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averagewriter-inthedark · 1 year

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The Parent Trap 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 | Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw Imagine

Inspired by Disney’s ‘The Parent Trap’

Link to my TGM Masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x novelist female!reader (romantic), Lila L/n and Caroline Bradshaw!OCs (daughters), Marilyn Brooks!OC (Bradley’s love interest), Ollie Tomas (platonic, Y/n’s bff), Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (platonic) & Hannix (Phoenix x Hangman)

Content Warnings: fluff, light angst, profanity, pregnancy & childbirth, separated twins, second chance romance troupe, assault (reader punches a character) | female reader—afab!reader (she/her) | wc: 18k+ this is long folks.

Premise: It was quite literally love at first sight for aspiring aviator Bradley Bradshaw and writer Y/n L/n, but the relationship ended as fast as it started. It did result in the birth of their beautiful identical twin daughters, Lila and Caroline—but even they couldn’t keep them together. An agreement was made in the divorce, Caroline would grow up with Bradley, and Lila would be raised by Y/n so the former couple never had to see each other again. What neither anticipated, however, were the sisters coming face-to-face at summer camp the year they turned 14…..and forming the ultimate parent trap to reunite their parents for a second chance at love.

Note: I rewatched ‘The Parent Trap’ the other night and gosh I remembered how much I loved that movie as a kid. I immediately got to writing this because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Just to be clear I do NOT support the idea of separating children especially twins & not tell them. This is of course for fictional purposes & I do not own Disney, The Parent Trap or the TGM characters. Hope you enjoyed! (Also I envisioned Dan Levy as Ollie when I wrote this & Margot Robbie as Marilyn😂

Thank you guys so so much for 1k!!!! I’m over the moon and cannot believe that I hit 1k just as I’m celebrating 1 year of coming back to this writing account and actually keeping up with works ! 🥹🥹 I love you all and appreciate all the kind words left on my stories 🤍🤍 you guys are the best!! — Bee 🐝

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“I know you’re upset, honey,” Y/n brushed Lila’s dirty blonde hair behind her ear, “But it’s for the best. Just think before you know it’ll be the holidays and then next summer I’ll fly you out there.” All she got in response was a sad nod, the fourteen-year-old turning to look out the window. Sunny California soon turned into cloudy New York as the plane traveled from coast to coast. The entire journey the novelist thought back to the past two weeks, which did nothing to heal her aching heart. Not only did she mourn leaving behind her second daughter, but she mourned what could’ve been with the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with almost fourteen years ago.

The one who made her believe in love at first sight.

In 2006, aspiring writer Y/n L/n was on the verge of college graduation, planning to move to New York City in hope of accomplishing her dream of becoming a New York Times bestselling author.

For as long as she could imagine writing stories was her escapism from the hardships of reality. A hopeless romantic, most of her work was romance—dabbling in fantasy or historical fiction from time to time but keeping a romance troupe involved. She first started writing fanfiction on the internet when it was just starting out, focusing on some of her favorite characters which resulted in her profile becoming popular with readers. It soon progressed to her attempting to write an actual novel.

The story she envisioned to write one day was keeping her up at night, so she finally sat her ass down the summer going into her senior year and started writing. In between classes and working at the campus library at UVA, where she was studying literature and psychology, Y/n was nose deep in her Apple iBook she literally got because of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Pages upon pages, the words flew from her mind and onto the screen, forming dialogue and descriptions. She didn’t know what would come of the book, unsure if she would even send it to literary agents and publishers once completed, but for now it was purely for her entertainment.

After all, look at Stephenie Meyer. Home girl wrote a book based on a dream and it turned out to be one of the bestselling series of all time.

Graduation came in a blur. Her plan was to go to the ceremony, get her diploma, and then head back to her place to finish writing. She was only a few chapters from being done. The last thing she wrote was the big twist which could be the make or break for the main character to be with the love interest, all that was needed was the resolution.

What Y/n didn’t expect that night was going to a party, at the insistence of her friend, and meeting who she believed was the man of her dreams.

Bradley Bradshaw was everything a girl would fawn over. Handsome, funny, flirty, the life of a party, who had dreams and aspirations. While his friends clowned him for having the typical 80s porstache, they secretly envied how well he pulled it off. Which was obvious by the amount of women throwing themselves at him.

Y/n’s friend had her eyes on him that night….but little did they both know, he had eyes for Y/n.

The second she walked in he was drawn to her. “Who’s that?” He asked his buddy, Fabian, interrupting him from his flirting with a pretty redhead. Annoyed, Fabian looked in the direction of Bradley’s gaze, catching Y/n in his line of sights.

“You talkin’ about the girl in the white pantsuit? That’s I think Y/n if I remember—we had psych 101 together ages ago. She doubled majored with English and worked at the library….” he raised a brow at Bradley, who was already walking toward Y/n with a determined look on his face.

Her friend Tanya spotted him first, immediately smiling with hopeful eyes. Only it fell to a small frown when she realized he wasn’t looking at her, but Y/n.

“Hi,” the greeting has Y/n turn around, red solo cup in hand and becoming puzzled at the sight of a gorgeous man standing behind her.

“U-uh hello.”

Bradley extends a hand, “I’m Bradley.” Y/n shakes it, both flinching when a spark ignites at the contact.

“I’m Y/n. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Y/n,” he beams, now aware she wasn’t alone. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you’d like to dance?”

“Oh um,” she glances at Tanya, seeing her saddened look and becomes apologetic. “I-I don’t know…”

“Just one,” he insists, “and then I promise to leave you alone afterwards.”

Y/n still appeared hesitant, not wanting to upset Tanya further, but the woman gives her a soft smile, “go on,” she takes the cup from Y/n, “I’ll be right here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally. In fact,” Tanya bites her lip when she connects eyes with a guy she had a class with the previous semester. One she thought was cute and wouldn’t mind getting to know. When he gives her a wave and gestures for her to come over, Tanya blushes, “I’ll be over there talking to Grayson. Take all the time you need.” She was already on the move before Y/n could say anything else, leaving her with Bradley.

“Sooo…” he holds out a hand, nodding his head to the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the house the party was at.

Heart racing, Y/n gives a small smile and takes his hand, letting him lead her to the floor. It was the first time a guy had asked her to dance at a party. Though she didn’t date or go out much in college, the times she did Y/n often got left alone because Tanya or one of their roommates/friends were hit on and she didn’t. Plus with school, work, and writing her book, a social life was pretty much nonexistent.

One dance became two, then three, and four. Before she knew it three a.m rolled by and she and Bradley had danced and talked the whole night, ending with the two sitting in the back of his Bronco with sonic Route 44s and milkshakes. Never had Y/n laughed as hard as she did that night, almost to the point of tears. There was warmth all through her veins, even after the two parted ways, only sharing a sweet kiss when he dropped her off at her apartment.

It was the closest thing she felt to love at first sight.

Maybe it truly was.

Things went by fast. Literally. So fast it was starting to make Y/n worried. Not only were the feelings getting stronger, but the terms of the relationship in general. Within a weeks they were living together, Bradley going as far as to propose to Y/n with the news of his commission into the U.S Navy.

“Marry me, Y/n,” he told her after the ceremony, the shiny Ensign ranks on the color of his uniform. “I know it sounds crazy, but I wanna share my life with you—every part of it. Till the day I die.”

Part of her was conflicted but the overwhelming love for Bradley had Y/n say yes. That weekend they were at the courthouse, exiting as Mr. & Mrs. Bradshaw.

But unfortunately the love story ended before it could really begin.

A few short weeks after the wedding, Y/n found out she was pregnant while Bradley was at flight school. It terrified her as much as it excited her. They were only twenty-two, with Bradley’s Naval career just starting out and Y/n trying to get her food in the door on hers. Having double majored in literature and psychology there were many career paths she could go into. Many would involve her having to get a Masters, but the couple were already paying off student loans from undergrad that she didn’t want to have to take out anymore financial aid.

Personally Y/n wanted to write books. She had yet to finish the one from college, with plenty more ideas safely tucked in her mind. The news of her pregnancy would have to put any potential job on hold.

Bradley was beyond excited when she told him, lifting her in his arms with glee, “I’m gonna be a dad!” His excitement was what really made Y/n look forward to bringing their baby into the world. She still had worries no doubt but having Bradley, who was now known to his fellow aviators as Rooster, made it easier.

But the couple were in for a much bigger surprise.

“TWINS?!” They both shrieked in the hospital room, eyes bulging the monitor showcasing two sacs in Y/n’s womb. Rooster nearly went into cardiac arrest, the woman bursting into tears which had him hold her tightly in his arms. Lips pressed to her head as he mumbled, “We got this baby. This is exciting! Just think, they’ll be best friends forever.”

“And it looks like,” the technician moved the wand across Y/n’s stomach a bit more to get a better angle. “You are gonna be blessed with two girls, Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw.” That had Y/n cry even more, Rooster shedding his own at the excitement and love that filled him.

“Girls,” he breathed in awe, kissing all over his wife’s face making her cries turn into giggles. “We’re having little girls—I’m so happy, Y/n. I can’t thank you enough for giving me this gift.”

In April of 2007 Lila and Caroline Bradshaw arrived. Identical twins who literally could not be told apart unless they were dressed differently. So the couple bought matching necklaces with gold pendants on each with the letters ‘C’ and ‘L’ for each girl. That way they could always know who was who.

Named after his mother, Caroline was a daddy’s girl even as a newborn. The only time she ever really wanted Y/n was when she was hungry, other than that little Caroline wanted to be in Bradley’s arms. She’d fall asleep in them, whine if she were in someone else’s, and make grabby hands for him when he’d come home. Caroline’s personality resembled Rooster’s, literally the life of the party whenever people were over.

Lila on the other hand was her momma’s mini me. The name came from a character in Y/n’s book. Not the protagonist, but the best friend who Y/n enjoyed writing for more than the main character. It was a name she always loved, and the moment Y/n’s eyes landed on the baby girl the name was perfect for her. Opposite of her sister, Lila was quiet and reserved. She loved to be held by Y/n and would beg for her attention. Like Caroline was a daddy’s girl, Lila was momma’s angel.

Life seemed to be good. It was good.

But then when the twins turned six months, things started to sour. They were living in Virginia with Bradley assigned to the Golden Warriors and Y/n was at home taking care of the girls. She’d get a little bit of writing done within the week but had major writer's block. Almost twice a week she and Bradley were arguing over something whether it was money, work, or the girls. They’d go to bed with their backs facing each other, Bradley leaving in the morning with little to no goodbye and when he’d return home he’d be so exhausted the two would rarely talk like they used to.

It was apparent the honeymoon stage was over. Both realizing it just wasn’t working out and even with their daughters the relationship was becoming strained.

What really ended everything was the night of the officer’s ball. A disrespectful comment was made to Y/n about wanting to be a published romance author by one of Bradley’s superiors. And he didn’t stand up for her. In fact, the man had the audacity to laugh with the men.

Heartbroken and pissed off, Y/n threw her napkin onto the table and removed herself without permission to be excused. Everyone stared with wide eyes, Bradley’s superiors watching with disapproval and making snide comments to the licensed pilot. Now he was angry, feeling humiliated by the scene and raced after his wife with an apology to the guests.

When they got outside both were feeling the heat. Spitting off words that they knew were going to fuel the fire.

“What the fuck was that, Y/n?”

“What the fuck was that?” She repeated with malice, “How fucking dare you sit there and laugh while they insult me! I’m your fucking wife, Bradley—you’re supposed to stand up for me! Instead you humiliated me!”

The entire drive home they were silent. Rooster’s knuckles were practically white with how hard he was gripping them, Y/n breathing heavily to control the anger. Not even the radio was playing. Only silence filled the void of the impeding argument that was to continue when they got home.

The door of the Bronco slamming alerted the babysitter, the teenage daughter of their neighbors, who met them outside with a smile only to frown when Bradley stormed past her. “Is everything—,” she went to ask but Y/n stopped her.

“Everything’s fine.” It was far from fine but she didn’t need to know that. Y/n removed a small wad of cash from her clutch, handing it to the girl. “This is for you. Thanks for all your help, Molly.”

When Y/n got in she checked on her girls first and then met Bradley in the bedroom to get out of the god forsaken dress she started to feel claustrophobic in. It wasn’t even fifteen seconds later before the couple were at it again. They tried to keep quiet for the sake of their daughters asleep just down the hall but nothing could stop the shouts from escaping.

“What was I supposed to do?” Rooster throws his arms out, face red. “Tell him to shut the fuck up? I have to work with him, Y/n. I see him every goddamn day—you want me to make my life miserable? Cause he’ll make sure that happens.”

Y/n couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Are you fucking serious, Bradley? You’re so worried about having to do more pushups than people or get hazed than standing up for me? Your own wife?! Yeah, I wanted you to tell him to shut the fuck up—I would’ve done it if was my boss! Because you’re my husband and I wouldn’t let somebody insult you like he did me!”

He sarcastically laughs, bringing his hands up to rub his face, “You know, you’re acting like a fucking lunatic right now.”

The comment had Y/n still, eyes widening as the alarms went off in her head. She waited for him to take it back, but when he didn’t all she could do was make a pained sound, turning away from him before the tears could spill. Exiting their room, Y/n went to the closet where they stored luggage. When she returned she had her large suitcase and a baby bag.

“What are you doing?” She ignored him, starting to throw random clothes in the bag from her dresser. Rooster, came around the bed staring at her in disbelief. “Y/n, what the fuck are you doing?”

“What does it look like, Bradley,” she hissed, still not looking at him. “I’m fucking packing and getting the hell out this house. And I’m taking the girls with me.”

“The hell you are!” He shouts, going after her when she enters the bathroom. “You’re not taking my daughters. Especially when I don’t know where the hell you’re going.”

“I’ll figure it out,” she gathers her makeup, skincare, hair care and shower necessities. “Maybe I’ll finally go to New York like I planned before I met you.”

“And what are you gonna do there?” He challenged from the doorway. Y/n felt her hand tighten over the first item in her hand, which happened to be a hair dryer. She could feel the words on the tip of his tongue, praying to God he wouldn’t actually say what would really tear her heart in pieces.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” But Bradley was too far gone before he could stop himself.

“Finish that book? The one you’ve been writing for almost three years and have yet to finish? And then actually get it published?” He chuckled sarcastically, breaking her soul when he added, “Yeah, sure you are. How about you wake up and start thinking about reality—where you should work on getting an actual career that’s gonna support your daughters instead of living in a fairytale.”

The hairdryer left her hand with a literal battle cry, causing Bradley to jump out of the way with a curse, the object hitting the side of his arm. When it bounced on the ground before stopping just by the bed, the couple stared at each other as though they couldn’t believe what had happened. Both were breathing heavily, Y/n’s makeup smudged with tears rolling down her face.

“Fuck you,” she whispered, seeing the immediate regret in his eyes, though no words of the sort followed. Y/n brought a hand up, turning away from him when he said her name. “Fuck you, Bradley.” She heard him leave, the door closing behind him allowing her to succumb to her emotions. The rest of the time she packed her things Y/n fought back sobs. She wouldn’t let him see her like that. That he had hurt her beyond what she could’ve imagined.

The way he took her dream and basically slapped her in the face with it. He knew she was dealing with writer’s block and had trouble focusing on the ending with having to take care of their girls. And not to mention she gave up her pursuits to follow him.

No more.

Zipping up her suitcases, Y/n picked up the wedding photo of her and Bradley. There were not many photos of them printed out and none were hung on the walls just because they would have to move with his job, but the two photos they did have were of their little courthouse wedding and the day the twins were born.

Tears rolling down her cheek, Y/n removed the photo from the frame and tore it down the middle before doing the same with the one of them and the girls. The piece with Bradley looking down at her in the wedding and the one of him holding Lila were folded and placed in her purse, leaving the one of her in her wedding dress and the one holding Caroline. She secretly put them in the drawer of his nightstand, letting him decide what he plans to do with them once she’s gone.

She couldn’t believe what she was about to do, but it was for the best in order for them to not have to deal with a nasty custody dispute. Already she could feel a bit of her heart missing. The piece reserved for Caroline.

After quietly packing Lila’s things, Y/n rolled her suitcases down the hall and placed the baby bag on top. Rooster was in the kitchen drinking a beer, ignoring when she came into the living room to gather all the things she had there.

“I have an offer,” she approached when she was done, keeping her gaze on the ground. Y/n feared she wouldn’t be able to say it if she looked into his eyes.

“What,” his voice was monotone, evident he was tired and wanting to get whatever argument out of the way so they could move on.

“I can’t stay here,” she told him, noticing him stiffening in the corner of her eye. “I just can’t, Bradley. We both know this was a long time coming and tonight was just the nail in the coffin. We’re not a good fit—we both want different things. And I can’t even look at you without wanting to scream.” She took a deep breath to calm herself, “I never want to see you again after tonight…so I don’t wanna have to go through a custody battle with you.”

“And how do you suppose that’s going to work out?” She could hear the heartbreak in his tone, getting tight with each word like he would explode if she took both girls.

Y/n let out a tired sigh, squeezing her eyes shut, “we both know Caroline prefers you, and Lila prefers me.” She waited for him to say something, but when he didn’t she knew he silently agreed. The next words that left her set in stone the next decade in a half of her life, “So I’ll take Lila with me and you raise Caroline. That way they have one of us and we never have to see each other again.” Again Bradley doesn't respond so Y/n softly says, “I’ll call a lawyer in the morning. For now I’m sleeping in the girls room.”

‘Come after me,’ she silently thought, a part of her hoping he would and convince her she was wrong and they could work this out.

‘Go after her,’ his brain screamed at him, not wanting to let go of the woman of his dreams.

But he stayed where he stood.

Twelve hours later the couple sat in the office of a divorce lawyer with papers drawn up indicating Y/n would have custody of Lila, retaining her maiden name and legally changing the girl’s to L/n, and Bradley would have custody of Caroline. They removed their rings, Y/n wiping away a tear when she did, before the two returned to the home to gather Y/n’s things.

Once the car was packed Y/n cradled Caroline while Bradley held Lila, the two facing away from each other to not show the other their emotion.

“I love you so much, sweet girl,” she whispered against Caroline’s tiny head, careful to not let her tears drop on her. Kissing her crown, Y/n softly said, “Our paths will cross again one day. But until then, I hope you have the best life and be a good girl for your daddy. You’ll always be my Caroline, my sweet girl.”

A few yards away, Bradley was saying his own words of love to Lila. “Promise me you won't give your momma too much trouble, Lila darlin’. You two take care of each other,” he kisses her forehead, eyes glistening with unshed tears, “I’ll see you again one day. I love you darlin’. You’ll always have a piece of me.”

The former couple barely glanced at each other or spoke a word the entire time Bradley was securing Lila in her car seat and Y/n reluctantly handing Caroline over. Her heart skipped, clenching at the same time Bradley surprised her by giving a soft kiss to her forehead, muttering for her to have a safe trip. Y/n only nodded, moving to the driver's seat and backing out of the driveway before pulling onto the road. Y/n finally allowed the tears to fall when she exited the gate for the last time.

When she got to her parents house roughly five hours later Y/n wanted to just go to sleep but her mind wouldn’t let her.

No, in fact, it wanted her to write.

The final piece of the book that had been nagging her for years finally played in her head. Everything from the dialogue to the final scene.

While her parents spent time with Lila, both of whom voiced their unhappiness with her decision to leave behind Caroline, Y/n’s eyes were focused on the screen in front of her. The only time she took breaks was to have dinner, use the bathroom, have downtime with Lila before putting her to bed, and share a glass of wine with her mother. Other than that, Y/n was writing until the early hours of the morning—going as far as to make edits to earlier parts of the book and change things she felt were unnecessary.

By the time the clock hit 4 am, Y/n was in need of a melatonin and 8 hours of sleep. But she was done. Done with the book she had spent so much time trying to get done. It was as though leaving Bradley was the awakening she needed to get it finished.

How fucking sad when one thinks about it.

That mid-morning, after popping a melatonin and sleeping for a few hours before having to tend to Lila, Y/n’s parents were visibly shocked by the difference in her behavior from the previous day. Of course Y/n was still deeply saddened by everything and they could tell it was affecting her, but there was also a sense of hope in her eyes. When asked about it all Y/n responded was, “I finished the book.”

Between looking for small two bedroom apartments in New York and part-time jobs, Y/n edited her book. For about six months she lived with parents, celebrating Lila’s first birthday where Y/n cried herself to sleep at not being able to do the same to Caroline. But then again, she had no one to blame but herself.

The break of a lifetime came a week after Lila’s birthday when Y/n finally got a response from one of five literary agents she had sent her inquiry to. “Hello Ms. L/n, Thank you for sending your inquiry. I’ve read your submission and am intrigued about your book. Please send me a copy of your full manuscript either through my email or a printed version to the address I have listed below. I’m interested to see what you have written and hope you get back to me soon. Sincerely, Yolanda Richards.”

Over the moon, Y/n sent a printed copy to Yolanda the next day. Nerves filled her with what the agent would think and if she would have her as a client. After researching for weeks on literary agents, Yolanda Richards was one of the best in the romance genre, with multiple NYT bestsellers under her name plus success at getting movie deals for the books. If Y/n became one of her clients it would be a dream come true.

The email came the following Friday: “Y/n, I am very pleased with your work and thoroughly enjoyed your story. Everything about it was captivating from start to finish. I would love to have you as a partner by representing you in getting your book published and on the market. Please give me a call or email me so we can set up an in-person meeting as soon as possible. I hope you accept my offer and I look forward to possibly working with you. Sincerely, Yolanda Richards.”

Almost 13 years later……Summer of 2021

Caroline’s heart was racing. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life than when the plane approached the New York skyline, the first time her hazel eyes had ever witnessed it. Even when she and her father were living in Virginia he seemed to avoid the city like the plague. Always insisting they go somewhere else for a vacation whenever she begged.

Now here she was at JFK airport about to meet the woman she dreamed of knowing all her life.

The whole journey Caroline thought back to the eight weeks of summer camp she’d just experienced. It was like fate had decided to work its magic on the third day when she came face-to-face with a girl who looked exactly like her. Though it’s rumored everyone has at least seven doppelgängers in their lifetime scattered across the globe, something about Lila L/n was different than a typical look-a-like. They were too alike physically. Dirty blonde hair with hazel eyes and standing tall at 5’5, the two were a carbon copy of one another with the exception of Lila having longer hair and bangs. “Actual twins” their campmates would say, but were complete opposites in terms of personality.

For example, Caroline dressed like she was going to the beach no matter the weather and had a knack for old music whereas Lila had more sweaters than t-shirts in her suitcase. Then Lila had an expanded vocabulary like she always was reading a poem in a fancy New York accent yet Caroline could barely tell the difference between there, their, and they’re. Lastly, Caroline was laid back and the extroverted jokester of the camp compared to Lila’s reserved, introverted, goodie-two-shoes nature.

Their rivalry was bound from the start. The end of the first week had the two already pissing off the counselors with the pranks against each other and their friend groups. Halfway through the camp duration was when the counselors had enough and placed them in the isolation cabin to settle their differences.

It was in the isolation cabin where suspicions became realizations.

First it started when both admitted to having a peanut allergy and their favorite food was chicken Alfredo pasta. They both loved romantic comedies and playing piano, neither a fan of licorice or dill pickles.

Finally feeling a friendship starting, Caroline complimented Lila’s necklace, who said it was a gift to her on the day she was born and had her initial on the pendant. Voicing the same, Caroline showed her own necklace with the same pendant only with a ‘C’ on it instead of ‘L’. That’s when Lila asked what day Caroline was born, both confirming they had the same birthday of April 21st, 2007.

Heart pumping with an feeling she couldn’t explain, Caroline revealed she was raised by her dad, who was a Navy fighter pilot and they were currently living in San Diego. “It’s only ever been me and him. He said he and my mom split when I was six months old.”

“No way,” Lila sat up in her bed, feeling the same emotion as Caroline. “I was raised by my mom. We moved to New York when I was a year old and have been there ever since. She told me when I was ten she and my dad divorced when I was six months old and he was in the Navy.”

Pushing aside her bag of hot Cheetos, Caroline began asking a series of questions. “My dad never said much about my mom, but at least once a year would give me some details of what she was like when I begged him. He said one year she had dreams of becoming a writer. What does your mom do?”

Lila’s eyes widened, “She’s an author—she’s written over ten romance novels.”

“Did your mom ever tell you how she and your dad met?”

“They met in college—at a graduation party to be exact. He asked her to dance.”

By now Caroline was gripping her hair, “Did they go to sonic afterwards where they had milkshakes and—.”

“Route 44s,” Lila finished, covering her mouth slightly. The reaction had Caroline racing to her desk to rummage through the drawer. When she faced Lila again, she was holding something to her chest.

“When my parents divorced my mom left behind two ripped photographs. One is of her holding me as a baby, the other is of her wedding day with my dad. They make up halves to a photo—but I‘ve never seen the rest. My dad doesn’t even know I have them.”

Gasping, Lila goes to her own desk and takes out a folder. Flipping through pages she gathers the two images in her own hands before turning back to the teenager. “These are the only photos I have of my dad. Like you, one is of him holding me in the hospital, the other is him in his uniform from the day he married my mom. They were ripped down the middle from the original photo.”

As though they read each other’s mind, the two started walking toward each other, already tearing up at the possibility that what they suspected was true. “On the count of three,” Lila softly said, “we show each other. Okay?”

“Okay,” Caroline agreed with a nod. They started to count down.

“One,” Lila took a step forward.

“Two,” Caroline echoed, mirroring her movement.

“Three!” Gasps left both girls when they extended their arms, each holding a half of the photograph, and slowly put them together. One showed Y/n and Bradley on their wedding day, smiling at each other looking as though they were the happiest people on earth, the other of them holding their daughters. Caroline in Y/n’s arms, and Lila in Bradley’s.

“That’s my dad!” Caroline beamed, in disbelief at the sight before her. There her father was with the beautiful woman she dreamed of meeting. Her mother.

“That’s my mom,” Lila sniffed, the teen overcome with emotion. Once they gathered themself over the initial shock they both couldn’t help but shout, “We’re twin sisters!!” Embracing in a hug filled with glee and laughter.

The idea that came to their head moments later was crazy, but after talking and voicing how they want to meet the other’s parents, the decision was made. Caroline and Lila would switch places. And they were gonna get their parents back together.

Lila told Caroline how their mom was a hopeless romantic at heart despite not having a long term relationship since their dad. The same was for Bradley apparently, Caroline confessing he only had maybe three serious girlfriends but the relationships ended because they couldn’t handle the lifestyle he was in. Or the fact he was a single father.

For the next four weeks the twins learned all about the other’s life and what to expect. “Mom wrote her first book in college around the time she met dad, but she didn’t get it finished until after they divorced. Since then she’s written ten novels—including a trilogy about to be adapted into a movie series and is currently working on a sequel to her debut book that her supporters have been begging for her to write for years. Most of her inspiration comes from what she hopes to experience,” Lila pauses to make a face, “Now that I think about it actually, her second book almost resembles her love story with dad….it’s the only one without a happy ending.” That had the twins frown, feeling more determined with their mission of getting their parents back together.

“This is the Dagger Squad,” Caroline showed Lila the pictures on her phone when the counselors gave them back for the weekend. “My dad went on a special mission two years ago before the pandemic and became friends with the people he did it with. Phoenix,” she points to the pretty brunette pilot, “well Natasha, I’ve known her since I was a baby. She and her husband have been friends with dad since flight school. And this is Maverick,” she scrolls to the next picture of her with a middle aged man in a flight suit, “He’s basically like our surrogate grandpa since dad’s parents passed away a long time ago. They were estranged for some time but became friends again after the mission.”

Lila explained the layout of their mother’s Manhattan home where they along with Y/n’s parents lived. “We always sit down to eat in the dining room as a way to have family time since mom is usually in her office writing or in meetings,” Lila explained before naming off the people in the photographs she had laid out in front of Caroline. “This is Ollie, mom’s best friend and writes romantic thrillers—he was our roommate when we first moved to New York and is often at the house more than his own. Yolanda is her literary agent who is in charge of selling mom’s books when she’s completed them and most recently got a movie deal on mom’s best selling trilogy. I call our grandmother ‘Gran,’ and our grandfather, ‘grandpa’.”

Both girls were the subject of a slight makeover with Lila having to cut her hair shorter, and Caroline getting bangs. When that happened they really were identical twins with the campmates not knowing who was who. Caroline practiced mimicking Lila’s NY accent and taught her the words to ‘Great Balls of Fire.’

“This is ridiculous,” Caroline complained when she was unable to whistle like Lila. “Is this really necessary?”

“Every teenager in New York has had to hail a cab at some point. If Mom is on the phone then I have to be the one to catch the cab—and whistling is gonna get you one more than just waving like an idiot in the middle of the street.”

Last thing to do was exchange plane tickets. Lila to SAN and Caroline to JFK.

They hugged each other goodbye, wishing the other good luck and not to forget certain things. They mostly had everything written down so they were confident they could get everything memorized by heart before they landed at their respective destinations. Caroline felt odd having to wear a long sleeve in July, but the weather for New York was cloudy with cool temperatures so she felt safer wearing the outfit Lila had picked out. She wasn’t the only odd ball, Lila was having to get used to wearing the tank top and pink Hawaiian shirt with shorts—something she never thought she’d ever wear.

They even had to exchange phones considering Lila had the lilac iPhone 12 Pro Max and Caroline had her trusty red iPhone 7 Plus. “Hey it works fine,” she defended, “until I either crack it beyond repair or it just doesn’t turn on one day then I will keep this till the end of time. So be careful with it.”

Promising to text everyday and call at least twice a week, the girls went on their way. Caroline fidgeted in her first class seat, trying to go over her notes to pass the time since it would only be a few hours for her flight compared to Lila’s cross country trip. But when the New York skyline filled her vision, the teenager was in awe.

If she wasn’t so excited she would’ve vomited from the anxiety consuming her. With her backpack on her shoulders and duffle bag in her hands, Caroline did her best to navigate through JFK until she reached the baggage claim. There her stomach did flips at the sight of Ollie waving frantically at her.

“Lila bean! Over here!” Grinning wide, she raced over to the man and was lifted into his arms. “Finally you’re back! Ugh you have no idea how crazy it’s been without you,” he set her down, making movements with his hand, “I’ve had no one to discuss the latest season of Bachelor in Paradise with because your mom’s been so nose deep in her work the whole summer—I’ve been trying to get her thoughts on if my next book should be a sexy twist on the show where every contestant has a dirty secret and one of them is a literal serial killer but she won’t budge from that computer. It’s been the only thing to distract her from being sad with you not being there—and oh my goodness,” he suddenly gasped, making her flinch, “What did you do to your hair?”

“Oh u-uh,” she stuttered nervously, praying her accent was believable. “A girl from camp cut it. I wanted to try something new. Do you like it?”

“You look fabulous,” he complimented, letting his finger run across the ends of her hair. “It suits more than I thought—you’ve always preferred it long.”

“Well I thought with me entering high school next month I was due for a change.”

Ollie gave her a look once over with an approving nod, “I dig it. Now c’mon—let’s get your bag and head out before this place gets too chaotic for my liking. Plus your mom has been texting me every ten minutes wanting to know if you’ve landed and it’s becoming exhausting.”

Caroline had to hold back cheering in victory when she successfully whistled, catching the attention of a cab driver for the pair. The drive there she was bouncing her knee, taking in the city causing Ollie to look at her confused, “My goodness, eight weeks you’re gone and it’s like you’ve never seen the city before. I promise you it’s the same as you left it.”

The teenager couldn’t help but mentally laugh at the comment, ‘little do you know….’

Arriving in Manhattan Caroline turned giddy. Before Ollie could stop her she was out of the cab with her backpack and duffle, leaving him to get her luggage as she hauled up the stairs to the three story townhouse. The door was unlocked and so she took a deep breath before pushing it open only to gasp by the beautiful interior of the home with a spiral staircase leading to the higher levels.

Setting aside her things, Caroline began to explore the ground level in hopes to find her mother or grandparents. Movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention, the teen entering what appeared to be a study with various bookshelves and framed photographs on the walls. A man was standing up with his back toward her, appearing to look for something particular in his bookshelf.

Caroline’s heart skipped at the realization it was her grandfather. “Hi, grandpa,” she exhaled, causing the man to spin around. Immediately he was in delight.

“Lila! You’re back!” She met him in the middle as he came around the desk, the two embracing. “And you cut your hair, my gosh! You look so different—but great!”

Taking in his scent, the older man looked at her confused before she said, “Sorry, I just missed the smell of your peppermint aroma at camp.” He laughed lightly, rubbing her back with his hand.

“Oh honey we all missed you too.”

“What’s all the commotion?” A female voice entered the picture, Caroline grinning when her eyes met her grandmother’s. The older woman gasped before her own smile took over, “Oh Lila!”

“Gran!” She raced over to her, meeting her in a hug. “I missed you!” The two held each other for a moment, her gran voicing the same and complimenting her new look just as her grandfather did.

Then Caroline heard her. “Lila darling?”

Freezing against her gran, Caroline felt her heart race. Slowly removing herself she hesitantly went to the middle of the foyer. Just as she appeared in the photographs, Y/n was as beautiful as Caroline pictured her to be. Dressed in a cashmere sweater dress, she looked radiant as the light from the window hit her. Hazel eyes shining from unshed tears, Caroline whispered in awe, “Mom.”

“You’re back!”

Just like in a movie it all felt like slow motion as Caroline ran up the stairs while Y/n descended, meeting halfway in a tearful embrace. The hug lingered with Caroline never wanting to let go, a faint sob escaping from the back of her throat and the tears falling down her cheeks—no doubt ruining the mascara she wore. But the teen didn't care. Not when she was in the arms of her mother at last.

“I can’t believe it’s you,” she whimpered when they pulled away, Y/n moving to brush a finger off her cheeks.

“And I can’t believe it’s you,” the writer chuckled, letting her eyes run over her daughter she believed to be the one she raised. “Look at you, your hair is so short!”

“A girl cut it at camp for me—do you like it?”

“I love it!” Y/n assured with a smile, “You look amazing—I’m surprised that’s all. And..” Y/n tilted her head a bit, “are you wearing mascara?”

“Oh yeah,” Caroline sniffed, moving to swipe under her eyes. She forgot already that Lila wasn’t into makeup like her. “A friend I made at camp wanted to see how my eyelashes looked with it since they’re so long. I forgot I had it on.”

“Oh no worries, honey. I don’t mind you wearing it if that’s what you’d like.”

“N-no it’s okay. I don’t really think it’s my thing, m-mom,” Caroline felt another wave of emotion at saying the word ‘mom,’ making Y/n frown with concern.

“What’s wrong, my love?”

“Nothing,” Caroline’s voice cracked. “I’m just so happy. I missed you so much.” Y/n awed, pulling her daughter into another hug.

“Oh honey I missed you too. It almost feels like it’s been forever.”

Caroline squeezed her eyes shut as she nuzzled against Y/n’s shoulder, “you have no idea.”

Two weeks went by of the twins living their dream. Caroline explored New York City by accompanying Y/n to her meetings with Yolanda and watching Bachelor in Paradise to not have Ollie suspicious of her. Slight worry came with how her grandfather seemed to let his eyes linger on her whenever she said something unlike what Lila would say. Three thousand miles away Lila was having difficulty being so social with their father’s friend group—her introverted self needed to get away in order to recharge at times which had Phoenix and Hangman start to question her.

“Did the social butterfly in you burn out at camp, little chicken?” Jake teased one day, “I’ve never seen you this quiet in a single week.”

Lila put on her best face, hoping he wouldn’t see right through it, “You would not believe how exhausting it was dealing with so many people on a daily basis. There were times where I dreaded going to activities and preferred staying in my cabin. They were rambunctious I tell you.” Her choice of words had Natasha eye her, bidding a look to her husband, moving closer to whisper, “Did she just use the word rambunctious?”

It seemed like everyone but their parents were beginning to catch on. The first to figure out were Nat and Jake when Bradley confessed to his daughter, who he believed was Caroline, that he was planning on proposing to his current girlfriend Marilyn Brooks. Caroline had warned Lila that their father was seeing Marilyn, but believed it wouldn’t last till the end of summer. Upset and panicked on what to do, the teenager bursted outside of the Hard Deck and began ranting to herself, accent slipping out and unaware the couple were there the whole time.

“You got something to share with the class, Care Bear?” Nat approached, head tilted down at the teenager who’d gone pale. “Because you seem to be in distress.”

“Phee, Jake,” Lila placed a hand on her chest to calm her breathing, “You both gave me a fright.”

“We gave you a fright?” Jake repeated in confusion. Never had Caroline used expressions like that before, making them more confused.

“Y-you scared me. I-I didn’t know you two were out here.”

“Are you sure you’re alright, Caroline?” Natasha crossed her arms. “Because ever since you came home….you’ve been acting odd. Your appetite’s changed, you’re not as social, Charlie doesn’t want to come near you anymore” she listed off her fingers, Charlie referring to Nat and Jake’s dog who adores Caroline. “And you use these big words now.”

“And just now it sounded like you were straight from New York or something,” Jake added, “And not in the way when you impersonate it on Head’s Up, it was like it was natural for you.”

“Jake, Nat….” Lila thought rapidly to deflect. “I changed a lot over summer—my friend’s from there and helped me perfect it.”

“Alright,” Jake shrugged, “Man if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were—.” Nat slapped his arm, eyes wide with a knowing look causing him to shut up. Jake gave a tight smile to the teen, “Ignore me, I’m just being stupid.”

“Almost as if I were who?”

Natasha shook her head, “No one, Care Bear. Forget we said anything.” As the two went to go back inside, they were stunned by what the girl said next.

“Almost as if I were….Lila?”

Chills appeared on their arms, the couple slowly turning to face her again with eyes full of shock. Both were thinking the same thing: did Rooster finally tell her?

“Y-you know about Lila?” Nat whispered.

The confession rolled off her tongue, “I am Lila.”

Jake dropped his bottle of beer, the glass shattering against the wood while Nat’s hand flew to her mouth. Just as they were about to spit off the millions of questions in their head, Rooster appeared looking relieved to find the teen. “There you are, Care. Why’d you run off like that—I needed to talk to you.” Noticing the way his friends were looking as though they wanted to cry, Rooster then said, “Guys….why are you staring at her like that?”

Seeing Lila shake her head, begging them not to say anything, the two apologized and excused themselves. Later that night Lila asked to stay at their house after getting into an argument with her father about him getting engaged, where she then explained everything after a tearful reunion considering the couple hadn’t seen her since she was a baby.

“Caroline is in New York with our mom,” the confession had the two nearly faint. “We switched places at camp, which I cannot believe fate actually brought us together that way—and we’re hoping to get our parents back together because I know my mom still loves him despite all these years they’ve been separated. But now he’s engaged to that wretched woman who I know is gonna ruin his life. I-I have to call her and get them here now!”

Phoenix gently calmed the girl down, “Lila, it’s almost midnight over there. Call her tomorrow and then we’ll figure something out together.”

The call to Caroline is what got her found out by their grandfather. She was sitting at a picnic table just down the road after jumping from her seat at the dinner table. Unbeknownst to Caroline, her grandfather had followed her.

“I thought you said they would be broken up by the time I got back!” Lila shouted on the other end of the phone.

“Well that was the hope,” Caroline voiced back, “Usually he’s with them for a few months to a year—but Marilyn’s just…ugh I can’t even explain so it surprises me she’s lasted this long.”

“Well now she’s looking to become our stepmom! You have to get mom here to San Diego so we can stop them!”

“No way I’ve barely had time with her, Lila,” Caroline argued. For five minutes the twins go back and forth before ultimately hanging up. When Caroline rose from the bench she bumped into the gentleman behind her, “Oh I’m sorry, sir.” The man turned around, the familiar face staring back causing her stomach to drop. “Oh boy.”

“Oh boy,” he repeated, tsking. “How about we take a walk while the fresh air is nice?” Coming clean, Caroline told her grandfather everything from the day she arrived at camp to the day she left as Lila. Thankfully he wasn’t angry, in fact the man was overjoyed at the news.

Now it was time to come clean to the rest of the family.

The next morning Caroline was pacing in front of Y/n’s office before knocking on the door and waited for her to respond. “Come in.” Looking over the edge of her computer, the woman smiled at her daughter. “Hey darlin’, I’m almost done with this paragraph. What do you say about us going to that gyro place you like for lunch?”

“Mom,” Caroline fidgeted with her fingers. “I need to talk to you.” When Y/n continued to type, she said with an edge in her voice, “Right now. Please.”

Taken aback by the tone, Y/n saved the document and closed out before standing from her chair. “What is it, Lila?”

“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” seeing her confusion, Caroline’s eyes glistened. “Lila.”

“Yessss? That’s the name I gave you the day you were born.”

“N-no!” Caroline finally snapped. “That’s not the one you gave me, mom.” That had Y/n puzzled, looking at her daughter with wide eyes. Lip quivering, the teen finally came clean, unable to hold it any longer. “I’m not Lila.”

At first Y/n didn’t seem to react, until a soft gasp left her as the look of absolute shock took over her expression. Her eyes filled with water, hands beginning to shake, “You’re…You’re Caroline?”

“Yes,” she nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek. “You and dad sent Lila and I to the same camp. We met there and….well I just really wanted to meet you a-and Lila really wanted to meet dad and please don’t be angry with us, I—.” The teenager was cut off by the sob Y/n let out as she took her in her arms.

“Oh my sweet girl,” Y/n cried, letting 13 years of pent up regret, sadness, and shame finally release. “Oh Caroline.” The teen’s arms wrapped around her waist, nuzzling her face into her chest as her own tears spilled. Finally it felt like a weight had been lifted off both their shoulders. Mother and daughter reunited. “I can’t believe It’s actually you—my sweet girl.”

A tearful reunion even had Ollie emotional, the author being consoled by Y/n’s father in the doorway along with her mother. “I-I’ve never been so happy in my life. O-oh my gosh this is the best day ever!” As he cried, Y/n’s father gave her a heartfelt look before gently closing the door to allow them some privacy.

“No offense, mom—well actually slight offense,” Caroline said after explaining the situation of why the twins switched places—keeping out the fact they were planning to reunite the adults in hopes of the two getting back together. “But this whole thing was not it. I mean, c’mon, were you ever gonna tell us?”

Y/n looked deeply ashamed, wiping away at her face constantly, “I know it was wrong of us. Believe me I’ve regretted it every second since the day I left. Keeping you two apart was the worst thing we did and I hope you girls can forgive us. I let my personal issues with your father get in the way—a-and I should've never left you behind. You have every right to be angry,” Y/n paused to grab a tissue. “I honestly hoped to tell you two one day—possibly when you two were sixteen, but then I just didn’t know how to approach that after keeping it hidden so long.”

Caroline took it all in, asking the next question. “So what now?”

Y/n sighed, “Well legally you’re supposed to be with your father, and Lila with me. So we’ve gotta get you back to him. Then we go from there,” she placed her hands on Caroline’s shoulder before pressing a soft kiss to her head, “But I promise you no more secrets. And I’m not letting you go again, honey. We’ll get everything under control.”

Packing for California had Y/n a damn mess. She didn’t know what to wear and went through several options before settling on a fashionable white dress that would do well with the California heat. The sight of her was quite entertaining for Ollie, but was doing his best to offer moral support because she was really starting to lose it.

“What the hell am I supposed to say when I see him?” Y/n waved her free hand. She had sunglasses on her face and curlers in her hair with a glass of wine in one hand as she threw random stuff into a suitcase. “It’s been nearly thirteen years, Ollie. And our last day married was anything but a good parting! I-I mean I know nothing about him except from what Caroline has told me.” A warm feeling flared in her chest. “She says he’s still got that damn 80s stache—gosh what that did to me when I was with him. Only he could make a girl weak in the knees sporting something most men look horrid in.”

“Sounds like he could still make you weak in the knees, babe,” the comment resulted in a glare. “Look, you’re thinking too much alright? Just take a breather and think about the girls. This is for them at the end of the day.”

“I know,” Y/n rubbed her face, downing the last bit of wine in her glass. “Ollie, darling, I can’t go about this on my own. Will you—.”

“Accompany you to sunny California to keep you sane as you embark on this journey of reuniting with your former sexy pilot lover?” At her nod he winks and pulls out his phone showcasing his boarding pass. “Already got it booked, babe. Maybe I’ll find my own Romeo on this trip. Lord knows I have a thing for surfers and skaters—but there's a difference between New York skaters and California ones. I should know…I’ve dated both.”

When asked if she had talked with her father, Caroline subtly lied, “Oh yeah I just got off with him. Says they have our rooms reserved at the Hilton Resort in Palm Springs. He’s excited to see you.”

“He is?” Y/n raises a brow, not finding it believable, and trying to contain the flutter in her stomach. “Well, we should be on the way then. Sweetie, could you check us into our flights while I help Ollie pack the Uber?”

The man trailed after Caroline with a cheeky look, whispering under his breath so only she could hear, “liar, liar, pants on fire.” Caroline spun around to see her mom was turned the other way, bringing a finger to her lips with a wink, “shuuuush!”

When Lila brought the idea up for her and Rooster to go to Palm Springs for the weekend, the plan did not include bringing Marilyn and her parents. Thankfully Phoenix, Hangman, and Charlie tagged along too. The couple was in on the plan and only ones to know besides Lila that Y/n was just a few short hours away from arriving. They timed it so when she and Caroline landed at the airport, they’d already be checked in and waiting at the resort.

“Be warned,” the text from Caroline appeared on the phone. “Mom is DRUNK. She had two cocktails on the plane and had us stop at a liquor store to get some mini airplane bottles.”

“Oh no,” Lila moaned, causing Nat and Jake to look at her in question while Rooster was busy meeting Marilyn’s parents for the first time. She showed them the text, both reacting the same, “This is gonna be interesting.”

Charlie started to whimper, picking up a familiar scent and pulling Lila across the lobby with the couple chasing after them. Meanwhile in the elevator, Y/n remembered she left her purse on the counter. “Crap, I forgot my bag,” she giggled, stopping the closing door and moving as fast as her heels and disoriented state could take her. While she was busy gathering her lost item, Lila came around the corner with Charlie, the dog barking at the sight of Caroline in the elevator.

“Charlie!” She squealed, the animal bolting from Lila’s grasp and into the elevator before it could close. The twins connected eyes just as the door shut, Lila mentally cursing though she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement in her.

“Oh shit,” Jake mumbled with wide eyes, pulling Natasha to the side right when Y/n approached.

“Mom!”

“Oh, you didn’t have to wait for me, sweet girl, I can find the room by myself,” Lila literally had to step away from her Y/n, who had yet to realize it was Lila giving the twins decided on wearing similar outfits. She reeked of alcohol. Caroline wasn’t kidding when she warned her their mother was drunk off her ass. Besides the smell and her slight slurring words, Y/n was having trouble keeping her eyes open, “You go on up, okay? I’m gonna check out the bar real quick—have a glass of water while I’m at it.” As Y/n went to walk away she turned around with a tilt of her head, “I like that jacket by the way—were you wearing that on the plane?”

“Mom, watch out!” Lila shouted as Nat gasped with her when Y/n nearly collided with the bellboy.

“Oh goodness,” was all the author had to say, giving an embarrassed glance to her daughter before turning the corner away from their sights. Jake couldn't help but laugh, Nat holding back her own as she and Lila stared at each other in disbelief.

“The one time she should be sober and she’s completely wasted!” Lila exclaimed with a laugh at the end. “I’ve only ever seen her have one glass of wine at dinner—now she’s looking to run the bar dry.”

Phoenix shook her head with a smile, “Yeah well let her have her fun before all hell breaks loose.” Guiding Lila to the elevator, they all head to the floor where their rooms were.

Meanwhile Rooster and Marilyn had the same idea.

Attached to his arm, the woman was on a rant about what she thought was best for the lavish wedding she desired. Rooster just smiled and nodded, allowing the blonde to have creative control since he had no idea what to say. His first wedding was at a courthouse, nothing extravagant.

“Alone at last,” She hummed in relief, lips going to his neck as she giggled while his arms went around her waist. Bradley mirrored her expression, only it soon went to one of absolute shock when his gaze landed on the woman he never thought he’d see again.

Y/n was in front of him, looking like an angel in white as she stopped short in front of the elevator when they locked eyes. A hesitant smile appeared on her lips, hand coming up to wave as Bradley started to lean away from Marilyn as the doors shut, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him.

But no, his ex-wife was really there.

“Bradley?” Y/n heard the blonde’s voice just as the doors closed, the last thing she saw could best be described was her ex-husband looking at her like she was an actual ghost. Like he didn’t expect her to be there at all.

That put the pieces together.

“Caroline Bradshaw!” Y/n strutted down the hallway, halting when the doors of both rooms opened and the girls appeared before her. With the two sporting similar looks and the same haircut it was difficult to tell who was who. A headache was forming in Y/n’s head from the alcohol, the woman moaning, “Please don’t do this—I-I’m already seeing double.” The teen on her left smiled.

“It’s me, Mom. Lila.”

“Oh darlin’!” the author exclaimed, moving to hug her daughter and place a kiss on her head. “You look wonderful. My goodness this is the happiest day of my life,” she opened her arm to bring Caroline into the hug. “Both of my girls!” Then Y/n remembered what brought her to the floor, “Not to ruin the happy moment, but I’d really appreciate it if you explained why you blindsided me.”

All of a sudden Nat and Jake appeared from the suite Lila was in. “Hi,” Nat glanced down the hall before smiling at the author. “Sorry to break this up, but might I suggest we move this discussion inside.” Coming over to the doorway of Caroline’s room, the two extended an arm to the trio. The girls entered first, and as Y/n followed behind Nat added, “Hi, you probably don’t remember us--.”

“Natasha! Jake!” Both were given a friendly kiss to the cheek, Y/n pleased to see them again after so many years. They looked at each other with a smirk when she entered the suite, “I knew I always liked her.”

Once inside Y/n threw her bag onto the armchair, “Spill it!” She pointed to her daughters sitting on the ottoman, beginning to pace in front of the couch. “Though I’m not sure which one of you told me your father knew I was arriving today, I can assure you that the man I just saw in the lobby had no clue his ex-wife would be in the same state—let alone the same hotel.”

The twins looked at each other, Lila frowning, “You saw dad?”

“Yes I did,” the woman signed, dropping onto the couch. “And gosh if I didn’t know any better he lost his spray tan because of how pale he went at the sight of me. Like I was Casper the not-so-friendly ghost.” Wincing, the author requested a cold compress for her head, Lila jumping up to get one for her. “I’ve wondered for so many years what it would be like to see your father again, but him wrapped around another woman’s arms while I stood there waving like an idiot was not what I had in mind.”

At that moment Ollie struts in with sunglasses on his face and shirt opened to reveal his chest, whistling before stopping short at the sight of his ashen best friend. “You look horrendous.”

“Thanks, Ollie,” she muttered sarcastically.”

“Why the lone face, babe?” He bids a glance to the couple entering the picture, mentally thinking how hot they looked together after Y/n introduces them all.

“I’m currently investigating why my daughters felt the need to leave out the fact their father had no idea I was coming today.”

“Oh,” his eyes went wide, slowly starting to back away along with Nat and Jake, both wearing the same expression as him. “Well in that case imma just head to the pool.”

“We’ll join you—that sounds like a great idea,” Nat says in a rush, the three turning to run but were stopped short by Y/n’s, “Hold on a second!” They slowly turn back around, biting their lips.

“Are you all keeping something from me?” Y/n looks between the three before her attention is directed to Lila’s soft voice.

“Mom, dad’s engaged…...” The news has Y/n slowly fall back to the couch, her shoulders dropping while her heart clenches. She doesn’t know why she’s so disappointed.

Actually she does know why. It’s the reason she can’t bring herself to love another person no matter how much she opens up to them.

“And she’s horrible, mom. The wicked witch of the west!”

“I met her before camp and she was so rude to me when he wasn’t paying attention,” Caroline voiced. “I thought he’d have ended things already but for some God awful reason he’s still with her.”

“We can’t let him go through with it, mom,” Lila adds with determination, “He’ll regret it for the rest of his life. And well…the only way he won’t is if he sees you again.”

Y/n can’t help but make a sound of disbelief. “Wait a moment,” she nervously laughs, sitting up straighter, “are you trying to set me up with your father?”

“Yes,” they echo together.

“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Caroline says followed by Lila shouting, “You two are perfect for each other!”

“Girls—stop right there!” Y/n exclaims when the three adults try to sneak out. “Did you all know about this?”

“Whaaaaat?” Ollie scoffs, trying to play it off but Y/n knows him better than that. Jake and Nat were also denying it but the author’s knowing look made all three come clean.

“Okay I had some knowledge.”

“We sorta had an idea—call it a hunch.”

“It was just so sweet and sounded like a good idea—.”

Y/n falls backward onto the cushions with a dramatic sigh, “Lord have mercy.” She found herself in the hotel bar twenty minutes later with an ice water and some concoction she requested for her hangover. To her side she noticed a pretty blonde lady take a seat and order a gin martini. “Here’s to….” She inspected the drink with a frown before saluting the blonde, “here’s to you. Hopefully your life is not as complicated as mine.”

The lady gave a tight smile, “Thank you.”

God the drink smelled horrible, tasting exactly like something no one would drink unless it was the only source of hydration. Groaning, Y/n downed the contents in three gulps just wanting to get it over with, covering her mouth with a hand when it felt like it would come back up. “Excuse me,” she mumbled when an unpleasant sound escaped, resulting in the blonde giving a look of distaste. “I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.”

“Here’s you bill, Ms. L/n,” the bartender placed the receipt on the table for her signature.

“Thank you,” she quickly scribbled her name and passed it back along with a few bills for a tip, the blonde getting a good glance at it causing her eyes to go wide.

“You’re Y/n L/n?”

Taken aback, the author nodded shyly. “Yes.” She received a squeal from the woman.

“Oh my gosh! I was just reading your latest novel on the drive here!” She moved to the seat right next to Y/n. “And my agent told me about auditions coming up for the adaptation of your ‘Bridesmaids Chronicles’ series. Ah it’s fate!” Extending a hand, the blonde introduces herself, “I’m Marilyn Brooks.”

Over by the poolside Rooster approaches another woman resembling his ex-wife, muttering an apology when he sees it’s not her and bumps into almost every person he passes, “Sorry.”

“There you are, Bradley!” Marilyn’s father comes up to him while her mother takes his arm.

“Bradley, this resort is just beautiful. Don’t you think it’s perfect for the wedding?”

“I do,” he adjusts his collar, voice turning soft when his eyes cut across the pool to the woman descending the stairs. A smile appeared on his face, “Absolutely.”

It was her.

Anything Marilyn’s mother said went in one ear and out the other, the navy pilot excusing himself with an apology as he began to make his way around the pool. “Excuse me—sorry,” he dodged a man carrying towels before doing the same to another guest. “S-sorry,” his eyes stayed on Y/n, who was walking and taking in the scenery.

Not paying attention, Rooster stumbled over a cooler, which happened to be Jake’s. The two were seated on the beach chairs with Lila and Charlie, Ollie just off to the side looking flabbergasted as he took in his best friend’s ex. Nat looked at him in concern behind her sunglasses, “Bradshaw, you okay?”

“Yeah,” he turns to her briefly, causing him to collide with a pool boy,

“Sir!”

“Dad, watch out!” Lila’s shout had Y/n turn, gasping when she witnessed her ex-husband fall straight into the pool. Nat, Lila, and Ollie all gasped with her while Jake just took his phone out to video the whole thing. Y/n had to turn away when Rooster began swimming to the side she was on, ignoring all the looks he was receiving by his little spectacle.

The poor pilot was completely drenched head to toe. Y/n fidgeted as he approached, both smiling at each other nervously.

“Hey, Y/n/n.”

“Hello, Roo.”

Wiping at the water dripping from his eyebrow, Rooster moved closer causing a warm feeling to erupt in Y/n’s chest. Gosh he had changed—of course it had been 13 years, but Lord did he have to get even more attractive? And that damn mustache had her weak in the knees but thankfully she remained composed. “It’s good to see you.”

Getting straight to it, Bradley gave her a look once over, “It’s good to see you too….but is there something I’m missing here? You don’t seem too shocked to see me as I am to see you.” Squeezing the water from his shirt, “I mean it’s been thirteen years and—.”

“Dad,” a soft voice interrupts him, Rooster stunned when he sees who believes is Caroline standing beside Y/n. “I can explain why she’s here.”

“Caroline,” he says with caution, briefly glancing at the woman to see her reaction, “you know who this is?”

“I do.” She allows her natural accent to flow, “And actually, dad, I’m not Caroline….”

Coming on Y/n’s other side, Caroline grins at her father. “Hey, pops.”

The best word to describe Bradley’s face was astonishment and pure happiness. “Both of them?” He looks at the girl he came to the resort with, eyes shining a bit with the emotion filling him, “Lila?” Then he looks at her twin, “Caroline?”

“I’m not sure if it’s fate or you both just picked the most random summer camp to send your daughters too….but we met there and it wasn’t too hard to piece it together. You know besides looking identical there was the same birthday detail and the fact we were raised by one parent.”

“They switched places on us, Bradley,” Y/n put her arm around Caroline, beaming down at her.

Rooster looked at her stunned, but smiling nonetheless. “W-what? You mean I had Lila this whole time?”

“Well I wanted to know what you were like, and Caroline wanted to know mom—are you angry?”

He answered her with a big hug, “Oh darlin’ of course not,” he kissed the side of her head, not wanting to let her go. “I’m so happy—I can’t believe it’s you!” Pulling away he ran a hand over her cheek, in complete awe of her. “It’s been so long—you were so small the last time I saw you.”

“Well I’m all grown up now….and quite without a father,” she pulls away from him to stand next to Caroline.

“And I’m about to head into high school, where I’ll be one of the few to not relate to other girls arguing with their mother on the daily,” Y/n shakes her head with a chuckle at Caroline’s words.

“Care, you’ve been in New York this whole time?” At her nod he opens his arms, “C’mere kiddo.” After their hug Y/n politely requests a moment with Bradley, the teenagers giving sly looks as they walk away.

“No problem…take your time.”

The two take a seat on one of the beach chairs, Y/n asking for a first aid kit when she notices a cut to his forehead. As she tends to him, Rooster goes, “Jesus, both of them together? Wow, I can’t believe it—this is unreal,” he then raises a brow, “How long have you known?”

“Since yesterday morning,” she explained softly, gently wiping away the blood before dabbing it with rubbing alcohol. She apologizes when he winces. “My father figured it out the other night. Honestly I’m ashamed I didn’t suspect anything—I just thought Lila had come out of her shell after camp when she was thrilled to come to my meetings where there’d be new people. And before you ask, Caroline told me you knew I was coming. Obviously, we were both deceived.”

“Talk about karma,” Rooster chuckles, not shy of calling them out on what they did wrong. “We kinda deserve it.”

“I do,” she corrects with a tight smile. “It was my idea after all.”

“Yeah,” he leaned closer, connecting their eyes, “but I didn’t stop it from happening, Y/n/n.” Seeing her hand falter at the name, Rooster tilts his head, “What is it?”

“N-nothing,” she nervously laughs, turning away to grab a bandaid. “Uh—I-I haven’t heard that name in awhile.”

“Do you not like it anymore?”

“No, no! I do like it. My dad still calls me it from time to time,” she says, putting the bandaid on his forehead. “I guess it just feels different.”

“I get it,” he nods, offering a small smile. When she wasn’t looking he unconsciously let his eyes take her in for the first time. “You look good, Y/n/n.” That was a lie, she looked incredible. Like an actual angel before him with her white dress and soft curls.

Before she could respond Marilyn appeared, causing the two to jump back when they realized how close they were. Rooster went a little red while Y/n scratched the back of her neck.

“Finally there you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” The blonde said in relief, smile dropping slightly when she sees her fiancé with the renowned author, “Oh good you two met. Brad, this is the author of the series I was telling you about—the one I’m auditioning for….umm am I missing something?”

Glancing between the two, Y/n felt her heart sink at the realization the lady she met in the bar was the same woman she saw Bradley with in the elevator. His fiancé….who was in for the shock of her life when it was revealed not only were they married, but his daughter was a twin.

“Hey, Mare, great to see you again. I’m the Caroline you met at the beginning of summer. This is my twin, Lila. I was pretending to be her while she was pretending to be me,” she points to her sister before extending a hand to Y/n, voice full of pride. “And this is our mother, Y/n L/n.”

Everyone should have expected disaster to happen at some point in the weekend. The ex-wife, who Bradley may have had feelings for still, and the fiancé—who was keeping a secret of her own.

One that the girls discovered when they snatched her phone.

That night after the stunning reunion, the girls schemed their way into recreating the night their parents met. With the help of Jake, Nat, and Ollie, the group got Sonic milkshakes, Route 44s, and some food for the pair who they ordered to follow them to where they parked Rooster’s Bronco overlooking the beach.

“Clever girls,” Y/n chuckled, popping a tater tot in her mouth. “You see what they’re doing, right?”

“I do,” he laughed with her, “not a bad job if I must say. Though, we’re missing all the discarded baseball gear and beer cans.”

For about an hour the two talked in between bites of food. When the topic of their breakup came up, both tried to hide their regret as to not let the other see how it still affected them.

“It was your hairdryer,” Bradley said when Y/n asked if she had hurt him when she threw the object at him, unsure of what it was since the moment was a blur to her now. “Clipped me in the arm.”

Y/n looked away in embarrassment, though she did remind him of why she threw it, which then had the pilot frown in shame.

“But look at you now. New York Times Bestselling author, just like you wanted. It’s amazing, Y/n. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she gave a small smile. “It’s still surreal. And as much as I hate to admit it, it feels like it wouldn’t have happened had I stayed—even though I regret it.”

“You do?” he turned in his seat, tone unreadable though his eyes showed a different story. She didn’t look at him when she replied.

“I always had some regret. But because my dream came true I thought it was meant to happen. Leaving was the only way I could get it done. Then after discovering it was Caroline with me it all hit me full blast….I hurt her more than anything—and Lila. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself. Now it feels like everything that happened after that day wasn’t worth it because I lost a piece of myself.” Y/n sighs, looking up at the stars, “I was just so angry with you and by what that officer said. It felt like no one believed in me and in turn why should I believe in myself. So I did the only thing I could think of….and I packed.”

Turning to face Rooster, a solemn gaze took over, “And you…didn’t come after me.”

Rooster didn’t know what to say other than, “I thought you didn’t want me too.” He was astonished by her confession, thinking how everything could’ve been different had he listened to his brain screaming at him.

“Oh well,” she sipped her drink, “It doesn’t matter now. The past is the past. Let’s just put on a happy face for the girls and I’ll be out of your hair again.”

The rest of the night Rooster couldn’t think straight. While Y/n made the arrangements for what they should do about the twins, he just nodded and agreed. All he could think about was how he let her go and regretted it everyday since. Even when they arrived back at the hotel to their separate rooms he went to bed with the image of Y/n as the last thing he saw before sleep overtook him.

Y/n was checking out of the hotel when Rooster approached the counter. “So I’ll book Caroline’s flights for December and April.”

“And I’ll do the same for Lila in the summer,” she nodded, placing her bill from the concierge in her bag. When the girls arrived moments later, both parents were speechless by their matching outfits. “Girls, what is this?”

“Well, mom, we sorta came to an agreement. And we don’t feel like parting ways just yet.”

“Excuse me?” Y/n tilted her head at the teen who spoke. She thought it was Lila, but then again the woman wasn’t sure. They were hiding their necklaces to not give away who was who. “Lila, we don’t have time for this. Our plane leaves in four hours and I have a meeting with my publishers tomorrow.”

“Cancel them,” the other told her, making Y/n’s mouth part while Rooster’s eyes went wide.

“Caroline.”

“Yes,” they both answered.

Now the adults were becoming frustrated. “Girls, this is not funny. You’re gonna make your mother miss her flight—now stop this charade and tell us who is who.”

“Mannnn that’s pretty sad, huh,” the twin on the left voiced, “Can’t even tell your own daughters apart.” She received stern looks from her parents.

Going up to them Rooster leans down, putting his hands on his hips as he tries to tell them apart. Pointing a finger at the twin on the right, he smirks, “this is Caroline. I know that smirk anywhere.”

“Are you sure, dad?” the other twin says, plastering an identical smug expression. “You wouldn’t want to send the wrong twin to New York now?”

“Here’s what we want,” the one directly in front of Rooster states, “We want to go to Penny’s end of summer bash at the Hard Deck tomorrow night—you know, the one that happens every year. We go as a family, and once we do then we will say who’s Lila and who’s Caroline.”

Both parents look at each other flabbergasted. Then Y/n threatens, “Or I take one of you with me back to New York, regardless of who you are and that’s the end of it. Sounds good?” Nothing came of it, however, when Y/n pouted as she sat in the passenger seat of the rental car Ollie was driving until they made it to San Diego. Phoning Yolanda, her meeting was rescheduled and her flight was booked for Monday morning. They got lodging at an airbnb and settled for the night with both girls staying with Y/n on the promise they will stay with Bradley after the party.

Marilyn was not happy with the news of them staying an extra day. Having to deal with one daughter was one thing, but both twins had her head spinning. There was already high tensions with the teenagers, now throwing the ex-wife into the mix made things difficult for Marilyn when she was battling for Bradley’s attention. Not to mention all of Rooster’s friends didn’t like her.

Nerves raked the author when they arrived at the Hard Deck. It was her first time at the establishment and the only people she knew coming in were Nat and Jake. Ollie tagged along thankfully but then he was distracted by the adorableness that was Lt. Robert Floyd. Both girls dragged Y/n to all of Rooster’s friends, introducing the author with pride that made her chest warm.

“Oh hey guys,” Caroline giggled when the squad’s eyes bulged out at the sight of the three. “It’s me Caroline—the actual Caroline. That over there,” she points to her twin wearing a similar outfit only it was a Rolling Stones t-shirt and not The Beatles, “is my twin Lila, who y’all have been hanging out with the last two weeks. And this is our mom, Y/n L/n. Can’t believe dad fumbled such a bag.”

“Caroline,” Y/n scolded with a shake of the head, smiling when each of the guys introduced themself. “It’s nice to meet you all, the girls have told me all about you.”

“Wish we could say the same, ma’am,” Fanboy laughs, “We only know you from when Rooster gets drunk off his ass. Loose lips you know.” Y/n felt flustered by the comment, realizing Rooster still thought of her even after everything that happened.

Penny treated the author with a warm welcome, as did Maverick who both were surprised to see each other. “Oh my gosh, you’re Pete! You guys…you two rekindled?”

“We did,” he blushes, “took some time but it worked out. I’ve heard all about you, Y/n,” he gives an awkward shake of the shoulders, “He…told me everything about a year ago when it was the girls’ birthday.”

Everything seemed to be going well until the twins overheard Marilyn speaking ill of their mother. “She’s being a snake and you know it, Bradley! Ever since she got here there’s been an ulterior motive—and I bet you those kids are in on it,” she pointed a finger with a hiss.

“You’re being ridiculous, Marilyn,” Rooster’s tone takes another edge. “She hasn’t even spoken to me the entire night except to greet us when we arrived.”

“She doesn’t have to talk! It’s all in the looks and smiles! She’s a fucking romance author—of course she knows what to do to get someone’s attention. That’s how sad and desperate she is.”

By now Caroline had enough, bringing everyone’s attention to the scene when she yells, “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” In her peripheral vision she sees Y/n, Nat, and Penny stand from their seats, moving closer to where they were.

Rooster gives a warning look, “honey, this doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it does!” She ignores his disapproving eyes. “How dare she talk about mom like that?! You’re gonna let her speak about her that way—about the woman who gave birth to us?”

Lila steps up, glaring at the blonde, “Instead of worrying about mom, she should be worrying about who’s blowing up her phone wanting to know when to meet at the motel tonight.” They watch as all the color drains from Marilyn’s face. Rooster turns to his fiancé, confused and demanding an answer.

“What is she talking about?”

“I-I—she’s. Bradley, there’s nothing—.”

Caroline cuts her off, “Who’s Colonel Mustard?” Again Marilyn goes pale, though there’s anger in her eyes. “What a code name, Mare. I guess I better refer to his actual name, you know. Does the name Admiral Patrick Cross ring a bell?” She mocks, “oh yeah, he’s dad’s married boss at Top Gun and she’s been sending naked pictures to him all weekend.”

Gasps sounded all around, Ollie, Nat and Penny slapping a hand to their mouth where the squad and Mav all went, “oh shit!” Y/n looked at her daughters stunned before glancing at Bradley to see his reaction. The man was in disbelief, staring at Marilyn with unreadable eyes.

The blonde saw red. “You little bitch!” Before she could stop herself her hand came up and slapped the teen across the face, leaving a nice print in its wake along with a scratch from when her fake nail dragged against the skin.

Now Y/n saw red. Literally Kill Bill alarms blaring.

Marilyn screamed when her jaw snapped to the side full force from the impact of Y/n’s fist. The author had pulled her by the hair to turn her around, nearly ripping out her extensions. Blood coated Marilyn’s mouth, and a tooth even fell out by how hard Y/n had punched her. Before another blow could be landed the woman was pulled back, fighting against the hold from Ollie and Nat, “Touch my daughter again and see what fucking happens bitch—I’ll cut your fucking eye out!” While she was being dragged to the back patio to prevent from committing a crime, Marilyn ran out the front door with Rooster chasing after her.

Tears in their eyes the twins raced to their mom. When they got outside they saw her shaking the first that was no doubt throbbing. Ollie was trying to talk her down, all while complimenting how badass she was. “Oh honey,” she saw Caroline, moving to hold her. Telling Penny to bring out two ice packs, the woman brushed her uninjured hand against the teen’s cheek. It flared her anger more, wishing she could go beat the shit out of that cunt. “My sweet girl, are you okay?

“I’m fine, mom,” Caroline whimpered, sniffing when Y/n wiped the tear that fell. Her face stung and there would likely be a mark but she didn’t care. All she could feel was warmth and happiness by how her mom stood up for her. Looking at her first, the teen frowned at the discoloration. “Are you okay?”

Penny came out with the ice packs, handing one to Y/n and Caroline. “I’m fine—at least right now because my adrenaline is pumping. Give me a few more minutes and I could be in debilitating pain but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Glancing over the deck, Y/n’s face fell slightly. “Where’s your father?”

“He went after the witch,” Lila said with distaste. Caroline mirrored her expression, both twins disappointed with Rooster. The reaction had Y/n take a deep breath, controlling the anger rising which nearly snapped when the man slid open the doors of the patio and walked toward them.

“Not now, Bradley.”

“Y/n, listen to me—.”

“You went after her, dad,” Caroline sniffed, glaring up at him. “What the hell?”

“Not in the way you think, honey,” he leaned down to cup her face, careful of the mark. It was taking everything in him to remain composed. Just moments before when he was ending things with his now ex-fiancé, Rooster had to remember she was a woman and not to lose it even though she had just laid her hands on his daughter. Had she been a man….well there would be an ambulance called. “I only went after her to tell her to get her crap out of the house and expect charges for assault to be on her doorstep.”

Now that had them speechless. “Really?”

“Yeah, kiddo. And I’m so sorry,” he kissed her forehead, moving to hug her and opening his arm for Lila to join. “Thank you both for what you did. I owe you two for saving me.” He feels them laugh against his chest, the pilot lifting his gaze to settle on Y/n. She has a smile on her face, blushing when they look eyes. At her wince he notices her hand was now black and blue. “You should get that looked at.”

“Oh It’s fine—,” she tried to deflect but he wouldn’t have it.

“That looks broken, Y/n,” he gently moves the girls to the side so he can inspect it. The woman makes a pained sound when his fingers try to turn it. “Yeah, we’re going to urgent care right now.”

“Bradley—.”

“No excuses. Girls, let’s go.” He almost wanted to laugh at the pout on Y/n’s face, hauling her to the Bronco before speeding off to the nearest urgent care. The entire way she tried saying she was fine, but the pained expression every time she moved her hand in the slightest gave away that she was in fact not fine. The girls couldn't help but giggle at the way the adults were bickering. Like they were still married.

With a diagnosed fracture and cast on her wrist, Y/n felt butterflies in her stomach when they returned to the beach house for the girls to get their things. They would spend the final night at Rooster’s before Y/n and Ollie would pick Lila up in the morning in time for their flight. While the girls were upstairs, Y/n and Bradley sat on the deck, neither not knowing what to say.

“What time do you take off?”

“A quarter till nine,” she replied, keeping her eyes on the waves in front of her. She felt him come to her side, so close she smelled his cologne that if she closed her eyes, it would put her back in 2006. “It’s a straight shot thankfully—no layovers.”

“That’s good,” he muttered, head spinning with a million things he wanted to say but couldn’t form the words. Part of him just wanted to confess he still loved her. That he never stopped. That they should try to kick things back off. But then he thought about how their lives went. Here he was a Top Gun instructor in San Diego, and she was a bestselling author in New York.

Rooster thought of her stories. He read every single one on the market the day they dropped, feeling the heartbreak in him every time he flipped through the pages of her second novel that he knew was loosely based on their story. He remembered crying at the end when he finished it the first time. It was the only one without a happy ending.

All the books were hidden in his closet, but at least once a year Rooster would pick up one and read the beautiful words Y/n wrote. He was so proud of her, but didn’t know how to say it.

“Roo—.”

“Y/n/n—.” Both chuckled nervously when they tried speaking at the same time.

“You go,” she insisted. Wiping a sweating hand on his pants, Rooster took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” he exhaled. “For what I said to you that night. And for not standing up for you like I should have,” his face was full of regret. “I was more worried about my job than you—a-and it was wrong of me to do so. I made you feel like your talent wasn’t worthy, that you’d never make it as an author and I’m so fucking sorry for saying that. You are an amazing writer and you deserve everything that has come from it. Your books are incredible, Y/n. Every one of them.”

Y/n feels her throat tighten, voice going small, “Y-you—you’ve read them?”

“Every single one,” he confesses, making her whimper slightly by the emotion erupting in her chest. “On their release day. And I read them in one sitting.”

Y/n’s heart was soaring. Never did she think he’d read her books, let alone buy them the day they came out. His confession was making it harder for her to let him go again. “Roo…” she whispers, eyes glistening as he moves closer to her.

They stared at each other for a moment. No words came out but in their looks was everything they needed to know. The love they thought had left years ago resurfaced in just a few days.

Right as it looked like Rooster was about to lean down, the sound of a car filled their ears, causing Y/n to drop her head. “That would be Ollie.” Rooster nods, disappointment filling him as he slowly backs away to enter the house, but not before giving her one last look to see her wiping her eyes. Y/n gives the twins a kiss on the head before waving goodbye when they leave. Now that he was home, Ollie wanted to know everything he missed—jaw dropping when Y/n admitted they nearly kissed.

“Why didn’t you!?’

“Because, Ollie!” She says dramatically, “four hours ago the man was engaged and may I remind you, we’ve been broken up for over a decade. Why the hell would I let him kiss me when there is no chance something would come out of it.”

“You don’t know that, Y/n,” Ollie comes around the kitchen island, wine glass in hand. “Look, you may not have seen it but my eyes know what I saw this whole weekend. And it was a man who wants to sweep you off your feet and take you to the nearest chapel.”

“Ollie—.”

“Did you not see his reaction when you clocked that bitch? My God it looked like he was about to pop a semi.” Y/n put her free hand to her face, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. The whole moment at the bar was a blur to her from the moment she saw that wrench put her hand on Caroline. It was all a haze until she was outside dealing with a throbbing hand. Barely did Y/n look at Rooster, she was focused on her daughter.

“Noooo, I did not see his reaction, Ollie. I was too busy dealing with the fact I was about to commit bloody murder.”

“Well I can assure, babe, that your sexy pilot of an ex was wanting to throw you over his shoulder and take you to bed. After of course making sure sweet Caroline was okay.” Setting down his wine glass, he gives her a stern look, “Tell me the truth, do you still love him?”

“It’s complicated—.”

“It’s a yes or no, Y/n.”

“What exactly do you want me to say,” she threw her hand out, “that yes I’m still hopelessly hung over him and wish I could go back and time to stop myself from leaving? That seeing him this weekend made me feel like a twenty-two year old girl again? That I have envisioned everyday since Caroline told me about the switch, that maybe we could pick things off where we left?” They were all rhetoric questions, Ollie allowing her to rant as tears threatened her eyes. “Of course I do—to all of the above. But this isn't one of my books, Ollie, this is real life—a-and his life is here while mine is in New York. I don’t want to leave that and how should I expect him to leave all of what he has built here for me?” Sniffing, Y/n looks away with a hand to her chin, whispering, “It’s why I left in the first place.”

The rest of the night the two packed the rental car so it was ready for the morning and watched cheesy rom-coms since neither could really sleep. They got maybe four hours on the couch, but soon their alarm woke them up to start the day. Y/n called Lila to make sure she was awake and ready before showering herself, putting on a simple outfit for the flight.

It was a heartfelt goodbye when they arrived at Roosters home. Caroline held onto Y/n for almost five minutes, the woman promising to call her everyday so she could hear how the teens' day. They spoke of excitement for the holidays with Y/n promising to take her and Lila skating around the big tree and to celebrate New Year’s in Time Square. Not too far from them Lila was held by Rooster, the teen lightly crying when they pulled away.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” He tells her, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Maybe sooner than you think, Lila darlin’.” She doesn’t think much of the comment, only nodding up at him before embracing Caroline when approaches. Together the girls walk to the car with the adults watching as Ollie gives a hug to Caroline.

“You take care of yourself, Y/n/n,” Rooster places a hand on her shoulder, “and hope you two have a safe flight.”

“Thank you,” she tells him, offering a tight smile. “And I will.” He surprises the author when his lips gently press against her forehead, squeezing her hand after it had fallen from her shoulder to hold it. They share one last look, Y/n nodding to him before walking up to the car. She and Caroline share one more embrace, Y/n kissing the teen’s head with Caroline shutting the door of the car behind her. Waving through the window, Y/n blows her a kiss as Ollie presses on the gas. Soon Rooster and Caroline grow smaller in the rear view mirror, the distance growing by the second until finally they disappear when they turn the corner onto the freeway.

On the plane Lila barely talks. She’s either nose deep in the book she bought at one of the airport shops, headphones in, or looking out the window with absolute silence. Y/n tries to have a conversation, but eventually gives up knowing her daughter needed some time. The only response she received when assuring Lila the holidays were around the corner was a sad nod. Within hours the sunny skies of California turn into gloomy clouds of New York. Rainfall greeted them as they stepped out of the airport, finding their Uber quickly to beat the afternoon rush. It took maybe an hour for them to get home from JFK, Y/n frowning when she saw Lila wipe a tear away.

Ollie was dropped off at his home first, waving to them with the promise of seeing them later for dinner. Dropping their stuff in the foyer, they call out to Y/n’s parents. “Mom? Dad?” “Gran? Grandpa?”

“I’ll check the study,” Y/n moves to the room her dad spent most of his day in. A smile appeared when she entered to see the morning’s newspaper in his hands.

Or so she thought was her dad’s hands.

Leaning against the door, Y/n spoke with a soft voice, “Hey, stranger, we’re back?”

The paper dropped to the desk, revealing a beaming Caroline in a flight suit sitting in the chair. Y/n’s jaw dropped, hand going to her chest. Caroline gave a cheeky look, “Hey, mom, did you know an F-18 can get you here in a quarter of the time compared to a commercial jet?”

All she could do was nod back slowly, feeling her heart pound against her chest. “Y-yes, I-I’ve heard. What—.” Upon her gasp when she saw Caroline, Lila raced into the study, matching the expression of her mother.

“Care! What are you doing here?”

The twin rose from the chair, “Hope you don’t mind us crashing in. But, it took us less than a minute after you guys left for us to realize we didn’t want to lose you both again.”

Y/n almost stumbled as she took a step into the study, “W-we?”

Caroline’s gaze drifted to the other entrance of the room, where Rooster appeared in his own flight suit, eyes locked on Y/n, “We.” He heard her make a sound, the hand on her chest going to her mouth. “My biggest regret was letting you walk away that day, Y/n. I’m not gonna make that mistake again. And I promise to never make you feel like you aren’t worthy of something—because you are worthy of everything you set your mind to. And I’m gonna make sure you know that everyday.”

Y/n started to feel the emotion bile in her throat, shaking her head slightly to stay strong. “A-and I suppose you just expect me to fall into your arms like I did all those years ago,” she saw a smile form on the corner of his lips, the man slowly moving closer to her with a knowing look. “And cry hysterically saying we can figure this whole thing out and have a long-distance relationship with our girls being raised here and there,” he continues to move closer, making Y/n’s heart pump faster. “—and we just pick up where we left off…with the promise of growing old together and…”

By now Rooster was directly in front of her, gaze full of love and adoration. She forgot what she was about to say, getting lost in his eyes, “oh come on, Roo. Is this supposed to be a happily ever after?”

“Yes,” he cupped her face in his hands, thumbs caressing her cheeks that were warm and damp. “To all of it, Y/n/n. You write happily ever afters for a living, now it’s time for you to have your own.” He smirks adding, “Except you don’t have to cry hysterically, baby.”

That nickname combined with the offer had the tears rolling down her cheeks, Y/n nodding weakly against his palms, “Oh yes I do.” The last word was met with his mouth pressed against hers, fireworks erupting all over her body. Letting her eyes flutter shut, Y/n’s hands moved to the back of his neck to deepen the kiss, feeling Rooster smile causing her to do the same.

Behind them their daughters were holding back their squeals, Lila falling dramatically onto the sofa while Caroline leaned against the bookshelf, “I can’t believe we actually did it!” They eventually moved out of the study to allow the pair some privacy, all the while they never broke the kiss until needing air but kept their mouths close.

“Wait a moment,” she ran her hands along his flight suit, “Did you steal an F-18 so you could get here before me to come confess your love—and had our daughter in the backseat?”

He gives a shrug, grinning wide, “Maybe.”

“Isn’t that illegal?” She looks at him like he grew two heads. “And how does Caroline—.”

“Well actually Mav helped me out,” his arms went around her waist, pulling her against him. “We got special permission—so don’t worry I won’t be arrested anytime soon. As for Care, Fanboy and Bob have been teaching her a thing or two about being a backseater. I think she’s getting the hang of it.”

“Oh my lord,” Y/n closes her eyes before laughing at the whole situation. Rooster laughs with her, nuzzling his head into her neck. “You are an impossible man, Bradley Bradshaw.”

“Only for you, Y/n L/n.

Six months later……

Y/n wiped the sweat from her forehead, pressing the enter button with a huff of victory. The glasses were removed from her face, leaning against the back of her chair to give her body the much needed stretch. When her arms extended out to relax the tense muscle, the diamond ring on her finger sparkled against the light. The sight made her smile, eyes going back to the words on the screen.

A knock on the door sounded seconds later, “Come in.” Gently opening, Rooster appeared with a mug of steaming coffee, his own wedding band reflecting as he shut the door. “Hey you.”

“Hey yourself,” he winks, coming to put the mug on her coaster before leaning down to kiss her lips. “Lila called, the two are staying after school for a club meeting.” Y/n thanks him for the coffee, nodding at his words with a knowing look.

“I take it pizza is the move then tonight?”

Rooster chuckles, “Unless you want me to whip up some pasta, but I gotta warn you it’s not gonna be anywhere near what you get in town. Although not to toot my own horn, my spaghetti is pretty damn good. At least that’s what Caroline tells me.”

“Oh goodness, well I can eat anything at this point,” she sighs dramatically, “Or maybe we can tell them to meet us at Milo’s. I think a celebration is in order.” Rooster tilts his head confused, but then smiles at the word doc on the screen.

“You finished?”

“Yes,” she beams. “Well I finished the draft. I plan to edit it myself first before sending it off….but it’s done.”

“That’s amazing, baby,” he kisses her cheek, gesturing for her to get up so he could sit and have her in his lap. “I’m so proud of you. You got that done in a record time. Didn’t you just start that—not even a month ago?” Y/n nods shyly.

“I had a lot of inspiration. The words just flew out honestly—Yolanda is gonna have a field day.”

Rooster gets a glimpse of the last paragraph causing a smile to appear on his lips. Respecting her writer's privacy he didn’t ask much about the novel when she started writing it, only when she discussed it on her own terms. He could see the excitement in her eyes, warmth in his veins by how happy she was and couldn’t wait to read it when she finished. “May I ask what inspired this book, Y/n/n? Although, I do have a funny feeling.” Y/n didn’t have to answer, her bashful smile was enough to tell him everything. “Have you thought of a title yet?”

Glancing to her screen, Y/n read over the final paragraph stopping at the words in bold THE END. Her readers were gonna freak out when it would be announced she’s coming out with a sequel to her second released book, the one responsible for her receiving fan mail with them begging for her to continue the story. To give the characters their happy ending.

She just needed her happy ending first.

The story was being written in real time.

“I was bouncing between a couple, but I think I have it,” she faces her husband, grinning as the name slips off her tongue. It was what Lila and Caroline had coined when Y/n came to them about the book.

“I think I’m gonna call it….The Parent Trap.”

……………….

TGM Tag List: @avaleineandafryingpan, @caitsymichelle13, @poppyalice2001, @cutelittlepotatofry, @luckyladycreator2, @americaarse, @elenavampire21, @back-tooo-black

#bradley bradshaw imagine #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #bradley rooster bradshaw #lt bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster imagine #rooster x reader #rooster fanfiction #bradley bradshaw x y/n #Bradley bradshaw fluff #Bradley bradshaw angst #top gun maverick imagine #top gun maverick fanfiction #top gun imagine #tgm imagine #bradley bradshaw x female reader #top gun fluff #miles teller characters

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knifedancer · 6 months

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The Kissing Booth

Marinette's class opts to run a kissing booth for their school fair fundraiser. Unfortunately Chloe drops out at the last minute and Marinette is selected to replace her. She's really uncomfortable with being a 'kisser' at the booth but then something unexpected happens...

Also posted on AO3.

“I don’t know about this, Alya!” Marinette anxiously tugged on the fabric that would be her blindfold for the next hour. It was canary yellow with little bees and flowers embroidered on it. She had handmade one for each participant.

“Come on, girl! You agreed to the kissing booth idea when we were planning what our school fair project would be,” Alya replied.

“But I didn’t plan to participate! This is so humiliating,” the bluenette bit her lip as she mentally panicked. “Why did Chloe have to back out at the last possible minute?”

The other girl shook her head, “Doesn’t matter. Don’t you see? This is your chance! You’ve been in love with Adrien since collège and we’re in lycée now. You’re no longer that short, awkward classmate that tripped over herself in Sunshine’s presence. He’ll kiss you and it’ll be magical. You’ll get married and have three kids and a hamster named—”

“Marinette, it’s your turn at the booth!” Rose’s excited voice called out from the other side of the curtain. The girl in question felt the pit of her stomach drop at the pronouncement, being overtaken by nerves.

“Look, I pulled some strings so you won’t be scheduled for the same hour as Adrien. That way he can come and support you instead of being tied up at the other side of the booth from you. Now get out there!” Alya shoved her from the small prep area they had curtained off and towards the back entry.

Marinette knew the booth set up by heart as she had helped design and build it. It was a long chute with two aisles that led to a set of booths where a male and female student would stand. Both booths were separated by a barrier and an exit curtain would lead the attendees away. Six students in total had signed up to be participants, equally split between sexes, and all had to be eighteen to avoid extra approval paperwork with the school. A few student staff members would stand at the entryway, before the two aisles diverged, to collect the required entry fee. Next to the entry was a bulletin board where the current participants’ photos would be posted. Participants would sit or stand at the booth while blindfolded, kissing whoever approached. They had set the whole thing up to keep things as anonymous as possible so that other students wouldn’t feel pressured to go one way or another, avoiding embarrassment, and keep from any awkwardness happening after in school.

It had been a good plan but Chloe, who had initially volunteered, had decided to flake out at the last possible moment. It left them in a lurch as they needed another female student to take her place and there were very few girls in the class that were eighteen that were willing to fill in: Juleka and Marinette. The Adrienette club, consisting of their various friends from Bustier’s old class, had tapped the designer to do it. She was very uncomfortable with the idea and expressed her desire not to participate – she hadn’t even had her first real kiss yet! No, she didn’t count the ones as Ladybug! – but they were adamant. They had brushed off her concerns without a second thought. It didn’t help when they heaped on the guilt about not being able to reach their fundraising goal for their class trip without their sixth person. Railroaded into accepting, the bluenette had been barely holding back a panic attack ever since.

The Ladyblogger gestured for her to take a seat on the stool and helped her put on the blindfold. “Alright, there you are! Now…I know you’re nervous but don’t worry about it! You’re going to be fine! But, if it helps, I’m your first customer,” with that, Alya gave her a friendly peck on the cheek that caused them both to laugh. “Don’t worry, you got this.” With that, she turned Marinette towards the front of the booth and exited the area, leaving the girl alone.

The young designer sat and wondered who might come to her side of the booth. With her luck, Adrien wouldn’t come at all. Not that she was necessarily hoping for that outcome. She had been waiting for three years for him to notice her, three years to figure out a way to tell him how she felt, three years of helping him with dates or gifts for other girls… Was someone worth waiting for that never noticed you or thought of you as anything more than a friend? She wanted to matter to someone! Marinette had resolved herself to let the silly crush go. She had grown into herself since making that decision, becoming more confident and outgoing, losing her stutter, as well as finally gaining a little height (170cm). She was finally taller than her maman! Plus the physical exertion she experienced as Ladybug left her with athletic, lean muscles stretched over a pear-shaped frame. She wasn’t as curvy as Alya or Mylene, but she was happy with her more feminine curves. Even with all those changes, Adrien had still not noticed her, so she felt more assured than ever that she made the right choice.

An hour of time can pass in a blink of an eye or feel like a lifetime. For Marinette, it was the latter. After a little while, she found herself still sitting alone. She had propped her elbows up onto the small counter of the booth and rested her head on her hand. The walls themselves were not very thick so she knew Kim, who was sharing other side of the booth for the hour, had received several customers. Satisfied ones at that, if the moans and giggling were any indication.

‘Jeez, Kim… I’d tell you to get a room but you actually have one already…,’ she thought to herself as she blushed from a particularly raunchy noise. ‘Guess I didn’t have anything to worry about, no one really wants to kiss me.’ Tears pricked at her eyes behind the blindfold at that thought. Not that she wanted to be kissed by any random person, especially for her first kiss, but it still wounded her feelings a little. Almost every girl worries that she could be unattractive, Marinette was no exception.

And so, time passed awkwardly accentuated by muffled noises from next door. When it got closer to the end of the hour, Marinette could hear a commotion towards the entryway but could not make out what was being said. She could vaguely hear Alya questioning someone, but the response was lost on the bluenette. She wished she was up there instead, handling angry customers had become second nature to her from all her years working at her parents’ bakery. Anything was better than just sitting here!

Within a few minutes the commotion outside had stopped and she could hear footsteps approaching. “Miss Dupain-Cheng, your hour has finished. It is time for Miss Kubdel’s shift. I have come to retrieve you,” came the familiar voice of Felix. Adrien’s cousin was still the haughty boy he always had been but had mellowed out enough to participate in class fundraisers. Like Marinette, he had also gone through changes over the last three years. While Adrien had the height and strong shoulders, he had taken more after his mother – a lithe form with lean muscles. It turned out for the best, allowing the model to take on more androgynous looks that appealed to Gabriel’s larger audience. Felix had grown to over 180cm, developed broad shoulders and a bulkier muscular structure, and began styling his hair in a shorter version of the Harvard Cut. He still wore the same formal clothes but now had the stature to match his superior attitude. He certainly cut an intimidating figure.

Marinette untied her blindfold, sliding from the booth to join him by the exit curtain. She rubbed her eyes with a stretch, feeling stiff from sitting for so long. “Thanks, Felix. That was a long hour! How did we do on fundraising so far?”

“It appears we made our goal,” he replied blandly.

“Wow, really? Mon Dieu, I guess Kim was really popular!” Felix seemed to stiffen at her statement but did not say anything. “At least whatever we raise from the third shift can be used in our rainy-day fund.”

Felix, ever the gentleman, lifted the curtain aside for her and she nodded her thanks. They politely parted ways – he back to the front to monitor security and money handling practices; Marinette back towards their classroom to grab her wallet so she could enjoy the rest of the fair. Walking among the booths, she selected a one serving a delicious pasta before moving on to the crafts areas. Everyone was so creative and excited!

Her perusal of some bracelets was cut short when someone tugged hard on her elbow. Catching herself from falling over, she looked over to find a very frustrated red head. “Hey Alya, what’s up?”

“Girl, what is going on between you and Felix? Because he made a huge scene earlier at the booth!”

“What scene? There’s nothing going on between us, you know that…,” came Marinette’s puzzled reply.

Alya led her away from the busy booth areas and towards a quieter corner, pulling out her phone and presenting it to her friend. “Here. Watch the video I took during your shift.”

~~~ The Video ~~~

The camera shook as it came into focus on the entryway to the kissing booth. A small crowd of students had gathered near the bulletin to see who was participating and the schedule of kissers for the day. Ivan and Juleka were standing next to the collection box that they would add to as students approached. Suddenly a male student walked back through the entry and angrily huffed as he left, followed by another and another. Some asked for their money back but were otherwise either disappointed or angry looking as they left.

“What the heck is going on…,” came Alya’s disembodied voice as the video began progressing into the entryway. First down Kim’s area, where one could clearly see the jock lip-locked with a guy in a ponytail and red football jersey. Then the camera traveled back up the chute and into the other side.

There, Alya encountered a small crowd of agitated students that were stopped. Pushing through, Felix’s towering form was seen at the front. He had planted himself in the middle of the chute, arms crossed, glaring down anyone that dared to pass him. When one brave boy tried to step around him, Felix appeared to snarl something, too low to be heard by the camera, before the unknown boy paled and backed off. “Any other takers?” Felix asked the crowd calmly, staring them all down. “No? Then please leave.”

“Hey! You can’t stop paying customers… I want a kiss from the hottie in the photo!”

“Yeah, I want a kiss too!”

“I wouldn’t mind more than a kiss, if you know what I mean!”

“Ooooh!”

“Not before I get my turn with her!”

“It’s not like she belongs to you, man!”

Many in the crowd echoed similar sentiments, not noticing the darkening countenance of the tall young man in front of them. Felix uncrossed his arms and advanced, looming over the first student that insinuated getting more than a kiss from Marinette. The crowd’s mutterings had fallen silent, those in the front trembled or shivered from the look on Felix’s face. He seemed to exude a deadly aura, even the light in the room seemed to dim in his proximity.

“Excuse me? Who do you think you are, you sexist guttersnipe? It appears your parents raised you to think of women as merely playthings to be owned or used,” he slowly looked around, making sure to glare into the eyes of all those present. “You all disgust me. The person down this chute is a respectable, hard-working, intelligent young lady that does not deserve your slimy paws or ghastly thoughts directed toward herself. I will not let you proceed. Regardless of gender, none of you are worthy of her time. Leave immediately or…,” his voice seemed to growl with malice, “I’ll make you leave.”

The crowd dispersed back to the front with nothing more than upset mutterings. The recording drew closer to Felix, who had turned to look with mild interest. “What do you think you are doing? We’re trying to run a kissing booth here!”

“I know, Césaire, and I have a booth to protect,” he replied nonchalantly.

“By what, scaring off all our customers?!” Alya questioned angrily.

“Alya, I’m sure there’s a good reason Felix did that,” came Adrien’s soothing voice. He must have either joined in the investigation or split off from the crowd that had been excused.

“Quite right, cousin. Miss Dupain-Cheng was incredibly uncomfortable about the prospect of performing at the booth as a participant today. No one should be forced to do something that they do not want,” Felix remarked as if schooling a student that had asked a dumb question.

“Excuse you? Marinette didn’t have an issue! She would have told me!” came the blogger’s offended cry.

“Yeah, Felix. Besides, it’s not hurting anyone!” Adrien contributed.

The emerald eyes of the boy in front of them flashed and narrowed on them. “Did you even bother to ask Marinette how she felt? Or, knowing you two, bother to listen?” Felix crossed his arms and stood straight again, taking advantage of the additional 5cm he had over Adrien to now loom over the two friends. “Let me take your silence as a no. You didn’t ask, you didn’t listen. You pressured her until she agreed and then forced her to partake in an activity that she did not want to do in the first place.”

“But she…we didn’t think…,” began the other blond, cowering from his cousin. From his stance one could almost imagine a cat with its tail tucked between its legs while in the presence of a larger predator.

“That’s right, you didn’t think, cousin. You’re both no better than the ignoramuses I have been chasing off. You assigned me security for the day and that’s what I’m doing. Her welfare matters more than your ridiculous kissing booth,” he responded coldly.

“And how are we supposed to make up the money that we just lost to refunds? That had to be at least two dozen you chased off!” Alya questioned, clinging to her anger.

Felix clicked his tongue, looking less deadly than before but no less commanding. “Forty-two in total were sent away. If you’re concerned about the money, then I will pay triple for all the kisses Miss Dupain-Cheng was to give today.”

The camera had picked up Alya and Adrien’s choke at the statement but, before they could reply, Felix pointedly looked at his wristwatch. “Seems the hour is up. I will escort Miss Dupain-Cheng out to make sure she is not bothered by any lingering riffraff. I will join you at the front of the booth to settle the payment after.” With that he turned and walked down the chute towards the booth area.

“What the hell was that abou—,” Alya’s voice was cut off with the end of the recording.

~~~ Back to Present ~~

Marinette stood stunned as her friend took back her phone. She had never seen Felix be so protective before! Especially of her! She pressed a hand to her heart as it raced in her chest, hearing the blood pumping loudly in her ears.

“So? Did he say anything to you?” Alya demanded.

“No…he didn’t say anything about that…,” the girl replied slowly. “All he said was that we reached our goal…”

“Damn right we did, because he paid triple the rate for every person he turned away,” her friend exclaimed. Then her face changed to one of concern, “Was what he said true? Were you not comfortable participating as a kisser?”

Marinette winced and looked down, mumbling, “Yeah… I didn’t want to participate but none of you seemed to listen… I’ve been on the verge of a panic attack since yesterday and it was a relief when no one came to kiss me during my shift.”

Alya threw her arms around her and hugged tight, her tone contrite, “I’m so, so sorry! I should have listened to you. Can you forgive me?”

The designer returned the hug with a small smile, “Done. Just don’t push me into these things again, okay?”

They pulled apart with a giggle of agreement, the bespectacled girl grabbed her shoulders and looked curious. “So…Felix really didn’t say anything to you? Did you tell him how uncomfortable you were?”

“No, nothing…,” Marinette replied confusedly, replaying his words from the video in her mind. Her heart began to race again; she needed to talk to him! She glanced down at her phone to check the time, noting that he should be helping with the tear down right now. “Alya, I gotta go. Call me later, yeah?”

With that, she took off running. She summoned every Ladybug reflex she had and dashed through the throngs of people that still drifted between the food and craft stalls. She finally made it back to the booth location and looked around, not seeing the tall blond anywhere. Marinette approached Ivan, “Have you seen Felix?”

“Uh…yeah, I think he was taking the collection box back to the classroom,” he replied. “Good work today, by the way! I heard you were the big money maker!”

Marinette blushed and took off again, heading towards the main building. She slid to a stop at the classroom door and threw it open with a loud bang. Felix looked up from his task with a glare before realizing it was her. “Would you please close the door? I should have locked it while I was counting but didn’t think anyone else would come in here.”

She gingerly closed and locked the door, unsure how to proceed with this conversation. “Felix… Alya told me what happened at the booth earlier.”

The blond stiffened and sat back in his chair; he pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “I see. I’m sorry if I overstepped—”

“No, no, you did the right thing! It’s just...,” Marinette pulled at her fingers as sought out what to say. “How did you know I was uncomfortable? I mean…the rest didn’t seem to notice and…”

As she rambled incoherently, Felix had gotten up and approached the table in front of her. He sat on the edge of the desk and sighed, “I notice everything about you, Marinette.”

Marinette met his eyes with a jolt, staring into them as if trying to figure out her lucky charm. “Why?” was all she could manage, her voice taking on a fragile tone.

“In these three or so years that we’ve attended school together, I’ve grown to respect and admire you.” The blond’s voice dropped to a quiet, humble murmur, “Because you matter to me more than you could ever know.”

Not breaking eye contact, she stepped forward into his personal space. She reached out her right hand and hesitated, watching to make sure he was comfortable with it, before settling it on his left pectoral. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her fingers, pounding the same tempo as her own. His eyes were wide with surprise and she could hear his fingers gripping the edge of the desk so tightly that it creaked in protest.

“…Part of the reason I was so uncomfortable today was because I’ve never been kissed before,” she stated hesitantly. She noted the way the muscles in his chest seemed to tense beneath her hand at the confession. “For a long time, I thought it was just because no one was interested in me...” She saw his brow furrow and lips open as if to refute her statement, but Felix stopped when she applied just a little pressure.

“I think I was actually just waiting for the right person,” her hopeful blue eyes met his stare. She was scared of being rejected but, as soon as she saw how he had reacted in the video, she knew she had to take the chance. Because he had somehow wheedled his way into her heart without her noticing. “Felix, I…”

The boy’s hands released the table and one reached up to gently cup her cheek, as if holding a precious jewel. The other came to rest over her hand on his chest. He gazed into her eyes; she watched as something seemed to melt in their depths. Her left hand came up to cover the one on her face, leaning into it with a small smile. Marinette had never felt so safe and treasured. She could feel his heartbeat pick up slightly. Felix looked down at her lips as he leaned in, stopping just as their noses touched. She knew he would not proceed without her consent. They made exhaled a shared shaky breath, as if under great strain, before she closed the distance for him.

His lips were warm and slightly chapped from being in the sun all day, but she had never felt anything so soft before. His lips moved against her own and she eagerly matched his rhythm. The hand on her cheek traveled down to her lower back and pulled her close, her body fitting perfectly between his thighs and against his broad frame. Her hand, now free, moved to the back of his neck and toyed with the soft short hairs there. They kept the kiss languid and gentle, neither wanting to push too far.

When they finally broke away, their faces had matching ruddy complexions. She gently bumped her nose against his, reveling in their new found intimacy. Felix chuckled and wrapped his arms loosely around her, keeping her against his chest but making sure she didn’t feel trapped. Marinette felt some of her old anxieties creeping in. “Was…was that okay?”

“More than okay, my dear. I admit, I am not versed in the art of kissing either. But, if you so desire, I would be willing to practice with you…,” Felix offered slyly, leaning in to nuzzle her neck. “Perhaps for the rest of our lives?”

Her breathing hitched at the implications of his words. Marinette imagined what a life shared with him would be like, the joy and warmth, the teasing and banter, protected and treasured… She felt an overwhelming sense of rightness at the prospect. She must have been lost in thought for too long because Felix leaned back with a look of concern.

“Marinette, I didn’t mean to make the assumption—” he was cut off by her finger to his lips. She smiled at his expectant but shocked face.

“Less talking, more practice, hot stuff.” Felix broke into a grin then happily pulled her into another kiss. The second of many in their future.

Afterall, he had paid for them…

~~~Author's Note:

"Best investment I ever made." - Felix, on his wedding day.

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angryschnauzer · 1 year

Text

As Sweet As Honey - Chapter 5

Summary: Finding a new life in a new town, you stumble upon a Honey farmer at the town market. You both have pasts that have shaped the way you now live your lives, but can you find a way of putting them behind you to find happiness?

Pairing: ‘Lucas’ Syverson x Female Reader

Fandom: Henry Cavill, Sandcastle (Movie).

Ongoing Genre: Fluff, Angst, and Smut

Story Warnings: Slight Angst, Talk of a car accident in the past, Anxious Sy, Mild Embarrassment, First Date Nerves, Kissing.

Chapter 5 Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Smut, Fingering, Grinding, Hot Tub Frolics, Handjob, Titty Sucking, Nudity.

Wordcount: 4421

Here is my masterlist and AO3

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,

I do not run a tag list, instead please follow @angryschnauzerwrites and put that blog onto notifications, you’ll then get an alert each time i post something new. My AO3 also has my entire back catalogue of stories (going back to 2013).

As Sweet As Honey - Chapter 5

The long grass of the meadow brushed against your legs as you walked the trail to Sy’s cabin. As your own house fell away in the distance the bright red roof of your destination crept closer, and you could see a small trail of smoke coming from a chimney at the back of the place, the wisps evidence of the slow burn of the wood that scented the air along with the natural flowers that grew all around you. Occasionally a pollen drunk bee would lazily fly past, as if making its way back home to the hive after an afternoon of indulgence.

As the field grew downhill the grass grew shorter, and you found a slightly chewed frisbee. Scooping it up you looked to the cabin and saw the furry owner of the frisbee standing on the gravel watching you. For a moment Akia just watched you, guarding her territory until you came closer and she picked up your scent, trotting towards you until you were greeted by her and she excitedly bounced around you whilst nudging the frisbee;

“You want me to throw it?”

A quiet bark answered you, to which you pulled your arm back and tossed it towards the cabin, Akia set off the second it left your grasp, leaping and catching it mid air. Stopping in the grass you watched her bring it back to you, eager for another go.

Sy had been putting the finishing touches to the casserole and sliding it into the oven when he’d seen Akia trot off of the porch and head to the meadow, looking into the distance he smiled when he saw you appear on the horizon. As you got closer he took in what you were wearing, instinctively licking his lips at the thought of the things he would like to do to you in the sundress you were wearing. What was it about sundresses that looked so innocent and cute, but that made guys want to get down and dirty to please a woman? He sighed before washing his hands and checking his reflection, smoothing down his beard before opening the cabin door and stepping out onto the deck.

Akia would play frisbee for hours given the chance, but for that moment Sy was enjoying the view as he watched you bend over and take it from the dogs mouth, before tossing it again. After a couple more throws he chuckled when he saw you fake throw in one direction before going in another, a loud bark immediately following as Akia quickly changed direction, snapping at the still flying frisbee just as it touched the long grass. She trotted back to you, long tendrils of grass in her mouth along with the frisbee, dropping it and trying to spit out the grass. He watched as you knelt in the grass and pulled the strands of grass out, stroking the dogs head. You looked up and saw Sy, your smile growing.

“Hey there Darlin’”

Sy stepped down from the deck, closing the distance and wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you close as he kissed you. He felt you relax in his arms, wrapping your own around his neck as you leaned into him. He couldn’t help it but he let one hand fall a little lower to rest on your ass, giving it a gentle squeeze and he was pleased to hear the hum that rumbled in your chest.

When the kiss finally broke Sy looked into your eyes and smiled;

“I could get used to welcome kisses like that”

“Me too”

Your answer and smile made his chest puff out a little, the confidence boost a welcome warmth in his soul;

“I was going to ask if you’d rather make out in the meadow or have the grand tour, but as Akia has decided to do her business in the grass how about the tour?” he said with a smile

Laughing you nodded your head, slipping your hand into his.

Standing in Sy’s kitchen you watched as he checked on dinner - Moussaka, a dish he’d discovered when he’d been moving through Greece after a tour in Iraq he’d explained - and you took the chance to watch him move fluidly through his home. He was comfortable in his own space, everything neat and orderly, regularly used items within easy reach, non essentials stacked in organised rows in the cupboards and closets.

“Are you sure there’s nothing i can do to help?” you asked

Sy turned and smiled;

“Why don’t you grab some cutlery and some drinks from the refrigerator? We can eat out on the deck”

“Sure, i can do that”

Having already seen where Sy got a fork from you pulled what you needed from the correct drawer, before heading to the refrigerator and peering in. You looked over the neatly stacked rows of drinks, taking in soda’s and bottles of beer, noticing for the first time that everything was non-alcoholic. A bottle of Rose wine in the door looked interesting, and upon checking the label you saw that was also without alcohol;

“Do you want wine or beer?”

“I’ll have a beer, but if you want to open the wine that’s fine”

“Thanks”

You grabbed both without any further comment. You could feel his eyes on you, perhaps waiting for a question or some sort of explanation, but in your mind you knew you had your secrets and no doubt Sy had his. You smiled at him and took both outside, setting them on the small table before returning to the cabin for the cutlery.

“Hey, you saw they’re both non alcoholic?” Sy asked, a slight pause as if he was going to say more

“Yeah, that’s fine”

You saw him visibly untense his shoulders as he relaxed and smiled, before grabbing some oven mitts;

“Why don’t you grab those plates as well and go get seated, i’ll be out in a second”

“Sure”

Sitting at the small table you watched as Sy emerged moments later carrying dinner with oven mitts, setting it down in front of you before he sat beside you;

“Hope you’re hungry”

“Starving. It smells amazing”

He served up sizeable portions for the pair of you before picking up his fork, only to curse and stand up;

“Forgot somethin’”

He ran into the cabin, returning seconds later with two large metal bowls in his hands, one considerably more dented than the other. His attention didn’t wane from you, a goofy smile on his face as he placed one on the table between you and the other on the ground, calling for Akia who came bounding up from the surrounding forest.

You looked into the bowl and had to hold back your laugh, Akia coming to a halt beside you before putting her ass on the ground and letting out a quiet ‘wuff’.

“What’s up girl?” Sy asked, his gaze not leaving you.

Clearing your throat you took hold of the bowl of kibble that was sat on the table, swapping it with the bowl of salad that Akia had refused;

“There we go”

The two of you fell silent for a moment before the giggles started, that soon turned into full on laughter, before the tears started to flow down your cheeks. It took a considerable amount of time to finally compose yourselves, taking a deep breath and letting out a long audible sigh as Sy was first to speak;

“I’m sorry, I guess i’m just a little nervous”

Sliding your hand over his you smiled at him;

“Me too. Its been a long time since i got this close to someone. I’m so far out of the dating scene i don’t know what the expectations are or what is acceptable on what date…”

Sy lifted your hand and pressed a kiss to your palm;

“You have no idea how happy that makes me, as i’m so fucking clueless too”

“Let's make a deal then”

“Go on”

“Complete honesty. About expectations, about our limits, about what we’re ready for”

“Deal” he leant forwards and pressed a kiss to your lips, his beard brushing against your cheek; “But first, lets eat”

The meal was fantastic, and once your initial nerves had dissipated you fell back into comfortable conversation, the sun setting and small solar lights illuminating the deck. When the pair of you cleared the table you suggested doing the dishes together, but Sy took your hand and led you back outside;

“I’ve got something to show you”

He led you down some steps towards the workshop, but took a turn at the edge of the deck until he was standing beside a large wooden tub that was filled with water, tendrils of steam rising;

“What you said about a bath that would always get cold make me think, i have the opposite at my place; a hot tub”

You looked at it, before stepping forwards and dipping your fingertips into the water;

“Ooh its warm, really warm! But i didn’t bring anything…”

“I have a solution for that”

“Sy… i’m not sure i’m ready for skinny dipping…”

He leaned behind a small stack of logs and pulled out a somewhat un-glamourous Walmart bag;

“I wanted you to try the tub but considered that too…”

You pulled a small garment from the bag, realising it was a soft two piece swimsuit;

“Sy…” you paused; “It’s the correct size…?”

“I may have gotten a glance at the label to your panties when your dress got caught before our date… I didn’t have chance to get to that nice boutique and its not open on a Sunday” he considered his words; “You don’t have to, but I wanted to give you the option” he sighed: “You know what, i’m sorry, i’m pushing you to do something you’re not comfortable with”

“Sy, wait” you rested a hand on his chest; “Can i feel how hot the water is?”

He took a step back and moved out of your way, before holding his hand out so you could step up onto the elevated platform around the circular tub. You tentatively dipped your finger in and you couldn’t help the appreciative groan that escaped your mouth;

“Okay. Okay I can do this, where can I get changed?”

“Bedroom is through the door next to the kitchen”

Sy had a huge smile on his face as you left, quickly making your way inside. Once in the cabin you followed his instructions and found the bedroom, taking in the tidy yet lived in space. A stack of t-shirts sat on a dresser as if there hadn’t been enough time to put them away, the bed had a red plaid flannel duvet on it, and instinctively you smoothed your hand over the soft fabric, wondering what it’d feel like against your skin. You were lost in thought for a moment before you remembered why you were there in the first place, quickly undressing before pulling the bikini out of the bag and removing the tags. It was just a simple blue two piece, the panties fitting comfortably, but you struggled with the straps you cursed the small pieces of fabric. It had been years since you’d worn a swimsuit, and even then had usually opted for a one piece. Eventually you got it on, catching sight of your reflection in a mirror you stopped and took in what you saw. For a moment you were focused on your flaws, but instead gave your head a shake and puffed your chest out, leaving the room.

As you approached the hot tub you saw that Sy had already climbed in, his shorts and t-shirt neatly folded on top of his shoes, a pile of soft fluffy towels next to them, and a small basket of his bath fizzers sat at the edge of the tub. He had his back to you which you had an idea that he’d done on purpose so that he didn’t make you uncomfortable;

“Hey” you called quietly as you approached, and he turned his head slightly, looking sideways at you and you saw a smile tug at his mouth as his gaze followed down your body and back up again.

“Wow” he stood and offered you his hand to help you in, and you couldn’t help but to look him up and down.

Sure, you’d seen him without a shirt before, but there he was standing before you, dripping wet with just his boxer briefs on, and to say he was a fine specimen of a man would be to completely understating it. He was thick with muscle, a layer of chest hair that led down to his stomach and enticingly into the waistband of his underwear. His thighs were bigger than you could have imagined when you’d seen him in jeans, strong and taught from hard work. You tried not to stare as you climbed in, but the crowning glory was the bulge between his legs, the wet jersey fabric clinging to everything mother nature blessed him with, and you instinctively licked your lips.

“You want me to turn around so you can see my ass too?” he asked when you were attempting to swing your other leg over the side of the tub

“What? OH!”

Sy’s comment had caught you off guard, slipping and toppling into the water, pulling him with you. You felt strong arms on your torso and were immediately pulled above the water, pulling you to his chest as you gasped in panic;

“You’re ok. You’re ok, I’m sorry” he wiped your face down to get rid of the water droplets, your heart pounding as you pushed back all the thoughts of being underwater. His steady breathing brought you back to the present, surrounded by the warmth of the water, but more so of his strong arms cradling you to his chest, safe and secure, protected.

He looked into your eyes, watching as you visibly calmed in his arms, before you wrapped your arms around his shoulders and pressed your lips to his. Sy moved you in the water until he was sitting on the submerged bench seat that ran around the inside of the tub, pulling you to straddle his lap. The kiss deepened, your tongue pushing against his, his beard tickling your face. His hands slid down your back before he splayed his palms over your ass, pulling you hard onto his lap and it was then that you could feel him, his hard length against your core. Moving your hips you rocked against the hard bulge, breaking away from the kiss your head rolled back and you closed your eyes, relishing the feel as your bodies moved together, his hard shaft pressing into the seam of your pussy through the thin bikini bottoms. He grunted beneath you, wrapping his arms around your torso as he pressed kisses down your chin to your neck, pulling a low groan from deep in your belly;

“Oh god Sy, don’t stop…”

You felt his lips curl into a smile against your skin;

“You like that? Or do you like this?” he pushed his hips up and you felt the wide heart shaped tip of his dick rub against your clit through the fabric

“Oh… both… definitely both”

You held his face in your hands, staring into his eyes as you rocked your hips against him, the connection intense. He wasn’t even inside you but you were pulsing with need and pleasure, writhing together like two horny teenagers. Without breaking eye contact you felt Sy move one hand and cup your breast, his thumb brushing over your hardened nipple and you gasped at his touch.

“I’d really like to take this off” he said, referring to your bikini top, and you nodded, biting your lip nervously as he pulled at the tied strings behind your back before lifting the scraps of fabric over your head and tossing it aside. It was his turn to lean back as he admired your chest, his hands on your sides so his thumbs could brush against the underside curve and cup them;

“Beautiful” he muttered as he leant forwards, capturing one nipple in his mouth. His tongue was soft as he sucked lightly, his beard brushing against your soft skin, before he pressed kisses over your sternum and did the same with the other nipple; “Stunning” he muttered, as if he felt he needed to rain equal amounts of praise on each breast. He pressed his face between them and sighed;

“That’s it” he said, his voice slightly muffled; “You’re staying here. Forever. I’m staying in this spot between your titties until the end of time”

“Sy” you called his name but not sure for what, but then you felt his hand slide down your stomach and rest against your clothed pussy. You’d shifted your bodies apart without realising and he now had access to rub his thick fingers over your mound, his thumb pushing the fabric against your lips and bumping against your clit.

“Oh, there it is…” he moved his hand, his fingertips tentatively rubbing beneath the side elastic; “Can i?”

“Yes… yes Sy”

“Cos when you said you liked my hands… i’m guessing this is what you wanted me to do with them?”

You nodded, the hot water surrounding you as you felt completely exposed yet protected at the same time. You felt him gently tug the fabric to the side and one thick finger tenderly slid through your folds, seeking out your clit and giving it a gentle rub, before moving down and teasing your entrance.

“If you want me to go further i’m gonna have to suggest we take these off”

You nodded;

“Only if you take yours off too”

“Oh good, because i like your hands too” he said with a grin.

In the water you pushed your bodies apart as Sy tugged your bikini bottoms down and tossed them aside, before shimmying out of his briefs which followed suit. He moved you in the water until you were straddling his lap again, one of his massive hands cupping the back of your neck as he kissed you, an urgent need to his touch this time as his tongue pushed and danced against your own. His other hand slid between your thighs, teasing at your folds before his thumb found your clit as he traced around your hole with a thick finger.

“Relax for me Sweetness, i can feel how tightly wound you are right now, let me make you feel good”

Closing your eyes you let out a deep breath as Sy breached your body, his finger tenderly pushing into your soft canal as his thumb rubbed circles against your clit;

“So good for me baby, I can feel you squeezing me tight, gotta relax Sweetness, i just got one finger in you, how you ever gonna take two if you don’t relax?”

Opening your eyes you stared deeply into his, the connection between you almost electric as you felt your body loosening and getting used to such intimate touch after such a long time. You felt invigorated and alive, but most of all you wanted to touch as well as be touched. Placing a hand on Sy’s chest, you slid it down below the water until it was on his lower stomach;

“Is this ok?” you asked

“Oh god Sweetheart, if you don’t take hold of him he may just burst”

Sy gave you a reassuring smile as you reached lower and touched him for the first time, tenderly wrapping your hands around his hard shaft;

“Oh… you’re… you’re so hard, and thick”

“That’s all for you Sweetheart”

You slowly ran your fist up and down the length of him, and at the same time he doubled his efforts with his own hand, grinding the palm of his hand against your clit as he moved his fingers and you felt him slide two inside you, stretching you.

“That’s is Sweetheart, ride my hand, take what you need, let me help you get there”

From that moment it was all about your pleasure. As much as you wanted to make Sy cum, he was so focused on you that it was hard to concentrate on anything other than the way he was taking you to heights of pleasure you weren’t sure you’d ever been taken to. His efforts were strong and consistent, he listened to your moans and if he liked what he heard he kept doing what he was doing, and for the first time in a very long time you could feel an orgasm approaching that wasn’t from your own hand;

“Sy… oh please, yes…”

“Oh Sweetheart, you look so beautiful, cum for me, let me feel that beautifully pussy squeeze my fingers so hard”

He ducked his head down and took one of your nipples into his mouth, the jolt of pleasure that surged through you the trigger for your orgasm, and you came with a moan, clutching his arm as you shook at his touch.

As your orgasm faded away he slowed his efforts, before finally withdrawing his fingers, brushing your clit as he did which sent a shiver up your spine.

“You look like an angel when you cum, you’re positively glowing”

For a few moments longer you were speechless, basking in the afterglow of your orgasm before you shifted, wrapping one arm around Sy’s shoulders as the other delved beneath the water;

“Sy, let me do the same for you”

He caught your hand;

“Shhh, you don’t need to use your hand, let me just feel those pussy lips against me, I don’t need to be inside you”

“What if i want you inside me”

He pressed a kiss to the tip of your nose;

“Not tonight, I want to eat that pussy before i cum in it, plus you’re gonna need to be a whole lot more stretched and relaxed before i get inside you”

He brought your hand up over his shoulder with the other one, before grasping your hips and pulling your body flush with his. His dick was still rock hard, you could have sworn you could almost feel it pulsing with need as he pulled your legs up higher so he could open you up, and with a little manoeuvring he was able to rest his dick along your slippery folds. The wide crown rested against your clit snugly, the fat head bumping against you as you both started to gently rock against each other. You could feel pleasure starting to build in the pit of your belly, and when you looked up you could see Sy was barely hanging on.

Sy had his head leant back, and you felt his hands grip your hips a little firmer, his fingers digging into your soft flesh as he took control and used your body for his own pleasure. He looked so good with his neck stretched, and instinctively you leant forwards and pressed kisses to his jugular;

“That’s it Sy, i’m so close too, rub that fat dick of yours against my pussy… I can’t wait until i can feel you inside me, pumping me full of your cum. I want you to bend me over and spank my ass whilst you fuck me, hold my titties as you fill me up…”

“Oh sweet jesus…” he cursed.

You weren’t sure where your dirty mouth had come from, you had never spoken like that before, you’d kept those thoughts to yourself, but there was something about seeing Sy so close and so vulnerable that made you be honest and true to yourself and your desires. That rush of confidence was what you needed to bring you to your peak again, and as you felt Sy start to cum your second orgasm of the night pulsed through you.

“God… Sweetheart, you feel so good, i can’t wait to get my dick inside you, I want to taste that pussy and make you cum over and over until you can’t walk the next day. You’re so beautiful when you cum, not that you’re not beautiful the rest of the time, oh girl, I fucking… I lo…” his words trailed off as he finally finished cumming, almost catching himself before he said something he wasn’t sure if he could say yet.

Resting your head on his shoulders you pressed a kiss to his cheek;

“You’re amazing Sy”

For the longest time you just held each other, the warm water bubbling around you, before eventually a shiver ran down your spine.

“Time to get out?” Sy asked; “Sounds like the burner has worked through the logs. Did well though, it’s dark now”

Looking up you hadn’t realised the sun had fully set, the starry sky visible directly above you through the tall pine trees.

“I should…”

Sy cut you off; “Please stay the night. Let's wake up together”

You paused before nodding; “Okay”

Sy was first to climb out, a waterfall of droplets falling around him as he stepped out of the hot tub and grabbed a towel, and you couldn’t help but to look at his body, admiring his pert ass before he wrapped a towel around his waist and held one up for you;

“C’mon, out” he commanded playfully; “I’ve already seen everything… and cum on it, show me those titties and that ass”

With his humour putting you at ease you climbed out, Sy wrapping the towel around you before putting his arm around your shoulders;

“Lets get dry and into bed”

Minutes later you were curled up beneath the soft flannel covers as Sy called Akia in and made her comfortable in her basket. He appeared in the doorway and grinned at you, before turning the lights out and you felt him slide under the covers, his body warm where he just wore soft jersey shorts. His arm curled over your hip and pulled you close, the big spoon to your little spoon. You felt his hand tuck under the t-shirt he’d loaned you;

“May I?” he asked sleepily

“Ok”

You felt his hand cup your breast gently; “Mmm, life is good when you can fall asleep holding a titty”

He soon dropped off to sleep, not before pressing a kiss to the back of your neck, but it was a long time before you joined him in slumber, your mind playing over so many things before you finally shut your eyes and sleep came.

Chapter 6 >>>

#as sweet as honey #syverson fanfiction #captain syverson #sy x reader #henry cavill

287 notes · View notes

tanith-rhea · 1 year

Note

ello!!!! may I request some sort of coffee shop au with Miranda and female reader? Either we work there and she's the customer who always brightens our day, or we just continue to run into (not necessarily literally, but also what is some spilled coffee if we get Miranda in exchange?) each other all the time? It's really up to you, I'm just asking for some cozy coffee romance :) <3 tysmmm!

Coffee, tea, or could I offer you me?

Working at a coffee shop wasn’t nearly as quaint and romantic as the books you’d read while growing up described. However, instead of accepting the dull reality and focusing on working to pay for college, you decided to make a difference, and be the cupid of the establishment. If you couldn’t live your coffee shop romance, you would help other people do so. That was before you witnessed the most beautiful girl you’d ever seen get stood up by her date.

Word count: 7.1k (oops)

As the cupid of the Rainbow Roast Café, your life mission was to provide ordinary people with the ristretto-like love experience of their life. Or at least give clients a funny story to tell their grandchildren one day.

Your co-worker Maggy had even a bet going on that you would pair off at least one more duo or group of individuals until the end of the month, to which Dave — your other co-worker — betted against, saying you had already struck twice this month and it was virtually impossible for you to get another success in just ten days.

You didn’t see it as a competition though. It was the closest you thought you could get to experiencing a coffee shop romance. Patrons who flirted with you often acted like creeps and it was very rare for one of them to be a woman. So, you decided that giving other people the chance at a nice and soft meet cute and possible love story was your best shot.

At first, you thought it would be a horrible breach of boundaries to tell a client that you saw someone eyeing them from the other side of the café, so you kept your cool and inwardly itched watching people nurturing crushes and not telling the other person about it. Until the day of your breaking point.

There was this girl that always came at eight-twenty and ordered a white chocolate mocha. She had a favourite table by the windows to the side and near the back, and she sat there every day without fail to people-watch and write in a journal-like notebook. That was until a month in on your job, another person arrived at eight and ordered a simple iced and bee-lined to the very table.

When the girl got her order that morning, she was stuck for a bit, watching the intruder of her sacred spot. You thought she felt pestered at having to choose another seat, but over the next few days it kept happening, and the looks she shot at the brooding figure at her table started to appear more like pining than cursing.

You, being nosy and lacking several social filters, approached her on a slow day with the biggest double chocolate chip cookie you could find and tried to strike up a conversation. She turned out to be just as nice as you thought she was, and two days later you finally asked if she liked the mysterious customer at her former table. She timidly admitted to having a crush and asked you to keep quiet about it. The next day you wrote into their cup about the cute girl in a cardigan and how she thought they looked cool.

Lysa and Rae are still customers, but they sit at the same table for four months now.

The following ones were easier. You would write in a piece that customer x told you they liked customer y and see where things went. You always befriended the customer first and then offered to help, and when they said yes you felt over-the-roof-happy. You were always social, but you never thought you’d have such an enormous amount of friends, all of whom were dating while you were still painfully single. It was nice though.

Everything was going great that particular day at the café. Andre had paid a visit to get Mina her usual smoked latte before class and invited you to a movie night at the weekend in her dorm. You had bonded with Mina through your shared guilty pleasure of watching cheesy love triangle dramas when you were sad, and her taste in movies was as close to yours as that of a soul buddy. You wished you had attended uni with them, it would have been so much fun.

But, however good the day was, there was still time for that to change. An hour before the end of your shift, a stupefying figure entered the coffee shop. A woman, so tall she could reach the 8’3 door head if she raised her hand, walked in and settled at one of the front window seats. Judging by her slightly nervous aura, you assumed she was waiting for a date.

There wasn’t much movement that time in the afternoon. Most people were working and the few customers around already had their orders, so you decided to go ask the recent arrival if she wanted something while she waited.

Getting closer, you noticed her whitish-blond hair looked very soft, as did her milky skin and overall presence. If it wasn’t for her height, you could say she would look very plain or unremarkable. A white woman, with blond hair and average proportions. That was before you rounded a table and saw her closer from the front. She had a very remarkable face. It was a combination of gentle eyebrows, high cheekbones and a sharp jawline that somehow managed to not be threatening but disarmingly inviting.

“Excuse me,” you cleared your throat, hoping you didn’t sound as breathless as you felt, “Would you like to order?”

When she looked up from her phone, bright pools of arctic blue glued you to where you stood. If you walked, you were quite sure your legs would give out. She was nothing but exquisite, and suddenly you wished she was waiting for you, and that just this once you were the protagonist of the story.

“I’m sorry?” she prompted, and her voice, for everything that is good in the world, her voice sent chills through your skin even though it was an unusually hot autumn day.

“I just asked if you would like to order something.” You took out your notepad for something to look at other than the gorgeous stranger. “I can bring you something while you wait for…” it was quite shameless, but of course, you were fishing for information, “whatever you are waiting for,” you hoped she wouldn’t feel offended by your less-than-professional approach.

“I’m just waiting for a friend.” She gave you a small, timid smile, and gazed at the table, confirming she very much wasn’t waiting for a friend. “He won’t take long, so I’ll order when he arrives.”

You only nodded, instantaneously slaughtered of all hope and happiness at the kind dismissal. You returned to your place behind the counter and started cleaning already clean coffee machines and the spotless counter.

She was waiting for a he. Of course, that didn’t mean she was straight, and she was so beautiful you’d feel personally attacked if she was. Maggy noticed your state and tsked from the kitchen door.

“What is it? Someone didn’t want to chat?” you usually felt disappointed when some people gave you hints they wanted to be left alone. You wouldn’t annoy a customer for the life of you, but it did make you pout.

When she approached the counter to look at you, however, her eyebrow arched, and a smug smirk twisted her face.

“Ooh, am I seeing a rejected puppy?” her pretentious tone made your lips twitch. She was teasing you, but you wouldn't give her the satisfaction of making you laugh.

"Not rejected. You know I don't flirt with clients, it's creepy enough when they do it to me."

"Oh, so what would you call it then? Friendly banter?" you snorted ungracefully. It was true you were comfortable with teasing, flirting and sometimes even catcalling your friends. What could you say? You loved embarrassing and complimenting them, it was just the perfect means.

"Yes, friendly banter. Not everyone is smoking hot like you to be able to flirt and be taken seriously, you know," you arched an eyebrow and she threw a napkin at you.

"You're impossible!" she kissed you on the cheek before returning to the kitchen for more goods.

Half an hour had passed and the woman's date still hadn't arrived. You pondered going back there and offering something again, but you imagined she'd feel uncomfortable with you noticing she was possibly being stood up. Your bones hurt with the want to go strike up a conversation and distract her from the douchebag that was making her wait, but at the same time, your heart raced in panic at the thought of talking to her.

It was some time since you'd had a crush on a person. Even being a hopeless romantic, you didn't have many opportunities to find anyone attractive in your day-to-day life. You lived close to the campus, so taking the subway to work wasn't necessary. You spent your day at the coffee shop and it always felt like breaching an unspoken rule to fancy a client (even though you admitted some were very aesthetically pleasing), and all your friends were spoken for and their friends were usually on college so a few years younger and that didn't do it for you. So it was very curious to finally feel it again, and for a client to make matters worse.

"Ok, stop ogling her, you'll bore a hole on her neck like this" Maggy mused, bringing the rest of the pastries.

You let out a defeated breath. "You're right, I have work to do and no time for this kind of thing."

"Woah there, you seem to have thought a lot of things in the five minutes it took me to get back, huh?"

You did, and she might not have the knowledge of what went on in your head, but you knew she understood your conclusion. How did she come to know you so well was beyond you, but you guessed five months of friendship and almost uninterrupted proximity did that.

"You know it's not for me." You shrugged and noting she was about to object you excused yourself saying you'd get more excelsa beans.

When your shift was close to end, the woman was still there. She wasn't waiting anymore, you noticed. She was idly taking notes on a small pad and listening to music. She didn't look too affected by the guy not showing up. Maybe she suspected it would happen, or it wasn't the first time, you didn't know but her nonchalance about it made your chest tighten.

Before you could change your mind, you chose one of the biggest triple chocolate ganache palm-sized cookies from the display case and prepared an iced vanilla latte to go. You put the two in a paper tray and fake-power-walked to her, willing yourself to feel the smallest amount of confidence. You were the chatty one of the group, why was it so difficult to act normal with her too?

"Hey, hello..." great start, "Ahem, my shift is almost ending and since I couldn't help you earlier with your order I thought I would bring this to you." You smiled and were almost sure you did ok.

Until she looked up from her notepad with shimmery eyes, and your smile fell. She had not been so nonchalant then.

"Oh, I'm sorry, do I have to order to stay here?" she seemed confused while looking between you and the tray you placed in front of her.

"No! No, I just thought you'd like something sweet," you were nervous like you haven't been for a long time, "I don't know... you just seemed like the type..."

"That likes sweets?" her small voice made sent shivers through your arms, she sounded so fragile, looking at your offer with something akin to wonder.

"Yes. Sorry. When you work here for a while you pick up on these things. If you don't though, I can take it back-"

"No!" she interrupted you, briskly circling a hand to your pulse when you made it to take the tray away and looked at you with a bewildered expression. "Sorry! I do like sweets." She let you go as rapidly as she touched you, chest flaring red, she avoided your eyes and cleared her throat. "Thank you, it is very nice of you," with that, she smiled, almost beamed, and you could only nod and get the hell away from her as fast as you could.

While desperately changing into your own clothes, you jumped at the sound of Dave entering the locker room.

"Shit, sorry!" he exclaimed, looking at you from head to toe. He was a quieter friend, but very perceptive, "So Maggy wasn't joking," he smiled.

"Please, not you too."

He laughed, "I won't tease you for being human. Everyone has a crush from time to time."

"Shut up! I don't have a crush." You finished tying your shoe. "And even if I do, she's probably straight or has a boyfriend."

"So you thought about it."

"SHUT UP!" you couldn't help but laugh and as you closed the back door to the alley you heard him laughing too.

You didn't pay too much mind to your thoughts of the beautiful stranger in the following days. She would likely never go back to the shop and if she did it would take a while and your attraction would have died down.

When she came not three days after, you cursed and ran to the kitchen.

"What are you doing, we need you outside," Maggy furrowed her brow softly.

"Could you please go there for a few minutes? I can finish icing," you pleaded, already taking the bag from her hand; she gave you a strange look but said fine.

Not a moment after she entered the kitchen again with a pleased smile. "Y/n you insufferably adorable idiot, go back out there and serve your customer!" she pointed at the door, and you made a show of slumping your shoulders and pouting while you made your way out front.

The woman was at the counter, she had a light frown, as if a bit confused with something, and startled when you said, "Good morning, how may I serve you?" in your best impression of a customer-service-friendly tone.

"Oh! Hi," she beamed at you, "Nice seeing you again!" Fuck she was gorgeous, "I would like the drink you gave me the other time, I really liked it."

You didn't know if the swell of pride in your ribcage was for being such a kick-ass barista or because of the happiness on her face from your accurate assumption.

"Coming right up!" you started making her drink, pleased with yourself, "Will you want anything to eat, as well?"

"No, if I do my co-workers will want it too," she chuckled and you got a to-go cup. When you handed it to her, she looked puzzled. "How did you know...?"

"The time," you filled in when she didn't elaborate, "Lots of people come before work and the ones that stay are usually students."

She hummed, eyebrows going up with a soft smile, "What about elders?" she handed you payment, exact change with an extra A$2,00 coin. Hot and a good tipper? This woman has no shame.

"We have only one couple and they come a bit later in the day," you smiled, accepting the money.

"Well, thank you then," she awkwardly lifted the cup and gave you one last, sheepish smile, before leaving.

You were so very screwed.

She kept coming. Day after day, she came in at the same hour and asked for the same drink. You offered some variations a few times, but she always went back to the first you made her. You stopped pretending you weren't smug for getting it so right.

Today was raining softly, autumn was settling in finally and cold afternoons were now a guarantee rather than a wish. You heard the doorbell and looked up to see Mina skipping to the counter with a scarf-hidden smile. Her nose was rosy as well as her cheeks which turned her eyes into thin joyful lines.

"Hey, lover! I missed you this weekend." She fake-pouted and you began making her usual.

"Sorry, I worked Dave's shift on Saturday and forgot to let you know."

"It's fine, but only if you go to the next one. If you don't, I'll stop being your friend!" she joked, sitting on one of the stools to watch you make her drink.

"Ok, dear 8-year-old cousin," she laughed and you changed topics to what movies they watched and how you regretted losing Toni's shock-filled eyes at New Moon's 'hot vampire royalty' as Mina said he put it. For someone who said they hated Twilight, you were happy for their growth.

After some more gossip, Mina grabbed her coffee and fled to class with a kiss on your cheek.

It was past mid-afternoon; your shift was slowly nearing its end and you were grateful for bringing an umbrella. It would probably be still raining when you got out.

When she walked through the door half an hour later, though, you wished you had more time. Her hair was a bit damp, and she had a sports jacket on. Maybe she left work around that hour because it was close to the one, she came to the shop the first time.

Try not to be a stalker, you weirdo, you thought to yourself while she approached.

"Hello there," she had her usual easy smile on. So beautiful.

"Hey, what will it be?" you could almost act normal now, the result of prolonged exposure, you assumed.

"You know," she shrugged, leaning on the counter lazily.

You started preparing her drink with a small smile and Maggy shook her head at you, rolling her eyes dramatically before leaving for the kitchen. She had nothing to do in there anymore.

"Tough day at work?"

"Oh, the usual. Paperwork mostly, it's been a while since there's been any excitement." She shrugged, but soon fixed her posture and shook her head frowning. "Not that I want anything to happen. If paperwork is the price, it's fine by me."

Curious comment. You didn't know what she did, you realized you didn't even know her name. You fantasized about leaning over the counter and kissing her silly but could not say who she was. How could it be that through an entire week, you hadn't even caught her name; usually it took you one conversation and the next you would set her up with someone from the shop. Of course, you weren't inclined to do that with her particularly, because of reasons.... but it was rather odd.

"Sorry, I don't think I ever asked your name," you turned to place her order on the counter, not on a to-go cup this time.

"Oh my god, that's true! I only know yours from your tag, it never crossed my mind I didn't have mine on!"

So her work requires wearing tags... Fuck, I'm a creep.

"I'm Miranda." She extended her hand for you to shake, it was just as soft as it looked. You imagined what being caressed by it would feel like... or a massage... or other things.

Shaking your head, you leaned to kiss her hand, rather than shake it. Out of your control, really. You simply could not lose the opportunity.

She looked to the floor, biting her smile. You could not see the red in her chest this time, but her ears were blazing.

"I'll just-" she took the cup, looking at you and rapidly away again, "Thank you. I'll go sit now." You only nodded, amused and slightly euphoric but trying to keep it down, as you saw her go.

She sat on one of the front window tables, leaning on her elbow and pointedly looking at the rain.

Two days passed after that. It was almost the end of the month, and you didn't even find another potential couple to help. You were too busy daydreaming on the job to pay attention to the customers. Maggy would lose her bet, the poor baby.

It was the middle of your shift, so it took you by surprise when you saw the blond owner of your thoughts walking in.

“Hey!” Miranda approached the counter, her smile making quick work of warming your whole being. She was the best part of your day no matter what happened. You thought seeing her smile at you was worth more than winning the lottery. You could live without the money any day.

“Hello, there,” you smiled back, with your usual cheekiness. “Your usual, I presume?” You were almost beginning her latte when she interrupted you.

“No! No, today I’ll be having a cold brew and an espresso. Robin needs her caffeine.” At that, she pointed at a brunette walking slowly in. She looked waspish and you could easily believe she was one of those people who were very grumpy before their first cup of coffee. “I’m her partner,” she leant over the counter and whispered to you like it was an exciting secret. She looked so proud you felt nauseous.

So she had a partner; a week after being stood up. It was understandable, she was a smoke show, funny and adorable all at once. How could she not have a mile-long line of people waiting for a chance? It still disappointed you that you weren’t the choice.

“Do you want me to grind?” you asked, absentmindedly leaning down to search for the good beans. At the silence, you turned to see her. She was turning red very fast, then you realised what you said and almost dropped the bean’s package on the floor, “The beans! Do you want me to grind the beans? You know… so the shots are nice and fresh.” Jesus, good one.

“Yes…” she gazed at the floor for a second and shook her head before looking back at you. “Sorry, I was just distracted… by stuff…" she pressed her lips in a thin line and looked in any other direction than yours. “I’ll just- I’ll just sit there.”

And off she was.

“Could you be less of a flirt? Not everyone can pull girls like a magnet and it’s offensive,” your co-worker’s voice woke you from your trance. Maggy was coming with a tray of fresh cakes.

“Shut up… it was her.” You tried to recompose yourself, your week’s worth of daydreams turning sour as you saw her walk to the back table where her “partner” was. Miranda liked the front window, why did that woman seat in the only corner with no view of the street and the farthest possible from the door?

“Ooh, so you’re finally admitting it.” She began to arrange the sweets in flower-like patterns on the display case, still smiling to herself.

“You only listened to my screw-up. She has a girlfriend,” you didn’t mean to sound so snippy, but you felt angry tears forming in your eyes and couldn’t stop tapping your left foot faster and faster.

Maggy noticed it in your tense posture and tight face, and before you knew it she was shoving you into the kitchen and asking Dave to cover outside.

Incredible. Just magnificent. She had a girlfriend, because of course she did, and you foolishly invested time and hope planning to ask her out and imagining all the stupid little dates you wanted to take her to and all the stupid little things you would do to make her smile. Great.

“Hey, come here…” Mag’s voice was no more than a whisper, bringing you to her chest while you very pointedly didn’t cry.

Your chest was rising and falling erratically with your half-swallowed sobs and your face hurt from all the muscles you strained to keep from letting it all out.

Maggy knew you wouldn’t cry. You were too stubborn for that, too chagrined with yourself to allow release. After less than a minute, you pushed yourself out of her arms, face sullen and voice hoarse.

“They ordered a cold brew and an expresso. I feel suddenly sick, can I go home?” you didn’t feel sick, she knew it too, but she only said:

“Yeah… yeah, I’ll cover for you.”

You nodded, never meeting her eyes, perpetually looking at the ground as you walked to the staff changing rooms and then home.

While walking home that afternoon, you caught the rain. You’d seen the weather report, but you left in such a hurry that you forgot your umbrella and didn't feel like going back to get it.

You got actually sick. The next morning you woke up sweating, feeling every muscle in your body hurting. It was nine, so you were already late. You called your boss to tell him you had a fever and he said Mag had already told him you didn’t feel very well the day before. He gave you the weekend off and ended with a kind “get better soon”; he was a nice boss.

You spent said weekend in bed. When you felt less horrible you took a shower and changed the sheets, prepared some soup and ate on the sofa while watching the news.

Apparently, there was a gang targeting young girls from the university near the Rainbow. All the police could tell at the moment was that they were being abducted after hours when leaving the campus for a night out. What they did to them after was a mystery you felt like throwing up just thinking about. You texted Mina to know if the group was safe; they were, but also very scared.

“The police detective in charge of the case, Robin Griffin, couldn’t disclose any more information,” the anchor’s voice sounded while a picture of a sulking brunette appeared on your screen.

It was her: Miranda’s partner. A police detective of all things.

Of course, Miranda would date some mysterious, grumpy detective that fought for the innocent and had a secret soft side she never showed anyone except for Miranda. It was the perfect ray of sunshine/rainy cloud couple half of the young adult fantasies had.

You wondered what Miranda did for work. You shouldn't be thinking about her, but you couldn't help it. All you knew was that she used a tag, and that didn't reduce your options all that much. You had to get her out of your brain.

After finishing eating and taking another shower, you went to bed early to get some healthy twelve hours of sleep before returning to work. With any luck, Miranda wouldn't come so soon.

You weren't very lucky, as proven by the relationship status of the person you madly wanted.

Miranda came again the next morning, accompanied by her detective girlfriend, Robin Griffin.

"Morning!" she was cherry as all the other times she greeted you but now it caused you physical pain to see her smile and attribute her happiness to the sulking jackass at the back booth.

Maybe you were being too harsh if Miranda was dating the woman she had probably a reason but you chose to ignore it as an outlet for all your negative thoughts and feelings.

"Good morning, how may I serve you today?" you said in a practised monotone, customer smile on your face.

A little line formed between her eyebrows and your fingers itched to smooth it away.

"Hum, I'll accept a suggestion today." she observed herself drum her fingers on the counter, "And Robin wants a cold brew again."

You nodded, starting with a white chocolate mocha and ignoring the figure leaning her weight on the counter.

"You can grind-" you heard her start and stop for a few seconds, "the beans for Robin's, she never commented on coffee before but last time you made it she said it was really good."

"Last time I made it?" you cursed your curiosity, "Someone else made you two coffee?"

Technically, the only time you made coffee for them you only started the grinder and fled, so Maggy was the one to finish it.

"Yeah... we came on Saturday to straighten some things. I like the atmosphere here and Robin didn't mind coming again."

Straighten some things? Were they having fights? None of your business in any case but... were they? You only hummed in response.

You placed her drink on the counter and started the second. Noticing you wouldn't start talking again, Miranda cleared her throat and looked to the side. Why couldn't she look you in the face today? It was normal for her to blush and avert her eyes sometimes when you talked but she seemed incapable of keeping eye contact for five seconds today.

"I like your shirt," she commented, out of nowhere.

"It's my uniform? But thanks?" what in the seven hells?

You finished the second drink and thanked whoever listening for her silent departure. Her awkward nod still made your chest constrict though.

This time there was no Maggy to witness your suffering, instead, it was Dave who was bringing the new arrivals and decided to lean against the door and watch.

"Shut up," you breathed as soon as you saw his smirk.

"I didn't say anything."

"But you were thinking."

"Oh, come on, she was obviously flirting with you!" you hated that you agreed with him, it felt like flirting — hesitant and weird but flirting.

"Her girlfriend is sitting right there, she was not flirting with me just five meters away from her," if you said it out loud one more time maybe you could convince yourself.

"Well, or she's very clueless, or devilishly smart." He shrugged and started putting away some gourmet-looking packages underneath the counter.

Later that day you were still thinking of Miranda's strange behaviour. Dave wasn't one for gossip, but this time he opted to completely ignore that and conspire with Maggy about what were Miranda's intentions with you, quite loudly, just a few feet away. They were insufferable sometimes.

After a few hours of little giggles and middle school singsongs, you mistrusted the sudden silence. Dave, oddly enough, was cleaning the expresso machine serenely while Mag was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did Maggy go?" you asked, walking to the kitchen door and peering through the circle window. She was on her back having a phone call.

"Her boyfriend called, don't know what's about but she looked strange when she came in."

A few moments after, Maggy slowly opened the door and peeked from it, "Y/n, can I talk to you for a sec?" she asked, an uncertain tinge in her voice.

"Sure..." you followed her in.

Once inside, you heard her let out a long breath, "Ok, so I know I only covered for you days ago and that it sounds opportunistic as shit, but could you cover the end shift for me? Markus had an accident playing basketball and needs me to get him at the hospital" her tortured face was the cherry on top of your hellish day.

"Of course, I'll cover for you! What happened?"

"He fractured his ankle, that's why I need to get him; he probably won't be able to walk around the house very well too."

"You're fine, go get him. I don't have anything better to do anyway, bug." You kissed her cheek and rushed her into the staff rooms.

Closing wasn't so bad. Today was raining again but you had your umbrella and wouldn't forget it this time. After swiping the floor and checking the kitchen for stoves on and the like, you closed everything and went home.

Every day it got darker and darker around this time. You didn't notice before because you usually were at home, but now you wished you had charged your phone for some extra light. The rain was thick, and you couldn't even hear your steps. The umbrella didn't do much to shield your legs, which were drenched up to the knees.

After a few blocks, the streetlights got dimmer, the shops and public spaces being substituted by tall apartment buildings. You decided to hurry a bit and ignore the shiver on the back of your neck; soon you would reach home.

Well, not really. You felt before you saw the group of four people nearing you. When you thought of sprinting, one of them caught up to you and held you back with strong arms around your middle and one hand covering your mouth. You trashed, trying to free yourself, but they only shushed you sounding amused. The other three joined and they led you to one of the corridors between brick buildings. You couldn't see a thing, only feel rough fingers in your face and the prickly feeling of days-old facial hair on your ear as a hoarse voice breathed on your ear.

"Be a good girl and stay quiet. It'll be a lot less painful for you."

You felt overwhelmed by panic, gagging in bile and trembling like a baby dear. You didn't know where the strength came from, but you freed your face desperately and screamed your lungs out for help. You didn't know if anyone would listen with the rain, you could barely hear yourself, but it could have something to do with the buzzing on your ears muffling all sound around you.

You stepped on his feet, kicked him and bit his arm but he wouldn't budge. He managed to put his hand over your mouth again, but you bit it until you heard him scream and tasted iron in your mouth. However, that only made him hold you tighter, hurting your ribcage, and the rest of the group came to aid him.

What they did was each try to get you under control, which meant none had a full grip on you, and throwing yourself against one worked for you to start running for your life in the direction of the streetlights. You didn't know if your screams were intelligible of even if they were loud enough to be screams, you couldn't hear, had no frame of reference.

You thought you saw the lights of a car turning the corner, but you didn't have the time to see. The same guy who had you before was jumping at you, crashing you against the asphalt with his body weight. You felt your skin burn. Arms and face glued to the street with the impact. Your head was ringing, and you only saw spots of light and unfocused shouting and around you, a very loud noise was the last thing you heard before it was all black.

You woke up feeling warm. There were quiet noises of clicking porcelain and muffled conversation to your left.

The sterile smell was what hinted at where you were, opening your eyes to bright white ceilings and empty beds around you. You were the only one in the room apart from the three people around the door.

Miranda, her girlfriend and a nurse. Oddly enough, Miranda was dressed as a police officer. What she was doing there you had no idea, in fact, you didn't even know why you were there.

You tried to sit, and all three looked at you. The nurse came over quickly and fussed around you, helping you sit, and asking how you felt. You didn't feel too bad, but there were some friction burns on your elbows and forearms that you could do without. Mostly it was just your head buzzing faintly.

"She said you might have a concussion," Miranda joined in, timidly placing her hand over one of yours resting beside you in the bed. You turned it so she could hold it if she wanted. You felt a pang when she did.

"The detective asked if you would be willing to answer some questions. I told her you might not be feeling well enough right now, but if you do I can tell her so." The nurse didn't seem too pleased talking about 'the detective', which reminded you of the movie hospital staff and made you smile.

"I don't know how much use I'd be," your voice was croaky as you looked from the nurse to Miranda, "I don't really know why I'm here."

She understood the question you didn't make and asked the nurse if she could talk with you alone. She seemed only partially agreeable but left anyway.

"You were attacked last night near the university," she said immediately, even if trying to sound softer, and her hand tighten around yours. "Why were you even out at that time in the rain?"

"I don't know... I worked the end shift?" you remembered Maggy asking you to and remembered closing and going out in the rain. Not much more than that.

"You were so lucky we decided to patrol the area, Jesus Christ," she was talking faster than normal, and you furrowed your brows, "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"Why are you here? You aren't asking me any questions..." your head hurt too much to think at that moment. You just wanted some peace and not to have to stare at Miranda's face because your head and arms were enough things hurting.

"What? Because I care about you! Because I saw what those sick men were trying to do and I know how it'd end-" she choked in her hurried whisper. Was she about to cry? "You have no idea the terror I felt when I realized it was you the one on the floor. You weren't responding and all I could do was scream at Robin who somehow arrested three men on her own and still managed to call an ambulance."

Wow, there really was a reason Miranda dated her, then.

You felt exhausted all of a sudden. Emotionally and physically, you just needed some sleep and a hug and you leaned against Miranda for just that.

She took you in her arms, surprised but seemingly not against it. You sighed and swallowed the knot in your throat. It didn't help much. Why did you have to like her so much? Why was she so kind and caring even after knowing you for only two weeks? It was so unfair she was taken, the one person with whom you could envision making it work.

When you parted, Miranda still had her arms around you. She was searching for something on your face, staring earnestly into your eyes as if willing you to understand her. You could not for the life of you understand anything about that woman anymore. Here she was, holding you and comforting you after flirting with you at your place of work. Sending you all these mixed signals and expecting you not to fall for them.

She looked almost frustrated with your lack of understanding, then her eyes snapped to your lips for one second then looked back at you; brows furrowed and eyes pleading. Why did this have to be so complicated? You matched her look, gazing wantonly at her lips, just to torture yourself at not meeting them.

However, at your lack of action and obvious wish, Miranda made the decision and leaned in. You weren't expecting it, suddenly woke from your daydream to a very real pressure on your lips. She had strawberry lip balm on and tasted of tea. Hospital tea, the ones at the reception for people staying the night. She smelled of nothing other than her, no soap or sweat or anything, just her after a long night and possibly long morning of dealing with whatever resulted from the last night's occurrence. She felt like home, her arms around you bringing you close delicately, the pressing of her lips long and slow as if she was trying to convey this ineffable thing you couldn't understand when she looked at you. It was beautiful and sweet and so painful you had to stop.

"But what about Robin?" you whispered against her lips.

"What about Robin?"

"I'm so confused, aren't you dating Robin? Your detective 'partner'?" and as you said it, everything clicked together "Oh, no-" You hid your face in Miranda's chest, feeling silly for all the bitterness and jealousy you indulged for the last week, but also hating yourself for all the unnecessary heartache. "You and Robin are partners, as in you work together on cases, correct?"

"Yes... I thought that was rather obvious..." Her arms tightened around you and she made soothing circles between your shoulders. "I think we even discussed the case in the coffee shop. I thought you heard us."

"I might have misunderstood," your voice was muffled by your face pressed onto her uncomfortable, bumpy, vest. You heard her chuckle, and she took a step back, with her index under your chin prompting you to look at her. She had a mischievous grin and an arched brow.

"Did you think we were together?" you only nodded, "And were you jealous?" at that, her grin went from mischievous to an earnest, excited smile. She was too pure for this world.

You didn't respond, only looked to the side screwing your face up to avoid the relieved smile.

"No, c'mon, I want to hear it," her voice carried a note of amusement, but she only looked kind when tilting your face to look at her again.

"I might have..." she huffed a small laugh "No! Shut up! Listen-" you could not control your smile at her looking so delighted "It's your fault that you were so adorable that first day and accepted my coffee like it was the best thing ever! It was just coffee and a cookie, and you looked unreasonably happy! And after that you kept coming and coming more frequently to my god-blessed queer café and flirting and looking shy and beautiful, what did you expect me to feel? Are you kidding me? This was all your fault, you menace! So, of course, I was jealous when you appeared with a dark and mysterious stranger and sat in the most private corner possible to whisper to each other like teenagers thinking they’re being subtle!"

"Ok, I realize you are very passionate about this," she laughed softly, bringing you to a hug again. "But you forgot that you were flirting mercilessly with me and that I never asked you to stop." She had a point, but again there were people who liked being flirted with, even when they were in relationships. You didn't think Miranda was like that, though.

"I know, but I'm allowed to be a bit irrational about this..." your volume decreased as you finished the sentence.

"You're pouting," she whispered to match you, "Why?"

Taking a deep breath, you locked eyes with her. Here goes nothing. "Because you're my coffee shop romance," you said trying to sound confident. At her lack of response for more than five seconds, you backtracked, "That is if you'd like to be. I shouldn't have assumed, you-"

"Jesus, shut up-" she said and smashed your lips together.

The kiss wasn't too dextrous, both of you smiling too much and too eager for it to work properly, but it was the best thing in the world.

"Not Jesus, but I'll let it pass this time," you murmured against her lip when you slowed down. She was peppering chaste, slightly long kisses on your lips and face.

"Shut up," you heard her smile before feeling it in your skin.

"You'll have to make me," you breathed back.

Decided to put notes at the end. I posted this one here because of the ask, but I hope you liked it and that I lived up to your expectations! I had a lot of fun writing this one, so thank you so much and sorry for the long post 💛

#miranda hilmarson #miranda hilmarson x reader #fluff #coffee shops & cafés #coffee shop au #top of the lake #gwendoline christie

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sirenjose · 4 months

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Do you think Mrs. Plinius will offer Norton a better payout if he joins her side over Orpheus?

🤔 Norton’s motivations according to his 2nd letter are monetary. Whether or not someone wants to argue Orpheus is or isn’t the one to make the assassination request in Norton’s 2nd letter and whether or not they also want to argue Alice is the female he was asked to target, we know Norton is working with Orpheus based on what we see in Ashes of Memory 2.

It is the only explanation for the sequence we see with how Alice chases the mysterious figure (Orpheus) into Darkwoods then runs into Norton, who she sees as Fool’s Gold due to hallucinations (from Siren’s Song most likely) the same way she saw Frederick as Mary at Kreiburg racecourse. We know it’s Norton based on seeing the real Norton (weilding a pickaxe) reflected in the water. Norton chases Alice right into Orpheus (the hands that grab her at the end of that sequence) who knocks her out. Why else would Orpheus bring her to Norton who chases her back to Orpheus? Orpheus did the same thing to Alice but with Frederick earlier. But even more apparent is when we see Norton in the secret basement no one should know about (besides Orpheus as the manor owner and Alice as someone who is purposefully investigating the manor and knows many of its secrets already anyways due to having grown up there), using Orpheus’ drugs on Alice. Those drugs should definitely be something only Orpheus should know about, as they’re key to the rest of his experiments and ultimate goal, and none of the other participants in any game have ever known about it otherwise. So you have to be working with Orpheus (like Sam for example) to have that sort of knowledge.

Anyways, rambling aside sorry, we all know Norton’s primary goal is to escape poverty. That’s all he cares about. So he was offered money. It is likely Orpheus is aware of what Norton did in Golden Cave, and if so could’ve used that information to blackmail him.

If money was all he was offered, it is possible Melly could make a better offer to Norton to win him over, especially as we know Orpheus is in debt to Count Barriere while we aren’t aware of Melly being in any such debt. She acquired quite a bit after her husband’s death, so I assume she’s been doing ok, though she could potentially lose that if people became aware of the fact she was the one to cause her husband’s death. If that didn’t happen, we’d be good. But I do believe Orpheus is already aware of the truth (I discussed this idea in my Melly analysis), as I think that’s why he sent her that exact bee specimen to get Melly to come to the manor. This is also why I have wondered if Melly is being blackmailed, same way Norton and potentially even Frederick are all being manipulated to help Orpheus.

Speaking of, if Norton is also being blackmailed, it could be hard to convince Norton to join her if Norton really doesn’t want anyone to know the truth of what happened at the mine. I have to admit, I’m honestly not sure how… much Norton would prioritize keeping the truth secret if he had the chance to earn a lot of money. It’s possible he might if it ended up with him being threatened punishment like jail, but we know Norton cares a lot about escaping his fate, so I think this is a bit of a tricky question.

If Melly and Norton are being blackmailed, I do wonder if this could be something Alice could fix. Orpheus may be a novelist, but she is an “independent investigative journalist”, in which case, her experience with this sort of thing could help either to counter anything Orpheus could potentially say if he were either to try to report to officials (like police) or to the public, or even bend the truth to get them off the hook if necessary.

Ok I’m probably rambling and being too confusing now. Bad habit. I can’t help thinking as I talk so I end up writing way more nonsense than I initially intend.

Simple answer: if it was simply a matter of offering a higher amount than Orpheus, I believe he easily would. If it’s a combination of money and being blackmailed, that could make it a bit trickier. That likely would require dealing with Orpheus to some degree first, and potentially some aid from Alice if necessary as I doubt Orpheus has any blackmail material on her and so she might be more able to assist and sway him over.

Another answer I just had, maybe if Melly (or even Alice) offered a higher amount as well as maybe counter blackmail against Orpheus, that might be enough (he has created drugs and experimented with them on people to mess up their memories and everything, as well as created scenarios that may have led people to becoming injured or killed. Though it’s possible he could argue the other participants did that, but he is still responsible for a lot of people’s disappearances. Either way, just thoughts).

Actually, maybe Norton would be interested in siding with her as long as she offered money. With how much Netease is trying to draw similarities between Melly and Norton, if Melly fears Orpheus more than Norton, it’s possible he may feel similarly about Orpheus, at least in terms of dislikes him to some degree for certain reasons, but it’s hard to say for now. I imagine due to her fear that could be motivation enough to say she’d at least consider offering Norton something to try to get him to join her. Norton right now I still think isn’t completely convinced he wants to kill the female he was asked to target yet, but that is a topic that will the lengthen this already too long response I’m already guilty about 😅. I’ll at least say i think this based on coa4, his backstory trailer, and a few other minor things)

I am so sorry for all this nonsense. I had too much fun thinking about this 😅 I hope that answered your question. (Especially when it is still my dream that Norton will end up siding with and/or helping Melly and Alice. If that happened, I’d be so happy. That on top of how I already believe Norton isn’t dead. I already made 2 super long threads on twitter about that as I absolutely refuse to believe otherwise, but anyways 🥲)

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theharrowing · 1 year

Text

Collateral 🗡️ 11: Something you will have in abundance

Your ex-boyfriend gets in over his head working for the local mafia, and Boss Min has come to collect his payment: You.

But was it simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or has he always had his sights on you?

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🗡️ Yoongi x Female Reader x Namjoon 🗡️ word count: 13.9k 🗡️ mafia au, strangers to lovers, graphic violence, major character injury, poly, smut, angst, fluff, nsfw, explicit, 21+ 🗡️ warnings: difficult conversations and heavy feelings, threesome (oral sex, vaginal & anal sex, a train-like position? you'll see.)

🗡️ note: this chapter is a mess. whew! you may get frustrated with how i decide mc feels throughout this one, but she's my character, and i want her to be a little broken.

🗡️ beta read by @neoneunnajimin

🗡️ posted nov. 2022 | read on ao3

The restaurant Yoongi brings you and Namjoon to is a dinky sushi spot in some back alley downtown. You always enjoy these places the most—the unassuming-on-the-outside, amazing-on-the-inside restaurants that Yoongi seems to prefer.

The three of you are led to a private room, and before you have a chance to sit on the thick, red velvet cushions which line the back wall, servers are coming to fill glasses with rice wine and water, and inform you that dinner will be ready shortly. Yoongi must have called ahead. The servers exit, and anxiety settles in.

There is probably no need to feel nervous since it makes sense that Yoongi would already know everything about your past. But what if he was directly involved in what happened to you back then? What if Yoongi's family was in charge of the honey bees who sent you to kill Seungri? You are not sure you can handle the ramifications of everything being a setup from the start, knowing just how little control you have had this entire time.

You have also compartmentalized the entire event to the extent that telling truth from fabrication is difficult, and you are unsure how much of the dream you can actually trust. It has been years since you dreamt so vividly about the penthouse, and you have not thought much about the honey bees or the queen in so long.

Once the three of you are settled down and the serving staff leaves, Namjoon busies himself with putting slices of sashimi onto your and Yoongi's bowls of rice and pushing side dishes in front of the two of you. It feels oddly domestic, being squished between the two of them while one of them dotes on you, but it helps calm your nerves.

The sound of Yoongi clearing his throat pulls you from your thoughts, and you feel the breath hitch in your throat with anticipation. Yoongi must notice because he chuckles and rests his hand on your knee.

"I am sure you have a lot of questions," Yoongi begins. "But why don't I tell you my story and then you can tell me yours?"

You nod and crack a smile. This feels like a good way to ease into the topic, especially considering it has been so long since you have discussed any of the events aloud, and you are unsure how you may feel.

Yoongi picks up a bite of food and closes his eyes to savor it. It is a simple act—the puffing of his cheeks as he chews, and the crescents that his eyes become—but you feel so captivated by how soft and serene he looks in this moment, and you cannot tear your gaze away. He swallows his mouthful and takes a sip of his rice wine, then sets his utensils down and angles his body toward yours, clasping his hands over one of your knees, sending a wave of warmth through you.

"Before I was born, my family did not have control over everything that we do now, including the brothels, and, at the time, the trafficking circles. Over the course of many years, my mother weaseled her way into becoming in charge of the largest brothel in this country. Her goal was to overthrow the men in charge and give the workers a better way of life, which, of course, was something she could not orchestrate on her own, nor out in the open, so she began to seek out workers to help create an uprising of sorts."

"The queen," you mutter under your breath, and Yoongi's grip on your knee tightens before releasing.

"Yes and no. The queen you knew of came after my mother—" Yoongi stops, and the words sound as if they are caught in his throat, so you wait for him to resume. There is a shifting beside you as Namjoon leans into your space and wraps an arm around you, reaching to give Yoongi's shoulder a squeeze. No emotion is conveyed on Yoongi's face as he gathers himself and clears his throat. "What led to the uprising that you were part of was in retaliation for what they did to her. That is also why the mission was so rushed."

You are left with more questions than answers, but Yoongi has a faraway look in his eyes, causing you to question whether this may be something he is not prepared to talk about, after all.

Namjoon shifts again beside you, and asks, "May I?" to which Yoongi hums and nods.

There is already fish and rice on the end of Namjoon’s chopsticks, and he takes a bite before continuing, so you turn away from Yoongi to give him a little space, and to finally grab your chopsticks and dig in. The tuna practically melts in your mouth, and you find yourself savoring the bite much like Yoongi had, with your cheeks puffed and eyes closed. The atmosphere feels tense, and you are relieved when Yoongi picks up his utensils and begins to eat, as well.

"As Yoongi was saying," Namjoon finally begins, softly, "before any of us were born, Yoongi's mother was coming into power. His father had begun to strategize taking over the brothels and trafficking ring—the latter with the hope of shutting it down—and his mother was eager to do anything she could to help."

"She was just like you," Yoongi mutters softly, "before my father took her away from the club and brought her into the family."

Just like you. Perhaps the words should not sting, but they do, and you feel yourself stiffen, shoulders drawing up as if to protect yourself.

Just like what, you wonder? A stray without a family? A cheap whore? A piece of meat to get passed around by the slimy men of the underground circuits? A pawn used to carry out a hired assassination for the so-called greater good, with hardly an explanation of why?

You attempt to tamp down the anger that rises within you, but it feels difficult to do when your past is spoken about so nonchalantly. Luckily, Namjoon cuts in before you have a chance to gather enough angry thoughts to throw back at Yoongi, and you take another mouthful of sashimi and rice.

"Yoongi's mother was left to the streets at a young age and found herself working as a prostitute to make ends meet. She was picked up by Seungri's predecessor and passed around until one day, Yoongi's father met her, hired her for a night, and eventually took her home. They slowly became influential within the sex work market, and stayed mostly on the sidelines, strategizing takeover plans, until Yoongi came along and pulled their attention away to more important matters for a while. She was like you in that she did not have family support, and she did what she had to, to survive." Namjoon's hand gently rubs over your shoulders, and as the warmth spreads from his palm, you find yourself relaxing into the touch.

"As Yoongi's father slowly became a partner in the brothers, overseeing operations and offering to let them use some of his men for security, his mother was brought in to oversee worker conditions, and to be a bridge between them and Seungri. She became somewhat of a figurehead within the scene, and the workers favored her above all others, but she was torn between those responsibilities and being a mother, and somewhere along the line, Seungri managed to once again gain more control."

Hearing his name rises bile to your throat, and you reach for your glass and take a big drink of your rice wine. Then, you grab your chopsticks and place a piece of fish atop a bite of rice.

Yoongi lets out a deep sigh, as if fortifying himself against a coming storm, then says, "Seungri slowly became violent, both with the workers, and with his own men. It took a while to get proof of his doings, but once people started to come to my mother for help, she began to create a network of workers, with the hope of building an army of sorts. This went on for a little over a decade before there was any sign of uprising."

The honey bees. You were quickly brought into the group upon your arrival to the compound. You wonder if you remember Yoongi's mother at all.

"The first uprising was small but calculated, and it took out several men. Seungri, however, caught wise, and not only did he beat the woman who was sent to assassinate him, but he quickly caught onto what was happening, forcing my mother into hiding."

There is a bitterness to Yoongi's tone, and he takes another bite of food. You pause with the food you had gathered in your chopsticks, hovering just before your mouth as the realization hits you. Rumors of what happened to the old queen—the details of which were so gruesome, you never fully believed they were true. If what they say is true, then Yoongi's mother—

"Sadly," Namjoon says softly, "Yoongi's mother was found, and Seungri used her as a means to...teach the others a lesson."

"So what the honey bees said was true," you mutter, lowering your food back to your bowl.

"What did they say?" Yoongi asks, solemnly.

You squeeze your eyes closed and shake your head slowly. Although the police attempted to cover the murder and keep it out of the public's eye, word spread fast, and there was a photo that was passed along, showing up in text messages on your burner phone from unsaved numbers.

The photo was unclear, but it did not have to be detailed; you knew what it contained. Hanging by her neck from a rope, out of her penthouse apartment window, was a woman in a long back dress, with long black hair covering her face. All you had been able to make out from the image were arms and legs and a hint of neck, but you knew it was a woman. With the image always came the same message, over the course of the several years you spent in that hellhole: This is what happens to whores who think they wield power.

Your voice is shaky and sullen, and when you open your eyes, the room feels too bright. "They said she was beaten and taken to her apartment, where they hanged her from her window, and there, she died. The ph-photo..."

The urge to vomit overwhelms you, and you bury your face in your hands, squeezing your eyes closed again.

"You saw it?" Namjoon asks softly, and you nod your head.

With a sigh, you drop your hands and will yourself to open your eyes. The food before you looks amazing, but you do not have the appetite to enjoy it. Perhaps discussing this over dinner was an unwise decision.

"It was sent around every so often,” you continue. “Whenever talk of the honey bees would come to light. They knew we were still plotting but could not prove it, so they used her photo as a scare tactic."

"Within the span of three months,” Yoongi says with a heavy exhale, “I lost my father and my mother. And my wedding was called off. I can't help but loathe the woman who failed to kill Seungri," he mutters. His voice sounds broken and strained—so unlike the Yoongi you know. "But I am grateful for you. Everything changed because of you."

"Because of the queen who was brave enough to replace your mother," you say.

Yoongi takes your hand in both of his, and you turn to finally look at him. He looks weathered and tired, but when he cracks a soft smile, his eyes light up, and you cannot help but smile back.

"He is very brave," Yoongi says. "He was only a teenager when he took over. And I will protect him with my life, always."

"He?" you ask, though as soon as the word leaves your mouth, you already know. Of course, it is him. It all makes sense. "Jimin?"

Yoongi smiles wide and lifts your hand to his lips. With a soft press of a kiss against your fingers, he says, "My, aren't you a clever one?"

What followed the revelation that Jimin was the queen who ordered you to murder a man began as a numbness that covered you, which became replaced by a slow but insistent cascade of feelings, many of which were negative. You quickly ate your dinner in silence and waited for it to be time to leave. Yoongi and Namjoon seemed to pick up on your shift in mood, and neither of them pressed you for more information. They made small talk and ate as well, but the conversation had ended there.

You still have questions, but now you would like to direct them to the only person who can answer them. And he just so happens to be someone you do not want to see or speak with at the moment.

Namjoon—sweet, protective, sometimes slightly overbearing but well-intentioned Namjoon—insists you join him poolside to get some fresh air and clear your head. There is a chill in the faint breeze, and you wonder if sitting out here in the sunshine might be more effective in brightening your mood—literally and figuratively—but you had agreed to join him, if only to have an exorbitant amount of champagne while watching him strip down to his briefs and recline beside you in all his buff, tattooed glory.

Your only caveat is that you lay under one of the canopied areas on the opposite side of the pool from the mansion doors. The top of the space is open, lending a nice view of the sky, and there are proper pool beds, and mesh curtains that close, allowing you to keep some of the cool air out. Namjoon even takes the liberty of turning on a propane heater that sits between the heads of both beds, slowly warming the space from above.

You lay on a pool bed with your black a-line halter spaghetti strap dress still on and shoes kicked off, but because it is just the two of you, you bend your knees and allow the skirt to fall and gather around your hips, revealing the black satin that barely covers you underneath. Especially with even a full glass of champagne in your system—which you down in record time—you could not care less. Let the bartender see, too, you think. To hell with it all.

"You are handling everything pretty well," Namjoon says with his eyes on the sky.

From poolside, you can actually see some stars. Yoongi's property is far enough outside the city that the light pollution does not obstruct as much. But you still cannot see as many as you would like. In fact, you have no real concept of what a sky full of stars is; you have never actually left the city since arriving so many years ago.

"I'm chugging champagne," you counter Namjoon's lofty observation as you smile to the bartender, who has returned to fill your glass. He sets the remainder of the bottle on the table between you and Namjoon, and you thank the bartender sweetly, only for your expression to become a scowl as Namjoon notices, plucks the bottle away, and sets it on the floor on the opposite side of his chair.

"What I mean," Namjoon begins, partially groaning through his words as he readjusts himself on his chair and sips from his mostly full glass, "is that you are not, I don't know, throwing a fit, or something."

This makes you scoff into your glass, spraying droplets of liquid onto your knees.

"You expect me to be throwing a fit. Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Joon."

There is a part of you that wants to be furious with the entire situation, and you imagine how exciting it might be to throw your champagne at Namjoon while shrieking about something or other, then storming away. But you are tired, and you do not want to waste alcohol, and Namjoon probably does not deserve that. Even if he would look fantastic startled and wet.

Namjoon shifts position and sits up, swinging his tree trunk legs over the side of the pool bed, and you ogle him openly, biting on your lower lip as your eyes scan the rest of him. Why must he be so hot while you are so emotionally messy? Curse the gods or whatever for bringing him to you in a time like this.

"I do not expect you to be throwing a fit," Namjoon says firmly, both hands gently holding his champagne glass while he watches you with sympathetic eyes. "What I meant to say was that, in your position, I would at least be visibly hurt. Probably crying. Definitely isolating myself. For you to be sitting out here with me and holding it together—champagne or not—is impressive, sweetheart."

"It is not that I'm holding it together," You say as you sit up and slowly turn to face Namjoon, but rather than return his gaze, all you can bring yourself to do is stare down at your glass of champagne. Your voice is weak, suddenly, and you swallow a lump. "I'm just bottling it up. And at some point, I will explode. I just—" a heavy sigh leaves your lungs, "—I'm just tired."

"Do you want to go to bed?" Namjoon offers.

You shake your head. No, you do not want to go to bed. But you also do not want to be awake. You just want to be numb to the world and forget. Perhaps, with Namjoon beneath you, you could do just that. After a fortifying exhale, you down your champagne and set the glass on the small table beside your pool beds.

When you finally meet Namjoon's gaze, his eyes are squinted and curious, and his lips hang slightly open. He watches you intently, following every move as you place both hands on the side of the bed and stand, stepping forward to tower over him.

"I don't want to sleep. I want to forget."

Namjoon downs his champagne and sets his glass aside, then rests his arms at his sides. His gaze is bright and intense, threatening to turn you to ash.

"Forget how?"

You shrug and nibble your lip, playing coy.

"I don't know, daddy. I need you to help me figure it out."

Namjoon's eyes flash, and you grin, taking the slight shift in demeanor as an invitation. But then he fumbles around and twists, looking for the pants he discarded on the pool bed behind his. With an index finger waving in the air, he says, "Hold on, I just...I want to get permission. Since Yoongi isn't here."

And ordinarily, you would find this gesture charming, but right now, you are mildly intoxicated and impatient, and you want to ride this beefy hunk of a man until the only thing you can remember is his name.

Also, you are annoyed, because, despite the amount of time you have spent in this mansion, by Yoongi's side, there has never been a label put on whatever it is you are doing, aside from jokes of you being a future mafia wife. So why should Yoongi be asked permission when you are not even really his, to begin with?

This, of course, contradicts all the worries you have been having about overstepping Yoongi’s boundaries and desires with regard to Namjoon being involved, but right now all you want to care about is yourself. You are not in the right mind to be worrying about much else, problematic as it may be.

You sit with a huff and fold your arms over your chest, muttering, "Just forget it."

Namjoon, however, is determined, and he types at lightning speed on his phone, ignoring your change in mood. Then he stands from his bed and says, "I'll be back in ten seconds," as he runs off.

"Way to kill the vibe," you mutter under your breath as you slump back on the pool bed. You have half a mind to return to the mansion and go to bed, but Yoongi called a late-night meeting with some of his men, and you do not want to go inside, in case they are still there.

Namjoon returns quickly, flinging the mesh curtain open, and he holds his hand out to you as he takes a seat on his pool bed while setting his phone down on the small table.

"Come here," he softly instructs.

"What was that?" you ask with an amused lift of your brows, already forgetting some of your frustration now that he is back and looking oh-so-adorable.

"I told the bartender to go home for the night," Namjoon responds as he reaches for your hand and gently tugs you back onto your feet. You put up exactly one ounce of resistance before smiling playfully and standing. "And I wanted to make sure the guys weren't still in the living room."

You turn your head and attempt to look into the large glass windows to see if you can spot anyone, but between the mesh curtain and the dark, distant room, you can not make anything out. "Are they still there?"

Namjoon shakes his head with a smirk. "They will be gone for a while. Come here."

You allow yourself to be pulled closer, and you slot one of Namjoon's legs between yours, and one of yours between his. Your tone is teasing as you ask, "And why aren't you there, performing your duties as Master Min's second in command?"

"I am performing my duties," Namjoon says as his hands snake around your waist, and he brings you so close, his chin rests against your tummy. Namjoon looks earnest, gazing up at you as he continues, "I have to make sure you are okay."

Affection blooms in your chest, and you swallow hard in an attempt to ignore it.

"And was that a direct order?" you ask in the same chiding manner as before.

Namjoon glares, but it is playful, and there is no hint of resentment behind it.

"No," he finally says. "I told him that I wanted to stay with you, and he wished me a good night."

You hum. Interesting. Although you have come to understand the love that Yoongi and Namjoon undoubtedly share, there is still a part of you that wonders if you could be a catalyst, of sorts. Sure, right now, everything is fun and exciting, but what about down the line? What sort of jealousies may arise, and what kinds of beasts will these men become?

For now, you allow yourself to bask in this moment. Namjoon's eyes slowly become dark as his hands run up your back and down to your hips. He pauses, then continues down, over your ass, and you find each exhale becoming shakier than the last.

"And you got permission from his highness to touch me?" you tease with a lift of the brow, though your voice is less steady than before.

Namjoon snickers, but his lips tug into a frown. You already know what he is thinking, and if you did not have 2 glasses of champagne and the rice wine from earlier flowing through your bloodstream, you might feel a bit guilty.

"He cares about you," Namjoon begins, and you lift a hand to press two fingers into his plush lips, effectively shutting him up.

"Don't," you mutter. "Not right now."

Namjoon nods and flays his fingers so his grip on your ass is wider, firmer. He gives you a squeeze, and your breath hitches. Then, he tugs you downward, forcing you to fumble to straddle him and sit down. You rest your hands on Namjoon's shoulders as you settle onto his lap, sitting with your knees on the bed and your short black skirt bunched up around your hips.

"Show me how you fuck his highness," Namjoon growls as his hands slide up your back and tug you impossibly close.

This makes you gasp, and Namjoon takes the opportunity to lick into your mouth, pulling a moan from deep within your chest as arousal floods your senses. Suddenly, you return to feeling like perhaps you are doing something wrong by getting so intimate with Namjoon without Yoongi around. There is no label on what the two of you are, but you have also been exclusive to one another until now.

You hate that you feel an inkling of hesitation, but you sink into the feeling and suck Namjoon's bottom lip between your teeth to drown out the nagging voice that tells you to go slow. Namjoon moans, his fingers dig into your back, and there is no other place you want to be in this moment.

"Lay down," you instruct against Namjoon's lips, and he groans as he begins to scoot back, quite haphazardly.

You wiggle from his grasp and stand, watching as Namjoon swings his legs up onto the bed—trailing your eyes down his toned, tattooed chest, over his soft but muscular tummy, past the dizzying bulge in his briefs, to those thick fucking thighs.

Once Namjoon is settled, you waste no time climbing on top of him and settling onto his hips. Namjoon's hands find your ass and he pulls you down against him, raking his erection over your core and sending a shiver down your spine as your head lolls back from the feeling.

"I want you so fucking bad," Namjoon groans, sliding his hands up your back and pulling you down, against him.

You crash into Namjoon's chest and kiss his jaw, his neck, his throat—anywhere you can reach in frenzied, hurried movements, and Namjoon uses his fingertips to gather the fabric of your short black dress and hike the skirt up past your hips. Floral notes blend with Namjoon's musk and make you dizzy as you kiss and explore lower, marking him with saliva and desire. You have no bra beneath the halter-style top, and your hard nipples rub against the soft fabric as you move down Namjoon's chest with your lips, teeth, and tongue.

Namjoon's skin tastes slightly sweet with a hint of salty sweat, and you move to the right to play with his nipple, flicking and nibbling and making him gasp. He writhes beneath you, rolling his cock into your tummy as you tease and taste him.

"Fuck," Namjoon gasps, gently taking you by the head while half-sitting up, as if desperate to kiss you. You comply and lean forward, crashing your lips against his as you force him to lay back down.

"Please," Namjoon whines, and you grin against his lips before giving his bottom one a little bite, making him gasp.

"Please, what, Joonie?"

"I need you."

Your grin widens, and you mock him with a sweet lilt to your voice. "But you have me."

"Please," Namjoon whines again. "Please fuck me. You have no idea how badly I need you."

You sit up, placing your hands on Namjoon's chest as leverage, but also to hold him down. "You sound so pretty when you beg, Joonie."

"Please."

You tip your head to the side and roll your core against his erection, moaning as your panties dampen.

"Tell me how badly you need me."

Namjoon groans and grips onto your tights with both hands.

"I need to feel your tight pussy squeeze more than just my fingers. I need to fuck you."

A thrilling shiver runs through you.

"Is that so?"

"Please."

And as much as you would love to lay down and command Namjoon to make you cum with his mouth and fingers before he can have you on his cock, you do not want to waste any time. Despite Namjoon saying the guys will be gone for a while, you want to get the show on the road—you don't exactly want to be caught. That is, unless Yoongi returns alone and decides to join you.

"Wait," Namjoon says, lifting his hand to your cheek once more and gently taking you by the face. He sits up halfway, propped onto his other elbow. "I want to make sure that you know I'm not just in this for sex. I want to fall for you entirely, and love every part of you."

Your hands slip from Namjoon's shoulders and fall to your sides as an icy chill runs through you. Fall for you. Love. These phrases are too intense—too demanding for where your headspace is right now—and you feel horrified by the thought.

Love is not something you have ever afforded yourself. Love is a surefire way to go supernova—to collapse on yourself like a dying star—burning too bright and too hot before becoming nothing but scattered remains in cold, otherwise empty space; dusty fragments of what used to be bright warmth.

Namjoon must sense your change in mood because he sits all the way up and attempts to wrap his arms around you. You flinch and scramble to your feet, getting the hell off of the pool bed and away from the man on it.

"Wait," Namjoon pleas as he swings his legs over the side of the bed, "what did I say?"

You shake your head and back up until your calves hit the bed you previously occupied and you sit down, slumped with your arms around your torso. You acknowledge that there have been times of weakness during which you have allowed yourself to think you have been falling for Yoongi—times in which he has made you feel cared for and desired.

But those moments were fleeting. Those moments were left unspoken.

This...this profession of love—of the desire to love—this is too much.

"I need to go," you mutter as you stand. "I'm sorry."

You scurry out of the canopy, toward the mansion doors and scramble to grab onto the handle and push it open despite Namjoon showing no sign of following you. As you enter the empty hall and turn to pull the door shut, you glance in his direction to find him sitting with his head in his hands, elbows resting on his knees. You feel a slight tinge of guilt, but you turn away before the tinge can grow into a full smudge for you to wish to eradicate and fix.

The mansion is eerie at night—dark and silent and empty. As you run up the stairs, you keep your eyes fixed ahead, and when you reach your bedroom, you throw the door open and closed, locking the knob before crawling into your bed and pulling the covers over your head. A faint glow comes into your window from a single light outside which allows cameras to see the perimeter of that area of the house, but otherwise, your room is completely dark.

Under your cover, where it is warm, silent, and completely absent of professions of love, you close your eyes and steady your breathing until you eventually fall asleep.

You are surprised, when you wake up, to find the sun shining brightly. Nobody has come knocking at your door.

A feeling of sadness washes over you as you sit up and stretch, but you remind yourself that you are alone because you made the choice to be alone, and that you have nothing to feel sad about. Still, you are a bit disappointed to find that Yoongi had not bothered checking in at all.

You get out of bed and make your way to the closet to change out of last night's dress and into matching black sweatpants and sweater. Then, you slide on some black slippers and shut off your closet light, and make your way to your bedroom door. Although you have no idea whether anyone is home, you want to grab a bite to eat.

When you open your door, you are surprised to find Changbin standing in front of the entrance, with his back to you and his arms crossed over his chest. Excitement for seeing him after so long rises, then quickly dissipates as he shakes his head and says, "I have been instructed to not let you out until Yoongi comes for you."

Confusion hits first, then frustration. "You wh—"

"Please return to your room," Changbin says firmly, still refusing to turn his body to face you. "Yoongi will be with you shortly."

With a huff, you back into your room and shove the door shut, surprised by how loudly it slams—you had not meant to be so forceful, but you also made no attempt to be gentle. Then, you return to bed, with nothing else to do, abandoning your slippers to the floor, and pull the comforter back over your head. Sure, there are books and magazines you could read, and it would feel nice to take a shower, but sulking is the easiest, most convenient option, and, frankly, you feel too overcome with emotion to do anything else.

Between Changbin and Felix, you are not quite as close to Changbin. But you still thought there was some level of friendliness between the two of you. Whatever he exhibited on the mezzanine was cold.

"Whatever," you mutter to yourself as you squeeze your eyes shut to prevent tears from falling over.

Fuck Changbin, fuck Yoongi, and Namjoon, and Jimin. Fuck every person who has ever made you feel small and disposable. And, worse yet, fuck every person who has made you question whether or not you could be worthy of love. The world is cold and unyielding, and you are not going to be a pawn in that stupid game.

You breathe in deeply, through your nose, and out slowly, through your mouth, then you count backward from three hundred to ground yourself and to distract your mind from wandering to the depths of hell. Tears run hot down your cheeks, and you slow your breathing as gasps and sobs rock through you, all the while, you do your best not to acknowledge them. It is too hot under your cover, and you allow the enveloping warmth to remind you that you are present—that you are alive.

As you mutter, "Two hundred twenty-three," there is a knock at your door—gentle and familiar. Patient.

With an exasperated sigh, you fling the cover from over your head and roll into the fetal position away from the door, responding, "What?" as sharply as you can. And as the door cracks open, you squeeze your eyes shut.

"Darling?" Yoongi calls softly.

You do not respond.

A sigh follows the sound of the door being closed. You hold your breath in anticipation for a touch or sound that does not come.

Then, suddenly, a long moment later, a floorboard before you creaks, and a warm hand rests on your knee. Despite being somewhat surprised, you do not flinch.

"Care to tell me what is bothering you?" Yoongi asks softly, and boy howdy, would you love to give him a piece of your mind.

You open your eyes, careful to maintain a perfect scowl of your brows and lips. Yoongi looks beautiful squatting before you with his hair growing further past his ears, twisting at the ends with a volume you never knew possible. He is also wearing a tee and sweatpants, despite the sun being high enough for it to be late morning, if not noon.

"Why did Changbin refuse to let me leave my room?"

Yoongi is expressionless, but his voice is tender. "Because that was the order he was given."

You squint your eyes harder. "Yeah. No shit. Why?"

With a sigh, Yoongi removes his hand from your knee, but he remains in a squatted position.

"I was having a conversation that I did not wish for you to overhear."

"About what?"

A scoff rocks Yoongi, forcing him to readjust his footing. He shakes his head. "You are impossible."

The smile that tugs on Yoongi's pretty lips almost forms a crack in your hard exterior, and you look away from him, at your hand, which is resting palm down on the bed, beside your face.

"It was nothing that pertains to you," Yoongi continues. "And it is not that I don't trust you. I just have to be careful, sometimes. This was between only two family men and myself."

"And you could not have gone into another room or something to discuss it," you mutter sadly, feeling your anger washed away and replaced by a pathetic, overwhelming aching in your chest.

"No," Yoongi laughs. "I will discuss business in my own home wherever I please. Everyone else will bend to those needs. That is how it is."

You roll your eyes, resolved on being difficult.

"Charming."

A moment of silence comes, and you welcome it. You tell yourself to stop being such a brat—to stop being dead set on taking something personally when there does not seem to be a real issue. Then, you swallow a lump that threatens to bring with it another myriad of emotions and nearly open your mouth to apologize when Yoongi sighs.

"Darling, will you please tell me what is bothering you?"

At this you force yourself to sit up with a low groan, hanging your legs over the edge of the bed while hugging your arms around your torso. At this point, you just feel silly. You would rather not tell Yoongi what is bothering you.

You shrug.

"It's fine. I just—I don't know—I don't like feeling like a prisoner in my own home. Perhaps I should keep my phone available more so that you can communicate with me more directly."

"Having direct access to you would be nice."

Your eyes flit up to find Yoongi watching you with a sullen expression along with something else. Something soft. Something affectionate.

"Namjoon said something last night that made me...uncomfortable," you admit.

"He told me."

Of course, he did. You can't help but wonder what else Namjoon said to Yoongi last night. And whether Namjoon slept in Yoongi's bed last night. Perhaps, you think, Namjoon did a little more than sleep in Yoongi's bed last night.

"What did he tell you?"

Yoongi shakes his head and smiles softly. "Only that he was trying to assure you that he was not using you for sex and you got upset and left for bed."

"Upset," you say with a chuckle.

"What was it that bothered you about what he said?"

You appreciate what Yoongi is trying to do—for you and for Namjoon—but this is a conversation that you do not want to be having with him. At least, not at the moment.

"I don't really want to talk about this right now."

"Fine."

You are a bit surprised by Yoongi's response but you do not question it. There was a time when you saw Yoongi as the kind of man who behaved as if he was owed all information about all things. And now, here he is, accepting no as an answer. Or, perhaps, he is accepting the idea of not yet as an answer. Perhaps he does expect access to your thoughts at some point in the near future.

Love—and your aversion to it—is a conversation you and Yoongi will likely need to have. Especially if you are going to continue living under this roof as...whatever it is you are to him. Especially if Namjoon is to be included. Namjoon, who very clearly loves Yoongi. Namjoon, who Yoongi very clearly loves, in return.

"Are you up for joining me at an event tomorrow evening?" Yoongi asks.

This question surprises you, but, then again, Yoongi has never been one to give you warning for anything, always telling you about something mere moments before it is set to happen.

"What type of event?"

"There are some important men who will be at the casino. I would like to have you by my side, at least for part of the evening. If you would like to run off to the nightclub after the appearance, or be escorted back home, we can arrange that."

You swallow a new lump—a lump of trepidation and uncertainty.

"Will I be appearing with the ring on my finger?"

"Yes." Silence for a few beats, then, "So will you join me?"

You nod your head without giving it any thought. "Yes."

"Good."

Yoongi's phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket with a grimace, which fades when he sees Jimin's bright smile on the screen. You cower and look away, still not ready to face those feelings, just yet. He answers the phone immediately.

"Hello?"

You tip your head and Yoongi stands, holding up a finger to excuse himself as he says, "Jiminah, I could never be mad at you. Tell me what is happening. What do you need?"

Concern washes over you, but you settle back into bed, staring at the ceiling. This day already feels like a wash, and you decide instead to look forward to the event tomorrow, when you can dress up and play house, and pretend that everything is okay.

It had not occurred to you until you found yourself standing at your vanity, smoothing out your black satin gown, that you would probably have to see Jimin again. You and Jimin have not spoken since the bath a few days ago, and now you know how your paths have crossed in the past, but you have not quite had the time to reconcile everything.

A gentle knock at your door pulls you from your thoughts, and although you know that knock to belong to Yoongi, you still hold your breath as he slowly pushes the door ajar just enough to pop his head inside.

"Darling," Yoongi says with a wide smile, "I've come to see how you are feeling."

You force a smile, feeling a sudden, overwhelming urge to cry, and you take a deep, slow breath.

"Fine."

"I—" Yoongi begins, then he stands straight and takes a step into the room. He wears a white button-up with a very pronounced, pointed lapel, tucked into black satin slacks. His hair is styled to look wild and voluminous, tucked perfectly behind one ear while cascading in front of the other. You want to run your fingers through it, but there is definitely product holding the balance of keeping that mane looking both tamed and untamable.

"You wore white," you mutter before he has a chance to say whatever is on his mind. "Should I change?"

Yoongi shakes his head and smiles. "No, you look perfect, darling. I will have a black satin jacket on; we will match."

"White heels, then, perhaps," you suggest, thinking about your rows and rows of shoes. There is a pair of white pointed-toe heels that would be perfect.

Yoongi hums, then approaches, placing both hands gently on your biceps. "About your makeup...I tried to call in a favor from someone who used to work for me in the past, but she—"

"Just send Jimin in," you say without giving it any thought, already somewhat prepared for this situation.

Yoongi could probably hire a professional makeup artist to come to the mansion last minute if he wanted to. It is clear that he does not want to. If the only person who he feels safe bringing into the house is Jimin, then you will have to face your emotions sooner than you hoped for.

"Are you sure?" Yoongi asks, sounding concerned.

You nod and look him in the eye to solidify that you mean it.

"Hurry," you tease with a fake smile. "We don't have all night."

Yoongi chuckles and nods, then releases your arms and leaves the room. All there is left to do is wait. Although, you imagine that it was Jimin who did Yoongi's hair, so you probably do not have to wait long.

Your gown for the evening is simple and strapless, with a square bodice that slightly cinches at the waist before cascading straight down to your toes. The fabric is ruched and rippled, and there is a slit on the right side, showing a generous amount of leg. You run your hands over the fabric in an attempt to ground yourself, staring at the shiny black fabric in the mirror.

By the time there is another soft knock at the door, you feel calm. Well, as calm as possible, considering the circumstances.

The door creeps open, and in peeks a familiar cherubic face with freshly colored brown hair. It shines in the light with hints of auburn, and you smile at how perfectly him it is.

"New hair," you mutter, and Jimin blushes, eyes falling to the floor. "It suits you. You look radiant."

Despite a lot of makeup doing an impressive job at blending over Jimin's eye, you can see hints of bruising, and a faint scab where his lip had been split. The average person may not notice, though; that is how good Jimin is.

"Dove, I—"

You shake your head and wave Jimin into the room. Now is not the time for getting sappy over feelings and emotions.

"We can talk later, yeah?" you offer. "I do not want to get too emotional only for you to have to reapply my mascara over and over again."

This lightens the, mood and Jimin chuckles.

"Fair enough."

House of Cards is a raucous affair, with the noises from the machines and the sounds of men shouting overwhelming you the moment you walk through the front door. On your arm, Yoongi nods and cracks a smile at certain men, guiding you toward the center of the large, chaotic hall.

Behind you, Namjoon and most of the other family men follow in black suits with guns strapped beneath their arms and on the waistband of their pants. The only men missing from the bunch are Seokjin and Jeongguk.

Although you keep your gaze forward, staring at the craps table in the center of the room, you can feel the stares of others. Women whispering, men muttering. You find it entertaining how dreadfully obvious they are being, despite their feeble attempts at being hush-hush.

As you approach the center of the room, Yoongi leans down, gives you his winning smile, and asks, "What would the lady like to drink, tonight?"

There is a light dusting of charcoal grey around Yoongi's eyes that makes them sharper and more intense, and as he leans to speak to you, his hair falls gently over his cheek, as if providing the two of you a little curtain of privacy. Yoongi is so fucking handsome—so charming in a way that twists your insides into knots. You want to reach over and kiss him until the two of you are left gasping for air—want to know only the warmth of his skin and the smell of his musk.

"Whiskey neat," you respond with a smirk, watching as Yoongi's eyes light up.

"Coming right up," Yoongi responds with a gentle kiss to your cheek, before stepping away and forcing your hand to slide off of his arm.

Namjoon steps in, eyes forward and posture straight as a board, and you resist the urge to grab him.

"Namjoon," you begin, "I wanted t—"

"Not here."

Namjoon's voice is deep and serious, taking on a tone that you only ever hear when he is working. It makes you sad to have to see this side of him after getting to see his softer sides, as well, but you are out in public with Yoongi, after all, so everything emotional and soft has to be left behind, enclosed safely within the mansion walls.

"You're right," you respond simply, rolling your shoulders back to keep your posture straight while you turn your gaze to the right, to Yoongi. He stands at the bar where you notice Seokjin and Jeongguk sitting, and he is leaning down and saying something to Jeongguk that makes the younger laugh. You scoff, always unable to believe your eyes whenever you witness Jeongguk laughing.

Yoongi taps Jeongguk on the underside of the chin with two fingertips—a motion you have never seen before. It makes Jeongguk scowl in an affectionate way, like a younger sibling being teased by an older sibling. Then, Yoongi takes two glasses and brings them over, and before you can reach for yours, Namjoon pops open a small plastic container and pulls out a thin paper strip. You watch as Namjoon dips the strip in one drink, then rests it on the edge of the glass as he pulls out another strip and does the same with the second drink.

"We'll head upstairs in a moment," Yoongi mutters to you over the drinks in his hands. "How are you holding up?"

You nod and glance between the strips and Yoongi.

"I'm fine."

"Your feet?" Yoongi asks, having helped you into the strappy heels.

A smile breaks over your face, which you attempt to contain.

"They are fine."

"Good."

There it is, again—that soft, affectionate gaze that makes you want to run for the hills as fast as possible and never look back. You find it hard to look Yoongi in the eye and instead take in the room—or, as much of it as you can with two men standing in your bubble.

"Both are negative," Namjoon announces, removing the strips and pocketing them.

Yoongi holds out one of the glasses, and you take it, tapping the edge to the side of his before having a sip. The whiskey is bittersweet, coating your tongue and leaving a slight burn in its wake as it glides down your throat.

"Shall we, darling?" Yoongi asks as he holds out his elbow toward you, leaning in a bit closer.

As you change which hand is holding onto your drink, you catch the glimmer of your engagement ring and pause to stare. Ever since the night he proposed at this very casino, you have not worn in. It has lived inside its pretty blue box on your bedside table, where you have effectively forgotten about it.

It is unfair, you think, that the only time you will get to wear such a gorgeous piece of jewelry is in a game of make-believe. But, then again, you have made the choice to be the person who does not fall in love. And, should you and Yoongi decide to actually get married, regardless of what he tells you, you are aware that even that union will be a strategic move, and nothing more.

"Something the matter?" Yoongi asks quietly, and you snap from your thoughts to turn to him.

You shake your head and crack a measured smile while snaking your arm beneath Yoongi's and grabbing onto his bicep.

"Sorry. It's so easy to get distracted here."

"It is overwhelming, I know," Yoongi responds as he leads you past the craps table, to a set of elevator doors. "Once I meet with these men, you can be free to go."

You enter the elevator and take your place in front of the closing doors, still holding onto Yoongi's arm. And although you would like to get out of this place—and this dress and these shoes—as soon as possible, you find you do not really want to leave Yoongi's side.

The evening seems to be winding down, which is great news because you are exhausted. Yoongi met with some men—none of whom introduced themselves to you—and then you excused yourself to the nightclub across the way from the convention room, where you sat at the bar and drank free whiskey all night. There was a fleeting moment of wanting to join everyone on the dancefloor, but in your heels, your feet would be begging you for mercy, so instead, you swayed on a barstool while the servers kept you company.

From where you sit, you have had a clear sight of Yoongi and his cohorts, and the other suits, milling about. Most notable has been Namjoon, who has stood in the center of the room with his arms folded over his chest and his posture straight since the moment you arrived.

Namjoon, with his hair growing out just as everyone else's is. Namjoon, whose gaze lingers just a bit too long on Yoongi—whose lips downturn just a hint as he seems to get lost in thought.

You wonder what Namjoon is feeling in times like these when he is not allowed to be the one on Yoongi's arm. You wonder if he resents you because you are.

"Dove," Jimin's soft voice calls, and you turn to find him leaning against the bar, elbow on the wood with the rest of his body angled toward you.

"Hey, you."

"We are just about ready to go if you are."

You nod and twist in your seat, then set the glass down, half-full of whiskey, as you slide off the stool. Jimin smirks, grabs the glass, and gulps the whiskey, then places a hand on your lower back to guide you out into the hallway.

"When would you like to talk?" Jimin asks softly.

With a soft sigh, you stop and turn to him, then wrap your arms around his waist. And perhaps it is unwise to be affectionate towards another man in public—god only knows who may be watching you—but you squeeze Jimin tight and run a hand up his back before releasing.

"I'm not mad at you," you mutter, swallowing down your emotions. "I understand why you gave the order. I'm—I'm proud that I was able to kill him."

And it is true—every last word. Although your feelings on the matter are complicated, you are glad to have put a horrible man to death. You are proud to have avenged Yoongi’s mother.

Tears sneak past your lids and run down your cheeks, and you sniffle and turn your face away, feeling silly for getting so emotional. You blame it on being intoxicated despite having most of your wits about you, still.

"I feel a little bad," Jimin says. "I have always wanted to apologize. And to thank you. I just never knew how to bring it up."

You chuckle and wipe away the tears on your cheeks, feeling lighter even after such a short cry.

"I suppose you couldn't just casually bring it up before we really knew each other."

"Hey, you know that guy you killed," Jimin says in a playful tone, "that was done on my order. Anyway, my name is Jimin, nice to meet you!"

Laughter rocks through you, and you smack Jimin on the arm before shoving him toward the door to the conference hall. It feels nice to have the air clear, and although there is more you would like to discuss, for now, you are happy with leaving it where it is. No part of you wants to hold a grudge, especially against sweet, wonderful Jimin.

As you enter the conference room, Yoongi looks up with a wide smile, eyes trailing between you and Jimin. You can sense the relief coming from him, and you smile in return.

All the men have left the room, save for Namjoon and Jeongguk, who stand off to the side discussing something with their backs turned to the room. You and Jimin approach Yoongi, and you snake your hands inside his jacket and lean against his chest, hoping your makeup does not smudge his pretty white shirt.

"Let's get you home," Yoongi grumbles against your head. "I want Namjoon to come with us, alright?"

You nod and hold Yoongi tighter, closing your eyes. The level of intoxication that you feel is just high enough for you to comfortably voice everything that overwhelmed you the night before, so you have no worries about Namjoon joining. At least, you hope so.

After a blissful moment of breathing in autumn mornings and sweet musk, you release Yoongi and allow him to guide you toward the elevator. The others join, somewhat crowding your space, and although you are a bit drunk, and your body is tired, and your feet are aching, you feel good.

It is a calm feeling that embraces you like a warm hug—tender and firm. You wrap your arms around Yoongi's bicep and lean your head against his shoulder. Through the hazy, distorted reflection of the elevator doors, you think you can see him smile.

Rather than exit through the casino, you take the elevator down to a basement level which opens into a parking structure. As the doors swing open, you make your exit, but Yoongi walks a little slower—hangs back while the others filter around. Then, he bends and picks you up bridal-style, causing you to yelp and wrap your arms around his neck.

"You have been in those heels all day, darling," Yoongi mutters.

You cannot help but smile.

"I told you, I'm fine."

Yoongi chuckles and nuzzles his nose against your neck.

"Of course you are fine. You're incredible. But it is okay to have some relief from time to time, even if the situation is not dire. Let me carry you, darling."

All at once, it feels like your heart is being squeezed tightly and you forget how to breathe. You lean into Yoongi and bury your face into his shoulder and neck, doing your best to ignore the feelings that burst and bloom within you. Whatever it is, it seems ominous and terrifying and wonderful. Best to just ignore it, you think.

The sound of a car door opening makes you release your hold on Yoongi, and you lean back and wait for him to set you down. As soon as he does, your feet ache once more, and you feel grateful for the moment of reprieve. As you clamber into the backseat, you notice Namjoon is driving. Jimin and Jeongguk must have gotten into the black car that is pulling out beside you, because as soon as Yoongi gets into the back seat with you, Namjoon begins backing out of the spot.

Yoongi clears his throat. "Would now be a good time to talk about what happened last night?"

Unease hits your guts, and you take a deep breath, slowly letting it out. You would like to get everything out into the open, even if it feels uncomfortable.

"Hyung—" Namjoon whines.

"Namjoon didn't do anything wrong," you interrupt, watching as Namjoon glances into the rearview mirror, then back at the road. "You didn't. Really. You just..."

The familiar lump that has been attempting to suffocate you creeps back into your throat and you take a fortifying breath and swallow it down. Perhaps, you think, it will be easier to direct your words to Yoongi, so you turn your body and take his hand in yours. It feels warm and safe. Grounding.

"Namjoon tried to assure me that whatever was going on between us was not just physical. He said he wanted to fall for me entirely and love every part of me."

Yoongi hums in understanding and does not press you to say more. You give his hand a squeeze. Unsure how to voice your thoughts coherently, you open your mouth and let the words tumble out, haphazard and shaky.

"Love...is not something I have ever...imagined could be mine."

Tears threaten to rise, and in the dark backseat under a sky full of hidden stars, you let them. Namjoon taps his fingers on the steering wheel and you wonder if he is grappling with his thoughts.

"Darling," Yoongi rasps, and you glance up at him, taking in the soft smile that plays on his lips, and a gaze that is warm and inviting. "I know that it might be scary, especially if you come from a past of feeling unloved, but, as long as you are in this family, love is something you will have in abundance."

Yoongi's words are nice, but that is all that they are. Just nice words, meant to make you feel better. But they do not make you feel better. They make you feel pitied.

But then, Yoongi continues, with eyes appearing a bit sadder than before. "You know I'm falling in love with you...right?"

And there it is again, that suffocating tightness in your throat. Your blood turns to ice, weighing you down, making you feel cumbersome and heavy. If only you could get out of the sedan, maybe flee the country.

Instead, you let go of Yoongi's hands and sit back against the cold leather as your eyes trail around to the window. There is a voice at the back of your mind telling you that Yoongi is lying, that he could not possibly love you, that nobody could possibly love you. It nags and nags, threatening to tear your heart asunder and leave you to bleed out, pathetic and empty, for all the world to see.

But you know, deep down, that he means it. At least, to some small extent. Perhaps not the full-blown love that causes men to wage war and pen sonnets, but a smaller, gentler love that feels like sunshine breaking through the clouds on a cool autumn morning. That love, you can come to accept, you think.

Or, at the very least, you can try.

As Namjoon pulls into Yoongi's driveway, panic takes over. Your heart pounds loud in your ears and heavy in your chest, and you close your eyes as the gates slowly swing open and Namjoon drives forward. You do not want to face them, in the mansion, with things left unsaid and no distractions in the way. Not when what has been unsaid are things you do not want to put into words.

Namjoon parks the sedan, and you open your eyes and sit up. The entire ride, you had not worn your seatbelt and you try not to dwell on how symbolic it feels to be untethered with your life in their hands. The men get out first, in tandem, but you stare ahead at the back of the black leather passenger seat, wishing your thoughts would just slow the fuck down and let you breathe.

The door opens and your gaze falls downward, to the black trim along the edge of the car opening. You turn your body to exit, and you are stopped by a hand on your arm—fingers tan and slender. Namjoon.

"I'm sorry that what I said to you last night was upsetting," Namjoon says in a low, calm tone. "We won't talk about it again until you are ready."

Your voice is shaky and weak. "And if I am never ready?"

"Then we will never talk about it again," Namjoon responds without hesitation.

You nod, and although you do not glance at Namjoon, you can picture the earnest look on his face, and for now, that is enough.

Namjoon lets go of your arm and holds out his hand. You hesitate but reach for it and allow yourself to be tugged out of the vehicle and onto concrete, where your feet are far more sore than they were before, now that they have had a chance to really settle and swell. You wince as your feet hit the ground, and Namjoon wastes no time scooping you up, into his arms, just as Yoongi had back at the casino.

Yoongi closes the door, then takes the lead to unlock the mansion, and Namjoon carries you up the short steps and through the threshold, very quietly humming a tune you cannot quite make out. Then, Yoongi closes and locks the mansion door, then begins to unclasp your shoes, and you rest your head against Namjoon's chest, feeling his heart beat in a steady rhythm. How absurd, you think, that this heart might also beat for you.

Namjoon continues to hum, the sound vibrating in his chest, and you hear Yoongi removing his shoes, letting out small huffs and grunts as he does. Then, Namjoon hands you off to Yoongi, and you wrap your arms tight around his neck, nuzzling into his skin.

"What song is that?" you ask, muffled in Yoongi's shirt.

Namjoon finishes humming the line he is on, then says, "Park Sungyeon."

"The wind is blowing," Yoongi says, and Namjoon hums in acknowledgment.

"It's nice," you say.

Shoes hit the floor, one after another, and then Yoongi is turning with you toward the stairs. Floorboards creak from time to time underfoot, and the sound of a grandfather clock ticks loudly in the otherwise silent mansion. The mansion has a scent of its own—something sweet and faintly woody. Sometimes a bit floral. It smells like home, especially after such an emotional day.

"I forgot to ask you if it is alright that Namjoon stays with us, tonight," Yoongi grumbles as the first stair groans from your combined weight. "I only meant for him to come back and discuss what had happened, and I understand if you need some space."

"You don't have to ask," you respond. "I never want Namjoon to not be here, unless that is what he wants."

You glance over Yoongi's shoulder to find Namjoon—two steps below you—smiling softly while looking down at his feet. It is not enough of a smile to bring dimples to his cheeks, but it is genuine and heartfelt and it makes your heart ache a little.

Once upstairs, Yoongi turns to his room, and Namjoon scurries ahead to open the door for the two of you. Inside, there is already a lamp on. You prefer the room dim with a nice golden glow, and you are thankful that the others seem to feel the same.

On the opposite end of the room sits a comically large dark blue sofa, facing the same wall the headboard of the bed is against, with a small wooden table in front of it, and you cock your head at the sight.

"You've done some decorating?" you ask, wondering when the hell that got there.

"Looks like the guys got finished while we were at House of Cards," Yoongi says, turning to look at the newly added furniture. "I thought that, since you have moments of wanting some alone time, especially when my men are crowding the living room, I would give you something more than a bed to sit on. A television will be installed on the wall tomorrow afternoon, and anything else you may need, I will buy."

A sweet gesture, though you cannot help but laugh at the thought of living solely in Yoongi's bedroom. Still, the couch looks soft—and thankfully, it is not velvet and gaudy like the one in the main hall.

"Can we sit on the couch?" you ask.

Yoongi nuzzles his nose against your neck, just below your ear.

"Trying to break in the new furniture already, darling?"

The thought hadn't crossed your mind, but now that he has said it—

"May as well."

Yoongi takes you over to the couch, bends, and sets you down so that you are lying in the center of it. The material is soft, and the cushions are just firm enough, and you stretch your arms and legs, taking up as much space as you can while your back arches.

"I love it," you groan.

"Should have gotten something bigger," Yoongi chides. "No room for us."

You spread your legs, dropping your right leg—which hangs from the skirt's slit—to the floor.

"There's room for you right here, sir."

Without a word, Yoongi unbuttons his blazer and drops it to the floor. He makes his way over as he unbuttons his sleeves, and begins rolling them up to his elbows.

"And me?" Namjoon asks.

You purse your lips in thought, then smirk.

"That depends, Joonie. Would you prefer my mouth on you...or your mouth on him?"

Namjoon's lips fall open in the cutest, dopiest look of uncertainty you are sure you have ever seen, and he takes a good long while to consider the options.

Then, Namjoon says, "Baby boy, take your pants off for me," as he drops his jacket to the floor and begins to unbutton his shirt, and your heart begins to pound at just the thought alone.

Yoongi stands and turns to Namjoon as his hands fall to his belt saying, "Yes, daddy."

And as Namjoon untucks his unbuttoned shirt, and shrugs it to the floor, giving you an eyeful of that glorious torso of his, he says, "I'm going to fuck you while you fuck her. Sound good?"

Yoongi whimpers as you gasp, and as Namjoon pulls Yoongi into a sloppy, desperate kiss, Yoongi groans, "Yes, daddy," against his lips.

Watching Yoongi melt into Namjoon's arms sparks something within you. You have watched Yoongi torture a man as if it were nothing, and here he is, turning into putty in the hands of another. Strong, feared Yoongi—the head of the Min family, which holds so much of Korea in its palm. With each whimper of his throat and tremble of his hands, you shiver with desire.

"Undress for me and get on your knees," Namjoon commands. "You have to make her cum twice before I let you cum once, understand?"

"Yes, daddy," Yoongi responds as he finishes undoing his pants and dropping them, along with his briefs, to the ground. As he steps out of the garments, he unbuttons his shirt, and shrugs it away and returns to the couch.

"Make you cum twice?" Yoongi chides with a smirk as he settles between your legs and gets onto his knees on the cushion. "Easy."

His sudden change in demeanor has warmth flooding your cheeks, and you bite your bottom lip as Yoongi gathers your skirt and pushes it up to your tummy. He wastes no time taking you by the hips and yanking you to where he wants you, and you gasp as his mouth makes contact with your clothed cunt. Even his light touch obstructed by fabric makes you jump, and arousal pools and quakes through you as Yoongi teases you with his tongue and lips.

Namjoon undresses to his briefs and gets down on his knees behind Yoongi, and you decide that you want to have mirrors installed on the far wall so that the next time whatever is about to transpire does so again, you can see it too.

Yoongi tugs your panties to the slide and licks a thick, slow stripe through your slit, swirling his tongue over your clit, and you moan as the pleasure overwhelms your senses, doing your best to resist the urge to claw the fabric beneath you. Then, Yoongi lets out a deep, needy moan, partially muffled by your pussy, and you nearly pass out from the sound.

"Fuck, I wish I could watch him eat you out," you whine as Yoongi continues to lap at your cunt in hungry, sloppy movements.

Yoongi moans and trembles between your thighs, and you reach down to gently take him by the hair. With the challenge that Namjoon has set, you wonder if you can tease him a little before you are able to cum twice. Slurping comes from behind Yoongi, and he gasps and groans—saccharine and thick. Your own pleasure builds quickly, especially with the addition of Yoongi being pleasured, and you give his hair gentle tugs, making him whine.

A finger gently prods at your entrance, and you arch your back, already so overcome with ecstasy that the thought of just one of Yoongi's long, knobby fingers is enough to make your head spin. There is some shifting on the couch, and you hear Namjoon's voice rasp.

"Fingering, already? That means I finger you, baby. You sure you can handle that?"

Yoongi groans as if being faced with an impossibly unfair decision, and you let out a soft giggle. The indignance in his voice feels so uncharacteristic, and yet he still very much sounds like your Yoongi.

My Yoongi, you think again, as warmth and uncertainty erupts in your chest.

Yoongi's mouth returns to pleasure you, and you moan and arch your back, lost in the spell his lips and tongue cast on you. Drowning in his own pleasure, Yoongi moans, and whimpers against you, and it sets your nerves on fire, knowing he is being savored just as he savors you.

Your pleasure builds quickly, reaching its peak, and you take Yoongi by the hair once more, gently tugging. "I'm so close," you whine. "Please, don't stop."

Yoongi's tongue makes measured movements over your clit, licking and sucking in a glorious rhythm that sends you softly over the edge. It is not an intense, overwhelming orgasm but a gentle one that leaves your fingertips and toes tingling and your head spinning.

As soon as you ride your high and the tremble in your limbs settles, Yoongi slips a finger inside you. You moan and grip onto the edge of the sofa, arousal flooding all of your senses. Namjoon must get the memo and begin to finger Yoongi because his movements falter, and his body trembles between your thighs.

"That's it, baby. Breathe," Namjoon says, voice dangerously deep.

It takes a moment for Yoongi to gain his composure, but soon he begins to finger you hard and fast, movements precise and unwavering. His time is clearly limited now that Namjoon's finger is inside him, and he seems to be doing his damnedest to get you off as quickly as possible.

The pleasure is overwhelming, and you moan and writhe beneath him, too distracted by your own arousal to watch as he begins to slip away. It is only when his fingers falter, and his hair brushes your thigh before his head fully rests against you, that you realize Yoongi is on the brink of total collapse.

Yoongi's lips find your clit once more, and he sucks softly as his finger works your sweet spot over and over, sending you hurtling once more to the edge. This time, it is intense and overwhelming, and the heat inside you snaps like a wire pulled tautly.

"Fuck!" you cry out as Yoongi's onslaught continues, and he alternates sucking and licking in quick, hungry circles.

You moan Yoongi's name, drawing out the second syllable like a hymn, and he moans and whimpers, muffled against your cunt as he does everything to push you through your high, to the other side.

Every inch of you is on fire, and you stare ahead at the ceiling as your pleasure evens out and begins to fade. Yoongi's whimpers and moans become frantic, and he drops his hand and lips from you, burying his face in your thigh as Namjoon pushes him to the edge.

Despite exhaustion weighing down on your limbs, you manage to get your panties off one leg at a time and scoot down the couch a little, giggling as Yoongi attempts to settle his head against you each time you move. You manage to get all the way under Yoongi and prop yourself on your elbow while he moans against your collarbone.

"Are you gonna cum, baby?" you ask sweetly, glancing from Yoongi to Namjoon, who towers over him with one hand squeezing his ass and the other fingering him.

"Uh-huh," Yoongi whimpers, making you grin. His dark hair is wild, stuck to his forehead from sweat, and a pretty red blush tints his cheeks and nose.

You reach down between your bodies and gently grab the tip of Yoongi's leaking cock, and he jerks against you, muttering, "F-fuck."

"Beg me to let you cum," Namjoon instructs.

"Please, daddy," Yoongi whines desperately. "Please!"

Yoongi begging and sobbing while calling Namjoon daddy is sexy on a level you were not prepared for, and you give the tip of his dick another little squeeze. The shiver that quakes through Yoongi spurs you on to tease him more, and he begins to beg again, whimpering, "Please, please, please," like a prayer.

You think back to when Yoongi had you begging for his cock the first time the two of you finally had sex, and how he towered over you, making you desperate with desire. Though the positions are much the same, the dynamic shift is absolutely breathtaking. You also think about Namjoon the night before, needy pleas to finally get to fuck you, so big and strong, yet pliant in your hands.

"Beg louder," you command, and Yoongi looks up at you with tears in his eyes, ready to burst.

"Please," Yoongi’s deep vice cracks as he sobs. "Please let me cum. Please!"

A loud, strangled sound falls from Yoongi's lips as Namjoon gathers a handful of Yoongi's hair and tugs, bowing his neck. Yoongi's eyes close, mouth hanging agape, and he looks absolutely sinful.

"Cum," Namjoon commands, and you tug on Yoongi's cock, rolling the head in your hand to gather his precum.

Yoongi's back arches, and he moans and trembles as he reaches his high. You continue to stroke his length, which pulsates in your hold as thick, warm spurts of cum hit your thigh and hip. The words Yoongi mutters are nonsense—a language lost to time, for all you know. When Yoongi cries out again, it is to beg for mercy—overstimulated and shaking like a leaf in the wind.

"T-too much," Yoongi whines, but Namjoon does not stop, though his arm does slow.

"Need to stretch you more so I can fuck you," Namjoon says, and Yoongi whimpers as he collapses against you with his ass in the air.

You attempt to run your fingers through Yoongi's tousled hair and coo that he is a good boy, the most perfect boy, so good for you and Namjoon. Yoongi's eyes are glazed over and far away, though as he adjusts to Namjoon stretching him, he seems to regain some of his energy.

The cap of a bottle clicks, and Namjoon squirts lube, you assume directly onto Yoongi's skin because he winces and hisses. You have no idea when Namjoon came into possession of lube, but now really is not the time to investigate. Yoongi's eyes open wider than you have ever seen, and he gasps out soundless moans.

"T-too big," Yoongi mutters, sending a chill of excitement through you. You have yet to see Namjoon's cock, but you imagine it is quite impressive, based on what you felt the other night.

"You are too fucking tight," Namjoon grumbles.

"When's the last time you two fucked?" you ask with a curious smirk, and Namjoon grins as he says, "A week or so before you moved in."

"Awe," you mock whine, jutting your lip into a pout. "It's been so long, our baby can't handle that big, thick cock anymore."

Namjoon's eyes widen as he stares down at you, piercing you with a hungry gaze. Meanwhile, all Yoongi can do is tremble and sob through the stretch.

After several moments of heavy breathing, Yoongi nods his head and mutters that he is ready. You wonder what your role will be in this—satisfied with being an audience to Yoongi getting fucked by Namjoon until it is your turn.

But then Yoongi grabs your hip with one hand and rasps, "Get down here, darling."

You comply and scoot further down the couch, which is already stained with sweat, drool, and probably cum. Yoongi wastes no time getting into position between your legs and pressing his cock in deep. The stretch stings and you squeeze your eyes shut, muttering a sharp, "Fuck," beneath your breath as you angle your hips upward.

Yoongi thrusts deep, then pulls back and stutters as he lets out a low moan. Namjoon holds onto Yoongi's hips, sitting high on his knees behind him, and it dawns on you what is happening. With each thrust, Yoongi fucks himself back onto Namjoon's dick.

Again, Yoongi thrusts, trembling with each movement until he is able to set a steady pace, gripping onto your spread thighs and fucking you into the newly broken-in couch. Pleasure overwhelms you as you watch Yoongi fuck you and Namjoon in tandem, and you moan loudly, doing your best to keep your eyes open and on the scene in front of you.

Namjoon's hands wander, groping and squeezing Yoongi's tummy and chest before wrapping around his throat and gripping tightly to his hair. Squelching and a euphony of moans and grunts fills the room.

"N-not gonna last," Yoongi whines as light red fingerprints bloom all over his skin.

Namjoon leans forward to look over Yoongi's shoulder and into your eyes.

"Touch yourself," he commands. "I want you to cum one more time."

You comply and take your fingers into your mouth to cover with spit, then move them down to your pussy, gently rubbing your fingertips over your oversensitive clit, spinning slick fingers over yourself in slow circles. The feeling is electric, and you speed up until it edges on being too intense.

Yoongi's hips quicken unevenly, and he begins to lose his composure entirely, but he remains steady enough to push you to the edge, allowing his fucked out expression and moans of pleasure to guide you.

"That's it," you moan encouragingly, "I'm gonna cum, baby. Don't stop."

Somehow, Yoongi manages to fuck you harder, and your orgasm erupts inside you like a million stars twinkling and scattering, turning you into the heavens, themselves.

Your orgasm sets off a reaction as Yoongi falls against you, as if unable to continue. Namjoon wastes no time grabbing onto Yoongi's hips and fucking him hard and fast, pressing his body into you to become a warm, weighted mess of sweat and drool and skin and satin.

Yoongi sobs as he cums, filling you with his warm release while Namjoon's thrusts force him to continue to fuck you. It feels unlike anything you have felt before—crushing and overwhelming and incredible.

Finally, Namjoon's hips still before they sputter, and he cums, moaning deep, pretty sounds as his fingers grip Yoongi's hips so hard you wonder if his skin will bruise some more. Yoongi lays fully against you, and you wrap your arms around his sweating, shaking body as Namjoon slowly pulls out and sits back against the couch.

"Wow," is all you can bring yourself to say, floored by what had just transpired and eager to do it again.

Namjoon is the first to move, making his way through the room, to the ensuite, giving you an eyeful of his perfect, toned ass and thighs. A moment later, he returns with a towel around his hips.

"Can you walk, sweetheart?" he asks, and you nod, certain that you can.

Namjoon gathers Yoongi, who grumbles in protest and makes a weak attempt to stay clung to your body.

"Let's clean off and get to bed," Namjoon offers, and Yoongi concedes, allowing Namjoon to scoop him up and carry him to the shower in the same way that the two of them carried you earlier.

And despite your best effort, and all the voices and alarms in your head telling you not to be endeared, not to allow yourself to fall for these adorable, dangerous men, you cannot deny the way your heart beats for them as butterflies swarm in your tummy.

Love is dangerous, and will surely be your downfall, but after each taste of their sweetness, and the new heights of pleasure that you experience with them, you are not sure how much longer you can prevent your collapse into madness.

But maybe if you follow me I’ll give you my truth But maybe if you follow me You’ll just see right though But maybe if you catch me I’ll be waiting for you No need to be afraid Yes I’ll be right there for you, yeah

🎵 visit the playlist

friends, lovers, haters. my babies. i have missed you, so. i apologize for the long wait between chapters. life is so hectic. this chapter is the longest yet, in part because i an unhinged and unstoppable, but also because wanted to gift you a giant mess before going quiet once more. we're crawling into the weeks leading to final exam territory, i'm afraid. and i have a bunch of other deadlines coming up.

how do you feel about this chapter? and the characters? the next arc is coming up and it's going to be a real doozy!!! as always, please don’t be a silent reader! feedback & reblogs do so much to help content creators!

tag list: @afangirllikeme-blog, @angel-121, @btsiguess-kpop, @bts-ficreviews @btsstan12, @che-er-ful, @codeinebelle, @dasexydevitt13, @giriiboyy, @illnevertrustmyselfagain, @jalexad, @kissme-ornot, @leanimal90, @likeshatteredrainbowglass, @m1sss1mp, @mayeolorie, @mwitsmejk, @sleepilysworld, @stocking221, @spookyminyunki, @thirstyforjoon, @valhallawhispers 🗡️ comment or dm to be added!

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#yoongi x reader #yoongi mafia #yoongi smut #namjoon x reader #namjoon mafia #namjoon smut #namgi #namgi smut #bts mafia #bts smut #bts angst #bts poly #fic: collateral

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lets-try-some-writing · 9 months

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Had this really cute idea about TFP kids having pets of some kind if they ever do get a chance wanna know what you think!

Jack--- a pigeon- because they're great companions for people who has anxiety or feel lonely ( he probably has the one with small beak and feather covered legs and definitely a female because they're more loving and affectionate and puts her in cute clothes)

Miko--- a bearded dragon (or maybe even a gecko but definitely some lizard animal)- they're puppies with scales very energetic, weird and has fun personality and moves their head to music ( definitely dress it up and named it after a slash monkey member)

Raf--- a guinea pig or a rat (but I lean on rat more) - they're very social animals and love their owners very much and very intelligent ( he definitely has two because they has to have a friend. And he always let them climb on him or hides them in his pockets or bag and takes them with him)

And I like to imagine them explaining to the bots that they're not pets but companions/family or even their own children and how much they mean to them or how much of an emotional support they were to them!

And definitely found an excuse/reason to bring them to base!

And the bots reaction are like:

Ratchet wants them immediately out the base but get gaslighted into letting them stay for a day one the condition that they stay away from his work place ( Miko doesn't comply)

Optimus would be curious about them since he haven't seen them so close and would want to learn more about them and how they behave completely different and seems to understand their owners

Arcee might be more neutral about them saying if the kids are happy then that's it but surely gets interested in seeing how they act and the tricks they do

Bulkhead wouldn't want to be near them because he fears they get in his joints like some scraplets (Ratchet used that to keep him away from his stuff)

Wheeljack( I'm not too sure about him) but would want to see what they're capable of and tries to teach them bad tricks to maybe piss of a certain CMO

Bumblebee/Smokescreen would undoubtedly be amazed at these different animals and be even more impressed by the tricks hey do to the point they'd want one but gets shut down quickly by the whole team because they're too much work

Ultra magnus would just leave simple comment about them and leaves

What's your opinion? Maybe different animals? But these fits them well!

What do I think? Well, since I am unsure if this is a writing request or not, I will give my opinion on what you have presented here. Please feel free to send in another request if you were hoping for writing. I tend to misunderstand things like this more often than not.

Now firstly, this is an adorable idea and I do in fact think the animals fit. I doubt they would have any exotic pets, except perhaps Miko who I could imagine having some sort of parrot due to the intelligence of the species. Aside from that, spot on thinking regarding the animals that would be involved.

Ratchet's reaction is comedy gold I must say. Optimus's makes perfect sense considering his personality, although I also imagine he wouldn't be too fond of the mess or the pets getting into equipment. Arcee's reaction is also pretty solid, however I can see her developing a strange rivalry with Jack's pigeon or Rafael's rodent upon having to assist in collecting the small thing from either the rafters or under work stations. Bulkhead's response is perfect, no commentary there except for that I think it would be hilarious for him to fear Rafael's hamster above all else. I've dealt with hamsters, those little critters can RUN-

For Wheeljack I would alter his reaction only slightly to have him find it funny to watch the pets fail at whatever it is they are attempting. Him staring at the hamster and laughing hysterically when it runs into an object or the pigeon when it inevitably crashes sounds on point for him. You got Smokey and Bee also perfectly on point in my opinion. That sounds about right for them, although Bee I think would be less inclined to get one and more silently encouraging Smokescreen since if Smokey could convince the team to let them have a pet, then great, but I doubt he would want to deal with the glares personally. Ha, yeah Ultra Magnus wouldn't give a crap unless one of the animals touched his stuff. Then I bet he would have WORDS with whoever owned the animal in question.

In conclusion, a very humorous concept indeed.

#transformers #maccadam #transformers prime #team prime #tfp kids #rafael esquivel #jack darby #miko nakadai #lets try some writing reacts

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bijouxcarys · 6 months

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Honey Bee / Part Two (2)

Click here for Part 1

Click here for my Fanfic Library

Pairing: Robert Plant x fem!reader x Jimmy Page x original female character

Summary: You've been on the road with Led Zeppelin for over two months now, acting as Robert's convenient little companion. It's now the final night of the tour, and tension has been rising. With the addition of Jimmy's new pretty young thing, you find yourself in a situation that just might take the cake for the best night of your life...

Warnings: NSFW (18+ only) Exhibitionism, voyeurism, public sex, oral sex (f and m receiving), more drug and alcohol use

Word count: 3,331

**I am now taking fic requests. Info in my pinned post!**

Tags: @firethatgrewsolow @brownskinsugarplum76 @keepcalmandcarryfire @callmethehunter @jimmypage7 @whothefuckisanja @jimmys-zeppelin @m-faithfull @lemongrablothbrok (Let me know if you'd like to be tagged in further fics)

If someone had told me that on the last night of the tour, Lila and I would be on our knees in front of the sofa where Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were seated, with a room full of people able to see us and a camera recording the moment for eternity, I would have thought they were joking.

Robert must have noticed my slight bewilderment as he and Jimmy relieved the pressure in their trousers, their arousal standing to attention. His hungry eyes softened briefly as he leaned forward and pecked a soft kiss to my lips.

“You sure you’re alright doing this, luv? We can disappear if you’d like,” he said quietly against my lips so that only I could hear him.

With a breathy laugh, I shook my head. “Nah, I love this. Just wasn’t expecting it to happen.” I smirked, lifting my gaze to look into his gorgeous blue eyes.

He gave me a satisfied grin and another heated kiss before sitting back against the sofa. “You are one naughty little minx, Y/N…”

His praise made me giggle enthusiastically, my hands holding onto his thighs. “Only for you, my Golden God,” I purred up at him.

“Here y’are, you two,” Peter appeared behind us, passing two shots of vodka to Lila and I. Without hesitation, we downed them, but not without a small droplet spilling out the side of Lila’s mouth and running down her chin.

I glanced at the two rock gods before us, and made the move to close in on Lila. Starting at her neck, I lapped up the spilt vodka. When I got to her lips, we shared a dazed expression. Her eyes were dilated, and I have no doubt mine were too. And before anyone had a chance to encourage us to close the gap, we did it ourselves, our plump lips connecting in a sloppy and passionate kiss.

The music that had been playing all night faded into the background and meshed with the whistles and drunken cheering. We tasted the vodka on each other’s tongues, as well as the desire to satisfy the men in front of us. This was a good start.

I heard satisfied murmurs, both from the men before us and the men around us. It was rather invigorating.

“Nothin’ better than watching two beauties worship each other, right, Perce?”

“Mhmm…”

Once I’d pulled away from Lila, my eyes shifted directly to Robert, his legs as open as they could go within the limited stretch of his jeans, and his erection stood proudly against his bare stomach. Two months was enough to get used to his size, but it never failed to make me weak at the knees as though I had never seen it before.

“You gunna give our stars a congratulatory blowy, you two?” Peter jeered behind us with nothing but encouragement. I chuckled under my breath, knowing he and his camera were watching everything Lila and I were doing.

I didn’t need much encouragement to have Robert’s cock in my mouth within seconds.

Glancing to the side, I could see that Lila made herself busy also with Jimmy, and before we knew it, we were both in the throes of pleasing our Gods.

The salty taste of skin delicately gliding along my tongue drew a small moan from my mouth, and my hand wrapped around his base, my head lowering by the second to try and take as much of him inside of my mouth as I could.

Hollowing out my cheeks, Robert’s fingers threaded through my hair, holding it back into a makeshift ponytail so he could watch as I wrapped my lips securely around him. I dragged my tongue along the underside of his cock, applying pressure in the right places, along the prominent veins, and circling his hot tip.

Had we been alone, Robert would have been making all sorts of noises, but I imagine the very public way we were doing this kept some of those noises at bay. After all, we were only doing it to appease the camera, and our own debauched mind.

I glanced up at Robert, my lips suctioning around his tip. His eyebrows narrowed and he bit harshly onto his lips as his hips intuitively jerked upwards. Before long, his head fell backwards against the sofa, eyes closing as he enjoyed the steady pace I set. My goal wasn’t to make him come. At least not yet.

The whole scene was completely sordid. Two groupies being filmed on their knees in front of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, high on cocaine and drunk with lust and whiskey. People around them cheering them on whilst going about their own drunken evening. Couldn’t get away with it these days.

I bobbed my head up and down along Robert’s shaft, trying to take more of him each time I lowered my head, and my efforts were rewarded by a satisfied hum.

But then my head was completely pulled off of him and my lips were soon smashed against his. His hands were gripping onto my hair and his mouth was hot with want.

“There’s no way I’m coming in front of all these people, and so early on into the night,” he breathed. He turned his head to Jimmy, who was making small thrusts up into Lila’s mouth, with his hand holding tightly onto the back of her head. “Oi, Pagey,” Robert nudged him. Jimmy opened his eyes, looking at Robert and I.

With one swift nod of Robert’s head in the direction of the elevators, Jimmy nodded, an unspoken agreement coming to light by the second. The two of them shoved themselves back into their trousers, gave Peter an innocent smile, and stood up from their seats. Robert offered his hand to help me up.

“Have a good night, you two–enjoy!” Peter laughed, the camera following us as we left the room, Robert right up behind me with his ever-growing bulge pressing into my lower back.

“So, does this have anything to do with where you two disappeared to tonight?” I asked Robert once the four of us were in the lift. Robert cornered me, his hands resting on the railing around the walls of the confined space to completely block me in. He lowered his head and peppered kisses along my cheek, to my nose, and then to my lips.

“Such a curious little thing… That’s why I picked you, darlin’,” he chuckled.

Jimmy had Lila in his arms, her back to him as he mumbled into her ear. Soon, Robert's lips were on my ear, and he was mumbling to me as the lift started ascending to the sixth floor.

“We were just wondering, my sweet, if you and Lila would be up for a bit of fun. To finish off the tour with a bang, y’know?” He smirked, nuzzling his nose into my hair and inhaling deeply as his arms wrapped around me tightly.

I couldn’t stop my own devious smile, reaching up to hold onto his biceps. I grazed my lips along his lower neck, resting my head on his shoulder. “I’ll do anything for you, Robert.”

I felt his chest vibrate as he hummed in approval, “Yeah?”

Nodding, I moved my head back to look up at him. “You deserve something after that show. And besides… it wouldn’t kill to be able to say I’ve had two rockstars, would it?”

Robert’s eyes darkened, and his grip on my waist tightened. “Well, no it wouldn’t. But let’s get one thing clear, darlin’,” he leaned down to whisper into my ear with a somewhat stern tone, “nobody else gets to sample your sweet nectar while you’re with me. It’s all mine…”

Something about the possession in his voice and his words, despite being fully married with kids an ocean away, was comforting. His unwillingness to let Jimmy fuck me was delicious all in itself. A lion must mark his territory, after all.

“We’ll still have fun, of course,” he continued. “But there’s no way I’m letting Pagey feel all of you the way I do.”

I gently brushed Robert’s hair from his face, studying his expression as anticipation flickered across his features. “I have a feeling that the Golden God is particularly insatiable tonight,” I remarked, my voice low and suggestive.

He chuckled in response. “A bit difficult when it’s you, luv.”

Before we could delve any further into our playful exchange, Jimmy’s voice cut through our reverie, snapping us out of our trance. He had his arm securely around Lila, who likely had received a similar teasing lecture from him as Robert had given me, as he exited the elevator.

I shot Robert a coquettish smirk, taking his hand as I led the way out of the lift.

An hour later, after a few more drinks and lines, we settled into the evening’s main event. It was clear that the two mischievous rockstars had been discussing this moment for some time, and they had finally found a suitable fourth member in Lila to join us.

Nestled within the confines of Robert and I’s room, the Golden God had me pinned against the wall, his fervent hips pressing into me as his lips claimed mine with a raw, consuming hunger. In the swirling haze of intoxicating substances and the pulsating heat of our shared desire, I surrendered to the night’s relentless embrace, the world beyond our immediate sphere fading into a distant murmur.

Amidst the swirling chaos, fleeting glimpses revealed Jimmy and Lila in the background, entangled in their own passionate dance upon the bed, their laughter merging with the symphony of our own unbridled ecstasy.

With my fingers entwined in Robert’s tousled locks, I exhaled into the kiss, the weight of my ankles locking around his waist in an insatiable quest for heightened sensation. I arched my hips, seeking any semblance of friction, to which he responded with a mischievous chuckle that mingled with the warmth of our breaths. Our tongues danced in a final intoxicating swirl before he broke away from the wall, his muscles rippling with controlled strength as he effortlessly carried me to the bed.

With a primal grace, he lowered me onto my back just above where our two companions lay entwined, Lila already on her way to being completely undressed. Robert, keeping his eyes locked on me, threw off his shirt and quickly got rid of his jeans before pulling me into a seated position.

“Time to see that beautiful body, baby,” he teased with a low rumble, tugging at the bottom of my top.

My skin prickled with goosebumps, the air in the room cooling in comparison to the heat spreading across my entire body. “Robert…” I whimpered as he lowered his head to kiss along my exposed chest.

“So desperate, darlin’,” he chuckled. “Shall we check in with our companions?” he asked with a smirk, but not waiting for an answer. He looked up at Jimmy and Lila. “My Y/N is so wanton, Pagey.”

The heat pooling between my legs intensified as I listened to Robert speak about me as if I weren’t there, and I shared yet another eager look with Lila, who seemed to match up to my desperation.

Jimmy’s eyes diverted down to my chest, his eyes eagerly taking in the sight before him. “Jesus, we’ve done well,” he breathed out, not bothering to respond to Robert.

Something I had very quickly learned about Jimmy Page was how insistent he was. Sure, he could joke around, engage in banter as well as the next man, but as soon as he set his eyes on something, once he had a very distinct idea in his head, he was going to have it. Take it, if necessary.

And Jimmy craved Lila and I.

The bare skin of my thighs burned against the feeling of Robert’s, my legs enclosing the singer between them. But my eyes were locked with Jimmy’s, and before I knew it, his hand was clasping the back of my head, and his lips were smashed against mine.

He growled lowly against my lips, and pushed me back until he was hovering over me, Robert still nestled between my legs, and Lila crawling beside me. I felt the fullness of her lips on my jaw, and the wandering fervour of Robert’s hands creeping up to discard my skirt.

Jimmy’s tongue was persistent, prodding at mine and tasting every last bit of what my mouth had to offer. It wasn’t until he pulled away that I noticed Lila’s state of undress. Complete. And I couldn’t stop my gaze from wandering over the curves of her body and the way her bronze skin shimmered in the odd flare of light from the few lamps in the room.

Robert’s form hunched over me, taking up most of the space now as Jimmy leaned over to kiss Lila. “You want to do something special for us, love?” he asked loud enough for the others to hear as well. “Both of you,” he added, looking at Lila.

I bit down hard on my lip as Robert leaned over to steal a kiss from Lila, Jimmy’s hand roaming along my leg hungrily. At this point, I was willing to do anything to serve these two Gods, and to satiate the growing wetness between my legs. I found myself clenching around nothing, needing anything, anyone to fill me up.

“Would you like to feel how good my Y/N is with her mouth, Lila?” Robert teased. I watched as she audibly gasped, her innocent eyes moving between the three of us, but mostly landing on me. I gave her an encouraging smirk, my eyes never leaving hers as Jimmy completely removed the rest of my clothing, leaving only Robert’s pendant hanging around my neck.

Robert sent Lila a crooked smirk, gesturing for her to follow him further up the bed. With his back to the headboard, he invited her into his embrace, and she accepted, leaning back against him in her bare form.

“C’mon, love,” Jimmy mumbled in my ear, planting kisses along the expanse of my jaw. Catching his suggestion, I shimmied back onto my knees in front of Lila, lifting my eyes towards Robert, who was watching my every move. Something in his eyes… made my stomach clench. Nothing new, but so welcomed.

I caught my lip between my teeth, crawling forward and reaching over Lila’s shoulder to kiss Robert feverishly. The sigh I let out against his lips turned into a gasp as calloused fingertips traced over my backside, inching closer to my aching core.

“No more wastin’ time, darlin’,” Robert hummed, the backs of his fingers brushing delicately over my cheek. “You make this pretty little girl come, and I’ll make sure you’ll be fully rewarded.”

I nodded obediently at him, much to his pleasure. Not wanting to keep either him or Lila waiting much longer, I licked my lips and lowered my head between the silky flesh of our female companion’s thighs. And as if in sync with the careful yet willful movements of my mouth along Lila’s soaked centre, a calculated tongue dragged along the desperate flutter of my own nectar.

My back immediately arched, Jimmy’s lips quickly performing an unforgivable suction. The moan that grumbled from the back of my throat vibrated along my tongue and caused Lila to throw her head back against Robert’s shoulder.

Jimmy’s calloused fingertips ran up my thighs, and he was soon clinging onto my hips as he devoured me from below.

I flicked my eyes up, watching as Robert’s large hand moved some hair from Lila’s face. His hungry eyes absorbed the sight in front of him, his free hand reaching up to cup Lila’s breast, his fingers teasing over the erect nipple.

What followed was an eager and constant swirl of my tongue on Lila’s clit, coating her entire core with my saliva. I so wanted to make her come. Partially to fulfil my own ego, but mostly to please Robert. I wanted to make Robert proud.

Jimmy, behind me, was taking exactly what he wanted. He seemed to be savouring every drop of my essence. The desperation in his actions came through, and I kept pulsating and fluttering against his hot mouth.

“That feel good, darlin’?” Robert hummed to Lila, giving her nipple a small pinch, her body responding with a twitch. She whined and nodded as I continued my ministrations. “Tell her, then.”

Robert held Lila’s head in my direction, his eyes zeroed in on my mouth pressed flush against her weeping folds.

“P-Please don’t stop, Y/N–fuck, it feels so good!” she panted.

At her request, I gently eased my middle finger into her entrance, the tightness eliciting a moan from my chest.

I found myself starting to roll my hips against Jimmy’s face. But his hands were quick to keep me still as he sucked my clit into his mouth with harsh vigour.

“C’mon, come on her tongue, little one,” I heard Robert coax from above. I picked up the pace with my finger, as well as the slippy circular motion I set around her sensitive bud.

It was when I eased my ring finger inside as well that she contracted around me and her back arched off of the bed. Robert continued to praise her, and I felt myself edge towards my own release.

However, whilst Lila writhed and basked in the release I had given her, Jimmy retreated from me before I could reach my own. I pulled my head up and looked behind me, seeing the guitarist back up and remove the remainder of his clothing.

The rejected orgasm left me whimpering under my breath, and I became hot with want–even more so than I had been the whole night.

Jimmy crooked his finger at Lila, helping her to a seated position so he could easily pull her to the end of the bed. Meanwhile, I looked over at my Golden God wantonly.

“Awh, did Pagey not manage to make you come, honey bee?” he asked softly with a slight pout.

“Oi, you told me not to, you pri–”

“Either way,” he interrupted, sending him a sideways smirk, “it still took way too bloody long to get her to that point, mate.”

Usually, I would have enjoyed their back and forth, but in this particular moment, I just wanted Robert all over me, in me. Really, Jimmy was fantastic at getting me to the edge. Robert knew that. We all knew he was good at that. But you know how men can be when faced with a competitive circumstance.

“Robert…” I called to him, crawling up to meet him where he was sat back against the headboard.

“Shh, darlin’, I’ve got you now.” His attention was immediately back on me for what seemed largely overdue. His hands encased my face and his lips met mine.

Taking the opportunity, I ran my fingers through his golden locks, my tongue rolling into his mouth. The closer I got to straddling him, the more I became aware of the hot tip of his awaiting cock against my skin. The sensation made me press my body up against his, and he was soon guiding me onto my back, his form hovering over me.

“Please…” I whispered against his lips, his hips grinding against mine, giving me a teasing taste of what was to come.

“So desperate, love,” he chuckled. “You know I need to make you come first…”

“I know, but I just…” I breathed out, flustered at the energy circulating in the room and the persistent high taking over both of our bodies.

“I know… I know you need it so bad, you pretty little thing.” He traced his lips over my neck, pressing hot kisses and sucking intense marks along the expanse of my throat until he got to my chest.

“Need to feel every inch of you, baby…”

#70s #classic rock #fanfiction #led zeppelin #led zeppelin fanfiction #robert plant #jimmy page #robert plant fanfiction #robert plant fanfic #jimmy page fanfiction #jimmy page fanfic #fanfic #1973 #masterlist #classic rock fanfiction

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marblesphere · 8 months

Text

Mafia Omegaverse

!!Warning!! This one is undoubtedly MDNI. This fic contains, nudity, sex, masturbation, and dark stuff from the mafia world.

It’s the year of 3xxx, the world population has thinned a lot. Thus, as if to prevent its destruction, humanity evolved and developed a mechanism called secondary genders; Alpha, Beta and Omega. There is also a mutated mechanism called soulmate link, which will appear in a human’s chest in the form of a tattooed broken chain as soon as they were born. They are people who were born with a pre-destined soulmate.

Soulmate link activates upon meeting their soulmate, the tattoo will form a chain (visible to soulmates only) that linked them together and then transformed into another unique form exclusive to the said soulmates, and then being absorbed back into their body without any trace remaining.

The ideal couple is one of the said couples should be Omega, due to the nature of Omega being more fertile than other secondary genders. This made the female population evolve being widely Omega with the ratio 1:2:7; Alpha to Beta to Omega. While the male population is 3:6:1; the ratio of Alpha to Beta to Omega. And yep, as you have guessed, male Omega can be impregnated but the chance of it happening is lower than females in any secondary gender.

Having developed secondary genders, humans also developed another organ called the scent gland. Just like its name implied, it exudes scent or pheromone that attracts the opposite sex or marks their territories. And another mechanism called Bond Mate Mark. It’s pretty clear what it does. It’s a mark that is to be given to your spouse or soulmate. Bond Mate Marks differ for every people, which means everyone has their own Bond Mate Mark. But for people with a soulmate link, the Bond Mate Mark will take shape of the transformed soulmate link.

As for the fertile period, human females evolved enough not to have menstruation every month anymore, instead, they will go into heat once every 3 months for a duration of 3 days. As for the human males will go into a rut, for half a year once for 3 days. They have specific symptoms before going to heat. They were especially clingy and couldn’t be left alone. They need the smell of their mate to calm down, and they are feverish and will even refuse to go out. With additional symptoms for males in a rut, they will become more territorial, and will even go feral at the sight of their mate was seen standing with other people.

There is actually one more unofficial subcategory of Omega. It’s called Pure Omega. This subcategory of Omega is a mutation that very rarely occurred. There is another alias for Pure Omega, which is also dubbed as Queen Bee. Pure Omega is born with a very pleasing pheromone to all secondary genders, thus making Pure Omega can easily charm other people and evoke their protective instinct. Pure Omega is very fertile, even more so than other normal Omega, hence their heat cycle is monthly instead of three months once. ~”~

Recently, the underworld’s evening party is buzzing around with a certain gossip. A certain young mafia boss has finally met his soulmate. A lot of people are curious about what kind of identity the said soulmate has. Unfortunately for them, the said soulmate has been taken to a secure place. Tsuchigumo doesn’t have any intention to show his soulmate yet.

Name: Takikawa Yuriko

Age: 20 years old

Gender: Female

Secondary Gender: Omega

Job: College Student, majoring in History.

Was born in Nagano. The sole daughter of Takikawa Ryoji (Beta) and Kanagawa Wakana(Omega)…

“So, what’s the deal with this woman?” Satoru frowned as he threw the papers to the table, not caring how messy they became.

“She is the hot topic in recent gossip. Apparently, she is the soulmate of Tsuchigumo young boss.” Yae explained.

“Oh? That ice block.” Satoru blinked. “I see. I don’t really care but…” His eyes glinted. “How much money can we make from this?”

“…mmnnhh…” I opened my eyes groggily, waking up from my sleep. “Satoru…” I called.

“Rai-chan? You are awake? Are you hungry?” Satoru fussed.

I make grabby hands while being perfectly cocooned inside a big blanket. I was having a nap inside Satoru’s office. The sofa is big and comfortable enough.

“Come here.” Satoru nestled me in his lap, comforting me with his scent and boy heat. “It’s good?”

“…un…” I nodded and took a deep breath of his calming scent. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Tsuchigumo Akira’s soulmate,” Yae said.

“Tsuchigumo Akira?” I tilted my head. “Ah, Ice Block.” I finally remembered who they are talking about. “Let me see.” I took the paper on the table. “So, how much money can we make?” I smiled after I read her file. ~”~

Takikawa Yuriko is attending the same college as me. She is actually pretty popular, because of the gap between her front and the nature of Omega. Omega usually is soft looking and mostly a peacemaker that would rather compromise than get into a fight. But Takikawa Yuriko will stand her ground even though that means she is going to clash with others. That gap moe is what made her popular. But I have seen her always rejecting confessions from her suitors. I heard from a reliable source that she has a soulmate link, hence her rejection to other people’s confessions.

It has been a week since her sudden disappearance from college. I am not in the same major as her, but words travel fast. And today, they are all in for a surprise, Takikawa Yuriko comes back from her absence. Her glowing appearance, coupled with branded items on her body, instead of the cheap clothing she wore shocked her friends.

“Wow, Ice Block truly went all out.” My lips curled up as I saw her being teased by her friends in cafeteria.

“Well, she is his soulmate,” Yae remarked.

“As long as they don’t interfere with us, I don’t really care if they turned the whole world upside down. I will just watch from the sidelines.” I giggled.

“Are they going to do something?” Maki frowned.

“Just a hunch though,” I replied. “She smells different from the usual Omega.”

“Your hunch is the most terrifying thing,” Megumi added.

“She does smell a little different,” Maki murmured. “But there’s something off with it.”

“By the way, Tsuchigumo is going to host an evening party this week,” I said.

“Oh, he is going to introduce her, isn’t he?” Yuji blinked.

“Yep.” I nodded.

“Oh, he is going to throw her into the wolf den? Talk about being a nice soulmate.” Panda rolled his eyes.

“It’s a double-edged sword indeed. That’s why she can’t show weakness to them.” Toge agreed. The ‘them’ he referred was for the guests who will be attending the banquet.

“And you think she can do it?” Nobara scoffed.

“That’s a good question.” I clapped my hands. “Let’s just watch the show. It’s been so boring lately. I really can use some entertainment.” I laughed. ~”~

Today's theme is black. I wear knee-length black formal dresses with the neck part covered in lace, blurring the Bond Mate Mark and a pair of black heels. The accessory is limited to earrings only, while Satoru wears a black suit, grey striped button-up shirt underneath, teal necktie, black slacks and black shoes. The rest of our family members also wear black for today.

“Hehehe.” I sat on my designated seat in the limousine, which is beside Satoru.

“You are so happy today, Rai-chan.” Satoru quirked his brow as he rested his hand on my waist.

“We are going to watch a play, of course I am excited.” My eyes turned into crescent moons. “It’s been so boring lately at the party. We finally have an interesting play to watch.” I giggled delightfully.

“If Rai-chan is saying something like that, I wonder what kind of interesting play we are going to watch.” Suguru. ~”~

The door of the banquet hall opens, revealing Tsuchigumo’s Ice Block 1 and his brother and right-hand man, Tsuchigumo Hikaru, who we dubbed Ice Block 2. Those two are wearing white collarless suits escorting Takikawa Yuriko, who is wearing a floor-length white dress. The most important thing to note is the Bond Mate Marks that decorate her bare neck. Yes, marks not mark. One of her marks is identical to the one on Tsuchigumo’s neck, but the other one is in a different shape. This phenomenon causes the whole hall to gasp in surprise because it’s certain that the other mark is from Ice Block 2.

“Hoho, this is just an opening, yet it’s already interesting.” I took a sip of my grape juice.

“I see. Truly interesting.” Suguru nodded in agreement. Just in one week, she can charm Ice Block 2, or maybe the brothers share the same taste?

“But Rai-chan is waaayyy superior,” Satoru whispered as he pulled me closer. He didn’t even spare a glance at her. In his eyes, there’s only me.

“Of course. I am going to get angry if you think otherwise.” I giggled, pecking him on the cheek.

“Today, I will introduce you to our soulmate, Takikwa Yuriko…” Ice Block 1 began his speech, which I tuned out. I’d rather spend my time looking at Satoru.

Then, after the speech, we are free to enjoy the party. Well, as usual, we are surrounded by the usual business partners. While Takikawa Yuriko is mingling with (being probed by) female guests. If you look carefully, they are all still young girls around her age. Some might genuinely want to befriend her, but most of them don’t. They are trying their luck to see whether they can catch the eyes of her partners. Even if they have given their Bond Mate Marks to their soulmate or spouse, it’s not like they can’t have a mistress or a fling. Who knows, they might even become the official wife. It’s not like there is no drug in black market that can’t break a Bond Mate Mark.

Yep, such a drug does exist, but it’s not without the side effect of course. Forcefully breaking the Bond Mate Mark can cause the parties involved in a state of agonizing pain. So painful that you will wish for death. And the second time you give a Bond Mate Mark to another person, instead of pleasure you will be in a hell of a pain. There is one thing to be noted that this only works for someone without soulmate link.

A person born with a soulmate link can only give their mark once to their soulmate. If it was broken, then part of their soul will also be broken, and they will most likely end up in a vegetative state for the rest of their lives, that is if they are lucky. If you are unlucky, then you will die.

As to why no one is approaching Suguru or Satoru or any other males from our family… It's because they are scared of me. There was a time, the first and the last time they dared covet my soulmate, even went as far as touching Satoru even though there was already an identical Bond Mate Marks full in display on our neck along with shiny rings in our ring fingers. Of course, the end result was very pretty. I literally stripped the aforementioned Omega naked in the party hall and slapped (read. stomped) her with my heels, all the while exuding the scent of an Alpha. Yes, I am a Female Alpha. Female Alpha is really rare, but we don’t know why there are a lot of them in our clans. Yae, Nobara, Maki, Mei-san… almost all of the prominent figures in our clans are female Alpha.

So, they learnt their lesson from that one time and stayed far away from us. Even though some of them are really reluctant to let go of Satoru (male and female alike). I make sure to engrave that fear into them. So, nobody will try to push their pathetic luck. It’s also for their own good, you know. Because if there is a next time, I don’t know what kind of chaos I will cause. I still remember that feeling of Satoru who was looking at me like I am the most beautiful creature in the world. Fufufu, that feeling was pretty addicting. I don’t mind doing it again to savour that kind of feeling.

I don’t know whether this is the effect of soulmate link or whatever. Neither I nor Satoru really care about that anymore. The thing is, as long as we are happily in each other's arms, safe inside our own world, whatever happens outside, we have zero interest.

That aside, I am very amicable to everyone and anyone who didn’t have ulterior motives regarding my soulmate or my family for that matter. In fact, a lot of older females in any secondary gender are happily mingling along with us, the girls. I am also willing to entertain them.

“So, Raika-chan, do you pick up a new hobby?” Auntie A asked.

“Well…”

“She is picking embroidery,” Yae answered for me.

“Oh my, that’s a nice hobby.”

“Except she sucks at it.” Maki grinned.

“Maki~~~~” I pouted, eliciting laughter from aunties.

“It’s fine. The more you do it, the easier it will be.” Auntie C laughed.

“Ehhh~~~~”

“Let’s hope her interest will last long enough until that happens,” Nobara added.

“Nobara, you meanie.” I sulked.

“Don’t sulk. Auntie will teach you some tips later.” Auntie B giggled at my pouting face.

“Really? Auntie, you are not lying, right?”

“Of course, silly. I wish my daughter would quickly give me a granddaughter.” She sighed. She isn’t jabbing her daughter. Because for some reason, the birth rate of females is pretty low.

“Don’t worry, Auntie, Yuina-san will definitely give you a beautiful granddaughter. Be a little more patient.”

“Oh my, I didn’t mean to jeer at her, it’s just…”

“We know, Auntie. Yuina-san also knew that. Because she is trying very hard for you too.” We smiled.

“Yes. That’s right. I should be supporting her. I did get cute grandsons after all. Those rascals are making the house livelier than ever.” She nodded.

“Mother.” Yuina-san came to us while holding hands with her two sons.

“Good evening, Yuina-san.” We greeted her.

“Good evening.” She smiled. “What are you guys talking about?”

“About how Raika sucks at embroidery,” Nobara said.

“Fufufu, you are picking up a new hobby now?” Yuina-san giggled.

“It’s Raika-neesan.” Two kids latched into me.

“Slow down, you don’t want to get Satoru’s bad side.” Rika giggled.

“He’s watching.” Maki pointed out. Cue our sight shift to him, the said man is glaring at the kids.

“Sorry, kids. Satoru is a pretty jealous man.” I giggled as I patted their head.

“It’s not pretty. He is a jealous man.” Nobara rolled his eyes.

“Anything concerning Raika, that is.”

“Well, if I have a soulmate like Raika-neesan, I will be pretty jealous too if someone latches on to her.” Kid A said.

“Hah! At least you got that right, brat.” I heard Satoru answering him.

“Gojo heir is still as protective as usual.” Aunties and Yuina-san sweatdropped.

“By the way, Raika-chan, I heard you go to the same school as Tsuchigumo’s soulmate. What kind of a girl is she?” Auntie D whispered.

“Hm… We don’t share the same major so, I don’t really see her that much. She is pretty famous. I heard she is pretty strong-willed for an Omega. It’s not a bad thing though. It’s a necessity that she can stand her ground. Especially if she is going to be part of the underworld.” I said.

Aunties and Yuina-san understood what I meant. At the very least, the Omega population in the underworld can set a boundary. Not to let themselves be swayed here and there. This is especially true for young Omega. They are easily swayed by Alphas or Betas’ pheromones. Thus, incident like ‘how dare you covet my thing’ is what will happen.

There is no law against having polygamous relationships, so technically it’s allowed to have one. But still, it’s morally questionable. Most people will condemn such vulgar conduct, especially trying to have an affair with other people’s soulmate, unless all the parties involved have consented, that will be a different story.

That’s why there are still some imbeciles that tried to at least become a spare part or a hidden mistress or tried to get consent from the parties involved. That’s what they tried to do with my Satoru and the result was very satisfying to me. It was very worth it to have my instinct take over. Now, nobody is stupid enough to cross the line.

I can see from here that Ice Block 1 and 2 along with their soulmate are approaching Satoru and Suguru.

“Then, I am going to greet the hosts.” I smiled at aunties.

“Okay, you go ahead.” They smiled. Yae and I then walked back to where our respective partners were.

“Good evening.” I greeted as Satoru's hand wrapped around my shoulder pulling me closer.

“Do you have fun?” Satoru asked.

“Yep.” I nodded, smiling.

“Good evening, Sawada Princess.” They greeted in return. Their soulmate is very surprised to see me here.

“You…Sawada-san…?” Her eyes went round as she gaped at me.

“It was nice doing business with you.” I smiled deeply, referring to the information I sold. Of course, we sold it back to Tsuchigumo, reaping around 300 million yen, easy money.

“Why is Sawada-san here?” She looked at me and then her soulmates.

“Oya? I am the guest they invited. Of course I will be here. Should I not come?” I tilted my head.

“T-that's not what I mean.” She shook her head.

“Is that so? I mean, if you are truly uncomfortable with me participating in this party, I will make sure not to come to the next invitation.” I smiled.

“Good idea. I will have much more quality time to spend with you, Rai-chan.” Satoru wholeheartedly agreed with this idea.

“You know she didn't mean like that, Sawada Princess.” Ice Block 2 made a snide comment.

“Oh?” My voice dropped. “Then what did she mean?

“No really. I was just really surprised, that's all. Truly, I didn't mean anything.” She quickly said.

“Okay then. It's time for us to go home anyway. Good evening.” I smiled and walked away with Satoru, hand in hand. ~”~

The next day, Takikawa Yuriko is the one coming to us. “Ano, Sawada-san.” She called.

“Yes? Is there anything I can help, Takikawa-san?” I smiled politely.

“Ah, no. You see, I just want to apologize to you. It was rude of me to say that yesterday even though I didn't mean anything bad.” She bowed clumsily.

“Oh, as long as you know. I hope you won't repeat that anymore.” I said.

“I will.” She nodded her head quickly.

“It's not like I want to antagonize you with a small mistake. But this serves well as advice. If you are going to get involved with your soulmates' world. It will do best if you reign your emotions in.” I smiled.

“...I will remember it.” She gulped.

“Good luck. I will be cheering on your love.” I smiled dazzlingly.

“Thank you, Sawada-san.” She smiled. “Then, excuse me.” She bowed and went back to her circle of friends. They were pestering her because they were curious about what we talked about. ~”~

When our classes are over, of course Satoru is picking us home. Ice Block 1 and 2 apparently have the same idea as us. They rush to her as soon as she steps out of the building and begin to fuss around her. And yes, it sparks discussion among the students. Even her friends are stunned to see high spec ikemens fuss around their friend.

Satoru is waiting while leaning on the car, playing with his phone. I can bet he is listening to some kind of music that was not so innocent. He basically ignores everything around him, until my scent hits his nose. He blinks rapidly and looks up from his phone, a smile blooming beautifully.

“What are you listening to?” I asked even if I knew the answer.

He smirks mischievously, “Wanna know?”

“No.” I shook my head and his smirk dropped. “I will listen to it at home later.” I giggled.

“Deal.” ~”~

“Satoru…” I moaned while he was busy mapping my whole body with his mouth.

“I know, love. I will make you feel good soon.” My legs are propped on his shoulders. His hot breath fanned my body while moving dangerously close to that one place.

And here it is, the numbing pleasure that courses my whole body the moment his tongue flattens itself into my clit, dragging a long delicious lick. The said wet muscle then plunges into the hole, while his thumb pad presses on that little nub.

“...hnnn…”

Obscene sounds of slurping and sucking echo in the bedroom, along with my encouragement in the form of moaning. This is the true form of the music he listened to earlier.

My hand buries itself into his white tresses, pushing him deeper while my thighs are wrapping themselves around his neck, again pulling him closer. Soon, the tight knot in my stomach comes undone as I reach euphoria. I slowly relax my hold on him.

“So cute.” Satoru cooed as he looked at me sprawled on the bed, naked with only his white button-up shirt that wasn't buttoned at all. The sweat makes it cling to me like a second skin.

“Satoru.” I gave him a teary-eyed pout while holding my hands up.

“Huhuhu. My love is just so adorable like this.” He happily sat me down on his lap, aligning his member so it would enter my awaiting drooling hole.

“You really like this position.” He chuckled as we both moaned from the long-awaited contact. “Still as tight as ever.” He breathed out.

“I can see you better like this.” I pushed his matted hair up. I can feel his member fit snugly inside as I lean in for a kiss.

“Should I do it rough?”

“Mm…” I nodded. “I like it when you go feral on me. Will you do it?” I pecked him on the lips.

“As long as it's your wish, Rai-chan.” He smiled. “Stick your tongue out for me, yeah.”

As soon as I did as I was told. I was pulled into another dizzying kiss, while his hands were bouncing me up and down.

I like it when I am filled with his seeds. It's a very calming feeling, almost therapeutic. We decided we are still too young for children so I took the birth control pill. Satoru and I are still in the phase of not wanting to divide our attention elsewhere.

“Rai-chan, how can you be so sexy?” Satoru groaned. “Even more so after being filled with my seeds.”

“Because I am your Rai-chan.” I giggled. “Of course I have to be sexy for you.”

“You make me want to lock you up somewhere else. There shouldn't be any people who are allowed to see you.” Satoru sighed.

“Eh? If you lock me up, then I can't follow you anywhere. So no, you are not allowed to leave my side. I won't allow it.” I puffed my cheek.

“My bad, Rai-chan. I didn't think that. Don’t get angry.” He kissed my forehead, appeasing me. “Let's get you cleaned up, yeah.”

“You wash me. I am tired.”

“Of course of course.” Satoru nodded and he did meticulously wash my whole body inside out. ~”~

The moment I woke up the next day, my whole body is feverish and I feel my pussy aching to be stuffed full. It's sticky and wet. “Satoru,” I whined, straddling the said sleeping male, and without waiting for him, I just used his body as I please to please myself.

Satoru opened his eyes lazily, the half-lidded eyes clouded by sleep and lust, they were such a beautiful hue. His hands shot up onto my hip, helping with the rhythm. “Rai-chan, you are so cute when you are needy.” He cooed. He knows my heat cycle is here. And his eyes brightened at the prospect of mating with me for 3 days without interruption. “I will love you a lot.” He went feral. ~”~

After 3 days of my absence, Yae told me a very interesting event that has happened.

“Onigumo heir mated with Takikawa Yuriko.”

“Onigumo? Who is he again?” I tilted my head. “Ah, that ore-sama brat?” I blinked. “Onigumo and Tsuchigumo. Is she a Jorogumo?” I giggled, amused.

“You know what? That’s not far from the truth.” Maki said.

“Rai-chan’s words back then served as a hint. So, we decided to re-investigate Takikawa Yuriko.” Yae said.

“The result?” Panda asked.

“The result is, she is a Pure Omega,” Yae said.

“That troublesome mutated version Omega. I should have known.” Maki sighed.

“So, she is going to make her own harem, I see. The underworld will be in for a storm.” Panda uttered.

“As long as we are safe on the sidelines, let them wreak havoc as much as they want,” I replied. ~”~

Takikawa Yuriko is still a hot topic in the underworld. She has captured 3 well-known figures in a span of 2 months. This is a feat that no ordinary person can do. Most people are starting to re-investigate her, but all of her information has been destroyed by her soulmates. ‘How much money we can make if we sell that?’ I smiled while sipping my grape juice. ‘Should I auction it? That way, I can make a lot of money.’

Today Satoru and I are wearing much lighter colours, light blue. Since today my dress didn’t cover up my neck, it’s showing my mark. While Satoru’s is covered up by the shirt’s collar, because I don’t like showing his neck to other people, except for that one time, the announcement of us being soulmates. That time, Satoru wore his suit messily, showing off the mark. Besides, all of the people have known that Satoru is off-limit unless there is an idiot who thought otherwise.

At tonight’s banquet, Takikawa Yuriko is being escorted by three people now, also showing off her new mark, on the collarbone. She is glowing with confidence and also gains more confidence. It can be seen from how she mingles with other young ladies.

“It's a pity that her new mate is that Onigumo heir.” Rika lamented.

“It's her choice. It can't be helped.” Yuta smiled wryly.

“Our princess just wants to watch an interesting drama anyway.” Mei-san smiled while sipping champagne.

Satoru is busy feeding me delicious food. “Satoru, I want macaron.”

“Okay, I will go pick some.” He pressed a kiss on my cheek and went to get some.

“Good evening, Sawada-san.” Takikawa Yuriko smiled as she greeted me.

“Good evening, Takikawa-san. Congratulations on meeting your new mate.” I smiled politely.

“Thank you.” She blushed, but still thanked me happily. “Thanks to your advice, my soulmates praised me for doing a good job.” She said.

“Oh, that's good to hear,” I replied.

“Well well, if it isn't Sawada Princess. It's rare to see you alone without your soulmate. Did he finally dump you?” Onigumo heir mocked. My family are glaring at him now.

“…who are you?” I swirled my wine glass.

“You!”

“He is that Onigumo heir, Capo,” Rika told me while trying to contain her laughter.

“…???” I tilted my head to the side cutely. “That Onigumo heir? Oh, he looks like this?” I blinked.

“This little-”

“Oya? You are itching to get your bone broken again.” I heard Satoru's voice and a smile bloomed on my lips. “Should I remind you of what happened?” Satoru glared down at him.

“Gojo Satoru.” Onigumo heir ground his teeth.

“Get lost.” Satoru sneered.

“Tsk.” Onigumo then whisked the confused Takikawa away, but not before throwing one last nasty glare which we ignored.

“Waste of space.” Satoru clicked his tongue. “Let's change the place, Rai-chan. It has been contaminated by germs.” He scowled.

“Okay, lead the way.” I nodded. Onigumo Yomi, is a typical overbearing ore-sama type. He always thinks he is the best and deserves the best. Well, everyone deserves the best for them. But this one is leaning towards weird direction. Apparently, he heard about me being the treasured Sawada Princess and of course he thinks he deserved me as his mate.

“The best Alpha like me deserves the best Omega.” He said snobbishly to me.

“???” I blinked and chose not to answer him, and turned my head away from him.

“An Omega like you,” He grabbed my hand roughly, “should have just listened to me like a pretty vase you are.”

I dislike being manhandled, so I delivered a reverse-turning kick to his face. The said kid crashed to the floor beautifully. “If you are an Alpha, you should at least recognize the scent of Alpha.” I looked down at him, mocking him while exuding the scent of Alpha.

“Rai-chan!” Satoru rushed to me while cradling my hand which was grabbed pretty hard, and in the process ‘unintentionally’ stepped on his arm and broke it with a satisfying sound. “Let's get your hand treated. It will be bad if some bad germs infect your pretty hand.” He said.

“Okay.” I nodded.

We were trained not to let our scent leak out too much. Though it was impossible to erase it completely, we can make it so only faint scent is exuded. To prevent being easily tracked by other people.

That was also when the rumour started to spread about us being soulmates. But we didn't clarify the rumour until I graduated high school and was married to Satoru.

After that one incident, he stayed far away from us. Even though he is secretly trying to cause trouble in our territories, his ability is not worth mentioning. ~”~

Takikawa Yuriko is just a normal girl, really an ordinary girl with the memories of her previous life intact. The memories of when Earth still doesn't have secondary genders and no soulmate. When she found out she was born with as Omega, to be exact a Pure Omega, she was confused to say at least.

She knew about secondary genders through stories back then. But never thought that humanity evolved themselves to be like that. One thing she is ecstatic about is having a soulmate. Someone out there is yearning for you, such a romantic notion to her. She is happy to imagine her life will be full of happiness with her soulmate. A partner that will never betray her, that will love her deeply.

The story of her rose-coloured life is when she is 20. She met her soulmate while part-timing as a waitress at a party. She still remembers how her soulmate link suddenly formed a chain to a gorgeous man like him. She was really shocked. She knew he was no ordinary man and was afraid that he won’t recognize her as his soulmate. Fortunately, her fear was not needed. Her soulmate was very gentle with her. He brought her to a more secluded place to talk and then asked her for more of her time to talk after work, which she of course agreed.

At the end of the night, their talk ended with them making love and giving their Bond Mate marks to each other. Just remembering that passionate night made her tingle. After that night in hotel, her soulmate brought her back into his mansion. He declared her as the lady of the mansion on the spot. Her soulmate family which consisted of father, mother and younger brother eagerly welcomed her. As an orphan in this world, she is very grateful for the warmth she received in that family.

Her new family, especially her soulmate doted on her so much that she was a bit taken aback, but quickly adapted to it. How her soulmate younger brother, Tsuchigumo Hikaru became her mate was purely accidental. That day, her soulmate was busy at work, so she stayed at the mansion, recovering from another passionate night. She found her soon-to-be second mate masturbating all the while mentioning her name. His strong Alpha’s pheromone assaulted her and made her dizzy, she soon went into unplanned heat and ran back into her room, hoping for her mate to quickly come home while she tried to ease the heat herself.

Her following days were very awkward because of that and she finally confided to her soulmate about that day. She was deathly afraid that her soulmate would think of her as a cheap woman. To her relief, he did nothing of the sort. Rather, he was asking if she was comfortable enough to have polygamous relationships. She was hit by another culture shock. Her soulmate then explained that he won’t be having a polygamous relationship, instead, it was her. He thought it would be better for her safety to have another mate protecting her, just in case he wasn’t there. Takikawa Yuriko thought about this long and hard before deciding if his younger brother and family is okay with this, then she would accept it. And that was the first night of them having 3P.

The siblings doted on her every day. Her feet didn't even touch the ground. She was satisfied in life and bed. Her body which finally tasted the joy of being loved is also becoming more sensitive. Just a whiff of her soulmates' scent will send her mind reeling, and enter her heat period. When they consulted with the doctor, this was some sort of mutation of her Pure Omega genes. The doctor then prescribed her medicine to restrict her sense of smell to help her since this couldn’t be cured.

Her two soulmates were honest with her that their life is not rainbows and sunshine, because they are mafia bosses of the underworld. This of course came as a shock to her. But she still stayed with them. They were her soulmates, so of course she wanted to share their burden.

She then was brought to attend an evening party. A party that was hosted by her soulmates to introduce her as their soulmate. She was nervous, it was a nerve-wracking experience for her. Not to mention she met someone, no, a whole bunch of people from her college. Sawada Raika, she knew that person attended her college. She was always surrounded by her group of friends who were also attending this party. And the man beside her must be her husband or mate. She saw the shiny rings on their fingers.

After their encounter, her soulmates told her that Sawada Raika was in fact an heiress of Sawada clan, a very well-known mafia with a long history. And that man beside her, Gojo Satoru, who is also a mafia boss, was Sawada-san's soulmate. He was very handsome, especially his eyes. But she knew better than to be jealous of someone's soulmate. Her own soulmates are very handsome too, thank you very much. Unlike her soulmates' wild scent that can make her or any other female or male omega wet with only a whiff (she can see it from how they tightened their thighs together). That guy has no smell. Sure, she ate the smell restriction medicine, but that didn't mean she couldn't smell anything. She could still smell her soulmates and even Sawada-san's smell. She wonders if he was an Omega? In a sense, male Omega's scent is weaker than female Omega, or maybe he was a mutated Omega that didn't develop a scent gland.

Her meeting with her third mate was also an accident. She was truly chilling in her room in her soulmate’s mansion. Then somebody else suddenly enters her room without permission. She was angry at first, but her soon-to-be mate was gentlemanly enough to apologize, even going as far as buying a lot of things to appease her. This naturally satisfied her vanity. Let's face it, no one would hate an ikemen buying things for you.

They met again outside when she was shopping. But her medicine's effect was running out. Strong Alpha and Beta's pheromones assaulted her and her body quivered, she was going into unplanned heat again. She tried to quickly went back home, but her body refused to listen, not to mention she was starting to feel sticky down there. Her third mate saved her from that embarrassing moment. She tried to hold on, but she couldn't do it in the end and jumped on him. She apologized later, but her third mate (whose vanity is swelling) kind-heartedly told her not to mind it.

She talked about this incident with her two soulmates and then they decided to welcome him as her third mate. With another mate in her pond, her sex life is also getting richer and more fun. She was very happy that they got along well and felt really lucky that they accepted her. It’s like the world was made for her, where she could enjoy being a protagonist of a reverse harem story. She was thankful for the God above who reincarnated her in this world. ~”~

It’s the birthday celebration banquet of an allied family, so I have to attend this in Papa and Mama’s place with Satoru of course. Today’s theme is ash grey. A backless knee-length cocktail dress with matching heels and accessories. Satoru is wearing a suit and a pair of slacks of the same colour.

It’s clear that many young adult men are enamoured by Takikawa Yuriko. She is really a nice and modest girl, so most aunties and married couples are amicable with her. As for young ladies they are now busy flattering her. She has become the role model of those young unmated female Omegas. Who knows, with Takikawa Yuriko’s connection they might even end up with a male from a powerful family.

Satoru and I congratulate the boss of Gesso Family who is celebrating his 40th. “Is Satoru-kun is overprotective as ever?”

“He is.”

“I am. You got a problem, old man?”

“Hahaha. You are still as funny as ever.” Byakuran-san laughed. “I see that girl is more popular than me at my own birthday party no less. What a shock.” The expression he wore is different from what he said.

“As long as she didn’t cause a problem within our territories. We won’t care about her, though we do warn our subordinates about her being Pure Omega.” I said.

“Oya? So, she is a Pure Omega.” Byakuran-san smirked.

“I am sure you have already known about this.” I laughed.

“Well, I had a hunch about it. Anyway, it was a good decision on your part. Those brats are still wet behind their ears. As long as the head of their family has a good head above their shoulders, there shouldn’t be any problem.” He narrowed his eyes. “That is if she isn’t the one to cause the said trouble.”

“We hope it won’t come to that. I like watching drama, but I hate to be involved in one.” I smiled.

“Hahaha, that heroic tale of you doing a reverse turning kick to a certain brat has become a legend.” Byakuran-san gave me thumbs up. “And how you disciplined someone in your crowning ceremony was also a legend among legends.”

“Congrats on your birthday.” Takikawa group came to congratulate Byakuran-san.

“Thank you. I am happy that the famous Takikawa Yuriko-san is coming to my humble birthday party.” He smiled.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine…” Takikawa is flustered.

“Old cot, don’t trouble Yuriko-chan.” Onigumo hissed.

“Oya? I didn’t mean anything like that. I am truly happy that she attends my party. I have heard rumours going around and I can say I am excited to meet her.” Byakuran-san said.

“I don’t know about being famous, but thank you for inviting me.” She bowed.

“You don’t need to bow.” Her soulmates frowned.

“I can’t do that. I should show respect to elder.” Takikawa retorted.

“You can be more proud of yourself and hold your head high.” Onigumo sighed indulgently.

“Rai-chan, should we go to the buffet table now?” Satoru whispered.

“…un…” I nodded.

“Someone should learn to be more humble and modest,” Onigumo said loudly. In an instant, the whole guest quieted down.

“Pfft, yeah. You should learn to be more humble and modest like your mate.” I giggled, but my eyes were clearly looking down on him. “Lest you are getting another reverse turning kick again. But this time, I will break your jaw.” My family snicker at this.

“You!” He shot his hand to grab me, but Satoru has been on standby and quickly twisted his incoming arm, a crisp cracking sound was heard and then a scream of agony.

“Looks like you are really itching to have your bone broken again. so, I did you a favour.” Satoru glowered.

“Yomi-kun.” Takikawa Yuriko rushed to her mate who was on the floor groaning in pain. “Please apologize to Yomi-kun.” She glared at Satoru.

“…”

“Yomi-kun was wrong for being brash. But that doesn’t mean you can just break his arm. Apologize!” She said loudly.

It’s time to see whether her pheromone will affect Satoru or not. Well, all of us already knew the answer though.

“You thought I would yield because you are a female Omega?” Satoru eyes glowered, his alpha pheromone leaks out to suppress the other who are trying to stop him. Takikawa Yuriko collapsed to her knees from the sheer pressure. “You thought yourself too high. No one is more important to me than Rai-chan.”

“Gojo Satoru.” Tsuchigumo siblings gritted their teeth as they stepped in front of her.

“Are you two going to join too? I don’t mind at all. It’s a nice timing to clean up.” Satoru sneered.

“It’s Onigumo’s fault in the first place. You shouldn’t lash out at Yuriko.” Ice Block 1 said.

“I guess it’s pretty convenient to throw one as a scapegoat when there are a lot of you.” Satoru jeered.

“Yuriko is a very nice girl. It’s understandable that many people like her and want to be her mate.” Ice Block 2 narrowed his eyes. “Unlike your cruel soulmate.” He dissed.

“Oh? That works fine with me. I like to monopolize my soulmate. If there’s even another person outside who dares to spare a glance at her, I will make sure they will be living in hell. I am glad that you don’t understand her charms.” Satoru snorted. “Or else you might not be living anymore.” His voice dropped.

“Sorry, Byakuran-san. Your party is a mess.” I lamented. “I will treat you to a meal later.”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. I am pleased to watch a drama.” He giggled.

“Well then, we should excuse ourselves. I need to disinfect Satoru’s hand or else unknown germs will infect it.” I smiled. “Oh, and,” I turned to Tsuchigumo group. “Let me tell you one thing, I love watching drama, but I absolutely hate being involved in it.” My eyes shone. ~”~

“Rai-chan…” Satoru moaned and shuddered when I pressed a kiss on the Bond Mate Mark.

“Be a good boy, Satoru. I have to disinfect you.” I demanded.

“Yeah, I will be a good boy.” He choked out another moan as I pinched his nipple. “Please, love me a lot, Rai-chan.”

“Of course.” I smiled and pulled him into a deep kiss. I know that face. The face of that woman, Takikawa Yuriko made. It’s the same face as that one Omega. A face of being in heat. She must have entered unplanned heat cycle because of Satoru’s pheromone. Tsk, how dare she covet my thing.

“Rai-chan…”

“Hm?”

“Don’t think about other people,” Satoru whined. “I can’t stand it. You only have to think about me.” He pouted.

“My bad. I will make it up to you, okay?” I giggled.

“Really?”

“Yes. I never break my promise to you.” ~”~

“…nhaa…hnn…ahn…” Her hand furiously stirred her inside. But no matter what she does, she can’t reach her release. Her fingers are not enough, her soulmates' cocks are also not enough. That smell, her breath hitches as she remembered that smell, his smell. The smell of that man, it smells so heavenly. She collapsed not due to terror, but because his scent caused her body to scream, wanting to be claimed by him, that man, Sawada Raika’s soulmate. She wants to be claimed, wants to be marked and wants to be drowned in his scent.

She orgasms as her brain constructs his smell, deluding her to make the smell around her is his. How good it will be to be drowned in his essence. Her body twitches at that prospect. Imagining him to claim her roughly, breed into her, let him have his way with her. Ahhh, what a fantastic thought. See, she came again with just that thought. “Want… I want him… no, I need him to be mine. He is mine… this world is made for me…” Her flushed face stares in a daze. After all, she wished to be born into a reverse harem world in her previous life. She wanted a life where she can enjoy being pampered, having a horde of ikemens at her back and call. And that man, Gojo Satoru is perfect to be in her pond. “Gojo Satoru…” So sweet, she literally could taste him from his name alone. ~”~

Our next meeting, as expected is in another evening party. I have seen she seemed to be snooping around in the school. Sadly, she won’t find anything about me or Satoru from the college.

And here she comes, wearing another white floor-length backless dress, with a high slit on the left side. ‘I see I see. She is going all out to capture Satoru.’ My smile deepened. “Satoru.”

“Yes, Rai-chan?” Satoru eyes softened.

I pull his tie so Satoru bends down. And in perfect timing, as she walks to us with a smile, I kiss Satoru, not a peck, but a full-blown deep, French kiss, without caring who’s watching. I can see her smile froze from the corner of my eyes.

“You are planning a play, Rai-chan?” He whispered.

“Hehehe. I don’t like how she looks at you.” I smiled.

“I don’t like that too, make her go away, Rai-chan. I only want you in my world.”

“That’s what I plan to do. Don’t ever take your eyes off me, okay Satoru?”

“I won’t.” Satoru then kissed my eyelids and smiled.

“Is there anything I can help you with, Takikawa-san?” I finally looked at her while Satoru is fixing my hair and smoothing my dress, there was no time for him to even glance at her.

“No… I was wondering if I could join you in the conversation.” She gave a strained smile.

“No,” I replied. Her smile froze for the second time as if she was not expecting I would refuse her. “Why would you want to join in my and my soulmate's conversation?” I giggled. “I see today you are attending alone. Where are your partners?” I feigned ignorance. Well yeah, of course I knew where they were. They were busy with big trouble, I put the information about Takikawa Yuriko in an auction, so they are in auction to buy the said information. And Onigumo is in hospital.

“Well, you shared some classes in college. I thought it would be better for me to stick with someone I know.” She said.

“Fufufu, is that so? But…” My eyelids lowered. “Why do you keep looking at my soulmate? You are talking to me, no?” My smile deepened.

“No! I didn’t… I wouldn’t dare…” She cast her head down while secretly glancing at Satoru from time to time.

“You don’t need to spread your pheromone, it won’t work on him, even though you are Pure Omega.” My smile vanished.

“Pure Omega?!” Gasps of surprise were heard. Now, they finally realized why they were drawn to her.

“I! I am not!” She took a defensive stance, “I am not spreading my pheromone.” She shook her head.

“You think we can’t smell your repulsive smell?” I rolled my eyes. “Seems like it has been a long time that people have forgotten that I don’t take it well when someone covets my soulmate.” It’s my turn to let her know how dangerous my scent is.

Those Omega who had recognized my scent are starting to tremble, their bodies are remembering the scene and the fear back then. “Do…don’t come near me…” She walked backwards.

“Then, you shouldn’t come to me in the first place,” I replied. “You ate smell restriction medicine, right?”

“What?! How can you!”

“It’s easy to dig information about you.” I rolled my eyes and I took another step forward.

“No… don’t…” She tripped and fell down.

“Let’s start the show, shall we?” Gleeful giggle escaped my lips. I slap her few times and then tear down her dress, not caring about her cry or weak struggle. Second, I bend down and squish her cheek to open her mouth and forcefully fed antidote for smell restriction medicine and pour a wine which was given by Yae into her mouth, forcing her to swallow it.

“My hand is sticky now.” I frowned.

“…nnha…haaa…aaahhh…” Her body is quivering, rubbing her thighs together. Even though she is crying no and stop, her body won’t listen to her. The pheromones of Alphas and Betas in the hall excited her.

“Oh my, you are so excited. You must be exhibitionist.”

“…help…” She looked around, but no one wanted to help or maybe no one can help. She tried to use the scrap of her leftover dress to cover her.

“No no no. You can’t cover your body.” I shook my head and forcefully took it away. “You should let them see how excited you are.” I pulled her up and tied her hands behind her with a rope courtesy of Yae. My aide truly knew what I needed most.

“Don’t you want my soulmate to see how excited you are?” I whispered. Her body twitches and she suddenly finished herself.

“Wow. Let’s clap for her show.” I said. My family clap loudly and the other guests followed suit.

“You see…” I moved her face to Satoru’s direction. “He isn’t looking at you,” I said again. “He never was, never has and never will.” True to my words, Satoru is only looking at me the whole time.

“Let me tell you one more thing. His scent is not mixed in this hall.” And her whole body froze while her eyes widened.

“No…way…”

“Why don’t you try to smell it?” I encouraged and she did. She tried to smell, but she can’t smell Satoru at all. “You see, except for me, all of my family and Satoru included, they are covering up their smell for tonight. So, let me say once again, you got excited not because of my soulmate's scent.” It was a finishing blow to her. She is like a doll whose strings were suddenly cut.

“Capo.” Yae came to me. “We just got the report, Tsuchigumo and Onigumo are finished.”

“Perfect.” I clapped my hands. “Now, let’s rent her in auction. Pure Omega is a rare breed. This one is even easily excited only by smell. Her smell is also pleasing to most people. I bet she will get a bunch of customers in no time.”

“Does that mean we are making money soon?” Mei-san smiled.

“Yep. Can I leave it to you, Mei-san?”

“Of course, Capo.” She bowed. “I knew what I need to do.”

“Rai-chan, let’s wash your hands. It will be bad if they get sticky.” Satoru came to guide me away, not sparing a glance at her.

“…why…? I am supposed to be the protagonist…” She mumbled while looking at us. ~”~

Omake

The renting business is a big hit. Since she is our money-making tree, I have Mei-san to take care of her hygiene and daily life. I am not some cruel boss that let my best commodity suffers. She will be cleaned and fed 3 times a day and be given sleep for 6 hours.

A lot of big shots like her because despite her crying no and stop, her body lewdly doing the opposite. The gap moe is very thrilling. I even allow my customers to dress her up to their liking as long as it’s not going to inflict detrimental injuries.

“Satoru, I am bored. Let’s play a role play.”

“What kind of role play?”

“You picked up bunny from street, feed it, pamper it and then crush it when it’s at the peak of its happiness,” I said.

“No, I won’t touch other women, even though it’s roleplay. It’s disgusting.” Satoru made a face.

“…Hm… Well, that’s true. I don’t think I can even hold that long seeing you touch other people.” I nodded.

“If you are that bored. Why don’t I role-play how to seduce you all over again?” He smirked.

“Let’s try it.” I laughed excitedly.

“As you wish.”

#gojo x reader #gojo satoru x reader #jjk gojo #gojo satoru x you #gojo fluff #gojo smut #omegaverse au #jjk mafia au #soulmate au

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