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eddiescorrodedcoffin86 · 2 years

Text

Reality

Part 1: Ballistic

Part 8: In a Heartbeat

Masterlist

Cheerleader!Harrington!Reader

After everything with Vecna, it's a little hard for you to get settled again. When the gang realizes something's wrong, they devise a plan.

Struggling to accept reality. Very brief smut. Depressed reader. This chapter has all the tags. Angst. Fluff. Brief smut. Eddie calls you Bunny. Everyone is super worried about you cause girl… you are losin’ it in this chapter. PTSD technically I guess. There's a cliff this is your warning I dont want to give anything away, im not sorry. Mentions of you trying to stick your hand on a hot stove.

You’d thought once everything was over with Vecna everything would be normal again, you expected it to take time, but it was taking too much time now.

It usually never took this long for you to feel safe again, comfortable, in your own skin, three weeks at the most and that was after the Mind Flayer had killed Billy, or rather, One had killed Billy, you still couldn’t quite grasp the concept of what the hell really was going on in the Upside Down. But it was taking longer now, approaching the two and a half month mark you were still extremely jumpy, your skin still itches, and there was a scratching feeling at the back of your head that it would all stop, at some point.

As soon as school was back in, you quit the cheer squad, told your mother to eat your shorts if she didn’t like it, and started sitting at the Hellfire table at lunch. Which is where you were now, leaned on Eddie with his arm caped around your shoulders, your eyes trained on a forever stain on the lunch table, not noticing you were being spoken to until Eddie’s hand was waving in your face.

You blinked rapidly and looked at him. “What? Sorry. I zoned out again.” You mumbled. “What’s up?” Eddie decided not to question it, any time he had before you’d brushed it off as being tired, but he was getting increasingly worried about you. “Asked if you wanted to come hang out at my place tonight.” He said softly. “Uncle Wayne works at the plant tonight so… it’ll just be us.” You’d been holding off on sex with Eddie since you got back, maybe it was because you just weren’t feeling very sexy, or because Eddie had been and still partially was recovering from his demobat injuries, or because you didn’t know if any of this was actually happening and it scared the ever loving shit out of you, you didn’t know anymore.

“Uh… yeah.” You nodded, smiling and kissing his cheek gently before leaning into him again the table sat in peace for a while, you actually able to listen to the conversation even if it was about dungeons and dragons and you didn’t really understand any of it. Your peace, of course, was short lived by two cheerleaders flouncing up to the table. “Y/N.” One said, annoyingly chipper like usual. “Denise.” You responded. “Harrington.” The other acknowledged, you grunted and waved dismissively at her in response. “We were wondering you were done playing ‘diddle the freak’ and come back where you belong.” She said immediately after you waved at her.

“And I’ve always wondered if you were done playing ‘how can I be a bigger cunt today?’” You said matter of factly, not looking up as the whole table snorted. Jackie immediately jerked her eyes to the boys at the table. “Watch it, freakazoids.” You stood up quickly and tugged your hand from Eddie when he grabbed it. “I’ve had e-fucking-nough of that word.” You growled, inches from her face.

Jackie looked scared, for a second, before she was crossing your arms and cocking a brow, tapping her laced white keds. “So that’s a no, then?” She scoffed. “You’d seriously rather hang out with these freaks? It’s social suicide!”

“It’s senior year you dumb cunt!” You poked her temple harshly a few times. “There is no social anything! You’re just a bunch of horny, useless pigs. And in about five years you’re going to be stuck in the same god damn place only uglier, smellier, and even more useless than you are right fucking now. Because then.” You stepped close, voice lowering. “Even your dog isn’t going to want to fuck you.”

Jackie stared at you with wide eyes, mouth gaping like a fish as she tried to stutter out of a response. “Eat shit, bitch.” You growled, grabbing your bag and spitting on her white keds before leaving the cafeteria, Eddie following quickly after you as Jackie’s voice echoed. “UGH! You are SO off the squad!” So high pitched you thought the windows would shatter. “Boohoo.” You mumbled to yourself.

“Y/N!” He grabbed your wrist and stopped you as you made it to the double doors of the school. “Hey… you’re shaking like a leaf.” He mumbled before hugging you tightly. “Bunny… what’s wrong?” He whispered.

“I’m sorry. God I’m sorry. That’s probably not gonna make things better.” You mumbled softly, shaking your head as you hugged him, closing your eyes tightly, gripping his vest. You haven’t told Eddie about the trouble you’re having, you already felt like a burden as it was, you didn’t need to add ‘can’t distinguish reality anymore’ to the list as well.

“Hey. What are you talking about? That was fucking awesome.” Eddie laughed and leaned back. “You called her ugly and smelly and useless and all that other shit for calling us freaks.” He shook his head. “I have never been more in love with you.” There it was.

You blinked rapidly. No… okay there was no way Eddie Munson just said in love with you. He doesn’t say that. He didn’t say that when you all thought he was gonna die in the hospital! “You… what..?”

Eddie blinked and tilted his head, like he didn’t realize, until they widened. “Oh. Oh uh…” his cheeks went bright red and he rubbed the back of his neck, shoes squeaking on the floor when he nudged it before clearing his throat. “Yeah. Uh you know I’m… I’m in love with you.” He pushed his hands into his pockets. “I mean… I did jump into a lake into hell after you so… and mowed down a bunch of demobats.” He teased, nudging you lightly. “Kinda obvious, sweetheart.” You let out a soft laugh, almost having to force it.

“I… I’m… I-I’m in love with you.. too.” You said softly, watching as the grin spread across his, your cheeks flushing before he was swooping you into a deep kiss. You hummed and closed your eyes, sighing happily into the kiss, sliding your hands into his hand and gripping gently just to feel the root of something. Something real that wasn’t you. When he let out that oh so missed sigh, you melted into him, pulling back and swallowing thickly before grabbing his hand tightly. “Come on.." You said softly, tugging him into a supply closet as a wide, curious grin spread across his face, his eyes glancing to both ends of the hallway. "Yes, ma'am."

The second the door was closed you turned the light on and gripped the front of Eddie's jacket and vest, pulling him close and kissing him deeply, sighing happily when you felt him melt against you and slide his arms around your waist, pulling you tighter against him as he leaned you against the door, pressing your back into the wood, which was cold even through your t-shirt, which was actually Eddie's, his hips grinding into yours slowly but with the perfect amount of pressure, his hands sliding everywhere, gripping your ass through your skirt, his fingertips touching your skin when the fabric bunched up in his hand. (whether he bought the shirt too small or too big is up to you, I'm trying to be as inclusive as possible, we'll say its tucked into your skirt or tied up depending on your size option)

"That all I had to do to get you riled up? Tell you I love you?" He teased, which actually made you laugh a little, rolling your eyes a bit. "I've been holding out on you... I'm sorry." You whispered, sliding your hdans up to cup his cheeks as he shook his head. "No. It's fine, really." He said softly, turning his head to kiss your palm. "We just went through something traumatic.. kinda dumb of me to assume you're immediately gonna wanna take your pants off, y'know?"

You shook your head fondly and kissed him softly. "Still. Thank you for being patient and not making me feel like shit about it." Even if I do anyway. "no problem, Bunny." Eddie ran his thumb over your cheek gently. "Now... I believe I pulled you in here for a reason." You teased, pulling him close and kissing him again.

Eddie kissed back happily, you reaching under your skirt and pushing your panties off as Eddie unbuckled his belt and got his jeans down just enough to get his cock out, since you didn't have time to go all out, and you were making sure Eddie graduated, so you would have to settle for a quickie. He gripped your hips again and moved so you could on an old desk in the supply closet, he slid his hands up your skirt and ran his thumb through your folds slowly, his lips falling from yours to your neck, sucking and kissing on the skin as he massaged your clit with his thumb, moaning a little against your neck when he felt your slick start to gather.

"Eddie... please." You whined softly. "We don't have time the bell is gonna ring soon." You shifted, pressing against his finger as he let out a soft chuckle. "Alright.. alright. I'll just have to wait." You could feel his little pout against your neck as he pulled you closer and lined his cock up with your hole, slowly guiding himself into you as he groaned, eyes fluttering shut.

Your arms wrapped around him tightly, nuzzling his neck lightly as you moaned softly, the pain of the stretch grounding you as you gripped Eddie’s vest in your hands gently, feeling the denim catch under your nails. “Fuck.” Eddie mumbled into your neck, pushing all the way into you, panting softly as he let you adjust, massaging your thighs gently before his hands slid up to your waist, squeezing gently. “You okay still?” He asked softly.

You nodded. “I’m okay, Eds.” You leaned back to kiss him, pulling him closer. “You can start moving.” You bumped your nose against his lightly. He nodded and kissed you softly as he started thrusting up into you, whining happily and pulling you closer to him, pressing his face into your neck. “Feels so good, baby.” He whispered softly into your ear. “Love you so much. Have since that day at the picnic table.” He wrapped his arms around you, continuing to fuck up into you as he gradually picked up speed.

You whimpered happily and pushed your face into Eddie’s neck. This. This was real. This would always be real, Eddie close, hips pushing up into you, his wallet chain jingling with his movements, echoing through the small closet, his cold rings digging into your skin as his hands grabbed anywhere he could. You could feel his lips then, open against your neck as he sucked and nibbled on the skin, very obviously trying to leave a hickey and you couldn’t find it in yourself to stop him, your fingers sliding up to tangle in his hair. “I love you too, Eds.” You whimpered happily when his hips snapped up into you.

“Say it again.” Came spilling out of his mouth as soon as you finished the words, his hand sliding to play with your clit. “Please.” He whined. You blushed a little at his reaction and bit your lip as you looked up at him, smiling shyly. “I love you, Eds.” You moaned softly when he started circling your clit. “So much.”

Eddie whined happily and kissed you deeply as he started to fuck you harder and faster, his muscles seeming to twitch the harder you gripped his shoulders. Being as Eddie was a little backed up, he was holding back his orgasm, determined to make you cum first, he could tell you were having a rough time and since you wouldn't talk to him about it, he figured this was at least one way he could try and help you out.

Your eyelids fluttered and your legs shook, Eddie's soft whimpers and grunts echoing through the small closet with the sound of his wallet chain. The sounds played a song in your eyes, planting you to the ground and solidifying just how much Eddie meant to you, and then how you'd been treating him lately, not neccesarily rude, just distant, spending more time alone than with anyone. Now was definitely not the time for the guilt to come crashing down on you.

"I'm sorry." You didn't realize you were crying until the words came out of your mouth, wrecked from both your activities and your guilt. Eddie leaned back and frowned, immediately wiping your tears as his hips slowed to a stop, pulling a protesting whimper from your lips. "Bunny.. whats wrong?" He whispered. "What are you saying sorry for?"

You sniffled and shook your head slightly in his hands. "I've been distant a-and ignoring you after the hospital, and I shouldn't have because I love you so much and it's so stupid and. I just... I love you so much I don't want you to think I don't." You looked up at him. "I'm sorry." "Oh... baby..." Eddie shook his head and kissed your face several times. "Please don't feel bad, everyone handles things differently. You need to be alone sometimes and that's okay. I'm not upset. i love you."

You closed your eyes, shoulders still shaking lightly. "I love you too." You said softly, looking up at him as you sniffled a little. "Don't cry, Bunny." Eddie whispered, smiling warmly at you. "Though I have to admit, does something to me that you're crying because you love me so much." He teased, continuing when it got him a grin. "Kinda a bigger turn on." He chuckled when you slapped his chest, giving a still slightly teary laugh. "You wanna stop?" He whispers softly.

You bit your lip and shook your head, looking up at him. "No, I wanna keep going." You said softly, gently pulling him into a kiss as he grinned. "Yes, ma'am.." he hummed before starting his movements again.

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"Eddie... is she alright?" Dustin asked later at Hellfire, since you quit the squad you'd sometimes sit in on their meetings, though you mostly would go back home and just lay in bed, you decided to come today and observe, though despite the excitement the observing quickly became putting your headphones on and reading the book you were focused on this month.

Eddie looked over towards you and sighed a little. "I don't know, man.. she's been a little weird." He mumbled softly, shifting slightly and clearing his throat. "Steve say anything about her being weird?"

Dustin shrugged and nodded, glancing at you momentarily. "Yeah, said she's been spending a lot of time locked up in her room and only comes out to get her dinner and then just goes back upstairs.

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The next day, everybody was at Family Video, except for you, it had been a particularly... odd feeling morning so you'd stayed in bed, telling Steve that you probably wouldn't be there, and although he seemed disappointed, he nodded and left a glass of water by your bed before leaving for work.

Robin explained. "When I asked her what she got four number ten in class yesterday she said The Battle of Gettysburg." "...okay?" Nancy frowned. "We were in Math."

Eddie decided to keep the details of your breakdown quiet, explaining that you just had a tendency to cry more, and about your scene at lunch.

Dustin had noticed you smiled less, at anyone's jokes.

Steve noticed your lack of sibling banter, among other things you'd stopped doing around the house.

Max noticed your lack of appearance at Eddie's, and your lack of wanting to go shopping.

Nancy noticed your lack of enthusiasm.

and Mike... well he was more focused on El so he hadn't noticed much.

and the final straw? When Steve told them he'd stopped you from laying your hand on a hot stove that morning before breakfast, which he'd convinced you to come down for. "When I asked her why, she said 'to see if it was hot'"

"She likes the beach." Steve commented, they were all trying to find something to do to make you feel better, everyone had started to notice how odd you were behaving, each of thtem havng a different reason for thinking you needed out of Hawkins for a bit.

"She mentioned a while ago she'd like to go camping... we could all go camping at the beach." Eddie mentioned, when everyone turned to him he got a little insecure, shifting and looking at them. "What? Is... that a bad idea?"

"No... no I think it's good." Steve nodded. "Yeah! And honeslty, I dont think it matters much as long as we get her out of Hawkins. This place is screwing with all of us, but her defnitely." Robin babbled, nodding eagerly.

Eddie nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, camping it is." He chuckled and licked his lips before walking backwards. "Great. I came up with the idea which means you twerps got everything else... I'm gonna go comfort my girl." He pointed towards his van and winked before walking out.

"Keep your hands to yourself!" Steve shouted after him, Eddie waving his hand dismissively before climbing into his van and driving to the Harrington home, he hoped this beach camping idea was a good one.

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You woke up to soft hands brushing hair from your face a week later, your brows furrowed as you fluttered your eyes open, blinking rapidly to wake up. "Eds?" You mumbled sleepily, yawning and rubbing your eye with the back of your hand. "What time is it?"

"3:20." Eddie whispered, you blinked rapidly and looked over at your clock next to your bed. "What are you doing here at 3:20?" You asked softly, looking up at him curiously.

"Well... I could tell you... or you could get your pretty self out of bed.. and come find out." Eddie grinned, holding up your coat for you as he gently pulled your covers back.

You groaned and sat up slowly, letting him put the jacket on you." Only cause you're so adorable." You mumbled softly as he chuckled, shaking his head fondly before guiding you downstairs and out the front door.

You were immediately met with the sight of Nancy, Steve, and Robin, smiling widely, standing by an RV that looked a lot like the one you'd stolen to get to the weapons store. "What's going on?" You ask sleepily, looking at Eddie curiously before back at the RV.

Steve walked over, hands in his pockets. "We know you're having a tough time... so I convinced mom and dad to uh... give me the next few months worth of allowance early." "I gathered up everything i had saved from Chips Ahoy and Family Video." Robin put her hand up. "And I bullied mike into giving me his allowance also." Nancy smiled softly. "And we rented this badboy for a few days." Dustin grinned widely, poking his head out with Max, Lucas, El, and Mike right behind him.

Tears welled up in your eyes. "Guys..." you whimpered softly. "You didn't have to... do all this." You shook your head and looked between them all. "Oh... thank you all so much." You hugged Steve tightly before throwing yourself on Eddie, pushing your face into his neck.

"Alright, I got your stuff packed." Eddie held up a couple bags you didn't realize he had. "So, unless you wanna change, we're all ready to go." A smile spread across your face and you kissed him quickly, shaking your head. "Let's go. I'm exhausted, though, so I'm going back to sleep."

Eddie chuckled and nodded. "Alright, you heard the lady. Let's go!" He threw his arms up, everybody hooting and hollering as the five of you climbed into the RV, happy giggles leaving your mouth. God you love your friends.

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You woke up a few hours later with the sun in your eyes and your head on Eddie's chest, which was moving up and down like he was asleep. You could Max and Lucas whispering on the couch in the back, and pretty much everypne else was asleep. You rubbed your eye and glanced up at Eddie before slowing standing up and going over to sit in the passenger seat while Steve drove.

You looked over at him and bit your lip. "Wanna tell me what's going on with you now?" Steve kept his voice low as to not alert anyone else to your conversation. You shrugged and wrapped your arms around yourself. "I don't know.." you mumbled softly, looking down and sighing heavily.

"Everything just feels.... off. Weird." You tried to explain, frowning deeply. "Not... real." You mumbled, looking away when you saw Steve turn his head towards you. "Not real?" He asked curiously.

God you hated this, you didn't like the way Steve was looking at you, the worrisome look in his eyes, the way he was trying to figue what was going on in your head. "I guess.. its just... every time.. everything goes back to normal so fast..." you mumbled softly.

"Yeah.. what's so different this time?" He asked curiously, watching as your teeth dug into your bottom lip and you shrugged your shoulders again. "It feels... wrong.. Eddie... Eddie almost died.. like really almost died." Your voice trembled. "And i just... it feels wrong to pretend that everything is normal when it isn't.. everyone was just... carrying on the next day like it didn't even matter that Eddie almost died to anyone but me and Dusty."

"What do you mean?" Steve frowned. "Y/N/N.. we cared." He shook his head a little. "I know we didn't.. show up but we cared. How could we not?" He chuckled. "If it weren't for Munson we'd all be eaten by those damn bats." His voice was softer now as he turned his eyes to you again. "i don't have an excuse for not showing up, i mean, other than work but that's a bullshit reason." He sighed.

"That's... not the only thing.. everything just feels odd." You shrugged a little. "I can't explain it... it's like everything is numb..." You frowned, looking at your hands and rubbing them against your thighs. "I guess."

Steve's frown deepened, but it was obvious he was trying to understand what you were going through, you appreciated the effort. "i know it doesn't help but.. I'm sorry you feel that way Y/N/N... we put this together so you could have a break." He said softly, reaching over to squeeze your arm.

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You got to the beach around 1, first stopping so everyone could put on their bathing suits and get snacks and water. When you found a good place to park the car you all climbed out. You smiled and breathed deeply, taking in the smell of the beach, sighing happily. The idea of camping on the beach had gotten more and more inticing the closer you all got, you were practically bouncing by the time Steve found a good spot.

"Alright I say, we set up camp here." Steve nodded, hands on his hips as he serveyed the spot he'd chosen, turning his eyes to the group, half of which were already dropping their things and running for the waves, you and Eddie close behind as Nancy and Robin stayed back to help Steve set up the spot.

The second you and Eddie were in the water, the icy waves crashing against your feet, you felt your body relax, your shoulders drooped, and you breathed in, smiling widely and looking at Eddie as you grabbed his hand. "I love you." You said happily. Eddie grinned and pulled you close. "I love you too." He cupped your cheek with his free hand and pulled you close, kissing you softly.

You were all swimming when you saw a rather tall cliff looking over the ocean, it didn't seem like it would be a long walk. Dustin and Eddie got your attention pretty quickly, though, and you looked over to see them dunking eachother and wrestling in the salty water, making you laugh and shake your head fondly at the sight.

After a few hours of swimming everyone went back up onto the beach to wrap up and eat since the temperature was starting to drop a bit, soft gusts of wind coming out over the ocean but not quite reaching the beach. When the sun had set completely Steve set up a little fire, all of you gathering around it, you leaning on Eddie as you ate a sandwich, looking into the fire as Eddie's oh so warm arms wrapped around you. After the younger kids had gone to bed, exhausted from swimming no matter how much they tried to deny it, the five of you stayed up a little longer, you, Steve, and Eddie smoking a joint since Robin nor Nancy partook, the two were more than happy to hang around with their friends and watch them get high.

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You'd woken up before anyone else, listening to the sound of waves crashing, mixed with Eddie's breathing for about thirty minutes before you heard it. "Y/N..." you sat up quickly, frown on your face deep as panic started to rise in your chest. "Y/N." It was closer now, and although part of you tried to rationalize that he was dead, he wasn't coming back, you scrambled out of the tent, hands dug into the sand as you looked around.

You stood up and looked around, walking backwards away from the campsite, tripping over Robin's bag, which was far off for some reason, the girl couldn't be organized if her life depended on it. You fell over with a yelp, the sound alerting Dustin, who woke up and unzipped the tent, sticking his head out just in time to see you scrambling through the sand and bolting off towards the cliff.

He frowned and fell out of the tent when he went to step out, cursing before righting himself and alerting everyone to what he'd just seen. When you saw the tent start to unzip, you panicked, the corners of your vision blurry as you scrambled up in the sand and ran off, you didn't really know where you were going, figuring you'd run until you couldn't.

Before you knew it, you were at the edge of the cliff, toes just over the edge as you stared down at the crashing waves, wind pushing your hair back as you swallowed thickly, breathing the salty hair in through gasps. "Y/N!" The voice was Eddie's this time, you looked behidn you to see everyone running over. "Don't!" You shouted, causing them to stop as you moved closer to the edge, looking back at the water as you shook your head. "It's gonna be okay."

"Y/N... come on..." Steve put his hand on Eddie's shoulder as he stepped forward, your eyes still focused on the ocean below. "Tell us what's going on." He said softly.

Your fists curled a bit at your sides and you swallowed thickly. "I heard him." You whispered, scared to say the words any louder. "Vecna?" You nodded hesitantly, tears pooling in your eyes. "It's not real. I told you." Your voice trembled with your words.

Eddie looked between the two of you, frowning deeply. When the fuck was this? Harrington didn't think to share this with the class? He clenched his jaw before looking at you again, swallowing thickly. "Bunny..." he said softly, moving closer. You snapped your head over to him, vision blurred in the corners, his voice distorting as you closed your eyes tightly and tried to shake it away. "Step off the ledge.. can you do that for me?" He asked softly.

Your lip trembled a little, your arms coming to wrap around yourself slowly. "B-but I heard him.." you whispered. "He's not here." Eddie shook his head. "Remember?" He asked softly. "Steve.. Nance.. Robin... they killed him." He said softly. Your eyes drifted down as he got closer, your eyes falling on the scars on his torso, letting out a small sob as your eyes drifted over to everyone else, tearing your eyes away from them to look back at the ocean, your tears falling when you leaned over, the wind knocking them back against your arms, sending a chill through you.

Eddie took notice of the shudder immediately, getting an idea. "Hey.." his voice was soft, but firm enough to make you look over at him. "Remeber yesterday.. when we got in the water.." a small chuckle left his throat. "You let out the.. cutest little squeal cause the water was cold?" Your cheeks turned a little red. "It wasn't.. cute." You mumbled.

"Oh, Bunny, it was the cutest thing ever." He nodded, grinning before getting to his point. "You really wanna jump full fledge into that cold ass water?" The rest of them looked at him with wide eyes, well... that's not where they thought he was going with that. You looked at the water, and then back at Eddie. "Those are your only pajamas, too. They're gonna smell like the ocean until we get home." He scrunched his face a bit. "Plus.. that smack.. is gonna hurt, babe. You're gonna look like a penguin with a sunburn.. big ol' red spot across the front of your body. I mean, I think you'll be cute, but it's gonna hurt like a son of a bitch. I'm more than happy to rub ointment on you, though." He winked.

Everyone else groaned at that. "Watch it, Munson." Steve warned. You couldn't help but let out a small laugh, sniffling a little and swallowing thickly as you looked over the cliff, nodding hesitantly. "O-okay... okay." You said softly. "Alright." Eddie smiled and headed towards you as you turned around.

When you turned, though, because of how on the edge you were, you lost your footing, and slipped, your fingers grasping at the cliff-edge as everyone ran over to you. "Y/N!" "Y/N/N!" "BUNNY!" Eddie grabbed your arms just as your fingers slipped over the edge, slipping a bit before anchoring himself with his knees in the grass, grunting as he got a good grip on you.

You were all in complete hysteria, looking down at the ocean and then back at eachother, screaming at eachother to help you up this damn cliff, and despite it probably being possible for just Steve and Eddie, or even just Eddie, everyone was pulling you up onto the cliff.

As soon as you were up on the cliff everyone was falling to ground in a heap of sobbing messes, hugging you and eachother, you shaking like a leaf as you returned the hugs. "I'm sorry." You sobbed. "I'm so sorry." You shook your head rapidly, hugging Eddie tightly.

"It's okay. You're okay." Eddie rubbed yout back, shaking his head and closing his eyes. "I love you so much." He whispered softly. "I love you too." You sobbed, pulling back to look at everyone. "I ruined y-your plans. I'm sorry." You wiped your eye.

They all looked at eachother, and then you with a raised brow. "you kidding? You see us packing up?" Steve smirked. "This is just a hiccup, y/n/n." He shook his head and stood up. "Come on. We've got a beach and cold ass water to enjoy."

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prettyboykatsuki · 3 years

Text

atsumu miya hasn’t stepped inside a religious institution since he was 7.

he doesn’t really know his opinion on the idea of religion in general. and if you asked him if he believed in something like god, he’d probably shrug. there’s something but he doesn’t know what it is and he doesn’t care to think about it.

it’s been a long time since he’s spoken so openly to the universe, but he’s trying tonight. on the balcony of this hotel room with a bottle in hand - staring down at the city.

the stars are shining as best they can and cars pass more quickly than he can count. the city never sleeps and atsumu figures he doesn’t either.

it doesn’t bother him, the lack of sleep. in the last leg of their competition - he doesn’t get as much as he needs. it’s hard sleeping alone. even harder without you.

he doesn’t remember the last time he’s spoken to the...whatever that decides things like fate or destiny. it’s been a while and he’s out of practice. he feels awkward just trying to do it.

his voice is raspy. he probably has no reason to be nervous. he wonders if religious people get nervous when they pray.

he feels out of his element so he laughs.

“ah.. man,” ― he rasps, leaning forward to see everything underneath him ― “what the hell am i doin’“

he drops his head and lets out another laugh.

“well whatever.. maybe i’ll get lucky and whatever.. is out in the universe” ― he says with a deep sigh ― “well maybe they’ll call me back”

he feels awkward. he feels a lump in his throat, but he also feels relieved like he can get it off his chest.

“we haven't spoken in a long time so sorry that the first time i get back to you is over this,” ― atsumu laughs, shaking his head a little ― “but uh, if there’s such thing as miracles i guess i need one,”

he closes his eyes, something warm at his lashes that he blinks back. it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.

atsumu miya has always considered himself strong. he’s hard-headed, emotional and overzealous but he’s strong. always been.

so it’s hard to feel like this, come to the universe or god or neither with such tattered pieces of him on the table. but he hopes it’s enough and that maybe he’s done enough good deeds that he’ll earn some favor.

“i fucked it up really bad with them.. y’know? yerr not even gonna believe how bad but really bad ‘n im.. i’m realizin’ that i can’t do this without ‘em,” ― he admits, like a confession, like flowers growing in his lungs - the blooming realization ― “they haven’t called me in 2 weeks ‘n i feel like im losin’ my mind.”

everything goes quiet - the whole world in a silence as atsumu cries over a balcony. he must be a sight to see.

“i’m losing my shit without ‘em really,” ― and atsumu laughs, humorlessly ― “so im here askin’ you, whatever or whoever you are, if you could just... give me another shot,”

he feels himself crying against so he takes a last swig of his beer and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand.

“i won’t fuck it up this time and i’ll do whatever it takes. i don’t care if it takes a long time i’ll wait as long.. as long ‘s them at the end of it,” ― he rubs his face with his hands ― “it’s gotta be them.. if i get another chance at this.. love bullshit, i want to be them,”

“so ‘m askin. for a miracle, a second chance, more time. whatever. i dunno, i just,” ― he sighs, realizing how ridiculous he must sound to whatever might listen ― “fuck, what am i sayin,”

he pulls back from the balcony when he hears something in the other room. his phone is going off. he turns on his heels and pulls the glass doors back, stumbling inside. his phone rings, screenside down.

he picks it up, wiping bleary eyes to check who it is.

“incoming call from baby ❤”

atsumu miya doesn’t know what he believes in. in god, or the universe or even miracles.

but whatever it is that heard him, he thanks it. with trembling hands, he picks up the call.

“hey tsumu”

he sobs, smiling.

“hey”

#atsumu x reader #haikyuu x reader #writing #formal #<- lol #thank u bryson tiller

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finn-ray-nal-beads · 3 years

Note

i seriously will not be able to stop thinking about your Daddy Clyde holy hell you write him so beautifully. ugh Daddy's so gritty and dirty and just the right amount of meannnn ugh i hate you and love you at the same time. that piece stressin' me tf out ugh i really n e e d more of it lmao

A/N: @ohdamnadamm AS PER YOUR REQUEST DARLIN’ I COOKED UP A FILTHY ASS FUCKIN’ NUGGET FROM THE INNER MECHANISMS OF MY MIND (AND THANKS TO @in-silks-and-flesh-and-leather FOR HER DAD BOD FIC FOR THE LOVE OF PETE IM SO HARD FOR THAT AMAZING THOT, BLESS YOU ITS BEEN RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND FOR 48 HRS STRAIGHT AND IVE READ IT UPWARDS OF TWENTY TIMES) IM NOT SORRY IN THE SLIGHTEST. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT, SWEET BABE!

Warnings: Daddy kink, BJ’s, ball-sucking, choking, cumshots, cum eating, unprotected sex, dirty talk and LOTS OF IT, teasing, marking, breeding kink, hair pulling, scratching, just pure fuckin’ hot sweaty porn, no plot whatsoever, SMUT SMUT SMUT AND MORE FUCKIN’ CLYDE LOGAN SMUT.

The hot sun beat down in the small trailer located in the boonies of West Virginia, the AC had decided to take a shit early that mornin’, sendin’ your big bear to go to the Home Depot for some tools to fix it right up for his baby doll.

You sat, perched on the couch in nothin’ but your little pink thong, and laced up bralette, sweatin’ to high heaven as you waited for your tin foil knight to return and save the heat stroke you had been sufferin’ since damn near five in the mornin’.

“Jesus fuck,” you exhaled, rubbin’ more sweat off your soakin’ tits, pullin’ your hair into a sticky mess of a bun as you fanned yourself over the hot August fog that settled in the small quarters.

“I’m just fuckin’ parched as all hell,” gettin’ up from the couch, makin’ your way to the fridge to stick your head in the freezer for some relief, only to find your savin’ grace for the next twenty minutes or so, a box of red-white-n-blue rocket pops.

“Oh fuck me!” reachin’ for them as you tore the box open like a feral cat, rippin’ the packagin’ and shovin’ that popsicle into your gapin’ mouth, a moan emittin’ throughout the room as you savored the icy cold of the frozen delicacy.

Just then, the door shuffled open to let your hulk of a man in from the blisterin’ heat of the day, his white t-shirt stained in tit sweat, and his brimmed ball cap sweat covered too. He dropped the bag on the floor, airin’ out his shirt as he looked around for your pretty little figure.

“Baby girl?” concerned you weren’t in his line of sight, inchin’ towards the kitchen, “where ya at?” peerin’ around the partition to see the hottest thing he’d seen all damn day. You perched on the kitchen counter, tits completely sweat covered, legs spread open like a porn star, and a bomb pop slidin’ in and out of your perfect lips, the colored juices drippin’ down your chin into the valley of your chest as you eyeballed him from the livin’ room.

“What’s ma perty lil’ baby doin’ on the counter, huh?” movin’ over to you as he wiped his sweat covered face with his t-shirt, exposin’ his precious belly and shinin’ tits.

“Ya know it’s dangerous ta be on the counter like that baby doll,” panderin’ as he rubbed your soft thighs, bendin’ down to kiss and suck on the skin as you thrust the popsicle in and out of your mouth, not losin’ the slightest bit of eye contact, “wouldn’t want daddy’s precious baby girl ta get herself hurt, now, would we?” ghostin’ his lips over your succulent and swollen cunt.

“Mhmm,” whinin’ out at his touches on your sensitive skin, forcin’ the treat down your open throat even more, “‘m sorry daddy,” moanin’ as he lifted his head to smirk at your fuck me face.

“I don’t think yer sorry in the slightest darlin’,” gigglin’ as he stood to his full height, leanin’ in to grip the empty stick from your mouth, tossin’ it on the floor, “I think ya like bein’ a lil’ brat, don’t ya baby girl?” tiltin’ your chin to meet his searin’ gaze as he pushed his lips onto yours, sighin’ as he pulled you flush to him, inhalin’ your sweet scent as the kiss deepened.

“Ya know what kinda punishment lil’ brats get?” he pulled away, grippin’ your hair to wrench your head back up to his, suckin’ marks on your neck as he gathered you in his huge arms.

“No, daddy, I don’t,” bitin’ your lip at the pain of his ministrations on your pulse, “p-please tell me what I get,” moanin’ as he pulled your hair tighter and tighter.

Liftin’ his head back up, starin’ into your eyes, “get off the damn counter and assume yer position in front a the couch baby girl,” lettin’ go of your head as he watched you slide down off your perch to slink into the livin’ room, your ass red from the duration of your stay on the linoleum lined top as he watched it sway with your hips, completely entranced.

“Like this daddy?” bendin’ down on your knees, as he slid himself in front of the lip of the couch to gaze at your pretty little face beggin’ to be fucked. Your hands behind your back, head cocked up to meet his stare, tits pushed out, nipples peaked, and your vision on him and him only.

“Stick that lil’ tongue out baby girl,” fumblin’ with his belt and zipper as he watched you present the organ as requested, “daddy wanna see his lil’ cumbucket,” releasin’ his half hardened cock to sit on the couch like the king he was. He reached his hand to pull on the appendage, a moan emittin’ from your throat as he motioned you closer with it.

“Yer gonna suck ma cock until yer cryin’ for air baby girl,” musin’ as you lowered your face to his large balls, nuzzlin’ your nose in the softness and musk envelopin’ them in his aura.

“Yes, daddy,” whisperin’ as you pecked tiny kisses on them, “I wanna be a good girl fer you,” lickin’ the skin like a kitten.

“Mhmm,” he moaned out, his balls twitchin’ at your movements on them, “yer such a good girl fer yer daddy,” praisin’ as you sucked one into your mouth, tuggin’ on the skin and rollin’ your tongue around the sac.

“Mmm, ya taste so good daddy,” movin’ to the other testicle to mimic the motions just as good as the other, savorin’ his manly scent as you made out with his scrotum, his cock wavin’ like a flag in the sky as you tugged on the other ball.

“G-god d-damn,” he cooed, grippin’ your head to lift you up from his sac, “that’s enough a that baby girl,” lust blown as he rubbed the sides of your temples, causing your eyes to roll back in your head as he lowered your lips to his weepin’ tip.

“Now yer gonna take this cock baby girl,” gazin’ at the sight of you foamin’ at the mouth under his larger than life dick, “go on ‘n suck yer daddy,” shovin’ your perfect little mouth onto his achin’ dick, revelin’ in the gaggin’ sounds you made as he pushed your head completely down on him.

“Open up fer me baby girl,” gaspin’ as your jaw went slack over his throbbin’ cock, “there ya go darlin’,” praisin’ as you sped up your sloppy gyrations on him.

“S-such a p-perty lil’ cumbucket,” watchin’ as the spit fell in globs on his jeans, and the tears spilled from your eyes over his girth, “what a g-good baby girl daddy has,” throwin’ his head back in pleasure as you sucked your cheeks in, rollin’ your tongue on the underside of his veiny dick.

“Daddy’s gettin’ close baby girl,” he panted out as you adjusted your angle to hit your uvula just the right way, causin’ an animalistic moan to reverberate on the thin walls of the trailer.

“I-I’m,” shovin’ your head off his cock, causin’ a huge gasp for air to leave your lips and wide eyes to meet your man as he palmed his red angry cock in his hand.

“Open yer perty mouth baby girl!” growlin’ out as the largest stream of semen you’d ever seen squirt from his head, landin’ on your tongue, tits, and chin.

“Motherfuck-k,” he palmed himself until the last of it landed on your skin, takin’ huge deep breaths as he let go of his limp cock, “ya alright baby girl?” watchin’ the color return to your face as you sucked up his spend from your face.

“I’m just fine daddy,” crawlin’ on to his lap, thighs on either side of him as you nestled your covered pussy on his still throbbin’ cock.

“Ya such a good girl fer me,” pettin’ your arms as you gripped the back of his head, leanin’ in for a steamy kiss as you gyrated your hips on him.

“Mhmm,” he chuckled, “does ma sweet baby need somethin’ from her daddy?” watchin’ as you bat your eyelashes at him, “use yer words darlin’,” he pandered once again, bringin’ a thumb to tug at your bottom lip.

“I need ya to fuck me, daddy,” bringin’ the digit into your mouth as you moved again on his dick, the hardness comin’ back in a wave at your friction, “please, I’ve been a good girl fer you,” suckin’ on it like a pacifier.

“Ya right baby girl,” he cooed, “I can’t say no to yer sweet lil’ pussy anyways,” watchin’ as you lifted your hips to line his cock up with your achin’ slit, rubbin’ your built-up slick around on the head. Pushin’ your hips slowly down on his length, swallowin’ every single inch like the popsicle you’d been devourin’ minutes prior.

“G-good god darlin’,” breath hitchin’ as he took in your tight walls clenchin’ on his cock, “ya so damn tight, no matter how many times yer daddy fucks ya,” musin’ as you started your little dance on his lap.

Hips in a death grip by his flesh and blood hand and his metal one as you gyrated your body, tits bouncin’ in his face, sweat buildin’ up in the heat of the trailer as skin slappin’ emitted through every room in the house.

“F-fuck big bear!” you cried out, feelin’ his head pokin’ your cervix with every thrust he was makin’ upwards, completely sendin’ you into another dimension of pleasure, “ya stretch me out so damn good daddy!” moanin’ into every knock he made on your open womb.

“Ya gonna cum on daddy’s big cock baby girl?” watchin’ your mouth gape open as your tits fall out of the sorry excuse for a bra you’d chosen, “daddy wants ya ta cum so damn bad!” speedin’ his movements up until tears fell again from your face.

“Daddy!” grippin’ on his shoulders, drawin’ blood as he pummeled your hole with everything he had, “d-daddy I-I’m g-gon-,” the friction from his jeans rubbin’ your clit for him as you unraveled and released your sweet sticky spend on him.

“F-fuck!” cryin’ out in unrelentin’ waves of bliss as he rode you out to pound town.

“Such a perty baby girl,” musin’ as he thrust his cock in and out with more fervor, “daddy’s gettin’ close baby,” he praised once again, gritting his teeth as he set an ungodly speed on your overstimulated body.

“D-daddy’s c-close,” he grunted, thrustin’ in once more before unloadin’ his spend into your gapin’ slit, shovin’ it further a further as he kept thrustin’ into you.

“J-Jesus f-fuckin’ C-Christ,” hips still in his grip as it tightened from his orgasm, “ya feel s-so good darlin’,” stillin’ himself as you both gazed into each other, takin’ in the heat that had built over the last hour.

He brought you into an embrace, smellin’ your hair, as you pet his sweat covered back, kissin’ the moles on his shoulder and rubbin’ the scratches that had built up. After a few more seconds, you went to hop off him, only to be stilled back in your spot.

“Clyde, baby!” you looked at him, irritated and sweaty, “what the hell? It’s fuckin’ hot an’ I have ta pee,” tryin’ to pry his hands off your hips still.

“Nah baby girl,” he tsked, “yer gonna sit here with ma cum in your pussy for a minute,” musin’ and rubbin’ your lower belly, “I wanna make sure ya keep it nice n’ safe up there,” eyes dilatin’ as he watched your expression change too.

“Oh really?” movin’ a hand to slick his mop of hair back, “ya think this is gonna do the trick ta knock my ass up like ya want me ta be big bear?” gigglin’ as his toothy smile appeared as a result of your words.

“Well, it’s a damn start innit?” nuzzlin’ his cheek in your hand, “need ta make sure ma swimmers explore all parts a the cave darlin’,” chucklin’ as you rolled your eyes.

“Yer lucky yer the cutest thing on the planet,” softenin’ at his precious face restin’ in your fingers, “that jus’ makes me wanna have as many babies as possible so they get yer perty lil’ features,” rubbin’ his cheek as a tear welled up in his eyes.

“I ain’t as precious as you are baby girl,” rubbin’ more little circles on your lower tummy, “I can’t wait ta see the perfect lil’ ones we do make,” the wetness rollin’ out of his eyes as he thought about a little Logan joinin’ the trailer.

“Oh shit!” he jolted, scarin’ the crap out of you as you stood up, “I totally fuckin’ forgot!” he jumped up from the couch.

“Forgot what big bear!” clutchin’ your chest as you crossed your legs to avoid the liquid from fallin’ out of your bladder and your pussy.

“I have ta fix the fuckin’ AC!”

_____________

IN CONCLUSION,

🖤,

ray-nal-beads

#tw: daddy kink #tw: choking #tw: breeding kink #pure smut #clyde logan smut #clyde is daddy #clyde and his horsecock #clyde logan x reader #clyde logan #clyde logan x you #clyde logan x female reader #tw: unprotected sex

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shoezuki · 3 years

Note

I'm going to sound like an ass but I'm so happy c!Tommy died, like I ate some leftover chicken in celebration. With Tommy dead, people will be forced to see that the smp doesn't revolves around him, that he's just a character like everyone else and that without him the story still continues.

I hope that cc!Tommy takes a breaks for a while, or at the very least if he's going to do ghostinnit pulls a Wilbur and appear only on other people's streams. It would make the people who only watch Tommy's pov have to watch different people for lore, it might get the fandom to stop treating Tommy like he's the main character, which would be great cause there are no main characters just preferred perspectives.

Also he ruined the little progress Dream had made (I was so excited for that goddamnit) and killed a cat, mean little shit. Also it might wake up people to the fact that Tommy did cause a lot of conflict, but I sadly doubt it.

The only bad I see from this is the fandom;

1. glossing over the cat and just how fucked up that was of Tommy. Trauma or the cycle of abuse are not even close to exsuces, he fucken keep hitting it then killed it just be a dick. Hold him fully accountable and don't downplay this, this was straight up evil of him, arguably he worse thing he has done as of yet.

2. The new wave of Philza stuff with people talking about how much he's going to regret not fathering Tommy dispite him not being his son

3. Even more Technoblade hate that's somehow worse because of his favor he owes to Dream. Like I just saw a post on how Philza should be killed in front of him then excused by "peer pressure" (Techno was surrounded and had no support, stalled for as long as possible, it's not like he wanted to so it) so he'd "understand" pain and loss, blocked them on sight, but still holy shit.

⸺ Rat ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

lkahf;lkhaf yea like i Feel you im Nearly in the same boat but like. kinda?

the entire ‘getting locked in prison’ type arc or whatever was Weird to me n considering that tommy said Before he was gon tap out and back down a bit. like the disc war finale felt FINALE n like? i thought that was fine and dandy. a win for the lads then tommy can jus chill and Not have such a pivotal/main character type role.

n i was SO GLAD for that. him buildin a hotel w sam and being hunted down by niki and jack and poking at the egg a bit n all that wasnt like. he wasnt the Pivotal point in those as much. considering he’d had a Huge impact in other ppls stories he couldnt jus Disappear.

i did NOT understand why him being locked in prison was like. a thing. i didnt get it narratively. like idk what to have expected i thought itd jus be like. more downtime for tommy then Bam angst angst big lore oh no INTENSE.

him dying is like. especially at dream’s hand. i feel its a double edged sword. like you say i REALLY HOPE itll mean things wont circle around him. more notice and attention can be given to the egg arc. and ESPECIALLY w how jack has been going on w today’s events like holyfuck man’s really goin OFF. tommy dying was narratively the best outcome him like jack manifold stans r losin their minds on my dash today

but ALSO. the reactions instilled within the fandom have really shown a like. exactly what i figured. like him Dying is now gonna cloud so many other characters n perceptions a those characters. we see it w phil n techno like mans wasnt even on dsmp he was on his hardcore world n had ppl all in his chat bout how his ‘son’ is dead lkshglsdhg

and this weird. like. i dont know if martyrdom is the right term for it? but like i LITERALLY hadnt seen Any mentions of tommy killing the cat. and that is Very fucked up. like IF tommy hadnt done that then to me it seemed dream had killed tommy Suddenly with no reasoning. and as fucked as it was to kill tommy, WITH the context of him killing dream’s cat like.... it makes so much more sense. like still fucked he died, but in this sense his death was direct and instant retribution for his own actions.

and why the FUCK r ppl so nasty w techno????? mans not done shit??? he aint streamed or done Lore in a while now Especially not in reference to tommy??? like oh my GOD keep his name out ur mouth.

like. as we seen everywhere too. they probably gon revive him in some way sometime. n considering how Talked Up that is its seems itll be regarded as the ‘main plot’ or some shit. largely overshadow other things. i want tommy to Not be revived. if he comes back like ghostbur, cool. mans chillin. but he should be dead for at Least a bit for the smoke to settle n so other ppl and plots can Work their way Out.

#i got distracted halfway thru n lost my train of thought kshglkhsgh #i havent seen the clips in particular of him gettin killed #but i should #anyways uh mogami arc 2!#rat anon #hard boiled takes #mcyt #anon #dream smp spoilers

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vegetasleftsock · 3 years

Note

HEy boobear! MHA matchup pls~ im 5"2', im curvy and got more thigh and butt to me recently so that's a plus right? i have newly lobbed brown to maroon hair, I wear glasses and I'm an ambivert! Im a practicing witch of several years, i overcame my own depression despite still dipping back in everysooften. Id like someone who knows how to take care of me and understands me and wants to see me be a better version of myself as i would do to them. im akin to animewave/slasherwave fashion styles. thx~

Howdy howdy my friend... I’ve been thumbing over what character to give you and I really didn’t want to make it obvious but.... I couldn’t bare to pair you with anyone but...

💥sparky sparky boom man💥 Katsuki Bakugo 🧨

Why:

- C’mon. The banter- A tier. The mean to everyone else but shockingly genuine encouragement between the two of you- fucking fantastic. The chemistry- 100 out of 10.

- I’m not going to lie, Bakugo has a tendency to be a fackin J E R K. But does he ever get past you? No. That drives him nuts and intrigues him all at once. He initially takes interest in you purely because he wants to crack you like an egg but little did he know...

- the #1 reason I picked this hothead over some other favs is primarily because... even though he will never admit this in front of anyone else- he will always be loyal, love, and protect you. God forbid anyone other than him fucks with you, because they’ll regret it. He will never let you fall. Even if his way of picking you back up is to grab you by the hand and proceed in a metaphoric yeet in the opposite direction.

Katsuki Bakugo for you

- Bakugo doesn’t really understand sadness- he understands frustration, anger, and even fear. So when sometimes, when you have a good cry ™️ he’s very uncomfortable and doesn’t know what to do. But he’ll still try to relate it to what he wants when he feels upset. This usually results in him leaving you alone and coming back 30 minutes later with food and treats and then taking you for a long walk in the dark. It always helps him clear his mind, so he hopes it’ll do the same for you.

- He has no idea what you mean by witchcraft. But he’ll sit and listen to you explain it. Expect rude comments and dumb questions through the entire explanation. You can probably also expect him to throw some spell candles, incense, or herbs at you every once in a while. “Here- I got you these. For your magician shit or whatever it is you do.” He knows damn well what your doing. He just likes to bluff like he doesn’t listen.

- He loves to bring out your competitive side- and when you beat him in something, dare say he gets kind of proud? For a few seconds you’ll see it and then he’ll shake it off like nothing happened. In your own pursuits- he really pushes you. Anytime your down on yourself he’s almost like a drill sergeant. He can and will say mean shit if he thinks it will push you to your true potential. Usually you just spit his own medicine right back at him- but his words do tend to resonate with you. Katsuki really does make you a better you.

- Bakugo’s soft moments are V E R Y subtle and he will not continue if he knows you expect it. But every once in a while when you drift off to sleep he’ll trace your legs, arms, face with his hands- careful to not wake you up. He loves to take in everything about you as a whole- your humor, your fire, your body, your smile, your laugh. When he feels you physically close to him- your warmth mirroring his own- that’s when he can finally relax a little.

- if he’s in public, when he’s feeling possessive, he’ll place a hand on the small of your back, on your shoulder, or even both on either side of your neck. He is big on claiming and he wants EVERYONE to know that you are his- and his alone.

A song I think fits this relationship:

Losin Control - Russ

Reminds me of starry nights, streetlights, warmth, a chaotic peace, safety, new and passion filled love. Safety growing slowly stronger than any fear.

First date:

He is not a traditional romantic. He won’t show up to your door with roses and take you to a fancy dinner.

Instead he’d probably invite you over- a shockingly beautiful and pristine set up ready for you when you arrive. There are flowers on the table- and they’re gorgeous. He’ll ask you, “aren’t you going to take those with you?” at the end of the night as though you should have already known.

He’ll cook you the best food you’ve ever fucking eaten- things you never thought you’d like. While he’s finishing cooking, he’ll ask you to sample little spoonfuls to see how it’s coming along. It’s shockingly intimate but he acts like it’s nothing.

Before you get into your car to go home- he’ll pull you into a silent hug. “Don’t do anything stupid on your drive home, do you hear me?”

.......

I hope you like this friend ❤️ 💥 @iamtheempress

#mha matchup #bnha matchup #bakugou katsuki #fruit basket matchup #ohshc matchups #dragon ball matchup

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trikxx · 3 years

Text

Hey besties im backkkk😙! Im trying to get another chapter of my Kenma story but I need some time so im just going to write for this one.

Songs for this chapter:

• losin control - russ

• first fuck - 6lack, jhene aiko

( ⚠️this chapter mainly contains smut(degrading & edging)⚠️)

A few days later🧍🏽‍♀️

"Hey y/n are you awake?" Denki says. Y/n groans "now i am." Denki huffs and slowly opens the door and goes in the room. "I made breakfast. But I wanted to talk to you." He says looking at her pinging phone.

"You cant keep ignoring him y/n."

"Why should it matter Denki?"

"You should go and talk to him. No you are going to talk to him cause you can't keep locking yourself in here and not talking about your feelings. You both need to talk to each other and talk it out." Y/n lets his words sink in.

"Denki-"

"No. Get dressed we are are going back so you can talk to him."

Y/n rolls out the bed after Denki leaves the room. 'Why?' Y/n thought to herself as she pulled out some clothes.

Y/n looks at her phone analyzing the messages sent by Shinsou and sees some from Shindo who she occasionally texted only cause he was being annoying.

Hitoshi☄️: y/n. You dont have to come back and stay can we at least just talk.

Hitoshi☄️: nvm take you time.

'That was the last message he sent huh?' Y/n thought

Shindo.: Hey just want to ask if you wanted to hang out today?

Shindo.: You there?

Shindo.: y/nnnnnnnn😃.

Shindo.: are to shleepingggg🙂

*1 missed call from Shindo.*

"Dude." Y/n said making a irritated face. 'Am i about to text him back....yes cause why not. Shinsou can be player why cant I. I mean just a little sum sum to get my mind off that douche Hitoshi.'

Y/n🌸🤍: sorry I was sleep.

Y/n🌸🤍: yea sure we can hang out. What time and where.

Shindo.: Heyyyyy!

Shindo.: Any time is good for me. Maybe at Venice😗?

Y/n🌸🤍: Cool! I'll text you the time when I figure it out.

Shindo.: Do you want me to pick you up?

Y/n🌸🤍: no its ok. I have to do a few things so ill meet you there.

Shindo.: ok see you later then😏.

Y/n🌸🤍: cant wait🤗

'Bitch what the fuck was "cant wait🤗"' y/n thought to herself as she did her hair.

"Falling in love now lossing control now~" y/n sang along with the lyrics 'damn a bitch really in her feels.' Y/n giggled and went to get her outfit out

Y/n sat back down on the bed. 'Maybe i should take my truck. No Denki wouldn't let me.' Y/n thought

____

"Do we really have to go?" Y/n asked. "Yes." Denki responded bluntly. Y/n rolled her eyes and went back to the room and called Mina.

*incoming call from Y/n😃✨*

Mina picked up her phone and answered quick.

Mina: Hey babes! How are you feeling?

Y/n: Im feeling ok, Denki is making me go talk to him

Mina: I agree with Denki you should talk to Hitoshi before you go and.... ya know... pop ya pussy fa a grand

Y/n: Mina noo

Mina: Im kidding im kidding.... unless..

Y/n: Nope. Thats enough.

Mina: Put ya p*ssy lips on live i give ya a thousand dollas

Y/n: Bye Mina.

Mina: No waittt-

*call ended*

___

Y/n giggles and lays back on the bed. 'I wonder how this is gonna go' . "Lets go y/n im ready." Y/n grabs her phone and keys and follows Denki out the house.

"Can I take my-" "no." Denki said. "Well shit."

"Y/n. You've been ignoring him and sulking for too long. We need y/n back." Denki said keeping his eyes on the rode.

"Can I play some music at least?" Y/n asked "Yea. What ever floats your boat and gets you to talk to Shinsou."

____

"I'm ready." "Ok lets go." He responds. Denki and Y/n walk out to Denki's car and he pulls out the driveway and drives to Y/n and Shinsou's apartment.

"You go in ill wait out here for you." Denki said. "Tch. Ok" y/n said getting out the car.

Y/n walked into the lobby "Hello ms. Y/n." The woman at the desk says. "Hey." Y/n says walking past to the elevator and then pressing 5.

There was many thoughts going through y/n's head.

'Should I actually do this.'

'Why am i here.'

'I should have taken my car any way and went somewhere else'

'Fuck him i should leave'

'Is it my fault?'

"FUCK!" Y/n yelled right before the elevator stopped. There was someone waiting and they looked at her crazy. "Sorry." Y/n said walking past them soon putting her hands in her pockets.

___

Y/n was standing outside the apartment with the key in the door debating if she should go in or not.

Y/n takes the key out the door and turned to walk away. But the door opens "y/n ?" Shinsou says standing in the door way shirt less. His eyes puffy and his eyes looking more restless then usual.

Shinsou runs toward y/n immediately enclosing her in a hug dipping his head into the space between y/n shoulder and neck. "Y/n im sorry! I should have known! I- I wasn't thinking!" Shinsou said. "Please forgive me." He continued pulling away to look y/n in her eyes.

"Y/n?" He said again looking into her teary eyes. Y/n hugs Shinsou tightly. "I missed you." Y/n say crying on to Shinsou's chest. They walk in to the apartment and sit down on the couch.

"Soo what have you been doing Shinsou?" Y/n says looking at Shinsou while he scrambles around to pick up the stuff that was out of place. "I've been..." he stops. "Its ok to tell the truth. Im not gonna judge you Toshi."

Shinsou blushes cause he hadn't heard the nickname in a while. "Well.. crying and trying to get in contact with you." He says. "Sorry I wasn't answering i've kinda been ignoring everybody." Y/n says with a small chuckle while leaning onto Hitoshi's shoulder.

"I missed you y/n." Shinsou says. Y/n lifted her head up and looked at Shinsou he looked back. "You kn-"

⚠️ne noor ne noor mayday mayday⚠️

⚠️smut⚠️

Y/n was cut off by Shinsou's lips crashing into hers. Y/n kissed back and moved closer to him deepening the kiss.

Shinsou grabbed her butt making y/n moan into the kiss. This turned him on more. He pulled y/n on to his lap. Y/n put her arms around his neck and closed the space between them.

___

Yes y/n and Shinsou were best friends but they fucked a little bit here and there. Shinsou had feeling for y/n and he really wanted her but he didn't want to ruin their relationship. Y/n had feelings but she didn't want a relationship because of what happened with Todoroki.

But theres only a matter of time before every ting becomes clear. Right?

___

Shinsou picks up y/n and carries her to her room and laying her on the bed not breaking the kiss. He tugs at the bottom of her shirt and she nods. Shinsou begins to pull y/n's shirt off breaking the kiss. He takes off his sweats and climbs on to the bed hovering over y/n's frame.

"Beautiful little fuck." Shinsou says with a smirk then taking off y/n's shorts.

He tosses the shorts to the floor then dips into y/n's neck immediately finding her sweat spot and starts leaving hickeys and love bites.

Shinsou starts kissing y/n again slowly brushing his fingers down her body stoping at the band of her underwear.

Shinsou begins to rub y/n's clothed clit "ahh~". He smirked and stop and started removing y/n's panties. Shinsou bit his lip at the sight. "So wet already." He said. Shinsou goes back to kissing y/n.

He inserts a finger into y/n. "Shinsou~" y/n moans. She feels Shinsou smirk on her lips as he adds another finger. "Like that? Fucking slut." Shinsou says breaking the kiss and speeding up his pace.

Y/n felt her core tighten up "im gonna cu-" Shinsou abruptly stopped. "What the fuck Shinsou?!" Y/n says. "Aw did I get your hopes up?" "Fuck you." Y/n spat. "Oops- wrong answer." Shinsou said smiling.

"What?" Y/n asks. "Shin- ah~" Shinsou dipped his fingers back into y/n going at a fast pace. "Fuck~"

Y/n relaxed her body knowing she was about to release but Shinsou stopped. "FUCKKKK! WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT!" Y/n yells. "So I have to say it don't cum till I say so." Shinsou says.

"Ok." Y/n responds but Shinsou doesn't budge. "Ok what?" He said with a straight face. Y/n held back her smile "ok Shinsou." She said deciding to dance with the devil. "You little fuck." Shinsou said with a smile.

Shinsou puts both of y/n's legs on his shoulders and puts his arms around her legs keeping them in place. He lick a "mmm y/n you taste so good." Y/n threw her head back and slipped her hands into Shinsou's hair.

"Fuck! Ah~" y/n moaned. Shinsou started to go faster "SHIT SHIT SHIT!" Shinsou got harder at the sound of y/n's moans. He couldn't wait any longer. Shinsou wanted to break y/n. He wanted to feel her around him.

"I'm gonna-" "yes princess cum on my face" "cum for me!" Shinsou demanded and Y/n obeyed. "FUCK~"

Shinsou let y/n finish then he kissed her. He then pulled of his boxers and threw them with the rest of their clothes. Y/n sat up on the her elbows as Shinsou started kissing her again. He positioned himself at y/n's entrance.

"I want to hear you beg. Beg for me to fuck you senseless." Shinsou demanded "please" "please what." "Please fuck me!"

"I said beg bitch!"

Y/n let of a quiet groan when Shinsou yelled. He could way all night for her to beg just edging her for hours on in.

"Please fuck me! Ughh~ please!" Y/n whined out. "Good girl~" Shinsou purred as he put his hand on y/n's stomach to feel him self going in count each inch.

"1~"

"2 fuck~"

"3~"

Y/n threw her head back as he went further "cant take it?" Shinsou said voice laced in lust.

"7~"

"8 ughhhh~" he said throwing his head back.

Shinsou pulled y/n closer to him and kissed her neck starting to stroke slowly at a gruesome pace for y/n. "Faster~" y/n moaned out. Shinsou smirked and pulled out. Y/n loudly groaned "stop fucking teasing~" she whined pulling Shinsou back on to the bed and getting on top.

"What do you think your doing." Shinsou says with a smirk. "Something you wouldn't." Y/n said lowering herself down. Before she could get past tip Shinsou flipped over with him on top and went the way in and started going at a brutal inhuman pace.

"Is this what you wanted, fucking slut!"

____

'Y/n has been in there for a long time' Denki thinks getting out the car. " im gonna go check on them."

Denki walks into the apartment building. "Good evening sir. Is there anything you need help with?" The woman at the desk said.

"Uhh...actually yes do you know which apartment.. Hitoshi Shinsou stays in." "Yes apartment 503." "Thank you" Denki says walking away.

'503. 503. 503.' Denki repeated in his head while in the elevator and while walking to the door. Denki knock on the door but noticed it moved when he made contact. "Bitc- oh its open. Scary~" Denki slowly walks into the apartment. "Damn this is nice."

Denki goes to find Shinsou's room. As he gets closer to what he think is Shinsou's room he hears moans he decides to stop and just listen.

"What are you doing."

"Something you wouldn't."

Denki heard something hit the bed and then a loud whine.

"Is this what you wanted, fucking slut!"

"SHINSOU~"

Denki couldn't bare the screams. "Y/N ARE YO- oh~" "Looks like we have a guest Y/n." Shinsou says looking at Y/n. "You like this y/n?" Be continued with a smirk. "Ah~ please- s-slow down" Y/n whined

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avixthic · 3 years

Note

girl,,,,,,,, i dont like thinking about hawk in that context too hard so this is gonna be QUICK!!!! IN AND OUT JOB!!! THEY WONT KNOW WHAT HIT EM!!!!!

praise kink, obviously, needs his ego inflated 24/7 so just ramble how good hes blowing your back out and youre golden hfsgshd

if he has a thing for trash talk on the mat you can bet your ass hes gonna get excited from dirty talk oml he cant stop all types of obscenities and simultaneous compliments and degradations comin out of his mouth

“fuck hannah, your little pussy’s so good, oh fuck you’re going dumb on my cock aint ya? losin your mind huh pretty girl?”

also delves into a bit of a dumbification kink at times cause he loves seeing you lose your mind till your eyes cross and you start panting

im not even gonna lie you kinda small lol, and he for sure brings it up all the time, gets him off when he accentuates it either physically or verbally and it gives him a bit of a size kink

tho he loves seeing your cunt stretch to take him he’d be lying if he said he didn’t love seeing your mouth stretch around him a bit more, and i can def see him having an oral fixation with that + how you slobber all over his length

thats all i can come up with and i dont wanna think about it anymore PFFSHSBJVDHS

THANK YOU NEW YORK GOODNIGHT!!!!!!

.......thank you britt, i will now be...um...i dunno, really

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kira-moonrabbit · 4 years

Text

the notes i wrote at 2 am on a bad mental health day about butter knife in a hypothetical containment situation... here they are polished up at 1pm on a slightly better mental health day.

Mr. Pull-Apart

A humanoid Abnormality with a resistance to most physical trauma. It tricked this company into thinking it was a human for a while, but it should never be called human. It will talk about a time where it defeated a "flesh monster" all by itself, if anybody spares it an ear.

When a person pushes their limits and takes too many risks, their mind goes to a dark place. A head full of darkness and rage will fall into an abyss of despair. Some people call this feeling "losing one's head."

"He was one of my friends. We didn't work in the same department, mind. We still suppressed the same abnormalities together sometimes, though, and talk over lunch. He scared me, but in more of a chaotic way than through any sort of malicious intent. There was definitely something wrong with the way he'd look whenever word got out about a breach, though. He'd look so hungry, y'know?"

"Not even the big ones terrified 'im. He walked up to one of the angel's minions and flipped it a bird once. Wouldn't shut up for weeks about that little incident..."

"...Right, right, the incident with the flesh monster. It broke out again, that one time. It was right after he'd lost most of his coworkers to a mass breach in his department, an' he hadn't quite finished recoverin' from that."

"Every department had to pitch in to keep the thing contained. I'd tried to warn 'im about gettin' too close to it, but he didn't listen. Or maybe he did, and he'd just gotten so tired of losin' people that he wanted to get lost himself."

"The thing swung at 'im, and he didn't try to duck or step back. It sliced his head clean off. But that didn't stop 'im. His headless body kept hackin' away at the flesh monster. I waited 'till the monster wasn't lookin' my way and picked up his head, figurin' that like a chicken, he'd eventually tire out. But then his head shouted at me. 'TURN ME TOWARDS THAT BASTARD I CAN WATCH IT PAY FOR WHAT IT'S DONE TO ME!!!' Which obviously spooked the hell outta me."

"His headless body chased the thing for three hours. And once it was done, he started hackin' away at everybody else, too. His head just... wasn't in the right place, heh. Took two Sephirah to take him down, actually. Not 'cause he was dangerous or anythin', but because he just would NOT quit. They cut his arms and legs off, and they just started worming away quicker than anything I'd ever seen."

"I can't go in his containment cell. I just can't stand it. He's not a monster born from anything but this company. The magical girls were born from a loss of purpouse. The scarecrow was born from the wickedness of a certain city. ...Butter was just a regular guy who happened to be very hard to kill 'till he came to this company. Now they don't see him as anything more than another Abnormality." ~Testimony of Employee Amy

#Employed Abnormality [kira's lobcorp oc shenanigans]#don't lose your head! [butter knife]#i dunno if i have a writing tag...

4 notes · View notes

marvel-redemption-omega · 4 years

Text

Of Outlaws and Family

Chapter Six: Off to Saint Denis

A/N: This’ll be the last one for the night! I’m already up past when I should be... Oops. Yay body and mind not bein able to shut down! Anyway...Things get a lil saucy with Scarlet and Arthur. All the jokes, comments, innuendos, etc are wearing down on them. Plus our dear Arthur boah has opened up to our dear Scarlet! More teasing and sweet moments between the dummy duo, everyone sees they’re sweet on the other but them (they refuse to accept the truth). Scarlet drops some insight to James’ father, clearin some stuff up for Arthur. Also features one anxious Momma (Scarlet) who has to deal with her son gone for like three weeks visiting his father. She doesn’t fare too well, someone might die if she doesn’t get him back. Also featuring the aftermath of drunk!Arthur and drunk!Lenny! Some angst? Fluff? Yessir. Next chapter gets real good!

Warnings: Cursing, typical gang violence, drinking, sexual references/innuendos, emotional drunk (Scarlet), violence (Scarlet), threats, character slander

Start here: https://marvel-redemption-omega.tumblr.com/post/620167374619951104/of-outlaws-and-family-chapter-one-new-beginnings

Last Chapter: https://marvel-redemption-omega.tumblr.com/post/620344446321672192/of-outlaws-and-family

Please enjoy! Hearts and repubs are appreciated!

My work is not to be posted elsewhere; I will post it to my AO3 and dA if I so choose.

Word Count: 9,500

Scarlet is in the middle of unsaddling Fancy when James appears beside her. She glances at him and waits for his question; she knows all his antics and she knows he’s waiting to ask her something.

“What? What happened?”

“Nothing happened! I was just- are you going somewhere, Momma?” He asks, shyly looking up at her. She shakes her head and puts the saddle on the hitching post.

“No, I didn’t plan on it. Why? What do you want?” She raises a brow, leaning back on the post, arms crossed over her chest. James smiles and ducks his head, staring at Fancy as he moves from her neck to her side.

“Mister Arthur asked if I wanna go fishin with him. I asked if you could come too an he said to ask if you wanna go,” he sheepishly replies, moving to the other side of Fancy to finish brushing her out.

“He did, did he? Well, you finish up with Fancy here an I’ll go talk to Mr. Morgan,” she says, pushing off the post and heading towards Arthur’s wagon to look for the man in question.

He’s sitting at the table by the food wagon, playing poker with Pearson, Lenny, and Bill. Scarlet scoffs and walks up behind him, leaning over him, her arms on either side of him as she leans down by his ear. The other three stare at her, wondering just what she’s about to do. “What’s this bout you promisin my boy to fish an askin me to tag along?” He shivers subtly as her breath rolls down the side of his neck, her eyes mischievously watching his reaction. He gulps and flashes her his cards. She smirks and tucks her chin in a little so her lips are closer to his neck, still whispering. “When ya plan on takin us?”

“Ahh hell, I’ll go all in,” Arthur pushes his chips to the middle, cards in his left hand. Pearson and Bill go all in too, Lenny opting to fold. The cards on the table are: King of Hearts, Queen of Clubs, and Ten of Diamonds.

“Go ahead and show ‘em,” Pearson says as he lays down his two cards; the ace of spades and Jack of Spades. Bill curses as he shows his hand; the King of Spades and King of Clubs. Arthur laughs as he lays his cards down face-up; the Queen of Hearts and the Ten of Spades. Scarlet snorts a laugh as she leans close to him again.

“Did you really just lose that hand?” She whispers and watches as Pearson takes the pot. Bill grumbles but buys back in, Lenny joining the new game.

“Maybe I’s tryna lose so I can leave with you; the best way to do that by goin all in an losin it all,” he replies, leaning back to mumble into her neck as she’s been doing to him. She startles back, a squeak leaving her lips as his stubble tickles her neck,

“Jaysus! Will you two get tagether or knock it off a’ready?” Sean calls to the duo. Arthur and Scarlet look at each other before looking over to Sean, both grinning.

“Why, whatever do you mean, Sean? I’m just bein myself with him, like I am witchu an the rest of this fine gang,” she feigns innocence as she pushes back from Arthur, nodding to the horses as she waves bye to the group of men.

Scarlet helps James onto Shamrock’s saddle, untying him from the hitching post. Kieran and Sadie are both brushing the horses, they’re currently working on Branwen and the blood bay. Scarlet lets James holds the reins as she glances at them, chewing the inside of her cheek a moment as she and James wait for Arthur. She steps over to them, knowing Shamrock wouldn’t go anywhere with only James on his back.

“Hey, Sadie. How bout you look after that one for me? I’ve got three already an you ain’t got one. Give him a good name; I know you’ll take good care of ‘im,” she offers, smiling at her friend. Sadie’s hand freezes, her eyes quickly darting to meet Scarlet’s gaze.

“You sure? I know you broke him an all. He’s a good horse, rides well an likes to run. He’s got a good spirit,” Sadie comments as the stallion nickers at her praise. She pets his neck, then his side.

“Yeah. We can go get you a saddle when I come back. I guess Arthur promised this one a fishin trip when we were in Rhodes once we got back. An since we’re back, I reckon Arthur is makin good on his promise,” she explains, gesturing to her son. Sadie blinks at her, a smirk slowly spreading on her face. “I know that look, Sadie Adler. Nothing’s goin on.”

“Why do you two keep dancin round one another? It’s not like James scares him off, that much is obvious. He wouldn’t’ve agreed to go with you to the rodeo if that were the case. Or stay in your room as I’ve heard?” Kieran pipes up, not bothering to look up from his horse. Scarlet’s cheeks tinge pink at his words, shaking her head.

“Nothin happened. We talked’s’all. Then he went back to his tent,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she feels the heat of embarrassment creep up her neck and down to her chest.

“I’m sure that’s all that happened, only cause James was there,” Sadie sasses and scratches the blood bay’s neck. “I think I’m gonna name him Buckeye.”

“Buckeye?” Scarlet reaches out to the stallion as he tosses his head. “You like that boy? You look like a Buckeye,” she coos. He paws the ground and stretches his neck to nuzzle each female, earning laughs from them. “Good boy.”

“Thank you, Scarlet. I’ll take good care of him,” Sadie promises as she puts the brush down. Scarlet nods and heads back to Shamrock, pulling herself up behind James.

“I know you will. He’s a good horse for you,” she waves as Arthur rides Smoke over to them. They start to walk out of camp, both stallions nickering to each other.

“Ma?”

“Yes, James?”

“Can I ride with Arthur? Please?”

Both adults look at each other and Scarlet shrugs at Arthur, tilting her head in question for an answer. He nods and holds an arm out to them. Shamrock and Smoke move a little closer, Scarlet having Shamrock speed up just a hair to make it easier for Arthur to grab James and pull him over to Smoke. James pushes to a half crouched position on the saddle and half jumps and is half pulled by Arthur over to Smoke’s saddle where he gets situated with Arthur.

“Better?”

“Yes. Thank you!” The boy cheers, leaning up to pet Smoke. “Good boy, Smoke.”

Arthur smiles down at the boy, memories of taking Isaac fishing flashing threw his mind. He swallows back the lump in his throat and clears it, coughing into his elbow.

“You good, Arthur?” Scarlet asks, brushing her boot against his, her feet out of the stirrups. He smiles small at her and nods.

“Yeah. Yeah, uhh, just rememb’rin…” he trails off, casting his glance to the path. Scarlet immediately nods in understanding, reaching over and gently grabbing his leg, squeezing.

“It’s alright. I understand. Let’s just go fish?” She suggests and let’s go of him. He swears there’s fire in her touch, missing the warmth her hand brought, even through his jeans. He knocks his knee into hers, grinning at her. She raises a brow.

“Hey, James, wanna race your Ma?”

“Yeah!”

“Hey! Wait! No-” Scarlet yells as Arthur kicks Smoke and the blue-ish gray thoroughbred takes off down the dirt path. “Fuck me. Shamrock, hyah!” She kicks the golden chestnut stallion and he whinnies, running after Smoke.

Shamrock rounds the bend and sees Smoke; he neighs and picks up his pace as Scarlet shifts her feet and gives him the reins to move. They catch up quick and Shamrock matches Smoke’s pace, ears flicking about.

“That was a cheap shot,” she yells to Arthur. Both he and James are laughing, James holding tight to the horn with one hand, the other in Smoke’s mane as he posts.

“You’re just mad we won, Ma!” James laughs, Smoke tosses his head and nickers as well.

“Great, even the horse is mocking me,” she sourly pouts, rubbing down Shamrock’s neck. “You’d never laugh at me, woulda ya boy?” Shamrock shakes his head no and nickers at her as he slows to a trot, Smoke following his lead.

“Aww come now, we’re laughin with ya, not at ya,” Arthur soothes. They slow to a walk when Arthur points out the fishing spot in the river. Scarlet slides from the saddle and walks over to the river. She hums and walks the bank, Shamrock following behind her before venturing out a little to wade in the water. She hears Smoke’s shoes on the gravel and watches as his shadow casts over her. “Aww come now, Darlin’, you ain’t mad is you?”

She ignores his call, seeing James drop from Smoke and Arthur follows soon after, letting his horse roam like Shamrock. She feels him before she sees him, his arms are around her torso and he pulls her back to him, breath on her neck.

“I don’t much like bein ignored, Little Lady,” he mumbles against her neck, gently dragging his fine scruff on his chin down her neck. She giggles and squirms in his grasp, her boots kicking up gravel.

“An I don’t listen to you...Mister Morgan.” She gasps as she turns in his arms, staring into his blue-green eyes. She’s left speechless for a moment, mouth slightly agape, lost in his eyes. He smiles and holds her close, tilting his head as they slowly lean into each other.

“Ma!” James calls, startling the two from their trance. They clear their throats and step away from one another, Scarlet meeting James farther inland of the river.

“What is it, Baby?”

“I forgot my pole,” he whines. Scarlet smiles and whistles for Shamrock. She pulls her pole from the saddlebag and hands it to him with some bait.

“Here. Use mine but be careful when baiting it, alright?”

“Thanks, Momma!” He smiles giddily as he takes the pole and bait over to the water, setting it up.

“He’s sure somethin, ain’t he?”

“Yeah...he’s not much like his father. Sometimes in personality, but mainly it’s just his charm that James inherited. Thankfully,” she admits and turns to Arthur, arms crossed like she’s uncomfortable with the subject. He steps closer, his hands rubbing from her elbows up to her shoulders.

“Wanna talk bout it?” He asks, voice quiet as he watches her facial expression. She glances at James then back to Arthur, nodding slightly.

“James… like I said before when I first got here…I still talk to his Pa, but we ain’t together. It won’t ever work out. He lets his family sway his actions an decisions; make him believe that they’re always right,” Scarlet sighs, turning to face her son. “He couldn’t even tell’em he was havin a son, or wouldn’t. Probably both. He always makes somethin up. We fought once, a couple years back. Real nasty. James was six or seven. He said he wanted James to live with him. I asked if his parents finally knew bout us an he said no; he planned to get a place an have James livin with him, leavin me to my own devices.

“I told him if he wanted James round more, he could live with us, not worry bout buyin a place cause I already had a small homestead. He told me he wouldn’t live with me even if it meant James was round all the time. Said he wanted James to live with him an him alone, he could visit me. I told him that would never happen; he could live with me an our son or he could stay livin with his family an see his son on occasion or not at all.

“He chose his family over his own son. So I allow him to spend time with James but when James wants to come home, he sends me a letter if I’m not there with him. Jessie still hasn’t told his family bout James. It’s been that way for years now; nine years actually. We can get along just fine when James is with us, but if it’s just me an him? We start arguin. There’s...we used to be real sweet on one another…but that just didn’t work out. He got over us, honestly round bout the time I found I’s pregnant,” she sighs, turning back to Arthur. Her nose burns as tears prick at the corner of her eyes. She covers her mouth as a small whine of frustration leaves her, her hands shaking slightly.

“Hey hey! Easy, whoa, Scarlet,” Arthur hushes her, pulling her to his chest. She clutches his shirt tight, burying her face in his chest, sobs wracking her body. Arthur holds her as she cries, rubbing up and down her back, occasionally rubbing circles on her shoulders. She eventually pulls back, thanking him as they sit on some big rocks on the bank, watching James catch Bluegill and small Rock Bass.

The next few days are a whirlwind for Scarlet; everything settling when she takes a trip to town with James, finding she has a letter from Jessie, asking to see James. She heads back to camp to pack a bag for him and heads off to Valentine’s train station on Shasta, waving goodbye to camp as they ride out.

She drops James off once she’s sure his father has him, she rides the train back to Valentine. Scarlet doesn’t remember falling asleep, but she wakes up lying on the train bench seat. It’s cold, so she pulls her jacket around her as she gets up and moves towards the exit. The conductor tips his hat to her as she steps onto the platform and makes her way into the small town, intent on getting a beer or something to help warm her up.

It’s early morning from what she can tell, probably too early to be drinking for most but she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. She needs it after the confrontation with Jessie, asking if James could come live with him for awhile. Luckily James had told him he didn’t want to leave Scarlet and be away from his friend Jack. Thankfully Jessie just thought they were new neighbors and didn’t ask too much about it, instead trying to tell James how many more friends he could have in Saint Denis. James wanted nothing to do with it, much to Scarlet’s delighted amusement.

She glances at the saloon then to the hotel, biting her lip. She opts for the hotel at least for a bath and change of clothes from her bag even if they don’t have a room available. She’s in luck as the man tells her there is one room left. He lets her know he’ll have someone start a bath for her if she wishes to put her things in the room; she accepts and heads upstairs to check out the room. She tosses the bag in the chest at the foot of the bed after searching for her night gown and outfit for later. Once she’s settled, she heads back downstairs to the bath room.

“Did you hear about the two boys the Sheriff picked up?”

“I heard bout two drunken idiots, why?”

“I hear they’re both in jail right now.”

“Wait, you talkin bout that little black boy that was with that gruff lookin buffoon?”

Scarlet is just heading out of the hotel when she overhears a few townsfolk gossiping. She heads towards them with interest. She approaches the four men who are leaning on the general store railing.

“What was that yous fellers heard bout some big, dumb cowboy and his friend?”

“Why? You shouldn’t associate yourself with the likes of them...derelicts, Ma’am,” one of them suggests, all standing a little straighter.

“Well, unfortunately, I believe those two idiots belong to me,” she sighs heavily and nods to them. “You said they were in the cells down at the Sheriff’s?”

“Uhh, yes that’s right. They got picked up earlier this morning for disturbing the peace,” another replies and gestures to the sheriff’s office just down the road.

“Thank ya kindly, gentlemen,” she smiles and stalks down across the wooden walkway from the store to the sheriff’s office, recognizing Maggie and Smoke grazing by the gun store. She knocks gently before pushing the door open and shaking her head at the sight of Lenny and Arthur in the cells. They don’t notice her.

“Yeah, well….I don’t remember,” Arthur grumbles the last half under his breath, walking away from the bars.

“Sir? How much for idiot one and two in those cells there?” Scarlet asks, startling the three men. Lenny calls her name, smiling bright as he recognizes her. Arthur also says her name, though it’s a lot quieter.

“Oh, uh, well, ten dollars to get them released into your custody,” the sheriff offers, giving a final glare to the two men and tipping his hat to Scarlet. She nods and thanks him, handing over the money. The sheriff gestures to the cell doors and hands her the keys.

“You know, I should let the two of you rot in here for awhile. Ya wanna tell me exactly what happened while I was gone? I can’t believe it, I leave for two days and y’all go an get yourselves so drunk you don’t remember nothin,” she rambles as she stands in front of Arthur, the bars separating them. She sighs and goes to unlock both of their cells, letting them out. “Thank you, Sheriff. I’ll get these two boys home. I’m sorry for any trouble they mighta caused last night an this mornin,” she apologizes and shoves them both towards the door when they try to stop and turn to her.

Scarlet whistles and Smoke lifts his head, neighing happily when he sees her, nudging Maggie as he passes her to meet them. He nuzzles Scarlet’s chest, snorting and pawing the ground excitedly as he puts his head over her shoulder and tucks his chin to her back in a hug. She laughs and pats his neck, cooing to him. Maggie joins in, nuzzling Scarlet and nickering thankfully to her.

“Oh, so you listen to her,” Arthur scoffs playfully at his horse. Smoke flattens his ears for a moment before tossing his head in a yes answer. Maggie joins him, pawing the ground.

“Well, come on. I told him I’d get y’all home, so best to do it. Let’s get goin,” she grabs Maggie’s reins and ties them to Smoke’s saddle horn, gesturing for Lenny to climb on. He does so without protest. She waits for Arthur to climb up before she pulls herself into the saddle in front of him, taking the reins from Arthur.

“Hey, I can steer,” he argues.

“Yeah? And you can go enjoy that cell too if you’d like,” she snips at him, turning to look over her shoulder at him. He shuts his mouth and wraps his arms about her waist, opting to keep quiet for now and keep from angering her further. She smirks in victory, shaking her head at him.

She unties Maggie and lets Lenny take her over to the other horses to hitch her, turning Smoke so he’s closer to The Count and Silver Dollar. She goes to climb off but Arthur tightens his grip on her, leaning into her as he holds her hips in place.

“Thank you,” he whispers against her neck.

“For what?” Her breath hitches at the thoughts running through her mind.

“For savin our sorry asses,” he chuckles and presses a kiss to her shoulder, releasing his hold on her. She remains in his lap on the saddle for a moment before silently slipping from Smoke, glancing at him over her shoulder.

“Anytime. I kinda enjoyed saving your sorry ass,” she winks and heads to her wagon.

Arthur watches her around camp. She helps with the chores, even trying her hand at chopping wood, which Charles steps in and shows her how to properly swing the axe so it’ll cut straight through, for the most part. When they’re done, she goes and speaks with Kieran, who’s brushing Old Boy. They talk for a moment before Dutch approaches Arthur.

“You going to go get Micah?” Dutch asks, leaning on Scarlet’s wagon, following Arthur’s line of sight. He’s got his journal out and is either writing or sketching, Dutch isn’t sure which. “Why don’t you just talk to her already? It ain’t like it’s a secret you’re both sweet on one another. Hell, you just had your arms wrapped around her when you walked up this morning.”

“Is not that easy, Dutch. I don’t even think she knows who we really are. I can’t get her involved with us,” Arthur sighs and closes his journal.

“Far as I’m concerned, she’s already involved. Whether you like it or not, I think she’s starting to put down roots with us. And I’m pretty sure she’s got a well enough idea of who we are. Don’t forget, she hates the O’Driscolls too. I’m sure she’s heard about us from any of them she’s had run-ins with,” the man states, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. “Don’t forget to go get Micah.”

“Yeah yeah. I’ll get to it,” Arthur grumbles, getting up from his cot and stashing his journal in his side bag. “Damn Micah, why’s Dutch so worried bout you. I should just let you rot.”

“Hey, Arthur!” Scarlet smiles as he greets her and Kieran, grabbing Smoke’s reins. “Arthur? Somethin wrong? You look upset?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just gotta go get Micah’s dumbass out of jail in Strawberry,” he grouches, sighing when she rests her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. Want me to come with ya?”

“Nah, s’alright. I will take you back into Valentine if you wanna grab one of your horses from the stables. I know you said you were having the stable hand meet you at the station so you could have Shasta stabled when you left the other day.”

“Sure. Yeah, I’ll ride with you into town,” she agrees, gruntled with his suggestion. He steps into the stirrup and slings his leg over the saddle, holding his hand down to her. “Such a gentleman,” she coos.

“Hm, only for you, just don’t tell nobody. Don’t wanna ruin my reputation as an outlaw,” he jests, pulling her into his lap again.

“Right, cause anyone’s gon’ believe I ‘tamed’ the wild Dutch’s Boy, Arthur,” she scoffs and leans back into him, relaxing as he turns Smoke and gently kicks him.

“Huh, so you know about our past then?”

“Don’t believe everythin you read, Morgan. It’s a bad thing if you do. Papers lie, people do too but not as often as I’ve read,” she explains; he nods behind her. “Besides, you think I wouldn’t have heard of the infamous gang that’s been in a royal blood feud with the O’Driscolls for years? Colm’s dumbass men get caught all the time and loiter around Valentine, drunkenly spewing hate about someone named Dutch and how “Dutch’s Boys” always ruin their fun and such,” she shrugs and tips her head back to look up at him, her hat left with Shasta in the saddle bag.

“Is that so? Well, now that makes me wonder just why you agreed to join us,” he chuckles as she sits up. His laughter dies down quickly at her silence. When she turns in the saddle, straddling him, he startles and stares down at her, blinking. “What are you doing? Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

“I agreed because Dutch gave me a chance to live with my son without havin to keep runnin every few weeks; tryna find work, burnin down another home, an a whole buncha other reasons I shouldn’t have to list. I’m here by choice an if I didn’t trust any of y’all, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave here,” she says with conviction, her green eyes meeting Arthur’s blue ringed ones. “And whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me, Cowboy.”

Scarlet heads back to the camp, a bit disheartened about riding alone. James was with Jessie, his father, out in Saint Denis, and now Arthur was off running errands for Dutch. She lets Shasta turn their slow walk into a gallop as she gets lost in her thoughts on the ride back.

Dutch greets her as she’s tying Shasta’s reins to the hitching post. She tilts her head up at him in silent question as he rests his arm across her shoulders, leading her into the camp. She purses her lips in thought before he stops by the campfire where everyone else is gathering.

“Where’s James? Is he a’right? You’re not plannin on leavin us, are ya’s?” Sean speaks up from the group, eyes sad as he tries to plead with her. Scarlet lets out a laugh and shakes her head, realizing why everybody was now staring at her. Dutch squeezes her shoulders and gently pushes her onto one of the seats.

“Heavens, no! I just took him to go see his Pa who lives way out east in Saint Denis. I took the train instead of ridin, faster with James and his bag. He’ll be back in a few weeks. My Loves, surely you didn’t think you were gettin rid of me that easy?” She turns to Dutch, feigning hurt they actually thought she was running.

“We wasn’t sure. Arthur doesn’t usually leave without you so when we saw you ride back in alone, well we thought maybe y’all had a fight and you came back,” Karen says, tossing a stick into the fire.

“What? No. He was headed to get Micah out of Strawberry’s Jail. Didn’t want me ridin with, but that’s alright. I don’t care too much for Micah anyway,” she explains, watching as nearly everyone visibly relaxes. Jack runs up to her and jumps into her lap; she lets out a surprised grunt, arms wrapping around his back and cradling his legs as he sits on her lap sideways.

“Does that mean you’re stayin with us? With Uncle Arthur? He smiles more when you’re around!” The boy giggles as she tickles him for a moment, squirming in her hold. She nods and rocks the boy, humming for a few minutes, drinking in the relief and love she’s feeling from everyone.

“Yeah, Jack, I’m stayin. You think I’d leave you?” She gasps and lets him crawl from her lap, walking back to Abigail. The mothers share a look and each nod to one another, small smiles exchanged.

Arthur returns the next morning, Micah nowhere to be seen. When Dutch asks, Arthur tells him that he said something about not coming back without a peace offering. He finds Scarlet and Sadie saddling up, the latter finally getting her own saddle and bridle. Buckeye and Shasta playfully nip at each other, Shasta snorting when the thoroughbred nips his mane.

“Look at y’all, gettin along so well!” Sadie praises the duo. The two females were worried that they might fight since neither are gelded, but they quickly bonded and are always seen around the other in camp.

“An we thought they’d kill each other,” Scarlet laughs as she pulls herself into the saddle. “Ready to go hunting?”

“Sure. Can’t say I ain’t done it before, I’m just not that great.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help ya get to be one of the best,” Scarlet promises as they turn from the hitching posts towards the trees.

“You ladies have room for one more?” Arthur calls after them, walking over from Dutch’s tent. Scarlet looks to Sadie, having said she would spend the day with her.

“Your call, Sade,” she nods and shifts in her saddle. Sadie shakes her head but smiles.

“Not right now, Arthur. This is my time with Scarlet. You’ll have to get in line,” she sasses and kicks Buckeye, galloping into the trees out of camp. Shasta whinnies and prances as Scarlet holds him back.

“Sorry, I promised. You weren’t here. We’ll just be down the way….if we’re not back before sundown,” she reassures the cowboy, waving as she kicks Shasta. The standardbred snorts and follows Buckeye’s path.

The sun’s just starting to set, Scarlet and Sadie aren’t back yet and it has Arthur pacing, all the worst case scenarios running through his mind. Branches crunching under hooves catches his attention. He stops his manic pacing and heads towards the horses, breathing a sigh of relief when he sees Sadie on Buckeye, a buck on the back of her horse. She’s also got two turkeys too. Shasta follows her at a slow walk, a buck on his back too and four rabbits attached to his saddle. He scans the woods for signs of Scarlet, wondering why she wasn’t in the saddle.

“Don’t worry, she’s comin. She dropped another one just before we came back. She was pickin it up, but told me to come on back with what we had,” Sadie startles him as she dismounts, hitching Buckeye to get the animals off him. Shasta snorts and stands beside Buckeye, waiting for the extra weight to be offloaded of him too. Arthur moves to the Buckskin and pulls the buck off him, taking it over to Pearson.

“Scarlet and Sadie brought a good bit of food back,” he states as he drops the golden buck on the table. Pearson gapes at the antlers and nods, getting to work on skinning and cleaning it. Sadie passes him the rabbits from Shasta when he gets back over to her while she grabs the turkeys. They drop them off and head back to Buckeye to get the other buck.

“Hey! Can I get some help? This one’s huge!” Scarlet hollers, heaving a breath as she drags the buck by its back legs. Charles heads over to her as Sadie helps Arthur get her buck.

“Jesus, where did you find this?” Charles asks, helping her pick the large animal up, both of them struggling to carry it even between them. She just laughs.

“Out in the fields! He was with the other two. Told Sadie to use a bow and go for the neck or head since it’s the cleanest and easiest kill. Silent too. Plus now the pelts will be worth even more. Especially if we get the antlers off these three. They’re nice,” she grunts as she drops her end when it slips from her hands. “Fuck, sorry, Charles.”

They manage to get the buck over to Pearson’s wagon; Scarlet lets Arthur and Charles lift the deer onto the table though. Sadie smacks Scarlet on the back, hugging her.

“Thanks for taking me huntin, and teachin me to use the bow,” she thanks and lets the red head go, eyes bright and happy.

“Anytime. You’re a natural. Now there’s no excuse why you can’t leave the camp on your own. You got a horse an can hunt,” Scarlet teases, jumping back when Sadie throws a fake punch.

The three weeks seem to drag on for Scarlet without James. She’s restless and everyone seems to feel it. She’s snapped on almost everyone, threatening Micah and Bill with gelding them with Kieran and Sean’s help. Arthur is Dutch’s last hope to settle her down.

“Abigail, where’s Arthur?” Dutch asks, stopping by her tent. She looks up from the book she’s helping Jack read and tells her son to hold on a minute.

“Susan told him that Mary girl was sniffing for him in Valentine, last I heard. I guess she sent him a letter. I reckon he went to see what she wanted,” she replies, petting Jack’s hair. “Why?”

“Scarlet,” it’s the only thing Dutch has to say. Abigail laughs and shakes her head, waving him off.

“That’s a mother without her child, Dutch. You think she was just gon’ sit and do chores all day everyday? That woman’s more of an outlaw than most men we run across. She’s restless,” she smiles at him.

“I know. That’s the problem! I need Arthur to help calm her. I have a feeling the threat to geld Micah and Bill were serious. She’s been on edge the last week,” he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He points at her, “You see him before I do, you tell him to go take her out to drink or something.”

“Sure,” she easily agrees, though she’s found Scarlet’s new temperament to be a riot.

Scarlet continues with the chores, even going so far as to grab anything of James’ she thinks might need washing. She’s sitting with Tilly, washing the clothes when Mary-Beth and Karen come over and join them. Scarlet glances up, nods and smiles small at them, before going back to scrubbing the shirt in hand.

“Have either of y’all seen Arthur?” Mary-Beth asks, looking up from her notebook. Scarlet pauses and shakes her head. Tilly nods and sets the shirt in her hand off to the side to dry.

“He said he was goin into town. Grimshaw an I heard Mary was sniffin bout for him after hearin someone like him was seen in town. Reckon he went to see her,” Tilly replies and reaches for another shirt.

“He was readin a letter earlier. Maybe it was from her? Who is she anyway?” Scarlet asks, interest piqued at this Mary person. Just who was she, and why was she writing Arthur?

“Oh, just some prominent, rich hussy that Arthur was engaged to awhile back. He wasn’t good enough for her family, or at least not her father. So they split. Why she’s askin for him now is beyond me,” Karen sneers at the thought of her. She makes a face that makes Scarlet chuckle, the first she’s given in the last couple of weeks since James has been gone.

“She kept trying to get Arthur to leave Dutch and the rest of us, saying it was what she deserved if I remember right,” Mary-Beth adds, setting her book aside.

“So what? She’s finally realized that it don’t matter what he does or has done an wants him to come runnin back ta her like some trained puppy?” Scarlet spits, not even trying to mask the jealousy in her tone. The three females look at each other before turning back to her and shrugging.

“Honestly, we don’t like her. She left; broke Arthur’s heart, claimin it was all his fault an sayin he’d never change an she couldn’t deal with that, with this life of his,” Tilly states with a sigh.

“So she left cause she couldn’t or wouldn’t accept him for who an what he was? Sounds like horse shit to me. If you really love someone you don’t try to change them, you build and grow with them. You don’t just drop everythin an run back to someone you left stranded, not unless you want somethin,” Scarlet furrows her brow, curiosity about this mysterious Mary nearly overwhelming her. She sets James’ shirt on the wagon wheel to dry. “Thank you, Ladies. I think I’m gonna go get a bowl of Pearson’s stew,” she excuses herself.

She grabs a bowl and sits at the poker table, propping her feet up, the bowl on her chest. Susan comes over and smacks her boot gently, gesturing for her to sit up as well as asking for her to talk. Scarlet complies and puts her feet down, setting her bowl on the table.

“I heard you know about Mary Gillis,” Susan starts, setting her own bowl on the table, taking the seat to Scarlet’s left. The red head nods.

“Somethin like that.”

“Well, if you wanna know anythin ‘bout her, let me know.”

“Sure. All the others said was that she was engaged to Arthur at one point, but then realized she didn’t want nothin to do with him,” Scarlet offered what little information she had. Sean joins them, sitting to her right, and offers her a bottle of whisky, which she accepts.

“That’s about right. There’s a bit more to it though. Mary Gillis let her little brother, Jaime I think, help pull Arthur in, you know how it goes. Get the kid invested an then usually they’re done for.

“Anyway, she up an left him without so much as a warnin, sayin she didn’t want to be with him anymore, couldn’t deal with him bein an outlaw. Least that was her excuse. If you ask me, she just wanted a good ride an when she grew bored she ditched him for the next popular breed. Instead of outlaws it was doctors, bankers, the like,” Susan curls her lip at the memory. Scarlet nods along, slipping some oregano into her bowl, offering some to Susan and Sean, who happily take it.

“Honestly sounds like someone I’d fight or shoot. I can’t stand people like that. Especially not after goin through somethin vaguely similar with James’ father, Jessie.

“He was just a ‘drunken mistake’ as Jessie’s referred to him several times when he was younger. A lot younger. We’re not together cause he knows his family don’t like me, cause I’m not an islander who moved to the mainland, like them,” she grounds out, chugging the whisky in anger. Sean gets up and passes her another one, bringing a box to the table.

“I’ll never forget his words to me bout three years ago, he said he’d get James from me, no matter how long it takes. Said he’d make sure that I have little contact with him if I continue to keep the boy from ‘im. I ain’t never kept James from his father. I only take him when one of them asks. Sometimes James doesn’t want to go. Says he hears stories about his grandparents on his Pa’s side but he can’t meet them or his cousins, aunts, uncles….all cause Jessie don’t want them to know bout our child.” Scarlet bites out, popping the top off another bottle of whisky. She downs that one too. Sean is impressed, Susan a little worried.

“He’s a right bastard, ‘e is. Don’t wanna claim his own son cause his family’d be ashamed of ‘im fer havin a kid wit’ the likes-a me! The fockin bastard. I wish I had the heart to tell him he won’t be seein James anymore, but I can’t. I don’t have anythin right now since I burned my last house an joined you lot.

“The funny thing is? Y’all’re more family than Jessie ever was. He likes to sweet talk ya then strike, he knows how to play me an I just fockin let him...every god damned time,” she’s starting to slur, being four bottles of whisky in, and her Irish accent is starting to reveal itself. Susan makes sure she doesn’t drink anything else unless it’s water or coffee.

“Here, c’mon lets get you to bed,” Susan suggests, giving Sean a glare when he goes to offer another bottle of whisky to her. He grins sheepishly and nods, putting the bottles away. It’s only midday but Susan knows Scarlet needs to sober up before Arthur gets back, whenever he plans on it.

Scarlet nods and follows Miss Grimshaw to her wagon. She stops by Arthur’s, hand tracing over his cot. Without a thought, she swipes his pillow and tosses it into the back of her wagon where she climbs in, burrowing under her and James’ blankets. Susan makes sure she’s good before headed back to her stew.

Arthur’s gone for the rest of that day and until noon the following. Scarlet’s taken up holing herself up in the back of her wagon, cloth top up as shelter since her talk with Susan and Sean. She still has Arthur’s pillow hostage, sleeping curled up with it for comfort.

When Arthur steps back into camp, he doesn’t expect the looks a couple of people give him. He raises a brow but makes his way to his wagon, pausing when he sees the missing pillow. Soft humming catches his ear and he follows it to Scarlet’s wagon. She’s humming to herself as she stares at the canvas, lying on her the bedrolls, blankets tucked under her for additional comfort, cuddling Arthur’s pillow. He knocks on the side of the wagon and she flinches slightly at the noise.

“Knock knock,” he says, grabbing hold of the side, pulling himself up. Scarlet shifts over, rolling so her back is to him, pulling his pillow over her head as she lets out a groan. She curls her knees to her chest as she feels him sit behind her, his hand gentle on her elbow. He turns her and raises a brow, searching her green eyes, concern reflecting in his green-flecked blue ones. She blinks up at him, squinting as the afternoon sun filters in. She stretches back out and rubs her eyes, yawning.

“Hmm?” She manages to mumble out as a rough acknowledgment and question to him. He chuckles and shakes his head, leaning back against the side, stretching his legs across the wagon beside her.

“What are you doin in here? I thought you’d be out huntin or fishin or even harassin Bill, somethin. What’s got you mopin ‘bout in here?” He ask quietly.

“Why didn’t you ask me to go with you?” Her voice is soft, cracked, and sounds slightly strained to him. He hovers over her, searching her for any physical bruising and injury until she pushes him back by his chest.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Why didn’t you marry Mary?” She changes her question, avoiding his eyes as she closes hers, inhaling deeply. Several moments of silence pass between them, Arthur not really sure how to respond.

“You weren’t here. I think you an Kieran went fishin. So I headed to Valentine. It’s been years since we were together, Scarlet. Her letter was askin if I could help her, her brother really. The poor idiot ran off to join those turtle crazed lunatics, the Chelonians. She just wanted my help in bringin him back to her s’all. I had to go find him up in the Cumberland Forest an then chase his dumbass half way back to Valentine. Poor boy was so fed up of his father’s shitty attitude that he wanted to kill himself,” he explains, cupping her cheek and brushing away the stray tear that falls from Scarlet’s eye. “Darlin’,” he sighs, pulling her onto his chest, earning a grunt from her.

“Why didn’t ya marry her, Arthur? she was yer way out. You wouldn’t be here with me if you’da left...You could have had a good life...Why didn’t you leave then?” Her voice is barely a whisper.

“How she holdin up, Arthur?” Sean peeks into the back of the wagon, hands up when she glares at him. He chuckles as Arthur looks between them.

“She’s fine...I think? Am I missing’ somethin here? Did you do somethin to her while I’s gone?” Arthur accuses, starting to get up. He stops when a black boot with silver spurs passes in front of his face and hits Sean in the chest. He hadn’t even felt Scarlet move.

“Oi! Bloody woman! I’s just tryna see if you’s a’right after drinkin damn near five bottles a Whisky. Jaysus,” Sean curses under his breath as he walks away after putting the boot on the back of the wagon. She curls back up against Arthur, head on his chest with her eyes closed as he strokes her back.

“You’re hungover,” it’s not a question, but a statement. It’s making a bit more sense to Arthur now. He shakes his head and presses a kiss to her hair. “Is this why you don’t drink with us? I know you had a beer at the rodeo, but that’s all you had. I remember you distinctly turning down more, from Sean specifically.”

He’s not expecting an answer, not really. He’s just rambling to himself, hoping his voice is soothing and not adding to her probable headache. She shifts and he glances down, meeting her green eyes as she looks up at him, her eyes glassy and slightly glazed over, confirming his suspicions of her being hungover.

“Want me to get you some coffee? Water?”

She shakes her head and lays it on his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. She feels it slowly come down, matching her own, even one as she drifts off to sleep, cuddled warm into his side, half on his chest. He sighs and strokes her hair, letting his hand continue down her lower back before starting back at the top of her head.

“Didn’t take you for the jealous drunk,” he murmurs when he’s sure she’s asleep. He adjusts their position so he’s lying down more and Scarlet immediately cuddles back up to him in her sleep, sighing contentedly when his arm wraps around her waist. He drops his hat on his face and tries to nap with her, his body and mind finally relaxing now that he’s back with her.

Scarlet wakes to cheering from the campfire. She rubs her eyes and groans, cursing herself for drinking and also Sean for giving her the whisky. She sees Arthur’s hat hung up next to hers on the back of the wagon, taking note of his absent pillow. She smirks and pushes herself to crawl out of the back, despite the dull ache in the back of her head from the evening light.

“What’s with the cheering?” She asks as she joins the gang, covering her mouth as she yawns. Dutch claps his hands, smiling bright at her.

“Scarlet, my dear girl, John might have a lead for some money. Not only that, things are lookin up for us. There’s also talk of a few other leads,” Van der Linde answers, walking with her until she’s joined the group at the campfire.

“Oh good! You’re awake! We were worried that you’d overdone it with the Whisky!” Susan gets up from the log and ushers Scarlet to sit down, not taking no for an answer. Once seated, she is handed a cup of water. “Drink,” Susan orders. The red head replies and nods, holding one hand up in surrender as she does as told.

Arthur sits by her with two bowls, passing her one. She thanks him and they move to the poker table, listening to Pearson and Bill talk of their time in the Navy and Army respectively. She tilts her head, nodding along to their crazy stories.

“I didn’t know you two were in the military,” she speaks up, setting her bowl and cup to the side and pulls out a deck of cards.

“Oh yeah, I used to be a cook in the navy, it’s why I’m such a great one now!” Pearson proclaims as he motions for her to pass the cards. She shuffles them twice then hands them across the table.

“Army was okay, I like this life better though,” Bill comments, nodding to Pearson. Scarlet gets up and clears all their dishes, taking them behind Pearson’s wagon. Lenny’s occupying her seat when she walks back over. Arthur notices and goes to get up, but she shakes her head, sliding into his lap sideways.

Bill goes to say something until Scarlet draws her hunting knife, running her thumb gently along the blade to test its sharpness; he closes his mouth. Lenny and Arthur chuckle, the latter wrapping his left arm around her waist, securing her against him.

She knocks once on the table to signal she wants to be dealt into the hand. Pearson obliges and sets up chips for everyone before shuffling the deck and dealing. Arthur holds the cards as Scarlet looks at them, biting her bottom lip.

They play several rounds, Scarlet and Arthur working as a pair against the others. After the fifth round, Lenny folds and takes what’s left of what he got back. Bill does the same after the seventh. Pearson offers the other seats to Scarlet but both she and Arthur decline.

His left hand is gently stroking her thigh as he looks at their hand, squeezing her leg for her opinion. She leans down as he pulls them up a little to show her. She nods and looks at the cards on the table, glancing up to Pearson who is smiling at her. She shrugs and wraps her right arm around his neck.

“Your call,” she whispers in his ear, right hand tangling in his hair at the nape of his neck, nails scratching his scalp nicely. He smacks her thigh before rubbing the slight sting away. He lets his hand wander her leg; rolling over her hip, down the side of her thigh, over the top of her thigh, and finally down to her ass where he squeezes. She gasps, jumping slightly at the feel.

“You good there, Scarlet?” Pearson asks, quirking a brow at them. She nods and smiles, readjusting herself in Arthur’s lap to sit with her back to his chest.

“We’ll go all in,” Arthur pushes his chips into the middle; Pearson laughs, doing the same. Scarlet smiles as she uses her left hand to pick up the cards and nods at them. She gestures for Pearson to show his hand. He’s got a three of a kind; a Queen and five in hand, two queens on the table with a King.

“Shite,” Scarlet swears, flipping their cards to reveal two kings in hand. “Full. House. That’s three Kings and double queens.” Pearson gapes at them, throwing his cards and pushing up from the table in frustration. Arthur and Scarlet laugh in amusement as they take the pot.

“I guess we do make a good team, you an me, Miss O’Hara,” Arthur puts his hands on her hips, pulling her back flush against him. “What say you?”

“I say you’re tryna sweet talk me after our conversation earlier; hungover as I was, I do remember it,” she sets the chips aside and gathers the money before turning in his hold so she can straddle him. “Here, you’ve earned this.” She tucks the money into the front of his jeans, patting it for good measure.

“Yeah? What do you remember bout it, Darlin’?”

“I remember askin why you never got out; why you left me here when you went to see her,” there’s the hint of jealousy from earlier dripping from the word as she shifts somewhat restlessly on his lap. He groans and holds her hips so she stills.

“Quit that, chrissakes woman!” He huffs as he moves one hand to grip her chin, turning her face to meet his gaze. “You’re headed down a dangerous road if you continue, you sure you’re okay with that?”

“I haven’t been this sure bout anythin since becomin a mother, Arthur. I know what’s at stake, an I know that the road will sometimes be rough an long, but that’s all part of the journey. The experience is precious,” she rests her forehead on his, her hands laced on the back of his neck. “Just havin you back makes me calmer. I’ve been riled up for the last few weeks, thankfully I go get James in a day or two,” she smiles, getting up from his lap reluctantly, making her way over to her wagon. “The wagon has plenty of space, you’re welcome to join me if you want,” she throws over her shoulder with a wink before disappearing around Dutch’s tent towards their wagons.

Arhurt sighs and goes to his bed to change into something more comfortable after putting the poker winnings away. He finds Scarlet in the back of her wagon. He knocks once and she looks up at him, smiling that he’s shown up. She pats the bedrolls and tosses the blankets back. He tosses his pillow at her and climbs up into the back. They talk about the passed few days and how everything seems to be working itself out slowly, Arthur’s voice combined with the way he’s rubbing her back has Scarlet fighting to stay awake. She mumbles against his chest and he chuckles, kissing her head.

“Get some rest. We have more errands to do tomorrow. Me an you, Cowgirl,” he chuckles into her hair. She nods and tightens her arm over his chest, gripping his shirt at the shoulder.

“You ain’t plannin on leavin me again, are ya?” Scarlet states, startling Arthur. Smoke nickers and paws the ground, swishing his tail at her. She laughs and pats his rear. “Good boy.”

“Now why would I go an do a thing like that?”

“Cause I’m leavin you to go pick up James today. Got a letter last night askin if I would come get him. Not sure if he had his dad write it or if he did, but figured I’d go get him regardless who wrote it. Jessie woulda had to have gone with him to post it anyway. Wanna ride?”

“Can’t. John thinks he’s got a good lead for money,” Arthur sighs. Scarlet nods and grabs the horn and back of her saddle, pulling herself onto Shasta’s back.

“Well, if you do change your mind, head East. Go as far as you can, you won’t be able to miss it. Gotta go through Lagras from here,” she gestures to the East, shaking her head. “Gotta take Fancy and Shamrock cause Shasta spooks at the Gators.”

“Gators?”

“Yeah. Yanno, alligators? Mean son’s-a bitches. Good eatin though,” she shrugs. “Ride with me to the stables at least?” She pouts and puts her hat on, tipped back so he can see the playful gleam in her eyes.

“How bout I ride with you to the stables and see you out to Emerald Ranch?” He offers, climbing onto Smoke, and swatting her hat down. She yells at him, being temporarily blinded by her hat until she adjusts it.

“Alright. I can deal with that,” she agrees and kicks Shasta to get him trotting. “C’mon then.”

“How long will this take by horse?”

“To Saint Denis and back again?” Scarlet glances from Shamrock to Arthur, biting her cheek. “Bout a day and a half? If I don’t stop to sleep tonight, probably a day? Depends on if Jessie’s gon throw a fit that I’m lettin James ride a horse by himself or not. I’m hoping we can catch a train back if I get there early enough, send these two back by whistle. Fancy already knows where the command ‘go home’ means, and Shamrock will follow his momma anywhere cause he’s a big mama’s boy,” she admits and pats the golden chestnut’s neck as he nickers and tosses his head.

“Just be careful, okay? I don’t wanna have to shoot someone full of holes cause they picked the wrong family to mess with,” Arthur replies, promising the threat if anything were to happen to her. She smiles and leans over Shamrock to kiss his cheek, hand on his thigh.

“Careful? Me? Always, Cowboy. You forget who you’re talkin to? I just don’t always stay out of trouble,” she jokes and leans back in her saddle. Smoke, Shamrock, and Fancy all come to a stop at Emerald Ranch’s train station. Scarlet frowns and lets out a dejected sigh. “Alright. I’ll see you as soon as I can, Cowboy. You best behave while I’m gone,” she warns.

“Or what?” He challenges.

“I’ll just have to teach you how to,” she taunts, giving him a once over. He barks out a laugh and points at her, shaking his head.

“Chrissakes, Scarlet, you can’t just be sayin things like that out in the open,” he chuckles, feelin his face heat up slightly. Her cheeks are rosy, almost matching her hair as she giggles behind her hand, pulling her foot from the stirrup to nudge his own.

“I only dish what I know you can handle, Cowboy,” she winks and puts her foot back in the stirrup. “Promise I’ll be as safe as I can when travelin. I’ll hopefully be back with James tomorrow,” she bids her final farewells to him and turns her stallion to the right. “Bye, Arthur. I’ll be expectin you to greet me proper when we get back,” she calls as she kicks Shamrock’s sides.

Arthur shakes his head and rolls his eyes at her, but he can’t help but feel a tug in his chest as she rides away from him. A feeling of butterflies fluttering in his stomach, something he hasn’t felt since Mary and Eliza. He sighs, knowing he’s probably in over his head. He turns Smoke back the way they came and kicks him. “Hyah!”

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nopickls · 5 years

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Author meme!

Tagged by @zevons :****

Author name: redandgold (AO3)

Fandoms you write for: I think it’s been almost entirely football at this point although I have written for the occasional other fandom, especially in the early days; am, like everyone, guilty of some HP dabbling, and have also done DPS / CDC. I have like a million WIPs for the Terror, and a BBC Ghosts / RoL crossover which I really should finish at some point in time.

Where you post: AO3, pretty much!

Most popular one-shot: By hits it’s strangeways, here we come which! Thank u! I honestly enjoyed writin this ESPECIALLY since it gave me the opportunity to wank over England’s propensity for being shit at everything (Narrative wise is beautiful but I wish they would stop)

Most popular multi-chaptered story: hahahhahahaha what does it say when all my multi-chapters are because I ran out of space in the footnotes for references

(I am v bad at writing multi-chaptered things... I feel like I prefer one-shots - it’s tighter somehow? more fun?)

Favourite story you wrote: oofa doofa i’ve been reading my writing recently for a kick because I haven’t done anything in so long and it feels like im LOSIN it bc i used to write like...good shit... anyway I digress: I honestly like most things I write but have here you are with your faith because I love...the apocalypse.. I love killing off David Beckham. 10/10 would recommend

Obligatory shoutout to if it seems like i’ve been lost, so good it got ripped off

Story you were nervous to post: ahaahha basically every fwic i write out of my comfort zone be it germ fic for @bayernluvr69 or iker fic for @strikerbacks because i NEVER KNOW if i am doing them justice and also like every xabifips fic in the WORLD but esp summer sang in me a little while because it was like a truly Deep Dive and one i am still unsure if I have surfaced from

How do you choose your titles: remember how the entirety of 2018 i used only billy joel song lyrics? Don’t Ask Me Why

Do you outline: usually! I write by breaking stories up into pieces and leaving a quick line of summary for each piece, and then from there it just spirals into mass disorganisation (I don’t necessarily write the pieces in order) - but I do tend to have the ending in mind already because that’s the most important thing to me (and probably something that comes through in my writing). I dooon’t like writing without outlining because it makes me feel like I’m not in control (as if having an outline does! ha! lies!) and anyway, a lot of my stuff needs to be tightly plotted otherwise it just. devolves into very Little (i.e. a hot mess).Even in terms of character studies, which I adore but don’t usually have strong plot points, I’d plot out what I want to say about this character and then see how I can weave that into a story.

Complete: Literally never published an incomplete work in my life, i feel like it goes against my asian school work ethic

In-progress/ Coming soon/not yet started: (combining these two since i have no in-progress fics up): oh jesus a LOT. Starting with the terror since I have the most for that:

- hartnell/tozer shut up shut up shut UP - fitzier and the after effects of scurveh (don’t try this at home lads) - blade runner tozer it’s perfect fight me - blanky/hartnell Her au - fitzier groundhog even though people have done this PERFECTLY already - fitzier ghosts????? idk what to do with this yet - an over-elaborate space au - soooome pacrim i am sure that’ll crop up eventually - and I’m sure I’m missing something but I can’t remember what (i tried this at home lads) - OH was it terrebus, yes probably that

fooball wise:

- beville wwi - wow is that literally it??? alarming

and a completely random, extremely niche the captain / nightingale ghosts/RoL crossover

Do you accept prompts: always!! I used to do so many more prompts than I do now and I kind of miss it tbh

Upcoming story you are most excited to write: idk i just desperately need to finish at least one terror fic!!!!!!1 otherwise it makes me feel like a FRAUD i’m going to say fitzier x scurvy since that’s the one i’m closest to finishing (it’s actually space i’m most excited for though. i love space. haven’t got a clue how to write it but. love this game)

#fic stuff #ooo wee doooo

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radiantseraphina · 5 years

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@command-el Your post with your OC going to Elise for love advice was so adorable that it inspired me to think about how Elise finally confessed her love to Bikaia, the most oblivious man ever born. I think this also serves as proof that I ought to be writing regency romance or something instead of fantasy YA novels set around colleges.

Elise crouched along the riverbank, half-hidden by trees, and carefully reached for the pile of discarded clothes before her. Her eyes darted towards the lake and—more pertinently—at the place where her lord had disappeared. King Bikaia emerged a few moments later, his skin sparkling with diamond-like drops of lake-water. Most Dreamlanders didn’t swim, and the few who did were poor countrymen and women. Bikaia was the exception. And like most of the few people who swam, Bikaia swam only in his trousers. The first time Elise had stumbled upon him by accident. This was the second time she’d found him swimming.

It wasn’t an accident.

Had anyone asked, Elise would have insisted that she appropriately kept her eyes at the back of her king’s head and that she most definitely wasn’t taking in the shapes of his body and the scars he’d patiently and softly explained when Elise, having never seen a royal man’s bare torso—much less one with scars—had gasped. Her face had flushed with embarrassment, and she’d stumbled over her apologies. Her lord had been so gracious.

He told her about the small scar at the base of his spine, so small and faint that Elise hadn’t seen it even after Bikaia pointed it out. Elise wondered if the scar was even really there or just something that Bikaia felt and imagined was there. After being enslaved by the wizard Necrodeus, Bikaia had tried stabbing his captor, and after his attempt failed to incapacitate the wizard, Necrodeus had taken a dagger and sliced across the base of Bikaia’s spine. The dagger had been cursed or poisoned, leaving a wound that made Bikaia feverish and delirious for a week or more. Bikaia had sounded so ashamed of that scar, as if he were somehow to blame for his own imprisonment and torture. And his soft admission that he’d stopped fighting as hard after that because he’d feared being hurt had broken Elise’s heart.

And there was the small, clustering of scars near his collarbone, where Dark Matter Swordsman had shattered his clavicle, and Bikaia’s scream of pain had sent Galacta Knight, so calm and even-tempered, into a rage so terrible that the knight had nearly become Galacta Knight Soul. After the swordsman’s defeat, Galacta Knight had swept to Bikaia’s side and held him in her arms and petted his hair. Goddess, Bikaia’s heart ached so badly for Galacta Knight and the tender way she’d always treated him.

There was the small star-shaped branding over Bikaia’s right hip. It was a wound left by Zero, one that had taken so long to heal and one that might have never healed were it not for Galacta Knight’s knowledge of medicine. And after Zero was defeated, the Kingdom of Traumwald rose from the ashes of her ravaged tribes, and Bikaia became their first ally.

And there was a tiny scar on Bikaia’s shoulder, left by Zero-Two. It had been a cursed wound, and Bikaia might have bled out if a Patchlandic knight and a Traumwaldian sorceress hadn’t pulled him from the battlefield, sewn the wound closed, and cleansed it before returning Bikaia, exhausted and hungry and thirsty, once more to battle. In the end, Bikaia had emerged victorious as he always did, but his dreams were haunted for years thereafter.

And Bikaia’s abdominal muscles were still bruised and branded from his battles with Galacta Knight, with Landia, and then, with Dark Nebula. Noble Bikaia, who had fought so hard for Dreamland’s peace and would forever bear the marks of that. Most of Bikaia’s smiles seemed forced after that, and persistent, dark circles had taken up residence beneath his eyes. Although Elise hadn’t mentioned it, she remembered being imprisoned in her own mind, and she remembered Bikaia on his knees begging to take her place as Dark Nebula’s host. Elise remembered, too, all the other degrading things Dark Nebula had considered making Bikaia do, just to see how much he was willing to do to save an innocent person.

Unlike some, Elise didn’t think Bikaia’s suffering made him some tortured, romantic hero. She didn’t even think that Bikaia’s suffering had made him a better man or even a man in need of being healed. But Elise thought he was very brave to fight for Dreamland like he did, and she thought he must be lonely. And maybe, while she could never cure or fully understand her dear lord’s trauma, she could be someone who could listen.

When his sad, winter-blue eyes met hers, Elise wondered how it had taken her so long to realize just how handsome her lord was. “Elise!” Bikaia exclaimed, the name barely distinguishable with the force of his laughter.

He so seldom laughed anymore.

Elise sat, adjusting the skirts of her pale blue dress to reveal a tiny sliver of her calf over the top of her boots. “Didn’t I warn ya that some lovestruck maiden was gonna steal your clothes if you kept goin’ on these morning swims, Your Majesty?” she asked.

Bikaia pulled himself up and let his forearms rest on the grassy bank; the rest of him remained in the water. Elise may have given him a rather indecent look, even though she could see very little with him positioned like that. “You did, indeed, warn me,” Bikaia replied.

“D’you also recall you sayin’ that you’d prolly have to pay that maiden some favor to keep from losin’ all yer dignity and traipsin’ back to the castle in only your trousers?” Elise asked.

And Elise would definitely derive no enjoyment from watching that. None whatsoever.

Bikaia offered the merest hint of smile; it didn’t reach his eyes. “I may have also said that, yes,” he conceded.

“Y’did say it,” Elise assured him.

“Ah,” Bikaia said, his smile a little more genuine. “I suppose that means I’m at your mercy, then. Please, be gentle with me, Elise. I beg you show restraint with your request.”

“My papa’s been on me about this marriage business,” Elise said. “Y’know I’m gettin’ to that unsellable age, Your Majesty.”

Bikaia nodded thoughtfully, never casting any judgment. “You wish for me to arrange a match for you, then?” he asked. “Have you spoken to your father about this?”

“My father is very indulgent and enlightened, but I think he’s…well, he kinda doubts that the object of my affections is gonna return mine.”

Bikaia looked almost comically offended. “Really? I can scarcely imagine a man who wouldn’t love you,” he said.

Elise laughed. “We both know that ain’t true, Your Majesty.”

“You’re quite right. A cowardly man might be threatened by you,” Bikaia said, “But I doubt you’d ever be interested in such a foul creature.”

“Yer very kind, Your Majesty,” Elise said.

“Only because Galacta Knight taught me how to be,” Bikaia said. “She was the noblest woman I’ve ever met. And I would consider myself Goddess-blessed if even a fragment of her many virtues was present in me.”

“I think—no, I know—we can see more than a fragment of it,” Elise said.

Bikaia’s eyes seemed to brighten a bit. “Thank you. Who did you have in mind for your engagement?” he asked. “I’ll certainly arrange it if I can.”

Nova’s grace, had there ever been such a thoughtful, lovely man?

“Well, I wanna marry someone who’ll let me rule at their side. I ain’t willin’ to just sit back an’ do nothin’. And my papa’s been considering Prince Elden of Seventopia for me,” Elise said, “An’ I told ‘im I’ve got my eyes on a greater prize.”

Despite Bikaia’s enthusiasm for championing women, his fervor hadn’t quite influenced the monarchy of Seventopia, but Prince Eldin cared enough about his reputation and was politically savvy enough to be kind to a wife, especially if maltreatment risked drawing Bikaia’s ire. Marrying him was a good choice for Elise. He was about her age, handsome, and he could carry a conversation. He just wasn’t the man Elise really wanted.

“So you need another prince,” Bikaia mused.

“Yeah. Or maybe a king,” Elise replied.

“Ah, King Larvara,” Bikaia said, nodding. “I’ve always liked him. I suppose that would make strategic sense, although I was under the impression your sister Lilith was—”

“I ain’t interested in the king of Floralia, Your Majesty.”

Bikaia furrowed his brow, clearly trying to puzzle out which monarch Elise desired. It really shouldn’t have been so difficult of a task, as Bikaia and Larvara were the only unmarried kings in all the realms. “You may have to be more explicit, Elise. I’m not—”

“Dearest, there’s you.”

She’d never called him an endearment before, and without warning, Bikaia’s mouth was against hers. Bikaia quite clearly had no experience in kissing anyone, and he seemed determined to compensate with zeal. Elise buried her hands in his hair and then trailed her fingers over his shoulders. Elise could feel her balance becoming less sure, and she really hoped she didn’t fall off the bank and into the water with Bikaia. But even that worry wasn’t quite enough to make Elise pull away.

Eventually, Bikaia broke the kiss. His eyes were bright and his face flushed. “I haven’t even courted you yet,” he said.

A pleasant, breathless warmth spread through Elise. “I ain’t gonna be happy if we go back an’ you spend months smilin’ at me ‘cross rooms and chastely kissing my hand,” Elise said, “And I ain’t gonna be happy with you runnin’ off and goin’ on quests in my name. I want you to pledge yerself to me now, Bikaia.”

It was only the second time she’d ever addressed him by his name, and Bikaia blossomed as if caught in some profound spell cast by those three syllables. His face softened and glowed; color rose to his cheeks. “Nothing would make me happier,” Bikaia said. “I promise I’ll be a good, faithful husband, and I’ll treat you well. Very well. Magnificently well. Better than any husband has ever treated his wife!”

As if Elise would have ever believed otherwise.

#bikalise? elikaia? elisaia?#dreamland university redux #sera tries fanfic!#tumblr. please don't mess up my beautiful spacing #/long post

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cycwrites · 5 years

Text

The Middle

Alternatively titled: Can Beca Come Out and Play – Or that time Stacie Got Bored

A/N: A post Nowish Stechlobree/PolyBellasSquared fluff and smut oneshot. Cause why not. And the Beta demanded I write her smut. Gotta keep @tiny-maus-boots happy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rating: Mature

Words: 18,000ish

Also on AO3 and FFN

All other works in my A Shared Lifetime AU can be found here though I do recommend reading it in the Written Order series on AO3.

~C~

Friday, September 1st, 2017

Chloe settled back against a pillow and grabbed her magazine from the bedside table. She’d just gotten out of the shower and planned to read a bit before she had to think about dinner. Beca had worked from home that day and was still in her studio, though she’d promised Chloe she’d be done soon.

When her phone chimed twice in a row, she picked it up and smiled.

Stacie: Oh baby! Why don’t you just meet me in the middddllllle

Stacie: I’m losin’ my mind just a littllllllllle

Chloe: Are you drunk?

Stacie: Maaaaaybe. Bree had to go back to work for a few hours and I got bored so I made something fruity.

Stacie: Speaking of fruity – can Beca come out and play?

Chloe laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?”

She looked up and saw Beca walk into the room.

“Stacie’s singing ‘The Middle’ to me again. Bree had to go back to work and Stacie got bored. Wants to know if you can come out and play.” She grinned when Beca mock rolled her eyes as she went to their dresser.

“Doesn’t she know that song is about… like… a fight and compromise, not ‘come out and play in the pool between our houses’?” Beca rummaged through the drawers and set out some shorts and a t-shirt.

Chloe shrugged. “I know I’m not the only one who thinks it’s adorable when she drunk serenades us with it.” She waited and while Beca remained silent, Chloe could see her smiling in one of the mirrors. “In fact, the last time that happened, I’m pretty sure you were the one who stood naked in our back door until she noticed you. At noon. On a Saturday.”

Beca turned around. “Hey, Bree dared me to.” She grinned wider. “She wanted to see how long it’d take Stacie to see me.”

Chloe laughed. “I remember.” It had been less than a second. Aubrey had literally timed it. ‘.751 seconds. That’s my girl.’ Stacie had been by the pool and homed in on Beca like a shark, pushing her back into the kitchen almost before Chloe had even realized Beca had opened the door.

Beca wiggled her eyebrows. “That was a good day.” She hip bumped the drawer close. “A really good day.”

Chloe nodded, grinning. It had been a great day and the four of them had barely made it upstairs before things had gotten serious. Well, as serious as they could be with Stacie and Beca giggling like teenagers; until Aubrey had gotten her hands on them, at least. Things had gotten a little (lot) more breathy then.

“She’s been drinking today too…” Chloe trailed off as watched as Beca stripped down for her shower and threw her clothes in the hamper. “What was I saying? I got distracted.” She bit her lip, ever appreciative of Beca’s naked form.

Beca grinned over her shoulder as she walked into the bathroom. “Have her come over; I’ll be out shortly.”

Chloe looked back down. “Right. Stacie. Texting.”

Chloe: So pull me closer Why don’t you pull me close? Why don’t you come on overrrrrrrr

Chloe: B just got in the shower and I’m just reading in bed, so come on up.

Chloe didn’t get an answer and after only a few seconds she had a silent bet with herself as she threw her phone to the side and held up her magazine again, though she looked over the top instead of reading it.

Either Stacie was just heading over from her house and wasn’t going to bother with answering, or… A shadow in the hall told her it was option two: Stacie had originally texted from the back door, if she wasn’t already in the kitchen. Chloe had a second bet with herself – would Stacie be clothed or not – but she knew there really was only one answer.

Chloe started to sing. “I need you on my skin, just come over, pull me in…”

Chloe broke off and drew in a deep breath when Stacie appeared in the doorway. Expected or not, the sight of a completely naked Stacie Conrad was something that she didn’t think she would ever get used to. Or get enough of. Hell, she wasn’t even really used to a naked Beca after all these years. Throw a naked Staubrey on top of all that… ‘Maybe not the best way to phrase it.’ Chloe grinned up at Stacie, desire already coiling through her. ‘Or the perfect way, I suppose.’ She bit her lip as Stacie stalked into the room, her eyes intent on Chloe’s, a small smile playing across her mouth.

Reaching the bed, Stacie slowly eased onto it on all fours and, not for the first time, Chloe thought she was like a giant jungle cat. All smooth muscle, liquid movements and focused solely on her prey. Chloe felt her body start to tingle in anticipation as Stacie paused just before she reached Chloe’s outstretched legs.

Chloe swallowed as she watched Stacie lower her face down until it was just above one of Chloe’s shins. Her tongue came out and delicately touched skin as Stacie continued her slow pace up Chloe’s body, her tongue lightly moving from shin to knee to thigh until stopped by Chloe’s shorts. She looked up, mischief bright in her green eyes, before tugging once at the bottom of Chloe’s shorts with her teeth. Chloe’s breath hitched in her throat as her legs automatically parted to allow Stacie’s shifting body between them.

Then she simply pressed her nose into Chloe’s thigh and moved upward, dragging the hem of Chloe’s shirt as, just like a cat, she pushed her head down and against the bottom of the magazine Chloe had forgotten she was holding. When Chloe was too stunned to move, overwhelmed a bit by all that skin, Stacie sat up and plucked the magazine from her hand, smiling as she tossed it gently to the side. She immediately resumed pushing Chloe’s shirt up with her nose, allowing her tongue free access to trace across Chloe’s stomach. She shivered under Stacie’s touch, her fingers tangling in honey brown tresses without conscious thought.

They’d all fallen so easily into this new realm that Chloe almost couldn’t remember what it was like before. Where she didn’t have the memory of what Stacie’s skin felt like against her own. How it tasted. Where she didn’t have even the thought in her head to reach out to either Stacie or Aubrey and pull them into a kiss. She much preferred this world where suddenly Naked Stacie and Sex Voice Aubrey often appeared like magic and Chloe didn’t have to keep her hands to herself.

With one last nip of teeth above Chloe’s belly button, Stacie pulled back slightly but before Chloe could even whimper at the loss, Stacie had lowered herself to slide the entire length of their bodies against each other until their hips rested comfortably together and her mouth covered Chloe’s.

Chloe also thought she’d never get tired of how Stacie would simply sink into whoever she was kissing. It never felt like she was pinning them down, merely trying to get as much of her touching as much of them as possible. Especially if she was naked. Chloe wrapped her legs around Stacie, pulling her close and deepening a kiss that had already pulled the breath from her.

Chloe worked her arms under Stacie’s until she was able to grip Stacie’s sides, holding on tightly as Stacie began to slowly thrust against her. Chloe pressed upward, helpless to do anything but respond to the deliberately building rhythm. She heard herself whimper and was shocked at the need in it as she’d gone from zero to ‘fuck me’ in less than a minute.

Her hands skimmed up until she could rake her nails back down the length of Stacie’s spine, her fingertips finally flattening to smooth against the dip that led to the swell of her ass. Which, since it was there, Chloe palmed as much as she could from that angle and pulled her closer.

With a groan, Stacie pulled her lips away but before Chloe could chase her down or beg that she return to what she’d been doing, Stacie’s head dipped and she dragged the flat of her tongue firmly up the column of Chloe’s throat. It was Chloe’s turn to let out a moan that turned to a sharp hiss as Stacie’s teeth found her pulse point and gripped before her lips locked against Chloe’s skin and she began to suck.

“Jesus, Stacie.” Chloe breathed out, once again reminded of why Beca loved the feeling of this so much. She felt Stacie practically purr against her skin, hearing in it her love and the need to claim.

Stacie finally pulled back and licked delicately at the mark she’d left. “What do you need, love?” Humor laced her voice as she looked up into Chloe’s eyes, but her own were still fire and desire that scorched Chloe’s skin. She was still very much the predator intent on her prey and Chloe loved every thrilling second of it.

“Inside me,” Chloe answered breathlessly, already aching between her legs. “I need you inside me.”

“That can be arranged.” Stacie claimed her lips again but far too quickly before she pulled back. “But first I need to go get our girl out of the shower.” She kissed Chloe again, her tongue plunging hard and fast and Chloe felt the memory echo of it in her core. Stacie sat up, resting on Chloe’s thighs; her grin cocky and confident as she took in Chloe’s panting body. “We’ll be back, I promise.”

Chloe felt her heart flutter at Stacie’s grin. Part of her initial attraction to Beca had been that cocky smirk she’d given when they first met – especially when Aubrey had called her a bitch. Something about all that cool confidence made Chloe’s pulse beat faster and now she had two of them who had it in spades. Aubrey did too, though hers was a more controlled power and poise– less cocky and more a sheer force of nature – that had drawn Chloe to her from the beginning.

She held up a hand. “Help me up.” Stacie took it and tugged lightly, helping Chloe sit up. “Thanks.”

“No prob-” It was Stacie’s turn to hiss out a breath as Chloe immediately took her left nipple in her mouth and rolled her tongue around it. Stacie’s hands tangled in Chloe’s hair, holding her there as her hips pressed downward. “Chlo…”

Chloe sucked lightly, almost teasingly, before flicking the hardening tip with her tongue. When she was satisfied with the sounds Stacie was making above her, she let the breast slip free and turned to the other one. Her attention on that taut peak was much shorter, though no less ardent. Instead she lowered her mouth until she could pull in some of the skin on the underside and suck, creating a matching mark that had Stacie writhing against her.

Reluctantly she pulled back and looked up into emerald heat. “Then I guess you better go before I tip you onto your back and give instead of take.” It was all Chloe could do to keep herself still and not push forward until she could lower herself to run her tongue through Stacie’s center. Chloe’s body memory was strong there too; she knew how Stacie felt against her tongue, how she tasted.

Stacie’s thighs tensed around Chloe’s hips as she hesitated for the briefest second and Chloe could see the effort it took to roll off her and push herself to the edge of the bed. She did it quickly as if she didn’t trust either of them to really stop and it made Chloe crave more.

As Stacie walked to the bathroom, Chloe couldn’t help but watch the sway of her hips and think how lucky she was that she could look at that amazing ass whenever she wanted. When Stacie looked over her shoulder, Chloe didn’t even care that she’d been caught or that she’d been in the process of licking her lips at the time.

Stacie grinned at her. “Aca-perv.”

Chloe only lifted a shoulder. “Guilty.”

Stacie’s eyes flicked over her. “As cute as you look, you’re wearing far too many clothes.” With a decidedly more salacious slowness than Chloe had done, Stacie ran her tongue over her bottom lip and disappeared into the other room.

Chloe let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and fell back onto her bed. “Holy shit.” She and Beca had been thrilled when Staubrey had shown them just how much of their passion they’d been… not holding back, exactly, but they were apparently more reserved until things had settled. She knew it hadn’t been intentional or that they were afraid of scaring she and Beca off, but she could understand saving part of yourself in case the worst happened. To lay everything out and then have it blow up…

Chloe shook her head, unwilling to even entertain the thought of not having them in her life. To lose them now would be as devastating as losing Beca. She’d meant what she said to Beca the night they’d talked about being more while standing in their kitchen. Chloe had given her heart to both of them long before July and she was in too deep to even consider that there had been a possibility of something else. Where before she might have worried about that, worried about her heart getting hurt, she had no fear anymore. She wasn’t alone in this – Beca felt everything as deeply as Chloe herself and it was returned twofold by their other half. She half frowned. ‘Or was that halves. Quarters?’

She knew in the beginning that Beca had also kept part of herself hidden, to a lesser extent, because she was an extremely dirty minded and inventive woman. Aubrey and Stacie had joined Chloe in teasing Beca about being so prudish that she couldn’t say “sex” in normal conversation, but in the moment, she was as vocal and detailed in what she wanted to do or have done to her as the rest of them.

Now none of them held anything back and it was like being constantly bathed in a low flame that could spin into a firestorm at a mere glance. She’d never met anyone else who could convey a mental undressing in the span of a heartbeat and now she was surrounded by three gorgeous women who did it as naturally as breathing.

Chloe laughed as a shrill but short scream came from the bathroom, followed by an extremely loud “Jesus fucking Christ, Stacie! You scared the hell out of me!”

She couldn’t hear Stacie’s response but as Chloe made a decision and reached for her phone, she heard Beca moan. “Guess Stacie’s making it up to her.”

She pulled up Aubrey’s messages and typed out a quick text.

Chloe: Are you somewhere you can talk on your Bluetooth? If so, give me a call. Don’t panic, everything is fine. I just have a question for you.

She didn’t have to wait long before her phone was ringing.

“What’s up?” Chloe could hear people talking in the background and figured Aubrey must still be at work.

“Stacie got a little drunk and is currently in the shower with Beca. She was supposed to just get her out, but, well, Steca apparently got distracted. Again.” Chloe rolled to the end of the bed and stood up. “I was wondering if you’d like to listen.”

Aubrey’s sharp inhale was all the answer Chloe needed, but she chuckled at Aubrey’s careful, “Yes please.” She knew that only she, Beca and Stacie would hear the desire woven through those two simple words. There was the sound of a bell and the voices in the background faded away to be replaced by street noise. Then she laughed. “Did you just say Steca?”

Chloe grinned. “Yeah, it seems easier. Like Jessley.”

Aubrey laughed again. “You’ve got names for us all, don’t you?”

“Not yet, but I can start thinking of them.” Chloe heard another moan and bit her lip. “But maybe later. Because...” Chloe walked into the bathroom and stopped in the doorway, her own breath trapped in her throat.

Beca was leaning in the back corner opposite the spray, which had been aimed down and toward the wall, and Stacie was kneeling between her legs with Beca’s left thigh up and over her shoulder. Beca moaned again and the sound echoed in the bathroom. Chloe bit her lip as Aubrey let out a quiet gasp in her ear when Chloe began to relay in detail what she was seeing. It dawned on her this was the first time they’d engaged in any sort of activity without all four being present, or at least only a short backyard walk away after a quick text. She wasn’t sure if it was making it more exciting or worse to describe it, but since Aubrey didn’t ask her to stop, Chloe figured she’d just continue. But for now…

She fell silent as Beca’s moans grew louder, Stacie’s right hand moving from where it rested on top of Beca’s thigh to slide between her legs. When Beca cried out, Chloe couldn’t hold back her own moan. “They’re so fucking gorgeous, Bree. Stacie’s inside her now, Beca’s head is back and her eyes are closed, her hands in Stacie’s hair.” Stacie had pulled her hair up into a messy bun and Beca’s fingers had sunk into it as she held on and pulled her closer.

Chloe could hear Aubrey’s quick breath in her ear and hoped she wasn’t anywhere where her coworkers could see her. While Aubrey wouldn’t care in the moment, she’d definitely care later if it came up in casual conversation or some sort of public lewdness reprimand.

Chloe fell silent again, lost in watching the two of them moving against one another until suddenly Aubrey yelled “Damnit!” in her ear.

Chloe’s attention snapped back to the phone. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Aubrey growled as Chloe heard the beep of the car alarm. “I just spent three minutes trying to get into my car. Except it wasn’t my fucking car, it was a damn Fiat two rows over!” There was the slamming of a car door and the sound of the seatbelt being pulled.

Chloe laughed with relief and amusement. “Aubrey, you hate Fiats.”

“I know! That’s what makes it more annoying!” Aubrey started the car. “I’m on my way.”

“Please be careful.” Chloe looked back toward the shower. “Should… should we hang up? So you’re not distracted?”

“No!” Aubrey yelled.

“Alright, calm down there, horny pants.” Chloe teased, knowing full well she was a hypocrite. “Speaking of, I’m putting you on speaker for a bit. Stacie said I had too many clothes on earlier and I need to fix that.” She chuckled quietly as Aubrey let out another moan, knowing her best friend was picturing her naked. “I’d say we’ll be waiting for you, but I have no idea what’s going to happen when they get out of there.”

“You’re the worst.” Aubrey whined.

“You mean we’re the best.” Chloe said as she put the phone on speaker and set it down. She quickly stripped out of the clothes she just put on, folding the shorts and shirt on the counter but already knowing she was going to need a different pair of underwear when she got dressed again. ‘Whenever that is,’ she thought with a shiver.

Not wanting to distract a driving Aubrey with the details – though the moaning that was intensifying in the shower should give plenty of them – Chloe left the phone on speaker and leaned against the counter beside it. She got lost watching them again, filled with desire, love, need and overall a sense of home that pulled every single string in her heart. She was so lost in it that she didn’t even hear anyone come in but suddenly there was a naked body pressed against her back and arms looped around her waist.

"Oh thank god, I didn’t miss it completely.” Aubrey whispered in her ear before her teeth nipped at Chloe’s neck.

“How… how did you…” Chloe started to ask but Aubrey’s hands slid up and cupped her breasts; she decided it didn’t really matter and it wouldn’t have surprised her in the least to learn Aubrey had willed herself into spontaneous teleportation. “God you feel good.” She let her head lean back to rest on Aubrey’s shoulder and just enjoyed the attention and the view. Aubrey’s hands drifted up and down her stomach, nails scratching gently along her ribs, one slender finger dipping between Chloe’s legs, making her realize just how wet she’d become since Stacie appeared like a naked Goddess in the bedroom doorway.

Beca’s head dropped down and her eyes half opened once, then more fully, though Chloe could see she fought to keep them open. “Oh shit…” She broke off with a cry as Stacie pushed against her. “Bucky… the girls are watching. We’ve been caught.”

Stacie lifted her head and looked over her shoulder, smiling even as she licked her lips and Chloe felt Aubrey’s teeth sink into her skin. She understood all too well, her own body clenched at the memory and the promise she’d been given.

“Becs,” Stacie turned back around. “Do you think you could… maybe brace yourself somehow… so I can…” Stacie trailed off as she shifted her left arm until it was under Beca’s right leg.

“Holy shit.” Chloe didn’t know who said it, her or Aubrey, but they both gasped as Stacie lifted Beca’s other leg over her shoulder until Beca’s weight rested on her upper arms, her forearms braced against the wall to hold Beca in the air.

Beca’s eyes opened wide as she stared down in shock. “Holy fuck.” Stacie leaned forward again and obviously gave an experimental lick because Beca’s whole body jerked in reaction. She shifted slightly until she was apparently satisfied with her access and angle and buried herself between Beca’s braced legs. Beca’s eyes closed once more, her hands still buried in Stacie’s hair. “There, oh god, there… “

Chloe let her hands drift back and ran her nails across Aubrey’s thighs. Aubrey pressed closer, her hands still over Chloe’s breasts but now her fingers toyed with nipples that were so hard they ached. They were helpless to do anything more than watch; the two women in the shower would have held their focus anyway, but seeing Stacie actually holding Beca in the air was breathtaking.

“Fuck!” Beca’s toes curled as her cries grew louder and Chloe knew that she was close. So did Stacie, because – somehow – she managed to turn her hands until they were able to cup the sides of Beca’s breasts. “Stace… oh god…” Beca let out a sharp cry. “Faster, please…” Stacie must have and Chloe felt her own muscles tensing in anticipation as Beca panted and writhed until Stacie’s name echoed from the walls and Beca’s body went rigid.

Aubrey’s body was rocking against her and Chloe pressed back, the sensation of Aubrey’s own hard nipples against her back adding another layer to the fire slowly burning through her. “I could watch that all day.” Aubrey whimpered in agreement as Beca’s body slowly relaxed, though Stacie still nuzzled against her.

Stacie gently helped guide Beca’s legs from her shoulders and stood, helping to keep her upright when it became obvious that Beca’s legs weren’t quite ready to support her. When Beca finally found her balance, Stacie leaned around the spray and turned the water off. Reluctantly Chloe pulled herself away from Aubrey and handed her the towel that Beca had laid out. “One for you.” She turned to the cabinet and got another one. “One for me.”

Stacie opened the door and gently urged Beca out first and Chloe stepped forward to loop the towel around her. Beca’s eyes were still a little glazed and her body trembled against Chloe’s like a newborn colt. Chloe gently began to towel her dry as Stacie stepped into Aubrey’s arms and pulled her into a deep kiss. Aubrey moaned deep in her throat, the hunger in it sending lightning up Chloe’s spine, and pulled Stacie even closer. Chloe, intimately familiar with that particular moan, knew it was because she could still taste Beca on Stacie’s lips; Aubrey hadn’t wanted to admit it at first, but once the other three had gone down on each other, then kissed her and the sound was the same, she admitted that it was a personal kink she’d recently developed. It was also the last time any of them had felt awkward about admitting something they liked or desired. There may be some light teasing, but never judgement or shame.

Beca let out a sudden sigh, as if she was just then finally able to draw in a deeper breath than the shallow panting she’d been doing. Chloe smiled at her even as she began to dry Beca’s hair. “You okay, love?” Beca nodded, her eyes still dazed. “Not able to talk yet?” Beca shook her head and Chloe chuckled softly. “That happens.” Beca stood patiently, still possibly not in control of her limbs, and let Chloe dry her off and run a comb through her hair. Beca’s face was still adorably slack and Chloe kissed her gently, feeling Beca slowly come back to herself as her lips firmed and her hands curved around Chloe’s ribs.

Beside them, once Aubrey had let Stacie come up for air, the other two were repeating much the same ritual though Stacie had managed to keep her hair mostly dry. As they stepped into the bedroom, Stacie turned and pulled Beca back into her arms, kissing her as thoroughly as she had Chloe and Aubrey.

“Thanks for letting me crash your shower, 8 seconds.” She ran her hands down Beca’s back and squeezed her ass.

Beca let out a laugh, her eyes finally clearing. “I’m pretty sure I should be thanking you for the shower invasion.” She pursed her lips. “Which seems to be a theme for the women in my life, apparently.” She looked over at Chloe and the warmth of her smile bathed Chloe from head to toe. “Since it’s what led us here, I’m not complaining at all.”

“Mm.” Aubrey chewed her lip briefly. “While I may have been shocked all those years ago, I have to say that I’m grateful Chloe briefly lost all sense of propriety.”

As Chloe turned to climb onto the bed, she heard Stacie ask, “How’re your legs, B?” She settled diagonally on the bed and watched Stacie pat Beca’s leg.

“What?” Beca looked up and blinked.

“Your legs. They working okay?” Stacie’s smile turned the slightest bit smug. “Or do you need more time?”

Beca’s eyes narrowed and Chloe bit back a grin. It wasn’t even like Beca could argue, Chloe had felt her trembling. “I may still need a moment.” When Stacie laughed, Beca poked her in the side. “It’s your fault, sweeping a woman off her feet like that.”

“Your toes actually curled.” Chloe pointed out helpfully. “Like, literally curled.” She grinned when Beca looked at her, eyes glazing slightly at the memory.

“I think my everything curled,” Aubrey sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed. “That was beautiful and hot.” Chloe stretched her arm out and ran her fingers down Aubrey’s arm who turned and looked at her. “You’re beautiful and hot too.” She pushed herself over next to Chloe.

Chloe smiled and pulled Aubrey down by a lock of hair. “I feel the same way about you, love. C’mere.” Aubrey pressed against her side and deepened the kiss immediately. Chloe rolled to her back, more than willing to let Aubrey take the lead as she leaned over and licked down into Chloe’s mouth. Aubrey’s left hand ran down her side before returning to cup her breast, causing Chloe to gasp into her mouth and arch her back.

A second weight hit the bed and Chloe pulled away to see Stacie crawling towards her. It was déjà vu all over again – except Stacie’s expression was more predatory, definitely more smug, and without any clothes as a barrier, she didn’t even bother with starting at the shin. Chloe’s breath stopped in her throat as Stacie’s head dipped and she gave a very firm, very slow lick up through her center.

“Oh my god.” Her eyes slamming shut, Chloe’s back arched further off the bed and she cried out as Aubrey’s fingers pulled at first one nipple then the other. “Oh my god.”

“I always keep my promises.” Stacie pulled away long enough to purr.

Chloe looked down the length of her body, finding Stacie stretched out on The Expanse and her mouth already back on Chloe’s suddenly even wetter core. She cried out again, unable to look away as Beca slid up onto the bed and onto Stacie’s back. As Chloe fought to keep her eyes open, Beca’s hands slid along the inside of Chloe’s thighs and pushed them apart, giving Stacie more room.

“Stacie… please…”Chloe couldn’t stop the roll of her body, already desperate for their touch.

“It’s okay, Chlo,” Aubrey whispered into her ear, her fingers still alternating between rolling and tugging. “We got you.”

Chloe let herself go, knowing she was safe because her three were always there to lift her up and catch her when she fell. She’d once thought that she was an instrument that only Beca could play – but the past two months had shown her what it was to be part of a symphony.

With a slight lift of Chloe’s hips with her strong but gentle hands, Stacie’s tongue traced her center, teasing along the edges before plunging in over and over. Beca’s hands tightened on her thighs before her left slid over and her fingers began to circle Chloe’s clit – never firm, never the friction that would push her closer to the edge - merely enough to keep her on edge, begging and desperate.

Those brief moments where she could force her eyes open showed Beca alternating between watching Chloe with enough heat to scorch and watching Stacie tongue fuck Chloe until she was ready to scream.

“You always sounded so good, Chlo.” Then there was Aubrey, whispering in her ear when she wasn’t leaving open mouthed kisses along any portion of Chloe’s skin she could reach. “I’d listen to you at night, with whoever had caught your attention, and wonder what it would be like to be the one making you make those delicious sharp gasps.” Her timing was perfect as Stacie’s tongue curled inside Chloe and she gasped, her whole body jerking as she tried to push herself closer to both of them at once.

“Why…?” Chloe tried to speak, tried to pull enough of herself together to ask Aubrey why she’d never given any indication, made any move, but all her focus was split between the myriad of sensations they were creating with fingers and tongue and she broke off with a cry. “FUCK!” Stacie’s chuckle rumbled against her – inside her – and Chloe thought she’d die from how sinfully self-satisfied it sounded. She could practically see the smirk that would’ve accompanied it if Stacie’s mouth wasn’t otherwise occupied.

“It wasn’t my place or time.” Aubrey said, her fingers still torturously circling, tugging and pulling at breasts sensitized to her touch. “Not that I knew we’d end up here – ” Aubrey pulled Chloe’s earlobe into her mouth and bit down gently before letting it slip free. “But I was more than happy being your best friend and wasn’t going to risk that if you didn’t feel the same way.”

“Oh Bree,” Chloe breathed out. Blindly she reached up and pulled Aubrey to her lips, needing to kiss away the sadness she felt at the thought of Aubrey alone in her room – knowing that Aubrey was both right and wrong. It wouldn’t have ruined their friendship and in fact Chloe was slowly becoming convinced she’d had deeply buried feelings for Aubrey since the beginning. And right because Chloe wouldn’t go back to change anything and risk never having the three of them like this in her life.

“You know I have to ask this,” Beca’s husky voice sent a shiver down Chloe’s back and she wasn’t surprised to feel a mirroring tremor where Aubrey was pressed against her. “How many times did you touch yourself listening to Chloe?”

If Chloe had any breath left to her – though Stacie had slowed her pace as she listened – she’d have laughed. It wasn’t until they’d entered into this relationship with Staubrey that Chloe realized just how voyeuristic Beca really was. While Beca loved to take part, she was equally as content and happy to watch and listen – half the time Chloe was convinced Beca could, and had, come from that alone. A small orgasm, perhaps, but it only made her more sensitive when one of them finally got their hands on her.

“Every time.” Aubrey confessed after the smallest hesitation. “Chloe had Titanium and I had Chloe as my secret lady jam.” Chloe’s mind went blank at the thought of Aubrey stroking herself in time with her cries, wondered how many times they’d come simultaneously already and she never even knew it. Somewhere, at some point, she was going to pin Aubrey down to have a discussion about this new information, preferably naked, but for now… Beca let out whimper, her fingers stilling for several heartbeats as Stacie moaned low in her throat, once more vibrating through Chloe’s center and pushing her that much closer to the edge.

“Stacie,” Chloe begged. “Please… oh god, please.” She hadn’t finished speaking before Stacie had lowered her hips and slid two fingers inside her. “Fu–” She broke off with a cry as Stacie’s lips wrapped around her clit and she sucked, sending Chloe’s body into overdrive. Almost simultaneously Beca’s lips landed on the inside of Chloe’s right thigh and Aubrey’s latched on Chloe’s throat, both of their mouths pulling just as hard and Chloe felt herself explode into a thousand pieces, each colored a different shade of blue and green as three souls wove around her and put her back together.

When she could open her eyes again, Beca had cuddled into her right side and was planting kisses all along Chloe’s cheek and brow. Aubrey was nuzzling Chloe’s neck and Stacie was kneeling between her legs, stroking lightly where Chloe’s thighs met her hips. Chloe licked her lips, knowing from the way Stacie’s eyes roved over her that she had something else in mind.

A feeling that was confirmed when Stacie reached out and gripped Beca’s ankle and tugged. “C’mon, B. Can’t keep the ladies waiting.” She pushed herself backward with her right hand, keeping her left on Beca as she went.

Chloe felt her stomach tighten in anticipation and turned her attention to Aubrey until the other two came back to bed.

~B~

Beca looked down at Stacie’s hand on her ankle, and back up as she was pulled gently to the edge of the bed. “Jesus, did you eat your Wheaties today or what?” She shivered slightly at the body memory of being lifted into the air passed over her. “Cause it’s really working for me right now.”

Stacie laughed as Beca slid off the bed and stood next to her. “You like to be womanhandled, that’s good to know for the future.” Before Beca could even think of an argument – though apparently Stacie wasn’t wrong, it just wasn’t something Beca had realized until tonight –Stacie leaned down and whispered in Beca’s ear. “I hope your legs are better, because Aubrey looks… hungry …”

Beca didn’t miss the way Aubrey’s eyes had darkened or the way she was looking at the two of them from her spot at Chloe’s side. Her legs were still a bit sketchy, but that was Stacie’s own fault. That entire encounter in the shower – Beca closed her eyes as another tremor washed over her and her thighs tightened involuntarily. “Oh, no. I’m good.”

Beca followed Stacie off the bed and let herself be guided over to the dresser where she opened the bottom drawer and gave the usual snicker at her IOU for Chloe’s birthday sitting on top. “How many times have we redeemed this now, Chlo?”

“Not enough,” came the cheeky reply. “We’ll have to fix that soon.”

“Just say when, babe.” Stacie knelt down and grabbed the original harness/underwear that Beca had bought back in college. “This one for you, I think.” Beca grinned and stepped into them only to catch her breath as Stacie slid them up her legs and cupped her still sensitive center when they were in place.

Stacie rose slowly to her feet and turned Beca back toward the bed. “How can they just keep looking hotter every time they do that?”

Chloe had pulled Aubrey down into another kiss and Beca felt her mouth go dry as she was presented with the rear view of an Aubrey on her elbows and knees, her half lowered body slightly angled to Chloe’s left, as if she’d been about to push up off the bed.

“Oh god.” Beca breathed out as she walked toward them, helpless to do anything else. She crawled up behind Aubrey and ran a hand up her spine. “Stacie’s right, you guys are...” She trailed off, her hands still roaming across the expanse of Aubrey’s back, watching the muscles twitch in her wake. “Beautiful.”

Stacie was suddenly pressed against her from behind, her left hand pulling the underwear from Beca’s body while the right one slid the toy into the hole in front and locked it in place. She leaned against Beca and ran her hand down the outside of Aubrey’s right thigh. “Baby.”

Aubrey’s head snapped up to look over her shoulder as she pushed up. Instantly and almost faster than Beca could follow, she’d widened her legs, allowing Beca’s knees to fit easier between them. It never failed to amuse Beca that she and Aubrey were alike in this way and had the same reaction to the other wearing one of their strap-ons ever since that first time – Now please, more, harder, faster. Beca could never decide if Aubrey was begging when she said it, or able to remember her manners even in the middle of intense sex. Not that it really mattered, the end result of both was the same as when she dropped the please entirely and just demanded.

Looking over Beca’s shoulder, Stacie’s hands settled on Aubrey’s hips as Beca reached down to guide the shaft inside but with a shifting of her body, Chloe stretched her arm out between Aubrey’s and gripped it first. Beca whimpered softly and looked up, but Chloe was hidden behind the curtain of Aubrey’s hair. She slipped her fingers around Chloe’s and squeezed lightly in a silent ‘I love you’ and let go to slide her hands under Stacie’s.

It was always like this and Beca felt her heart soak it up like a sponge. The simple touches between herself and Chloe, an unneeded but constant reassurance; Beca ensuring her connection to Stacie by the touch of their hands; all of them focused on Aubrey – it was never about who was with who or secret desires. It was always about the connection between the four of them and the love they shared: unreserved, unhesitating and everything. They had been four individual parts that made up one complete person for so long, even before they’d gotten into bed.

Both brunettes watched as Chloe’s fingers moved between toy and Aubrey, transferring the evidence of Aubrey’s arousal to the shaft. Panting, Aubrey closed her eyes and she let her head drop to Chloe’s shoulder, though Beca could still feel her tremble and twitch beneath them and easily pictured Chloe’s fingers sliding through her center.

Just when Beca thought she couldn’t wait anymore, Chloe slid it into position and Stacie pulled Aubrey’s hips toward them even as she pressed Beca forward. Aubrey groaned as the head eased in and Beca and Stacie paused, giving her time to adjust. Beca pulled back slightly and pressed forward, sliding another inch or so inside and Stacie whimpered as Aubrey let out a soft cry.

“I love watching you together.” Stacie said softly. “I love being part of it...helping you make love."

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Chloe agreed, though Beca still couldn’t see her behind blonde locks. “Any combination of you… us.” Beca felt fingertips just barely graze her thigh then slide between her hands and Stacie’s. “Make her feel good, loves. Just like you made me.”

Aubrey let out a half sob and dropped back down to kiss Chloe. “Stop making me cry during sex.” She sniffed slightly. “It’s…”

“Beautiful.” Beca said again as she interrupted, tightening her grip and feeling Stacie do the same. “We’ve got you.” It was something that they never got tired of saying, never tired of hearing. It went back to the constant reassurance and connection – the reminder that they’d always be there, no matter what happened.

Beca continued to push deeper in short thrusts that she knew would drive Aubrey insane. Every inch was slow, sometimes Stacie puling Aubrey back toward them, sometimes pushing Beca forward; each time Aubrey let out a soft cry and tried to push back, but their combined grip on her hips kept her under their control. Beca knew that Chloe must be continuing to let her fingers stroke and wander as Aubrey’s cries were sometimes sharper that their intentionally torturous movements would account for.

Finally her hips were flush against Aubrey and Beca couldn’t help but grind, loving every single gasp and keen that fell from Aubrey’s lips. Stacie slid her hands from Aubrey’s to Beca’s hips, squeezing lightly before letting go with her left to move Beca’s hair out of the way. She placed a soft kiss against Beca’s throat and nipped lightly before moving away. Beca shivered, always affected by sharp sting of their teeth against her skin, and tightened her grip on Aubrey’s hips.

She pulled back smoothly, leaving just the tip inside, and pushed back in; though her movements were strong and deep, they were slow and designed to see how long it would take for one of them to break, regardless of which position they happened to be in at the time. It was a war between Beca’s desire to bring Aubrey to a screaming climax and her, possibly somewhat twisted, need to have Aubrey begging her, “Fuck me already!”

College Beca would have never believed that in a few years the idea of Aubrey ordering her around – IN BED no less – was something that she’d not only give in to (eventually) but something she found she kind of liked. A lot. Then again, Beca had once pointed out if Aubrey had used her Sex Voice in practice things might’ve been different. Stacie had pulled Beca onto her lap and told her, “8 Seconds, if she’d used that voice on you before you were ready, I think you’d have run away screaming instead of dealing with all the repressed lust between you two.”

Beca turned and Aubrey’s head lifted as Stacie slid onto the bed, wearing another harness; Stacie’s eyes were intent on Chloe but her hand ghosted down Beca’s arm and pressed briefly against Aubrey’s back. By sheer force of will Beca kept her hips moving though her attention was split between them and Aubrey. Stacie crawled forward until she could lift Chloe’s legs and slide her spread knees under them, remaining upright and sitting back on her heels. Chloe’s left leg fell naturally along Stacie’s side, but Stacie kept a grip on her right, raising it up to rest Chloe’s heel against her shoulder. Even as she placed open mouthed kisses along Chloe’s calf, Stacie’s right hand was between their legs, coating and guiding and Beca had the perfect view as Stacie slid forward and into her.

A quadruple moan echoed around the room as Stacie filled Chloe on the first thrust, her left hand loosely wrapped around Chloe’s raised thigh. Her whole body rolled as she pulled back and thrust again, slow and languid. Aubrey had flipped her hair and Beca could see Chloe as she bit her lip, the hand that had been between Aubrey’s legs sliding to wrap around Aubrey’s left arm and up until she gripped her shoulder as an anchor. Aubrey’s head dropped, her moans growing somewhat muffled as, Beca assumed, she kissed Chloe hungrily.

Beca dropped her hips a bit, thrusting upward at a different angle and Aubrey’s sharp cry slid through her veins like quicksilver. She couldn’t help the jerk of her hips, burying herself fully in Aubrey with a grunt just to hear it again. Beca tightened her fingers, her hands sliding forward just a bit to grip where thigh met hip and ground upward.

Of course, the problem with any type of contest in bed between the two of them was that half of the time it was rendered completely moot by the two women who shared the bed with them. Watching Stacie and Chloe together almost always threw any plans Beca had of making Aubrey wait completely out the window. Most of the time as Stacie sped up Beca would unconsciously follow because having Chloe and Aubrey screaming out their release together was one of the hottest things she had ever seen. Though, on reflection, any combination of her three girls coming at the same time was something Beca would never tire of. On those occasions the four of them reached the peak at the same time… Beca whimpered at the memory, grinding herself against the insert on her side of the strap-on. That was heaven, as far as Beca was concerned.

Of course, then there were times like now when they would never be able to declare who won – a detail that Aubrey would say was important because she was a Posen and Posen’s always win. Beca wasn’t sure who broke first but suddenly Aubrey was yelling her name and Beca’s hands had slid up to Aubrey’s shoulders as her hips quickened, sharp and fast. It wouldn’t have surprised her in the least if it was simultaneous; she was more than half convinced she was already as connected to Staubrey as she was with Chloe, knowing what they needed before they even spoke.

Aubrey’s head dropped to Chloe’s shoulder, her left arm stretching across Chloe’s chest to clutch at her side as she cried out. Beca loved to see Aubrey like this, any of them really - body beginning to bead with sweat, muscles in sharp relief as she pushed back against Beca’s hips. Beca lowered her chest to Aubrey’s back, the soft skin almost too much against her hard and sensitive nipples, but it just made Beca press harder against her, arms wrapped around Aubrey’s chest and her hips speeding up until the room was filled with the sound of skin against skin.

A sound that was doubled as Stacie tightened her grip on the tops of Chloe’s thighs, the right still extended upward and the left resting across Stacie’s own, her hips almost a blur as Chloe writhed, gorgeous and straining, beneath them all. Chloe’s voice blended with Aubrey’s as they both cried out, panting, begging and pleading for more, harder, faster, right there, please god just don’t fucking stop.

As individuals blurred, they became one entity made of four moaning, desperate parts, the names of the other three dropping from their lips with increased need and desire.

Beca leaned back, pulling Aubrey upright with her as her hands slipped around Aubrey’s front, immediately covering and kneading her breasts. Half kneeling, Aubrey rocked against her, her back bowing as she pushed her chest into Beca’s hands.

“Beca, I…” Aubrey broke off with a moan as Beca’s fingers rolled over her nipples.

Beca slid her left hand down to Aubrey’s center, her hips speeding up. “I love you.” She meant all of them; knew they understood that, here in this room she and Chloe had declared was just as much Staubrey’s as it was theirs. Her fingers brushed Aubrey’s clit, swirling once, twice, Aubrey’s body jumping with each touch until finally Beca applied pressure and rotated her middle finger. Aubrey’s cry filled the room as she came, shuddering as Beca kept up her thrusts and the pressure, trying to keep Aubrey up for as long as possible.

Chloe’s voice suddenly rang out, her body rolling against Stacie’s hips and the thumb firmly planted between her legs. Beca felt herself shudder, Chloe’s cries mixing with Aubrey’s causing a second, smaller orgasm to rock her and she pressed deep within Aubrey, rubbing against the insert and half wishing Stacie had picked the harness that had the second shaft for the wearer.

Aubrey slowly lowered herself back down, resting her head on Chloe’s chest, both of them trying to catch their breath. Beca’s hands stroked Aubrey’s back and sides, hips still pressing as she stretched forward to run her hand down Chloe’s arm before reaching out to rest her fingertips against Stacie’s knee. Stacie’s hips still moved, slower now, her own hands running over Chloe’s stomach and smoothing Aubrey’s hair back from her face. She leaned down, letting Chloe’s right leg finally drop to wrap around her waist and kissed Aubrey’s forehead, then leaned up to kiss Chloe on the lips.

“You’re all so… incredible.” Stacie sat up and leaned over to kiss Beca. “I swear every day just gets better.”

“I would agree, except my brain has dribbled out my ears.” Chloe said before she whimpered as Aubrey’s mouth closed over her nipple. “And I don’t think I’m getting it back any time soon.” She cradled Aubrey to her, eyes closed in bliss.

Reluctantly Beca eased back, pulling free from Aubrey and hearing the disappointed whimper as she did. “I’ll be back.” She ran her hand down the curve of Aubrey’s ass. “Just need to clean up a bit.” Stacie did the same and they watched with amusement as Chloe and Aubrey immediately wiggled together with contented sighs, their hands wandering even as their lips met. Beca slid off the bed and tugged Stacie’s hand. “Faster we clean these off the faster we can rejoin them.”

Stacie let herself be led into the bathroom where Beca turned and slid the harness from her hips, kneeling to let Stacie step out of it. Even as her hands freed the shaft so it could be washed, she leaned forward and licked through Stacie’s center, loving the way her hips twitched forward at the lightest touch.

“Don’t you start that in here...” Stacie laughed as she reached down and tugged Beca up by her shoulders.

“Sorry.” Beca said with complete insincerity. Stacie merely reached back and pinched her on the ass as she slid Beca’s underwear down her legs. “Just couldn’t help myself.”

“Mmhmm.” Stacie ran her hand up Beca’s inner thigh and smiled as Beca whimpered. “Oops.” She set both sets of underwear in the tub to be dealt with – or maybe used again – later.

Standing side by side, they cleaned the strap-on the other had used and Beca was struck again by how normal this all seemed. They’d literally just been making love to each other’s wife with the toys in their hands and none of it ever felt weird. They were all committed to this new four person relationship; even their use of the title ‘wife’ was more of an inside joke between them at this point. Not even the first time they’d crawled into bed had it ever been awkward.

It should have been, she knew that, had read enough stories on the internet, that couples just didn’t jump feet first into the deep end of polyamory without a bit of awkwardness… but they had. At least, as far as she knew the others hadn’t felt any twinge of strangeness, not once they were all on the same page and knew they were thinking the same thing. Beca knew even Aubrey’s reluctance had been because she wasn’t sure she was allowed, not because she didn’t want to. But once Beca had helped her past that, all hesitation had been gone and the four of them had just… loved. Without hesitation or reservation. From the first second Beca had reached out for Aubrey, while Chloe and Stacie watched them from the bed, it had never been about sex. It was about how those three women completed her in ways she didn’t understand until the last barrier was gone. And in ways she was still discovering.

Even now, standing naked beside Stacie and spreading a hand towel on the counter so their strap-ons could dry, she felt nothing but home and comfort. And, okay maybe still incredibly turned on and in need of having one of those used on her before too long, but they had time and she had someone else she had to take care of first.

She waited for Stacie to walk back into the bedroom first, enjoying the view as she followed behind. Stacie crawled back onto the bed, sliding behind Chloe and nuzzling into her shoulder. Chloe and Aubrey were still attached at the face, but Aubrey’s left hand slid from Chloe’s neck to the back of Stacie’s head and pulled her forward into what Beca knew was a messy, but hot as hell, three way kiss.

Licking her lips, Beca slid onto the bed and, when the three of them finally broke for air, pushed on Stacie’s hip.

“Whatcha doin, B?” Stacie looked over at her and let herself be guided onto her back. Chloe turned in the circle of Aubrey’s arms, their eyes avid and eager.

“Taking care of you.” Beca said as she stretched herself out between Stacie’s legs, her right hand going under and around Stacie’s thigh.

“You don’t hav-” Stacie’s voice broke off with a gasp as Beca didn’t even hesitate and slid her middle finger into Stacie’s core. Beca couldn’t help the moan when she felt how wet Stacie was and she pushed herself closer.

“I want to.” Beca said, unsurprised by the rasp in her voice. She began a slow thrust, curling as she withdrew. “I need to.” She added a second finger and Stacie pushed back against her, legs widening to give Beca room.

Even as Beca leaned forward, her mouth already anticipating how Stacie would feel against her tongue, Chloe had stretched herself along Stacie’s side. Stacie cried out as Chloe’s mouth descended on her left nipple, Chloe’s hand reaching across to roll the right one between her fingers. Aubrey had pushed herself tight to Chloe’s back, her own left hand caressing Stacie’s stomach before pressing against her lower abdomen.

All of them were flushed and absolutely beautiful and Beca felt like her heart would split with how much she felt for them. Somehow, each second of every day, she fell deeper in love.

Beca circled Stacie’s clit with her tongue, feeling each twitch beneath her as Stacie’s muscles squeezed her fingers. She briefly wondered if she should’ve brought one of the vibrators with them, but decided to save it for later – she couldn’t have stopped now if she tried. She looked up the line of Stacie’s body, past the hands and Chloe’s gently moving lips and met Stacie’s eyes, hooded and hungry. Stacie always made sure everyone was taken care of and now it was their turn to take care of her.

Beca wrapped her lips around Stacie’s clit and sucked firmly, using the grip she had on Stacie’s leg to try and hold her in place when her hips lifted from the bed. She kept her eyes on Stacie’s face, even when Stacie’s eyes closed, loving the way she bit her lip before her mouth went slack, panting for breath.

Beca added a third finger, searching for and finding that ridged spot inside. She rubbed lightly, keeping up the suction and Stacie’s eyes shot open again. “Jesus!” She closed her eyes briefly as she pushed against Beca. “God don’t stop…” Her body rolled and Beca increased the pressure of her fingers and sacrificed a bit of suction to run the tip of her tongue over Stacie’s clit. “Bec… a…” Stacie’s breath hitched and Beca knew she was close.

She began to flick her tongue rapidly, not stopping as Stacie’s body began to writhe, following every movement of her hips to keep her mouth exactly where it was. Beca began to thrust her hand in short strokes, keeping her middle finger rubbing back and forth in a way that had Stacie going stiff as her climax crashed through her.

Beca felt a hand, then two, run through her hair, cupping the back of her head and keeping her where she was, something she was more than happy to comply with. She kept her fingers circling, but used her mouth to nuzzle and lick from entrance to clit, though she avoided that bundle of nerves for the time being.

Turning her head, she licked Stacie’s thigh before gently biting down. After soothing the sting with her tongue, she began to suck lightly, increasing the pace of her thrust, feeling Stacie’s hips begin their roll again as Beca marked her claim on the woman arching under her. When she thought she had a lasting mark, she let Stacie’s thigh slip from her lips and kissed the darkening skin.

While she’d been busy, one of the hands had slipped from her head and was lazily stroking along Stacie’s folds, helping build her up. A quick glance upward revealed it was Aubrey, her eyes catching Beca’s with their fire. Splitting her attention between Aubrey’s avid gaze and Stacie’s face as she worked against them, Beca licked around Aubrey’s fingers as they circled Stacie’s clit. With the both of them working in tandem, it wasn’t long before Stacie came undone beneath them, collapsing to lay limp against the bed.

“You okay?” Chloe teased as she finally lifted her head, leaving Stacie’s nipple with a final kiss.

“Ngph.”

Aubrey laughed. “I think we broke her.”

Beca crawled up until her head was even with Chloe who lifted her lips for a kiss. “It’s only fair; you guys break me all the fucking time.” She shifted so that Stacie’s right leg fit between her own – unwilling to give up the feeling of Stacie under her but not wanting Stacie’s legs to get sore because Beca was lying between them.

“It is one of our favorite things.” Stacie said weakly.

“Mm.” Chloe hummed in agreement and pulled Beca’s hand to her chest, cuddling it even as she wiggled back into Aubrey’s embrace.

“Mine too.” Beca sighed as she rested her head on Stacie’s upper chest.

“Aca-perv.” Stacie ran her hand down Beca’s back. “And I love you for every single dirty thought you ever have.”

“You should, considering you’re one third of the reason I have them.” Beca felt Aubrey’s hand rest on her back and let her eyes close in contentment.

They cuddled in silence, hands lightly stroking wherever they felt like it, and Beca was reminded of her earlier thoughts. Even that first night, when Aubrey had shocked Beca into a full five minutes of staring at her, it wasn’t from being awkward; it was because Beca had been so turned on at the thought of Aubrey using the strap-on that it had short circuited her brain. It hadn’t been anything she’d thought of prior, but once it had been said, her mind had broken itself trying to picture it.

Prior to that moment, Beca and Chloe had used it once in a while, but afterward… Aubrey had taken to it like a duck to water and changed how all of them had viewed that particular accessory. They still thoroughly, and often, enjoyed each other without it but none of them would deny that they all really loved bringing them into bed. Or against the bed. Or in the shower… Beca shivered slightly and felt Stacie pull her closer.

“You okay, babe?”

“Yeah.” Beca burrowed into Stacie’s side. “I’m great.” She opened her eyes and met Chloe’s, seeing the same happiness she was feeling reflected back at her. They’d have been perfectly happy if this path hadn’t been taken, but both of them couldn’t deny that the other two made them better. Made them whole.

Her mind, already nostalgic, thought of their first time back in college. Beca had been so nervous prior, but once she’d made up her mind –okay, so when she realized that she loved Chloe and there was no reason to hold back anymore – all her nerves had faded away. The alcohol buzz she’d been feeling had faded by then and –

Beca’s mind suddenly jumped tangents and she spoke without thinking. “We’re all friends here, right?”

Stacie began to laugh. “I’m pretty sure I can still feel you inside me and we were just essentially balls deep in each other’s wife.” Even as Chloe laughed, Aubrey gasped in shock.

“Stacie!” Aubrey chided and Beca grinned when she saw that Aubrey’s face was a perfect mix of scandalized outrage and horrified amusement.

Stacie shrugged. “Sorry not sorry? Also, it’s not like I’m wrong.”

Aubrey began to laugh. “I love you.” She pushed against Chloe, who obligingly moved her head out of the way so they could kiss. When they finally broke apart, she looked at Beca. “I think that covers your question.”

Beca nodded. “Okay… so. I was thinking of how none of this feels awkward between us - and hasn’t. Ever.”

“That’s because you love us. And we love you.” Stacie kissed Beca’s forehead then Chloe’s. “Duh.”

“Right, but we didn’t know that at the time. It should have been weird.” She freed her hand from Chloe and held it up when Aubrey would have spoken. “Except even though we didn’t know… I think our hearts knew.”

“You are so fucking mushy sometimes.” Stacie stroked her fingertips down Beca’s back. “I love it.”

“Shh, that’s not the point.” Beca didn’t want to lose her thought before she got to her question. “And it made me think of our first time.” She cupped Chloe’s cheek. “And how once I decided to stop being a coward and take a leap of faith…”

“It wasn’t awkward at all.” Chloe finished, turning her head to place a kiss in Beca’s palm. “Not from the second you stepped into that shower. Nerves, sure but never awkward.”

“Exactly.” Beca smiled at her.

“What does this have to do with you making sure you can ask a question of us because we’re all friends?” Aubrey asked curiously.

“Okay – so. I know we’ve talked about out ‘first times’ long before we fell into bed together, and even more after because we’re all aca-pervs.” Stacie raised her hand in agreement, causing Aubrey to snort. “So we know all about the Lodge after Worlds, but… There’s one question I realized I never asked and haven’t thought about in a long time.”

“I can’t imagine anything we haven’t discussed yet, but…” Aubrey watched her narrowly. “What’s your question?”

Beca pushed up a little so she could look between them. “Did you guys hook up that drunken karaoke night too?”

“That’s the big question you’ve been holding on to?” Stacie began to laugh. “Beca, you’ve literally asked me what you taste like on Aubrey’s lips when I kiss her after she goes down on you.”

“You also just asked me if I ever touched myself while listening to Chloe have sex down the hall.” Aubrey pointed out, though there was a faint flush to her cheeks.

Beca squirmed, sure she was instantly blushing all the way down her chest. “That’s the kind of stuff you ask in the moment and there’s nothing off limits then because… because of how turned on I am and how badly I want you three. Plus the four of us are involved at the time and sometimes other things, like prior couple things, are sacred.” She forced herself to stop speaking, sure she had another five minutes of babble in her.

“She’s got you there, guys.” Chloe said as Aubrey buried her face in Chloe’s neck with a giggle.

“No, she had us earlier.” Stacie pointed out and Beca poked her in the stomach.

“You guys don’t have to answer, if you don’t want to, I get it… I just…”

“Yes.” Aubrey interrupted Beca before she could ramble any further.

“You did?” Beca began to grin. “I knew I should’ve bet Chloe!”

“You had a bet?” Aubrey asked carefully.

Beca immediately stopped laughing and reached for Aubrey’s hand. “I swear we didn’t talk about it a lot.” She began to have flashbacks to that horrible moment after the semi-finals. “Just like, maybe two or three times my entire freshman year.”

“Hey.” Aubrey squeezed her fingers. “It’s okay.” She pulled Beca’s hand up and kissed her knuckles. “I know you didn’t.” She smiled and Beca felt her shoulders lose tension she didn’t know she had. “I was just curious what the details of your bet were.”

“I don’t think we ever got as far as making wagers. Beca was too eager to shovel French toast down her face.” Chloe winked at her.

“You called her Bree.” Beca looked down at Stacie. “When you came to get us that morning. I think it was the first time I heard you do that. So I wondered.” She looked up again. “You guys gave nothing away at breakfast though. I’m impressed.” She pursed her lips as that night came back to her. “Was it because Stacie told you what she was thinking of while she slept in your bed?”

Aubrey laughed. “No. Stacie was actually extremely sweet.”

“Babe.” Stacie sighed. “You’re going to ruin my reputation.”

“You’re telling me you didn’t masturbate in her bed?” Beca grinned.

“No.” Stacie said immediately. “That would’ve been just… not right.” Then she grinned slyly. “But I thought about it a lot so I went into the shower and did it there.”

Chloe laughed. “And I heard nothing?” She shook her head. “I think I’ll be retroactively sad about that.”

Aubrey rested her chin on Chloe’s arm. “Stacie actually offered to sleep in her roommates bed – or the floor if she came home unexpectedly – and I was still just drunk enough to tell her that was silly.” She sighed, though looked affectionately at Stacie. “And that was my downfall because I couldn’t keep my hands off her, even after I was sober.”

“I have the same problem,” Beca muttered ruefully. “But… You mean to tell me you had all this…” She waved her finger up and down Stacie’s body. “And then you went cold turkey? For three years?” She made sure to keep her tone light – she knew how Aubrey felt about pushing Stacie away. “You are either the strongest woman I know or the most stubborn.” She pretended to think about it for a few seconds. “Or both.”

“We both needed to age a bit more,” Stacie offered easily.

“Like fine wine?” Beca asked, tracing Aubrey’s lips with her thumb. “Seems accurate.” Stacie turned to face Chloe and Beca snuggled up behind her, already nuzzling into her neck before something struck her. “Chlo?” She looked over Stacie’s shoulder.

“Hm?” Chloe looked up from where she’d been about to kiss Stacie.

“You don’t seem very surprised by this revelation,” Beca noted.

Chloe bit her lip. “Uh…”

Beca pushed up on her elbow, laughing. “Oh my god, you totally knew all this time! And you didn’t tell me!”

Chloe at least looked sheepish. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it was my story to tell – especially when things were just getting settled between us all.” She looked up, pleadingly. “And I didn’t know until after the ICCAs!”

“What?” Beca frowned. “What brought it up there?”

“I was the first one to wake up that day.” Chloe looked over her shoulder at Aubrey. “These two were-”

“Totally snuggling!” Beca snapped her fingers as the memory popped into her head. “I’d forgotten about that – plus I’d half convinced myself I’d dreamed getting up and all Aubrey’s ‘boundary pillows’ were on the floor.”

“It was cute – I woke Aubrey up, she was extremely reluctant to leave her Stacie-cocoon – until she realized where she was and who she was holding onto.” Chloe settled down between them. “I understand; I like this cocoon too.” Stacie poked her in the stomach and Chloe grinned. “But I was the good friend and didn’t say anything until we got back to Barden and I made Aubrey tell me everything.”

“She waited until the rest of you were back at the dorm and pounced on me.” Aubrey lamented. “We were lying on my bed, still kind of in shock at the trophy sitting on my desk, and she gave me a hug.”

“And refused to let go until she’d told me everything.” Chloe said in satisfaction. “Well, not everything – I let her keep the actual details of ‘the sex’, as Beca would call it,” Chloe grinned at her when Beca let out a wounded gasp. “Don’t even try; you say it all the time.” She kissed Stacie gently. “And that’s how I knew you were definitely worth Aubrey’s heart. Because you weren’t even hinting that you had something to kiss and tell about.”

“Nothing happened in the hotel, by the way.” Stacie offered and Beca felt the underlying deflection. “I was minding my own business, finally having fallen asleep after getting the image of you two fooling around out of my mind, and the next thing I know Aubrey had attached herself to my side in her sleep.” She reached up and brushed Aubrey’s cheek with her fingers. “I was petrified for a good five minutes, afraid to move and not sure if it was because I thought Aubrey would sleep grope me – she didn’t – or because I was afraid she’d move away.” She smiled softly. “Eventually though, I finally fell asleep.”

“And we didn’t talk about it for another three years.” Aubrey said, almost sadly.

“No, but that night gave me hope that there was something more to us, even if I didn’t know that’s what I wanted.” Stacie sighed. “I should have just sleep groped you.”

“Nah, you’re as much a gentleman as Beca.” Chloe leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “You guys worked out just the way you were supposed to.”

“I didn’t even know that Aubrey had told you until just before we proposed to each other,” Stacie said and turned to look up at Beca. “She never brought it up in all the times she tried to push us together.”

“Still wasn’t my place,” Chloe shrugged. “It just meant I was more frustrated when you guys were so obstinate. The very fact that neither of you discussed it was like neon signs spelling out ‘WE LIKE EACH OTHER.’ If it was bad one of you would’ve cracked much sooner.” She ran her finger down Stacie’s nose. “You always did protect Aubrey’s heart from the start.”

Stacie lifted one shoulder. “I knew from that night under the mistletoe something was different about her. The night she stayed over just confirmed it. She… you… made me feel something different than anyone else had before.” She cupped Aubrey’s cheek and Beca saw Aubrey’s lips tremble slightly. “You meant something to me. Before that night. I was just so certain I would never fall in love, I missed what was staring me in the face. With those big, gorgeous green eyes. So I kept it to myself and tried to put it out of my mind. Failed miserably.”

“Now who’s so fucking mushy?” Beca teased, running her nose along Stacie’s shoulder.

“I blame you.” Stacie reached back and patted Beca’s hip. “You’re contagious.”

“You say the sweetest things,” Beca linked their fingers together. “It’s almost like you love me-” Her phone suddenly rang from the other room.

“Ah shit. That’s the bosses tone. I’ve been expecting him to call all day.” She reluctantly slid to the edge of the bed. “I’ll be back.”

“Hurry, my ass is already cold.” Stacie called after her.

~A~

Aubrey laughed as Beca shot a middle finger over her shoulder just before she disappeared out the door. Beca’s voice came back a second later, full of confused laughter. “What the… Again?” The phone rang again. “Hold your tits, I’m coming!”

She felt herself drawn down into Stacie’s kiss, Chloe’s lips sliding against her throat from between them. Aubrey whimpered and shifted against Chloe’s ass, loving how well they fit together. She ran her hand down Chloe’s arm and over to Stacie’s hip, getting lost in the feel of them against her skin.

She didn’t know how long they spent that way until Beca came back, but suddenly there was a fourth body in the bed and her question pulled Aubrey back to the present.

“Whose bra is hanging from the newel post and whose is hanging from the chandelier and why are there two sets of clothes leading up the stairs?”

Aubrey bit her lip, remembering her frantic stripping the second she hit the stairs. “Um...”

“Actually,” Beca said when Aubrey trailed off. “I know Stacie’s bra is the one on the top newel post. Which means Aubrey is the one throwing her clothes in the air this time.”

She sniffed and lifted her chin. “It’s your own fault for getting me all worked up to the point where I couldn’t wait until I got in the room.”

“My fault?” Beca threw up her hands. “I think I was in the shower being ravished by Stacie.”

“Mmhm.” Aubrey licked her lips in the way she knew drove Beca crazy. “Chloe called me to let me listen in.”

“Dirty bird.” Stacie bit Chloe’s lower lip. “I love it.”

Chloe shrugged. “I figured she could use a little break at work. I didn’t expect her to just… suddenly be here.” She turned to look over her shoulder at Aubrey. “But I will never be opposed to Naked Aubrey magically appearing. I’d already had suddenly Naked Stacie show up in the doorway, so this was like a double treat day.”

“And this isn’t the first time you’ve had my clothes left on your stairs, so I don’t know why you’re surprised.” Stacie rolled over to look at Beca, one eyebrow arched in challenge.

“True.” Beca nodded.

“What’d the boss want?” Chloe asked her.

“OH!” Beca bounced in place. “Okay. So, as you know, Emily recorded the song we’re using to showcase her writing ability to the boss.” They nodded, waiting with various degrees of impatience. “And you know that while she thinks I was just producing it for him, I actually treated it like a new single I wanted to release on the radio.” Aubrey made an impatient sound in her throat and Beca winced. “Sorry. I know you guys all told me you loved it but the boss finally listened to it this week. He told me he’d call me today with his thoughts.”

“Beca that’s awesome!” Stacie rolled to her back and held up her hand for a high five.

“Thanks!” Beca slapped their palms together. “He told me it was GREAT and that Emily’s got the internship!”

“That’s aca-mazing!” It was Aubrey’s turn to bounce. “When are you going to tell her?”

“Soon – I honestly thought he’d take longer and I’d be able to tell her on her birthday in Vegas, but there’s no way I can hold onto this for another two months.” Beca was practically vibrating in her excitement. “I’m so proud of her – I think he wants to put it on the radio next year – after some tweaks and stuff, but I really think Legacy could make it as a singer if she wanted.”

Chloe nodded. “She’s come such a long way from the ‘let’s not be dicks about it’ girl we met years ago. Seriously, can we take any credit for it?” She looked up when Beca remained silent and Aubrey noticed Beca was biting her lip. “What aren’t you saying?”

For the first time Beca was hesitant. “I don’t… I don’t really want to talk about it right now –” She held up her hand when Chloe started to speak. “Because this is something that we’re going to need to think about, all of us.” She looked at all of them one at a time and Aubrey couldn’t remember the last time Beca had looked so serious; though, in hindsight, it was probably the day they all committed to each other. “Before all… this…” she waved at all of them. “And the naked – I was going to ask Chloe if she thought Emily could move in with us. Since she’s basically got her own room here anyway.”

“That’s a great idea!” Chloe said immediately then paused as she realized what Beca was saying. “Oh.”

“Right.” Stacie was nodding. “All the naked that happens in the houses could present a problem.”

“It would definitely change the dynamics,” Aubrey mused. She still thought Emily knew there was more between the four of them than just friendship. “But we managed fine when she was here for those two weeks over the summer.”

“Sure, except the dozen or so times she almost walked in on one of us kissing someone who wasn’t our ‘official’ spouse because we couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves.” Chloe grinned.

It had definitely been amusing at how many times they’d gotten carried away and almost caught. Not that they were ashamed, not in the least. But it was new and theirs and they wanted to keep it that way for at least a while longer.

“And it’s not just Chloe and I anymore, who get to have a say in this. It’s you guys too.” Beca chewed on her lip. “So just… we’ll just think about it for a while and then sit down and lay everything on the table.”

“You can’t say that, Beca.” Stacie said immediately.

“What? Why?” Beca looked bewildered.

“Because now I’m picturing you laying Chloe out on Bree’s table in her office.” Stacie said with a hint of a purr in her tone. “Or any of us with any of us. The possibilities are endless.”

“Well now I am too.” Aubrey said as she forced herself to push the thoughts away. “I think it’s still mostly your decision, because it’s your house – yes I know, we all have two homes – it means a lot that you’d consider our feelings in this. We’ll definitely give it some thought.” Aubrey grinned. “But seriously, she’s going to lose her mind when you tell her about the job.”

“Right?” Beca beamed and bounced in place again. “I’ll wait until we’re all able to be there for the next Skype date so we can take bets on if she faints.”

Aubrey reached over and slapped Beca’s knee. “Behave.”

“No, Beca’s right. There’s every chance Emily will get lightheaded and pass out.” Stacie said slowly. “I think you need to make sure that Katherine is there too. She’s going to lose her shit almost as much as Emily will.”

“Ooh!” Beca’s eyes went wide. “Good point! It’ll be awesome – but definitely for another day. But for now…” She turned around and plucked something off the bed behind her and placed it in her lap. “What’s this? It was sitting on the hall table.”

Aubrey winced at the sight of the plain brown bag. “Oops.” She’d forgotten she had that in her haste to get upstairs and undressed. ‘At least I didn’t throw that too.’

Beca looked down and back up. “I didn’t look in it.”

“Such restraint.” Aubrey smiled at her, knowing Beca was dying of curiosity. “You can, though.”

Beca immediately reached in and pulled out three small boxes and Aubrey heard Chloe’s breath catch.

“Bree?” She turned to look up at her. “Is that where you were?”

Aubrey nodded, and Stacie looked back at her. “I thought you were at work?”

“Well… I had intended to, but I decided to make a detour.” Aubrey chuckled slightly. “And then I just never went.”

“That’s how you got here so fast!” Chloe said, snapping her fingers. “I wondered how you got from the parking lot to here in less than half an hour.”

“Parking lot?” Beca asked, still looking down at the boxes in her hand. She finally looked up. “I guess I missed more than I thought.”

Chloe explained quickly. “When Stacie went to get you out of the shower, I texted Bree to see if she could talk on her headset. Because I thought she was at work and didn’t want to take the chance of anyone in the office overhearing you two moaning in the shower.”

“Their loss.” Stacie shrugged.

“Right, but while I was half describing what you guys were doing – stop looking so shocked Beca, you’d have wanted me to if things were reversed.”

Beca nodded. “Point taken. Continue.”

“I heard her go outside, but got distracted until she started cursing.” Chloe broke off and Aubrey knew there was no chance she wasn’t going to tell the rest of it when she started laughing. “Aubrey had been trying to get into a car that wasn’t hers. For three minutes.” She lowered her voice and whispered. “It was a Fiat.”

Stacie started to laugh and Aubrey tickled her side, making her laugh harder.

“You hate Fiats!” Beca crowed. “I think I’m flattered that you were so distracted you didn’t realize how ugly the car you were trying to get into was.”

Aubrey sighed. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.” Beca grinned in delight. “It’s teasing gold, Bree.”

“Be good or I won’t tell you what’s in the boxes.” Aubrey teased back, having no intention of following through but Beca stopped laughing immediately.

“I’m sorry.” She held them out. “I’ll be good.” Then she smirked. “For now.”

“Incorrigible.” Aubrey shook her head and sat up behind Chloe. “Thanks.” She took the boxes and set them beside her. “I kinda wanted to do this individually, but…” She broke off as Beca made to slide off the bed.

“We can leave you two alone.” Beca said immediately.

“Beca,” Aubrey laughed. “This is your bed.”

Chloe shook her head. “No, this is our bed and you know it. We don’t mind.”

Aubrey felt herself melt a little. It wasn’t the first time they’d said it and knowing they meant it with everything they were always meant the world to her. It proved that her impulsive shopping spree was exactly what she’d needed to do.

“No,” she said softly. “You guys can stay.”

“I’ve got an idea.” Beca scrambled up to the top of the bed and pulled back the covers. “We’ll just be in here till you’re ready for us to come out.” She slid under them and peeked back out at Chloe. “C’mon.” She ducked back down, giggling and Aubrey smiled as her heart swelled in her chest.

Chloe gave Aubrey one more considering glance and smiled, wide and breathtaking in its beauty. “I’ll be with her.” She slid out from between Aubrey and Stacie to follow Beca under the covers.

Stacie sat up and faced Aubrey, sitting cross legged, though she turned to look at the two giggling lumps that gradually became one as the giggles stopped and the sounds of kissing could be heard. “They… are… adorable.” She looked back at Aubrey. “Seriously, how can I love them even more just because they’re making out under their covers to give us privacy?”

Aubrey shook her head. “If you figure it out, please let me know.” She turned and mirrored Stacie so their knees touched. “Hi.”

“I love you.” Stacie said simply and Aubrey suddenly felt like crying at the pure love she felt emanating from her.

“Tu es le soleil dans mon ciel. Je t'aime.” She had to whisper it, afraid her voice would crack from the emotions that had suddenly risen up inside her in the space between heartbeats.

“Hey,” Stacie took her hands and squeezed them. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

Aubrey cleared her throat, half embarrassed. “This isn’t the way things were supposed to go.”

“I do tend to throw a wrench in the grand Posen plans.” Stacie said lightly. “It’s my overwhelming charm. Just ask your mom.”

“While I don’t think that’s exactly what she’d say, you do have that in spades.” Aubrey drew a centering breath. “I got a bonus a few weeks ago for bringing that contract in without too much haggling from their agent.”

“That new hip hop guy… what was his name?”

Aubrey felt her lip curl. “Pimp-Lo.”

“Oh god, that’s right.” Stacie groaned. “Why hasn’t anyone talked him out of that?”

“I’ve no idea, but I feel for Beca because she’s the one who has to work with him.” Aubrey shook her head. “Honestly, I have no idea how that’s going to go.”

“I’ll make the popcorn,” Stacie said then squeezed Aubrey’s hands again. “But that’s awesome, babe. Congrats on the score and the bonus!”

“Thanks.” Aubrey ran her thumbs over the back of Stacie’s hands. “I decided to do something I never really do and splurge a little. I special ordered some jewelry.” She bit her lip. “For the three of you.”

“Just us?” Stacie looked down at the boxes sitting on the bed. “So you left today to go pick them up?”

“Yes. I was going to go into the office to do some paperwork, so when I told you I had to go to work I wasn’t a complete liar.” Aubrey shrugged, feeling sheepish. It was important to her that Stacie didn’t think Aubrey would ever start lying to her, and she felt this was skirting a line she’d drawn herself.

“Bree.” Stacie tugged her forward and whispered against her lips. “I know you’d never.” She leaned that last bit of distance and covered Aubrey’s mouth with hers, a warm and constant pressure that soothed muscles she hadn’t even realized had tensed. When she pulled back, she wiggled in place. “What did you get me?”

Aubrey laughed at the eager look on her face and picked up the largest of the three boxes. “For you, my love.” She watched as Stacie gently took it from her hand and opened the lid.

“Oh, Aubrey.” Stacie said, her finger stroking along the bright metal. “It’s gorgeous.” She gently lifted the bracelet out and let the small sun charm hang freely from it. “Is that…” Stacie lifted the charm on her fingertip.

“You, my sun.” Aubrey took the bracelet from her and slipped it around her right wrist. “I wanted you to have something with you that would… remind you of that. That you’re the center of my universe.” She thought the platinum looked perfect against skin tanned from all the time spent around the pool. “And that I love you more than anything else in my life.” Stacie finally looked up at her and Aubrey was shocked to see the trail of two tears tracking down her face.

“You’re my only.” Stacie said, her voice hoarse as she rose up on her knees, pulling Aubrey with her. “I love you with every molecule of my being and nothing will ever change that.” She wrapped her arms around Aubrey, pulling her in tight. “I fall more in love with you every day and thank whatever in the universe that wove our threads together.” She kissed Aubrey, instantly slipping her tongue inside and deepening it until Aubrey had to pull away to gasp for air.

Aubrey rested her forehead against Stacie’s. “I’m glad you like it.” She reached up and wiped away the tracks on her cheeks. “Once I thought of it, I knew I had to do it.”

“I love it, Bree.” Stacie kissed her again, softer this time. “I love you.” They traded lazy kisses until reluctantly Stacie pulled back. “I could sit here all day and do this with you, but do you want to give them theirs today or…” She looked back at the still moving lump under the covers that they’d both forgotten about.

Aubrey let out a somewhat watery laugh. “I probably should, since they gave us privacy and all.”

“I think they forgot about us, honestly.” Stacie grinned. “Should I get them both or just send one out to you?”

“Chloe?” Aubrey said slowly. “How do you plan to…” She broke off when Stacie gave her one last deep kiss.

“I’ll go make out with Beca and send Chloe out.” Stacie turned and tapped the blanket over them, saying, “Knock knock.”

“Come on in, the waters fine.” Beca said after a minute and the audible sound of two tongues pulling away from each other.

“How about I trade you me, for Chloe?” Stacie said cheerfully. “Bree needs her.”

“Well, if Bree needs her…” Beca pushed the covers back and two pairs of blue eyes blinked at them. “I suppose that’s a fair trade.” She pushed Chloe’s hair away from her face and pulled her chin up from where she’d fastened her lips to Beca’s throat when she’d taken her mouth away. “Honey… wife swap!”

Aubrey could almost feel the eye roll Chloe must have given because Beca stuck her tongue out while Chloe slid out from under the covers. She watched affectionately as she pulled Stacie down into a kiss and then, with a pat on her ass, she sent her under the covers with Beca. Where the giggling resumed; it sounded like they were having a tickle fight underneath the covers and the thought made Aubrey grin.

“Seriously, it’s like they’re teenagers.” Chloe shook her head and settled down in front of Aubrey. “Hey.” She leaned forward and kissed Aubrey soundly on the lips. “Miss me?”

“Always.” Aubrey resumed her cross legged pose. “Did you hear any of that?” She looked back at the struggling lump which had suddenly gone still with an indrawn gasp and smiled again.

Chloe shook her head. “Nope, Beca’s really good at distracting people when she wants to be.”

“I’ll say,” Aubrey rolled her eyes before she explained the contract and the bonus. “So I ordered something for each of you as a…” She winced at how cliché it was. “As a token of my affection? That sounds queerballs.” Chloe grinned widely at her appropriation of Beca’s word; it was the same grin she got when Aubrey insulted her brothers by calling them dicklicks. “But I really wanted you to always have something that reminded you that I love you.”

“Aubrey.” Chloe put one hand over her heart and the other on Aubrey’s. “As long as these are beating, I will always have something that reminds me of that.” She slid her hand up to the back of Aubrey’s neck and pulled her forward even as she rocked up on her own knees. Their lips met in one of the softest kisses they had ever shared and Aubrey’s heart gave a painful double thump. In that one sentence, in this one kiss, Aubrey felt everything they had ever been to each other wash over her:

Suffering under Alice’s regime, almost like they were in a war for three years.

Sharing each other’s deepest secrets and fears in the middle of the night.

Chloe sticking by her through that last year when by all rights she should have left Captain Posen behind.

Aubrey could feel the love in that kiss, sense the depth of it and was shocked all over again at how it matched her own. Knew that it was mirrored in the two women in bed beside them.

‘How in the hell did I get so lucky?’

“Well,” Fighting back a new threat of tears, because Chloe’s words were extremely close to making Aubrey ugly cry, she picked up the box marked with a small ‘C’.” I definitely agree with that, but I got this anyway.”

Taking it, Chloe sat back and opened it with the same care that Stacie had. “Oh, Bree.” She picked up the necklace and let it hang from her fingers. The platinum star pendant caught the light as it twisted slowly in the air. “Will you put it on?” She held it out with fingers that trembled.

Aubrey took it and Chloe immediately spun around, moving her hair out of the way so Aubrey could drape it around her neck. It took several tries to get the clasp – her own fingers shook – but once it was secure, Chloe turned back around to face her. The chain was long enough that the pendant rested just below the hollow of her throat, looking like it had always been there.

“You’ve always been my guiding star, trying to keep me from losing my way.” Aubrey remembered the talk she’d had with Stacie as they tried to figure out this new dynamic between the four of them. “I know I’ve kind of talked about it, but I wanted you to have something tangible too.” She touched just beneath the pendant and let her hand drop to Chloe’s knee, just needing that extra bit of closeness.

Beca had given her the idea, with the pitch pipe for her birthday. Even though she said she hadn’t realized it at the time, it was entirely Beca’s way of saying that she loved Aubrey when she hadn’t found the words yet.

Chloe had literally stared Aubrey’s personal demon in the face and wrestled it to the ground to try and get through and save her from herself. Aubrey was better at explaining her emotions than she used to be, but this still felt too huge to encompass. She cherished Chloe’s fierce loyalty as much as she cherished her giant heart and this was the only way Aubrey knew how to express that right now.

“I love it.” Chloe covered it with her hand. “I will never take it off.” She twisted her lips. “Except maybe to shower.” Grinning, she quickly climbed onto Aubrey’s lap and straddled her. “Thank you, Bree. It’s gorgeous, just like you.”

Whatever answer Aubrey was going to give was lost as Chloe kissed her with every bit of passion that Aubrey knew rested in her heart. When they finally came up for air, all Aubrey could say was “You’re welcome.” But Chloe just smiled at her, fully aware of the things left unsaid: Thank you for always being by my side; thank you for not giving up on me; thank you for kicking my as when I needed it.

Thank you for loving me.

“I know, love.” Chloe kissed away her tears before they could even fall from her eyes. “No waterworks, you know Beca will panic and think she did something wrong.”

“You’re right.” Aubrey ran her hand through Chloe’s hair. “I love you.” She touched the star against Chloe’s chest.

“Love you too, Bree.” Chloe kissed her one last time. “I’ll get Beca.”

Aubrey watched as the process repeated itself and Beca scrambled out from under the covers, her face flushed. She pulled the covers up over Stacie and Chloe, patted their hips before sitting cross legged in front of Aubrey.

“So you got me a present?” Beca said without preamble.

“I did.” Aubrey picked up the box. “And as much as I would like to tease you about whether or not you deserve it…” She held it out. “This means too much to wait.” She was nervous; while she knew that Stacie and Chloe would understand what she was trying to say with these gifts, this level of relationship with Beca was new. It was no less precious and important, which is why Aubrey had gotten the gift, but she wanted to make sure Beca understood that. There was still room to make a mistake and Aubrey couldn’t stand the thought of hurting Beca ever again.

Beca picked up and opened the lid eagerly before she froze. “Aubrey?” She looked up, her eyes wide in shocked pleasure. “This is too much.”

“No it’s not.” Aubrey let her own happiness rise as Beca slowly lifted the ring from the box. The platinum band was etched with the different phases of the moon. It was another outcome from her talk with Stacie. “In college, you reminded me that I can change without losing who I am. Giving up control of the Bellas was not a failure – especially because I had already lost myself in Captain Posen. It took both you and Chloe to help me find my way back.”

The moon in the sky, despite its variations, was constant. Like Beca had been constant ever since they’d resolved their issues before the ICCAs. Constantly caring for Chloe and Stacie, or even Aubrey when she’d been in town to visit. Still always challenging Aubrey, yes, but in a way that made Aubrey better – re-examine her rules, be more and braver. After Worlds, Aubrey had made the fastest decision of her life without hesitation or regret. She’d agreed to move in with Stacie and across the country with Beca and Chloe. Beca’s presence in her life was comforting and safe, just like Stacie and Chloe. She needed this sometimes exasperating woman to keep her balanced and focused, or to laugh and let go.

Beca was tracing the platinum band with her fingertip. “I don’t even know what to say.” She looked up, her eyes soft. “I know you’ve said it before but to get a gift like this brings it home.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Beca.” Aubrey took the box and set it with the other empty ones. “You tell me every day what I mean to you. I just want you to have something from me, in return.” She needed Beca as much as the others and she needed Beca to know it. She took a breath. “You’re as precious to me as Chloe and as necessary as Stacie.”

Blinking back tears, Beca slid the ring onto her left thumb, which was where Aubrey had hoped she’d wear it. She’d stolen one of Beca’s other rings when she’d gone in to special order everything. “Thank you, Aubrey.” She had to clear her throat as her voice cracked. She turned her hand, eyes following the ring. “This must have cost so much… too much.”

“I’m pretty sure all three of these gifts combined didn’t cost as much as my birthday present.” Aubrey raised one eyebrow as Beca looked at her sheepishly. “Right, so I got a bonus for finalizing the contract with your new artist and decided to spend it on my girls.”

Beca made a face. “Can we not talk about him? I’m not looking forward to that after the first of the year.” She suddenly tugged Aubrey into her lap. “I’d rather make out with you as a thank you for this amazing gift.”

Aubrey simply tangled her fingers in Beca’s hair and pulled her down, letting Beca take control of the kiss the second their lips touched. Knowing that Beca was deeply touched by the sentiment resting around her thumb and knowing she was better at showing her feelings than she was speaking them. Beca kissed her tenderly, both hands cupping Aubrey’s cheeks as she moved to place soft kisses all around her face before dropping back to her lips. The kiss deepened, growing more needful until Beca pulled back, leaving Aubrey trying to chase after her, not ready to stop yet.

“Let’s join them under the covers? I feel the need to celebrate.”

“Deal!” Aubrey said, sliding off Beca’s lap and up to the head of the bed. She slid down under the covers and found herself wrapped in Stacie’s arms as soon as the other two realized they were no longer alone. Beca slid in on the other side and pulled Chloe close.

“I, for one,” Beca began as they all tangled together in a pile. “Suggest that we all thoroughly thank Aubrey for her incredibly thoughtful – almost made me cry – gifts.” Beca pulled her lower lip through her teeth and Aubrey felt herself shiver in response. “For the rest of the night.”

“Seconded.” Stacie said immediately.

“Oh yeah.” Chloe purred as she slid against Stacie’s side. “Great idea, Becs.”

Aubrey closed her eyes as three pairs of hands reached for her and pulled her into the middle where she was covered in kisses and stroking fingers that didn’t stop until exhaustion claimed them all.

~S~

Saturday, September 23rd

A few weeks later Stacie opened the front door to a quiet house as she sorted her mail. It was the Saturday after Beca’s birthday and they planned to go out with Jessica and Ashley later that night. Stacie had gone into work to check on some tests she was running and had expected to find the other three ready to go to lunch.

“Hello?” Stacie frowned at the envelope in her hand and tore it open. “This has got to be bullshit,” she muttered to herself as she looked up. “Anyone home?”

She saw Beca’s hand rise from in front of the sofa and assumed that, for some reason, she was sitting on the floor with her laptop instead of on the couch. As Stacie stepped around the side, she saw Beca on the floor, laptop sitting on the coffee table, as expected. Beca had already refocused on her work though she did give Stacie a distracted smile when she first came into view. She also saw why Beca was sitting on the floor.

Aubrey and Chloe were stretched out behind her, making out like a couple of horny teenagers.

Chloe was on her back, her shirt unbuttoned and Aubrey’s hand had pushed up under one of the cups of her bra and it looked like her fingers were busy kneading and rolling. Their legs were tangled as they moved against each other, completely oblivious to her arrival and Stacie didn’t know if she wanted to burst out laughing or rip off all her clothes.

‘Both.’ She decided as she toed off her shoes. She couldn’t help but chuckle as Aubrey leaned to the side and tilted Beca’s head back; Beca, for her part, immediately turned her head and upper body so Aubrey could kiss her before breaking off and latching onto Beca’s throat. Stacie could see several marks already darkening her neck in various places and wondered just how long they’d been at this.

Tossing the mail down on the table, Stacie slid her jeans off her hips, the soft thud bringing three pairs of eyes around to her where they fastened in various degrees of hunger. She paused and finally asked, “I know it’s noon thirsty and all, but what if Jessley had been the ones to walk in the door?

Aubrey shrugged from her position on top of Chloe. “I knew they were working today.”

“But if they were off early, then Bree is just giving me a massage.” Chloe offered, running her hand down Aubrey’s side.

Beca turned and looked at them. “From the front? With her tongue? While lying on you?”

“I’m a really dedicated friend,” Aubrey answered sincerely and without hesitation. “I believe in doing a job right and meticulously.”

“I really do love that about you,” Chloe sighed happily as Aubrey’s hand still moved under her bra.

Stacie laughed and pulled her shirt over her head.

“What’s bullshit?” Beca asked suddenly.

Confused, Stacie looked up before she remembered her earlier comment. “Oh. The DMV sent Aubrey a speeding ticket.” Stacie stopped undressing when Aubrey looked up at her. “They said you were doing 55 in a 30 zone.”

“What?!” Outraged, she pulled her hand from under Chloe’s bra and held it out until Beca gave her the ticket lying on top of the rest of the mail. Stacie watched her skim it quickly then pause, her eyes going distant as she thought. “Oh.” She began to laugh. “Yeah we’re going to have to pay this.”

Stacie sat down on the table, wincing as the cool wood touched her skin. “You never speed, Aubrey. I refuse to believe you’re calm right now.”

“That was three weeks ago.” Aubrey said, her lips pursed.

“And?” Beca turned around, looking as confused as Stacie felt.

“That’s the day that Chloe called me while you guys were in the shower.” Aubrey said as she lay down between Chloe and the back of the couch. “I blew past one of those speed vans and didn’t realize it until after it took the picture.” She handed the ticket back to Beca who read through it.

“That’s why you got home so fast!” Chloe started to laugh. “I’d honestly decided you just teleported yourself home.”

Stacie grinned. “Then Beca has to pay for half of it.”

Beca looked at her as she set the ticket down on the table. “Will you accept service in trade?”

“Yes.” Aubrey said immediately and only batted her eyes in a close imitation of Chloe when Stacie looked at her.

“Oh – wait.” Beca turned until she was on her knees facing the couch. “You said it took a picture? Were you in your car? Are we going to have a cop show up at the door because you accidentally got into a Fiat one day?”

Aubrey groaned and buried her face in Beca’s shoulder. “I will murder you, you know this.”

“You can’t live without me.” Beca sang at her.

Stacie carefully bit back her laugh. Ever since that day, any time they were out and about, Beca would point out every single Fiat and say, “Look Aubrey, it’s your car” and cackle like she’d just said the funniest thing in the world.

“Guys?” They all looked up at her. “As the bruise on Chloe’s ass two weeks ago will prove, these couches aren’t big enough for all four of us. Before I get completely naked, what say we pile upstairs into our tiny king sized bed and continue this discussion somewhere more comfortable?” She immediately contradicted herself by taking off her bra and dropping it with the rest of her clothes.

Stacie turned and walked toward the stairs, a lot more sway in her hips than necessary and stopped at the bottom step. She put her hands on her hips and slid her underwear down, bending all the way over as she removed one leg and then the other, feeling three pairs of eyes watching her.

She turned and tossed her underwear at the pile, completely unsurprised that it landed neatly on her bra. “Nowish?”

Aubrey tried to push herself off the couch but ran into Beca, both of them falling to the floor in a tangle of limbs and curses. Chloe, somehow, avoided them both and was heading for the stairs, already stripping.

“You, Conrad, are terrible. You know what that does to them.”

Taking a step backward up the stairs, Stacie grinned. “Yeah, but it’s so much fun when they make me pay for it.” She turned and ran up the stairs, hearing Chloe follow her and, further back, two more pairs of feet began to give chase.

#Beca Mitchell #Chloe Beale #Aubrey Posen #Stacie Conrad #Bechloe Fanfiction #Staubrey Fanfiction #Poly Bellas Squared #wlw #A Shared Lifetime #cyc writes

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