#b.) the sidewalk ALSO needs to chill

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Plastic Hearts — Chapter Five: Gimme What I Want

pairing: dieter bravo x actress!oc (violet apollo)

rating: E (18+ only, these two are a mess, angst, mentions of sobriety/past substance abuse issues, mentions of a potential ED/body image issues, oral (f rec), unprotected piv, creamp!e hehehe, also unedited/un-proofread)

word count: 5.9k

series masterlist | series playlist

“Dieter got in fine, I take it?” Violet asked her assistant, Lucy, as she scanned the jewelry options for tonight’s premier of her new movie in London.

It had been two weeks since New York. Two weeks of radio silence. She’d gotten up early the morning after their big fight and flew back to Los Angeles, too embarrassed to look him in the eye after his blatant rejection. Since then, she’d been using her assistant as a middle man to get updates on her fake-boyfriend through his own assistant.

“Yeah, he just landed a couple hours ago,” Lucy replied, scrolling through her phone.

“Guess I’ll see him at the hotel,” Violet sighed, still not quite ready to face him.

“Oh, he’s not staying at the hotel,” she spoke casually, but suddenly the only thing worse than having to stay with Dieter, was to be away from him.

“What? Where’s he staying?” she questioned with a crease in her brow, her eyes now turning from the jewels in front of her to look across the fitting room at her assistant.

“He owns a place here, I guess.” Lucy shrugged, chuckling at the disappointment on her boss’s face, Violet typically not so obvious about her feelings for her fake lover. “You’re gonna see him tonight, babe. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not…” Violet looked bashfully back to the jewels, picking out a simple but expensive diamond necklace. “Let’s just do this one. Thank you.” Violet walked away from the jeweler and over to her assistant, the pair leaving the shop and shivering as the chill of the early November air hit them. “God, I need a massage and a joint.”

“Well, I can arrange one of those things,” Lucy joked but Violet couldn’t muster even a polite chuckle, too consumed in her thoughts to notice she’d even spoken. “Vi?”

“Huh?” Violet looked to her as they walked down the sidewalk together, her eyes wide with alarm. “Did you say something?”

“Yeah, babe,” Lucky chuckled and wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulder, squeezing her. “You’ve got it bad.”

“It’s so stupid. He didn’t want me then, I don’t know why I think he’ll want me now,” she groaned.

“He did want you, at least enough for me to catch you two sucking face on multiple occasions,” Lucy countered.

“That was before he saw me with my clothes off,” Violet spoke in a whisper, her voice weak with insecurity and shame.

“That why you’ve been working out like a maniac and starving yourself?” Lucy lowered her voice to a whisper as well to keep any outside ears from hearing their conversation.

“Maybe,” she sighed, defeated. “Like I said, it’s stupid.”

“Well, starving yourself is stupid, but your feelings aren’t.”

“My ‘feelings’ have never done me any good, Luce. I think it’s just easier at this point to keep my distance from him…until this fucking charade is done with. Then I’ll never have to see him again.”

Lucy’s phone began ringing in her pocket as she rolled her eyes at Violet’s stubbornness. When she pulled it out, she chuckled, showing her boss who the call was from: Dieter B.

“Fucks sake, I swear the universe exists just to spite me,” Violet groaned but gestured to the phone. “Answer it. Might be important.”

Lucy shook her head and answered the call with a chuckle, “Lucy Adams.”

“Hey, Luce,” Dieter spoke through a hoarse voice. “Is Violet around?”

“Yeah, she’s…” Violet shook her head adamantly, unwilling to speak to him. “She’s talking with someone right now, but I can pass your message on?”

“I’m…sick. Don’t think I’ll be able to make it to the premiere tonight.” Lucy furrowed her brows which brought a similar look of confusion onto Violet’s face.

“Yeah, that’s not gonna work. What do you need? I can pick you up some medicine—“

“No, I’m…I’m fine, I just…I’m not going to make it. Tell her I’m sorry.” Lucy opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the call ending, her furrowed stare looking to her phone screen as though to question his audacity.

“He’s not gonna show up,” Violet spoke it like a fact rather than a question, earning a sympathetic look and nod from her assistant. “No, it’s alright. I’ll just…go alone.”

“Vi…”

“I’m fine, Luce. Just…need a nap.”

A nap and a joint, it turned out.

Violet got so high that she could hardly remember her own name, let alone Dieter’s. Though she knew it was a temporary fix and mildly self-destructive, this was the only way to keep him off her mind. She wanted him so badly that it cast a constant dark cloud over every bit of her existence, and at least when she was high, the cloud went away.

“Dieter, get up,” Andrea, Dieter’s manager, shook him as he laid face first on his mattress in nothing but his underwear, groaning for the last ten minutes straight.

“I fucked it up,” he mumbled into the mattress.

“Well, fix it,” she snapped. “If you break her heart, the entire internet will rip you to shreds. Do you understand me? Go fix this.”

“My therapist thinks it’s good for us to have some space,” he clarified as he sat up with a childlike frown. “Until my withdrawals fade away, at least.”

“Okay, well…you have obligations, Dieter,” she sighed, rubbing her temples. “You don’t have to glue yourself to her hip, you just need to be there for her tonight.”

“I just called Lucy and told her I’m sick,” he reasoned.

“I don’t care. We’ll say you got fucking better, I don’t know. But end of story, you’re going, so get your ass up.”

“You’re meaner than you were when we were fucking,” he grumbled as he stood up, scratching his scalp as he moped his way into the bathroom.

“And you’re more pathetic,” she countered, rolling her eyes as she pulled out her phone and opened a text thread with Lucy.

A: Dieter’s coming to the premier tonight after all.

L: Great, V has been spiraling all afternoon. We can have our car pick D up at 6.

A: Actually…hold on a sec.

“D?” Andrea called into the open bathroom as Dieter took a shower.

“What now?” he called back over the running water, his hands lathering his curls with shampoo.

“Violet’s hotel is overbooked,” she lied with ease, desperate for the pair to finally get over their issues so that she could do her job. “Is it okay if she stays here for the rest of the weekend?”

“Uh…” Dieter felt his heart thumping inside of his chest, more excited than he should be over the idea of spending a weekend under the same roof as Violet considering the way they left things. “Yeah. It’s fine. Just make sure the guest room is good.”

“Sounds good.” Andrea grinned as she started to type to Lucy again, hoping that she could handle things on her end as well.

A: D wants V to stay with him this weekend. Is V up for it?

L: Are you kidding?

D: Nope. About time our lovebirds got over this.

L: I agree! Let me do some convincing and get back to you.

A: Sounds good. See you tonight.

It was another fifteen or so minutes that Dieter was out of the shower, choosing to remain commando aside from his thick robe as he padded his way out of the bedroom, Andrea typing away on her laptop in the living room.

“So…” Dieter sat in the armchair across from her, crossing his legs to protect his modesty. “It was Violets idea to stay here?”

“Huh? Oh…yeah,” Andrea lied, nodding her head quickly.

“So that’s gotta mean she forgives me, right?” He looked boyish with hope as he tapped the arms of the plush chair with his hands, clearly nervous.

“Well, an apology might still be nice,” she suggested, hoping that it would save her from being at fault if Violet gave Dieter the cold shoulder all weekend.

“How do I apologize for being so into her that I couldn’t get my dick hard?“ he questioned with a flat voice. “It makes no fucking sense.”

“Isn’t that what your therapist is for?”

“My therapist is more focused on keeping me clean than my love life,” he sighed, scratching his beard. “Or lack of, I guess.”

“Listen, you’ve been good. You’ve stayed clean, stayed celibate…that’s a good start. Hopefully she’ll be able to see the difference that I see—that everyone sees now,” she encouraged, shutting her laptop. “You just got cast in DiCaprio’s directorial debut and leading an HBO series, a lot of that thanks to her.”

“Yeah, I know,” he grumbled, throwing his head back. “And all I’m doing in return is fucking with her mental state.”

“That’s gonna change this weekend. You two can have it out, ya know. You don’t have to stay on opposite sides of the house the entire time.” Dieter gave her a skeptical look and rolled his eyes as he stood up, accidentally flashing her. “God, D! Keep that thing locked up around me.”

“Miss it too much?” Andrea threw a pillow across the room, hitting him in the back. “Sorry, sorry. I’m just…pent the fuck up. I used to fuck all day everyday and then I went and met Violet and now I can’t even jerk off.”

“Dieter!”

“Fine, no more dick talk. I’m gonna go take a depression nap until it’s time to get ready. Wake me.”

Andrea nodded and chuckled at him as he slugged off to his bedroom, hoping that after tonight, the Dieter she knew and missed would start to come back.

Violet sat in the backseat of an all-black SUV that she couldn’t name if she tried, dressed in full glam and a gown for the premiere. Her eyes were shut, her headphones on as she tried to fight the building anxiety in her gut.

When the car rolled to a stop, Violet opened her eyes and slid her headphones off, first looking at her assistant in the passenger seat and then turning to look out of the window, expecting to see a crowd and a long line of press and instead being greeted by the front of a Victorian-era mansion.

“Uh…where the fuck are we?” Violet turned to Lucy, a line between her brows as she awaited a response.

“This is…Dieter’s house. We’re here to pick him up,” Lucy winced as Violet’s confusion turned into fury. “Vi, he’s already gonna be there, might as well give him a ride.”

“No, he can find his own ride,” Violet persisted, crossing her arms over her chest as she resisted the urge to fire her on the spot.

“I already told Andrea we were coming,” Lucy insisted before carefully tiptoeing into her next lie. “Also…bad news about the hotel.”

“What?” Violet deadpanned, impressed by the amount of bad news placed into her lap in such a short period of time.

“They double booked the room. We gotta leave by morning—“ Violet cut Lucy off with a head rolling groan. “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged new accommodation…here. At Dieter’s.”

“Absolutely no—“ Violet was cut off when she looked out the window again and saw him.

Dieter was dressed up—wearing a surprisingly chic all-black suit and shades—and the sight of him walking down his driveway towards her made her dizzy with feelings. Still, she found the courage and clarity to open the door, meeting him as he approached her side of the car with a rare smile.

“Vi,” he greeted. Violet hated the smile that grew on her face from something as simple as his voice.

She studied him for a beat, noting how much healthier he looked, his skin glowing even in the dreary London evening. Things seemed to be going swell for him in her absence, but the wound of his not missing her went unnoticed as she caught a whiff of his cologne—the warm, amber scent that teetered the line of boozy flooding her senses.

“You look really good,” he noted, sliding his sunglasses off. Violet studied his eyes—no redness, no glassiness, no dilated pupils. He was sober. “Fuck me, am I gonna be met with pure silence all night long or—“

“You look good, too, D.” She gave him a knowing smile and gestured at the car. “We should probably get going.”

Dieter looked speechless, but found the sense to nod, helping her back into the car before sliding in on the other side.

“You look good, Dieter,” Lucy complimented as the car took off for the premiere.

“Thanks, it’s the lack of cocaine, probably,” he joked, earning a chuckle from Lucy and a head turn from Violet. Sensing her eyes on him, he turned to her and gave her a smile in the darkness of the backseat. “You been okay?”

“That depends on your definition of the word,” she countered. “But, no. Not really.”

“Good,” he replied, earning a questioning look.

“It’s good that I haven’t been okay?”

“It’s good that I’m not the only one,” he corrected, making her cheeks heat at the image of him missing her like she missed him. “You been here or New York?”

“LA,” she answered, scooting over to better hear him over the sound of the city. “What about you?”

“Here. No one in England gives a fuck how famous you are. It’s the best place to be if you don’t wanna be bothered by all the bullshit.”

“And that’s what you wanted? Not to be bothered by me?” Violet asked, her tone playful but she could hear her own insecurity in it.

“You’re not a part of the bullshit,” he assured. “I just meant the paparazzi, and the fans, and the vices that come along with trying to fucking cope with it all.”

“Alright you two,” Lucy interrupted the conversation as the car pulled up to the premiere. “Get your stories straight.”

“I was busy in LA working—“

“And I was busy missing you here,” Dieter cut her off smoothly, his words bringing another cutesy smile to her face. “You ready?”

“Let’s go put on a good show,” she joked, unaware of how it hit him in the chest with an arrow of harsh reality.

Just a show. That’s all this is.

No. It wasn’t. Dieter knew deep in his bones that whatever this was between the two of them, it was real. There was no making up the way he felt about her—the flutter in his stomach that made him sick, the racing of his heart that had him convinced it would give out, the shaking of his hands anytime he reached to touch her. This romance may not have been traditional, but it wasn’t for show.

“C’mere,” Dieter reached for Violet as she walked ahead of him, his hand sliding into hers and squeezing. Violet gave him a small, knowing smile and squeezed back before leading him onto the red carpet.

The sea of photographers, journalists, and fans went wild for the couple, screams of their names floating into the evening air. Dieter let go of Violet’s hand to slide his hand around her waist, his thumb stroking over the exposed skin of her side in some subtle sort of promise of safety and comfort that she fully bought into. She melted into him again like it was her entire purpose, whatever lingering embarrassment or resentment dying and a beautiful bloom of affection taking it’s place.

“All this just for you,” Dieter cooed into her ear as he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, her grin doubling in size. “You deserve every fucking bit of it.”

As they stood together in front of the entire world, declaring the love that they truly did have for each other but had yet to utter to one another, Violet could feel Dieter’s eyes locked on her and her alone. She didn’t dare risk a look at him, knowing that if she did, she’d never recover from the weight of her feelings—feelings that as far as she knew were unrequited.

“You wanna do an interview?” Dieter mumbled into Violet’s ear after a few minutes of hearing their names being called by the sea of press in front of them.

“Not really, but I think my team will kill me if I don’t,” she whispered back. Dieter’s hand slid from where it rested on her back to her hand, interlocking their fingers as a show of support and security as she started off towards a reporter she’d encountered before and remembered liking.

“Violet, you look stunning tonight,” the woman began with a wide grin, gesturing to Violet’s gown before turning her eyes to Dieter. “And Dieter, you’re looking pretty good yourself. How are you guys feeling tonight?”

“Feeling pretty good,” Violet lied with a smile, her stomach sour with nerves. “This is my first big premiere so I’m just sort of taking it all in.”

“Does it make it a little easier having your partner here to support you?”

“Yeah,” she turned to Dieter and gave him a knowing smile, her words finally sincere. “He makes a lot of stuff easier.”

Dieter felt an uncharacteristic blush form on his cheeks at Violet’s words, his smile turning into a grin that was chuckled away.

“Dieter, you’re a seasoned vet at this kind of stuff. Was there any words of advice you gave—“

“She doesn’t need my advice,” he interrupted, his hand leaving hers to rub circles on her back. “It’s probably all shit anyways.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. How else did you get the Oscar?” the woman continued, oblivious to the fact that Dieter wasn’t listening. His eyes were too focus on Violet’s smile, his ear trained on her laughter as the interview continued without him. “Alright, thank you both for stopping for an interview!”

“No problem,” Violet assured with a smile and wave, Dieter following along as she walked down the carpet like he was a well-trained puppy. “I think I’m ready to go inside,” Violet whispered into his ear as they walked together.

“Alright,” he nodded and looked around for their respective handlers, finding Andrea and Lucy at the end of the carpet. “God, what’s a guy gotta do to get a minute alone with you.”

“Well, there’s always tonight,” she suggested with a smirk, elbowing his side lightly. The prospect of Violet alone with him tonight made his heart race faster than any drug ever could, his hand shaking as it rested on the small of her back.

“I really can’t wait.”

Inside the theater, Dieter and Violet sat together through the screening, her hand clasped with his the entire time. Though Violet could hardly bring herself to watch her performance, Dieter gave her hand a squeeze every time she came on screen, a silent gesture to let her know he was not only physically there but that he was present and paying attention.

Violet couldn’t help but pick herself apart the entire time, her eyes scanning the room for reactions to her performance but everyone seemed to only react to her costar’s scenes, oo-ing and ah-ing anytime his face appeared.

She always feared this would happen, and it wasn’t as though the fear was unfounded. Many women in Hollywood that came before her had experienced it too, being shown up by a hunk simply because of his sex appeal, and now it was happening to her.

As the applause sounded through the theater at the end of the film, all eyes were on Violet and the rest of the cast. Dieter stood beside her clapping, a proud smile on his face as he watched his best friend be showered with love and admiration for her winning performance, tears welling in her eyes. After a moment of study, however, he began to realize that these weren’t tears of joy—she was sad.

Why was she sad? She just gave the performance of a lifetime, at least as far as Dieter was concerned.

Violet slid her hand into Dieters abruptly, tugging him out of the still rowdy theater, her cast mates remaining to finish the ovation.

“Hey, slow down.” Dieter got Violet to stop her mad dash to the exit and pulled her into a secluded hall. “What’s wrong?”

“I was shit, D,” she sighed and looked down at the floor.

“What?” He was genuinely shocked by her explanation. “Vi, you were the best part of the movie. What are you talking about?”

“You’re just saying that,” she dismissed. Dieter scoffed and tilted her chin up so that she met his eyes.

“Since when do I lie to fuckin’ coddle anybody?” he asked. “Believe me, you’re going to get that fucking Oscar.”

“You really think?” Violet gave him a frowned smile, still hesitant to believe him.

“I know.”

“But nobody gave a shit when I was on screen. All they cared about was Dane and his stupid, perfect face,” she pouted.

“Well, all I cared about was your stupid, perfect face,” he offered her a smile, it’s tenderness shocking her a bit. “Why don’t we go home? I’ll whip you up a cocktail and force you to loosen up.”

“Oh, I bet you’d like that,” she teased with an eye roll before the memory of his past rejection set in. “Or maybe not.”

“What does that mean?” he asked with furrowed brows.

“Nothing,” she lied. “Let’s go.”

“This is a different vibe than your place in LA,” Violet noted as Dieter led her through his relatively bland London home.

“Yeah, no stripper poles or satin leopard sheets here,” he chuckled as they rounded the corner into his living room, his large white sectional calling Violet’s name as her high heels began to turn her feet numb. She didn’t even bother with changing out of her gown before plopping down, laying face first on the cushions while Dieter stood at his mini-bar. “Comfy?”

“Very,” she mumbled, her cheek squished as she turned her head to the side to watch him work.

When Dieter brought her drink over, Violet sat up and took it into her hands, expecting that he’d leave again to make his own drink but he simply sat down in the arm chair in front of her instead.

“What about you?”

“Oh, I’m not—I’m, uh, dry right now,” he informed with a hint of embarrassment. “Sorry to bring the party down with sober talk.”

“No,” you shook your head and sat up fully, both hands clasping the crystal glass. “I’m really happy for you. Really proud.”

“Yeah, just—“ he took a deep breath and shrugged, a breathy chuckle leaving his lips as he fought the urge to look down at his rug. “After the way we left things that night—“

“Oh, Dieter, we don’t have to talk about that—“

“Yeah,” he paused, his eyes serious and focused as he studied the way she fidgeted with her fingers on her glass. “We do.”

“I think I’d rather we didn’t,” she chuckled meekly, lifting her drink to take a much needed sip. “Don’t really wanna relive my most embarrassing rejection.”

“I wasn’t—“ a frustrated sigh interrupted his too-sharp defense. “I know it felt like that, and I’m sorry I haven’t cleared this up and apologized sooner, but…I wasn’t trying to reject you. I was just…anxious.”

“Anxious?”

“More than I’ve ever been in my life,” he confessed. “I was high as fuck, too, but honestly…even if I was sober I still would’ve been fucking terrified.”

“Is the idea of sex with me that scary?” she asked with a hint of humor, though it was simply a mask.

“Yeah,” he stated like it was obvious. “I’ve never…I don’t fuck people I care about. I never have. And you’re not just someone I care about, you’re…you. It terrified me thinking about fucking you and then inevitably fucking you over because that’s what I do. I ruin shit—ruined.”

Violet stared at him frozen in shock from his confession, from his vulnerability. The last time she’d seen him so open with himself was the night she met his parents at SNL, the two of them cozied up in a corner of a pizza joint nursing beers while he detailed every fucked up thing his parents ever did to him.

“That’s why I’ve been sober and why I’ve started going to therapy again,” he spoke softly, as though the words leaving his mouth were so fragile they would be shattered by the harshness of his voice at it’s usual volume. “Because the only thing that terrifies me more than trying and fucking this up is never trying at all.”

“D,” she whispered with a voice so soft it nearly went unheard. “Take me to bed.”

“Vi,” he sighed, letting his head hang. “I want to. I really want to, but—“

“No buts,” she shook her head and stood up, gathering her dress in her hands so that she could straddle his lap. “Don’t think about all the shit that could go wrong. Do you want me?”

“More than I’ve wanted anything in a long time,” he nodded, bringing his hands to her hips.

“Then we’re on the same page,” she smiled and cradled his cheek. “No overthinking. Let’s just…go for it.”

“Okay,” he agreed meekly, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile. “But if we’re going for it, we’re going for it. The whole thing. Me and you.”

“I mean, the world already thinks we’re in love,” she chuckled. “Why not put some truth to it?”

“There’s been truth to that since New York,” he whispered, reaching up to brush his knuckles over her cheek. “Maybe even since LA.”

“You lov—“

“Shh,” he pulled her down for a kiss. “No overthinking, remember?”

In a show of strength, Dieter stood up with her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms crossed behind his neck for purchase as she giggled against his lips. Their smiles molded together as he walked her through his home, down a few halls until he was reaching for the doorknob to his bedroom. Setting her on her feet, he cradled both sides of her face with open palms, kissing her soft and slow—the complete opposite of every kiss they’d shared before. This one was unhurried, as if they were content to do this for hours, both too lost in one another to give a damn about the throbbing need they felt below the belt.

“You’re so beautiful,” he mumbled against her lips, hardly pulling away enough to speak. He sounded reverent, as though he was in the presence of something holy, something out of this world. “Do you know how fucking hard you get me?”

Violet shuddered a moan and tugged him closer out of desperation.

“Here,” he lowered her hand from his hair and placed it between their bodies, guiding her palm to his bulge as it rested against his thigh. “Feel that? All because of you, baby.”

“Fuck,” she whimpered and gave his cock a squeeze, pulling a groan from his lips and directly into hers, Dieters hips thrusting against her palm to get more friction. “I need you, D.”

“Come here,” he ordered, pulling her towards the full length mirror standing in the corner of the room. He faced her towards it, positioning himself behind her, his cock grinding against the swell of her ass as he moved her hair from one shoulder so that he could lavish her neck with open mouthed kisses. “Look at how fucking gorgeous you are, baby. You really thought I wouldn’t want you? You’re the most—fuck—the most beautiful thing to ever stumble into my life.”

Violet remained speechless, the throbbing between her legs turning her stupid as he continued his worship.

“I’m going to eat your fucking pussy from the back and make you watch yourself,” he informed as his fingers unzipped her gown, the expensive fabric pooling on the floor. “Make you see yourself how I see you. Fucking gorgeous.”

He turned her chin so that he could give her an awkwardly angled but necessary kiss, both of them humming at the intimacy of the moment as his hands sprawled across her soft stomach.

“You want my tongue, baby?” he asked, half-teasing, half-begging.

“Please,” she whimpered.

“No,” he shook his head. “I love you, Vi.”

“Don’t worry, baby,” he kissed the back of her thigh. “I’m not going to stop until you’re cumming on my tongue. No teasing tonight.”

Proving himself to be a man of his word, Dieter leaned forward, burying his face in her as he licked a broad stripe from her clit to her tighter hole, moaning at the taste of her arousal coating his tongue.

“Like fucking candy, baby,” he praised, cutting off her soft string of moans.

“Baby, please don’t stop,” she whined, her fingers gripping at the plush surface of the ottoman.

“Only if you take your eyes off yourself,” he warned.

Violet glued her eyes to her reflection, not daring to test him on the sincerity of his threat. Dieter rewarded her obedience with sinful, vulgar sucks to her clit, his tongue seemingly unable to leave her sweetness for even a moment. He was drinking her down like he was a man stranded in the desert and she was an oasis. Mirage or not, he didn’t care as long as he stayed right here, feeling her walls twitch around his tensed tongue as it pushed inside of her heat, tasting the way her body rewarded his eagerness with more of her arousal.

“Fuck,” she whined, her face scrunching in agonizing bliss. Her legs shook as she neared her climax, the weight of her body threatening to crumble to the floor with every skilled stroke of his tongue over her swollen bud. “Fuck, Dieter, baby. I’m g—god—I’m gonna cum!”

“Yes,” he growled into her heat as her pussy spasmed on his mouth, drenching it with more of her taste. Violet’s knees finally gave out and sent her to the plush carpet beneath their feet, her upper half draping over the ottoman, defeated by her climax. Dieter joined her on the floor, kissing his way up her spine and shoulders until she’d come back to him, her hand reaching back to scratch at his scalp. “I need you, baby.”

“Take me,” she begged in a whisper, turning her head to the side as she laid on the plush velvet. “Fuck me just like this.”

Dieter groaned and nodded, kissed her cheek before pulling back so that he could undress himself. Violet lifted her head enough to watch him in the mirror, his body not necessarily having gone unseen by her before, but this time it felt different. This time, she wasn’t watching him undress to redress, she wasn’t catching a peek of him with another woman; no, this time he was undressing just for her.

Dieter smiled as he caught her gaze in the mirror, a loopy, satisfied grin growing on her own face. Positioning himself behind her, he placed one hand on her hip and used the other to force her back closer to his chest. Their eyes remained locked through the mirror as Dieter leaned in to whisper in her ear, kissing her cheek between words. “I’m going to fuck you until you can’t walk, baby.”

“Promises, promises,” she teased. Dieter took her words as a challenge, and without any warning, sunk deep into her heat, her wetness guiding his impressive length and girth with little resistance. Still, his size earned him a wanton mewl. “Fuck, maybe you’re not just talking shit.”

“No,” he chuckled, withdrawing his length completely before shoving back in and stealing her breath. “I’m not.”

His pace was brutal as he fucked her into the ottoman she clung to for purchase, his moans just as high and just as loud as hers. It was as if every thrust got them higher, every withdrawal got them more desperate. Neither could get enough of the way the other felt, and for once in both of their lives they felt that they had stumbled upon something that could go the distance—that they wanted to go the distance.

“Baby, fuck!” Dieter tossed his head back only for a moment before remembering the view he had—Violet in front of him in the mirror, being practically split in half by his cock, her face reddened from exertion and twisted in pleasure. He brought his eyes back to their reflection and felt his cock twitch as their gazes locked once more. “God, I can’t get enough of you. Fucking addicted. You’re mine. Mine.”

“All yours, D,” she promised, her second climax building quicker than she could prepare herself for. “Fuck my pussy full of you. I want to be yours. Make me yours—fuck—make me y-yours!”

Violet and Dieter came simultaneously, their bodies crumbling onto the carpet, limbs tangled together as they rode out the waves of their highs in each others arms. Dieter held her close, spooning her on the ground, kissing her shoulders, neck, back—anywhere he could reach, he marked as his own. Violet’s hands reached back to rub at his hip, desperate to feel more of this man that had flipped her world upside down and shown her things she never thought possible.

They laid like that for a while, their heaving chests calming as they caught their breath. Soon, sleep began to weigh down their eyelids, their muscles sore from their romp. Dieter was the first to move, standing up with a graceless grunt, his flaccid but still impressive cock on full display as he leant a hand out for her.

“C’mon, hot stuff,” he husked. “Time for bed.”

“Can’t move,” she grumbled, but placed her hand in his anyways. Dieter used what little energy remained to help her to her feet, kissing her once she stood in front of him. “This wasn’t just a tonight thing…right?”

“No,” he shook his head, face tired and soft but sincere. “I love you, Vi. Loved you since New York. Maybe even LA. This…is fucking terrifying but…it’s real.”

“You love me?” she repeated with a pleased grin. “I love you.”

“Yeah, you’re crazy for that,” he chuckled a breath as he leaned in to kiss her. “C’mon, let’s go to bed.”

As Dieter and Violet laid down together for the first time ever that night, he stayed awake to watch her fall asleep. She looked so peaceful beside him, even though he knew her well enough to know that her mind was far from at rest, much like his own. But with the two of them here, in this fortress of blankets surrounded by a cloud of pillows and warmth, it almost felt like he’d finally achieved the rest he’d been searching for all his life. With his last bit of energy, he whispered to her, though it went unheard by his sleeping beauty.

“I’ve never told anybody that before—I love you. Never felt right. But you,” he smiled and nuzzled his face closer to her shoulder. “I love you.”

• • • •

• • • • • • • • •

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal fic #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal fluff #dieter bravo series #dieter bravo bubble #dieter bravo fic #dieter bravo angst #dieter bravo fluff #dieter bravo x oc #dieter bravo smut #plastic hearts

[maramahan]

I’ve already declared my intent to fight the sky, but as of today, I have a new enemy: the ground

#just me rambling #guess who tripped and fell on the sidewalk folks #I don’t even know why??? #like. I saw a frog. I pulled my dog along so he would not see and try to eat the frog #Hello Pavement. How’s My Blood Taste? #I’m fine of course — just. frustrated? #like a.) gravity needs to chill #b.) the sidewalk ALSO needs to chill #c.) how on earth did I manage to skin both knees both ankles and my hip??? how is that even POSSIBLE????? (I am very talented) #d.) also I skinned the heel of my hand and it’s very annoying #e.) I already have a headache #f.) if I were 4% more feral I’d be ripping up the sidewalk in a vengeful rage right now #g.) …maybe I’m the one who needs to chill #(Nah) #anyway yeah it’s not like it’s BAD or anything it’s just. really annoying??? #therefore the sky and the ground are now my nemeses #fire and water and I are still on decent terms though #….for now

[sagendipity]

the law of attraction: de minimis

a quackity x reader law school au

part one, chapter two

[PREV] | [NEXT]

.

“Now turn to your left and say hi to your partner, the person your significant other will hate, after you blow them off on Valentines day to do voir dire.”

Alex chuckles, the sound drawing your gaze right over to him. You sigh dramatically, but can’t help yourself from letting a fond smile take over your features.

“Figure it’s time to introduce myself,” Alex quips, holding out a hand invitingly. “Alex.”

“Yeah,” you say, as you take his hand and shake it. He is warm, and your hand fits perfectly in his. “I picked up on that.”

“You will each work in teams of two within larger groups. I will assign you into a group. Each group will have a defense and a prosecution. You do not get to choose which side you represent. You do not get to choose your client. You do not get to choose the crime.” The professor rakes his eyes across the room of students. They all, including you, are silent and sitting attentively. “The only thing you get to choose is how well you represent your client, whether your client be the accused, or the state.”

Beside you, Alex lets out a low sigh, almost a whistle. His knee is bouncing, the black fabric of his track pants bunching up around his knee with the movement. You want to reach out and straighten it, fix the three white stripes running parallel down the side.

“You may know this: the university is granted a courtroom at the William Kunstler Courthouse for academic use. When you leave this room in a few moments, you’ll find informative packets on my desk.” The silver-haired man grabs a heavy stack of papers, and spreads them out on his desk like a dealer spreading a stack of cards. “Take one. It contains all the information you need to win your case, and pass this class.”

Your breath catches in your throat- you had a feeling this was coming.

“If you lose your case,” your professor says. “You will receive a maximum of a B+ in my class. If you win, you are guaranteed an A.”

The static sound of unsettled murmuring steadily rises in the echoey lecture room. You glance over at Alex, who is leaning back in his chair, legs crossed casually. He’s fiddling with one of the hoodie strings that hangs from his collar.

“This mock trial will work as any other real case. Your jury consists of freshmen students in a jury studies elective. They have no knowledge about this case, and you should treat them not as students, but as ordinary citizens when you go through voir dire.”

Alex huffs a laugh again, a little noise that is quickly becoming very familiar to you. “Explains why he went over voir dire for three hours last week.”

Despite the anxiety thrumming through your veins, you nod in accordance. Your fingers thread and twist through each other, the poor ring on your index finger falling victim to your fiddling. You pull it off your finger and twirl it around in your lap, the metal warmed from your body heat even if you feel more frigid than not.

“A real judge will be presiding over your case. Kissing up to them by bringing them a gift basket and ‘thanking them for their time’ is not frowned upon, but it is not effective. They are the only truly impartial ones in that courtroom, most of the time.”

With every word out of your professor’s mouth, you feel your exhaustion growing.

Isn’t this what you want to do? Isn’t this what… everyone here wants to do, for the rest of their lives?

You look to Alex. He’s looking at the professor with bright enough eyes, but the bags underneath them tell a different story, the skin taking on a bluish tint. His relaxed posture, his crossed arms with his fingers tucked into his own sides, the confident yet also unreadable expression he tends to wear still constant as ever. He looks like he knows something you don’t, and that should scare you.

You slide the ring back onto your finger and fold your hands atop your desk.

“The only difference from a real trial is that you have more prep time, and that you have your partner to help you with your side of the case. Both of you will be present in court, choosing jurors, delivering opening arguments, questioning witnesses, presenting evidence and arguments, and, yes, delivering your closing statements. You better get comfortable with your partner. Your futures rest in each other’s hands.”

You think you feel a headache coming on. You’re about to put your entire future, the fate of your entire career, in the warm hands of someone who is, at this point, just this side of total stranger. That should scare you.

“Everyone take a packet on your way out. I suggest you get coffee or a meal with your partner in the time you would spend in this class on an ordinary day. Information about Wednesday’s class is in the packet. We are meeting at the courthouse.” The professor spreads his arms wide, an enthusiastic grin suddenly spreading over his face, looking as out of place as a daisy on a sidewalk full of snow. “Welcome to real criminal procedure. Class is dismissed.”

.

“Here, before I go.” Alex’s voice pulls you out of your stupor with a gentle hand on your upper arm. You think you can feel the warmth seeping into your chilled skin through the thick fabric of your coat. You look down at where his hand rests on you, his skin a beautiful contrast to the dark red of your coat. Then, you notice his other hand- holding out a post-it note. “My number. I’m really sorry, I have to go- I have a thing to do for a friend- but, are you free this afternoon for lunch, maybe? We can get to know each other a bit before we start spending hours together each day.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” you force out, the teasing normally coming naturally, but today it feels like speaking around a rock in your throat. “Um- you have to go?”

“Yeah, sorry, it’s a- work thing.”

“I thought you said it was for a friend?”

“It is- look, it’s complicated, I’m sorry. I promise, you can have me as soon as I’m done, I’ll call the minute we’re done.” His furrowed brows stab at your resolve, the questioning facade you put up disappearing like a melted snowflake.

Taking the post-it from his outstretched hand, you carefully fold it into quarters and slip it into the pocket of your slacks. Before you do, you catch a glimpse of a little :] scrawled at the end of the string of numbers.

“What makes you think I want you?” you quip back after a moment.

His face falls for a moment, before he gets the joke and his brown eyes spark back up with the intensity of a firework. An unapologetic laugh bubbles up from his chest, an addicting sound that you feel echoing in your own chest, as well throughout as the high-ceilinged lecture hall.

“I’ll grab you a packet,” you say, nodding your chin at the table at the front of the room that has assembled a bit of a crowd around it. “Go, get your thing done.”

“You- thank you!” Alex grins, his hand on your arm squeezing in some sort of a thank-you before he leaps to his feet and grabs his binder. “I’ll see you soon- promise.”

“Promise,” you nod seriously, holding up your pinky.

You don’t expect him to turn on his heel and link his own finger with yours, pulling your hand tight against his for a moment before nodding with an enthusiasm entirely inappropriate for the situation. Then, he is actually gone, with his green jacket slung over an arm and the papers in his binder fluttering as he whisks out the door.

You notice that the frost in the windows had cleared when you see him jog across the street. He crosses just in time for a gust of wind to threaten to tear off his beanie- he slaps a hand down on top of his head, unruly black strands curling around the edges of the hat as he disappears around a crowded street-corner.

.

You sit yourself down in the library with a pen, a highlighter, and a steaming cup of coffee from the campus coffee shop. For midmorning on a Monday, the library is packed. Most of the students are windblown and dusted with snowflakes, their jackets pulled tightly around their shoulders as they seek out shelter from the horrible weather to chat with friends, classmates, and partners.

One of the only open tables rests right in the corner, sandwiched between two wide windows. You find why it’s empty very quickly, the thin glass doesn’t do much to stop the icy air from leaking in. Regardless, you shoulder your messenger bag onto an empty chair before setting yourself up in the chair farthest from the window. The packets you’d grabbed from your professor had taken a bit of a beating in the trek here, both dotted with little spots of water from stray, melting snowflakes.

Wincing as you smooth the packets out with your hand, you carefully wipe away an ink smudge that one particularly big snowflake had created. The words “de minimis” are smudged out, at least you think that’s what had been there, considering the following sentence.

A court of law is focused on the smallest things. Arguments are described as de minimis, as in, having their foundation built upon the smallest of things. One partial fingerprint is enough to seal someone’s sentence. One word misspoken is enough to cause a mistrial. One sentence too far is enough to get yourself held in contempt. The smallest things seal fates and shape lives, in law as in life.

You take your pen and carefully scrawl in de minimis onto the dampened paper.

.

TAGLIST: @just-a-dreammm @strawberrymilkgeorge @wmmy @nochuwastaken @noraimp @axths @tinyegg @moonamor @lincolnns @boiled-onionrings @esylwen @queennightsetz

#quackity #alex quackity #quackity x reader #quackity x you #quackity x y/n #quackity imagine #quackity fanfiction #quackity headcanon #quackity fluff #mcyt #mcyt x reader #mcyt fanfiction #sage vs the law of attraction #sage vs the law of attraction qxr #sage vs quackity #law school #lawyer #law school au #quackity au

[sprinklesandshatters]

A Review on NCT 127′s 3rd Album <Sticker>

So NCT 127 just came back with their 3rd Full Album <Sticker> and this is my first 127 comeback since I became a fan last year! Neozone is such a special album for me as it was their first album that I explored entirely. I've known NCT as the group who never fails any expectations so I've kept mine up although I know they'll exceed it anyway. And guess what, they did! I absolutely love their new album hence this review~

This isn't a technical music review—as I am not a musician myself—but rather a listener's honest takes, goofy notes, and interpretation on each of the tracks in the album. I admit I've also struggled to build my own opinions on some of the tracks until I listened to them over and over again.

I have also heard there are mixed opinions on the title track <Sticker> and a lot says it's another acquired taste. But I think it's not just that, as it can be a grower, just like how most of NCT's songs were for me. Maybe after a few listens and a right passage of time, it will grow on those people. The bottom line here is, I like it a lot! 😛

So I listed down the songs according to their respective track numbers and followed each with a bulleted list of my opinions and interpretations.

(Viewer/reader discretion: before you continue, minors, do not interact as there are few 18+ contents under the cut. Thank you.)

1. Sticker

THEY DIDN'T JUST PUNCH A NEW NOTCH ON THE BELT LIKE THAT

THIS SONG SLAPS, LITERALLY SLAPS… AND WHIPS 

The recorder at the intro boyyyy I thought something was wrong but then I remember it’s NCT lmao

It already stuck in my head from my first listen from the Instagram audio.

With Taeyong opening the verse with his divine rapping, I knew I'm in for a new ride.

STICK-UH STICK-UGH STICK-UGHGHGH

To those complaining it sounding like noise music, imagine it sounding generic. I don't think it would fit as the title track. Not a b-track or in their repertoire, even. They are called NCT because they define the NEO in the music culture and music technology!

It honestly was an unorthodox, just like all of their title tracks, which I’m inherently here for.

Literally, no one does it like them!

The growls and the vocal flexes and adlibs! (You can tell it has Yoo Youngjin's brand.)

The crisp metronome sound that’s consistently ticking except for the pre-chorus and the dance break adds depth to the soundscape. I love how it’s used instead of the usual snaps.

The production quality blew my mind. Like how can someone think those melodies would sound so exquisite? CAN I CALL THEM GENIUS?

The piano at the back, oh my God—Yes! It adds this mystifying element to the song.

I'm not sure if it's a midi violin at the pre-chorus, but it added thrill to the song. It was a great transition from the bass line in the verses to the combination of the flawless harmony with the same instrumental.

"You treat me like a boy, like a grown-up child chasing a dream" JUNGWOO BABY NO MORE HUH

Taeil, Doyoung, and Haechan—the bridge vocal trinity!

But why the heck are they cowboys? I dig the concept, but why? LMAO

BTW GUNSLINGER MARK I’M ON MY KNEES YEEHAW

This is easily one of my favorite tracks from NCT 127's entire discography 💚

2. Lemonade

(⌐■_■)

Jaehyun starting off this song with his deep voice eee

The song opens to a verse oozing with chill confidence. They're like, yeah you're lurking because we’re cool.

This is such a huge slap to their haters. NCT's not chillin' like a villain, nah they're the main characters!

Well maybe they’re villains, but still ya not cooler than them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Funny enough how they could have just referred haters as simply lemons whose sour/bitter to the taste, but 127 squad's success is sweeter than all the haters' spiteful remarks so yeah, SIPPY SIPPY LEMONADE 🧃

"WOOF"

I might have just barked too wOW

Yuta’s vocals hooooO his voice just sounds so glamorous mhmm

Also Mark referencing their previous title tracks such as: Firetruck, Cherry Bomb, and Regular (it's Irregular in the lyrics) in his rap part 👌💅

I just love Mark's energy when he raps. HE RESOLUTELY BITES AND STRAIGHT UP EATS EVERY TIME HE DOES.

3. Breakfast

Now breakfast time, oh jeez!

AAAHAHFU—

Summer 127's bestie!

If Summer 127 talks about dancing all night long, Breakfast is the morning after.

You know what it is.

"Even if I gulp and drink you, it's not enough for me." oho Taeyong no you ha—STOP

Sexual innuendos aside, isn't it just sweet if someone tells you they'd want to have breakfast with you every day?  Okay maybe I'm melting at the thought 😩🙈💞

And I can see myself dancing to this song as I make breakfast (in the afternoon or at midnight bc I’m crazy)

This was an okay b-track for me at the first skim on the album, but boy it grew on me wildly.

Honestly one of my favorite tracks in this album.

4. Focus

Did I just invade a private call? LMAO

The analog voice filters make it like so.

Dude, this feels intimate in the level of eavesdropping a phone call between seasoned lovers. Then you realize you hear them whispering their kinks over the line and you're ooh, that's sexy! hfgklhfhf

My first listen to this, I almost went feral because,

"I can't wait to eat you…" when it's actually "I can't wait 'til we chill…" aahaha

"Baby call me when you want me." OKAY!

This sounds relaxing and chill. I'd love to play this on a late night drive or just before bed time along with Fly Away With Me, Sun & Moon, My Youth, and Long Flight.

Belongs to ‘make out session’ playlist  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

That was lowkey a playlist recommendation, huh?

I'd be kidding if I don't say I could touch myself while listening to this song AHAHAFGHFJFJ

I didn't know this would grow on me this much lol I love love LOVE THIS!

5. The Rainy Night

Ooh, the holy melancholy!

Piano at the intro—I knew I'd cry to this.

This song isn't just about break-up, but the heartbreak after one.

The yearning; the remnant pieces from the shattering of what was once there.

I think I crumbled from this one.

This hit so hard I felt like I fit in the shoes with the lyrics throughout the entire song.

What’s fascinating is I clearly forgot the title when I mentally said this sounds like a sad rainy day song from the first listen.

Something I’d turn up when it suddenly rains, just because I want to feel the blues.

Taeil and Haechan singing in lower register? I wanna cry :( they’re just one of the best vocalists in K-music industry right now.

Could have been also nice if they added Yuta to the vocals.

"My selfish heart who waits for you to come back," OKAY WHO HURT THEM?

And the fact that they sang it so good that it translated every ounce of the emotions well even before I looked up for English translations is the reason why I love this song too.

6. Far

Hmm… What the hell?! Do I like this? Wait...

Alright!

The jumpy vibe from the first verse to the pre-chorus set the mood for this song. It sounds merry and heavy. It was honestly too much to take until I’ve reached the chorus part.

Honestly, I think this song could fit NCT Dream better, as it gives off a vibe similar to Hello Future's b-tracks. If some credible source say this could have made HF’s track list, I might believe you too fast.

Also Dream’s Deja Vu where they go na nananananana na na na~

Playful yet confident! That’s what I mean!

As usual, the vocals are insane! Vocal flex from left to right!

I swear Jungwoo sounded a bit like Taemin at the second verse that I had to replay it hahaha

I love hearing Johnny as a vocalist! SM, how many signs do you need until you utilize his vocal talent???

Taeil's part where he sings, "go nuts, go nuts, 'til we go bust, go bust" IDEK BUT I SNORTED A LAUGH AT FIRST LISTEN HFCAHKFHK

Not my favorite, but still great though!

But wait it’s actually stuck in my head???

7. Bring The Noize

Yes, they never beat those noise music allegations

HERE'S SOME NOIZE, BITCHES

I love me some noisy percussions. AND THE BASS YO

This screams so much confidence!

The build up from the pre-chorus to the chorus—FIRE!

This song reminds me a lot of SuperM's Super Car, especially with the engine roar samples and the battle cry-like singing at the chorus.

JAEHYUN RAPPING? You mean Jaehyun the visual, the vocalist, the actor, the model, the funny dude, aka my everything?! (markie bb look pls look away for a moment)

THEY DELIVERED IT STRAIGHT FROM NEOCITY THAT'S SOME NCT MUSIC RIGHT THERE NO ONE DOES IT LIKE THEM

When I said I'd play Focus on a late night drive, and if I add this in the playlist, VROOM VROOM SPEED LIMIT WHAT

OUTTA MY WAY

“We got no shame” ouh TAEYONG’S FLOW IS JUST VERY HIM AND HE’S IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

You know what's so clever about this song? It's how it ended with Mark's final rap without any instrumental, leaving you  standing there with a doppler effect-like post experience.

A super car on a super speed just whooshed past you and you look its way as it zips through the road. It's gone in an instant but you're floored dumbfounded at a sidewalk. That's how I describe this song.

8. Magic Carpet Ride

This song… Wow. Oh gosh it's so beautiful.

Their harmony in the chorus—it makes me want to kiss someone so passionately that I'd cry.

This makes me want to feel love that transcends the universe. Literally, just please take me on a magic carpet ride :(

The background harmonies too oh my goodness—HEAVENLY.

Jaehyun's voice is so warm and soulful it fits perfectly with songs of this genre.

Okay alright Doyoung Grande!

And Taeil makes me feel like I'm listening to old school R&B.

The first time I heard this from the track video, I can't stop replaying because it's just that great.

This makes me want to love. I think that sums it up.

9. Road Trip

This is such a soothing song for me, especially how I easily become nostalgic thinking about the road trips I've had.

Whenever I listen to this, my brain immediately conjures up thoughts of my ideal getaways. Gazing at the sky through the car window, stirring up from a nap in the middle of the ride, and   eventually reaching your destination.

Oh, to travel around anywhere... (curse you covid-19)

Okay that's it. I'M PACKING UP.

But where do I go—

I could also imagine Mark playing this on the guitar and the other members sing along together, something like that.

Just Wholesome™ vibes.

I love how it evokes such a nice emotion within me effortlessly.

This isn't my favorite, but I still love this.

10. Dreamer

Eyyyy such a refreshing song!

This song is so bright it makes me want to dance. I play this first in the shower!

It reminds me so much of Elevator (from Neozone)

The horns make it more lively I think!

Yuta and Jungwoo's voice suits lively songs like this.

The background vocal in low register in Taeyong's part in the first verse is so good ahhfhf

Taeil, the R&B vocal king you are...

There's this part where Doyoung and Johnny harmonized, that at first listen they seemed to clash, but it sounded actually fine after a few listens. Maybe it's just that I've never heard them do it before.

And I think it's Doyoung's laugh at the end of the bridge? Oh my goodness I really love this too!

11. Promise You

MY FIRST LOVE AND MOST FAVORITE SONG IN THE ALBUM!!!

The first time I heard this from their NCIT Sharehouse Sitcom, I fell in love with the song already.

It sounds like something you'd feel from a warm, welcoming hug.

The lyrics are so beautiful and endearing. It's definitely a be-there-for-you type of song that will touch your heart.

It definitely sounds like a promise.

A song about platonic intimacy.

This really fits to be the closing song of the album. It's like the end of it but holds a promise that says “see you soon.”

Because they cherish their fans like that.

It's also like I've watched a movie with a happy ending, where the camera pans up to the clear sky and this song starts playing.

Speaking of ending, I would love to hear them sing this as an encore stage in their concert. You know, that moment just before the stage lights die down at the end of the concert where they send final blows of flying kisses to NCTzens. Then you come home smiling and crying.

This wasn't supposed to be this long since I originally planned to write this with just simple phrases and emojis but I got too engrossed lol. I also meant to include my own ratings but I figured it’s pointless since I can’t really decide about them hahaha

I really enjoyed the whole album and I love how they're progressively defining what NEO means by breaking through standards. It's not NCT music if it doesn't make you say "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?" But then you realize it’s stuck in your head and you’re enjoying it already.

✨ OVERALL RATING: 127/10 💚

if you’ve reached until here, thank you for letting me share you a braincell or two 💞

#this was too long oh goodness #idek if some of you will actually take interest to read all these blabbers but yeah #but it was fun listing these down hahaha #nct 127 #nct #sticker #sticker.talks #taeil #johnny #taeyong #yuta #doyoung #jaehyun #jung jaehyun #jungwoo #mark #mark lee #haechan #nct fluff #nct smut #nct reviews #long post

[moralesispunk]

When the last of the leaves fall

Marcus Pike x Female Reader

Summary: Marcus is scared to fall in love again but he can’t avoid his feelings for you any longer.

Warnings: none, just pure fluff

Word count: 1.2k

part of @autumnleaves1991-blog and @clydesducktape Writer Wednesday

Marcus had fallen into a strict routine since moving to D.C. He had been successfully avoiding, for the most part, falling into the work culture that brought with it after work drinks and invites to birthday nights out. Since his failed engagement, Marcus had decided to use D.C. as an opportunity to focus on himself and his work, avoiding any chance of another heartbreak.

So far, he had politely declined dinner offers from two women in the office, he had stopped wishfully watching couples who roamed the museums hand in hand while they whispered in each other's ears, he switched off any romantic film that popped up on TV. He was doing well evading love whenever it creeped up… until he met you.

You who had a mind that worked a mile a minute and a mouth that moved just as fast when you were excited, who worked in the research department and spoke about art in a way that flooded his chest with a warmth, who also happened to live in the building next to him and seemed to have Marcus figured out when he wasn’t even sure he had.

It quickly became part of his routine to walk with you to and from work every day. It started somewhere between late winter and early spring, he remembers because you told him that your allergies were already starting to act up with the new bloom of flowers.

This morning Marcus left his apartment at 8:03, a few minutes later than usual when he doubled back for a scarf after feeling the crisp autumn chill in the air. You were already waiting at the bottom of his apartment building steps when he opened the door, dramatically lifting your wrist and feigning shock as you looked at your watch, joking that you were just about to call a search party because Mr Pike never runs late. He forced down the real laugh that was swirling in his belly and instead put on a polite one, hoping that if his body faked normality his heart could soon follow.

You rolled your eyes as though you understood what he was doing before bumping your shoulder against his and turning to walk towards the Metro station. The walk was filled with quiet conversations of the weather and how much you were looking forward to examining the most recent piece of art Marcus’s team had seized, neutral topics you had quickly learned Marcus liked to stick to. Marcus chose the burnt orange leaves to focus on as you talked to him, avoiding your loving gaze as you spoke with such excitement that he felt as though he was going to melt onto the sidewalk there and then. 

You stood close together when walking into the station, trying not to get separated by the many bodies flooding in. Marcus pushed his hand deep in his pocket when you stepped onto the escalator, the other gripping tighter around his briefcase handle, anything to stop him from reaching out and letting his hand rest at the bottom of your back.

The platform was already packed by the time you got down and you teased him that you would have been at the front of the platform if he didn’t spend some extra time on his hair this morning. I need a haircut he huffed in response and was already planning to swing by the barbers tomorrow after work when it stayed open late but when you looked up at him with doe eyes and told him that he suited it longer the plan was thrown straight out the window.

The train was packed when you both stepped inside with Marcus’s back to the door. You were facing him as the train accelerated from the station and for just a moment you lost your balance, your hand flying up to his chest with a palm flat against his shirt as you steadied yourself, eyes looking up at him as you let out a whoops, sorry Boss before reaching for the pole he was also holding on to. He had gripped onto your elbow at some time during your trip, his hand falling to his side as you stood properly and he suddenly missed how you felt against him.

His hand slid further down the pole, a lot closer than he had ever dared let it go before. Your hands still weren’t touching, a good inch between them, but he could feel the heat radiating off of your small hands. He forced thought after thought away of how much smaller they would look entwined with his, holding one another tightly and swinging through the air as you walked to work together.

The station you got off at was right beside the FBI building, but you both b-lined for the cafe next to it first as per usual. It was your turn to buy and you ordered his coffee just how he liked it, remembering the extra shot because it was a Monday. When the cup reached his lips it already tasted better than when he ordered it for himself, which he knew wasn’t possible but somehow it did.

And then your morning together was brought to an end when you both went inside and he pressed the elevator buttons for floors seven and twelve. You hopped off at seven and turned to wave him off for the day before the doors closed again and he was trapped five floors away from you for the rest of the day.

It was better like this, he told himself, he couldn’t make excuses to visit you all day and didn’t have to fight off the bubbling feelings he had for you.

By the time Marcus took the elevator down at the end of the work day at 5:30 on the dot you were already waiting on the ground floor, your own briefcase swinging as you leaned against the wall. You pushed your body off to join him as he walked by, already gushing about the beautiful portrait you got to examine for four whole hours, Marcus! Four hours! You spent the whole Metro home looking up at him, your sweet voice filling the carriage as he listened to you talk about the colours, with the perfect mix of the yellows and oranges and light browns, just like the leaves, right Marcus? He couldn’t stop the genuine smile that took over his face as he listened, knowing his dimple on his cheek would be there to prove it. He also couldn’t stop the way he noticed how your smile changed in response, turning softer as you stopped talking for a moment before going on.

He nodded and let you continue as you walked out of the station, forgetting to look away from you and suddenly faced with your wide smile and crinkles at the side of your eyes as you moved onto the composition and how everything was just so perfectly placed while the golden light from the sunset was cast over you.

Marcus knew he was in trouble. He had known it from the moment he met you but he could finally feel himself admit it as you reached your apartment buildings. What didn’t help was that he could see in your eyes that you knew it too, how you let your hand reach up to give his arm a squeeze while saying goodbye before skipping up the steps to your building and waving goodbye. 

When the last of the leaves fall off the trees, that’s when I will tell her, he told himself. Marcus was done letting his past control his future any more.

//

Permanent tag// 

@phoenixhalliwell @asta-lily @hb8301 @princess76179 @sarahjkl82-blog @spideysimpossiblegirl @blackmarketmummy @bison-writes @dihra-vesa @queridopascal @sfr99 @rosiefridayrogersunday @tintinn16 @pilothusband @voteforpedro09  

#writer wednesday #marcus pike #marcus pike x reader #marcus pike x you #marcus pike x female reader #marcus pike x f!reader #Marcus pike x y/n

[dilexit]

To be Young and Dumb ~ Karl Jacobs Edition

Summary: In which (Y/N) and Karl forget their 22 for a minute

Pairing and Pronouns: CC!Karl x GN!Reader (preestablished relationship). Reader is mentioned to have a brother but that could be changed to sister or friend easily

Each edition to this series has a different plot just under the same name and same idea of safe spontaneous things

Hey so I’ve been a little bit MIA but so I’ve been having a wave of depression especially due to the school year ending and my fear of change and stuff like that so I’ll be writing a few imagines titled To be Young and Dumb just about doing so safe spontaneous things that I do during these episodes so I hope y’all enjoy and know that if you are struggling rn you are not alone in this and we believe in you

Warnings: Cars, Depression (not mentioned but implied), Self Doubt, Talk of growing up, Angst to Fluff, probably swearing, Not proof read

Requested: Yes No

(Y/N) had a love hate relationship with adulthood. They loved the freedom it gave them, but also missed the ability to just be childish. (Y/N) had just got back from visiting the house they grew up in, and couldn't help the feeling of sadness grow in their stomach. Walking around and looking at all old memories and photos made them think back to all the things they could have been. These episodes of self doubt have happened before, and they always hurt. The easiest way to get rid of it was to distract themselves, but their favorite distraction was in the other room streaming. (Y/N) turned on the TV and wrapped up into their favorite blanket watching nostalgic movies to feel like a child again, waiting for their boyfriend to end stream and spend time with them. For (Y/N) nostalgia would present itself in less of a joyful way and more of a longing for it to be the present again way. Giving in to it always feels great in the short-lived moments, but (Y/N) just longed for Karl to help them take the pain away. As if the universe could hear their thoughts, the sound of Karl's door opening followed by footstep could be heard from above. When Karl made it down stairs, he immediately noticed the way (Y/N) was laying on the couch surrounded by their blankets and stuffed animals, and the land before time on the TV.

"Hey baby," he said sitting down on the end on couch near (Y/N)'s feet. "Are you ok?". Karl knew they weren't, and that and just sitting here would be much help. As Karl suspected (Y/N) shook their head no and leaned in to bury their face into Karl's shoulder. Karl look over their head to see the sun was still up and shining, thinking (Y/N) could benefit from the fresh air.

"Why don't we go for a walk, it's warm out," Karl offered, to which (Y/N) let out a groan, but got up anyway.

"Fine, but let me change first," they said stretching a little bit. They went upstairs finding their clothes and deciding on some black shorts and their favorite shirt to wear in the 77 degree heat. Walk back down the stairs, they saw no sign of Karl, but the front door open a little bit. Heading out the door into his driveway, they turned to see Karl standing in the open garage. (Y/N) started walking towards him, but as they got closer, they noticed something behind him. Walking past Karl much to his dismay (Y/N) landed at the green box on the shelf.

"Do we have to walk?" (Y/N) asked, pointing at the container of chalk.

"Oh, I guess we don't," Karl responded, and (Y/N) felt a wave of happiness rush over them.

"Can we use?" (Y/N) asked, still pointing towards the large container of sidewalk chalk.

"Yeah Jimmy used it for a video and left it with me I never thought I ever get rid of it." He said walking with his SO and taking a seat on the driveway. (Y/N) reached for the red chalk and started drawing. Karl watched over their shoulder ad they started drawing a rose. Karl went a grabbed a purple piece of chalk and started absent-mindedly drawing. When (Y/N) had quickly grown bored with their rose and turned to Karl. He didn't really know what he was doing, and it showed. (Y/N) let out a giggle and scooted closer to him.

"Whatcu drawing?" (Y/N) asked catching Karl off guard.

"Oh! I don't really know, to be honest." He said and (Y/N) leaned over and drew a big red heart in the middle of Karl's doodles. Karl looked up at them and giggled, leaning in to give them a quick peck. A small breeze rustled the leafs of nearby trees a blew around loose chalk particles. The couple went back to drawing together mainly hearts and smiley faces as they made some conversation.

"You know my brother and I would make obstacle courses around our drive way on days like these," (Y/N) laughed.

"Corry, Sean and I were much more boring we would just go on like bike rides together if we even wanted to spend time with each other." Karl retorted.

"Yeah (Y/B/N) and I really didn't hang out much, but sometimes we would have fun. It was mainly competitions and stuff like that. But every now and then we would just sit aa draw a bunch of random stuff," (Y/N) felt much better while they passed stories back and forth.

"My mom wouldn't let us have chalk because we were too messy with it." Karl joked back looking down at his chalk covered hands. (Y/N) also took not of the chalk covering their hands and quickly rubbed their hand in to a red heart.

"You know what our favorite thing to do with chalk was?" (Y/N) questioned

"No what was it," Karl asked leaning forward a bit.

"This," (Y/N) giggled lightly hitting Karl's chest leaving a red handprint on his shirt. Karl opened his mouth in slight defense while giggling at the gesture reaching out and leaving a green mark on (Y/N)'s shorts. Karl then reached for a few more hearts covering his hands, while (Y/N) grabbed a stray piece of chalk and running away. Karl quickly noticed their absents and chased after them. He caught up to them quickly and grabbed their waist pulling them close. His hands left blue marks on their waist, and their hands were covered in the green chalk they had picked up before. (Y/N) wriggled into Karl's arms, facing him again, taking their chalk covered fingers and running them on his face. After (Y/N), brought theirs onto Karl's arms, that were still on their waist. Karl looked at their face and brought his hands up to their cheek pulling them in. The minute their lips touch and chill went down (Y/N)'s spine, the bits of wonder they had shared in the hour of messing around was all (Y/N) needed to remember why they loved who they are now. As the kiss kept on going (Y/N), was sure both parties were covered in chalk. They didn't know how long it would take for them to pull apart. Instead of stopping by choice, they were pulled apart by a car horn and Chris yelling from the car window.

"We've been waiting for you two for 30 minutes. Now I see you were busy, but go change and hurry up."

"Crap! Let's go," Karl said pulling (Y/N)'s arm, leading them back instead to get ready for the video they forgot about.

#karl x reader #karl jacobs x reader #karl jacobs x you #karl jacobs x y/n #mcyt fanfiction #mcyt x reader #karl jacobs fanfic #dream smp x reader

[carelessannie]

maybe it goes like this: tony courts peter (part 8)

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine | Chapter Ten | Epilogue

Read on A03

Read the Stuckony backstory

Word count: 10.1K

Starker, WinterSpider, SpiderShield, Peter x Clint x OFC

Peter’s POV -> it’s been a rough semester, and pack related stress isn’t making anything easier. Maybe a packmate (or the whole pack) can help him out?

Major warnings: D/S Au, A/B/O Au, explicit d/s abo smut, femdom, edging, face-sitting, come eating, uhhh light CBT and hair pulling, light bondage, subdrop, and non-apologetic long discussions of sex-ed

---

Maybe it goes like this:

There’s only a few weeks until finals, and of course this is when the pack has decided to move forward with officially mating and bonding. It’s not like Peter wants to postpone it, per se— it’s just, there’s so many steps involved with combining packs, and Peter can’t deal with dividing his attention between home and school.

And the lab. Dammit.

Until the end of their lease, his pack is living at their apartment during the week and at Tony’s place over the weekend. The whole upstairs of their house was built with bedroom suites, so each of them not only get a room of their own, but they have also built a makeshift nest upstairs that’s separate from Bucky’s nest downstairs. It’s been an easy transition this way— taking claim of a part of Tony’s home before a more intimate bond takes place— but Peter feels more and more stressed out as the weeks pass.

Currently, he’s staring at a screen in the lab, failing to comprehend any of the information in front of him. Over winter break, Peter was moved to a permanent position in a lab away from Tony. Pepper had insisted on it since they started getting serious, and Peter agreed. It was unprofessional to do that much cuddling at work.

The one downside now is that work has become mind-numbingly boring for most of the day. After this semester, Peter can transfer back to working in chemical engineering, or mechanics. Or even robotics. And after spending the last few months in software development and computer science, Peter is so ready for the change.

He checks the clock for the third time in the last five minutes. Still four o’clock. Still the same information in front of him.

If he squints hard enough, the code on his computer looks like Hieroglyphics.

“To- neeeey,” he whines, turning fully to face the Beta, “thank god, I’m dying. I can’t go on.”

There are a few snickers from other scientists in the lab, but Peter could care less as he watches Tony’s face crumble, “Oh sweet baby, come here,” and he opens his arms, pulling Peter in for a hug.

It only lasts a few moments, but Peter absorbs as much of Tony’s scent as he can while the Beta rocks him back and forth, stroking down his back and kissing whispered reassurances into his hair. He holds onto Tony’s tie, using it as leverage to stand up and nose around his collarbone.

Tony laughs and murmurs, “That tickles, Pete,” but Peter ignores him, dotting small kisses up the side up his neck until he can smell HappyArousedCalm coming off of his Beta.

There’s a hitch in Tony’s breath after Peter nibbles on his pulse point, “Need something from me, Omega?”

Peter hums, even as Tony pulls away slightly, “Yes, Beta,” he pauses as Tony tilts his head expectantly, “I need you to take me home.”

Peter hums, even as Tony pulls away slightly, “Yes, Beta,” he pauses as Tony tilts his head expectantly, “I need you to take me home.”

He watches Tony laugh, stepping back and looping an arm over Peter’s shoulders, before calling out to the room, vaguely, “Whoever’s in charge here, I’m taking him home. Because I’m actually in charge here. Okay— have a good weekend, goodbye.”

He’s towed away, barely sparing a second to grab his phone and shut down his station. They practically run out of the building— holding hands and laughing wildly as they throw their jackets into the back of Tony’s car and jump in the front seats.

“So— what are we doing with the long weekend, Tony?”

Tony starts the car, pulling out into the city, “I thought we’d go out for dinner and spend the evening in with our pack— how does that sound?”

“ Ooo,” Peter claps his hands, “that sounds perfect, Tony, oh my goodness. What do you have in mind?”

“How does seafood sound? I have a place I’ve been dying to take you.”

Peter turns, grabbing his boyfriend’s arm, “Where? Tony, where are we going?”

“Nope, not this time,” Tony shakes his head, weak, “it’s gonna be a surprise, dammit.”

“I’ll get it out of you— no secret is safe around me, Tony Stark.”

He winks and blows a kiss when Tony looks over, and the man looks terrified. Peter laughs, pulling a pair of sunglasses out of the center console and reclining back in the seat. It’s a little chilly still in early April, but the change of season means more sun, and the Omega is happy to roll up his dress shirt sleeves and bask in it like a pampered cat.

The drive passes comfortably and Peter adores sitting next to his handsome Beta— the whole world seeing that Tony is spoken for and claimed by the young Omega on his arm. Peter never thought he’d want to be a trophy Omega— and, technically, he isn’t— but something about being pampered and loved by the most powerful man in New York City has him preening where he sits.

He’s thankful the windows are down, or Tony would be able to smell it on him.

They pull around 59th and up to the curb across from Central Park. Tony exits the driver’s side, throws his keys to a waiting driver, and rounds the car to open Peter’s door. He steps out and grabs their jackets from the back seat, handing over Tony’s as the two of them link arms and hop onto the sidewalk.

“Where to, Tony?” he blinks up at his date, smiling innocently.

Tony hums, distracted, “Marea, just through the—”

“— Aha! —”

“— dammit! No! That doesn’t count!”

“Yes it does! I win,” Peter skips forward, doing a little dance in victory.

He feels Tony catch him around the waist, nuzzling into his neck, and knows the Beta is enjoying his HappyOmega scent. The two of them joke and tease for the rest of the walk into the restaurant, but Peter notices something as they walk through the door to be seated.

“Uh, Tony?”

“Yeah, Pete?”

“Where is everyone?” he asks, gesturing around the empty room.

Tony looks around and gives him a suspiciously innocent face, “Well... they may not be open, officially, for another hour.”

He tries to pull them further into the room, but Peter is frozen— speechless.

“Don’t give me that look, baby, I made some calls today and everything’s set, I’m paying for the extra hour, the service and the meals—”

“Tony,”

“— and even extra for the inconvenience, okay? I just wanted to treat you—”

Peter grabs his shirt collar, shutting him up with a kiss. Tony inhales against Peter’s lips and immediately takes control, snaking his hands up into Peter’s hair and pulling gently, tipping his head back to deepen the kiss. Their lips move together, perfectly synchronized, and Peter opens his mouth in an invitation. Tony just chuckles— briefly licking underneath his upper lip before pulling away and looking at Peter with a mixture of awe and amusement.

“You never have to justify treating me, Tony. I feel so special when you do,” Peter reaches up to brush his fingers through Tony’s short hair, feeling safe and warm in his hold.

The older man just grins, eyes bright, and leads them to their seats. Right in the center of the Ravello Room, their table has been set and lit with candles— a bottle of wine is chilling in an ice bath, and the maître d' stands nearby, greeting them and explaining the menu for the afternoon.

When she walks away, Tony reaches over and grabs Peter’s hand. They sit like this through the first two courses, and Peter’s content to share each of them with Tony, even if that means being basically hand fed by his boyfriend.

And it’s pretty hard to hand feed someone oysters.

The food is incredible, though, and their conversation is even better. Peter tries not to complain about work and school, but even when he inevitably does, Tony is patient and listens. He asks questions when necessary, and they even work through a few solutions to tougher problems together.

“I guess... I wish a few of the things with our pack were more definite,” Peter picks at his meal, separating the shrimp from the pasta.

“What do you mean, baby?” Tony asks, reaching over to steal a piece of shrimp.

Peter tries to defend his plate, jabbing at Tony’s hand with his fork, but misses. His pout deepens, “I dunno. I wish it wasn’t still up in the air who’s going to bond. I wish I knew how synchronizing goes, with our heats. I wish there was more communication about sex, and scenes, and who’s comfortable with what. I wish I knew the timeline,” he shakes his head, finally putting his fork down, “I don’t know, Tony, it just feels so out of control most of the time, I don’t know how to handle it.”

“I don’t think you can control it, sweetheart. There are six different people in this pack, and fifteen different individual relationships. Plus, two unique pack dynamics that need to merge. It’s uncomfortable, Petey, and it’s gonna take time.”

“I know that, Tony, it’s just… I’m supposed to be the center of this pack, and some days I don’t even know if you want to bond with me, so how—”

“I do.”

“— am I… what?”

“I do want to bond with you. God, I want nothing more in the world,” Tony reaches up to cup his cheek, “I can’t believe you doubted that, Peter. You know I love you, right?”

“I… I don’t…”

Tony’s eyes start to tear up, and he looks absolutely devastated, “I’m so sorry, baby. Dammit— I love you. I am completely gone on you. Every day I have to stop myself from keeping you all to myself; running away and starting a familial pack, just the two of us. There are so many steps: mating and bonding and collaring and marrying, and Peter— I want them all with you.”

Peter’s vision is blurry, tears falling freely as he frantically tries to wipe them away, “Tony, I— I had no idea. You never… we didn’t… I just assumed that we were getting there, you know? I’ve never been in love before, Tony—”

“It’s okay, Peter, you don’t have to—”

“— but I am in love with you. God, we’re stupid, aren’t we?” both of them laugh, wet and joyful, “everything’s just so confusing right now.”

“I know, baby, I know,” Tony coos, pulling on Peter’s wrist until he’s up, out of his seat, and moving to sit across Tony’s lap. He loves that when he sits like this and curls up, his head fits perfectly under Tony’s chin, and his mate’s arms wrap soundly around his waist.

“Da— Tony,” Peter whines, barely catching the slip up— not time for that conversation yet, Pete— as Tony holds him tighter.

“Need me to help you, baby?” Tony murmurs right next to his ear, making him shiver, “you know, you don’t have to do it all alone.”

“I know— Steve is supposed to help—”

“Not just Steve,” Tony grips his arms, looking him in the eye, “all of us. Especially me. I want to help you. Will you let me?”

It’s a heavy question, Peter knows. He knows that he needs help— but trusting someone else to do the work and do it right… only Clint, Annie and May are close enough for that. And barely so. It takes a lot for Peter to trust, it’s uncomfortable. But if he claims to love Tony—

“Yes, Beta. I need— I need your help.”

The restaurant around them is forgotten as Tony whispers, “Good boy,” and Peter starts to float, only tethered down by the warmth of his mate’s arms, the scent of Cinnamon and smoky Bonfires holding him together.

“Eat this, baby,” and he opens his mouth, biting down obediently. It’s chocolatey and creamy and crunchy— he has to focus on chewing, and Tony’s fingers around his mouth and on his arms are helping to pull him back up. “Stay up for me, Peter. I’m gonna talk and then we’ll have a conversation, baby.”

Peter finds himself switching focus between eating the dessert and following Tony’s story about… his mom? And a secret hideout?

“— mom could never find me, but, I don’t know, I don’t think she ever tried, you know? It wasn’t that hard to find.”

“She probably knew and just wanted you to have a place to yourself,” Peter mumbles into Tony’s neck.

Tony pulls him away, holding him at arm’s length and looking into his eyes for a long moment.

“You up, Pete? Ready to talk?” he asks, and Peter nods, moving to get off Tony’s lap. The older Beta lets him, and Tony stands up to move their chairs closer together. When Peter sits down, Tony immediately takes his hand and continues eating like nothing happened.

“Okay— I’m gonna start. First, we need to talk about your pack Pete. I know Bucky’s gonna want to bond with everyone, he’s told me as much, but especially you and Annie need to decide who you’re bonding with. Have you talked to Steve at all about it?”

“Yes, we’ve been going on dates, and... everything is so natural with Steve, which I guess makes sense since we’re so compatible,” he pauses, thoughtful, “I think I want to bond with everyone, too. I can’t speak for Annie, but I think you and Steve are the only ones who she’s hesitant about.”

“I get that. Have the three of you talked about going to the O clinic?”

Peter gives an affirmative hum, “Yes, but Tony… I don’t think Bucky’s ever been. I mentioned going together, and he looked so confused.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Tony chuckles to himself, eating the last bit of his mousse and wiping his mouth with a napkin, “I’ve never seen him go to an Omega doctor… I think he’s had a semi-permanent suppressant implant since he presented.”

“Well, yes. I do, too, but hasn’t he been sexually active with multiple partners for like… years? You’re saying he’s never had a pregnancy scare? Never had an internal exam or pap—”

“Uh… I don’t—”

“What about an STD test, Tony? Have any of you guys ever been tested? I swear, what on earth were you doing before us—”

“Okay, okay— to be fair, it’s worked so far. And Steve makes us all go to our primary care and the dentist once a year. It’s like… hell week. When all of us have appointments.”

Peter buries his face in his arms, groaning at the utter idiocy of his future bondmates, “Thank god I met you, Tony. You guys are worse than Clint,” he laughs a little bit, picking up his head and glancing over at his properly chastised boyfriend.

Reaching out, he gives Tony a boop on the nose, startling him out of his sad expression, “I’ll talk to Bucky, okay? Annie and I are going to the O clinic next week, and we’ll help him make an appointment. They’re flexible about pack stuff, I think. And… I guess we’ll talk to the doctor about the steps we need to take to bond.”

Tony makes a flicking motion with his hand, and Peter sees the maître d' walk across the room and silently collect the black card Tony hands her.

“Sounds good. Let’s talk about the rest on the way back, okay? I’m gonna call Steve and see if he wants us to pick them up anything to eat.”

While Tony makes the call, Peter thinks through a few of the questions he has. He’s thankful for their overall dynamic and compatibility, but there are so many variables and unspoken limits—

“Tony?” Peter tries to interrupt, tapping on his arm, “hey, Tony? Can I talk to Steve?”

“Yeah, hold on,” Tony responds, turning back to the call, “yeah, Steve? Peter wants to talk to you… okay, okay here he is,” Tony hands over the phone with a brief, “here ya go, baby.”

“Hey, Steve?”

“Hi sweetheart! What’s going on?” Steve sounds like he’s in the car, probably heading home from work.

Peter glances at Tony’s questioning expression before answering Steve, “Nothing bad, Alpha, no worries,” he ducks his head, a little embarrassed at his small smile. The low rumbly voice hasn’t failed to affect him yet, “I’m wondering if we could have a talk tonight. You know, as a pack.”

“Of course, Peter. What do you want to talk about?”

“I think we need to discuss sex,” Peter says, bluntly, and has to keep himself from laughing as Tony’s eyes almost pop out of his head, “specifically, we need to talk about scenes and dynamics— especially before everyone bonds this summer.”

He hears Steve clear his throat before responding, “O— okay, sweetheart. We can do that. Do you feel comfortable leading this conversation tonight?”

“Yes, Alpha, I’d like that.”

“Okay, thank you for bringing this up, Peter. Bucky mentioned something similar this week, but I just haven’t thought too much about it. You’re stepping into this role so beautifully, Peter, and I’m constantly awed by you.”

“Oh— well...” Peter feels his face flame red, and he puts a hand up to hide from Tony, “th— thank you, Alpha.”

Steve laughs— a low, rumbling sound even over the phone, “You deserve it, sweet Omega. Let me talk to Tony, and I’ll see you tonight.”

Peter mumbles his goodbye and basically throws the phone back to Tony, who takes it with a curious look, “What did you say to him, Alpha? He smells so sweet… oh, really? Mhm… I know he is, he’s my soulmate, Steve…”

After that, Peter tunes out the conversation and hides his face in his hands. These doms are really trying to kill him with the constant praise. They haven’t even had a proper scene together— he hasn’t even kissed Steve, for goodness sake— and they are already onto the things that make him tick. Is he really that transparent?

On the way back home, Tony stops briefly to pick up a take-out order of Chinese food. They don’t talk about the pack again— but it’s okay. Peter feels like everything that needs to be said will be brought up tonight.

---

One of his favorite things about their combined pack is spending evenings together. All six packmates sit in the living room, eating take-out and sharing quiet conversation. Every so often, an innocent argument will break out— usually between Tony and Clint— and the volume level will raise. But for the most part, all of them are content to touch, and eat, and snuggle in close stillness.

“Did Bucky pick out these couches?” Annie asks, sitting on the loveseat with Steve while the other four packmates squish together on the larger couch. She keeps grabbing his muscles, and Peter can tell their Alpha loves showing off for the pretty Omega.

Bucky is sitting on the floor, leaning back in between Tony’s legs. Both Betas have an arm around Peter, and he sits in the middle of them on the couch, reaching over every so often to play with Bucky’s hair.

The question makes Bucky look up, jostling the couch behind him and almost overturning Clint’s bowl.

Tony answers first, “Kind of. We all picked out the furniture together, but Bucky did have the final say.”

“Damn right I did,” Bucky says around a mouthful of noodles, “gotta be comfy for the whole pack. Tony wanted these ugly leather things,”

“Hey! They were tasteful—”

“— I’d rather sit on a concrete slab, Tony, they were so bad—”

“Steve, you liked the leather couches, right?” Tony tries to get the Alpha’s support,

“Uh,” Steve looks between his packmates, “I liked them until Bucky vetoed.”

Bucky lets out a whoop! in victory, and both Clint and Annie dissolve into laughter as Tony sinks back into the couch, pulling Peter in close for comfort.

Tony turns to Peter, “You like my couches, don’t you, baby?”

Shifting to face the Beta, Peter makes a small cooing noise while reaching up to stroke his hair, “I love you, Tony— but I’m on Bucky’s side. I like these ones.”

With a gasp, Tony practically dumps Peter off the couch, “Betrayal! My own mate betrays me!”

Bucky finishes pulling him off the couch, hauling the smaller Omega into his lap with a greasy kiss on the cheek. Peter can’t help but giggle as his Beta pouts and lets Clint pull him in for a hug, whispering to Tony that no, leather couches actually sound fuckin’ awesome.

Peter turns sideways, looping his arms around Bucky’s waist and tangling their legs together as Bucky continues to eat. He feels a familiar hand in his hair and hums, happy to have Tony’s touch back, even if it’s reluctant.

After another half an hour, Annie and Steve get up to clear the dishes, talking softly and spending a few extra minutes in the kitchen cleaning up. Peter takes this as his cue to start their conversation. He moves to a large, chaise barrel chair, facing the couches, and waits for everyone to grab their drinks and settle down.

When Steve walks back in the room, Peter extends his hand— an invitation that the Alpha takes and gently rearranges them to sit together on the sofa. He watches as Clint opens his arms and Annie runs to join the rest of the pack on the long couch.

The room gradually quiets down, and Steve clears his throat, getting their attention. Peter gives him a quick peck on the cheek and addresses their pack, “So I realized today, while I was talking to Tony, that we should probably have a serious talk about sex before moving in together and bonding, uh... forever.”

A few of them chuckle, but the room feels uncomfortable. Peter looks to Steve for help,

“Yeah, so it’s gonna be important that we have open communication about this,” Steve continues, “especially ‘cause our separate packs already have established dynamics and such. Uh,” he looks at Peter, shrugging, “maybe it would be easiest to talk now about personal preferences for scenes, and later we can share official limits? I have paperwork!”

Both Bucky and Clint groan— causing Steve to roll his eyes— but Tony interjects, giving Peter a secret wink, “Should we update our existing papers, Steve, or just use the old ones?”

“Probably update them. I assume you guys have your own contracts, right?” he asks, turning to Peter.

“Yes, but it’s mostly non-intimate stuff. We only scene if I really need to go down, and we rarely do intimate scenes,” both Clint and Annie nod in agreement, “Oh! Plus we’ll need to talk about heats, too.”

“Have y’all hadda heat together yet?” Bucky asks, motioning toward Annie and Peter.

Annie answers, “No, we’ve both been on suppressants since before we met. I only had three heats before I went on them.”

“I only had one— I presented late,” Peter adds,

Bucky nods, “Okay, yeah I only had one in high school.”

“And none of you have shared a heat with someone before?” Tony asks, giving Bucky’s shoulders a squeeze.

There’s a resounding no from all the Omegas, and Steve lets out a long exhale, “Are you guys plannin’ on goin’ to the Omega clinic?”

“Yeah,” Annie confirms, “we have an appointment on Monday.”

Peter looks over at Bucky who’s looking back at him with wide, uncertain eyes, “Can you come with us, Bucky? That way we can talk to the doctor together.”

“Yeah, I’ve just… I’ve never—”

“It’s okay,” Peter stops him, “we’ll do it together.”

Tony reaches down and pulls Bucky up by the armpits, earning a squawk of surprise as he’s wrestled into Tony’s lap. Everyone laughs a bit as Bucky struggles and eventually submits to Tony’s hold on his waist, relaxing with a sigh.

The rest of the conversation is awkward, but easy. Each of them talk a little bit about their orientation and what they prefer in their current pack dynamics. For Peter, it’s interesting to hear from his Versatile packmates about their experiences swinging dominant and submissive. Bucky has spent almost six years being Steve’s submissive and three years submitting to both his Alpha and Beta, so it’s uncomfortable and different for him to be dominant in a relationship, since he’s never had to dominante a partner before.

In contrast, both Annie and Clint have experiences swinging both ways in their relationship with each other and with Peter. Clint has reservations about permanently swinging dominant, because of his past with abusive dominants, and similarly doesn’t want to swing permanently submissive. Annie feels comfortable both ways, which is something Peter already knew. She is very vocal about her preferences.

Peter shares about what it’s like to be a SubOmega, and his preferences during a scene— which, at this point, are very few. He lost his virginity to Clint and Annie, and has never taken a knot before. He smells SmugHornyAlpha coming off of Steve after this confession, and giggles slightly as Steve shamefully apologizes.

Steve and Tony both keep their time short. Peter knows a bit about Tony’s past, and knows he’s been in an intimate and unique familial pack before. Steve and Bucky have both been in other relationships, but only Steve was sexually active before they officially got together.

Possibly the most interesting part of the conversation is learning about how Steve and Tony balance being Dominant over the same Submissive.

“I think the most important part is to realize that Dominant, Submissive, or Versatile, the purpose of our orientation is all the same: service to others,” Steve explains, holding Peter tight around the waist, “so whether it’s five Doms and one Sub in a room, or a balanced pairing— Tony, Bucky, and I have all decided to love and serve each other. To put one another first. And because of this, our scenes are always fun and satisfying.”

“Ya soun’ like ‘n infomercial, Stevie,” Bucky mumbles, eyes blinking slowly— dangerously close to sleep.

“Shaddup, jerk— you know it’s true. Our scenes always build trust and support between us. And that’s what I want for our intimate pack.”

A few voices hum their agreement, but with a glance around the room, Peter realizes most of them are falling asleep. He yawns and pulls on Steve’s sleeve, getting his attention.

“Alpha, can we finish this later?”

Steve hums, distracted, and then suddenly focuses, his hum shifting— changing to a deep, rumbling growl. It startles Peter into looking up, and the Alpha’s eyes are half-lidded, dark and intense. Peter’s breath picks up. He watches as Steve moves closer, reeling him in, and leans to press his nose against the base of Peter’s throat.

Peter keens, and lets his body go limp in the strong, safe arms of his Alpha. He feels each of their breaths align, he feels their hearts beat together. He’s not sure what he smells like right now, but assumes it compliments Steve’s ProudContentStrongAlpha scent pretty well.

It doesn’t matter, though, because there’s a cloud at his back.

Gentle fingers run through his hair.

He feels the shuffle of clothes against his skin.

Floating, weightless.

---

It’s light when he wakes up again, surrounded by warmth and the sound of gentle snoring. He knows who he wishes were next to him, breathing into his neck. Drooling down his neck.

“Clint, my god,” Peter pushes at the big Beta, trying to get him to roll over, but only gets a loud snore in response.

He flops back down and tries to scoot the other way, happy to burrow into Annie’s soft curves, trailing his freezing fingertips up her hips and underneath her t-shirt—

She gasps awake, “Peter! Dammit!” and tries to squirm away from him as he cackles, waking Clint up with a snort.

“Wha— what,” Clint flails around, aimless, as Annie shoves Peter his way. One of his arms catches Peter across the back of the head, and the small Omega yelps in pain.

“Ouch, Clint. The hell?”

“Aw, poor baby,” Annie coos, pulling Peter into an octopus embrace and incidentally shoving his face right in between her breasts, “I’ll make it better.”

Mngh mmngh mngghh, Peter tries to beg Annie, and she finally releases him to heave a deep breath of relief, “You trying to kill me, woman?”

“No, Petey, just suffocate you a little bit.” Annie gives him a shark’s grin and starts to crawl towards him on her knees. He retreats, scrambling backwards until his back hits Clint’s chest and the Beta pulls his arms behind his back, holding him still.

Peter struggles, grunting, “Hey! What is this? Let me go, Clint,” but there’s no mercy as Annie finally reaches him, kneeling between his legs and leaning forward to kiss his nose.

“Wanna play, bunny?” she purrs, trailing a finger down his chest, clothed in a loose t-shirt, down to the waistband of his tight, black briefs. He can’t take his eyes off her face, and finds himself nodding in a daze, entranced by her wicked smile.

She looks over his shoulder and tilts her head at Clint, and he stutters, “P— please, Omega,” the desperation in his tone making Peter tremble.

“Good boy, birdy,” Annie mocks him, reaching around Peter to run a hand up Clint’s thigh and settling over his boxers, in between where he’s pressed up against Peter’s ass. She crawls a little closer, grabbing Peter’s chin and tipping his head up to look at her, “gimme a color, little bunny. Want me to make you both feel good— use his body to make you come?”

Peter struggles to blink, and his sight goes crossed for a second as he mewls, “Green, Omega.”

She keeps eye contact with Peter and asks Clint, “How about you, baby bird? Gonna keep you on edge, share your body with our sweet bunny, and control your pleasure. Color?”

Clint is physically shaking behind him, and he barely whispers, “Green, Omega, please,” before Annie is encouraging him to lean back against the headboard, shifting to hold Peter’s arms even further behind his back.

His Omega grabs him around the hips, and uses her knees to keep his legs spread.

“Strip him, birdy.”

The command is sharp and has Clint moving instantly, yanking Peter’s shirt up over his chest, and effortlessly moving his arms and legs to pull the shirt and his briefs off completely. Peter doesn’t have a moment to shy away from his Omega’s stare, because his arms are restrained again and she’s spreading his legs wide.

Clint’s breathing heavy on the back of his neck, and he can feel the Beta’s hardness pressed up against his back through the thin layer of boxer shorts, rutting against him lightly.

It seems that his Omega knows this, because she orders Clint’s clothes off next. Once they’re naked and rearranged to her liking, she runs a finger down Peter’s waist, scratching gently through the sparse hair above his cock, and feels underneath his balls, humming thoughtfully at the mess of slick she finds there.

He squirms as her small fingers trace around his rim, panting and throwing his head back at the tease. He hears her laugh and tries to hide his face in Clint’s neck, instead getting a whiff of HornyDesperateBeta scent from his mate.

His Omega dips the tip of one finger into his hole, up to the first knuckle.

“Play with his little titties, birdy,” she instructs, and immediately Clint readjusts his grip on Peter’s arms so that he can pinch and tug on the smaller man’s nipples.

“Oh, dammit, Omega more, please,” he begs, bucking into the torture across his sensitive chest and grinding down onto the finger inside of him.

“Patient, sweet bunny,” she shushes, pulling her finger out and swiping three of them through the slick leaking out of him. She lifts up her hand, acting surprised, “wow, feeling needy, little bunny rabbit? How about a taste?”

He nods his head yes, opening his mouth wide, but his Omega just shakes her head with a fake, sad pout, “Aw, baby— not for you,” and he watches as she reaches over, and—

— and feeds his slick, finger by finger, into Clint’s open mouth.

“That’s my good baby bird,” she coos, pushing her fingers in and slowly fucking his face with her hand. His eyes close in pleasure as he sucks desperately, eager to get all of Peter’s taste off of her fingers.

Peter whines as Clint pinches his nipple a little too hard, and his Omega turns her attention back to him.

“Hungry, baby bunny? Need something in your mouth?”

“Yes, Omega, please— anything, ‘m so empty—” he begs, and his Omega shushes him.

“Put your fingers in his mouth, birdy. I’m gonna put him on your cock.”

Both of them groan at her words, and he can feel Clint twitch against his back. The Beta reaches up and hooks two fingers into the side of his mouth, pulling slightly and forcing his head to tip backwards. He releases Peter’s arms and uses his left hand to flick across his nipples. Peter grabs at his thighs, desperate for control.

His Omega uses the distraction to work a second finger back into his hole, twisting and scissoring until Peter is grinding down, rhythmically, against her hand. His tiny, Omega cock is rock hard, and Clint has started alternating between flicking his nipples and his cockhead, making him cry out in torment.

She adds a third, and he begs around Clint’s fingers, “Oh— Omega, I can’t, please. Please, I need. I need—”

“Hush, baby bunny,” she shushes him, and Clint pushes his fingers deeper into Peter’s mouth, giving his cock a pinch with his other hand. Their Omega wipes away a few of his tears and pulls her fingers free, “why don’t you lift up, bunny?”

It’s torture. He can barely move, and his arms are trembling where they hold onto Clint’s thighs. After trying twice and failing to pick himself up, tears are flowing freely from his eyes and he looks to his Omega, blubbering, “I— I can’t,” sobs, “O— omega, please, I can’t!”

“Help him, birdy,” she instructs, leaning back to watch as Clint moves his hands down, cups under his ass, and effortlessly lifts him up. He cries harder, humiliated, as he feels Clint’s cock line up with his fluttering, empty hole.

There’s a soft hand on his cheek, and he realizes his Omega is waiting for something. He blinks through his tears, opening and closing his mouth— unsure of what she wants.

He must make a sad noise, because she’s quick to repeat, “It’s ok, Peter. Can you give me a color?”

Oh, okay. “Green, ‘mega,” he slurs, trying to give her a reassuring smile, and hears Clint whisper his agreement.

“Good boys, so good for me. Alright, birdy— you can lower him. Slowly.”

Peter lets his body go limp, helpless, as he’s worked slowly onto Clint’s cock. He feels every inch as his body is split in half for his Omega’s pleasure. For his pleasure.

Clint is shaking and panting, whimpering cries of please, Omega and holy fuck.

After a few long, agonizing moments, Peter is fully settled into Clint’s lap. The Beta is still cursing, and moves his hands from Peter’s hips to underneath his knees, pulling his legs back and exposing him wide.

“Fuck, Petey, how are you so fuckin’ tight, my god,” Clint breaths into his neck, and Peter rests his head back against the larger man’s shoulder, relaxing in his arms.

He feels a hand stroke up his tummy, and across his chest. His arms are moved again and settled onto the top of the headboard with a command of, “hold on tight, bunny.”

All of his focus is on obeying the command, so he almost misses his Omega’s next instructions—

“Baby bunny— you can come as many times as you’d like—”

— Peter whines in relief—

“— and baby bird, you can fuck him now,” Clint sighs, “but don’t you dare come, do you understand me?”

“Fuck, holy shit—” Clint curses, “green, Omega. Green, oh my god.”

The first thrust takes him by surprise. It’s almost like a levee breaks, something that was holding Clint’s hips back, and he pulls Peter up by his knees— like a fucking cocksleeve— and slams him back down on his cock with a howl.

All Peter can do is hold on as Clint begins an unforgiving pace, chasing his own pleasure. He feels the hands on his skin, the praises rolling over him, and he tries to say something but can’t, buried under pleasure and praise and—

— and he almost loses his grip on the headboard as his orgasm shakes through him. His lips open and close in a wordless plea as he clenches down on the thick cock still hammering into his hole, slapping wet against his ass.

His Omega moans her encouragement, “Fuck, baby, so good for me. Come for me baby bunny, so pretty, so good,” and he faintly feels her lips, her tongue, tracing around his cock and cleaning up the clear cum pouring out.

“Shit, Omega, I’m— I’m close, fuck,” Clint curses, still moving inside Peter even as he starts to shake from overstimulation.

“Absolutely not,” their Omega commands, standing up on the bed to move them. Clint drops Peter with a heave, both of them groaning as he bottoms out, and their Omega carefully moves his hands off the headboard, setting them back on Clint’s hips. She looks down into Peter’s eyes and then into Clint’s, “two more orgasms, birdy. Two more times— either me or him— and I’ll let you come.”

She kicks a leg over, stradling Clint’s face, and Peter realizes that at some point she took her panties off but left her shirt on. She’s beautiful, and he tries to say as much. Sadly, it just comes out as a choked gasp.

Clint’s pleas turn into moans as their Omega settles on his face, grinding down against his mouth with a firm grip in his hair. Using him. Clint flails, grabbing at Peter’s knees, and picks up where he left off, lifting him up and dropping him fully onto his cock, over and over.

Peter struggles to keep his eyes open, staring up at the vision of Clint licking, hungry into his Omega, but spiraling quickly, floating higher as he feels his orgasm build again.

Knock, knock.

“Fuck!” his Omega curses, and slaps Clint’s shoulder when he slows his pace, “keep going, they’ll go away.”

Clint hums and picks up his pace when—

Knock, knock, knock.

“Dammit,” their Omega jumps off of Clint’s face and looks into his eyes, “keep fucking him. There’s a reward in it for you if he comes before I get back,” and she jumps off the bed, grabbing a pair of their boxers on the way.

Clint resumes his pace, gathering both of Peter’s legs together in one of his long arms and using his free hand to turn Peter’s face, capturing his lips in a wet, sloppy kiss. Peter can taste their Omega on his lips, and suddenly his orgasm is right there.

“Clin’ oh, uh, uh, ‘m gonna,” he tries to warn, but it more or less comes out as a high pitched squeal.

“Yeah, pretty Omega, come on. Come for me. Come on Peter, give it to me, fuck, you feel so damn good, baby—”

His eyes roll back as the second orgasm overtakes him, shaking through his legs and bursting out of his chest in a desperate wail. Clint’s thrusts slow back down, but he barely feels them. He opens and closes his fingers, trying to hold on, and fails, floating high above his body. Below his body.

There’s a release of pressure.

Warmth shifts from his back to his side.

Small wet noises and low rumbles of begging.

His eyes blink open, soft and slow. He feels light. He feels empty.

As his vision starts to swim into focus, he realizes his Omega has moved him to the side. She’s now riding Clint into the mattress. Hard.

A flash of Clint’s face— it looks like he’s seeing heaven open— and Peter smiles, curling into the Beta’s side and clinging to one of his arms as he floats away again.

---

An hour later, Peter is up and cuddling with his pack. It took awhile to bring him back, but his pack let him float— content to relax in his submission and forget about the hundred other things going wrong outside their bedroom.

Turns out the interruption was Bucky, coming to check on them after hearing a “horrific dying animal noise.”

“Was it the noise I made or the noise Clint made?” Peter asks.

Clint rolls his eyes, and Annie answers, “Clint howled like a fucking Alpha when he dropped you on his cock.”

“Oh my— Annie!” Peter yelps, hiding his face in Clint’s arm as his mate cackles.

“You’re just too delicious, Petey. Couldn’t help myself.”

Peter rolls his eyes, but still nestles closer, “Did you float, Clint?”

“For a bit— definitely not like you did, Pete.”

“Hey,” Annie buts in, “drink this, Peter,” and she presses a bottle against his lips.

He takes a few moments to down the whole thing— he is exceedingly thirsty— before asking, “Did Bucky say anything?”

“No, he brought us water, though. And snacks. And then he ran away.”

Peter yawns and pulls Annie’s arm around him, “I wish he’d stayed to cuddle.”

His packmates snuggle in closer and pull up the blanket, cocooning themselves and drifting off for a nap before starting the day officially. When they wake up around noon, the first thing Annie does is call the Omega clinic to book Bucky an adjoining appointment with theirs.

Monday comes sooner than they expect, and all three Omegas pile into the small clinic for their appointments.

Peter keeps looking up at Bucky. The older Omega has been quiet since they left the house, and it’s starting to get concerning. Annie went into her appointment a few minutes ago, so the two of them are alone in the waiting room. He threads their fingers together, placing a small kiss on the back of his hand.

“Bucky?”

No response.

“Bucky? Buck? James? Jamie?”

At the last one, Bucky blinks a few times and shakes his head.

“Wha… what did you call me?”

“I— I don’t know, I was just trying to get your attention—”

“Only my parents ever called me Jamie,” Bucky says, looking down at Peter with wide eyes.

Peter tries to apologize, stuttering, “I’m so so sorry, Bucky, I swear, I wasn’t trying to—”

“Pete,” Bucky squeezes his hand, “it’s okay, darlin’. I… I enjoyed it, is all.”

“... what?”

Bucky sighs, “Stevie called me Bucky for the first time when we were in middle school, ya know? I’d always been James or Jamie, but hated it when I was little. After that day, I only went by Bucky— I guess that was his claim on me, even back then. But now, it sounds good to be called Jamie by someone I consider home, alright?”

Peter scrubs at the tears forming in his eyes, looking up at Bucky as he asks, “I feel like home?”

“Yeah, Pete, you do. You don’t have to, but I’d love for you to call me Jamie. Damn... okay maybe that’s actually a bad idea, you know what, forget—”

“No, no,” Peter interrupts, “I’d love to call you Jamie. Really. We should… we should spend some time together. Like, alone together.”

Jamie finally smiles at this, nodding along, “I’d love that, Pete. Wanna go away for a weekend, or just spend a few days in my nest and kick everyone else out?”

“Either, but I’d like to do it before… before we have sex together. Or share a heat. I’d like to know you a bit more.”

“So no sex on our weekend away?” Jamie asks, and Peter looks up in surprise— and he’s laughing. Oh.

Peter gives him a light push, “I swear, you’re no better than Clint.”

Both of them end up laughing, leaning against each other and getting dirty looks from a few other patients that they ignore.

Within a few minutes, the nurses call their names and they go back for their appointments. Separately. Everything goes normally for Peter, but he can’t stop worrying about Jamie the whole time. He knows his scent must reek, but the doctor, thankfully, doesn’t comment on it. Once he’s given a clean bill of health, plus a negative pregnancy test, the nurses usher him into a larger exam room where Annie and Jamie sit waiting for him.

They take a few moments to scent each other, holding on tight, before specifically checking in on Jamie. They’re relieved to hear that his STD and pregnancy tests are negative, and all of them share details about their own exams, ultrasounds, and other blood work they had to do.

After a minute, there’s a knock on the door, and an older, female doctor enters the room.

“Hi, I’m Doctor Michaels,” she says sitting in the chair across from where they’re piled on the large exam couch, “I’m told you would like to talk about pack bonding today, correct?”

All of them exchange a look, but stay relatively silent. Great. Perfect time for them to swing submissive.

Doctor Michaels is patient, and Jamie finally speaks up.

“Yeah, Doc. We need’ta know how to bond. We’ve got an Alpha and two Betas at home who we want to bond with, but none of us have any idea what to do.”

She laughs lightly, politely, and Peter gets a whiff of sweet Omega scent from her.

“Here, all three of you take these booklets,” she passes them out, and Peter almost scoffs at the title: How to Make Your Forever, Last.

She continues on, “I’m sure you’ve had conversations with your whole pack about bonding, so the only reminder I’ll give is that a bond, when formed correctly between two consenting parties, will last indefinitely. If any of your bonded pack members were to leave and start a separate, familial pack, the bond you share will still remain and that member would be unable to rebond with another person. Understand?”

All three of them nod their heads affirmative.

“Good, now— are you all living together yet?”

“Yeah,” Jamie answers again, “we have a home and by the summer we’ll be livin' together permanently.”

“Okay, that’s imperative for testing compatibility and establishing territory. You will also need to set rules and guidelines for sexual intimacy, especially regarding gender dynamics and orientations. Speaking of which, do you have designated spaces for nesting and scenes?”

“We do. Right now, we have two nests, two dens, and two separate scene rooms. I think Stevie— that’s our DomAlpha— is plannin’ to build out a main den and the Omegas will rebuild one nest together durin’ a heat or somethin’.”

She hums in acknowledgement and makes a note, “Let’s talk about heats. I see here on your charts that none of you have shared a heat with a partner, is this correct?” they all nod, yes, “The only way a pack can bond is when an Omega mate is in heat. If all six of you are to share a bond, it will be strongest if the Omegas are synched. Have you heard this term before?”

Annie speaks up, “Once or twice. My mom used to talk about it— where Omegas off their suppressants and intimate together will get on the same heat cycle.”

“Right,” the doctor agrees, “you’ll need to go off your suppressants and wait two or three cycles before your bodies officially synch together. I’m going to suggest that each of those heats you spend with each other and try to keep other packmates from interacting unless absolutely necessary. It’s best that your hormones aren’t affected by other mates during this time.”

Jamie makes a small displeased noise, but quickly clears his throat, motioning for her to continue.

The doctor smiles again, “I know, it’ll be hard spending a few heats without your full pack, but truly, it will be for the best if you want to form a strong bond.”

“So,” Peter asks, “what about during the heat that we all have together? When we’re ready to bond— what happens then?”

“Well, it depends. I have to ask— will your bonded pack have a Dominant Alpha and Submissive Omega present?”

Peter nods, “Yes, me and Steve.”

“Okay, that will help the process significantly. You’ve probably already talked about your role as the cornerstone of the pack, but during the bonding process, it is essential that the two of you bond and knot first. It’s going to be hard for the other pack members to refrain from mating during that time, but it will help to establish an order of bonding before the occasion to curb any confusion during the hormone-fueled heats.”

“So, we have to… Steve and I have to bond before anyone else can?” Peter asks, avoiding his packmates’ attention.

“Yes,” the doctor agrees, “the whole pack can be with you, if you desire, but he will have to knot you and both of you exchange a secure bite on the neck before other packmates can join the process.”

The three Omegas shift uncomfortably at the description, and Peter slips his hand into Jamie’s, holding on tight.

“After this, just make sure all of the desired bonds are completed before the end of your shared heat. I assume your Betas know of their ability to satisfy an Omega during heat?”

“Uh…” Peter pauses, looking to Annie and Jamie, but both of them seem confused, “probably not?”

“It’s okay, it’s all in the booklet, too. Betas have the ability to help Omegas in their heats and Alphas in their ruts by simulating biological responses necessary for satisfaction in their partners. For instance— when the three of you enter heat together, your Beta packmates will both be able to knot you temporarily. It’s a shorter duration than an Alpha’s knot and only happens for the heat, but their semen still has calming properties, and under the right circumstances, can help an Omega conceive.”

At this, Jamie makes a sad noise that has both of them turning to him.

“Doc,” he starts, head down and body language tense, “is it true that only the Dominant Alpha and Submissive Omega can pup?”

Peter spins to look at him in surprise. What?

“Yes, after bonding, the cornerstone pair in the pack will undergo a hormonal shift in their reproductive system, creating a symbiosis and making it so that only their systems are compatible. The Alpha’s semen only works on the Omega’s uterus, basically.”

“How… wait, so— my body… what about Steve and Jamie? What about Tony?”

“I can only assume those are your other mates. It will still be possible for the two of you, James and Annie, to be impregnated by either of your Betas should the desire arise. Because of this,” she transitions, ignoring the ShockedDevestatedUpsetOmega scent overtaking the room, “I will still keep all of you on contraceptives unless you are wanting to conceive during your first heat. Is this okay?”

They nod, wordless and still shocked.

“Perfect. And lastly, what is the general timeline for bonding? I need to know in order to schedule appointments to retract the semi-permanent suppressants.”

“It’s,” Jamie clears his throat, “it’s as soon as possible, I think. We wanna be bonded this summer.”

“Great, then we can remove the suppressants today before you leave. Are there any other questions you may have for me?”

They shake their heads, no, and she excuses herself from the room, promising to send a nurse to complete the procedures.

When the door shuts, the three of them crowd together, hooking their chins over shoulders and shifting into each other’s laps. Peter feels Jamie grip him tight, and looks into his eyes, which are glazed over and blown wide.

He’s dropping, Peter thinks to himself, and he’s dropping dominant.

Because of this, it isn’t surprising that Jamie growls when the nurse enters the room. Peter shushes him, lacing their fingers together, and the nurse waits for their permission before approaching the chair where they sit.

The nurse pulls out a few of the tools, and asks them, “Alright, who wants to go first?”

Jamie growls again, but answers, “I will,” before lifting his shirt, giving her access to his suppressant site.

They watch as she squeezes around his stomach, feeling for the insertion. His face is screwed up in discomfort, breathing heavily.

She finds the site, a small bump underneath his skin that feeds directly into his endocrine system, and squeezes it towards the surface of his skin. Grabbing the syringe, she warns him about the sharp pain and quickly inserts the needle, puncturing the suppressant site, and injecting a clear liquid. Jamie hisses through his teeth, clamping down hard on Peter’s arm, as the nurse changes out her tool and attaches a suction to his stomach, turning on the corresponding machine that starts to massage his skin.

“It’s going to break apart the remaining parts of the suppressant site, and it will be absorbed into your system with little side effects,” she says, turning off the machine and starting to sanitize it again.

“Alright,” she turns back with a new syringe, “who’s next?”

---

“I’m never goin’ back to that damn clinic ever again.”

After their procedures, Jamie had towed both Omegas out of the clinic and back to the car, throwing them in the backseat, buckling their seat belts, and taking off towards their house.

Annie tries to get his attention, “Bucky, we should probably call—”

A deep, feral growl cuts her off, and both Omegas remain silent for the rest of the ride. Peter pulls out his phone and sends a quick text to Steve, letting him know about Jamie’s drop. He also texts Tony and Clint, asking both of them to be ready to help when they get home.

Jamie isn’t driving fast— honestly, he’s probably going under the speed limit— but Peter and Annie are still holding on tight to each other, struggling to keep themselves from dropping submissive as Jamie pumps AggressiveUpsetDistressedOmega scent into the car.

When they pull up, Jamie is immediately around the side of the car, hauling both of them out of the back seat and stalking towards the front door with a low, persistent growl.

Before they even reach the door, Steve steps out with Tony and Clint not too far behind him. Jamie lets out a louder growl, straightening up, shoving both Omegas behind him— facing the Alpha head on. Steve steps closer, meeting his challenge,

“Stand down, Bucky.”

The command washes over all of them, and Peter feels his knees give in, crumpling to the ground. He can’t tear his eyes away from his Alpha— standing in front of Jamie with an expectant look on his face and ordering him to his knees in submission.

He sees Jamie finally collapse, sinking to his knees in front of their Alpha, and then there’s suddenly a set of hands on his shoulders.

“Peter, come with me, baby,” Tony croons into his ear, and he nods his head, letting his Beta scoop him up and carry him away, far away, into the house. They settle onto the nesting couch, and Tony starts to wrap him in blankets, whispering sweet encouragements into his ear that make Peter feel safe and warm.

Distantly, he hears sniffling and crying. Tony takes a moment to help him drink water, and he hums his appreciation.

“Tony?” he whispers, cursing himself quietly for how weak he sounds,

It surprises his boyfriend, though, and he’s immediately shifted to stare deep into his Beta’s eyes, “Yes, baby? Are you okay? What happened?”

He ignores the question for now, “Where’s Annie? And Jamie? Are they okay?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, they’re fine. Steve’s got Bucky in the den and Clint has Annie up in your nest.”

“Oh, okay,” he closes his eyes, “I’m fine, Beta. We had a rough time at the clinic— they gave us a lot of information and then we had a painful procedure to get our suppressants removed— and I think that caused all of us to drop.”

“I can tell, Pete. I’ve never seen Bucky challenge Steve like that before— it was quite a sight.”

Peter sighs, “I think he felt like we were in trouble. I should be with him.”

“No, not right now,” Tony’s tone is firm, “we can talk tonight, but right now he needs to spend time with our Alpha.”

“Beta, I need to talk to you about something,” he whispers, ducking his head to avoid eye contact. Tony grabs his chin, not letting him get away, while motioning for him to continue, “the doctor said… she said I can’t have your pups, Tony.”

His tears start to gather in his eyes, and Tony wipes them away tenderly,

“I know.”

“... you know?”

“Yeah, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but we figured it out a few years ago when the boys were courting me.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t— no, I’m really sorry, I really am Peter. I would have told you before we bonded if the doctor hadn’t mentioned it today. Bucky is devastated that he can’t have Steve’s pups—”

“I know—”

“And— oh, okay. So I can assume that’s one of the things that set him off?”

Peter rolls his eyes, “You think, Tony?”

“Damn, okay, I’m really fucking this up,” Tony scrubs his face, “Peter. I’m… you gotta know, baby, that I love you regardless. So does Steve. None of us expect pups from you, and you know that you don’t have to bond with Steve, right?”

“Stop it, Tony. I heard the news and then got my suppressant removed. I made this choice. I’m just pissed that we got so far without anyone bringing it up. I mean— we’re already living here! Dammit Tony, you asked me to trust you and I’m trying.”

“And I know that, sweetheart,” Tony says, caressing a thumb across Peter’s cheek, “I didn’t mean to keep anything from you, Peter. I respect you— you know that, right?”

Peter mirrors his touch, putting his smaller hand on Tony’s cheek, “I know, Tony.”

Tony looks relieved and leans closer. Peter closes his eyes, ready for the kiss—

“Hey— oh, sorry—”

They whip around to see Steve waiting next to their chair, shifting awkwardly where he stands and holding one of his hands behind his back. Peter scans the room, and sees Bucky curled up with Annie and Clint on a nearby couch, watching them intently.

“It’s okay, Alpha, what’s going on?” Peter untangles from Tony’s arms, sitting up straighter to look Steve in the face. Tony rubs his back encouragingly.

Steve looks to Tony, looks behind him towards their pack— all of whom give him a thumbs up— and then slowly gets to both knees, pulling a red, velvet box from behind his back, and opening it to reveal a sparkling, diamond ring.

“I— what?”

“Peter, I realized that I shouldn’t wait to ask you this. You’ve stepped so gracefully into the role we’ve required of you, and it happens to come with a lifelong bond to an Alpha you barely know. I want you to know— I’m falling in love with you. I don’t want our bond to be built out of necessity, I want it to be built out of affection and commitment to each other. I don’t just want forever with this pack— I want forever with you,”

At this, Steve bares his neck in submission and holds out the ring, “Peter Parker: will you be mine? In love, in bond, and in marriage?”

Peter feels Tony’s thumb on his cheek and realizes he’s crying again.

“Y— yes, Steve. I’ll be yours. I’m—” he takes a deep breath, “— I’m falling in love with you, too, Alpha.”

He slides off the couch, joining his Alpha on the floor, and melts into his arms as the room erupts in excited cheers.

With Steve’s ring on his finger and nose in his neck, his problems start to melt away. They’re strong together, they’re right together. And even though his pack won’t make his worries disappear— with all six of them celebrating around him and embracing each other— it seems as though they can face anything, together.

#peter parker #MiGLT #starker #spidershield #winterspider #clint barton #tony stark #d/s fic #smut #fluff #pack dynamics #mcu #ao3 #mood board #might wanna just read this on ao3 tbh #omegaverse

[cricketnationrise]

Lil ransom POV that’s been knocking around since Nurseyweek

seemed like a good time to post

_X_

Ransom loves Samwell, even if he can only make it down for Alumni Weekend.

This was the place where he had met his best friends, played swasome hockey, and made some banging spreadsheets, if he does say so himself. And he does. Because Excel backed him up.

“Yo, Ransom! What’s up?!” Ransom spins around at the sound of his name, and then –

“Oh, chill.”

He really should have braced himself. Nursey always was like a puppy. But like a Newfoundland puppy. Or some other puppy that doesn’t realize how big they are. Because now he and Nursey are both on the ground.

In the back of his mind, Ransom knows they are completely in the way of people trying to get to class, but he’s just so glad to see Nursey in person that he doesn’t care.

“Nursey! What have we said about curbing your enthusiasm?”

“That I shouldn’t because it’s a delightful part of my personality?” Nursey asks.

“5 points to Nursey!”

They finally manage to untangle themselves enough to stand up and move off the sidewalk, Ransom initiating a proper hug. “It’s good to see you, got time for Annie’s?”

“Chyeah for sure! Oh man, I have so much to tell you.” And they’re off. Just like Ransom never left. It’s comforting to know that Nursey can still ramble on with the best of them. He was worried about Nursey a little bit this year. He knew first-hand how hard senior year could be, especially with an A on his jersey. Listening to Nurse go off about his classes, how much he missed Bitty’s baking, how much more terrifying Chowder is in goal this year, Ransom grins. Nursey seems to have gained a new version of his chill. He seems happy, and in control of things.

One of the first things they bonded over was their respective anxiety. Ransom is glad that Nursey is starting senior year in a much healthier mental place than he did. One thing off Ransom’s mental worry checklist.

“…And yeah, now that Dex is captain we have all these morning practices again, like Jack, but not quite so early, thank god. He’s doing a good job with the new freshmen; they really look up to him. He’s started making bread, actually? I think Bitty sent him a recipe. Oh, and Chowder and Farms are even cuter this year than ever before, its nauseating man. But all three of us are in a class together, actually! It’s really chill, we’re taking that photography class like Jack took! Dex suggested it – which was totally chill of him. He was all its arty for you Nursey, Chowder is enthusiastic about everything, and its technical enough that I won’t feel totally lost. Like how cool is that? It’s a really cool class, relaxing, weirdly. Like, meditative, ya know? Anyway, tell me about you, man. It’s been too long since we caught up!”

As they get in line at Annie’s, Ransom fills him in on working with Holster and applying to med school for next year.

“Yeah so I figured out I want to be research focused, and probably kid-focused? Like, I want to be able to help kids with what I’m researching, so I’ve been looking into what I need for that, but it’s going well, I think. Hilariously, no one at work seems to realize that Holster and I a) know each other and b) are dating already. I’ve had 4 people in the last week come up to me and ask if I’m seeing anyone because Adam in the other department would be PERFECT for me. Truly amazing.”

“That’s hilarious, holy shit.”

“What can I get you today?” the barista asks.

“I’ll get a vanilla latte, please,” Ransom says.

“And I’ll have a Chai Latte with a shot of vanilla. Oh, also a Hot Honey Ginger Lemon Tea. Thanks, Steph,” Nursey rattles off.

They collect their drinks and head toward the Haus without needing to talk about anything in particular. It’s always restful just hanging out with Nursey. Ransom is the most extrovert ever to extrovert, but even he needs down time sometimes, and Nursey can be, dare he say it, chill, when he wants to be. Also, it’s a beautiful fall day, and it’s nice to just soak it up. Nursey is probably composing like 5 poems in his head about it right now.

Walking up the steps to the Haus, Ransom pauses a little, just to savor the moment. He’s been back before this, obviously, but it’s getting harder to visit, and once he’s in med school, it’ll be even rarer. He wants to keep this place in his memory forever.

“Dex! You’re alive!” he hears Nursey yell from the kitchen. Walking in himself, he sees Dex, looking utterly miserable. He’s wrapped in a blanket, wearing his roadie flannel sweatpants, his SMH hoodie, and – is that Nursey’s green beanie? Ransom blinks, trying to process.

“Hey Nursey. Hey Ransom,” Dex rasps out, trying to smile at Ransom before coughing a little.

“Oh hey, I got you this from Annie’s since you weren’t feeling well this morning,” says Nursey, “It’s the you tea.”

“Thanks. The U tea?” Dex asks before taking a sip and sighing in apparent delight.

“No, the YOU, Y-O-U tea, the Dex tea,” Nursey says.

“Why is it the Dex tea?” Ransom asks.

“It’s the Hot Honey Ginger Lemon tea,” Nursey explains.

Dex goes bright red, and Ransom would blame the coughing fit he has, but it definitely started in his ears and is it just him or do those coughs sound a little forced?

“Did you just get him the only thing with Ginger in the name?” Ransom asks, amused. Dex narrows his eyes at Ransom while Nursey looks in the fridge for a snack. Good to know that Dex’s crush on Nursey is healthy as ever, even when he’s not.

“No, but that’s an added bonus,” Nursey says, “I got him tea because tea always helps my throat. The ginger, lemon, and honey all work really well together for a cold; my moms swear by it, I always had it growing up. No it’s the Dex tea because its ginger like your hair, obviously, and honey like your eyes, sorta, and lemon like your attitude when you’re stressed, and hot because – “ Nursey pauses like he just realizes he was on the verge of waxing poetic about Dex.

“Hot because what?” Ransom asks. Ransom is outright grinning now, while Dex is looking determinedly into his cup like maybe he could drown himself in it, blushing more deeply than Ransom has ever seen him. And Nursey – Nursey is visibly putting on a layer of chill, of armor. He catches Ransom’s eyes, nods once, takes a deep breath, and finishes the thought,

“And hot because you’re hot, Dex.”

“What.”

“You heard me.”

“I – wow, Nurse. I don’t know what to say.”

“You could say yes.”

“I could say yes?” Dex asks in a small voice.

“To whether you’d come on a date with me when you feel better.”

“I – I –,” Dex looks at Nursey intently, probably trying to see whether he’s serious or chirping. Ransom holds his breath. If they remember that he’s here, they might not ever get this far again.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

“Did you just say yes?” Nursey asks, smile starting to break out.

“Yes. When I don’t feel like death on toast. Yes.” Dex is smiling too.

“Chi – “

“GUYS!” Ransom interrupts before Nursey can say chill, and also because he’s legit tearing up right now, “If I wasn’t so damn happy for you both I’d be fining the hell out of you.”

“Like you could, I’m the captain now.”

“Yeah but the group chat would back me up on the sap level in the kitchen right now,” Ransom smirks.

“Alright, fair.” Dex says, taking another sip of his tea. His blankets slip down to his elbows now, exposing the number. But instead of #24, C there is very clearly a different number. #28, A.

Nursey falls off his chair in his attempt to make sure that what he’s seeing is real.

“Dexy, are you wearing my hoodie? And my hat?”

Ransom’s phone chimes.

Holster: U @ the Haus? I’m omw with Chowder and Whiskey rn

“Maybe.”

Me: yup It finally happened btw

“Maybe? Dex its right there!”

Holster: what happened? The railing finally gave out?

“Maybe they’re comfortable. And warm. I’m sick.”

Me: nah man Well maybe idk Haven’t left the kitchen But Dex and Nursey They’re goin on a date

“Well maybe if I’d known how hot it is to see you in my clothes I would have asked you out sooner,” Nursey says flirtatiously.

Holster: !!!!!! DUDE HOLY SHIT DEETS RANS I NEED DEETS

“I signed up for this. I literally signed up for this,” Dex groans.

Ransom: Nursey brought him tea That reminded him of Dex Because it’s the hot honey ginger lemon tea And he got to why hot reminded him of dex And was actually smooth??? That was a trip to watch Dex said yes And now they are bickering again But like its sweet?

“Yeah you did, Dexy. Can’t get rid of me now. You know I’m ride or die.”

Holster: HOLY SHIT I’m so proud of them Chowder is crying btw Oh wait Now he’s sprinting toward the Haus So Incoming

Me: 👍

“Hey lovebirds.” Nursey and Dex look over at him, both surprised he is still here. They definitely forgot about him. “Chowder’s on his way. Also Holster and Whiskey. So. Get pumped for that because the groupchat isn’t far behind.”

Dex puts his head on the table and groans unintelligibly. Nursey just beams and puts his arm around Dex’s shoulders, “Oh, nice. Now we don’t have to stress about when to tell him.”

Ransom just laughs and preps the text he’s gonna send to the groupchat. He really should try to visit more often. Ransom loves Samwell.

_X_

#ransom #holster #nursey #dex #if you don't think nursey calls him hot honey ginger lemon idk what to tell you #ransom pov #with a little nurseydex #as a treat #because of who I am as a person #nurseydex #Rachel writes

[ennui-gt]

Here it is. A Piece Of Borrower Content Written Entirely In Stream Of Consciousness:

AN: so this is incomplete and very…needs revisions to the timeline to incorporate some things I added later! It’s the original universe that Mira’s from! I edited it like Slightly to just change Ross’s name to Ross (if u see Max anywhere that’s his old one I just felt like changing it so that’s just him but different. Anyway) Everything's under the readmore tab, cheers!

The Library Fairy:

-

Basic Plot (Chrono, comic starts from human perspective abt the ‘legend of the library fairy’ ig maybe. Nothing here is permanent cept the characterization)

Part A

1- Mira is borrower currently chillin in a college library

2- She lives off of the cafe on the second floor nd reads lots and lots of stuff about everything when the upper floors close (lower floor open 24/7 but upper floors r vacant p much after 12:00 AM)

3- she starts getting increasingly curious about human stuff cos she’s literate nd books r pry neat

4- it starts one night when she spots an unattended notebook and a half eaten blueberry muffin, nd it’s 12:30 so nobody’s coming back in atm (it’s the 80s so no laptops for the plebians quite yet)

5- so she goes ‘welp’ nd takes part of the muffin, then sees the work on the page and goes ‘hmmmm this is incorrect’ so she helps our and leaves notes here n there to point the kid in the right direction and puts down some book refs for further study bcos at this point she’s been there for 2 years and she knows where most things are

6- she stays behind to see if the human comes back for it, hidden in a hidey hole near the desk

7- human comes in, sees notebook, practically melts w relief nd stuffs it in his bag

8- next day human comes back nd leaves nother notebook and a cookie, along w a hidden camera

9- Mira goes ‘o boy, this a trap, innit’

10- Mira then decides ‘eh whatever I haven’t had contact w anyone in years now so I might as well’

11- she steals the camera film nd leaves a lil scrap of paper saying ‘nice try ;)’ on it

12- student comes back, sees paper, goes ‘dammit’, then leaves note addressed to the ‘library fairy’ and another cookie, as well as more of their work for her to help with

13- bout a decade goes by and now the “Library Fairy” is an urban myth, it’s currently 2003 so she’s also wound up on the school’s unofficial Wikipedia page under ‘local cryptids’

14- most library employees know of her but they don’t go looking out of fear stemming from superstitions bout her, somehow the legend grew from ‘can’t be photographed’ to ‘a student once saw her and died that day’

15- there’s now a small shrine devoted to her where ppl bring offerings hoping to get good grades in return, sometimes they will leave papers for her to proofread nd stuff

16- new prof (named Alexei) finds online article thinks he Knows What’s Up bcos he had a borrower friend as a kid, but they left when borrower’s fam found out about them knowing each other

17- he leaves note wedged in one of her secret entrances behind outlet, asking if she can meet w him at some point

18- Mira, already In it, goes ‘Okay. Alright. This has gone on for long enough. Time to go and never return’ but ofc she’s curious as all hell and like she decides she will at least honor the guy’s request for a convo b4 she goes, but on her terms and w/o speaking face 2 face

19- they Talk in the library after hours, bcos he paid off the janitor to let him stay after hours nd most of the student employees recognize him as a prof nd leave him alone

20- they talk again for every subsequent night

21- she uhhhh finally decides to reveal herself nd prays that her hunch was right nd he won’t try to grab her or anything

22- he doesn’t but she’s nervous so she winds up gettin caught in her own climbing rope like idiot, is now dangling from ceiling in tangled mess

23- he stifles chuckle nd she says smthn sarcastic

24- he moves closer and offers to untangle her

25- she’s like ‘please’

26- so he do, but her grip on the rope slips nd he has to catch her

26- so now she’s in his hand and he just sets her down and now he’s a bumbling embarrassed mess bcos he said he wasn’t going to hold her and he just did and o dear pls forgib him

28- nd she’s like ‘dude u just saved my life it’s fine ur fine chill’

29- internally she’s going HOLY FUCK AAAAAAA but externally, her human’s already worked up enough as it is so she’s gotta b the level headed one

29.5- after a while they both kinda get used to each other more, he gets tenure, they celebrate, some more stuff happens, Aleksei got married (not to Mira, Mira hasn’t actually rly thought about being in a relationship w anyone cos she’s laser focused on gaining as much knowledge as possible)

30- eventually Alexei’s like ‘hey so I’m dean of faculty for the biotech branch now uhhhh would u like actual job teaching students? Cos, uh, you can do it remotely thru online lectures n stuff, no in person interaction, and I uh was just kinda wondering—‘

31- she’s like ‘yes. Yes!!! LET ME HELP PEOPLE OFFICIALLY KINDA’

32- so now she’s a professor, and has revealed her Secret a few times here n there to a number of the faculty, nd she has recorded her own findings in a personal journal

33- ‘humans will treat u like a human if they think ur human first. The kids call it ‘catfishing’’

34- enter Ross, an mall goth who accidentally tripped headfirst into a premed program

35- Mira’s favorite field of study is bio so naturally she’s his prof for a majority of his classes

36- being the good boy that he is, he now knows Mira’s secret. There is an Entire Chapter on him finding out and legit just continuing their conversation as if everything was normal bcos he thought that was how he was supposed to handle the situation

37- then she says ‘u can ask questions, u know’ he’s like OH THANK FUCK CAUSE I HAVE SEVEN HUNDRED OF THOSE

38- and now he kinda knows what to look for in terms of ‘do borrowers live here check yes or no’

39-in his apartment, the answer is yes and he mistakenly kinda stumbles upon the mom one night when he wakes up in the middle of the night for Snack and opts to pretend like its not happening. Unfortunately the thing she was trying 2 borrow (piece of crumb cake for Son Boy’s birthday) is the thing he wants 2 eat so he’s like “uh. ‘Scuse me, ma’am.” and he peels back the saran wrap on the other side of the plate, takes piece, nd then leaves some there for her

40-so now the woman is like ‘welp guess it time 2 Leave’

.1- she and husband Talk

.2-they decide it best 2 go

.3-theyre Packing

.4-lil bab Ellie confused

.5-hawk attacke

.6-cut to Ross

41- Ross also happens to work at a bar and he goes outside for a break

43- he finds smal child—smol smal—on the sidewalk and said child is missing an arm, nd has lost a lot of blood, so he’s uhhhhh Losing It highkey

43.5-parents r nowhere 2 b seen, but the hawk is nearby and circling. Ross gets an idea of what just happened

44- he up and leaves work, thankfully his apartment is above the shop so he jumps up the fire escape w the child and

45- he make tourniquet

46- he calls Mira nd asks her 2 come over to ASAP. he’s A Mess at this point

47- it is Very touch and go, kid needs blood, Mira is the only viable donor so she’s just gotta pray that the blood type is fine and won’t kill him

48- and then eventually they manage 2 stave infection thru antibiotics properly dosed to his size, Mira does Math and Prays basically

49- ‘bout a month in, kid wakes up

50- kid doesn’t rember much since he’s only 3

51- hes v scared of Ross at first but over time he gets used 2 the human

52- kid (elliot) starts 2 call Ross ‘dad’ after a while

53- Ross: *internal screaming but in a good way*

54- the end kinda for now

Part 2

A- New Borrowers In The Building

—three of em. paranoid dad, mom, nd daughter that’s Elliot’s age so he’s pumped

B- Elliot offers them a place 2 stay briefly

C- he knows by now bout like, how borrowers don’t typically interact w humans and Auntie Mira’s a bit of a weird case so he just doesn’t tell em bout his dad being the human

D- the kid finds out first nd doesn’t tell the parents, but they figure it out later kinda and think that it’s a ‘o god he’s being kept as a pet’ sitch so they’re >:| abt it

E- they move out and try to take Elliot w them (by force bcos they think he’s brainwashed) but he escapes and makes it to Ross, who’s like “uhhhhhh”

F- and the mom come out the hole near the counter n starts yelling at Ross, who is…kinda used to it since Mira brings in ppl who need help from time 2 time and they typically don’t react well when they’re lucid enough to understand what’s going on. He’s just not used to being questioned about his own kid

G- so they’re like “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING WITH HIM”

H- and he’s like “r…raising him???”

I- and Ellie steps up and he’s like “this is my dad. I decided he was my dad when I was three. He’s being a good parent”

J- and Ross is like “yeah what he said. I’m a good parent.”

K- Ross is riding that high til the end of fucking time but like back to the story at hand

L- this is when the husband comes out nd is like “lissen. wifey. ily but that is a very big human and he hasn’t grabbed us yet so let’s count our blessings and gtfo”

M- but she’s like “uh no we stay until I’m sure Elliot is Safe and fucking Sound”

N- so they stay for dinner nd stick around a little longer.

O- Val (the kid) gets closer 2 Elliot and also Ross a bit

P- Mira shows once or twice, first time she shows up they’re like “oh god it’s the crazy doctor lady this all makes sense now” (bcos Mira does check up on as many borrower families as possible in her free time so word has got around by now Of her, and the number by which to contact her in case her services r needed)

Q- After a month or so, then they decide to leave bcos they’re like “look we get that ur son is ur son and he only has one arm and in our profession that is kind of a death sentence but we can’t have our kid getting used to dealing w humans who know about our existence” so they go and leave on a kind of sour note bcos Ellie can do anything he wants to do just as well as any other borrower Thank You Very Much and Ross is ready to fite anyone who thinks otherwise

R- Elliot starts trying 2 b more independent, basically from now on he’s like ‘I can do everything my Damn Self Thanks’

S- but uh he does it to a point where he’s going out of the way to endanger himself

T- so they get into a fite about it and ross Yells and Elliot is like ‘kthxbye’

U- and the boi just. Fuckin bolts. Runs Away. Ross is a Mess, he starts smoking again (he quit cold turkey the day he took Elliot in) to curb the depression, he’s jus. Not doin good, worried that his son is dead and the last time they talked it’d ended badly

V- FREEDOM!!!1! Except Ellie doesn’t kno how to take care of himself so it’s a rough month or so and then he runs into some other borrowers livin in their own town in the wild ig, chillin, being hella independent, and he’s like “uh yes ofc I will join u, I was w my dad for a while but.........” he neither confirms nor denies that his dad’s dead but everyone kinda just assumes.

Part 3

W-anyway a year goes by and then the borrower group gets hit hard w some kind of sickness ig. Elliot gets it too he’s basically incapacitated n drifting in and out of lucidity. So. They contact the weird crazy doctor lady who hangs around humans, a.k.a. Mira, and she’s like “oh. fuck. I know this kid.” bcos she does, u kno, and she jus treats em all for their ailment and shows them how to make antibiotic poultice thing in case smthn like it happens again. Mold. Penicillin is basically what it is

X-she and Elliot hav a Chat (Mira basically yells at him a lot) once he’s fixed up and he decides he’s gonna visit his dad but he makes it very clear that he is a Grown Up (he’s not, he’s literally sixteen), and he is living on his own now

Y- he agrees to stay for a week tho since he misses his home a lot tbh and Ross is just. Over the fucking moon to know he’s ALIVE, he’s not gonna fuck up their relationship by insisting that he stay. Or like, by keeping him ofc he would never

Z- unfortunately the borrower community put two and two together and figured out his dad’s human so they have his stuff packed up when he gets back w mira, who’s ready to go the fuck off on them

End 1:

-Ellie is living at Ross’s place atm and hopeful about the future basically. He eventually will go off on his own but he’ll keep in contact w his dad and stuff

Part C.5

55- few yrs later

56- elliot is Adult now he does adult borrower stuff

57- he moves out

58- finds nice borrower gf (her name’s Tess)

59- doesn’t tell her about his dad being human but talks about his dad a LOT

60- so when she asks to meet said father he’s just like “uh. Maybe we don’t do that actually”

61- and she’s like “y tho”

62- and he’s like “bcos”

63- anyway she decides to look into it cos she knows he goes to see his dad nd keep in touch but his dad is allegedly “a recluse who lives in the big scary human’s walls to avoid other ppl”

64- which is. Not true in the slightest tbqh he’s def not an introvert he’s just a workaholic and he Is the big scary human

65- anywho they run into Val and her wife and she’s like “how’s Ross been?” And Elliot is acting Very Suspish so she, being Smart, calls it immediately and is like “oh shit u haven’t told her yet have u”

66- Tess: “told me what”

67- Val: “El’s dad is a human, bro.”

68- Tess: “I’m sorry?”

69- this results in a Big Fight and they separate for like, a month. Elliot blames Val bcos he’s being irrational and doesn’t wanna admit to the fact that lying to his girlfriend for over a year was Real Bad Actually, but over time he’s like ‘yeah it’s my fault sry for snapping at u’ cos he works thru his emotions n stuff

70- Eventually gf comes back cos she’s like “ok so. I understand why you lied to me about your dad. It was a dick move but I do get it and I still care about you a lot. I would like. To meet him.”

80- this is a lie she does not want to meet him she is doing this bcos she does not want to lose Elliot and that outweighs the fear of his dad

81- so they go to meet him but she’s just kinda. Behind the wall at first like “that’s a crazy big human this is crazy ur crazy it’s time to gO”

82- Val is also there bcos she hasn’t seen Ross in a while

83- they eventually coax her out of hiding

84- and by that I mean Val picks her up and drags her out into the open by force bcos she basically freezes up the second she catches sight of Ross and Val’s like “u didn’t come all this way for nothing, bich”

85- they have a Painfully Awkward First Meeting, Tess is trying her best but oh god he’s just too fucking. Larg. Ellie ur dad too big

86- tbh tho the ice kinda breaks after Ellie and Ross get into a fight over smthn stupid (im thinking Elliot grumbles bout Ross’s hair being unruly and he’s worried that mira’s using it like a personal storage system again and Ross is like “I’ve been keeping better track of that actually” and then like a little line of paper clips and a few hand-bound notebooks tied together w some string fall out of his fucking mane and he’s like “I can explain”

87- “dad you can’t keep letting her use your hair like a fucking NEST”

88- Tess is laughing now cos god damn this was not what she was expecting

89- that’s it the end it ends w Tess laughing at them being idiots good times r had by all

Uhhhh that’s it so far. I have More but it’s kinda jumbled rn and I need to fit stuff in places. Anyway.

#was gonna make this into a comic lawl #if I like actually manage to get off my ass over the coming weeks I probably will be able to do that! but yeah #also this was once posted b4 and I deleted it but it’s back now say hellow #Library Fairy #oc: Mira #oc: Ross #oc: Elliot #oc: Tess #oc: Val #oc: Alexei #anyway yeah here it is behold #the uhhhhh most slice of life thing I have ever created

[aloesarchives]

Imai Cosmo Headcanons

Alright, now it's time for sunshine boy Cosmo. 

(Edit: I am so sorry, I accidentally deleted this for some reason. Sorry for the inconvenience) 

You met Cosmo when you both were first years in high school. You just recently transfer to his school in the beginning of the year for reasons not disclose(just move to Japan, came from a different school, etc.)

It was a hard time making friends because you were new and no one would approach you. But it didn’t stop Cosmo from wanting to be with your friend.

Cosmo is pretty much a social butterfly and is always friendly to everyone. When he said hi to you, the first thing you took notice was his bubbly personality. After that encounter, Cosmo actually made it his goal to be your friend. Everyday at school, he would always talk to you when he has the chance. And during after school you two would hang out together whether it be eating out or looking at the latest version of some Martial Arts magazine.

Thanks to the time you have been spending with him, he’s one of your closest friends you have. It’s kinda known around the school that you two always hang out with each other.

You also come over to his house to tutor Cosmo b/c he wasn’t doing so well in math so you had to help out a homie. You did have some encounters with his brother, Meteor. You get along with him as the two of you share the struggle of taking care of Cosmo.

Cosmo’s enthusiasm is contagious and even when you kinda hit your lowest Cosmo’s vibe just somehow revives you and you smile once again.  

Cosmo’s energy is so bright and powerful that you feel like you’re standing in the presence of the sun and you need some goddamn visors to look because he’s just pure and happy all the time that it hurts your entire being. But it’s in a good way, sis.

Throughout the time you spent with Cosmo, you notice that every once in a while that he would have a bruise or a bandage on his face or arm when he wears his short sleeve shirt. Come to think of it, Cosmo somehow has some sort of injury that can’t be explained in normal terms. Even when you ask Cosmo when he gets his injuries and small scuffs, he’ll just brush it off with an excuse that wouldn’t add up or make sense to the injury. But again you don’t push it since when you try to press on the issue that Cosmo switched the topic immediately and has completely forgotten about the conversation.

You did at one point remember that Cosmo did have a small rebellious stage but one day he stopped for some reason you don’t know about. But even so, it doesn’t calm your concerns of Cosmo’s random injuries.

In short, he’s really bad at hiding them and not making something obvious. But you being you, you didn’t push on the matter out of consideration.

Now that I mention that, you also notice Cosmo getting ripped and becoming more muscular. Cosmo actually lets you feel his arms and back when you ask him, he’s completely fine with it. Fam, no gonna lie, it has a nice feel to it.

(Y/N):Hey Cosmo, have you been working out lately? You’re back has been getting toned as of recently.

Cosmo: Actually yeah, I’ve been working out more nowadays. Do you want to feel my back, (Y/N)?

(Y/N): Sure, if you’re fine with it.

Cosmo: Go right ahead.

*Proceeds to feels Cosmo’s back

(Y/N): Woah! You’re pretty ripped, Cos!

There were some subtle hints that Cosmo had that kept being in your sight. Like his physical strength when the class would play volleyball, or doing those fitness test everyone has to take, he was somehow on the top on it. Or at least there was a far seeable gap than he was to you and the rest of the class.

You, for sure, know Cosmo is hiding something when Cosmo would turn you down to hang out because he had some business to do. What only push your suspicions was when you were walking home one day from school and a car past by you. Although it was a nice car and you didn’t really care for it, the thing that caught your eye was who was in it. You saw a tan man with cool shades driving the car and Cosmo was in the passenger seat next to him. As the car sped off, you stood still on the sidewalk, completely confused. You’ve seen that guy before when you would go to the gym, but you didn’t put any thought to it.

I mean you don’t to bug him about all of this because you don’t want to be nosy and pester him about it. But you know Cosmo isn’t gonna spill the beans anytime soon so you keep it to yourself.

God, I really, really like to headcanon that Kureshi is a distant uncle/relative of your’s that you’re somewhat close to. You don’t tell Cosmo right off the bat because you thought it wasn’t super important. All you tell him is that your uncle owns a gym and during after school sometimes you go there to train/exercise with him. Cosmo doesn't think much of it too since you didn’t make a big deal out of it. But he was curious on what gym your uncle runs and that at you one point you mentioned he was a fighter too.

The way you found out was pretty much very coincidental. While you were at the gym, your uncle aka Kureshi mentions to you that he took up a student and took him under his wing. This was odd for you because you never saw your uncle to be one to take up someone for training. When he mentions to you that the person he’s training is around the same age and goes to the same high school, you were intrigued by who it was. The week you found out about this was the same week that finals/ heavy testing was being held and so you wanted to distress by going to the gym. You asked Cosmo if he wanted to hang out 2 hours before you go to the gym but he said he was going to do training at a gym beforehand and had to turn down your offer. You were kind of bummed out but you couldn’t convince him otherwise so oh well. Upon going to the gym, you get a text from your uncle that his student came to train and asked if you wanted to meet him. You said why not and when upon arriving to the gym, your uncle greet you and took you to see his student who was dealing some good blows to one of the gym’s punching bags. Upon further inspection, the boy looked familiar, too familiar. Without thinking, you blurted out Cosmo’s name. After stopping his workout, he turn to you and the both of you had equally shocked faces while Kureshi was having a kick out of it. When you looked at your uncle and asked if he was his student, the answer was fairly obvious and you just stood there while trying to process all of this. When Cosmo asked you why you were there, you explained Kureshi and stuff. It was a awkward few minutes before you decided to change into your workout clothes and doing some training of your own. After you were done with your workout, you took a shower and changed into some casual clothes. You waited for Cosmo to be done and the two of you would head home together after bedding your uncle farewell.

Since you caught Cosmo training, he couldn’t really hid it from you anymore because you saw him there at the gym and he had a entirely different training regiment than the average person. You got the courage to ask him about what’s the training for while telling him your suspicions. Cosmo kinda went silent, which is unlike him to do so especially in your presences. Then Cosmo just spills everything to you, the training, the bruises, the times he had to decline your offers to hang out, he explained himself to you why he had to it. At the mention of Kengan Matches and underground fighting, you thought this was like fight club or something. But snapping out of your thoughts, you didn’t see Cosmo any less differently and told him that his secret is safe with you. Cosmo is grateful for you and that he’s glad you’re understanding.

One day, when Cosmo didn’t come to Kureshi’s gym, you asked your uncle how he meet Cosmo. He told you that Cosmo got into a fight with a few guys that had him on the ropes before he stepped in himself to save Cosmo. While at it, your uncle ask about your thoughts on Cosmo and his potential in fighting. When you answered with a Cosmo having untapped potential, Kureshi made a deal with you. He said he’ll allow you to watch Cosmo’s matches and cover your back when you parents ask about your whereabouts. In return, you have to help him train Cosmo and update him on his matches. You didn’t even think about it, you just took the deal and the rest is history.

Another time, you met Mr. Nishihonji while training Cosmo. Apparently he used to use this gym a while back. After learning he was Cosmo’s sponsor/ fighting for his company, you do remember Cosmo subtly mentioning him in your conversations in the past and now you meet him in the flesh. He made a good impression of himself to you and ever since then you’ve been chill with him. The man means well so he doesn’t really give off any bad vibe that you can tell.

Mr. Nishihonji has picked up the both of you from school when Cosmo has a match. Once school is over, you two would head over to where his car is and people from your school would just gawk because who knew the two of you were hanging out with a rich man with a nice car. This happens a lot where you kinda get use to it.

Your crush/love for Cosmo is built up over time and isn’t too obvious  that other people can catch on but people close to you can see something is up with you when your around Cosmo. When people ask you about it, you brush it off as simple friendship you have for him. People won’t push it but people like Kureshi and Mr. Nishihonji can piece things together to where they have an fundamental understanding that you really care about Cosmo.

Speaking of Kureshi, your uncle Kureshi loves to fucking tease you about you and Cosmo. He really gets a kick out of how you get all tsundere on him when he does. It’s like an inside joke you have with each other and it’s family love, that’s all.

You never confessed to Cosmo because you 1.) don’t want to ruin or make the friendship awkward, and 2.) you don’t think Cosmo feels the same way as he is oblivious to your small actions/hints towards him.

And by the way, Cosmo is fucking oblivious to everything unless pointed out by him. This sadly includes your feelings, sis. This is one of the things Cosmo needs you in his life because of this. He’s oblivious to the point where you had to point out or explain things to him when he doesn’t get it or it goes over his head.

But your feelings becomes evident when the Kengan tournament goes under way and that you were invited to go with him. You watch on the sidelines, with Mr. Nishihonji of course, Cosmo’s matches. You knew after his first match ended that this tournament was something else when you saw the line up and after Cosmo fainted into Mr. Nishihonji’s arms after exiting the pit. You knew that Cosmo was not going to have an easy time in his matches and he needed to know this. Although you have faith in Cosmo, it’s not impossible to remember that this isn’t a simple walk in the park.

After beating Adam, Adam kinda just became your friend instantly. Like after Cosmo convinced him, he just stuck around the two of you. Even though you hate what comes out of his mouth, Adam isn’t really a jerk and tries to unlearn the things he has said to the two of you. When Adam stays in Japan for training, he literally becomes you best friend/ brother at this point. Adam is probably the only person that actually caught on

But the thing that has been bothering you is Cosmo’s naivety. There’s nothing wrong with his happy go lucky attitude. It’s just, Cosmo doesn’t seem to be grounded a lot in certain situations where he’ll understand the dangers/risks that come with this. Especially when it came down to fighting. You do warn him of being careful and taking the fight seriously, but he just say don’t worry and not really mean it. You knew that this would be problem because Cosmo takes his fighting skills for granted. You love the man but wish he would understand how grave some matches could’ve been if he didn’t take them down sooner.

But that fight with Akoya, oh my fucking god. First off, Fuck Akoya and his justice boner. Second, god this fight did some ever lasting damage on you. This was one of those surreal life changing moments that you can never forget even if you tried. The fight, in it of itself, was one of the most intense, gruesome, but slightly breathtaking things you have ever bear to witness. Although you hate to say this, this was the fight that Cosmo needed for his break through. This gave Cosmo what he’s been looking for in order to evolve and better his fighting.

However, this fight was to you was gut wrenching and mentally breaking. Like when you caught Hiyama helping out Akoya in the matches with Adam and Mr. Nishihonji, something was wrong by her desperate reaction to continue to help Akoya. Then the next you know was when you look down towards the arena, Akoya goes berserk and went total psycho on Cosmo. From biting a chunk of Cosmo’s leg off, cracking his ribs, and practically torturing him by bring him back to conscious after Cosmo pasted out. You, on the other hand, couldn’t shout as nothing would come out of your mouth no matter how hard you tried. Tears were building up, your heart was pounding out of your chest, it was hard to watch. Two things could’ve happened next, you either fainted from the immense fear where Adam had to catch you or you glued your eyes to the match and gripped the concrete so hard your finger nails got damage along with bleeding finger tips. Let’s go with the second one, then. The match in-front of you seem one sided and you feared for Cosmo’s life. But deep down, for some goddamn reason, you believe he can pull through if he found his motivation and drive. You called yourself stupid for having so much faith in him but he never has once let you down, so why should you? Once you said that Cosmo has a chance, Adam thought you were nuts but the unwavering hope said otherwise. For Cosmo, he has the classic anime protag shit where in a near death experience he has a bunch of flashbacks. Most of them was his time training with his master, however, some were times spent with you. With all the memories, Cosmo wanted to win, not just for his life and master, but for you as well. When Cosmo started to have his epiphany and turning the fight around in his favor, you never yelled as hard and as loud in your entire life. You bet his ass that he heard it. After the brutal few minutes, Cosmo came out the victor and you have never felt so relieve and exhausted in your life. You cried, fam, there's no doubt (I cried too, don't worry). When you came to get him and send him to the infirmary, you stuck to him for the rest of the tournament.

The fight didn’t make Cosmo realize he loved you, but it did stir up something inside of him that made him view you in a new light. In which he didn’t want to spend a moment without you. Man, you yelled at him for almost dying on you but spoke of your relief to him. He just apologizes and said he’ll win his next fight. It’s a very tender moment between the two of you.

What shock you the most was Kureshi suddenly appearing at the quarter finals tournament, he stated that he wanted to see Cosmo’s progress. It was odd seeing him but it was probably important as the tournament was nearing the end. He was up against Ohma which prove to be a powerful opponent. But alas, Cosmo was defeated by him. While he sat in one of the waiting rooms, you were right next to him, comforting him. Then you let your emotions speak for themselves, how you were proud of him for coming so far especially someone for his age, that he shouldn’t stop here and strive for more, and that you’ll give him your undying support. Then Cosmo pulls you into a hug and just cries it out, you smile and held him close.

After a few months after the tournament, Cosmo realizes he has feelings for you and confessed to you after he took you out to eat. And the rest is history.

Being with Cosmo is great (I say this with almost everyone, so bear with me). Being happy 24/7, a lot of hugs and kiss, spending endless hours with him. The man, himself, is a ball of sunshine at just happens to be your boyfriend.

The man loves you unconditionally no matter what. He doesn’t really have a preference on appearance. However, I’ll do say that if you’re shorter than him(he’s 5′6 i think), he’s over the moon because it adds some cuteness to you. The man loves you.

Cosmo really likes hugs and cuddles. He knows not the strangle you when he’s cuddling with you, but he loves to squeeze you tight. Meteor has caught the two of you sleeping on the couch in each other embrace in more than one occasion. Meteor thinks it’s cute and doesn’t disturb you two.

Cosmo is more than okay with PDA. He can’t really keep his hands off of you, yet he’ll respect your boundaries. He’ll hold your hand, arm around your waist or shoulder, giving small pecks to you. He’s not afraid of showing you off.

He’s a playful kisser, he likes to play around with you. But there are times where he does kiss you passionately, but that’s usually in private though. Before his matches, it’s a must for you to kiss him before he goes out and fights. Sometimes he kisses you out of nowhere and when you ask him, he just says I love you and stuff.

I can see him calling you baby/babe/ and love. It just sounds like him.

The man’s always hugging you from behind.

I’m gonna say since no one has said it louder: Cosmo with his hair slicked back makes him from cute to instant HOT. Deadass when you see he like with his hair like that, you cheeks heat up quickly and you just quietly freaking over his hair. You tell him that it looks better on him(which it does, btw) but he says it’s a simple haircut for him.

I headcanon that you and Kureshi gave him the idea to grow out his hair since it’ll suit him more. When his hair gets long enough, you sometimes braid his hair or brush it. To him, it’s a very relaxing moment since you’re kinda spoiling him.

Cheer for this man and he will definitely fight even harder in his matches. You’re his motivations.

Cosmo does have nosebleeds so make sure to bring some tissues.

Before the Kengan Omega, you had to help him take care of himself but after the two years he doesn’t have to, or rather not as much.

The only time you got jealous was probably when you found that Mr. Nishihonji took Cosmo to a brothel(?) and you finding out Cosmo had a taste for older women kinda sat with you the wrong way even though you two weren’t an item yet. You didn’t tell him out right what was wrong because you thought it was stupid to be feel jealous. It made you avoid Cosmo for like a day or two. You still haven’t told him yet about it and it will remain like that to this day.

You did take note on Cosmo’s estrange friend group aka the fighters. They’re not intimidating people. You actually had a run in with Wakatsuki on accident. Cosmo invited you to come hang out with him but you were busying with errands that you sadly had to decline. While you were fast walking to your next destination, you bumped into someone and tripped on your own foot. Before your face touched the ground, Wakatsuki caught you and helped you up. He apologizes for bumping into you because he didn’t see you. You said you were fine and ask what he was doing, he stated he was waiting for a friend of his. After you excuse yourself to continue your day, Cosmo comes around the corner as you left. While they were eating, Wakatsuki told Cosmo ran into you. When Cosmo said “oh, you met my girlfriend?” Wakatsuki had to pause because, like what?, the girl/person he bumped into was Cosmo’s girlfriend. Big shocker for him. Before you guys became a thing, Sakura, Sekibayashi, and Wakatsuki, would tease Cosmo about girls that would know him. I mean, they do this a lot when it was with you but to know the two of you ended up together caught them blind sided.

The fact Cosmo can take down opponents twice his size and age is pretty amazing in your eyes. Man’s short but damn can he pull off some impressive moves. Proud to call him your boyfriend honestly.

Food buddy, you guys love to eat with eat other. It’s pretty obvious that Cosmo loves to eat. The man takes you out to eat all the time, fucking bet on that shit.

When Cosmo loves you, he will LOVE you to death. Sure, you were hard on him when he’s training, but he is thankful for you being with him for the long run.

Being in a relationship with Cosmo is just full of fun and love even though it does get serious at some points. Cosmo never fails to show you that he loves you and how much you mean to him.

#kengan ashura #kengan omega #kengan ashura headcanons #imai cosmo × reader #imai cosmo

[stonecoldjerseyfox]

Jersey on my mind (part 37)

“Although I’ve been away so many lonely nights, you know I’m back today…”

While John Martyn sang out the first line, Mila exhaled at the two first, soft chords on the scrapy cassette tape; C, G, and inhaled at the two following; A and F.

“We’re home, malysh.” Mila said faintly, like a loud whisper, as she turned on the usually busy, well trafficked Broad Street onto Rumson, after miraculously making the 1000 mile drive from Missouri back to New Jersey all safe and sound.

Outside the car window the darkness laid thick. Was it a Thursday or a Wednesday? The last few days she had had a harder time remembering the days. They kind of floated together more and more and remembering dates felt unprofitable. It was night, that much she knew at least. 

It had been raining just hours prior to their arrival and the puddles resembled deep dark oceans in the thick darkness, only enlightened by the car lights. Much had changed since they left Jersey a couple of months earlier. Broad Street resembled a graveyard, quiet and spookily empty. Broad was never entirely quiet or empty, just more or less trafficked and more or less scattered with people, depending on the time of the day. It was a main road, with a homey feeling to it. A mix of businesses and homes in neat rows. The houses were well maintained, the lawns cut and the constant aromatic atmosphere, thick as a blanket, consisting of a variety of different sorts of food and exhaust fumes almost stunned the mind; rocking the residents in a warm feeling of security in the Red Banks and Little Silver area. But the safe, homely blanket had disappeared and Broad lied all empty and ghostly. 

“-You know without you honey, all I do is worth nothing. And girlie, don't cry for me-” John Martyn sang on. 

“We’re home.” Mila repeated faintly, while steering the car between the debris, having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that this was Little Silver. That they actually had made it back. It felt surreal. 

A tipped over shopping cart rested in the middle of the wet road, filled with what looked like stacks of magazines, or what once was. Now they lay scattered around the street and sidewalk, crinkled up like papier mache from the rain, having dried up in the breeze into nodular shapes. The drugstore window was shattered, raided, as was the grocery store. Everything felt like being in a movie set for Dawn of the Dead. Mila swallowed as she scanned the otherwise very familiar, cozy area for movements, from both living and dead creatures. They had been lucky ever since they left Missouri, hadn’t crossed paths with anyone. If they’d seen people, they’d kept out of sight, watching them from afar. 

Juri gestured at her in the rear view mirror, letting her know that he too had a hard time recognizing the neighborhood.

“I know, malysh.” Mila replied as John Martyn continued to sing: 

“Although there might be other people in my life. Honey, on my mind, you will always find there's only you-” 

As she slowly cruised further down Rumson Place, Mila felt how the tight belt of anxiety eased around her chest a little. It wasn’t all so different. The trees looked the same, the street lights were dark but otherwise it felt as usual; the street she’d learned to love, to feel safe at, to call home. That sense of safety and calm disappeared. Chaos had reached the quiet, lush Jersey suburb as well. This part of Little Silver also lied dead quiet, ghostly and abandoned; cars were left in the street with their doors open, empty driveways and boards over the windows at some of the houses. The usually well cut lawns were left uncut and the bushes looked ravaged and bewildered. Juri twisted and turned in his car seat to look out of the window, looking mildly shocked. Mila couldn’t get her mind around it either. It felt bad, wrong. Where was everybody? Hiding inside their houses? Or had they fled the field? And in that case, where had they gone? 

“Don’t worry.” Mila said automatically, but felt how wrong the words tasted on her tongue. All she could feel was worry, as soon as she saw the Galka house. They were finally home and it didn’t feel at all like she’d imagined it. “We’re here.”

When she parked on the driveway to the two storey house she’d called home for the past years, Mila shut off the car, killing the sound of “Back to stay” mid sentence. She threw herself out of the passenger seat, grabbed Juri from the backseat and ran onto the porch. She pulled the handle on the door, decorated with a wreath of oak leafs, acorns and a ribbon. Locked.

“What the-” Mila started banging on the wood, but there was no answer. ”Joe?” she cried, hesitated to do so because of the risk of attracting attention. ”El?”

Still no answer. No lights going on inside or any sign of life. With Juri locked on her hip she ran to the kitchen door, only to find it locked as well. 

”Billy? Adam?” She called out. 

Juri tugged at her jacket, signing questioningly ‘where are they?’

“I don’t know, Malysh.”

Mila ran back to the car and managed to get the keys out of her old, trustworthy handbag with shivering fingers. Still with Juri on her hip, she ran back up on the front door porch, fiddled with the keychain before finding the right key and unlocked the door. 

“Hello?”

She received no answer. Ellie Galka didn’t come out of the kitchen and greeted her with a hug and Joe didn’t wave at her from the living room couch. No Adam or Billy who ran down the stairs to smolder her with bearhugs. Mila and Juri seemed to be the only ones there. The blinds were pulled down and the shutters closed. She put Juri down on the floor and walked through all the rooms on the ground level, only to find them empty. Then she ran upstairs, checked Billy’s and Adam’s room, only to find them dark and empty as well. Panic arose up her throat as Mila ended up in the master bedroom. There she haltered with a pounding heart. The drawer was extracted, the wardrobe was wide open and the framed picture on El’s nightstand, picturing ‘her three kids’ was gone. Mila couldn’t take it anymore, her legs folded under her, and she collapsed on the floor, kneeling in front of the bed. They had left. She was alone, again. Plan B had failed and she didn’t have a plan C. She sat there crying uncontrollably, until Juri found her. Tightly he squeezed her neck, pressed himself against her, allowed her to cry into his hair. 

“It’s gonna be alright, Juri-” Mila sobbed between her crying breaths, understanding that she had to pull herself together. “I promise.” 

It had to be alright, but how? 

Still crying she stood up on shaky legs, lifted Juri from the floor and put him down in the big bed where they made themselves comfortable up against the pile of soft pillows. While Mila brushed her tears away with the back of her hand, Juri started fiddling with his walkman, pressed “play” and cranked up the volume. Through the leaking foam headphones the raspy sound of strings were heard, followed by a male chuckle that sent chills down Mila’s spine. Then the voice, oh god that voice, started to sing “Highwayman” in a wailing, southern-way, causing her whole body to ache. Jim made that tape just for fun; no biggie, just a messy recording of him fooling around with his guitar singing some of his favorite country songs, “I won’t back down”, “When I went down to Georgia”, “Highwayman”, “Your man” … - Right there and then it was more precious to them than anything else in the world. Mila closed her eyes and pressed Juri against her body as she could, clear as day, see Jim in front of her. Clear as if he was there in the room with them. The luscious brown hair, thick beard, the funny face he made when he sang in that southern, country way she liked so much. Juri squeezed her hand tightly and Mila opened her eyes, feeling them tearing up. 

“I miss him too, baby.” She stuttered while caressing the blond hair. “So, so much.” 

A tear ran down her cheek, then another one. Outside the window it was pitch black; Mila wondered if it had ever been that dark in Little Silver before? They lied there, curled up on the bed in the master bedroom under complete silence, only broken by the faint sound of the wind, while Jim sang them to sleep. 

Mila woke up the next morning by the room bathing in morning sunlight, making the sheer yellow curtains resemble sunbeams. Juri lied curled up next to her, snoring loudly underneath the covers. Mila remembered their whereabouts, how they got there and that they were alone in the house. Once again her stomach shrinked, but she couldn’t give up at this point. There surely was a logical explanation to why the Galka’s had left, they must’ve gone to some collecting site, somewhere safe. What if they came back? Why hadn’t they left a note? Would they come back? It was possible. They had to wait and see, defend the house from potential scavengers. 

Mila got up from the bed and ran downstairs into the kitchen, where she peered out the window through the wooden shutters. After making sure the coast was clear, she turned the locks and opened the door, snuck out, and began to unload the car in a hurry. Back inside she locked the door again, made sure no one had seen her and turned to watch the cellar door. 

Mila knew Joe kept weapons down there, in the weapon cabinet, decorated with stickers from different fishing competitions and the local football and baseball teams. It was a big cabinet that Ellie, under no circumstances, wanted to have upstairs in the house. Now Mila needed to get inside that cabinet. Joe couldn’t possibly have brought all of his guns with him when they left. 

Mila went into the living room and further into the office, where Joe kept the family’s small safe, containing important papers and documents, jewelry and the key to the gun cabinet, hidden inside a copy of “The Heart of a Woman” by Maya Angelou, taped to the inside of the binder. No wonder Joe was the family’s undefeated master of hide and seek. Inside the safe Mila found the key and went back to the kitchen. She found her copy of the key to the basement on her keychain and unlocked the door, turned the light switch and went downstairs. The basement smelled like gasoline, old, dried paint, very basement-y. A year after she moved into the Galka house, Joe renovated the laundry room next to the kitchen, moving the washer and dryer from the basement to the upper floor. Before that, during Mila’s first year with them, the smell of freshly dried sheets used to hit her in the face as soon as she opened the basement door. Well, no more. At the end of the stairs she looked around. Shelves with motor oil, red plastic gas can, an old football, Joe’s rubber boots and fishing rods... everything looked normal. At the right she saw the weapon cabinet. Big, green and frankly, ugly. Once she had managed to unlock the lock, she pushed the heavy door open. To Mila’s relief she saw that Joe hadn’t been able to bring everything from the cabinet. To her surprise, Mila also saw a weapon case she recognized. It didn’t belong to Joe or anyone of the Galka’s, but-

"I’ll be damn-” She took out the fabric case and looked at it. It felt like several years since she last saw it, then in a completely different place, on the other side of the earth. Papa’s rifle, from Russia. How was that possible? She hadn’t seen it for years. A patch was pinned to the shoulder strap. She looked at it. “Confiscated at customs, cleared by Joseph Galka at New Jersey Police Department for safe handling.” Mila read out loud. “Accompanying Sergey Volk-” she paused mid sentence. 

So it really was his rifle, she thought, without becoming the least bit wiser. He must’ve brought it with him in his luggage when they left Russia, that was the only logical explanation. What’d he planned to do with it? Mila didn’t want to think about it. He was obviously capable of doing anything, she knew that now, and as a highly regarded city official he could bring whatever the hell he wanted in his luggage without consequences it seemed like. Or at least he thought so. Mila hugged the cloth case, it felt like an old jute sack between her hands. She had used the weapon in her youth; shot cans with it in the countryside during the summers and a pigeon or two. Well, papa didn’t need it, not anymore. Mila set it aside, considering it as hers from now on and went through the other black plastic cases. Some were empty, but she found two handguns as well as ammunition and a big knife Joe used for gutting fish with. It could definitely be used for other things as well, like killing those walking dead creatures, formerly known as people. Mila returned upstairs with her findings and put it down on the kitchen table. She could hear Ellie’s distressed voice inside her head:

“No- oh, not on the table! Christ sake!”

Well, El wasn’t here now to see the mess she’d caused. Mila’s eyes swept over the table. She was armed, so now then? She began to go through the cupboards in the kitchen. They needed food, that was priority number one now that she was armed. Luckily Ellie Galka was Little Silver’s unofficial champion of grocery shopping. El always took the biggest shopping cart in the grocery store, the shopping lists were meticulously designed to make shopping smooth and she always made sure that everything that could be needed was at home in the cupboards. If one of her ‘kids’ wanted banana bread, or just mentioned it in passing, they could be sure to find a steaming fresh banana bread under a soft baking sheet an hour later without El having to go shopping before.  Everything, from bananas to flour, was always at home no matter what it seemed. Mila didn’t find any brown bananas hiding behind the flour or baking soda in the cupboards, but there were a lot of cans and dry goods stacked away. She and Juri didn’t have to starve just yet. 

From that day they settled into the Galka house in Little Silver on their own. They slept in Mila’s old bedroom, that the Galka’s had kept for when Mila, Juri and Jim came to visit, armed with both Adam’s trustworthy baseball bat and all of the weapons she had found in the house. 

Days turned into weeks. They had everything they needed, and if they needed something else or ran out of food, they slipped out of the house, out on the streets of Little Silver and Red Banks, to collect supplies. Sometimes Mila dared to leave Juri at the house and go scavenging alone, making him swear to hide if someone broke into the house. Luckily that never happened, but Mila encountered the dead creatures every time she went out the door. There were plenty of them. Neighbors suddenly turned up as walking corpses behind trash cans, cars and roamed around downtown like delusioned pigeons. It took awhile for her to not feel bad about killing them, and to understand their weaknesses and weak spots. Aim for the head and put them out of their misery quickly, was her conclusion after a while. At first it was horrible, made her think of Jim, but after a few killings she felt mentally numb. One thing was sure, she could not get her head around papa’s perverse tendencies to kill out of sheer desire. 

She tried her best to keep a routine, for Juri’s sake. Making sure his reality and routine was kept intact and nice was everything she could think off. Making sure he had everything he needed, felt safe and happy. She woke up at eight in the morning, exercised, woke Juri and they ate breakfast together. Then she dressed him, they played or went out exploring. If she went out on her own, scavenging and exploring, she did so by bicycle. She went to the library and collected books to read, to Blockbuster to get movies and the grocery stores for food. In the nights they curled up on the couch and watched movies in the living room, thanks to Joe’s ‘mega disaster generator’, operating on gasoline. 

“What if there’s a tornado, El?” Joe said when he returned home, with the big piece in the trunk one day, to Ellie’s horror, about a year prior to the apocalypse. “Think about that for a minute. This bad boy might save lives, I tell you.”

Joe, just like Mila, loved disaster movies, but unlike Mila, Joe was extremely influenced by what he saw and could, without blinking, begin to prepare for a presumed doomsday, well… half-heartedly. The generator was a much welcomed addition to the situation whatever Ellie had thought about it that day, Mila thought to herself as she put ‘Terminator 2’ on VHS into the player to watch one night, when Juri was asleep. She used to stay up late, watch another movie and get batshit drunk. Joe had a bar cabinet that was only opened when they had guests over. He rarely drank otherwise, so Mila did him a favor and made sure the booze didn’t go to waste. Her drinking soon spiraled into a ‘around the clock jagg’; she was never sober, just more or less drunk, to the point when she started to hallucinate. After a while, she began to think that Jim was with them in the house. At first it was comforting having him around, but that quickly turned. It was painful, to the point where she thought she was going crazy for real. 

“We gotta get out of here, Juri.” Mila monotonously expressed one day, mid a Clint Eastwood movie and halfway through the last bottle of Buffalo Trace from Joe Galka’s bar cabinet. “We can’t stay here.” She looked at the bottle in her hand. Fuck, she hated Buffalo Trace; had she lost all sense of taste and class? “Not like this.”

Juri, lying on his belly on the carpet surrounded by colorful drawings and chubby kids crayons, looked up at her and nodded. He was fine either way it seemed. A month, maybe two, even three or four, Mila wasn’t really sure, had passed without any sight of the Galka’s, or anyone for that matter. The streets were desolated. There wasn’t anyone around that was alive anymore. Down the street Mila had, to her horror, seen Mr and Mrs Paulson pressing up against their barricaded windows, looking like melting wax dolls with blood running down their mouths. No sight of their two kids. Mila could just guess what had happened to them. Considering their absence from the window and their parents blood stained faces, she had her suspicions. 

No, they couldn’t stay any longer, Mila thought as she lay on the couch. She was starting to get mad from being locked up inside the house. They needed to go back out on the road, leave their comfortable but isolated hideout. For what she didn’t really know. A sign? Or a miracle? She didn’t believe in signs or miracles, didn’t believe in any God either for that matter. But they couldn’t stay here hiding for all eternity. It was much better to get out of there. Maybe they would find the Galka’s while on the road. The possibility was minimal, but Mila really wanted to believe that there was a slight chance, despite it being one in a million.

One early morning, Mila shut off the generator. She packed their belongings, locked all of the doors and painted a red cross at both the front door and the kitchen door, to imply that the house was unsafe to enter, hoping it would leave it untouched. She drove the car out of the garage, having loaded it the night before. She had hid a filled gas can up the beams of the roof of the garage, if she ever needed to come back there for some reason, she at least knew she had extra gas. After backing out of the driveway, she just stood there on the street, looking at the house. Would she ever come back again?

“Look at it Juri.” Mila sighted and hugged the wheel tighter. “Look closely. Remember it. I don’t know when we’ll be able to return.”

As she said it out loud, she could have swore she saw Jim looking out at her from the upstairs window, peeking out behind the curtain. She swallowed hard. I’m hallucinating, he’s not real, she repeated inside her head, but couldn’t take her eyes from the window. She just had to accept it and continue to live, survive, for Juri’s sake.

#jersey on my mind #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon x oc #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl fanfiction #daryl dixon #twd daryl #the walking dead daryl #twd #twd fanfic #twd fanfiction #the walking dead fanfic #the walking dead fandom #the walking dead fanficition

[ghosttotheparty]

say my name and say it twice (cotton candy skies)

25. also on AO3 chapter twenty four

“I think I can finish it by myself,” Lotte says, pulling the paper closer and looking at it, her brow pulled in with focus.

“I think so too,” Jens says. He leans back against the base of his bed, stretching his legs out on the floor in front of himself. Lotte hums in response, still looking intensely at the paper, and he cocks his head at her. He smiles softly at her, her little pout, the wheels turning in her head.

“Yeah,” she says, abruptly, looking up at him. She catches his smiles and rolls her eyes (which makes his smile grow), grabbing her pencil from the floor next to him, and pushes herself up.

“I don’t get a kiss?” he says, feigning hurt and pouting, sticking his lower lip out as she makes her way to the door, and she groans loudly, exaggerating it by throwing her head back, before turning back around, leaning over him and pressing a chaste kiss to his forehead. He closes his eyes, smiling cheesily, knowing she’ll laugh, which she does, snorting as she leaves the room, shutting the door quietly behind herself.

Jens drops his head to the bed, sighing. They’ve been working on her homework for nearly two hours, and Jens doesn’t know why but he feels more tired than she seems. He stays there, resting, closing his eyes, his hands resting in his lap, curled around each other like a child’s. His mind wanders. From unfinished homework he has yet to complete (he’ll find the answers on Google) (or ask the guys, though he doubts any of them have completed it, either), to Lotte’s unfinished homework (which he has faith she’ll be able to complete, and if she gets stuck, he knows she’ll come to him for help), to what’s for dinner, to wondering if his mother will be back home in time to make dinner or if Jens will have to.

She’s been staying out later.

Jens doesn’t know if she’s working late, taking up shifts from others, or if she’s just walking, wasting time. He can almost imagine her, wandering sidewalks in the dark, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her coat, the way her legs cross in front of each other with every step like she’s walking a tightrope. It worries him. Though many of his worries are unnecessary, irrational (What if she trips and stumbles into the road and gets hit? What if she gets lost? It makes him feel sick.), and though he knows they’re unnecessary, irrational, he can’t help it. Can’t help but think of the worst-case scenario.

She’s distant.

She still laughs with Lotte, still teases Jens, but her smile seems to fade faster.

Jens wonders if it has to do with her father, if maybe the emotional effect of kicking him out, of cursing at him and scolding him, was enough to do this to her. To make her depressed.

He lifts his head, glancing around the room, suddenly disoriented, and reaches for his phone once he’s grounded. He sends a message to his mom, When do you think you’ll be home tonight?, without expecting a response.

He feels hopeless, lately, when it comes to his mom. Not hopeless in a sense of he doesn’t feel he can do anything, or in a sense of he isn’t going to try to do anything, but hopeless in a sense of feeling for her. When he looks at her face when she thinks he isn’t looking, when she stares blankly at a sink full of dishes or a blank wall or the food on her plate, when he imagines her walking by herself in the night, or sitting in a room by herself, his heart fills with the same dread she holds in her eyes.

When he leaves the chat with his mother, after waiting a few seconds to see if she reads it, he sees his chat with Lucas, and he smiles. The last message is Lucas calling him a nerd. He opens the chat, his fingers hovering over the keys for a few seconds, contemplating. Lucas could be drawing. Or doing schoolwork. Or something else that he doesn’t want to be distracted from.

Jens drops his phone, letting his hands hang between his legs as his knees come up, and he drops his head on the bed again, huffing. He can hear Lotte’s music from her room, just loud enough to hear, just quiet enough to not be able to tell what song is playing. It feels too quiet in his room, in his head. Too quiet, too lonely. He lifts his phone again and calls Lucas.

Jens isn’t expecting him to pick up, is expecting him to be busy, but it only takes a few seconds before Lucas’s soft “Hey, baby,” reaches his ear.

“Hi.”

“You okay?”

Jens closes his eyes, letting his head fall to the bed once again.

“Yeah, why?”

“Mm…” There’s a pause. “You usually text before you call me.”

“Sorry,” Jens says softly.

“Don’t apologize. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jens replies, but it sounds fake even to him.

“Jens, talk to me.”

Jens takes a deep breath.

“It’s… I don’t know. I feel just…”

“One of those days?”

He bites his lip, not knowing what to say.

“Kind of, I guess.”

“Where are you?” Lucas asks.

“Home. On my floor. I was helping Lotte with homework but she’s in her room now.”

“How’s Lotte?”

“She’s good,” Jens says, smiling softly as he realises what Lucas is doing. Checking on him. His heart feels a little warmer.

“And your mom?”

His smile fades and he presses his lips together, opening his eyes and gazing at the ceiling. His mouth opens, but no words come out.

“Jens?”

“I…”

Lucas waits.

“I think she’s depressed,” Jens says finally, his voice so quiet it’s almost just a breath.

Lucas is quiet.

But Jens doesn’t feel lonely anymore. He feels like he would if Lucas was sitting right next to him, if he had his leg tossed over Jens’s, if their fingers were laced between them.

“Have you talked to her?” Lucas asks after a minute.

“I don’t know what to say.”

They’re both almost whispering.

“Just… Ask how she is.”

“I know how she is.” His voice catches and his eyes burn. “She’s fucking miserable and I just— I don’t know why or how I can help and it hurts, I just… I just want her to be okay.”

“I know, baby, but… You have to talk to her for her to get better.”

A tear rolls down Jens’s cheek and he bites his lip again, trying not to let a sob break through.

“I think,” Lucas continues, “you should talk to her about maybe getting help. Maybe going to a counsellor or therapist will help.”

“Yeah,” Jens says. He swallows, reaching up and wiping his face. “I might try to talk to her tonight about it. Offer to go with her.”

“I think it’s a good idea. Grownups need support, too.”

Jens laughs softly, swiping a finger under his eye.

“I know.”

They sit in silence. Jens feels tired, closing his eyes again and letting a leg drop, considering climbing onto his bed, though he’d probably fall asleep if he does. He feels lighter. He hadn’t thought of it in that way, but somehow the knowledge of Mama’s depression feels like a secret. It isn’t something he’s going to just bring up to Lotte, or any of the guys, or Jana, not that they’ve even been talking much as of late. He feels better now that the weight of it isn’t just resting on him.

The sun is starting to set behind clouds outside, and the lighting of Jens’s room turns blue, a dim, warm blue, shadows cast across the floor and walls.

“Oh, I had to tell you something,” Lucas says, his voice still soft.

“Mhmm?”

“Milan was going to invite you and the guys over to chill this weekend.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“Sounds fun.”

“You don’t think it’ll be awkward?”

“Mm… Only if we make it awkward.”

Lucas chuckles.

“Okay, we’ll pretend to be bros.”

“I’ll repress the urge to kiss you until we’re alone.”

“...That’s kinda hot.”

A burst of laughter jumps out of Jens and he claps his hand over his mouth.

“Why are you like this?”

“Am I wrong?” Lucas says, and Jens can hear his smile.

“I mean…”

“Mhmm.”

---

“Jens?”

Jens lifts his head from the dining table, uncrossing his arms, his eyes bleary. It’s dark, the room illuminated by a dim light.

“Where’s Lotte?”

His mom walks into the room, placing her coat on the back of a chair. She looks tired.

He hasn’t looked her directly in the face in days. The circles under her eyes are darker, the wrinkles on her forehead deeper. Her lips are still stained from the lipstick she wears to work every day.

“Bed.”

“Why aren’t you in bed?”

“I just… wanted to talk to you.”

She stares at him, confused, and slowly pulls the chair out from under the table, turning it so she can sit.

“Okay.” When she’s sitting, she rests her hands on the table, her fingers loosely laced. “Is everything okay?”

Jens shifts in his seat, feeling nervous for no reason. His hands shake slightly. He doesn’t want to talk about this, doesn’t want to have this conversation.

“Jens, I—”

“Are you okay?” he interrupts.

She stares at him with tired, taken-aback eyes.

“I’m okay.”

The words are only half in the air when he responds, “No, you’re not.”

It’s quiet again. So quiet he can hear drops of water leaking from the tap into the metal sink, he can hear cars driving in the outside world.

“I’m okay.”

“Mama, please, just—” Jens drops his gaze, looking down at the worn wood of the table. He takes a sharp breath, willing himself not to cry. “I know you’re not okay.”

“I’m o—”

“Mama, stop, stop.” He presses a hand to the table, flattened down and frustrated. “I know.” He looks back at her, his glassy eyes locking on hers. “I know.”

They stare at each other again, and he can see her deflate, can see her posture give out, her shoulders drop.

“I’m tired, Jens.”

“Of what?” he asks softly.

“Everything.”

His heart breaks. She looks so tired. So sad.

“We can get you help,” he says gently after a moment. “A counsellor, or a therapist. Someone who can help you feel better.”

A small smile spreads across her face and she sighs, wiping an eye quickly.

“This is the kind of conversation I’m supposed to be having with you, not the other way around.”

Jens smiles back, the air lightening around them slightly.

“Gotta do what you gotta do.”

She lets out a quiet laugh and he reaches across the table, taking her hand.

“I can go with you,” he tells her softly. She smiles again, resting her other hand on top of his.

“Thank you, honey. But I think I’ll be a big girl and go by myself.”

“Grownups need support too.”

She laughs.

“Yes, we do. I’ve got support, don’t I?”

Jens scoots his chair closer to her and leans close, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“I love you, Mama.”

“I know, Jens. I love you too.”

They stay there for a while, holding each other’s hands, and Jens wraps an arm around her, pulling her close. He presses another kiss to her temple, hears her sigh. Sees her face relax, sees her smile when she doesn’t know he’s looking. At some point, he lays his head on her shoulder and closes his eyes. He hears a quiet, “Thank you,” just under her breath.

#suck it writers block #i mean this chapter kinda sucks but hopefully the next one will get done like #not after three weeks of not writing at all #or more? #idk time is fake #anyway #i love jenss mom #shes an angel #vds #van der stoffels #lucas vdh #lucas van der heijden #jens stoffels #wtfock #skam nl

[desperationandgin]

Deep As The Sea Goes: Cellist Part 2

Rating: Mature

Previous Chapter

Also Read On: Ao3

Summary: Nothing but happiness. Happiness and smut.

A/N: Nothing much to say here except for 2 things. 1) I made my own mood board for the first time, the training wheels are still engaged. 2) My betas have been nothing short of incredible, and this fic is dedicated to them ♥

Deep As The Sea Goes

Drunk isn’t quite what Claire would consider herself. She isn’t as innocent as tipsy, either. She’s somewhere in between; nicely buzzed, a little faster to laugh, most assuredly handsier. As Jamie (who’s as inebriated as she is) guides her around the corner to her flat, an idea occurs to her that never has on any previous walk in the past month. It’s dark; he’s strong, she’s safe, and there’s a small dead-end lined with recycling bins just around the corner from her building. The fact that it’s only 8 degrees outside does little to dissuade her once the idea comes to fruition.

The alley is deep enough that the long shadows of night would mask any activity, and with a wicked grin, she pauses right there on the sidewalk, looking up at her (as shouted earlier in introduction for the first time in a crowded pub) boyfriend.

“I already ken that look in yer eye,” Jamie comments in recognition, raising a curious brow. When she begins to tug at his hand, he realizes where she’s tugging him, and now both eyebrows are in on the action.

“Yer flat is right there, I can see it.” When she pouts, her bottom lip juts out in a way that begs to be kissed, and his already meager resolve wavers. In order to have his kiss, he has to follow her, like a seaman lured in by a Siren.

“My flat will be there afterward, too,” she offers coyly.

“So, ye’re sayin’ ye have plans for me?” he queries, even as her back presses against brick and his fingers push up the hem of her skirt, blunt nails grazing her skin in a feather-light, goosebump-inducing touch.

Her own fingers, skilled and nimble, make fast work of his jeans, hand in his boxer-briefs with a satisfied sigh at finding him hard and willing. “I’ve had plans for you since the night of the fundraiser,” she mumbles into his mouth, loosely stroking him as they attempt an inelegant kiss. By the time his hand slips between her thighs, a leg has hooked itself high on his hip, and she lets her hand fall away from him with a keening moan.

“Shhh, a nighean,” he mutters, pushing flimsy fabric aside. His index finger finds her slick enough to drag the moisture back up and press slow but firm circles to that round bundle of nerves. He’s telling her to be quiet, even knowing she isn’t fully capable of it. All of Scotland might very well know what’s happening in this alleyway tonight. Two of his fingers curl into her now, moving in a beckoning motion, coaxing her climax closer to the edge.

What he doesn’t expect is her push at his shoulder, and he stops, blinking in a stupor. “What—?” The one-word question is breathless and concerned, but not for long.

Shoving his jeans and underwear down just enough, her hand grasps his cock by the root before stroking upward. Her mouth swallows his groan, and then they’re working together to get her balanced between the brick and his body. The moment she knows he has her secure, she meets his gaze, her own unwavering.

“I want you now, Jamie. And don’t be gentle,” she gasps, crushing her lips to his as soon as the words are out of her mouth.

He’d be a damned man to say no to that.

It’s all the acknowledgment Jamie needs as he guides himself to her, teasing first by dragging the tip of himself over the slick heat of her, wondering how long either of them could try to hold out.

“Don’t,” she whines, heels digging into his lower back. “Don’t tease, Jamie, not out here.”

She’s right, for more than one reason to be sure, so he presses into her slowly. He watches himself disappear inside of her, and once he’s buried, feels one hand on the back of his head, tugging at curls to get him to look at her.

The only sound in the alley is the sound of them, coming together in a punishing rhythm. His eyes, narrowed to slits, are still focused on her in the dim light. He can tell that her lips are parted, plump and still damp from their kiss. The lone, dim streetlamp is enough to catch the way her forehead knits as her pleasure mounts its peak. She begins to tighten around him, and the immediate warmth is enough to make his hips stutter out of rhythm.

“Oh, Christ. Oh, Claire.”

There’s nothing but encouragement from her; feeling him, the warmth of him spilling inside of her is enough. She doesn’t stop her assault, and when he buries his face against her neck, her fingers tangle in his hair. He comes, and she sees bursts of brilliant color behind closed eyelids as her pleasure turns everything into pinpricks of sensation.

The slight breeze against sweat-cooled skin makes her shiver, unaware of how much time has passed by the time she can open her eyes again.

He comes back to reality quicker than she does, aware of the chill and the fact that they could still be chanced upon by someone.

“Jesus Christ, ‘tis January in the middle of the night and ye’re in a skirt.”

His abrupt statement makes her laugh, loudly and uncaring of who might hear. When her legs feel stronger than Jell-O, Claire lowers herself, admitting aloud that the loss of him causes the cold to cut a bit deeper.

“I’m sure you have ideas on how to warm me up,” she suggests, carefully tucking him back into his jeans and zipping him.

Jamie grunts, finally taking a chance and looking around, not noticing any unwanted attention. “I’ve one or two, perhaps. Why? Did ye have one of yer own?”

Her hand reaches for his as they finally step back onto the more brightly lit sidewalk. “I was thinking a warm shower for two wouldn’t be so bad.” She needs it now, realizing the lack of a space to clean up was a (definite but perhaps trivial) downside to outdoor sex.

He lets her walk ahead, no more than twenty paces to the front steps, admiring her from behind for a moment before joining her. “No, I dinnae think that would be too terrible,” he agrees, arms wrapping around her from behind as she unlocks the door.

Grinning, she lets them inside, Sesh at the ready to greet them. Rubbing against Claire first, then Jamie, she decides she doesn’t care to visit much, giving a soft meow before trotting off toward the living room.

“She doesna like me, I’m tellin’ ye.”

Laughing, Claire uses him for balance as she reaches down to remove first one heel, then the other. “She does. Sesheshet’s just a little...anxiety prone when more than one person’s around. She’ll get used to you.”

Once she’s steady on her feet again, he follows her to the bedroom, already intimately familiar with the path. She lives closer to the station than he does, and so they’d come to an arrangement, not two weeks in: a key to her home securely on a keychain next to his. Falling into her bed after his longer stretches of work feels like the most natural thing in the world.

“Ye never did tell me, what does her name mean?”

Flipping on the light in her bedroom reveals things to be neat and orderly; a bit scant on decoration, but obviously her refuge; blankets are piled in a basket near the nightstand, and a deep reading chair sits in the corner near the window with pillows on the floor nearby. Claire disappears into the bathroom, raising her voice to be heard.

“Sesheshet was the mother of a Pharaoh, King Teti. My uncle discovered her pyramid in 2008.” He hears her turn on the shower so that the water can have time to warm. When she returns to the bedroom, she pulls her shirt over her head, draping it across the back of a chair. “He died before her sarcophagus was found, so he never did get to see her.”

Jamie reaches out, still learning the odd bits and pieces of her life. Drawing her close, he kisses her wrist before reaching around and unhooking her bra.

“Were ye with him at the site?” he asks, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck now. One arm loops around her waist, drawing her close.

“Until it was too much for him to be there.”

The lung cancer had been swift and fierce, and Claire sighs softly, kissing Jamie’s shoulder. “And that is how Sesh got her fancy name.”

He can sense the need for a change in subject. Jamie knows the topic of her uncle is still a raw wound, even twelve years later. Lamb had helped raise her, a brother doing his duty by stepping up and helping his sister-in-law. His death had left Claire bereft; it had been quick on the heels of her mother’s. Instead of pushing the subject further, Jamie’s hands tangle in her hair as he kisses her briefly, then pulls back.

“A verra fancy name for a cat who indelicately licks her arsehole right in front of me while I’m eating,” Jamie notes. “She’s done it twice now, so ye cannae tell me it isna personal.”

Barking out a laugh, Claire moves back so they can both finish undressing, then steps into the warmth of the shower.

“You’ll just have to be here more often, I suppose,” she decides, standing directly under the water with her back to Jamie’s chest.

“Oh? Is that an invitation, Sassenach?” His nose drags slowly along the shell of her ear, but when she goes still and doesn’t say anything, he’s sure he’s misstepped, pushed her too fast, too soon.

“Would you accept if it had been?” Turning to face him, she studies Jamie intently, aware that his features never betray what he’s thinking, but attempting to puzzle him out anyway.

“Aye, I would, wi’ out a moment’s hesitation,” he assures her, leaving no room for doubt. “But ye’d have to tell me it’s what ye want, Claire.” He traces his thumb over her bottom lip, humming when she presses a kiss to the pad.

Reaching out, she trails one finger idly down his chest, her gaze focused there now. “You already have a key, on account of my being impatient to see you.” There are days she very much enjoys seven a.m. Lately, he’s been showering at the station, letting himself into her flat, and crawling into bed with her, curling his body around hers. Most of those mornings they make love, lazily and half-asleep, but too eager for one another to wait any longer.

“Is it too soon?” The moment she asks, she knows his answer. Jamie is anything but subtle in his want for her to be near, as often as possible.

“A nighean, I would have moved in wi’ ye on Christmas Day if you’d’ve had me. Though, there’s something ye should ken before ye decide anything,” he murmurs, moving his hands to her hips and turning her so that her back is against the shower wall.

A knot of arousal coils in her stomach, able to feel the intent of his movements in every tightly wound muscle of his body. “What?” Her voice sounds slightly hoarse and she clears her throat, wetting her lips.

Slipping a hand between her thighs, Jamie slowly grazes the tip of one finger around still-tender nerves. When she whimpers, it cuts through him like a knife and goes straight to his cock.

“My own rental agreement ends on the fifth of March. Didna renew it on the chance this would happen.”

Her eyes, which had previously fallen closed at his touch, snap open in surprise. “You knew I would ask you to move in with me?”

Jamie chuckles, kissing her softly before deciding her neck is just as deserving of his lips.

“No, but I hoped. Truthfully, I’ve wanted to move out of that area for a while. Lacked the proper motivation, ye ken.”

Claire’s head tilts, her eyes closing once more. “And now? Where would you say your motivation ranks?”

For a moment, he’s too busy calling up a mark just under her neck before soothing it with his tongue, soaking up her whimper as both hands slide up her body to cup her breasts. The soft, slick skin of her is irresistible, and he can’t help ducking his head further to drag his lips along the curve of her shoulder

“I’ll be moved in by tomorrow evenin’, if ye’ll have me, Sassenach.”

Her response is immediate and breathless, a gasped I’ll have you just before his left hand disappears again between her thighs. She’s already decided that he can lay claim to her body any time he wants, and she’s not sure she would ever find it in herself to deny him. He can build her up, bring her to the precipice so exquisitely fast, or draw out her pleasure until she begs. Claire never feels as though she’s breathing when he’s intent on undoing her, can never find a single thought.

It’s no different now as his fingers work her over as if he’s known her body for millennia; a countless amount of lifetimes to learn every intimate part of her. With her fingers scrambling over the scarred terrain of his back, she finally finds her grip and holds on, digging into his shoulders with her fingernails before easing off as pleasure prickles up and down her spine. Head falling back against the tile, Claire pushes her hips into his hand, greedily seeking more even as the pleasure leaves her gasping.

She doesn’t realize he’s moved until his mouth is right beside her ear. His fingers have mostly stopped, his thumb just lightly grazing nerves that are taut with stimulation.

“I mean to belong to ye. To have ye keep my heart beside yours.” His thumb circles faster, words more intent. “And I’ll possess yer soul, Sassenach, to carry wi’ me, always.” On the heels of one climax comes another, and as she cries out, his eyes rake over her face, taking in the blush of her cheeks and the specific way her lips part when she’s struggling for breath. He can’t resist pressing his mouth to hers, breathing her in before wrapping both arms fully around her.

They stand like that, a lover’s embrace mid-shower, until Claire finally reaches for the soap and lazily lathers her hands, washing him before taking her turn. They say nothing to one another, stealing soft kisses, touching leisurely until their fingertips are shriveled. Jamie simply steps out once the water is off and holds out a towel for her, wrapping her up and kissing her forehead for his service. The pleasant buzz of the evening has worn off into an even more pleasant sleepiness, and once suitably dry, they tumble into bed, no need for clothing.

“Ye introduced me as yer boyfriend to yer friends,” Jamie finally says, breaking the comfortable silence.

Claire tilts her head up to look at him with an amused smirk. “That’s what you are, aren’t you?”

“Aye, just that it sounds so….”

“Grade school?”

He chuckles, rolling against her side and nudging against the side of her breast. “I verra much enjoy bein’ yer boyfriend, Sassenach. Would ye go to the dance wi’ me?”

Claire laughs, hitting his shoulder before being pulled into a kiss. “How could I have resisted?” she asks into his mouth before humming at the feel of his hips slowly rolling against hers. One leg settles over his to accommodate, both of them shifting closer, foreheads touching.

“What is it between us?” she asks quietly, closing her eyes as her hips pick up his rhythm, rocking back and forth. “Why is it so easy?”

“That’s the way it is,” Jamie begins, reaching down to guide himself into her with a soft groan. For a few heartbeats, he stays exactly the way he is, not moving except to speak. “When two people are meant to be wi’ one another, well. Love becomes an easy thing, then.” He finishes his statement with a kiss, one hand disappearing into her hair.

With her fingers dragging along Jamie’s cheek, Claire meets his gaze, feeling the truth settle over her at the same time any guilt about loving again dissipates.

“It’s never been this easy before.”

Jamie realizes what she’s said and takes her words, tucking them carefully beside his heart. Carefully, he pushes her to her back, leaning down as far as he can without crushing her.

“I promise to never make it difficult for ye, Claire,” he whispers, lips trailing along the long line of her throat. “I’ll only love ye and no’ ask for anything in return.”

She’s too breathless to speak, every thrust eliciting a sharp cry as her back arches. But when she manages to open her eyes, she finds his gaze and holds it until she can’t.

This time when she shatters, he comes with her, panting against her cheek as he spills. It’s too much to hold himself up, so he drops to the side, pulling her — still gasping — right on top of him. His arms wrap around her body tightly, shaking, hot, but unwilling to be parted from her. As his fingers take a short trail up and down her shoulder, he finds a small scar from the accident, the pad of his finger making a home there, drawing soft circles. When he can’t stand it anymore, he leans up to press his lips against the mark, as if to make it disappear.

Claire burrows closely against him, in no rush to lose the warmth of the moment, either. Her own hands aren’t idle; she drags the back of one slowly up his body with all the patience of drawing out a long, low note on a cello string. She feels his shiver and finishes with her fingers buried in his curls.

Drifting, she’s lulled by his knuckles raking slowly up and down her spine, focused on the sound of his heart beating. It’s strong and sure, and she raises her head just enough to press a delicate kiss against his chest. When his fingers tug gently at the hair behind her ear, she scoots up until her mouth meets his. Tongues unhurriedly glide over one another, and they eventually reposition themselves so that he can hold her while they sleep.

“Tonight was a good night,” she murmurs, eyes closed with one arm splayed across him.

Jamie makes a noise low in the back of his throat, one that means he agrees, as his arms tighten around her.

“One of many nights I intend to have wi’ ye.”

Exhaling, Claire manages to mumble a few final words before succumbing to sleep.

“I’m holding you to that, Jamie.”

Once she relaxes into sleep, he lets his lips graze her forehead, breathing in the smell of her shampoo, her tea tree oil-infused body wash, and a hint of jasmine beneath it all. His heart feels too big for his chest and not big enough to be worthy of her at the same time.

Christ, he loves this woman.

His last thought as his mind shuts down is that he’ll be proposing to her by the end of the year.

October.

Jamie smiles in his sleep, drifting off to the promise of his future, held secure in his arms.

#outlander fic #outlander #jamie x claire #jamie fraser #claire fraser #the cellist #deep as the sea goes #my fic