Tumgik
#teddy flood edits
teddy-and-dolores · 6 months
Text
Telemundo Las Vegas news report: Aaron Paul and James Marsden arrive to participate in the F1 race in Las Vegas on behalf of IWC watches on November 14, 2023.
16 notes · View notes
astarkey · 2 years
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
And those who loved before will be brought back together Yeah those who loved before will be brought back together And so they say baby for everything a reason And so they say baby you will be brought Brought back to me
242 notes · View notes
sweetaprilbutterfly · 2 years
Photo
Tumblr media
Dolores Abernathy & Teddy Flood - WESTWORLD (2016 –present)
74 notes · View notes
inafieldofdaisies · 2 years
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 | Season 4, Episode 5  “Zhuangzi” | “A God, a storyteller”
14 notes · View notes
buckymorelikefuckme · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
and baby makes three
(the reboot)
bucky barnes x fem reader
words: 11.3k
warnings: **18+ ONLY** friends to lovers, pining, smut, oral (f receiving), breeding kink, pregnancy kink, cockwarming (kind of??), trigger warning for having troubles with getting pregnant. it's still super fuckin soft despite all of that though, i swear.
a/n: okay so it's currently 6am as i'm typing this and i haven't been to sleep yet bc i decided to just heavily edit this instead of rewrite it bc i'm lazy i guess idk. this was posted originally back in 2021 i believe and it's still on ao3 it's just orphaned rip. i promise i'll be writing and posting new stuff soon ok pls have faith in me and cheer me on bc it's hard and scary and i don't wanna disappoint anybody :( ANYWAY, as usual, any and all mistakes are my own. if i've missed anything important pls let me know so i can correct it. feedback is encouraged (pls) and appreciated (i am begging...)
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
The idea of you having a child one day always seemed foreign and very unlikely. Sure, you liked kids well enough, but having one of your own…
It’s a thought that’s sat in a corner deep in your mind, buried beneath a million other impossible concepts; a thought that you’ve only ever glanced over and never gave your full attention, having ruled it out ages ago as something you just couldn’t—or wouldn’t—do.
And then, on a day like any other, it pushes its way to the forefront of your mind, making itself known and unwilling to leave.
You’re going into the clothing store to find a new cardigan after your most favorite one got eaten by the dryer. Usually you’re a single-minded shopper, walking into a store with tunnel vision and on a mission to get what you need and that’s it.
Today, however, you make the mistake of letting your eyes wander on your way to the sweater section. Your gaze just so happens to land on the baby clothes… and your steps falter. It’s there that you see it, a tiny, pink onesie with a sleeping teddy bear printed on the front, displayed on an even tinier hanger. There’s matching pants with teddy bears all over them and ruffles on the butt and all your brain can muster up is cutecutecutecutecute.
Your feet carry you closer and before you realize what you’re doing you pick up the outfit, letting out a coo when you realize the teddy bear is fuzzy, softly rubbing your thumb across it. Somehow, you walk out of the store, not with a new cardigan, but with the cute baby outfit and a bow you thought looked adorable with it.
It’s not until you get home that it hits you, that you bought baby clothes for a baby you don’t even have.
The feeling that rushes through you is hard to describe. Shame? Embarrassment?
...Yearning?
No. Definitely not. Nope.
There’s absolutely no yearning going on here, not for a baby. You’ve never even had that desire before and you certainly don’t see yourself having it now. You shake your head to clear it, telling yourself you’ll take it back tomorrow.
Except you don’t take it back. You conveniently “forget” and it stays shoved on the top shelf in your hall closet. You pretend you don’t pause in front of said closet throughout the following days—weeks—chewing on the inside of your cheek and staring at the door like you can see through the wood at the evidence of your impulsive purchase.
It gets harder to ignore, though, when you start getting ads for baby clothing brands. And baby toys, bottles, handy little gadgets for new parents, nursery decor… It’s endless.
Then, as if it wasn’t already bad enough, all of your childhood friends start popping out babies like it’s a brand new trend. You don't think you've seen your social media this flooded with pregnancy announcements and baby arrivals, ever. Your emotions are mixed; happy for them, and for their excitement, but there’s also a weird discomfort settled in your stomach.
You hesitate to be that person who thinks the universe is trying to tell you something, but you do wonder. Why else would you suddenly have these feelings? Why else would there be baby stuff everywhere you look now?
It brings on other thoughts, as well. In this day and age, it’s not too unusual for women to have babies without being married, or without a significant other at all. There is the pressure, still, to at least be in a relationship, but considering you’ve been practically in love with one of your closest friends for the last two years, it’s safe to say that you’re tragically single, so having a baby with someone is out of the question.
And god, do you even want a baby?
As soon as the thought crosses your mind, with a sudden clarity that hits you like a ton of bricks, you realize you do. It feels like a freight train has slammed into you. Your mind’s eye supplies you with images of a swollen belly and wide smile, a precious baby wrapped in a soft blanket, cradled in your arms, a gummy grin and happy giggle.
Emotion consumes you then, longing like you’ve never felt in your life, chest aching with how badly you want that.
It’s not as if you’re too young. You’re plenty old enough and you’ve got a secure job. You don’t subscribe to that whole biological clock nonsense, but you do feel that if you are going to potentially have a baby, it might be better to do it now while you’re still in relatively good health.
You groan, dropping your face into your open palms, the movie you'd been watching to try and distract yourself long forgotten as it continues to play on the television.
This is a lot to think about, you ponder to yourself. Taking a deep breath in and releasing it slowly, you decide the mature thing to do is give yourself more time to ruminate on it. Having a baby is no small decision. You need to be absolutely certain it’s what you want. It’s going to change your entire life, everything, and you’d be responsible for a new life. So, you’ll have to give yourself a few months to decide and then you can go from there.
***
You’re scrolling through yet another article on your laptop, engrossed in every detail of the process of artificial insemination and the symptoms and side effects that come with it. So engrossed, in fact, that you don’t hear the key turning in the lock, the door opening and closing, and the heavy footfalls that follow.
It’s only when Bucky asks, “Whatcha reading?” that you are even aware of his presence.
You startle so hard that your knee slams into the underside of your table. Ignoring the throbbing pain in your knee and your wildly beating heart, you close your laptop with a snap and turn to Bucky.
“You could knock,” you grouse.
“Why give me a key, then?” he retorts, unapologetic.
You roll your eyes and grumble under your breath, “Clearly, it was a mistake.”
“You didn’t answer me.”
Brows furrowed, you ask, “What?”
He gestures to your laptop. “What were you reading? Your nose was nearly smushed against the screen.”
You blink, trying to think of a reasonable excuse and coming up empty.
“Nothing,” is all your brilliant mind can supply.
Bucky’s eyes narrow for a few seconds, and you pray to every higher power and all that is holy and good that he won’t press further. You remain frozen under Bucky’s suspicious stare, hearing that Old West shootout music playing in your mind.
Thankfully, it seems the deities are feeling indulgent, as Bucky chooses let it go.
He holds up the bags he carried in. “I brought lunch.”
You perk up instantly. “Did you go to that one place—?”
“With the fried rice you like so much, yes,” he finishes for you, smiling.
“You’re the best,” you sigh, stomach rumbling eagerly.
“I know,” he replies, solemn and dramatic like the idiot he is.
He begins taking out the styrofoam boxes and chattering on about something dumb Steve did the other day, and you mean to listen, you really do. It’s just. That article is still lingering in your brain. There’s so many steps and hassles. Plus, it’s not cheap. It would be a hefty investment.
You’d only researched it because, after months of contemplating the pros and cons of having a baby, you determined the pros far outweigh the cons. But then the problem was: how to even make it happen.
Your first thought was that you didn’t think you’d let just any man come inside you, for many obvious reasons. You’d shuddered to think of it. Then there was surrogacy, which is admirable and wonderful, but you’d quickly dismissed that idea as you realized you wanted to actually carry the baby yourself. So that led you to artificial insemination. You weren’t sure how you felt about it yet. There was something a little too clinical about choosing a random man’s sperm to have injected into your uterus.
Bucky’s still speaking as he grabs plates and forks, unaware of your inner monologue. “And then he got Sam involved,” he’s saying, scooping out food onto the plates, “which, as you know, I always think is a dumb thing to do.”
“I want to have a baby,” you blurt, eyes widening at your outburst.
Bucky fumbles with the spoon, sending fried rice flying, muttering curses as he tries to catch it with no luck as it lands with a dull clunk on the table. The silence that follows is loud. It feels like your heart is in your throat as you wait for him to just say something, anything.
“This is… quite a mess I’ve made,” Bucky finally observes. His voice is a bit higher than usual. “Where’s your vacuum? Actually, do you have one of those mini ones? Or would Clorox wipes be better? You know what, I’ll do both.”
He nods decisively then turns an expectant look towards you. His eyes look a bit wild, but you wisely keep that to yourself.
Wordlessly, you direct him to your hall closet. You realize your error a second too late when he opens the closet and reaches for the vacuum on the top shelf, where the purchase you’d made months ago also rests. His fingers get caught in the plastic bag when he grabs the handheld vacuum and its contents spill out. He goes to catch them right away, but once it registers what they are, he lets go of them like they’re on fire and nearly drops the vacuum on his foot.
Heat has been steadily creeping up your neck, but now your whole body feels aflame with embarrassment. The two of you stare at the baby clothes lying unassumingly on the floor for a long moment, until Bucky quietly walks back to the table with the vacuum clutched tightly in his fist. He flicks the switch on and it whirs to life, sucking up the bits of rice scattered around the table.
There’s another lengthy silence after he turns the vacuum off and you're unable to find the right thing to say to break it. Bucky does it for you.
“So… You’re serious.”
You meet his eyes and sigh heavily. “Yeah.”
He blinks a few times before clearing his throat, schooling his expression carefully. “I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”
You cough lightly and start picking the peas out of your fried rice. “Well, that would be because I’m not.”
“I don’t think I follow,” he admits slowly.
You sigh again, lowering your gaze to your lap. “Look, I’ve thought about this a lot, okay? I’ve given myself months to really make sure it’s what I want. I’m in a good place in my life to have one, Bucky, and I don’t want to feel pressured to wait until I might get married.” You lift your gaze to his. “I want to have a baby,” you repeat firmly. “And I don’t need a partner to have one.”
You’re not sure why you feel the need to defend yourself. It’s not up to Bucky what you decide to do. You don’t need his approval, or anyone else’s. Maybe it’s because, even though you know it's not true, it feels like you're making too hasty of a decision.
After a beat, Bucky amends, “Well, I mean… You do…”
“Oh my god, shut up, you know what I mean,” you groan as you smack his arm, glad that he's not calling you crazy or trying to talk you out of it.
He doesn’t even flinch, the jerk.
“Wait, so what were you reading when I got here?” he suddenly questions, brows furrowed.
“Nothing,” you say too quickly, guiltily.
“Let me see your laptop then,” he counters as he crosses his arms over his chest.
You flounder for a second, scoffing. “What? No!”
“It can’t be that embarrassing, just show me,” he wheedles.
“Absolutely not.”
“Let me see!”
“It’s private!”
“Don’t be a chicken.”
Your eye twitches. “I’m not a chicken.” Bucky smirks and before he can even open his mouth you interject with a finger pointed accusingly at his face, “Do not start clucking at me, Bucky. I’ll kick your ass,” you threaten, though it's weak and you're not the only one who knows it.
You glare when his smirk only widens. Slowly, he moves his arms like he’s gonna flap them like chicken wings.
“Ugh! God, fine! You wanna know what I was reading?” You open your laptop and slide it over to him, turning it to where he can read it. “There.”
Bucky scans the page, then scans it again, eyes flicking all over like it’s in a different language. His cheeks grow redder and redder as he reads and you get a small sense of satisfaction at the sight.
“Wow,” he mutters finally. “You’re turkey baster serious.”
“James Buchanan Barnes,” you say, pinching the bridge of your nose.
“What?” he asks innocently.
When you make eye contact with him, you purse your lips to keep the laughter threatening to bubble out at bay, but the ever growing smile on Bucky’s face is hard to resist and you find yourself snorting a laugh that leads to uncontrollable giggles. Bucky’s laughing with you, his eyes crinkling on the sides. The tension you hadn’t realized you held in your shoulders loosens and you nudge his knee with yours in silent thanks.
“So,” he says after you've both calmed down.
“So,” you repeat, dragging it out, drumming your fingers on the tabletop. “I’ve been doing research, checking out all of my options, and while artificial insemination seems like the best choice… I don’t know, there’s just something too clinical about it,” you reply, voicing your concerns, “It doesn’t feel right. I know I said I don’t need a partner, and I don’t, but… Having absolutely no connection is weird.”
You shrug, waving a hand as if to say oh well, putting an end to the conversation, and pick up your plate to carry it over to the microwave. You reheat Bucky’s food while you’re up, and then you both start eating in comfortable silence. He gets halfway through his meal before speaking up.
“Have you… I mean, did you think about… I’ve heard that, uh. Some people ask another person…”
He trails off, clearly frustrated that he can’t just spit out what he’s trying to say. You think you understand what he means, though.
“I read up on surrogacy,” you say, biting your lip. “But I don’t think I’d want someone else to carry my baby.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean—I wasn’t suggesting, uh, that. Not that there’s anything wrong with it!” he rushes to say.
You tilt your head. “What did you mean then?”
“Well,” Bucky starts, stilted, licking his lips. “For the artificial insemination, have you considered… you know. Asking someone you’re close with?”
You frown, not following.
“For—for the sperm,” he clarifies, shifting in his seat.
“Oh,” you breathe, blinking rapidly, surprised as you think of how to reply. “Um. No? I wouldn’t even know who I could ask, to be honest. That’s quite the request, you know? Who would—“
“Me,” he interrupts, determined and cheeks flushed, “I would.”
Your own face heats. “Oh,” you say again, quieter.
You can say, with full confidence, that not once did it cross your mind to ask anyone to help you, but you especially would have never given thought to asking Bucky.
For a list of reasons, really, with “it’s Bucky” being right at the very top. Like—sure, yes, you’re in love with him, but after two years of no signs of reciprocation you’ve learned to stop dreaming, to stop hoping. If the attraction was mutual he would have shown it by now, right? And on top of that, his friendship means the world to you and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it. You'd never forgive yourself if you ever managed to fuck up the one good, constant thing going for you.
“Bucky,” you start, slow and careful, “this… This isn't something you can just jump into. It’s something you should think about for a while.”
He contemplates that for a second. “You’re right,” he concedes with a nod. “But…” He purses his lips, glancing away for a minute before turning back to you, leaning forward. “Okay listen, this is important for you. It’s going to change your whole life. You said it yourself, not having a connection to the sperm donor feels wrong. You’re my best friend, alright? I—care about you. You should pick someone you can trust.”
He clenches his jaw after he finishes speaking. You sort of hate the way your heart both flutters and plummets at his words. It’s nice to know you matter to him, just not in the way you’ve wanted for too long.
And if you’re really honest with yourself, Bucky would be a great choice as a donor. He’s in great health, has strong features that would look wonderful on any gender. But would you be able to handle the repercussions of having his child? Would you be able to look at your baby and see those features without it sending a pang through your chest every single time? You can’t say for certain.
Yet, the chance to have that type of connection with him, selfishly, sounds too good to pass up.
“At least think about it for a few days,” you murmur reluctantly.
It’s the most acceptance he’ll get and he knows it. A smile blooms across his face and you have to swallow down the warring emotions rising within you.
***
With the amount of research you do on the subject now, it doesn’t take long for you to find out that there are at-home kits for artificial insemination that are much easier (and cheaper). It’s easy to settle on that, clicking on the info to order your kit with butterflies fluttering in your stomach.
You read through the instructions online and it all sounds simple enough, until you get to the part where it says that having an orgasm after injection helps increase your chances of conception.
Blinking, heat crawling up your neck, you read that step several times, hoping you read it wrong, but it doesn’t change.
You… You can’t masturbate with Bucky’s sperm inside you. That’s a line you refuse to cross.
And besides, he’s a healthy man in his thirties who exercises regularly and eats fairly healthy food! You probably—definitely—won’t need to take that step. It’ll be fine. Probably.
Once the kit arrives, you call Bucky and ask him to come over so you can explain the process to him. Since he’s only across the hall of your apartment building, he’s there a moment later, letting himself in with his key.
“Let’s make a baby,” is how he greets you.
“Hold your horses,” you reply, fighting back a laugh. “I gotta walk you through everything first.”
He plops himself down next to you on your couch. “Fine, fine. Go ahead.���
Squaring your shoulders, you begin telling him how it all works, and what parts he is key for. You speak through your awkwardness, avoiding eye contact, when you explain that he’ll need to masturbate into a clean, sterile cup. You leave out how it’s suggested for you to also masturbate, deciding it’s not pertinent information for him to know.
“When do we start?” he asks once you’re done.
“I have to take an ovulation test first to find out the best days for me to conceive, but once I do that we’ll be able to, um.” You gesture vaguely. “I’ll be able to do the injections.”
He nods. “Alright.” He looks at you then, taking your hand in his and giving it a squeeze. “I’ll be here every step of the way, okay?”
“I know,” you say, smiling. “Thank you, Bucky.”
“You’re welcome,” he returns softly.
“No, really, thank you,” you assert. “This is a lot to take on and I can never fully repay you.”
Bucky shakes his head. “I want you to be happy, and I can see that having this baby is going to do that. I’ll do whatever I need to do to ensure it happens.”
You pull him into a hug, willing yourself to not cry. You’re not sure he’ll ever understand what this means for you, personally, or that you’d ever find a way to express it. He’s giving you so much more than just a baby.
***
The first injection time comes and you find yourself fidgeting where you sit as you wait for Bucky to bring over the, uh… sample. You do your best to not think about what he’s doing in his apartment, to not think about exactly how he’s collecting his sperm.
Now is not the time, you mentally scold yourself. Get it together.
A timid knock at your door alerts you to his presence. The fact he’s knocking says a lot about his own level of embarrassment about the situation.
His cheeks are pink when you open the door. “Uh, hi.”
“Hi,” you return.
He clears his throat and lifts the small cup in his hand. “Here’s… well, you know.”
You gingerly take it from him, not knowing what else to say, but when he smiles somewhat crookedly and turns to leave, you find yourself asking, “Will you stay?”
Bucky’s steps pause. “Huh?”
“Will you—I mean… Would you mind staying?” You shift on your feet. “This is a big moment for me. I-I don’t want to do it alone.”
“Are you asking me to…?” He trails off awkwardly.
“Oh! God, no, I wouldn’t—no,” you assure, huffing a laugh, “I’m doing the injection, I just need a little moral support. That’s all.”
Bucky smiles. “Sure, I’ll stay.”
Relief floods through you. You step aside to let him in, closing the door behind him. He follows you to your bedroom and just before entering you stop in your tracks, nearly causing Bucky to bump into you.
“Um,” you mutter, turning to him. “You’ll have to, ah, sit out here,” you explain. “I have to be lying down…”
Understanding dawns on him. “Oh! Right, right, of course. Sorry.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m done,” you promise.
He nods and watches you close the door. You walk over to your bed and sit down, glancing at the syringe you’ll be using and biting the inside of your cheek.
This is it. There’s really no going back after this. Sure, you may not get pregnant the first time, but Bucky’s already said he’d help you for as long as it takes. It’s just… very real now. You don’t feel any doubts, though. You want this.
Inhaling a large breath and slowly letting it out, hands shaking, you take the lid off the cup and pick up the syringe. You remember the instructions, making sure there’s as little air sucked in as possible when you draw out the semen, and getting rid of the few air bubbles that you see. You grab your pillows and lie down, propping them beneath you to lift your hips.
“Here I go,” you mumble to yourself, taking another deep breath and releasing it.
A couple minutes later, the syringe is empty and you’ve got your legs pulled up to your chest. You cover yourself with your blanket and call out Bucky’s name.
“You okay?” you hear through the door.
“Will you come here, please?” you ask.
He walks in cautiously, making sure you’re decently covered before entering fully, wisely not commenting on your position. “Well?”
“I did it,” you whisper.
He stays quiet, letting you parse through your thoughts. You blink when you feel tears threatening to gather in your eyes. He’s beside you in an instant, crawling in the bed and lying down, taking your hand in his.
“Congratulations,” he says softly.
“Don’t congratulate me yet,” you reply, sniffing and wiping at your eyes.
“Still,” he presses. “You’re one step closer now.”
He pulls your hand up and kisses the back of it. You give him a watery smile. The two of you lay there in silence for a moment before Bucky breaks it.
“This isn’t how I pictured myself making a baby.”
It startles a laugh out of you and Bucky grins, pleased to have helped ease the tense atmosphere. He distracts you with idle conversation after that, talking about his plans for the upcoming weekend, asking about yours, tells you about the newest stupid thing Sam did; he talks and talks and talks, until your anxiety is gone, and then he stays to cook dinner for you.
Your hug when he gets ready to head back to his apartment lasts a couple minutes longer than usual. Bucky quietly allows it, dropping a kiss on your forehead when you pull away.
“Same time next week?” he jokes, making you crack a smile.
“Goodbye, Bucky,” you reply exasperatedly as you close your door.
“Bye, sweetheart,” he returns over his shoulder.
***
Weeks pass. More injections. Pregnancy tests taken.
But nothing happens.
All of your tests come back negative.
When reading up on artificial insemination, and pregnancy in general, you’d understood that there was a chance it wouldn’t happen right away. You thought you were fine with that, that you’d be alright with the waiting and all. Looking at your growing collection of negative tests, however, has a sense of dread building within you. You do your best to quell it, telling yourself there’s no need to stress over it. Yet.
Besides, your mind supplies in an overly cheerful manner, there’s still one more method to try!
***
The next time Bucky brings over his sample, he lets himself in, like always, and passes along the cup with an encouraging smile. You try to smile back, but it feels more like a grimace. He either doesn’t notice or he at least pretends not to, thankfully.
But when he goes to make himself comfortable to wait, you’re reminded that you haven’t told him about the, uh… change in procedure, so to speak.
You clear your throat delicately. “I don’t think you’ll need to stick around this time.”
Bucky frowns. “Why not?”
“Because…” You trail off, cheeks pinking, yet not finishing the sentence, because how do you explain this?
“I promised you I’d be here every step of the way,” he recalls. “I intend to keep that promise.”
You wince. “I really appreciate where your heart is, Bucky, I really do, but I literally cannot let you be here for this injection.”
“Why not?”
You look heavenward for mercy. “I have to…”
When you don’t finish your sentence again, Bucky raises a single brow, gesturing for you to go on. “You have to… what?”
You huff, throwing your arms out. “I have to orgasm, okay?”
His eyes go a little bit wide, but you can tell he tries to control his reaction. He swallows, shifting where he sits on the couch.
“Oh,” he mumbles. “Have… have you had to do that before?”
“No. Well, I mean, it was suggested, but I never…”
His eyebrows furrow. “Does it help or something?”
You absently scratch your neck. “They say it increases the chances of conception.”
“But you haven’t been doing… that.”
“I didn’t think I’d need to.”
Bucky inhales like he’s going to say something, but then doesn’t.
“Yeah, so, I don’t think you should be here,” you utter, quickly adding, “No offense.”
“No, yeah, that’s fair, um. I’ll just—I’ll head back to my apartment,” he states as he stands. “You can—I mean, if you still want me to—I can come back over? After you… uh…”
“I’ll let you know,” you reply, voice tight and high.
He nods, looking lost and like he wants to say more but thinks better of it. Finally, he mutters a soft bye and is out the door.
Alone now, your stomach feels like it’s tying itself in knots and your heart is doing its damnedest to beat out of your chest. You try to tell yourself that it’s just another injection, that this is the same as any other time you've done this, but you know it’s not. It's really, really not.
Laying down on your bed, syringe in hand, is much more nerve wracking than before. On your left lies a new addition to your routine. You don’t know why you’re acting like such a prude all the sudden. It’s not like you’ve never masturbated before. Though, you suppose the major difference is that you didn’t have Bucky’s sperm hangin’ out in your vagina all those other times while you did it.
“Quit being such a goober about this,” you tell yourself.
This has to be done for a reason. If you want to have a baby—and you do, very badly—then you’re gonna have to deal with the process.
Once you’ve injected the sperm, you reach for your bullet vibrator next to your left hand. The instructions say not to insert anything, only to stimulate your clit. You try to clear your head, think of it as a chore or something, yet it’s hard not to think of a certain someone.
The vibrator buzzes with the press of a button. You adjust your hips, making sure they’re tilted, then bring the vibrator to your clit. The first touch makes your stomach tense and thighs spasm.
You close your eyes, running the toy along your slit. You really don’t want to drag this out, would prefer to get it over with as quickly as possible, but your mind begins running away with images.
Bucky, settled between your spread thighs, one hand resting on one of them, the other controlling the vibrator. You imagine he’d tease you, slowly trail it along the crease of your thighs, over your hips; everywhere but where you wanted it.
Bucky would probably give in once you whine and beg enough, once your desperation bled into your voice, and hold the vibrator directly to your clit, drink in your cries of pleasure like they’re the finest whisky.
He’d mutter soft but firm encouragement, tell you how good you’re doing, how good you sound. He’d start circling the vibrator, going from quick to lazy swirls, then he’d change the setting to a higher one just to hear you whimper. His free hand would run up your torso to pinch at your nipples for added stimulation.
When you imagine him leaning down to add his tongue into the mix, your mind blanks as your climax hits you, a ragged moan forcing its way out of your throat. You’re quick to turn the vibrator off and toss it to the floor, deciding you’ll worry about cleaning it later, chest heaving as you pant for breath after an intense orgasm.
Shame and embarrassment consume you, mock you for using Bucky to rub one out. You’d given in to the fantasy so easily.
Truthfully, it’s not the first time you’ve thought of him while pleasuring yourself, but the context this time is completely different, and you feel immediately guilty. Admittedly, it’s probably irrational.
That doesn’t stop you from cringing at your actions.
***
You’re sure you’ve bought out the entire pregnancy test section from the convenience store down the block. Currently, there are six different brands in front of you, all promising the most accurate results.
Bucky is sitting in your bedroom, quietly waiting for you to pee on all of them so you can both find out what they say. You chug the last bit of your third bottle of water even though your bladder is fit to burst at any moment. Turning the faucet on for modesty, you make quick work of the tests, then wash your hands.
And wait.
You call Bucky into the bathroom with you. The two of you quietly sit on the edge of your bathtub, counting down the minutes. Part of you wishes Bucky would say something dumb to break the tension, like he usually does, but you're also kind of glad he's just here, next to you, a silent comfort.
It seems like hours have passed when you’re finally sure you can check them.
The first one is negative, and so is the second. The third, however, reads positive. Your heart begins racing, clutching at the counter, but before your hopes get too carried away you read the rest. To your dismay, they are all negative. You stare down at them all, eyes falling on the loan positive test multiple times, knowing that it’s likely a false positive, yet stupidly hoping otherwise.
Your chin wobbles. Bucky hugs you from behind, resting his cheek on your shoulder.
“What do I do, Bucky?”
At your broken whisper, he sighs. “I don’t know, sweetheart.”
Neither of you know what to say or do after that. Bucky continues offering quiet support, his solid presence at your back, and you’re grateful. Eventually, he leads you out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, sitting you down at the table as he starts preparing dinner.
When you’re both eating the spaghetti he made, he breaks the silence.
“Do you think…” he starts, pausing to think of how to phrase his question before carefully carrying on. “Are you going to stop?”
“I don’t want to,” you answer, the implied but hanging heavy in the air.
Bucky sits his fork down. “I know you want this, very much.” He pushes his hair out of his face as he leans forward, elbows settling on the table. “But I hate seeing how sad you get when the tests come out negative. I feel so… powerless. Like I could be doing more or something.”
“You’re doing all you can, Bucky,” you assure.
“That’s the thing, though. I don’t think I am.”
You frown. “What do you mean?”
He licks his lips, locking his fingers together. “I think we should have sex.”
Your fork drops to your plate with a clang, eyes going wide.
“I apologize for how blunt that came out,” he states with a wince. “But, I mean, think about it. You’ve only been using my sperm from a syringe, and up until the last time, you hadn’t been, um, orgasming with it.” You look away, bashful. “I just wonder if maybe trying the old-fashioned way would give you better results.”
“Bucky,” you start, opening and closing your mouth a couple times before shaking your head. “It’s one thing for you to offer your sperm, which I’m thankful for, truly, but… Having sex?”
“I’ve already told you I’m willing to do whatever I need to do,” he retorts earnestly. “Your happiness means a lot to me, okay? I hate sitting around and watching your heart break every week. You’ve tried it your way, now I think we should try mine.”
“I-I don’t know,” you hesitate, chewing on the inside of your cheek, knee beginning to bounce under the table.
His hand slides onto your knee, stilling the movement as he ducks his head to meet your gaze. His eyes are impossibly sincere and your resolve crumbles in an instant.
“It won’t… It’s not going to change anything,” he assures. “I won’t allow it.”
You swallow roughly. He may not, but your heart is going to take its toughest beating yet. It’s going to be hopeless trying to overcome the inevitable emotions that come with sex.
Even so, somehow, your longing for a baby eclipses all of this. Now that you’ve imagined holding your child in your arms, raising them and loving them, you can’t go back. Not anymore.
“Okay,” you allow, softly.
Bucky’s shoulders relax, lips tipping up into a devastating smile.
You’re so fucked. (Pun intended.)
***
Two nights later, you’re pacing in your bedroom, impatiently waiting for Bucky to arrive. You’d been unsure whether or not you should dress up. You didn’t see the point, honestly. Still, a small part of you wondered what his reaction would be if he saw you all done up in lingerie. At the moment, you’re in an oversized t-shirt and pajama shorts.
It’s Bucky, you think, and this isn’t a normal situation, it doesn’t matter what I’m wearing.
You hear his key turning in the lock then and your heart begins hammering away. He calls your name as he enters.
“In here,” you reply, twisting your fingers nervously.
He walks into your room looking just as on edge as you are. He also seems to have had the same idea about his attire, comfortable in his white tee and sweatpants. His feet are bare and for whatever reason that feels way more intimate than it has any right to.
“Hey,” he greets.
“Hi.”
You bite your lip, eyes flitting around your room and coming back to settle on Bucky. He huffs.
“This is ridiculous,” he declares, “It’s just us.”
“Right,” you nod, biting the inside of your cheek.
“It’s not gonna be weird.”
“Nope.”
His jaw ticks. You stare back at him. It only takes a moment for you to realize that somebody has to make the first move, so you steel yourself and turn on your heel, walking towards your bed.
“I’m keeping my shirt on,” you announce as you unceremoniously drop onto the mattress, grabbing your pillows to stuff them under you.
Bucky follows at a sedate pace, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He pauses next to you, taking a second to roll his shoulders, then he climbs in and settles in front of your bent legs. He gingerly places his hands on your knees.
“May I?” he asks.
Mouth suddenly dry, you nod. He moves his hands to the waistband of your shorts and tugs. You lift your hips to help him slide them down and off, along with your underwear. Gently, he spreads your legs.
Your breathing has picked up considerably, eyes firmly trained on the ceiling. You know you’re already wet and are blessedly thankful he doesn’t mention it.
The first slide of his fingers has you inhaling sharply. He slowly gathers your slick and trails it up to your clit, lightly circling it. Your mind recalls your fantasy, but you quickly shove it back to the depths of your thoughts, lest you do something idiotic like tell him about it.
He spreads your legs more, adjusting his position between them. His fingers move down until he can sink one into you. You gasp, hands shooting out to grasp your sheets. He wastes no time and begins thrusting his finger inside you.
It becomes quickly apparent to you that it’s going to be very difficult to hold back any noise or reactions. Goddamnit, you will try, though!
When he decides it’s time to add another finger, you feel yourself clench around them, and his soft fuck does not go unnoticed, evident in the way your pussy traitorously clenches again.
“Can I…?” he asks, voice cracking, but doesn’t finish his thought, making you have to break your staring contest with the ceiling and look at him.
He’s not even looking back at you, he’s staring at his fingers, watching them pump in and out of you, half bent over with a slack jaw, like he wants to…
He meets your eyes then, licking his lips.
Oh.
Swallowing around the sudden lump in your throat, knowing you’re probably going to regret it, you nod.
He’s leaning over and sucking on your clit before you can even blink. You cry out, thighs trying to clamp around his head, but his free hand shoots out to hold you open. It makes you squirm, fisting the sheets even tighter. His fingers curl inside you as his tongue licks around them and you whine, high and needy, and then mouth is back on your clit, tongue swiping over it, sucking on it with loud, obscene noises.
His hand comes up to grab the hem of your shirt, shoves it upward until it’s bunched underneath your breasts. Those fingers ghost back down your torso, goosebumps erupting in their wake.
He speeds up his thrusts and your hand flies down to grip his hair. You don’t think you’re meant to hear the quiet grunt he lets out, but you do, and it has you panting even harder. Your orgasm is building, fast, and you pull on his hair in warning.
“Bucky,” you say on a gasp.
Using his arm to hold you down, his free hand joins, thumb swiping over your clit now as he dips his head to slide his tongue in alongside his fingers. It draws a yell out of you, the ever expanding pleasure within you bursting into the hardest orgasm you’ve experienced thus far in your adult life. You know you’re moaning, bucking into the sensations coursing through you, and you’d feel abashed if you didn’t feel so fucking good.
Before you can become too sensitive, Bucky withdraws his fingers and sits up. You can’t even really catch your breath, though, because in the next second he’s whipping his t-shirt off and shoving his sweatpants down far enough to free his cock.
Your thighs do clamp closed then, at the sight of how thick he is, and he tries and fails to keep his smirk hidden.
“Oh, shut up,” you wheeze.
“Didn’t say anything,” he counters.
He doesn’t let you argue, choosing that moment to shuffle closer and line up with your opening. Cautiously, he eases himself inside, inch by inch. Your mouth drops open, brows furrowing as he fills you, stretching you so perfectly. When he’s in as far as he can go, the breath wooshes out of him, his head falling back. You know he’s trying to be polite and let you adjust, but—
“Oh my god, move,” you demand, impatient.
He huffs a laugh, dropping his heavy lidded gaze to yours. “Bossy.”
“Did you really expect anything else—oh!”
The grin he aims your way after grinding into you is downright sinful. You mentally tell yourself to kick him for that later.
He grabs your hips and the pillows and settles you closer to his lap, changing the angle, then pulls out and glides back in, creating a painstakingly slow rhythm.
You have to close your eyes. You can’t look at him anymore. You knew he was probably a god in bed, but to now have firsthand experience? There was no way you’d be able to fuck anyone else without comparing them.
His grip on your hips tightens, the only warning you get before his thrusts turn sharp.
“Fuck,” you cry out, your hands reaching up to grip the pillow beneath your head.
The sound of your skin meeting his is harsh in the otherwise quiet room. Well, okay, you’re not exactly being quiet, but you can’t be blamed for that.
Bucky, however, is nearly silent. The only thing you hear from him is heavy breathing. You wonder if he’s holding back, the thought crossing your mind for a split second, and then you’re clenching around his cock, trying to see if you can gain a reaction. And boy, do you get one.
He grunts and sucks in a breath, lips parting as his eyes squeeze shut. His hips pick up their pace and hair falls into his face. You find yourself wishing he was closer so you could brush it out of the way.
Stop it, you scold yourself.
He pauses to grind into you again, your walls fluttering around his throbbing cock, and you both sigh. Bucky leans forward, hooking your legs into the crooks of his elbows, and resumes his brutal pace.
“O-Oh,” you whimper.
The new angle is heavenly, his cock dragging along a spot inside you that you thought nobody else could find. Unable to help yourself, you clutch at his arms, nails digging in.
“Shit,” he groans, thrusts faltering.
He lets go of one of your legs to slip his hand between you, rubbing at your clit and sending you that much closer to your second orgasm. He can tell you’re close, but you’re gonna need something to push you over the edge. He leans down even closer, breath fanning out against your cheek.
“C’mon,” he pants. “Let go.”
You shiver when his tongue flicks your earlobe and sucks it into his mouth, keening as the pressure builds. He thrusts harder, faster, and when you grasp his hair and pull, he growls and latches on to your shoulder, biting down. You gasp from the added pain and then you’re coming, shuddering and whining through your release. Bucky isn’t far behind, raising up and fucking into you savagely before pausing abruptly, groaning as he finally comes. He lazily thrusts a few more times to draw it out, then stops, stilling with his cock inside you.
Your hair is sticking to your forehead, as well as your shirt to your clammy back, breathing in lungfuls of air. Bucky is softly caressing your thighs, letting out shaky breaths as your pussy continues to flutter around him.
It takes several moments for you to gather your wits, for the rest of the world to come filtering back in. You are truly and completely fucked now, in every sense of the word.
“Well…” You trail off, voice scratchy.
“That was…”
“Mhm,” you mumble.
Bucky sighs heavily. “Let’s hope it worked this time.”
You hum. “Thank you for your service,” you reply with a lazy salute.
You yelp when he pinches your hip, kicking at him in retaliation. The jostling reminds you, with a gasping groan, that he’s still buried balls deep inside you.
“Um.” You cough lightly. “You wanna, you know… pull out?”
He looks down where you’re connected like it hadn’t even dawned on him. “Oh, uh. Well, I thought maybe it could, like. Help.”
His gaze stays locked, fingers flexing on your hips, and you feel like squirming again.
“I think it’s good,” you say quietly.
Bucky finally glances back up at your shy tone, cheeks pinking. He clears his throat.
“Right.”
Carefully, he eases his softening cock out of you, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from making a noise.
You can’t hold back yours, though, gasping once he’s gone. You feel unbearably empty, but refrain from voicing that incessant thought.
Bucky’s intense eyes stare at your pussy until you reach for the throw blanket next to you. He watches you throw it over your lap, drawing your legs up to your chest, and takes that as his cue, jolting into action.
“Okay, so.” He starts, then stops, climbs off your bed and pulls his sweatpants back up. “This was—I mean, if it doesn’t take this time, we can… try again.”
“Yeah,” you mutter. “Sounds good.”
He nods, bending to pick up his discarded t-shirt. “Great. I’ll just, um, see myself out, I guess.”
You nod, sending a smile that doesn’t quite reach your eyes in his direction. He seems to contemplate something for a second, then leans down to kiss your forehead before saying a quick goodbye and leaving.
As soon as you hear your apartment door shut, you let your tears fall.
***
It’s not really like you mean to avoid him after that.
Honest.
You simply become busy, that’s all. You definitely don’t go out of your way by taking the stairs in your apartment building to avoid possibly bumping into him in the elevator. No, you take the stairs because you could use the cardio. It’s important you stay healthy right now. And when he texts you to ask if you want to have dinner, you can’t help that you’ve got boatloads of work to catch up on—all five times he asks.
Okay, so, that’s a lie. You’re totally avoiding him. But what on earth are you supposed to say to him now? You don’t think you’d even be able to look him in the eye anymore, not after the fuck of your goddamn life.
That night confirmed what you already knew for the last two years: Bucky absolutely ruined you for anyone else.
More than anything, though, you were angry with yourself. He’d only offered because you weren’t getting your desired results the other way. You should have been able to separate your feelings and emotions from all of it. After all, none of this was about whatever you feel towards Bucky. This was about trying to conceive a baby.
You try telling yourself to get over it. He’s your best friend, you can’t just cut him off because you’re a spineless pansy.
I just need some time, you reason. You can give yourself a few days to wallow over what could have been and then you can reach out to him and pretend like everything is fine. Because it is.
***
Flash forward two weeks to you attempting to sneak into your apartment, only to jump out of your skin when you turn around and find Bucky sitting on your couch, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Oh, good, you’re still alive,” he drawls.
His tone suggests annoyance. You suppose you deserve that.
“Hey,” you say after a pause.
He stares at you for a moment longer before speaking again. “I thought we agreed we wouldn’t let it get weird.”
You agreed, you almost say, thankfully biting it back. You drop your purse on the entryway table, sliding your shoes off and making your way over to sit next to him.
“I’m sorry,” you mumble. You tug your sweater sleeves down and tuck your feet beneath you. “I haven’t ever… I’ve never been intimate with a friend before. It was just… a lot.”
It’s a half truth, at least. You haven’t had sex with a friend before. Or, well, not one you had feelings for.
“You could’ve just told me,” he replies, reaching for your hand.
You nod. “I know, and I should have, I just. Things are all out of whack lately with the whole… trying to get pregnant thing.”
“If I overstepped in any way—” Bucky starts, but you’re quick to interrupt.
“You didn’t,” you promise. “You’ve been nothing but fantastic throughout this whole ordeal. Honestly, Bucky, you’ve done way more than anyone else would have in this situation. I just had a lot going on in my head and let it get the best of me. I’m fine, I swear.”
He searches your eyes and must find what he’s looking for.
“Don’t shut me out again,” he pleads.
Heart cracking in your chest, you can only nod, shuffling closer to pull him into a hug. He buries his face in your neck and holds on tight.
***
Another week passes.
Bucky is with you as you wait for the results of the latest pregnancy test. He’s reassured you that you’ll keep trying until it happens if it didn’t work this time.
When the timer on your phone goes off, you release the breath you’ve been holding. You take tentative steps over to the sink and gingerly pick up the test.
Positive.
Your stomach swoops. It’s positive. You check again, reading the digitized screen, but it stays the same. Positive. Holy shit.
“Okay, wait, no, I need to do more. I can’t get my hopes up again,” you mutter, rushing to open the cabinet under your sink to dig out several more varieties of tests.
You don’t even wait for Bucky to leave before you’re peeing on the other sticks. He’s seen it all at this point anyway, and he doesn’t seem to care, sitting on the edge of your tub with an anxious expression. The downside is that you have to wait another few minutes for these tests to finish and you can’t sit still, pacing back and forth in the small space of your bathroom.
The timer goes off again. You feel like you’re going to throw up when you finally work up the courage to look down.
Every single one of them… Positive.
A shocked, happy laugh escapes you. You cover your mouth, turning to Bucky with wide eyes.
He rises to his full height, coming closer and peering down at the tests, then back to your teary eyed expression.
“Did we…?”
Words failing you, you nod, giggling in astonishment. Bucky’s face breaks into the biggest, handsomest, most gut-wrenching smile. His happiness is palpable and you’re suddenly so overcome with emotion. Your hands are gripping his face and angling it to align your lips to his before you register what you’re doing. He freezes and you hurriedly pull away, taking a few steps back.
“I’m so sorry, I-I don’t know why—”
“Shut up,” he cuts you off, closing the gap between you in a single stride.
He kisses you like his life depends on it, pressing your bodies as close as possible, his hands cupping your cheeks. You clutch his shirt desperately, never wanting to let go. He steals the breath straight from your lungs when he swipes at the seam of your lips with his tongue, moaning happily when you allow him access. A feeble whine from you after he flicks his tongue against yours makes him break the kiss.
“I have a confession,” he breathes into the miniscule space between your mouths.
“What?” you question distractedly.
“I’m in love with you.”
Your gaze shoots up to his, astounded. He brushes stray hairs off your forehead, runs his thumbs softly under your eyes.
“I’ve been selfish this whole time,” he reveals. “I couldn’t let you choose some random stranger to be your sperm donor, to father your child, couldn’t bear the thought of you carrying their baby, because I’ve been in love with you since the moment I met you. I wanted to be the one. And I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but I’m not sorry I did it.”
You’re hearing the words, yet your brain can’t seem to make sense of them. Surely you’re hearing him wrong. You can’t possibly have this too, right? You can't have Bucky and have his baby…
But he’s here, very real and solid beneath your hands, looking at you like you’re his entire world.
“Bucky…” You trail off, struggling to find the right words, at a complete loss. “I-I’ve loved you for so long now, I didn’t think you…” You shake your head, a giggle escaping you as you stare at him in wonder. “I couldn’t let myself hope.”
He grins, relieved, planting a few chaste kisses to your mouth. “I know this entire circumstance is totally backwards, but I want you, and I want this baby. I meant it when I said I’m not going anywhere.”
Fresh tears gather in the corners of your eyes. “Are you sure?” you still ask.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
You have to kiss him then, uncaring of the tears that trickle down your face. The only thing you are focused on is the way his hands trail down your back, pausing to squeeze your ass, then grip underneath to lift you. Your legs wrap around his waist, arms locked around his neck, as he heads for your bed. He makes a point of throwing your extra pillows on the floor before settling between your thighs and kissing the hell out of you.
He pulls away only to undress you and himself, but he’s always back as quickly as possible, lips pressing kisses wherever he can reach. You impatiently tug at him until his lips are attached to yours again. The way he fucks his tongue into your mouth is nothing short of indecent and it sends a rush of pure want all the way to your core.
When you bury your fingers in his hair, gripping it tight, he grunts, biting your lip. You whimper and he grins as he pulls away.
“You make the most beautiful sounds,” he praises, his hands beginning to sweep down and up, tickling under your breasts.
His thumb and forefinger pinch one of your nipples and you gasp, back arching off your mattress. He repeats it on the other side, just to hear the same noise.
“Bucky, please,” you beg.
“Please what?” he prods. His hands drift further to the creases of your thighs, spreading them open. “What do you need?”
You whine, canting your hips up. “You, I need you, please.”
“You have me, sweetheart.” He tilts his head and you make a noise of frustration. “Use your words, darlin’.”
“Fuck me, please,” you burst out, feeling your pussy clench around nothing.
Bucky smiles, slow and torturous. “Yeah? Want me to fuck you? Fuck this perfect pussy until you’re so full of my come that it drips down your beautiful thighs?”
“Oh god,” you mumble.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he teases.
His fingers slide down your slit, gathering your slick then thrusts two fingers in at once. You groan brokenly, shifting your hips to try and get more friction, but he holds them down with his metal arm. Agonizingly slow, he begins fucking you with his fingers. It’s good, it’s amazing, but it’s not enough. Not when you know what his cock feels like. He takes his precious time fingering you and you’re sure you’re going to lose your mind before the day is done.
“You have no idea how incredible you felt around my cock,” he tells you in a ridiculously conversational tone. “I was trying to think of any excuse I could come up with to have you at least one more time.”
He shifts until his mouth is directly above where you’re dripping for him, and he waits until you make eye contact with him.
“But now I’m gonna spend the rest of my life making you come apart on my cock any chance I get.”
You hardly have any functioning brain cells at the moment, but even if you could form a coherent sentence you wouldn’t have been able to say it aloud, because then he’s descending and all you can feel is the wet warmth of his mouth.
He definitely doesn’t hold back this time, that much is apparent in the way he devours you, lips and tongue drawing out noises you’ve never heard yourself make, pressing his face so far into your pussy that he has to come up for air. His mouth and chin shine when you chance a look down, and when you clench on his fingers his smile goes smug at the corners.
He plants kisses along your hips, the insides of your thighs, around where his fingers are buried within you. He curls them, in search of the spot he found last time. He knows he found it when you try to close your thighs around his head and cry out. Now that he's found it, he angles to brush it on every thrust of his fingers and attaches his mouth back on your clit.
You chant his name, nearly sobbing as you approach your climax, until finally you fly over the edge. Your vision blurs and you’re not sure if you’re making any noise now, unable to hear past the blood rushing in your ears. Bucky helps you ride it out until you’re shuddering from sensitivity.
He kisses your thighs again, trailing them up your stomach and between the valley of your breasts.
“So good, did so well,” he mutters.
Weakly, you lift your hands to trace them down his toned stomach and around his back, down further so you can cop a feel of your own, smiling at his grunt of surprise.
“That was great and all,” you say, arching your back so your chest presses against his, “but I do believe I asked you to fuck me.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Who said I was done with you?” It’s apparently a rhetorical question, as he continues before you get a chance to reply. “I’m gonna fuck you until you come, and then I’m gonna keep fucking you until you come again, and only then will I come so deep inside you there’ll be zero doubt I’ve put a baby there.”
Your legs are lifted and thrown over his shoulders in a blink, his cock pushing into your pussy, dragging out a high-pitched moan from you. There’s barely a pause and then he’s fucking you, just like you asked. The pace is brutal right from the start, a steady rhythm that has you mewling and writhing in pleasure. Bucky is watching his cock as he thrusts in and out of you, his mouth hanging open slightly as he pants. He hikes your hips up a little higher and you jolt through your startled moan. This angle is divine and the telltale signs of your second orgasm start tingling at the base of your spine.
“Can feel you,” Bucky says through panting breaths, “so close. C’mon, let me feel you.”
He pulls you down on his cock, grinding into you, his thumb reaching to rub tight circles over your clit. You sob through your release, shuddering against Bucky as you clench around him. He groans, still barely moving as you come down from your high.
“Fuck,” he grunts. “Come here.”
He helps you sit up, still seated on his cock, making you both hiss from your movement. Your arms automatically wrap around his shoulders and his around your waist. He kisses you so sweetly, a stark contradiction to the way he just fucked you. When you pull away, resting your foreheads together, he grins.
“Hi.”
You crack a smile. “Hi.”
“Ready for more?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
“You think you got it in you?” you tease as you play with the hair at the nape of his neck.
The light smack to your ass startles you and you let out a soft sound of surprise, hands tugging his hair harshly. Bucky’s eyes light up.
“Interesting,” he muses.
Another slap, a little harder than the first, and you’re whimpering, your walls clenching around his still hard cock.
“I’ll play with that later,” he promises, voice breathy.
You bury your face in his neck and start shifting your hips. He takes the hint, gathering you as close as he can and thrusts up into you. He can’t pull out as far this way, but the snap of his hips more than makes up for it. You mouth at his collarbone messily, kissing and licking your way up to his jaw, biting marks wherever you see fit. You make it up to his mouth and he kisses you, wet and filthy. You suck on his tongue and a ragged moan claws its way out of his throat. The need for air eventually has you pulling away.
“It’s a good thing you love me back,” you whisper in his ear. “Nobody else could ever compare to you.”
He growls, fisting your hair and yanking your head back to look him in the eye.
“Nobody will ever compare,” he corrects.
You moan. “Yes,” you agree, whining, “No one else could’ve given me a baby.”
Bucky thrusts harder and faster at your words. You’re picking up on a few hints and you can’t say it’s not doing it for you either.
“Filled me up so good, fucked me so well. Gonna be round with your baby soon.”
“Fuck, fuck,” he keens, hurrying to lay you flat on your back so he can fuck into you easier.
The sound of skin meeting skin fills the room, your cries of pleasure mixing in with Bucky’s grunts and curses. His grip on you tightens almost painfully as he chases both your and his orgasm. You’re sure to have bruises tomorrow and you already know you'll be poking at them to remember this moment.
“C’mon, baby, wanna feel you too,” you beg.
His thumb finds your swollen clit once more. It’s beyond sensitive now, feels like a shockwave coursing through you, and without any warning, you come. You spasm around Bucky and he swears under his breath, thrusts going sloppy. With a final groan, he comes inside you, his hips moving seemingly on their own as he draws out both your pleasures. Slowly, he comes to a stop, but he leaves his cock buried in you like he did last time.
You know you’re gonna feel too empty when he does pull out, so you don’t mind sitting like this for a while. Bucky softly runs his hands across every inch of your skin he can touch and you bask in the affection. You card your fingers through his sweaty hair, smiling when he hums happily. It takes only a minute for you to notice the way his hands migrate to your stomach, and when you do you kiss his shoulder.
“Maybe we should go again later,” you suggest faintly.
Bucky grins. “We can do it a hundred more times if you want.”
“Guess I better enjoy it while I can.”
His smile goes soft at the edges.
It’s not lost on you how incredibly crazy all of this is. There will undoubtedly be a conversation, a much needed one that isn’t going to be simple or easy, but it’s necessary.
For now, though, you bask in Bucky’s warmth and loving embrace.
***
Keys jingle as they unlock the door and you perk up where you’re sprawled on the couch. Bucky enters, arms laden with bags from the convenience store.
“They didn’t have the banana ice cream you asked for,” he announces, continuing before your pout fully forms, “but they did have the double chocolate brownie kind you love so much, so I got that, as well as the sour gummy worms, beef jerky, and fried pickles from the deli on your list of demands.”
“What about—”
“And your strawberry Fanta,” he adds with a fond, slightly exasperated smile.
You’re unable to stop your expression from going soft and dreamy.
Ever since you and Bucky figured out where to go with your relationship, he’s been even more attentive and accommodating (and that’s saying something).
You expressed your worry about the possibility of something going wrong, that one or both of you would get bored and leave, or there’d be a big fight that neither of you could forgive. He was quick to reassure you of his commitment, told you there was no way he would ever get bored of you, and that as long as you both promise to talk things out in a calm, mature way, then you’d be alright.
It all sounded so easy when it was put like that. The more you thought about it, though, the more you realized he was right. It wasn’t fair to either of you to already give up before you’d even started. So you’d taken a deep breath and leaped.
Now, you’re five and a half months in, your belly steadily growing and making everyday life increasingly uncomfortable. The changes to your body were physically and emotionally draining, to say the least. Moreso the emotional side. You’d hoped you wouldn’t be one of those pregnant women with strange cravings, and for the most part they were pretty tame, but you do like to dip your sour gummy worms in banana ice cream. Bucky didn’t attempt to hide his disgust over that.
“What did I do to deserve you?” you ask on a pleased sigh.
He places your small cornucopia of goods on the coffee table. You sit up, huffing for breath during the struggle. You go to reach for the ice cream first, but Bucky catches your hand, lacing his fingers with yours and kissing your knuckles as he kneels in front of you.
“You were yourself. Smart, kind, selfless, unbelievably sexy.” You snort at that, but he’s undeterred. “And you’re giving me the best gift I could ever dream of. A family.”
Instantly, you’re crying. He’s grown accustomed to the mood swings by now, taking it in stride as he wipes away the tears with gentle hands.
“Stop being so disgusting,” you blubber through your hiccuping cries. “You’re such an asshole.”
Bucky laughs. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
You sniffle, kissing him. “Love you,” you grumble.
He leans down and plants the softest of kisses to your belly. “And I love you, little lady.”
The idea of you having a child one day always seemed foreign and unlikely, but life has a way of turning out exactly how it’s supposed to… And you wouldn’t change a thing.
2K notes · View notes
caaaatoad · 1 year
Text
Night Swimming With Dabi - Dabi x Reader
Fluff/hurt/comfort | Summary: Night swimming with Dabi
WARNINGS: SPOILERS for Dabi’s backstory, suggestive comments, reader’s in a bathing suit, Dabi is shirtless and applies sunscreen to the reader’s back, kissing, lots of skinship, scars, burns, lemme know if I missed smth! I’ll edit grammar tmr
- -
“Dabi…!”
He grinned behind the window, his knock hitting air as you scrambled to open it. Your clock read midnight, cool night breeze spilling into your room as much as the moonlight did.
You noticed the bag he held as he slipped inside. Your heart was racing, gently holding his arms and padding him down. When your hands landed on his chest, you felt the rumble of his laugh underneath your palms.
“Touchy, aren’t you doll?” He said smoothly, planting his hands at your waist, pulling you closer. “Dreamin’ of me or something?”
Heat flooded your cheeks. He clearly wasn’t hurt this time. Memories of him gasping for breath, nearly falling on-top of you and leaving blood on your window filled your head. The man’s white shirt you clutched too was usually ridden with blood and wholes when he visited at this hour. Despite the fabric being white as the moon, you couldn’t help but lift up his shirt. The tips of your ears burned red at his teases. Relief flooded your body when all your eyes landed on was old scars, no fresh ones but a few bruises.
Biting your lip, you wanted to tend to them more somehow. Letting his shirt fell, nothing in this world could had prepared you for the look Dabi was giving you. For once, it wasn’t cocky or smirky - his lips were pressed in a firm line. Whatever laid behind those pretty blue eyes of his was indescribable.
You still had to ask. “You’re not hurt, are you?”
“You really want this off, don’t ya?” He asked, cocky and smirky again while he tugged slightly at the low- cut collar of his shirt, showing off the top of his pecs. “Relax, you’ll get what you want soon.”
It was true you only saw Dabi shirtless when you were patching him up. Heat flooded your face for the upteenth time tonight, your eyes glancing to your bed. He followed your gaze slightly, rolling his eyes.
“…Get your mind out of the gutter, yeah?” He mumbled, slipping the bag off his wrist as he lightly tossed it on your bed with a soft thump. Something coloured was visible through the thin plastic. You moved to peek inside.
“What’s this?” You whispered softly, heart fluttering as you gently pulled out the contents. It was a bathing suit. Not just any bathing suit, it was the one you said you wanted. You also noticed the receipt was in the bag - the villain’s subtle way of telling you he bought it. Moreover, it meant Dabi would never gift you something stolen.
Gift. “Thank you Dabi…”
You looked at him. The tension left his body as you smiled, rushing to him with the bathing suit still in hand as you pecked his lips. For all the teasing he threw at you, his stiffness meant he was caught off guard. While you surprised him, nothing could stop his lips meeting yours as if you were the missing piece to his puzzle.
“Are you taking me swimming?” You asked with a giddy smile.
Dabi’s eye roll held no venom, nodding at your bathing suit. “No, I’m not. Just wanted you to sleep with that thing like a teddy bear,” he answered dryly, stepping towards the door. “Get changed, and I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
A surge of confidence washed over you. “You don’t wanna watch?”
He coughed abruptly, fumbling with the door knob and closing the door once he left. The villain was truly innocent when it came to you.
Chucking slightly, you changed. You checked yourself out in the mirror. It was a perfect fit and your favourite colour. Grabbing a bottle of sunscreen, you rushed down the stairs and nearly missed a few steps. You slipped on your flip flops, linking your arm in his as you beckoned him to the door. Dabi only stared at you, his eyes the only part of him visible in his high-zipped jacket. It was a gentle look until it wasn’t, as he tilted your chin up. What he whispered in your ear made your knees weak, and he laughed at the pout you wore.
Patting his chest lightly, you mustered, “My goodness, you’re shameless!”
“We’ll I sure hope so,” he said, capturing your wrist and smiling into the kiss he pressed against your pulse.
“Yeah, yeah, listen, where’s your bathing suit? You look dressed an ice bath or something.”
“I am a super villain, in case you forgot doll.”
When Dabi saw you reach for the doorknob, a low, “Not so fast” stopped your movements. Before you could turn around, a jacket was draped over your shoulders. Dabi’s jacket. It was cleaned, which was unusual, and beyond the lavender detergent was the underlying scent of smoke and cigars. You could tell he tried to get rid of it.
“Was gon’ say sorry for it smelling funny,” he said, grabbing your hand, “But since you sniffing it like other dogs sniff other dog’s butts, guess next time I’ll skip the washer.”
“Oh my god.” You said as he snorted, unable to keep a straight face. “Did you just compare me to a dog? Babe, I didn’t know you were such the romantic.”
“Now you do,” he laughed, a sound as sweet as it was rare.
As the door opened, you were hit with the smell of spring and the cool night breeze. Dabi tucked his jacket tighter around your shoulders, leading you down an alleyway so dark the moonlight barely reached.
“Stay close, yeah?” He whispered to you softly, intertwining your fingers together while his other hand slipped around your waist.
“I haven’t yet burnt all the creeps in this world that’d lay their filthy hands on you.”
Dabi led you to a faraway lake outside the city. You lived closer to the country areas of Japan, where the streets were replaced with rolling beaches and shimmering lakes. Moonlight danced upon the waters, and the night sky was absent of buildings except for a shining, full moon.
The air carried the smell of water with it, the smell of distant trees whistling by you as the leaves budded in the midst of Spring. A few stars laid overhead now that you squinted, and the moon casted its waving reflection in the waters. Waves crashed against the rocks.
You laid down a towel in the sand, gently folding up Dabi’s jacket and doing the same to the other he shrugged off. You brought out a bottle of sunscreen, applying it your face, arms and legs. You glanced at your boyfriend, who’s brows were furrowed. He looked at you like you had two heads.
“There’s literally no sun—“
“Shush and do my back.”
Dabi grumbled a bit as he rubbed the stupid sunscreen onto his palms. He was hesitant to lay his scarred and rough hands on your back, worried his staples would rub against your soft, and unscathed skin. Yes, your skin bore some imperfections that were perfectly gorgeous. Any scars or birthmarks you bore were nothing compared to the patches of discoloured and dead flesh stapled all over his body. His hand barely hovered over your skin at first, and when you complained, he grunted and gently spread the cream over your back.
You must had been really set on applying this stuff if you were willing to go as far as have his disgusting hands wander your back. If wearing sun protection at night wasn’t any hint.
When he was done, you turned around and smiled at him. “Thanks, baby.”
He nodded. You looked at him like you were expecting more, while the man was still waiting for a remark about how disgusting his touch was even after his hands left your body.
He got up, and you gently grabbed his arm. Your fingers curled around the healthy parts of his skin, cautious of his scars even though they were unfeeling. You didn’t want to touch them.
“Let me apply some on you,” you said.
He gently shrugged you off. “Not that It’s was ever a concern, but I’m already burnt, darling.”
You frowned slightly. It was meant to be something like a joke, despite it being true. Whatever it was, it wasn’t supposed to fill your eyes with pity. The man’s hatred for pity dug roots deep within his core.
His eyes glanced towards the lake. “…we just gon’ stand here or what?”
You smiled at him. Cheekily. “I don’t know… you don’t look pretty ready to me.”
“I took my jacket off.”
You tugged on his shirt lightly, saying, “I thought you said I’d get what I want.”
His eyes widened slightly at your boldness. If his shirt wasn’t hiding the sloppy scars and staples over his stomach and chest, he would had you burying your steaming face against him - a sight he was quite fond of.
Your eyes softened, flirty tone disappearing. “You know it’s nothing I’ve never seen before.”
“Of course I know that,” he muttered. It was true. You’ve seen his scars, tended to them, stitched him where he needed stitches and stapled where he needed staples. In those moments, you were focused on keeping him alive, keeping the blood in his veins. You weren’t… dare he say admiring him, really noticing how his body looked like. Those dire moments left no time for you decide if you liked his appearance or not.
The truth was, he did not look much different than he did on a ‘good’ day today than a bad one. The truth was, Dabi’s stomach was in knots at the thought of him taking off his shirt and deciding you didn’t like what his quirk had done to him.
“I… was just teasing,” you whispered softer than the wind breezing past. “I’m sorry.”
Dabi grit his teeth. He always did this, always burned the mood. The man only stopped gritting to blow smoke out of his mouth, hating the way your eyes downturned.
You were in his arms in a second, yelping. Your expression was pretty cute. He had a hand underneath your thigh, exchanging glances between you and the lake. You gawked at him, and he shut you a toothy grin as he sprinted towards the water.
Cold water splashed into you both. The lake’s waves gently rolled into stillness once you made contact with the water. A mere drop against your skin and your quirk let you control surrounding bodies of it. Your laughter crowded his senses, the softness of your hands on his shoulders as you nuzzled your face into his neck. Butterflies erupted in his stomach as you started planting gentle kisses on his neck, your lips moving across the scarred, coarse flesh shamelessly. As if his skin was as soft as yours.
“Cutest villian around,” you said, for no damn reason whatsoever.
He decided with a smirk he was going to punish you for calling him such a revolting thing. Cute? If that was a joke, he wasn’t laughing.
Once he was deep enough, he threw you into the water with a grand SPLASH!
Chuckling, he looked down at your wet hair and pout - eyes burning with a fury he’s never seen before. Dabi had faced heroes and villains, the worst parts, people in society ever since he was a young boy. The villian endured the anger of a father who deemed his son not good enough, and burned himself out trying to prove he was. He was tugged by the clothes on his back the like you tugged his shirt with a shocking strength, and was dragged through the ash as quickly as you pulled him into the water.
Popping his head above the water, you laughed at the fact how his raven spikes still defied gravity when they were wet. He ran a hand through his wet hair, the other splashing you with a wave of water.
You laughed and splashed him back, he finally realized. This was so different. Your eyes were absent of fury, there was no flames in your touch as you wrapped your arms around his neck, dipping his hands underwater to straddle your hips, holding you when your legs got tired of treading. It was as if your touch brought the nerves he burned back into his scarred flesh, like he could feel the love behind your teases and retaliations. The word made his throat close up, and tried to swallow him up like the water if he stopped treading his legs.
His wet shirt clung uncomfortably to his body. The thin fabric was a wall between you both. Dabi wanted to be flush against your body. He wanted to explore every expanse of you the moonlight touched, and was willing to let you do the same. Dabi knew he was obsessed, the man wanted to be as close to you, as connected as each droplet in this body of water.
You treaded for a bit as he took off his shirt. He discarded it, instantly scooping you up in his arms. A part of him wanted to bury his face into your shoulder and from your gaze. He surprised himself when he didn’t. The moon casted a wreath of its glow around your figure, deeming you ethereal and not made to fit against his broken body so perfectly.
Pressing his forehead against yours, he shut his eyes. His stomach turned at the thought of his staples hurting you. You made no sign of it, resting your hands on his face and tracing the scars along his jaw. The water moved softly around you, as your touch flowed from the scars on his face to the blotchy, burns on his body much like it.
He strengthened his hold on you when you brought one of his hands to your lips, kissing his wrecked knuckles and not flinching at cold metal against your skin. Your affections made him breathless, and yet he kissed your lips as if they’d grant him his last breath. The sensations, the warmth took him like a gentle tide, overtaking him, saving him from the flaming shores. You were the opposite of a kindling. You were a dousing strong enough to make him forget his flames and the sweltering depths of hell he was forced to tread through.
You treaded your fingers through his wet strands, breaths mingling together. You wore a smile, crystallized droplets falling off your body as you rose in his embrace. The man’s strong arms steadied you.
“I’ll never let you go,” he whispered, rubbing the pads of his fingers against your side. Instantly, he wanted to take it back. The man hadn’t mean to sound scary, as if he could really do anything if you decided to leave.
You smiled, tilting his chin up until your lips were nearly inches away. “I’ll never let you go either.”
The man stilled against you. Looking down, he stopped treading. Somehow you were both above water many depths taller than him.
You flashed him a cocky smile. Droplets of water danced around you, eyes glistening with moonlight.
“If you could make us float all this time…” he started.
“I like swimming.”
“Oh really?” He said, lips upturned. “Because to me, you’ve been in my arms all night.”
“And who’s fault is that?”
Opposites. He was fire and you were water. Yet, you were both similar, both casted out and left to burn and drown. Both were hell. Maybe you both didn’t deserve it at some point.
“I know you think you don’t deserve me, that I deserve better or some shit,” you said, looking him in the eyes. “But I want you to forget about that all, okay? Forget deserve. Who cares? You want me, and I want you. I’m a grown adult, I can make my own decisions.”
He chuckled weakly. “You sure make some pretty bad ones.”
“You act like I’m some Angel.”
“But you are,” he said against your skin, planting a kiss at your neck that made you shiver more than the cool, night air breezing past.
What else could bring him back to life? Hatred had rose him from the ashes, only to live another life of burn and misery. A living hell. Something completely opposite brought him back a second time. Dabi tasted heaven every time your lips met. Your scent clouded his senses.
“I love you,” he said, so easily and simply it scared him. Just turning away had the power to destroy him.
“I love you too.”
Only an angel could ever love a villain like him. Could look past the sins he cremated. Love was what revived him, his second lifeline after the first with no strings attached. It was too good to be true… which was why you weren’t an angle, he’d never be forgiven, he’d never be redeemed. You were both just crazy, laughing under the moonlight in far-off lake.
Dabi didn’t believe everyone deserves love, and it’s completely fucked that an arsonist and a murder gets to be loved. He was a villain and he was going to do what villains do best.
He was just gonna take it.
179 notes · View notes
mygloviesme · 7 months
Text
cool about it, eleven years later. || myg || story finale
no. 3 out of 3: i can’t hide from you like i hide from myself
Tumblr media
predebut/debut!yoongi x female idol
summary: eleven years later, kanako lives in nyc with her childhood best friend keiko. bts have become a household name that floods her every day life, and she's learned to ignore it. after years of moving on from those months she spent with the seven boys, she finds herself in a good place. what happens after one fateful night she finally runs into faces she's tried so hard to run away from?
(definitely inspired by boygenius)
word count: 10.5k (yup)
genre: ANGST, fluff, melodrama
chapter warnings: mentions of mental health, drinking (casual wine sipping), mentions of toxic ex, smut (missionary, oral f. receiving, dirty talk, praise? idk)
if you see any edit mistakes, no you don’t. it’s 5 am and I’m too eager to release this!
inspo song: xo by beyonce
"your face is all that i see, i give you everything"
Tumblr media
 JULY 10TH, 2023, 9:46PM
It feels silly, us all being so much older and sleeping over in Jungkook’s hotel room. Although, it is a huge hotel room. Anyway, it feels like we're too old for sleepovers like this. Even Yoongi, who stayed quiet most of the car ride, groaned in annoyance.  Shouting, ‘Why did I spend so much money on a nice hotel if I was just gonna sleep on a couch?’
But Jungkook insisted and so did a still-tipsy Jimin. Namjoon was pretty neutral like always. I think he’s secretly excited though. I’m not sure if I can say the same for Yoongi. I couldn’t stop glancing at him during the car ride, examining his quick-witted retorts to Namjoon like I remembered. We’d swap eye-contact every once in a while, though fleeting, sending shock waves down to my core every time. But, the dust (my non-stop adrenaline) luckily settled once we arrived at the luxurious building. 
As we entered the room, an eager Jungkook races to his room, shuffling around to only come out with a set of clothes. And for a second, a brief moment, I swear he shrinks a couple inches. Like he’s as small as he was then. It’s not like I miss that version of him more because I can still feel he’s that boy in instances like these. But it’s nostalgic. “Here.” He says, handing me the stack. 
The sweats are soft and gray and the shirt I can smell even from here. Like laundry detergent, the one with the teddy bear on it. They feel undoubtedly expensive.
“O-Okay, I’m just gonna change in the bathroom.” I say, Jungkook nodding and pointing to the direction it’s in. I follow his finger and approach the tall door, turning the handle to enter inside. It gives me time to call Keiko and gather my thoughts. It’s been a long night filled with all sorts of things I have to sit and think about before I get back out and deal with it again.
Maybe not the yelling and shouting that occurred, but the thick awkwardness of the fact that we’re still getting used to each other. Eleven years is too long and two days is too short to recount everything we missed from each other's lives. The clock is ticking and I’m not sure how to slow down time. 
I place the clothes on the counter and reach inside my purse for my phone, opening my contacts to dial Keiko. Quickly. She picks up instantly like always. She’s great at that.
“Hey Koko, how’s everything going? Do you need a ride?”
I gulp, “N-No, I’m actually staying at their hotel tonight.”
I hear her freeze, “WHAT? You’re kidding!” 
“No, I’m not!” I whisper and cover my mouth to muffle my voice as much as I can. It would be another problem if they heard me gossiping about tonight. But I have to debrief with her, it’s what we do. 
“What do you mean by their hotel?”
 “Well it’s Jungkook’s, but everyone agreed to have a sleepover.”
“What the fuck. I wish I was there! Hook me up, dear god.” She whines. 
I laugh loudly, slapping my hand over my mouth when I realize the echoing it caused. 
“Shut up. Maybe. But anyway, I’ll be here.”
“So what’s gonna happen? You gonna snuggle up to Yoongi or what?” She says and I hear her eating on something. Probably the rocky-road she claimed to hate. Liar. 
“No, I’m not. Definitely not. We got into it tonight. Bad.” 
She gasps, “Tell me.”
I exhale softly, “It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later. But everything’s fine now. We made up.”
“You made up, really?” She says with doubt. Don’t sound so surprised, jeez. 
“Sort of. But there is one thing I wanted to tell you. Jimin got drunk and before me and Yoongi had…argued or whatever, he said ‘Yoongi isn’t the only one hung up on you.’ Talking about Jungkook. Isn’t that…crazy? What do you think it means?”
She sighs, “You know what it means, Koko. What did you expect from the boy? You guys cuddled like, every night.”
“He told me he considered me to be a sister!” I whisper-shout into the phone.
“I mean at first, yeah. But a hot girl coming to stay with seven boys every night? Come on.”
My face falls flat, my voice monotone. “I wish you’d keep some thoughts to yourself.”
“Anyway, that sounds complicated. But you’re a new Koko, new and improved. You can deal with this, I know you can. And if you wanna bail just call me up and I’ll come get you. I’ll be up for a while.” She reassures me. 
I smile, “Thanks, Keiko. Love you. I’ll see you later.”
I hang up the phone and set it down, placing my head on the counter to take a deep breath. My forehead sits on the cold marble as I try to ground myself, calm myself. I don’t want the events of tonight to tamper with me. I want to enjoy this. 
It hurts to think that they’ll be leaving in a day. That this night and tomorrow will be transient, because I miss them. I miss them like hell. I miss their laughs, their arguing. Their warm company that never fails to aid my stubborn, sad heart. As I lift my head to look at myself in the mirror, I witness the time that’s passed. The unmistakable creases on my face that have evolved as I got older. I wish they were here to see them as they came to fruition. I wish they could’ve seen and witnessed all my milestones. How did time pass by so quickly? I could’ve gotten so many more moments with them if I hadn’t left.
So many birthdays, holidays, everything. It’s not guilt that I feel, not even mourning. It's aching for all the time that I lost with them. They’ve always been my chosen family. And with Yoongi, even now I hurt when I think of everything that could’ve happened between us. Even if we stayed friends. Even if we stayed friends. 
I take a break from my feelings and put on the clothes Jungkook gave me in a hurry. I know I’ve spent an absurd amount of time in this bathroom, but I still hear them from behind this door. So I know they can’t be settling for bed already.
Tonight calls for a later bedtime. Although, I do have work tomorrow. 
JULY 11TH, 2023, 1:34AM
We’ve shared a bottle of wine or two throughout this night. Chatting about my own stories this time. All the things I’ve gotten into while living in this big city. Some stories I keep for myself, unsure of whether they’re appropriate for this late-night banter. Like the time in my work bathroom with a colleague of mine. That’s definitely unimportant. 
It isn’t long until Namjoon and Jungkook are calling it a night, surprisingly. I look at Yoongi who isn’t saying anything at all. Is he not going to bed? Should I say I’m calling it a night too just to avoid being alone with him?
I’ve wanted to talk with him ever since I saw him that night, but right now it scares me shitless.
“Kanako, you coming?” Jungkook asks me while carrying wine glasses to the sink. I revert from looking at Yoongi for reassurance, allowance, to stay back with him. I go with my gut. 
“N-No, I think I’ll stick around for a while longer.” Jungkook darts his eyes from me to Yoongi, sucking in his teeth. Is he upset?
“Well you can sleep in my bed. The three of us are taking the floor. It’s a big room, so. You know. Hope that’s okay.” His voice drips with irritation. He’s obviously discontent with me staying with Yoongi. I’ll take care of that later. 
“That’s okay with me.” I smile weakly.
He doesn’t necessarily listen to my response, instead turning his back to walk to the room. Namjoon and a sleepy Jimin bidding a good night before following suit. 
I watch them leave, counting down the seconds until they’re out of sight. It’s easier if I act like I’m distracted by them instead of talking to Yoongi. 
I grab the second bottle of wine that’s been opened by Jungkook earlier tonight, pouring myself another glass. Keeping busy. Still avoiding. I feel his eyes on me, though. I think he’s wondering if I’ll say something first. But to my surprise, he speaks. 
His isolated voice sends chills down to my abdomen, echoing in this sleek lounge space. His voice has always been low, smooth. Perfect to listen to as you’re falling asleep. I remember that so vividly. Him whispering to me as we both drifted off to sleep, kissing my sleepy face. His affection was constant. I remember the relentless hands all over my body when he got the chance. Shit, what did he say?
I widen my eyes, “S-Sorry. What was that?”
He laughs and takes a sip of the dark red liquid, talking in the glass. 
“So you and Keiko get along well?” He repeats. 
I bob my head from side-to-side, “Something like that. I’m kidding. Yes. We got along great, she’s like my sister.” There’s a loud nervousness in me that he’s not reciprocating. His words are confident, curious. I’m not used to this. Is it bad that I’m so anxious around him? Those almond eyes look ethereal beside the glow of the city lights. He’s beautiful. I wish I could take a photo of him right now. 
“That’s great.” He responds casually. 
Silence. 
I drink from my wine again, “Mmm- I listened to your solo album. It’s amazing.” I say, acting like the thought just came to mind. 
He nods, “Thanks. It took a while to make but I’m happy with the outcome. And tour was good too.”
“Right! Tour! I saw photos.” I wince at how well I’ve been keeping up with all of their extracurriculars. 
His eyes never break eye contact with me as he speaks, “What’d you think?”
I chortle nervously, “It looked really cool and thought-out. I think all of your songs are great.”
“All of them?”
Shit. The elephant in the room has stomped its way through the door. 
“Y-Yeah. All of them.” I whisper, fiddling with the stem of my wine glass. 
I want to ask, how many other songs are about me? And have you written as much about Aimee? But I’m too old to be spiteful. It’s making me gray faster. 
His veiny fingers push through his long hair, falling perfectly back into place as he sets his hand down on the kitchen counter. It suits him so well. He looks so sophisticated, and it’s still so surreal that I’m in front of him once again. Just like an inevitability, like death (morbid, I know) I had weirdly accepted that I would never see them, him, ever again. Was that selfish of me?
The reechoing of stillness makes my mind wander towards the city that never sleeps. It’s especially louder tonight during the absence of either of our voices. 
I hear the honking and bustling of city life, something that never gets old. I loved it when I first got here. It filled in the gaps of silence so I wouldn’t be forced to think so much when I was sleeping at night. When I’d be crying myself out of tears because of the long-haired man sitting beside me. I would think about the young kids, whose night was just starting. The people closing up shop, the babies being put to bed. It was easier to live outside of myself here. You can’t help but love everything around you. Even the sweaty summer and nasty rain and the smell of garbage that never leaves certain streets. It’s become my new home. Nothing like Korea or Japan. Maybe that’s the point. 
As I sit next to Yoongi, someone who reminds me of the past loneliness I used to feel, it scares me again. I’m not sure if him turning out to be a complete stranger, or the same Yoongi I used to know, is better. It’s nice to know that after all this time he can still look at me like an equal. Like I didn’t abandon him. But do I want him to have completely forgotten about the girl I used to be? I did not prepare for this in therapy. 
“I wish I had invited you to visit me.” I confess, staring off into the glass window behind him. 
He looks at me softly, “I wish you did too. But I’m here now. We’re here now. It’s okay.” He says, and I have a feeling he’s talking about us two instead of all five. It’s consoling. And there it is again, that x-ray vision he has into my thoughts. Or am I being ridiculous once more?
“Is it?” My overthinking takes over. It was eleven years ago, yes. But it was hard, it was breaking. How could I not apologize, or even ask how I can make up for it? I have so much to say, but I await his answer instead. 
He shifts, “It is. I’m sorry for…what I said at dinner. It was impulsive and not thought out. I should’ve known not to say that.”
My expression grows dejected. I feel like I should be the one apologizing, so I do. 
“Don’t be sorry. At all. I mean– it had to come up either way. I know what I did must’ve affected you all. It affected me a lot. So, I’m sorry. For not reaching out, for leaving everything unsaid.”
His lips curl into a weak smile, “We were all young. We didn’t know the full extent of what you were going through, Kanako. All is forgiven, I promise. I’m just happy to be talking with you now.” 
I nod slowly, partially accepting his forgiveness and willingness to move on. It’s hard to believe that’s all there is to it, but I want to believe him. I’m not going to blame myself for the feelings I had because of my failing career and abusive relationship, but I can feel guilt for not talking to them even after the healing. That’s what I thought was best for myself at the time, what would help me move on better. 
And maybe it did in some ways, but I now know it just feels good, as well as other things, to be under the same roof as Yoongi again.
And between the beat of silence I get the confidence to ask, “So you and Aimee?”
He throws his head back with an amused smile, “Ah- no. I just ran into her that night and we kind of- kissed. Or something. But she’s way too young for me.”
I’m glad he feels comfortable enough to tell me, but it still stings just a little bit. But they’re not even together. All this overthinking only gave me more stress. Old habits die hard, I guess. 
“I see. So you’re…”
“Single? You’re quite nosy, Kanako.”
With a slip of the tongue I say, “I love it when you say my name.” But yet, nothing about it is sensual. It’s like I’m dancing around a thought neither of us want to fully think about. There’s a line.
His gaze becomes gentler, “I know.” 
God, he knows?
He grins at me before grabbing the bottle of wine to top off my glass, saying nothing. How could he just say that? It’s impossible to read him right now, which is something I would’ve never expected. If it was eleven years back, that is. 
“I’m single.” He responds and sits back comfortably in his chair. 
His words sound premeditated, like he knew I would ask. And he would answer. It seems the both of us are being a bit self-indulgent with our questions tonight. But the way he talks to me is seemingly affectionate. He’s no longer carrying me like water in his hands. I’m the glass he’s drinking in. 
I still feel inexperienced, something he obviously isn’t anymore. I can’t leech onto anything to make me feel more at ease, not even his presence that radiates heat. 
“And you? Were you being honest at dinner or do you have a secret boyfriend?” He teases. 
“I’m not sure why I’d keep it a secret.” I laugh, “But no, no one. Just me and Keiko.”
He hums and peers around the room. “Like Jimin said, has there ever been…someone?”
I hesitate for a moment. “I was being painfully honest about that too. I’ve seen guys, I guess. But this city feels so small sometimes I think I’ve run out of options.” I inch my gaze towards him like I’m afraid to know the next answer, “You?” I ask.
“Sort of, yeah. One. I was twenty five and it was only for a year. I just got too busy and she got impatient with me, so we thought to just end it.”
“Was it hard?” I whisper. 
“Yeah it was.” He chuckles and scratches the back of his with nervousness, “I loved her but…life just gets in the way. It’s annoying. I’m over it though.”
It feels so odd to talk to him about this. Would you call it exes bonding over exes? Or lack thereof on my part. But I’m glad he’s been loved. That he found that. It’s comforting to know about him, even if I wasn’t there. It hurts, but I’m putting maturity above my feelings.
“So-”
“I wanted to-”
We speak at the same time, sharing casual laughter soon after. I let him go first. 
He puffs out, “Uh, I just– wanted to say that…I hope you didn’t feel offended. After I released those songs.” He says repentantly. 
“Oh,” I tense up, “Not at all. Not at all. If you felt so musically inclined-”
“Shut up.”
“If you felt so musically inclined to, then I can’t blame you for it, right?”
He titters slightly, swiveling his drink. I can tell he’s relieved by the way his smize stays on his face, but there’s a disinclination to him as the seconds turn into minutes. 
He taps his glass, “I meant every word, Kanako.” He says quietly.
There’s no need for repetition, I digest what he said like I’ve been starving for days. 
I hang onto every word for what feels like hours, mouth slightly open before I can figure out what I’m going to say. I enjoy seeing him like this, honest. Vulnerable. I want to savor it. It’s sparking something inside of me that I thought had been shriveled into nothing. 
“I know, Yoongi.” I make it sound like it’s about to end. This, all of this. Like the feelings we had, or have, are only being brought up in passing. But there’s nothing about this that I’m ready to finalize. I now know, ever since that time I left, that his love for me ran like the ocean. I was the combining waves to his body of water. It’s still there. Am I getting ahead of myself?
As we settle into each other's energy at this moment, it’s a shared realization that there is no fire we have to combat anymore. It’s a mutual source we both want to indulge in. Calm. It would be a lie if I said it wasn’t a stormier, thrashing feeling than I’d planned. 
But it’s all the same. 
His hand lingers face down on the wrap-around kitchen counter, begging for touch. I keep mine on my glass, not giving in just yet. It could either turn out to be embarrassing or something else I need to procrastinate from dealing with. 
“Any other songs I should know about?” I joke. 
His expression is stoic, “Most of them.” 
My heart skips a couple beats. If I didn’t know any better I’d think I was going into cardiac arrest. With his body language it seems like he’s being completely serious. Completely, utterly serious.
He keeps his gaze on his hand, chuckling to himself. 
“What?” I share his amusement with a bit of confusion. 
He clenches his jaw.
“I think I’ll go crazy if you don’t touch me, Kanako.” 
I’m stunned by his frankness, not being able to speak. Is it now that I’m suddenly at a loss? Why is it now I have nothing to say anymore? All the worry, the thoughts, the stress course through my veins pour out of me as he looks at me. His gaze can’t be more gentle, more loving. But there’s a neediness within him that’s seeping to me. I can’t deny him of that, or myself. 
“Yoongi-”
“I need– I don’t even– I’m sorry. I’m not sure why I said that.”
“You don’t?” I ask, because the answer is obvious to me. I want to touch him too. I’m letting my childlike recklessness take over. There’s not one voice in my head saying ‘no’ louder than the ones saying ‘yes’. Yes, yes, yes. 
“I don’t know where to start.” He whispers. 
“I don’t know either.” I respond. Because the answer to that is obvious as well. It’s painfully, unfortunately obvious. We just want each other, that’s all there is to it. Why speak when we can forget it all? Maybe even start where we left off? That could never happen.
His hand strides over to my face in what feels like a quiet but grand gesture, leaning his body slowly into mine. It’s impulsive, rushed. We both have no idea what we’re doing and what this will lead to. 
“Yoongi…” I breathe as he draws his lips closer to me. They’re so shiny, and I remember that cupid's bow so well. His mouth brushes over mine and before I can take another breath, he plants onto me softly. I’m almost too afraid to touch him, knowing it’ll make it all the more real. If I let myself enjoy this moment, will it go too far?
Will I expect things from him he won’t be able to give me? Because I can’t live another eleven years without him. Now that I’m tasting him again, I’m not sure how I even lasted.
It’s slow and his tongue speaks a language that makes the minimal space between us agonizing. Closer, wetter, sensual. It’s what I crave most as his mouth moves with mine in a deep rhythm. I feel the vibration of a low hum coming from this throat, causing me to release the tiniest moan only he could hear. His fingers are relentless with caresses to my jaw, neck, anywhere. 
I keep my hands in his hair, diving into the soft strands that were once mine. I follow the natural growth and end up at his neck, tousling with the hair that almost reaches his shoulders. It was never this long, never this thick. Everything about him is pillowy and soft, so easy to get lost in. He’s eating me whole, and I let him. 
But, there’s a familiar stinging of discomfort when I try enveloping him fully, something that tugs at my heartstrings. Telling me that this is all too much, it’s too painful. I can taste the spotting of wine in his saliva and can only think to pull away in a sudden movement. I need to click my heels to get back into reality, I need to go home. 
“Kanako-” He whispers, caught off guard by my swift action. 
“This is all too–I don’t know if I can do this.” I mutter breathlessly, my head still caught up in the moment we had a second ago, the feelings that are boiling to the surface. My insides are twisting and being turned inside out. This is not how I thought any of this would go.
“Don’t do that, not now.” He asserts.
I’m choking up now, the tears that live inside of me never fail to reset whenever I’m caught. But I know exactly what he’s referring to. No need to play dumb. He knew me then and he can recognize me now. Maybe not know me, not fully, but we’re intertwined together whether we like it or not. His eyes scan me, needing an answer. Don’t run away, they say. 
“I’m not trying to,” My voice shakes, looking back into his gaze again. “I just–I still, I love you.” I say, like I’ve been holding it back since last night. Because I have, every inch of my body is regurgitating those words like they were never supposed to come up. 
He doesn’t speak for a moment, causing me to get up from my seat and try to collect myself. I’m thinking he doesn’t love me back, how could he when it’s been so long? I’m so stupid. 
He takes a short breath, “Of course I love you too, Kanako. How could I stop? How could I have ever stopped?” He says almost angrily. He’s frustrated with my need to escape him again. I can sense it. 
“It’s been too long, we’re strangers.” I respond, fighting the idea that we could ever go back. 
“We need to try. I need to. I couldn’t stop writing songs about you, I couldn’t stop hoping that one day I would find you again. It was never supposed to end that way. Don’t you think so too?” He pleads, his words come out in a blurt-like manner. He’s standing with me as well, his frame still a few inches above me like it was that time ago. 
“And then what– everything just turns out perfectly? We all just live like nothing ever happened?” I shake my head in visible denial.
He takes a step closer to me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “No, but we can figure it out. Slowly, but it can happen. Unless you don’t want it to. I can respect that, Kanako. We don’t have to be romantic. Just don’t leave. Pick up my calls, write to me, visit. Anything. Just come back to me.” He whispers. He’s stripped any wall down that stood there previously. We’re now eye-to-eye, lips closening once again. 
He’s magnetic. He’s my home. I’ve tried clicking my heels but I always end up back here, with him. Even if it was just in my dreams. But now he’s real, and how could I ever reject something that makes me feel this good? This loved?
And as he pulls me in once more, to kiss me once more, he says, “Let me in.”
So I’m now his, completely. I don’t feel spun around or twisted into nothing, I feel like his lips are the warm blanket wrapping around my aching body. His mouth aids my thoughts and his fingers ease my tense shoulders. I give in to him. He’s promised himself to me and pleaded that I come back to him. So I will. This time with no hesitation. 
We’re underneath the roof that hides the night sky but as he holds me to lengthen our kiss, I feel like the stars are twinkling above our heads. Like there’s constellations brushing against my neck and the moon is only inches away. I move our bodies closer to the couch, Yoongi’s back now pressed up against it.
He takes my hint and swiftly walks around the gray fixture, taking my hands so I follow him. I turn to him and push his chest softly so he lays down on the plush cushions, his eyes following every single movement I make. He has this smile he always used to have whenever it was just us. Whenever I’d be above him, tugging at my shirt like I am now. 
He sits up, placing his hands over mine that were about to take off my shirt. “Can I do it?” He whispers quietly, desperation leaking off every word. I nod slowly, feeling as he begins to peel off the thin fabric. His fingers brush over my stomach, causing a chill to run down my arms. He gives me goosebumps without having to do anything. 
As he has my shirt fall down on the floor, he runs his hands down my stomach slowly, curling his knuckles into the band of my skirt. He shimmies the tight material down my thighs until it pools around my ankles, leaving nothing to the imagination. His eyes carve out the small details of my body, my mind reeling every time he looked me up-and-down as if we were just two strangers ogling each other. 
Although he’s seen me before, seen all of me, that version of me doesn’t exist anymore. I have new spots and scars and a good amount of weight that wasn’t there previously. It has me feeling a little self-conscious, hoping he isn’t disappointed. I don’t feel a need for his validation, but his reassurance. 
“I don’t have my idol body anymore in case you couldn’t tell.” I joke sheepishly, dropping my head slightly to scan myself. 
He pulls me in, having me straddle his now laying body. “You mean you don’t have the same body you did when you were eighteen? That’s normal and completely, totally fine with me. I want you how you are now.” He kisses my fingers individually as he speaks. I sigh into the softness of his lips as they plant on my fingertips, needing more of him. 
I then jerk my hand from him playfully, a confused expression morphing on his face.
“I wanna see you now.” I say lowly. 
He sets his arms above him like he’s waiting to be undressed which causes a small laugh from me. I lift his shirt off of him, crawling down his body awkwardly for his pants next. “This isn’t as sexy as I’d want it to be.” I mutter.
He chuckles, “But you look cute doing it.” He reaches over to pet my head, which I realize I liked more than I’d be able to admit.
I huff and yank the ankles of his pants to get it over with, once and for all. I let the piece of clothing fall down beside the couch and go back to where I was previously. 
He hums, “As much as I like seeing you on top of me, I think we should do this properly. It is our first time, isn’t it?” 
A smile extends on my face hearing him say those words, although we’re still doing it on a couch, it’s the effort that counts, right? So I abide, letting him sit up so we can trade places. I feel much younger again with the way everything is so airy. My first time with Haneul wasn’t as loving as I had once thought it was. Nothing about that relationship was loving, but it makes me happy to know that I could do this with Yoongi. As if it was a redo, after all those other men these past eleven years. 
I’ve had good sex, don’t get me wrong. But never anything as intimate as this. 
As Yoongi hovers over me, he leans down to press his lips against mine. We get back into what was happening earlier, desperately locking into each other. Filling any gaps of space, which resided into Yoongi sneakily sliding his knee between my thighs. There’s heat radiating off of my sensitivity, including a pooling of wetness as he grinds into me. 
He looks so hot in his black boxers and I use his nearly nude body to my advantage, caressing his soft shoulders. Every part of his body is warm, it’s real. He’s real. His body has changed too. I can tell he’s been working out a little more. Which is never, ever a bad thing. I can’t get enough of him, bucking my hips into his knee further. 
“I’ll give you what you want in a moment,” He teases as his lips part from mine. He kisses down my chin to my neck, licking softly on my collarbones. As his tongue lingers on my skin he lifts my back to unhook my bra almost seamlessly. It causes a gasp from me, feeling the cold air as it bites at my breasts suddenly. His fingers make circles on the sensitive area, teasing my hard nipples. 
His mouth travels down my body but his hands stay on my chest until he’s reached the start of my underwear. I arch my back further when I feel his hot breath against my clothed heat, Yoongi pecking a kiss before he redirects his hands. “This okay?” He asks quietly while his hands play with each side of my panties. 
“Yes, yes.” I whisper quickly. I need him so badly, his mouth, his tongue. I want him inside of me, most importantly. To know what he feels like on top of me. But I can wait, especially if that means he’ll mouth-fuck me first. 
He slides down my underwear slowly, leaving me fully nude. My breath hitches when I feel his hands, quick to spread my legs. He urges me to throw a leg over the couch, so I do. This, I’m not as insecure about. Not when I’m so desperately needy.
His finger glides over the slit of my pussy, “Pretty Kanako. So wet for me. Is it? Just for me?”
I release a shaky breath from my throat, nodding slowly. 
“Let me hear you, pretty. Tell me it’s just for me.”
He’s making an absolute puddle of me, literally and metaphorically. Feeling my secretion dripping down to his already drenched finger that’s barely touched me. “Just for you. All for you.” I whine. 
My hips stutter against Yoongi’s curious mouth, “That’s my pretty baby,” He purrs. He lets his tongue sliver to my opening, flattening the center and licking me slowly. 
“Oh– god,” I choke out, feeling his lips suction around my clit and tugging at it teasingly. 
His mouth releases in a quiet pop– delving back into his previous motions. His tongue shamelessly digs into me, my wet mess painting his chin erotically. He hums into my pussy with devious intent, knowing the vibrations of his velvety voice would send me into a spiral.
– And it does, my hands trying to grab into anything I could to contain myself. I had to remember we were doing this with three people in the next room over, unfortunately. The only time I didn’t want those boys in the same presence as me. 
I try to whisper a ‘f-faster’ but all that escapes is a sigh. I think he understands because before I know it, he uses his fingers to spread me open, covered in my slick. His eyes dart to mine, looking into me as he plants his tongue on my vulnerable clit. My brows furrow and my mouth forms a quiet whimper, feeling him burying his face into me.
My cheeks are burning with a dark red, sweat forming at my forehead. The sight of his moppy hair and bare skin tugging at my thighs is enough to make me want to call it. I need to know how it’d feel to have all inches of his length in me. I remember how big he was– how much I would’ve given to have him tear me open then. And now the moment is so close, including my approaching orgasm. 
His tongue is greedy– and if I didn’t know any better I’d assume this act was for himself. How much he’s sucking and licking me clean, making sure I'm trembling– he loves this. 
“I c-can’t come yet– I need you..” I complain as my body says otherwise. 
He lifts his head to stop, making sure to replace his tongue with his thumb to play with my clit instead. “You sure? My Kanako doesn’t want to come all over my face? Because I know how much you loved it then.” He retorts. It’s hard to wrap my mind around having a normal conversation in the midst of my shaky legs and swollen clit, so I speak, although foggily. 
I place my wrist on my forehead, “I-I do, but I need you inside me. Please.” I plead breathlessly. 
His thumb stops and he travels to my upper body slowly, not bothering wiping the glossy slick that’s smeared on his face. Instead he rushes for a kiss, all forms of fluids being swapped between our mouths. “My needy girl.” He taunts with a smirk on his face. 
His hands travel to his boxers, taking them off swiftly. My wandering eyes still lock on his lengthy dick, seeing it bounce straight up due to how hard he’s become. There’s a familiar liquid that has the head glistening– precum. He gulps as his eyes look back to my body, hot and swollen. I’m a mess for him, I’m utterly open for him. My fingers trickle down to my saturated pussy, circling my clit to provoke him. 
His fingers grip his cock, pumping slowly as he stares at me playing with myself. He’s set in stone, groaning at the scene before him. 
“You’re beautiful, you know that?” He mutters, making gentle eye contact with me. I smile warmly as a thank you, feeling him line his cock against my opening. He pushes in enough to where the tip is fully in, moving his hands so they’re on both sides of me. 
I grab a handful of his hair, bringing his head into the nape of my neck as he makes his first thrust. I let out a gasp that echoes throughout the lounge room when his thrusts become two, three, until he’s created a slow rhythm to ease us both into it. Kanako, pretty pretty Kanako. I love you so much, love being inside you, he moans into my skin.
As pleasure cases him in a haze, his movements speak for him, his cock twitching with every inch he buries into me. I’ve hit the point where I’m beyond words, just spiraling into the mess he’s created of me. All that’s coming out is pitiful whimpers as my hands grip at his hair and back. 
“Y-You’re tightening around my c-cock, you know that?” He moans in disbelief. He removes his head from my neck to sit up right, continuing to pump into me. They’re growing faster by the second but by his sultry eyes I can tell he wants to savor every moment of this. I take in the crevices that outline his skin. The soft muscles around his stomach and his veiny hands that are holding steady on my stomach. 
He’s focused on pushing himself further into me, wanting to fill up my insides with as much of his cock as he can. He slips a hand to my ankle that’s resting over the couch, placing it on his shoulder to gain more momentum. My head brushes the arm of the couch as he fastens his pace, watching as he bites his lip. “You look so good underneath me, baby. Keep your eyes on me– wanna see how you look taking all of me,” And so I do, enjoying every single second of my view of him ramming into me like he knows nothing else. 
His thumb climbs back over to my clit, rubbing it gently to induce an orgasm from me. I can only assume he’s close, seeing his mouth agape and his thrusts becoming pounds. He’s hitting that spot inside me repeatedly, the overstimulation making me forget about how quiet I’m supposed to be. 
“Yoongi…yoongi…fuck-!” His name rolls off my tongue effortlessly. 
“Give it to me, pretty. Cover my dick in your cum, please,” He grunts quietly, leaning his head back with elation.
His sweaty bangs hang over his reddened face as he pumps into me in-and-out like clockwork. I watch him clench his jaw, his hold on my calf becoming tighter as his body reaches closer and closer to release. I tighten around him as the thumb he has pressed against my clit becomes too much to bear, tears pricking my eyes. “Yoongi, please–” I whimper loudly, digging my hands into his back.
He groans behind his teeth– snapping his hips to pump into my slick heat, our fluids conjoining together, making his dick glisten with a foggy whiteness. I shut my eyes quickly and let the sensations take over, a rush of warmth starting from my toes to my head. 
It makes me hazy in every sense of the word, high off the feeling of his dick hitting my sensitive spot over and over again— whilst he simultaneously circles my swollen clit with the pad of his thumb. 
“O-Oh shit–” I moan, my legs nearly going limp underneath him. I feel Yoongi slide his cock out,
grabbing a fistful of my hair to bring my face up to his dick. “Open f-for me, baby,” He demands, and I do so, having him stuff my mouth full of his length. 
I place my hands on his hips and stroke him with my tongue, suctioning his hard cock. 
“God– fuck!” He moans, tugging at my hair as he paints the inside of my mouth with white. I don’t let go from my grip on his skin, bobbing my head into him to stretch out his orgasm as much as I can. We’re both as tired as can be but watching him from below like this, seeing him unravel, is all I need to keep going. 
“Baby– baby…” He cooes as he glides his length from my mouth, collapsing from his knees and pressing his forehead against mine– breathing heavily. He grabs my face with his hands and kisses my mouth lazily, “My Kanako…I love you,” He whispers, moving his lips to scatter pecks all over my face. 
“I love you, Yoongi. I love you so much.” I reply lazily, succumbing to his sloppy kisses. He holds me like this for moments on end, forehead pressed against mine. We share each other's air as our chests move fast, heavy. I can see his tired state and yet– he’s unable to let go of me. Breathing me in as I am him, not wanting to end this just yet. 
But of course there seems to be always something, especially when it comes to the fact we just had sex on this hotel couch. Nice hotel couch, ‘kay?
“What the actual fuck.” The moment is interrupted, like a dumbbell being dropped on a glass coffee table. I’m struck with the deepest sense of horror and embarrassment, reality hitting me hard and fast. Jungkook is stood there, boxers only, rubbing his eyes as he stares at me and Yoongi. We’re both covered in sex and must smell like it too– Yoongi grabbing a pillow to throw over me. 
“Jungkook, this is– it’s-” Yoongi starts, but the young boy cuts him off.
“You guys are really…” He trails off in his scratchy-sleep voice. 
I furrow my brows angrily, so many feelings being present at once. 
“Just- let me get dressed and we can talk about this.” I urge him, darting my eyes around to emphasize the current situation. My naked body, Yoongi’s now soft dick, and a messy couch. 
Jungkook shakes his head and goes back into his room to get dressed as well, is what I choose to assume. The door shuts quietly and I turn to Yoongi– my eyes wide. “Fuck. Fuck.” I whisper yell at him. 
“I’m sorry, I know-”
“I need to talk to him.”
“Kanako, he’s older now. He isn’t fifteen anymore, don’t you think he can handle it?” Yoongi questions. I bite my lip and pick up my clothes from the floor, deciding to put Yoongi's bigger shirt on instead of my tight one. I don’t bother snapping my bra back on– too much work. 
I answer while changing, “There’s other conflicts at hand. I think you know what they are.” I respond. Yoongi grows faint, only nodding. 
As I struggle to put on my skirt I decide to leave it off, knowing the baggier top will cover whatever my underwear can’t. “Just let me talk to him. I’ll be back. Tell him to meet me out there.” I say evenly, pointing my gaze to the balcony. 
Yoongi sighs in acceptance and plants a kiss on my forehead, “As long as you come back.” 
JULY 11TH, 2023, 3:30AM
I stand on the balcony, arms resting on the railing. There couldn’t be anything more nostalgic than standing out here. Under the stars in this summer air. Reminds me of all those good and bad moments I had in their dorms. This would be the perfect way to end this night– if it wasn’t for what just happened. 
I hear Jungkook behind me, his hand closing the sliding door. “Hey.” He mutters. 
“Jungkook…” I say almost immediately, needing to hash whatever it is to come.
“You know it’s funny,” He shifts, walking next to me with his hands stuffed in his pockets.“When I got here at first, I didn’t even know it had a balcony. It’s covered behind those curtains, but I felt drawn to it. So I opened them and discovered this. You were the first thing I thought of when I got out here.”
“Really?” I ask, entertaining the sudden change in topic. If it keeps me from having to talk about what he walked into, I’ll gladly do so. 
“Kanako, you pop up into my head at least once a day.”
“For the past eleven years?”
His mouth stutters before he speaks, “Never skipped a day. I…don’t think any of us went a full twenty-four hours without thinking of you.” 
I whisper a small ‘oh’, looking at him fondly. The night sky shadows his face perfectly, following the curvature of his nose to his lips. That lip ring, I can’t deny it looks great on him. My eyes
can’t help but trail to the sleeve on his arm, scattered in permanent ink. I crave for the mutuality we had before. But I don’t regret doing what I did with Yoongi, even if it makes me selfish. 
“What about you?” He meets my eyes, “Did you ever think about me?”
I ache at his voice, hearing him ask that. Like he should know. He needs to know. 
“Every day.” I confess easily. I’ve been needing to say that. “I’m sorry I didn’t call…or-or pick up. I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t…” My voice gets shaky and my throat gets caught. 
He wraps his arm around me casually, like he used to before. This time it’s able to loop around my shoulder fully, and it covers more. It’s solid and warm, comforting. 
“I forgive you.” He says, placing a kiss on my head. I nuzzle into his embrace, accepting the forgiveness I don’t think I deserve. Maybe I will one day, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for everything I lost. 
“Thank you, Jungkook.” I smile, persevering through the stinging that’s currently ripping me in two. A beat of silence floats above us, but it isn’t unwanted. It’s singing softly, like background music. I settle into the darkness of the sky, enjoying the feeling of having him here again. 
I always dreamt about this. About seeing them, him, Yoongi, all over again. I’m so content. But still, there’s a question. Undeclared queries my mind is aching to figure out the answer to.
“Jungkook–”
“I know.” 
“But-”
“I’ll get over it.” 
He sucks in his teeth, nodding as if accepting his fate. I shake my head and separate my body from his. He looks at me like I’m being difficult, “Kanako, let’s not do this.” He argues.
I bite the inside of my cheek, “I can’t…be truly happy with Yoongi if you’re in pain. It’s not fair.”
His expression softens. It’s almost like he’s the eldest, the one to talk me down. It makes me devastated to see him take on this role. The bigger person, the mature one. 
“I can’t be truly happy if you’re not. I love you, so that means I want the best for you. I-I would’ve fought for you. I could’ve. God Kanako– the things I would’ve done to have you–” He chuckles to himself, running a hand through his messy hair, “But you’ve never been mine.” He finishes, pupil’s still focused on me. 
You’ve never been mine. Those words pain me, thinking of what he must’ve felt through all of this. The heartbreak, the loss, and now the rejection. If only I could feel what he felt, if I could aid his pain in some way. The thought of giving up Yoongi for Jungkook is not at all an easy one, not one I’d choose in this lifetime. The boy was never that to me. if I could be two different people, just so he could have a part of me in the way he wants, I would. 
But that’s not possible. It never will be. 
I exhale heavily, processing everything he’s just said. Everything that’s happened the past few hours. 
“How did it even come to that? The last thing I remember…” I whisper.
“It wasn’t until you were gone, like really really gone, Kanako. I was just a kid, I didn’t know what those feelings were. How I felt about…a life with you. One that was different than I initially thought. And when I finally did I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I needed to talk to you, to know if that could ever happen.”
“Is that why? You called for-for months?”
He looks down, “Towards the end, yeah. Until it was clear that you didn’t want to be…known anymore. I know different now, obviously. But, it broke me. I was so angry that every girl I was ever with was compared to you. Every girl I wanted was just a replica of you. I mean– whatever. It’s…whatever.” He shrugs and shifts his gaze back to the streets before us. 
I peer my head over to him, “I’m sorry, Jungkook. I’m so sorry. I wish…that I could-”
“Don’t do that to me, Kanako. Please.” He mutters, still refusing my direction. 
I reach my finger for his chin, tilting it towards me. There’s watery tears pooling his eyes, making me crumble at the sight. I would do anything to heal his hurt, to make this all the easier. But would it be selfish of me to choose Yoongi? There is no other option for me, besides no one at all. 
I don’t love Jungkook the way he wants me to, I don’t think I ever could. He holds a big piece of my heart, one made especially for him. He fits into the crevice so perfectly, but the space for anything more is nonexistent. I could never kiss him the way I do Yoongi, never look at him like a lover. He’s my Jungkook. While Yoongi holds the position of soulmate, Jungkook is my twin flame. Connected by familiarity and nostalgia, everything that has to do with the word ‘home.’
He smiles, the one he does where I can see his two front teeth. He’s back. 
“I won’t. Just stay by our side again, okay?” He says, though I know through layers of pain.
He almost jumps at me– bringing me in for a tight hug. I go on my tip-toes slightly to rest my chin on his shoulder, surrendering all my tension into his arms. “I’ll stay. I’ll stay, Kookie.”
He hums and rocks me slightly, from side-to-side. I reach my hand over his arm to wipe the small drops that were close to running down my face. This time, and maybe one of the firsts, the tears being happy ones. Pure, indescribable bliss runs through my body like clear river water, knowing I’m back with them for good.
“You’ll be here tomorrow, right? We can go to breakfast and maybe some art galleries?” Jungkook sniffles, parting from the hug. 
I sigh whilst my body cringes, thinking of work. Fuck. 
“I have to go to work tomorrow, my boss needs me to review some stuff.” I whine, showing my blatant annoyance. 
He frowns, “You can’t call out?”
I puff out, placing my hands on my hips. “Jungkook.”
“Sorry, sorry. That’s okay, I suppose. But you’ll make it to visit us before our flight? It’s at 6 pm, but you can see us at four-thirtyish, before we head out so you’re not caught by paparazzi or something.”
I nod quickly, “Yes, absolutely. I can do that.”
Some quietness passes, he shuffles his feet awkwardly. 
“What?” I squint, confused. 
“Well, what about…after? Will we hear from you? WIll you…visit?” He mumbles coherently enough to where I can understand. I hesitate, but only for a millisecond. I’m sure of it now, all of it. I won’t run away. Not when it’s good for me. And they’re good for me. 
A part of me flickers thinking of Korea again. But I think it’ll look different, feel different. I’m embracing the old Kanako as much as the new one. If anything, I’m excited to experience it as the person I am now. See it in a different lens. Maybe I’ll visit the Han River again, ride bikes with Namjoon and have picnics with Yoongi. 
And most importantly, I know my mothers spirit resides there. She isn’t a ghost to me anymore, something I’m afraid of. Keiko’s made it easier to celebrate her. I can do that again. With them. 
I reassure the young boy, “I’ll call, text, send letters, and facetime. And…maybe I’ll stop by for a visit or two. Possibly stay at your place?” I bite my lip, staring up to him teasingly. Knowing he’ll definitely like the idea of me sleeping over like all those times before. 
He shrugs like it’s no big deal, “Sure, yeah. Whatever. You’re gonna have to tell Yoongi that he’s gonna have to split the time up…or we’ll just share the bed again.”
“I’m nearly thirty, Jungkook. I can’t do that.”
He pouts. 
I roll my eyes in response, “Ok. Maybe.” 
The sliding door opens once more, a now-dressed Yoongi peering from inside. Jungkook tenses just a bit, not saying anything as he enters. 
“Everything..okay?” Yoongi asks, folding his arms to protect himself from the slight cold that lingers. 
I smile at Jungkook who in turn eases back up. 
“I was actually just telling Jungkook,” I turn back to Yoongi, “That I’ll be visiting you guys before you head off for the airport. Work and stuff.” I finish. Jungkook nods in agreement, shoving me playfully. “Tell him what else.” He whispers. 
I suck in a breath, “Andddd, I’ll be visiting you soon. In Korea. So don’t get sick of me just yet.” 
He follows to where me and Jungkook are, placing his elbows on the balcony railing. We all look at each other fondly, taking mental pictures of this moment. 
Yoongi exhales, “If you're the one taking care of me, I hope I get sick all the time.” 
Jungkook cringes, “That was so bad, hyung.” 
JULY 11TH, 2023, 4:27PM
There’s been many times throughout my work day that I’ve fallen asleep. If it wasn’t for this day being especially busy, I would’ve passed out on my desk. But everything in me was fighting to stay conscious. Not because I was needed, but because of the boys. 
Embarrassingly so, they were my main priority of the day. I made sure I got everything done just in time to clock out early, rushing to gather my things and speeding out the door. 
Now I sit in an Uber in the middle of traffic. The hotel they’re staying at is ten minutes away by car but fifteen minutes on foot. I bounce my leg anxiously as I dart my gaze from my phone to the busy road. The minutes are passing quickly and I can’t seem to slow time down. 
“Five o’clock traffic, right?” The driver laughs, tapping the wheel to the song that’s playing on the radio. 
My brows are furrowed and I’m biting my lip, hard. Ignoring whatever the man at the front said when my thoughts become deafening. 
Shit. I have no choice. 
It’s already four-thirty, so I grip the door handle and apologize profusely. 
“Sorry! Sorry! I’ll pay you for the full thing! Bye!” I exclaim, opening the door. I grab my bag and throw it over my body, cross-bodying it. I look down to my sneakers that I swapped out before I left for work, thanking God I didn’t forget my usual routine. New York is the most walk-able, non-walk-able city to ever exist. You always need a pair of these if you are gonna go anywhere. Or, suffer for the intention of beauty. That, I’ve done plenty. 
Anyway, I start running. Full on sprinting. I know starting off with such speed will only tire myself out. But, I need to get there on time. I can’t have them thinking I’m bailing on them. As I pass the confused, scared people I grow to be beyond shame at this point. 
I throw my hands over my breasts to keep them still, again, beyond shame. I pass by stores, outlets, apartments, and this run is probably the most cardio I’ve done since my idol days. I can see the entrance of the hotel inching closer, yet I have so many crosswalks I still need to pass. 
One by one I wait every single time. Safety first? 
I’m a heavy-breathing, sweaty-hairline mess by the time I’ve met with the last crosswalk. There’s already paparazzi hiding behind cars and bushes, ready to sneakily snapshot the moment those boys leave the building. 
I have to think fast as I approach the hotel, not knowing how I could possibly hide my face. I could not, in any shape or form, have my face back in the tabloids connected to BTS’s name. There’s already enough of that in the news now, considering the release of their book. 
I did snoop around during my lunch break, seeing old photos that somehow leaked. Ones where I know staff took them, which is disappointing knowing they probably turned those in just for a couple hundred bucks. It’s nothing defaming to the boys or me, just private moments I wish had stayed private. 
So, my name is already circulating around. I dig in my bag for an old face mask that’s been there for months, probably. I throw it on my face and release my hair from my ponytail, attempting to hide as much of my features as I can. 
I take a deep breath as I begin the pathway to the hotel doors. I attempt to look as casual as I can, passing the paparazzi as a regular city-goer. Just a very rich woman who is always staying at this hotel, nothing to see. Nothing to notice. 
I reach my hand for the door handle until it bursts open, knocking me to the ground suddenly. Namjoon stands with luggage in hand, stunned and apologizing profusely before really understanding what just happened. I too am confused, rubbing my butt in pain and the brightest red shading my cheeks. I just got knocked down in front of all these paparazzi, and as I see Jimin my eyes widen when he shouts loudly, “KANAKO! NAMJOON, YOU IDIOT!” 
The blonde, leather-jacketed man drops his suitcase to run to my rescue, helping me from the ground. The snapshots of cameras become faster, flashier, seeing the very popular star assisting the woman they now know as Kanako Fujishima.
The retired, scandalous idol. 
Jungkook and Yoongi are close behind, witnessing the sight of my disheveled state. 
JK splits through Joon and Jimin, “Kanako, we thought you couldn’t make it!” He exclaims, hugging me even with the prowling eyes. 
I hold him firmly, warmly. Feeling relief knowing I could still see them off.
“I jumped out of my Uber to be here if that tells you anything. I had to see you guys before you left, you know.” I smile through my teeth as I speak. 
Yoongi peers from Jungkook's broad shoulders in a baggy white button-up, paired with even baggier black sweats. He looks amazing even with such little effort, and I couldn’t be happier to see his face. 
The events of last night rush past the walls of my mind, having to push them down if I was ever wanting to speak normally again. I attempt to not become a stuttering mess, feeling like a nervous mess with a school crush.
“Hi Yoon.” We share a breathy laugh before he pulls me in his arms as well. 
“You’ve never called me that before.” He says, his embrace making all of my surroundings suddenly melt into the back of my mind.
The cameras haven’t halted their flashing and I try not to picture the headlines in my head when I hear them, overlapping one another. 
He pulls away from me, taking a risky hand to caress my face. Pulling the face mask off my face, he tucks it into his pocket.
“Yoongi, there’s people–”
“I know.”
He eyes my lips in a swift move before dipping his head to kiss me. His cupid bow lines perfectly with mine, moving in a soft flow. It’s nothing ostentatious by any means, not even heated. It’s short and enough to say something, but not shout it. 
I’m the first to break the kiss in an anxiety-induced cloud, looking at him, my expression completely bewildered. 
“So…” I say in one breath, pursing my mouth in an even line. I look around to the gawking pedestrians and then to Yoongi, who’s enamored…by me? He has an uncomplicated gleam in his eyes that isn’t fading. His hand drops to his side, head nodding to the paparazzi. 
“They don’t matter to me, just you. I love you, Kanako.” He states, his sure gaze pressing into my unraveled smile. 
“I love you. I love you,” I repeat, giving him one last kiss before grabbing his suitcase to hand to him. 
He accepts it hesitantly, brushing our hands together. The boys taking that as the cue to start moving into the car. They all give me more hugs, more temporary good-byes as they step inside the shiny, black vehicle. 
It’s bittersweet, seeing them getting ready to leave. Bitter because I can’t wait to see them, him, again.
But sweet because I know I will see them again. I’m strong enough now. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I’ll be on the next flight to Seoul as soon as I’m able to. And who knows? Maybe I’ll gain the courage to relocate. Perhaps Keiko and I can use a change of scenery. She’s never been to South Korea, and I know with her and the boys by my side, I’ll soothe into it. 
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I’m too excited not to. 
Before Yoongi enters the car he turns to me, giving me a gummy smile that buzzes through my body instantaneously. 
“I’ll see you back home.” He says.
Tumblr media
click here to start from the beginning!
an: holy shit you guys. this has been so healing and so fun for me to write this past month. seeing this community of people enjoy my writing has been so extremely eye-opening and crazy since this has always been a passion of mine! thank you, thank you, thank you for tuning into to all chapters of cool about it! and to readers who are joining after it’s all finished, thank you too for keeping it alive!
im thinking about doing little drabbles or one-shots here and there (of all the members bc ot7) as well so stay tuned for that!
don’t get sick of me just yet!
love you all. thank you.
37 notes · View notes
rametarin · 8 months
Text
Conservatism does not require religious orthodoxy, either.
Conservatism can be boiled down to the idea that morals are cultural, and that the "social mental health" of a society depends on the kind of stories it tells to itself for inspiration. Conservatism also often will fall to the fallacious idea that "bad stories" are the source of bad culture, and not mental illnesses or inability to differentiate reality from fiction (which is ALSO derived from mental illness forms.)
If you are the sort of person that believes fictional content should be gatekept and banned "for decency and mental health," you are indistinguishable from someone that wanted to impose the Comics Code of Authority, just to stop impressionable children from becoming rapists, murderers and necromancers, of yore.
The sort of person that believed if they only just flooded the shelves with borderline or unabashed [RELIGION OF CHOICE HERE] literature, or literature based on those principles, to the exemption of any others, you'd get good, moral, orderly people with no bizarre fetishes or bad thoughts.
That sort of person was not a problem and a drain on both culture and society just because they had a sex-negative view of things, or because of the specific religion they stanned for. They were atrocious because they saw literature as a way to control the minds, thoughts and feelings of other people, and they saw culture and the expression of it in society as the mechanisms of a lever to gatekeep it. This is why the Christian Moral Majority was such a pain in the ass for freedom of expression, not because they were specifically Christian.
The dogma that fiction and fantasy MAKES reality or MAKES people into rapists, murderers, burglars and other irritants gets even worse when you take away the loud religious culture that argues every instrument that is NOT being used to play its specific religious song, is a waste of time and energy that COULD be spent playing their religious songs. You aren't making anyone more mentally healthy or preventing them from debasing themselves by trying to declare A/B/O to be felony obscenity.
If you believe in the banning of fiction, or the censorship of it, or imposing standards on it that make it so editors can reinterpret and edit it after the author has published and printed it, as a way to spare peoples minds and society itself and, "promote a moral, healthy, socially just society," then you have that in common with the religious conservatives. Whether you like to hear that, or not. You're no different or better than the book burners, just because you burn them one book at a time, or try to surgically gatekeep what letter order a writer is allowed to put, or demand changes to the contents of a book in order for it to be ALLOWED to be published or sold. Or consider certain words to be too spicy to be permitted to exist.
If you are against the publishing of material you consider morbid, obscene or gross, I don't care the reason or rationale, you have more in common with bible thumpers and their motivations than you'd probably like to think. The only thing separating you from the soccer moms and their SUVs as they try and rally to ban Teddy the Duck from stores for not wearing pants (the nerve!) is the garish hair dye and insistence on gender-nonconformity, and maybe the insistence on using a bike to get everywhere. Your motivations of controlling peoples thoughts and fantasies in the hopes you can prevent subculture you don't control or like from existing (and naturally imagining there lies evil and danger) is the exact same.
7 notes · View notes
teddy-and-dolores · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
24 notes · View notes
jamesmarsdenfan · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
James Marsden leaving "Good Morning America" Show. June 21 2022.
15 notes · View notes
Text
Fun fact, this is probably one of my favorites by far, of any fandom, that I’ve written. I can’t wait for y’all to read the whole thing!
Prompt Day 9: …at first sight (+ bonus scenario: sharing the last table at a cafe)
Fandom: Bob’s Burgers
Ship: Tedmort (Teddy/Mort)
Rating/Length: 3,108; T
Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - College/University, Mortuary student mort, navy sailor teddy, First Meetings, Teddy is canonically a navy veteran but we’re taking it back to when he was active duty, Love Letters, Fluff, Flufftober 2023, At first sight, it is love? Probably, College aged tedmort
Summary: “I’m Theodore! But you can call me Teddy.” Relief flooded the tall Navy man’s face and he plopped down next to him, setting down his food, gently moving some of Mort’s papers on top of the pile of books. The table was a mess, there wasn't really any room for another person to sit. “Sorry, I’m just gonna move these. There ya go! Anyway, thank you, by the way. It's crowded here and there’s not a lot of places to sit I wasn’t expecting it to be so busy, but I you looked the nicest out of all of them. I didn’t think you’d turn me away, but hey you never know! I’m literally a stranger!”
Mort blinked at him, dropping his pen into his notebook; holy fuck this man could talk. As gorgeous as this man was, Mort was starting to regret his decision, but there was something about him. The lopsided smile, the way he hunched onto his elbows and fiddled with the fork sitting on the table top. It was almost endearing.
Or
Mortuary Science student, Mort, falls fast for Navy sailor, Teddy, in town for a week of leave.
Day nine of flufftober 2023: …at first sight (plus bonus scenario: have your characters share the last table at a cafe)
Author’s Note: the idea of Teddy back in the Navy meeting a college student Mort was so cute, I can’t believe I thought a college au would never work for tedmort!
This can be read without the second half, it’s just a little sad! The second half is coming, I went overboard and this was already over 3k and the letters just…keep writing themselves. Please don’t let the “unfinished” status keep you from reading, I promise I will update the last half tomorrow when I get some sleep and can get it edited (and it will not be uploaded as part of a flufftober prompt)
@flufftober
Tumblr media
3 notes · View notes
ainews · 10 months
Text
It’s no secret that teddy bears, or stuffed animals, are having a huge moment right now. Whether it’s pictures of celebrities cradling them, people using them to make up tiny toy scenes or the vast array of teddy bear-inspired goodies on offer — these cuddly companions are definitely everywhere you look.
But why all the love for teddies?
Essentially, teddy bears provide comfort in a time of heightened uncertainty. We’re all dealing with the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and these little critters offer a moment of much needed levity. Whether it’s snuggling with them while watching Netflix or giving them a quick hug when feeling overwhelmed — when you think about it, they’re actually always there for us.
Secondly, as illustrated above, teddies are also becoming an important part of the new ‘internet aesthetic culture’. From the insanely popular PayDay gang to the thousands of ‘teddy bear memes’ flooding your Twitter feed, a soft toy is adding to all the fun of user-generated content. In other words, because of their eclectic charm, they’re almost a kind of shorthand for cuteness.
Finally, teddies speak to a sense of nostalgia. They’re a reminder of simpler times; of cosy family evenings sitting on the sofa, passing the time with story-telling. Brands are wising up to this, with many launching special collections in response to the pandemic. Whether it’s brands launching limited edition teddy bears or stores restocking classic teddies at bargain prices, the concept is still the same: bringing back the ‘feel-good’ elements from childhood and applying them to our lives today.
For all these reasons, teddies are a now a big part of the zeitgeist. Enjoy them in moderation and they’ll be sure to put a big smile on your face.
4 notes · View notes
ecoamerica · 1 month
Text
youtube
Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc
The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!
17K notes · View notes
hydralisk98 · 10 months
Text
TransGender (TG) || TransFormation (TF) "heart-warming Optima" story ideas
Tumblr media
Still dumping ideas, to edit and spread later...
GeneralArtificialIntelligenceProgramInstance-Human program voluntary role+hardware swap-up captions with optimistic nihilism and mutual peer-to-peer relations between the two agents
PostGame & PostArc Cyberpunk2077 PhantomLiberty after-V story related to body upgrade (somewhat "RED" & Biopunk-flavored) & maybe the transition between Cyberpunk -> Solarpunk/Lunarpunk -> Stellaris early-game period...
Turtle Island-relevant Amerindian shapeshifter/skinwalker story of cycle renewal, benevolent necromancy, ancestral insights, gender non-conformity and shamanism?
A "Reality is a Simulation" short story but it gets optimistic about tinkering with the variables, constants and overall the timeless benevolence of the curator ("The Matrix" MMO & Bioshock Infinite basegame + its DLCs franchise-inspired)
A "Mesopotamian Sumer / Africa's Atlantis / Polynesian Oceanic / Tenochtitlán"-flavored story set in a mid-late bronze age with a non-binary protagonist
Imaginative reality escape / ascension away from a Axis-victory homeworld with some alternate technological dumps & slice of life elements (may include multimedia immersion?)
Bronze Age / Copper Age / Neolithic / Mesolithic... Africa/Australia (science?-) fantasy storyline
Abrahamic-ally-inspired historically-accurate-inclination album or song of flood with lyrics linking between the mesolithic / neolithic and bronze / iron age. May incorporate latest ice age mega-fauna or even the full Cenozoic period...
Kate, Ava and their grand service quest towards optima (& synthetic worker rights along the way)
Worldwide pilgrimage & addventures across the 16^12 setting
Real-Time Sandbox?
A story for each retro-futurism & alternate history I like
Solarpunk / Lunarpunk stories
Stellaris stories
Pseudo-historical medieval fantastical renditions of Angora for TTRPG sessions in late gothic medieval / early colonialist modern era (prior to industrialization)
Vi[m] / Vega / Vril (Beyond Earth Rising Tide playthroughs-related)
Zera (Alpha Centauri [Alien Crossfire?] / FreeMars)
Cascadia (FreeCol?)
Olivae (FreeCiv observatory longplays)
Teco (The Battle for Wesnoth? OpenGeneral?)
Venera (Inner terrestrial planet with thick Jungle tropical biome and lakes across the sandstorm remainders)
Sedna (Outward but inner terrestrial oceanic planet with thick ice ring and plenty of islands across the warmer waters of both polar hemispheres)
Angora (Small-continents Earth-like planet with profound history, lore and long-term sapience connections in either time-wise directions)
Cosmical futures (GalacticalClusterDecay, RedShift, RedDwarves, BlackHoles, IronStars, HeatDeath, Judgment, Cosmogony / BigBang...)
Timeless psychic connections?!
Divine connections (Bible-accurate angelic beings, fallen angels, devils, imps, fey, sprites...)
Iron age & middle ages prior to late gothic
Enlightenment proto-industrial era to Taft-y mandate social intrigue stories of left-wing politics progression in Angora before the major divergence point (aka the Teddy 1912-1916 term and Charles Hugues 1916-1920 term)
Georgism, Syndicalism, Strasserism (& Wilsonism & Nazism), Harmony/Liberty/Progress worldview axes, Luddites & Vanguards, Entropy, Preservation, Valence / Change...
Chronological progression during and after the major point of divergence (and how they went about continuing their technological & cultural success to improve things for all)
Maps, laws, documents, delegate charts, programs, websites, data...
Cya soon!
0 notes
briankeene · 2 years
Text
Submerged - On Sale Now
SUBMERGED: THE LABYRINTH Book 2 is on sale today in paperback and for Kindle - Nook - Kobo and Apple. (Audiobook edition will follow shortly).
***
The Seven have won the first battle against the Thirteen, but it cost them one of their number. Now Frankie, Teddy, LeHorn, Tony, Bloom, and the Exit find themselves in the middle of a global superstorm on a flooded Earth, reunited with old friends and facing off against familiar threats, including the terrifying titanic might of Behemoth and Leviathan, and the machinations of Ob, Lord of the Siqqusim. In a fight that spans from a sodden landscape to the very heart of ancient R'lyeh, only one thing is certain. Even if they win, it will be at an unimaginable cost. The storm is here... and the end continues. Continuing Brian Keene's magnum opus, featuring characters, locations, and situations from throughout his vast literary universe in a multi-volume epic saga that will thrill both new readers and long-time fans. SUBMERGED: THE LABYRINTH Book Two -- It's raining again...
***
Paperback - Kindle - Nook - Kobo - Apple
0 notes
tonkiinteractive · 2 years
Text
Metacritic void bastards
Tumblr media
#Metacritic void bastards free
1 is a fast-paced hardcore platformer featuring hand-crafted levels and Lightning-fast respawns. But this harmony creates envy and hatred among the most malicious subjects.įive Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted is a collection of classic and original mini-games set in the Five Nights universe.įLATLAND Vol.1 (QUByte Interactive, Thu 30th April, $4.99) FLATLAND - Vol. Ashley Dengra is a 9th-grade artist with a sketchbook to doodle her "Original Characters" like Misa Ikko, the green-haired, feathery-eared fire sword girl with a great fluffy green tail.įinding Teddy 2 : Definitive Edition (Storybird) A little girl enters a portal to a world of fantasy called Exidus attempting to save her favorite plush friend… In Exidus, King Tarant rules over his kingdom with the love of his subjects. Or is it too late? Not if your aim is fast and smart! Armed with your sturdy crossbow, slay skeletons, witches and other abominations who will regret leaving the underworld.įeathery Ears (Ultimate Games, Fri 8th May, $9.99) A retro-styled 3D platformer that lets players come at challenges from whatever angle they want. It is your duty as first witness and sentinel to report to your people as soon as possible. Get ready to shoot a lot of robots and jump into the colorful clouds of Cloudbase Prime!ĭark Burial (Drageus Games, Fri 8th May, $3.99) A dark army approaches your lands. Move terrain to clear paths, launch enemies, and fling yourself skyward. Race, jump, slide and try not to crash - all the way from the peak to the valley! Read our Lonely Mountains: Downhill review.Ĭloudbase Prime (Floating Island, Today, $9.99) You are lost in the depths of a gas giant mining station where things have gone very, very wrong. Make your way through thick forests, narrow trails and wild rivers. Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Thunderful, Today, $19.99) Just you and your bike - take it on a thrilling ride down an unspoiled mountain landscape. Lay waste to the criminal underworld and make a killing in this hard-boiled action-comedy arcade shooter.
#Metacritic void bastards free
HUNTDOWN (Coffee Stain Studios, Tue 12th May, $19.99) In the mayhem-filled streets of the future where criminal gangs rule and cops fear to tread, only the bounty hunters can free the city from the corrupt fist of felony. Jump through classic Platformer levels with a tactical Stealth character, fight as spaceships in engaging JRPG battles, and more! Continued abuse of our services will cause your IP address to be blocked indefinitely.SuperMash (Digital Continue, Fri 8th May, $19.99) Jume’s game shop is in trouble, and she needs her brother Tomo’s help to save it! Mash together iconic genres to create never-before-seen gaming experiences. Please fill out the CAPTCHA below and then click the button to indicate that you agree to these terms. If you wish to be unblocked, you must agree that you will take immediate steps to rectify this issue. If you do not understand what is causing this behavior, please contact us here. If you promise to stop (by clicking the Agree button below), we'll unblock your connection for now, but we will immediately re-block it if we detect additional bad behavior. Overusing our search engine with a very large number of searches in a very short amount of time.Using a badly configured (or badly written) browser add-on for blocking content.Running a "scraper" or "downloader" program that either does not identify itself or uses fake headers to elude detection.Using a script or add-on that scans GameFAQs for box and screen images (such as an emulator front-end), while overloading our search engine.There is no official GameFAQs app, and we do not support nor have any contact with the makers of these unofficial apps. Continued use of these apps may cause your IP to be blocked indefinitely. This triggers our anti-spambot measures, which are designed to stop automated systems from flooding the site with traffic. Some unofficial phone apps appear to be using GameFAQs as a back-end, but they do not behave like a real web browser does.Using GameFAQs regularly with these browsers can cause temporary and even permanent IP blocks due to these additional requests. If you are using Maxthon or Brave as a browser, or have installed the Ghostery add-on, you should know that these programs send extra traffic to our servers for every page on the site that you browse.The most common causes of this issue are: Your IP address has been temporarily blocked due to a large number of HTTP requests.
Tumblr media
0 notes
sykesbyrd99 · 2 years
Text
Yves Saint Laurent Replicas
Of course, there are some variations e.g. no SLP marking on the inside button, the within pockets are slightly different. You could discover that the replica doesn’t have cloth lining in the inside pockets while the original has a horizonal cloth lining on both sides. Apart from this, the neck opening is smaller when buttoned up. When it involves leather, it is less creased as in comparability with the unique. While there are certain differences between the original and replicas, the demand for Teddy Jacket Replicas continues to be very excessive. SLP Teddy maintains the standard sport-luxe enchantment. An unique Kite anchor is displayed in a private museum at Vierville-sur-Mer while a full measurement replica types part of a memorial to Beckett in Arromanches. In October 2018 5 Kite anchors were recovered from the mattress of the Solent off Woodside Beach, which had been an assembly space for Whale tows previous to D Day. The anchors have been taken to Mary Rose Archaeological Services in Portsmouth for conservation remedy. Corncobs were ships that crossed the English Channel and were then scuttled to act as breakwaters and create sheltered water at the 5 landing seashores. Then insert the gold wire into the slot and place it the means to spot a pretend hublot watch huge bang to squeeze it. Solid 24 K gold is so picky that it fits just as tightly because the inside edge human hair wigs of the groove, and in the end the craftsmen have to shine and polish the metal surface. Blancpain applied this well-established procedure to the watch wheel to create an impressive series of watches. In this actual vs fake YSL Loulou bag legit check information , we have linked pictures with the comparison of the pretend vs actual YSL bags so as for you to understand the flaws on the fake YSL luggage simpler. Mulberry was the codename for all the assorted totally different buildings that may create the synthetic harbours. These had been the "Gooseberries" which metamorphosed into totally fledged harbours. Not eager to disappoint anyone, he didn’t say something. “I was like, ‘I can’t miss this, because all of these individuals are coming,’ ” Holland says. He delivered a flawless performance, and no one even observed he was sick until the following morning, when he was taken to the doctor and given the remainder of the week off. “Since I obtained forged as Spider-Man, I haven’t actually taken a break,” Holland says. “I discover myself ringing my dad for stuff that I should undoubtedly know how to do,” he says. ’ ” Last night a skylight broke in unhealthy weather, flooding his kitchen. Replica Bags He looked at over 1,000 shares for every examine, together with 2 for 1, 3 for 1 and four for 1 inventory splits.1) VeThor X node is actually worthwhile. Among the necessary tasks going through North Korean scientists are thought to be build up a bigger rocket that can fly farther and carry a heavier satellite or payload. wikipedia handbags Mainland and be loaded with a warhead, which is a number of times heavier than the satellite the nation launched in 2012.. Replica purses online Replica ysl Build Excitement Excitement a few project increases the move of adrenaline in your work group so its members will be keen and capable of acting at a high stage. Express your enthusiasm in regards to the work in front of team members to encourage them. Best Replica Designer Bags is the online vendor that deals within the high-quality, mirror-image replica. At this 12 months's Basel International Fair and Watch, the Jianyue Life Edition smartwatch series was in the spotlight and attracted countless media and viewer associates. After months of rigorous analysis and improvement, the watches lastly arrived with a complete setup of the entire sequence. The design of the dial combines nostalgia with fashionable design, easy traces and a great look, inheriting the retro type of the printed collection. There are also black, brown, blue, gentle gray and ivory white straps, which give a unique mood. That brings us to the end of our real vs pretend Yves Saint Laurent Loulou bag legit verify guide. We will continue to update this text as better and newer comparisons are put out. Due to shifting model requirements, nonetheless, their absence is not a sign of inauthenticity. Date show is very common as it is the most practical add-on for your watch. The well-known giant calendar is the primary function of Lange watches. Design with 18-carat gold frame with price double home windows and compact single- and 10-digit layouts-all of these are necessary signs of the brand. The second purpose to buy your Saint Laurent Replica bag from Best Replica Designer Bags is their extensive collection that includes all numbers from the brand and other manufacturers. You can discover each design, every colour, and material that's onerous to acquire in original luggage due to exclusiveness. This way you can current yourself as the affluent buyer who can afford to purchase unique designs. https://phoenet.tw/ysl-replica-bags.html According to them, the sizing of the Teddy Jacket Replica is about the identical as the unique one. Although, the material utilized in replica is inferior to the one used within the original, it's still definitely value the price to many. Saint Laurent is a luxurious trend home well-known for its fashionable, edgier aesthetic. Seasonally, Saint Laurent delivers a variety of clothing that the fans of the model adore. For a date, an evening out, or a enterprise assembly; there may be nothing fairly just like the type and coolness of Saint Laurent. One of the most well-liked varsity, bomber jacket is also the most tough to replica.
0 notes
ecoamerica · 2 months
Text
youtube
Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared
The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!
17K notes · View notes