry..." You begin to coo, seeming to nurture the childish way he's been feeling. You push yourself up from the floor and take the spot right beside him, lifting a hand to his cheek and persuading him to look at you. "Babe... I was just trying to give you some space. You've been so busy lately, I figured you'd want to relax."

You begin to pepper kisses on his lips, and a smile bursts out from within him.

"I know, love." He replies, his words as soft as your gaze on him. "I've had enough space though. No more space. I need more time with you."

He lifts his shoulder for you to nuzzle into, and you do just as expected, wrapping your arms around his waist in the most natural of a habit.

"Alright." You respond. "What do you want to do then?"

"Right now? This." He kisses the top of your head as both your bodies sink into the sofa cushions, him now fully relaxed with you by his side. "Just this."

[theartofcollapse]

can i make a request for female reader x alex in which they were just becoming ‘a thing’ until reader walks in on alex on a date with langan and after that it’s all awkward and a whole lot of avoidance until they actually talk it out?

a/n: thank your for requesting! summary: read it above pairing: Alex Cabot x female reader warnings: none word count: 1K

masterlist

Things We Don’t Say - Alex Cabot

The first time Alex Cabot had kissed you, you thought the universe was finally playing fair. You were a new detective in the SVU squad, and while Alex was every bit the formidable ADA, she was also the woman who brought out parts of you you hadn’t even known existed.

The relationship - if you could even call it that yet - had started slow. Long nights working cases led to coffee runs, then coffee runs turned into lingering conversations in her office. And, eventually, the occasional stolen moment after a successful case. You didn’t talk about labels, didn’t push each other for anything. But you knew. And Alex knew.

Until you didn’t.

You’d only gone to the restaurant because Olivia had insisted. “You’re working too much,” she’d said. “Go have a drink, unwind.” You’d grumbled but reluctantly agreed. Which was why you were standing in the entryway of a swanky Midtown restaurant, scanning the crowd for a seat at the bar, when your gaze landed on her.

Alex.

Sitting at a table in the corner, laughing softly. And across from her? Trevor Langan. Defense attorney. Opposing counsel. Charmer.

Your stomach dropped.

You watched as he leaned in, his smile perfect, while Alex… Alex looked genuinely amused. Her posture was relaxed, her guard down in a way you hadn’t often seen. It took every ounce of strength not to storm over and demand to know what the hell was going on.

Instead, you turned on your heel and left.

The days that followed were excruciating. You didn’t confront her. You couldn’t. But you also couldn’t bring yourself to act like nothing had happened. You were professional on cases, curt but polite when you had to speak to her. She noticed, of course. Alex was too sharp not to.

“Detective,” she said one evening as you handed her the latest case file, her tone careful. “Have I done something to upset you?”

You froze for a moment, the weight of her question sitting heavily between you. “No, Counselor,” you said, not meeting her gaze. “Everything’s fine.”

It wasn’t fine. And you both knew it.

Alex hated this. The way you barely looked at her. The way your conversations, once easy and natural, had turned stiff. She couldn’t pinpoint what had gone wrong, but it gnawed at her.

She replayed every interaction in her head, trying to figure out where things had shifted. And then, one night, as she lay awake staring at her ceiling, it hit her. The dinner with Trevor. You must have heard the gossips going on about it. Or even seen them since you were a regular at that restaurant.

Her stomach churned as she realized how it might have looked.

The next day, she cornered you in the precinct. You were at your desk, poring over a report, when her voice cut through the noise.

“Detective. We need to talk.”

You glanced up, surprised by her sudden presence, but your expression quickly hardened. “I’m busy.”

“This won’t take long.” She gestured toward an empty interview room. “Please.”

Reluctantly, you followed her.

Once the door closed behind you, Alex turned to face you, her arms crossed tightly. “I think I know why you’ve been avoiding me,” she began.

Your jaw tightened. “I haven’t been avoiding you.”

“You have,” she said, her voice soft but insistent. “And I think it has something to do with Trevor.”

At the mention of his name, you flinched. “Why don’t you tell me, Counselor?” you said bitterly. “You seemed pretty cozy with him.”

Alex sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It wasn’t what you think.”

“Really? Because it looked a hell of a lot like a date.”

“It wasn’t,” she said firmly. “Trevor asked me to dinner to discuss a case. He wanted to feel out my position on a motion he was planning to file. That’s all it was.”

You stared at her, your anger slowly giving way to something else. Something closer to hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Alex hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Because I didn’t think it mattered,” she admitted. “We haven’t defined what we are. And I didn’t realize…” She trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Didn’t realize what?”

“How much I care about you,” she said quietly.

Your breath hitched at her admission.

“I should have told you,” she continued. “I should have been upfront. But I promise you, there’s nothing between me and Trevor. There never was.”

You looked at her, the sincerity in her eyes cutting through the fog of doubt that had been clouding your mind. 

“I’m sorry,” she said, stepping closer. “If I hurt you, if I made you feel like you didn’t matter to me, I’m sorry.”

For a moment, you didn’t say anything. Then, finally, you nodded. “I was scared,” you admitted. “That I was just something temporary for you.”

Alex reached for your hand, her touch warm and steady. “You’re not temporary,” she said firmly. “Not to me.”

The tension between you eased, replaced by something softer, more hopeful.

“Okay,” you said finally, a small smile tugging at your lips.

“Okay,” Alex echoed, her own smile breaking through.

Alex’s hand lingered in yours, her thumb brushing softly over your knuckles. She took a deep breath, her blue eyes searching yours, as though making sure she had your full attention.

“I don’t want there to be any more confusion between us,” she said, her voice steady. “I care about you, and I don’t want to keep pretending this is casual. I want this, I want us.”

Your heart skipped a beat as she squeezed your hand gently.

“So,” Alex continued, a rare, shy smile pulling at her lips, “will you be my girlfriend?”

You couldn’t help the grin that spread across your face as you nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

Relief washed over Alex’s features, and before you knew it, she was leaning in, pressing a tender kiss to your lips. 

[maidenborn]

Detective Love-struck! the hunt begins

part two of Detective Love-struck! , Shoto x reader, in which Deku and Reader brainstorm ways to uncover the secret lover who gifted reader a love letter! fem reader, I apologise for any errors in advance,

cw: mentions of bruises on Shoto's arm, child Shoto being afraid of Endeavour, implied bullying.

Word count: 1,613

The walk back to the 1-A dormitory was riddled with half-baked plans and endless cries of paranoia, no matter how hard Izuku had tried to rationalise it, your mind kept drifting back to the last line of the confession letter you received. The last thing you had expected on a random Wednesday, was a love note, there were no upcoming holidays, like valentines day or anything. The forest training camp funded by your school, Yuuei, had just ended a couple weeks prior, love was hardly in the air. Rather, the overall vibe of your fellow students had only just started to revert back to normal.

It was only the first semester of the hero course, and you'd only just started learning more about your classmates. The possibility that one of them could be the culprit seemed absolutely insane to you, you barely knew them, they barley knew you. Its not like you liked any of them anyways.. not in that way.

You were pulled out of your thoughts by Izuku hatching yet another scheme,"what if we can gain access to the security cameras in the hallway! That way we can actually see who put the letter in your locker!" His hair bounced along with his words, he talked so fast sometimes it took you a few a few moments to process it all.

You're you were reminded of your younger self persistently trying to convince your hometown police station to let you in on their investigations. Prancing around with Todoroki, hand in hand, play pretending you were legendary investigators tracking down a high profile criminal. Claiming you didn't need the help of the actual investigators, you and him were waayyy better off without them. As humiliating as the memories were, you couldn't help but feel a sharp twang in your heart at the sudden recollection. Echos of the reminder rung warm within you, you smiled softly at the thought.

Snapping back to reality you replied to the boy, "As helpful as that would be, I doubt that we'd actually be allowed to review security footage. The time that would save though.." You actually considered it for a moment,"Im sure we can figure it out on our own though!" You raised a fist with ambition, as Izuku's eyes lit up with excitement.

"y-yeah okay!" The boy stuttered at your sudden enthusiasm, what was up with you all of a sudden?

By the end on your first week at your new school, you and Shoto were already attached at the hip. He had this inexplicable gravity towards you. You were quiet, but friendly, not snarky or cruel like the other kids that approached him. You never made uncomfortable comments like, "Why is your hair like that?" or "What's that weird mark on your face?" You never poked him or pulled at him, and you'd let him hold on to your bag as you'd both wander around too. Sho liked to wander with you, it would get too crowed sometimes and you'd always drag him away, nicely of course.

You liked how he listened, no matter how long you'd talk. At first you thought he was zoning out or ignoring you, but then you would aways notice a soft smile creeping up on his face whenever you'd get to an exciting part in whatever story you were telling. He didn't shy away from your excitement when describing your favourite sweet or tv show, he was drawn to it. Like a warm flame, one that he wanted to nurture, although young Shoto wasn't sure how. He figured staying close by you would be enough for now.

You were inseparable in no time. Completely enchanted, the boy would get worried that one day you'd change your mind, that you'd find him weird, or get angry at him for not being able to come to school some days. Or for being upset, and not being able to tell you why. You'd notice the bruising on his arms, he'd worry that you'd be sacred of them, but you'd just smile at him with that smile of yours and drag him off to show him a cool rock you found.

Shoto would start to greet you with slight enthusiasm, better then nothing, whenever you would meet his eye before you'd go into school. He craved you the same way he'd crave a cold bowl of soba, although you made him feel a lot warmer on the inside, you made his heart beat faster then anything, and when you'd smile at him he felt like he was falling in place. It panicked him at first, he confused the feeling with the way he felt whenever his father would come home. Then he realised he wasn't scared when he was with you, like when he was with his mama, he was happy with you. He wanted the both of you to stay with him forever.

You and Deku had made plans to brainstorm a solution to crack down on the 'crook' , but that was for tomorrow, right now you were sat on your bed in your dorm room, fiddling with the cloth of your pyjama leg. Cheek resting on your knee with a befuddled look on your face, the days events fading through your mind, going over each every word of the letter. You had it open on your bed in front of you, the once pristine edges now crumpled and folded from your aggression earlier. You scanned over the words once more, 'I'll set your heart alight'..

With petrol orrr...? No. stop being stupid, you thought, obviously the person responsible isn't an arsonist out to get you. You hadn't done anything wrong! Besides who would put a threat in a love letter. It's obviously an attempt at courting you. Perhaps they have a quirk related to fire! You sat up, back straight. Groaned loudly, why hadn't you thought of that before, you guess you're just on edge sinc-

knock knock

Jumping in your skin, your heart racing, you scramble to reach the door, you unlatch the lock fumbling with the door handle, hands still shakey. You sigh a breath of relief, realising it's just Shoto at the door. Shoulders relaxing, you invite him in,"Hey Sho," you chuckle, "you startled me for a second."

"I apologise Yn," You notice the boy clenching and unclenching his fists, eyes still calm. On you, as always. You learnt over the years to look for other signs of body language, other than his eyes, such at fiddling hands tense jaw, clenched fists. Although you seem to be the only one who ever notices the behaviour. Was he nervous? "Are you busy at all?"

Your lip twitches at the sudden question, your heart jumps a little, calm down you weirdo, "No, not at all, come in!" You beam up at him, you wonder how you don't have smile lines around your mouth yet, considering all of the cheesing you do at him.

Stepping to the side, you lean against the door, letting him walk in past you. "What's up" His hair is slightly damp, he looks like he's just showered and smells warm and like mint.

"I.." He pauses for a short moment. Blinks, thinking, "I was thinking about what Midoriya said earlier." Cool toned eyes immediately latch onto yours.

"Oh yeah?" You ask strolling over you your bed, you sit down, back and head now against the wall , you pat the space next to you, inviting him over.

He nods,"Yes. Midoriya mentioned you received a letter?" He asked, tone slightly questioning, mostly monotone. The boy didn't seem at all phased by the situation. You study his face, no disruptions in his features, no strain or tenseness. Body completely relaxed.

"Yeah, it's right here. Pretty strange huh. Who the hell prints a letter out without writing their name or something. Ive got no idea who it could be from." You hand it to him, gesturing to the writing on the paper. "It's just a regular love letter, 's got a confession and everything, nothing out of the ordinary." You state as if you get love letters on the regular. You've never received one before but you guess that that's what they usually say. "No hints as to who they could be."

Shoto nods again at this. You turn your head to face him, his eyes lurking over the text meticulously. Damn he's more into this than I am. He hands the letter back to you once he's done. "It seems as though you have a secret admirer." He turns his head, faces inches apart.

"Yeaahhhh", You lean back slowly trying not to bring any attention to your movements. "What do I do? Should I even try to track 'em down?" Turning your head away from his, feeling much less flustered staring at the ceiling instead. "Would it be even worth it? The type of person willing to send me on some wild goose chase, I mean, who would do that. Am I overthinking??" Haphazardly swishing your head back around to look at him. You're greeted by the sight of Shoto staring right back at you, having not moved an inch.

"No. Perhaps this person will make another move."

"You mean like, send another letter."

"It is possible, Yn." He replies, face serious as ever.

"So you're saying I am overthinking this." You huff, acting fake annoyed at him. He responds by pinching your cheek in-between his thumb and index softy, a slight smile on his face, a rare glint in his eyes.

"Don't twist my words Yn."

You chuckle slyly, pretend glaring at him,"Im not! You're supposed to make me feel better! Instead you're just enabling me."

"Right."

everrrrr so slightly shorter than yesterday's part but here we go! Im aiming to make the next part longer, but we shall seeee

hope you guys enjoy ! ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Let me know how you liked this one, and feel free to ask me anythinggg ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

part 3