#beyond the mirror: lost birthday

[slutforsjy]

One-time thing | s.jy

- what kind of girlfriend who lets their lover take someone else's virginity? it was all fun until someone goes beyond their limit

Pairing: fem! reader x Jake Sim x fem! reader's best friend

Genre: angst, SMUT

WC: 6.6k (not proofread)

Warnings ⚠️: hard/soft dom! jake, virgin bestfriend, cuck y/n, reader watching her bestfriend get fucked by her boyfriend, y/n's besfriend is sometimes called h/n, voyeurism, cucking, cheating (?), jealousy, unprotected sex, pet names, making out, oral sex, fingering, dirty talk, pussy slapping, choking, spitting, hair pulling, multiple sex positions, creampie, breeding kink, JAKE FUCKS READER'S BESTFRIEND!, and cums inside her without your permission!

a/n: i was so hesitant to post this because of the plot so please read the WARNING! I've warned you enough so if you don't like this genre/theme please don't read it.

This is NOT your typical smut! This might be triggering to some so please read the warning and synopsis first!

Today’s your besfriend’s 21st birthday and you decided to treat her in one of your go-to places to unwind and have fun.

“hey” you call out to her while looking at the group of men across the table. “you’re 21, aren’t you like trying to get laid or something?” she almost choked from your question making her stare at you in confusion “oh please there are a lot of fine men in our campus” glancing back at the man who’s shamelessly eyefucking the two of you.

she just rolled her eyes and sighed in defeat “i’m not just giving my v card to anyone, especially to that weirdo”

“you’re boring” a message popped up in your phone and it was your boyfriend saying ‘i miss you’

It’s late in the night and he’s probably looking for you. They had a practice earlier this day and you couldn’t come because you had to accompany your bestfriend to get wasted. You missed him so bad already, even after he just railed you at the bleachers right before their practice.

You open the message only to see a mirror selfie of him sitting at the couch shirtless, manspreading, veiny hands gripping his boner through his grey sweats, with his tongue out. You cursed silently, salivating at thought of him touching himself as he waits for you to go back home and fuck each other til the next morning.

You heard the woman beside you gasp but she was quick to look away when you notice that she’s looking over your phone as well.

You glared at her raising one of your eyebrows. All she did was to whisper sorry’s as she just continued to chug the rest of the drink trying to get away from the embarrassment.

Oh you know her too well. You know she’s attracted to your boyfriend. Who isn’t?

“He’s so hot right?” you asked bringing your face closer to her. She became tensed and responded with ‘huh’ acting like she didn’t hear you.

“My boyfriend” you showed her the image so that she could have a better view. You stared at her watching her expression. “let me tell you, he fucks like an animal” you giggled, alcohol running all over your body. You’re so lost in your mind that you kept on teasing her and asking her questions you might regret. “do you wanna fuck my boyfriend?”

She was silent.

she just shrugged it off and grab her bag not uttering any words. You see her took her phone out to try and book an uber so you two could call it a day. The two of you are under the influenced of alcohol especially you, that you just voice out everything that goes in your mind. “come on, i’m not gonna be mad…. just be honest”

“i honestly wanna see my boyfriend fuck a girl in front of me… that’s hot” you’re friend can’t believe you right now, while you’re just laughing at the thought of it.

Once you calmed down you ask her again “so what do you say? i know you want t-“

“yes i want your boyfriend to fuck me like an animal” you stopped at the sudden confession. She thought that you’ll be mad but instead you just smirked and let out a laugh finding her cute.

“good answer” you winked at her as you grabbed her hands walking your way out of the bar.

-

The ride to your shared apartment with jake took you 20 minutes. The ride was silent being the radio the only source of noise as your friend is dumbfounded. Stunned from whatever conversation you just had earlier. “h/n, i’m gonna go now” you tapped her bringing her back to reality as you bid goodbye before getting out of the car.

Before you could open the door, your boyfriend did it for you as he was just waiting for you from the window. You are welcomed by his embrace, throwing yourself in his half-naked body. You rest your head against his chest when the image he sent to you earlier came across your mind.

“i missed you” he whispered kissing the top of your head. You look up to him and pecked his lips. “i could tell every alcohol you drank tonight” he chuckled lifting you on your way to the bedroom.

You’re dizzy and couldn’t think straight as of now. But you know where this is going, with how your boyfriend desperately suck on your neck leaving marks on it.

He lays you down the bed and immediately removed his sweats. You smirked seeing him not wearing any underwear. He then moved closer to you massaging your thighs as he leaves open mouthed kiss on your face down to your chest making you grip his hair.

You’re so lost that you didn’t realize how quick he removed your jeans leaving you with your laced panty. He stares at it for second before glancing back at you.

You’re tired and he can see it in your eyes. so he wasted no time pulling your panties down to your knees and start inserting his cock in to you in one go.

You whined to him placing both of your hands at the back of his neck bringing him closer to you. “don’t worry, im gonna make this quick… ahh” he groaned as he fasten his pace while using his thumb to rub your clit so you could cum faster “i fucked you earlier at the field…how are you still so tight…. ahh” he can’t form his words straight as he’s reaching close to his orgasm

“babe please im close” the tightening of your walls is enough for him to go crazy, and enough for him to cum. as you felt his warm seeds fills you up making you moan from pleasure, as you cum around his cock not long after him.

“thank you babe” he kissed your forehead and quickly pulls out lying down beside you.

The two of you cuddled each other not minding the uncomfortable feeling brought by the stickiness and sweatiness of your bodies. You just want to seize this moment and talk about how each of your days went. He talked about his training and how he missed staring and looking at you every time he scores a goal. You can’t help but say sorry but he is quick to say that he understands it because it was your bestfriend’s important day.

Speaking of your bestfriend, you suddenly remembered the shitty question you asked her earlier. You can’t help but be curious on how will your boyfriend react if you tell him that your friend wants to be fucked by him.

“babe…” you called out to him shifting your position to see his face. He hums staring at the ceiling.

“are you willing to take someone’s virginity” he scoffed looking at you and let out a laugh from the most random question. “what? i already took your v card babe” he pecked your lips “why? you want another round? i was holding back because you look so tired but i can give it to you“ he quickly positioned himself on top of you staring directly in your eyes with a smile.

“no jake calm your dick” he sighed in defeat and go back to his original position. You fixed yourself on his chest again before telling him the truth.

“i thought it would be hot if you were to be my bestfriend’s first….” your boyfriend isn’t dumb, so he gets what you meant by that. He knew about your bestfriend. He would be lying if he say she’s not attractive and hot as well. Silence filled the dark room as you feel jake’s chest goes up and down faster than the usual.

“what do you say” you broke the silence while rubbing the outline of his abs as you wait for his answer. Part of you wants him to disagree but more part of you wants him to say ‘yes’. He grabbed your face and made you look at him “are you okay with that?”

Hell yeah! You’re not blind not to see how he looks at your bestfriend every time the two of you hangout at the living room. You know how he purposely walks around the apartment without a shirt to flex his body and show off not only to you but also to your bestfriend.

You paused. You know you’re still influenced by the alcohol and you know you shouldn’t be making decisions. but for the sake of your own satisfaction “yes, i always thought it would be hot” you hid your face on his chest again shy from your weird kink.

You always thought about it tho, your boyfriend railing another girl in front of you is something you think about all the time when you’re alone touching yourself. You imagine how he would ruin the woman in front of you. It’s weird. You’re weird. At this point, you’re actually not helping your friend get their first experience, but you’re doing this for your own.

-

Your class finishes at 3 pm and you immediately went to your bestfriend’s classroom to fetch her. You look over the window and call out to her as she fixes her things.

She gave you a confused look as the smile in your face never leaving you. “why are you like that” she asks walking by your side.

“remember last night?” you stopped her movement and drag her to a place where there’s less students around

“what about last night?” you gave her a minute to think about what you talked about last night. Her eyes frightened as she gets what you’re trying to say.

“what? i thought that wasn’t serious-“ you cuts her off and pull her to get to your car “jake’s waiting”

-

As usual the car ride was dead quiet. You look at her every time the traffic light would turn red and you see how her face turned red as well. She’s nervous, not only because it’s her first BUT it’s her first with YOUR boyfriend!

“hey, relax” you said to her without looking away from the road. “everyone agreed to this, YOU want it, Jake agreed to it, I want it” you said giving her a quick look of assurance.

You’re both now in front of your apartment and you turn to your friend once again “girl relax, just enjoy it. Look it’s the finest man who’s taking your v card today” you exclaimed trying to hyper up. It’s true tho, not everyone experienced jake to be their first. He wasn’t your first and you regret it.

“Jake babe?” you shouted calling him as soon as you entered. You let your friend sit at the couch first as you roam around the house looking for your boyfriend.

You entered your room, you see there jake in school uniform lying down in his stomach scrolling through his phone. “babe” he jolted when he heard your voice getting up from the bed.

“oh is she there?” you nodded. He scanned himself in the mirror and fixed his clothes and hair. “why are you so worked up” you chuckled before opening the cabinet in front of you. “she’s waiting, go to her now, im just gonna look for someth-” he didn’t let you finish and went outside immediately shutting the door behind him. “don’t scare her!” you shouted before continuing to look for the camera.

It took you a while and when you came back you saw the two of them at the couch, your bestfriend sitting on top of your boyfriend’s lap clashing their lips together. She is pulling his hair while he’s holding the back of her head tilting it from left to right to deepen the kiss. You’re slightly shocked at the desperation of your boyfriend leading the heated kiss as you saw his tongue wandering all over her mouth.

Their kiss is getting wetter and messier that they couldn’t care less about your presence. He is grabbing his ass making her grind on top of his clothed cock. The sounds of their wet lips clashing and the lewd sounds they’re making is so hot that you can’t help but just watch them. They’re so messy with it that you see your friend’s chin and cheeks glistening from their mixed saliva.

“jake wait” she paused, catching her breath. But jake won’t stop going after her, biting the skin of her neck, jaw, ears, and quickly pecking her lips with mischievous grin on his face.

You chuckled, rolling your eyes seeing your boyfriend so desperate and needy “hey enough of that, go do your shit now”

You noticed how your friend lets out a sigh of relief that she can finally breathe properly.

You placed the camera at the side table, setting it up trying to get a better angle and lighting. Jake requested it last night that you record the entire thing. You don’t know for what reason but here you are.

“come here pretty” you were taken a back at the sudden pet name making you turn to him and raise your brow.

But jake didn’t seem to notice it as he pats his lap and massages his cock while licking off the excess saliva all over his plump and swollen lips.

you see how your boyfriend’s cock grew each time he massages it while eyeing down your best friend who’s now in between his legs.

This horny mother fucker! you knew he wanted to fuck your best friend.

Once the camera is settled, you sat into the chair in front of the couch where jake and your friend is.

“have you sucked a dick before?” he asked grabbing her hands and making her touch and squeeze his growing boner. Jake flashes his eyebrows while staring directly at her lips trying to flirt with her while flexing his cock against her small hands.

“she’s virgin jake, no one and nothing has ever entered or even touch any of her holes” you rolled your eyes growing impatient.

jake cursed silently and clenched his jaw at that information. He quickly looked at the large tent formed in his pants signaling her to open it. “go see what’s inside baby, it’s all yours” and winks at her

‘Baby? wow. You never called me that’

You watch your bestfriend slowly unbuckle and unzip his pants. Jake lifted his hips so that she can pull it in one go proudly displaying his long and veiny cock. You watch her reaction and you didn’t miss how she gulped at the sight in front of her.

She looked at you and cocked her brows as if she’s asking for your permission.

“Go girl it’s all yours” you reassured to her as she turns her attention back to your boyfriend who’s just staring lustfully at her.

“go easy on her babe, she’s afraid of huge things choking her” you said making jake put a smirk on his lips. He cupped her cheeks and told her to get started “don’t worry baby, i got you, now put that pretty lips in a good use yeah?” he held her chin up and gave her quick peck on the lips to calm her down.

You started to feel hot. You massages your breast and slightly pull your skirt up and starts working on yourself. But as the scene in front of you starts to become boring with all these cringey shit, you click your tongue and rolled your eyes in annoyance.

“bestie that shit won’t kill you” she turns her head to you, nervousness evident from her face.

jake held her chin making her turn back to him once again. He tucks her hair behind her ears and gave her a forehead kiss saying “it’s gonna be fine pretty, i’ll take care of you” he smiled spreading his legs wider and move his hips closer to her face.

“come on baby, open up” he taps his cock on her lips before putting it in. You just watch there as she starts sucking off your boyfriend. Jake’s hand guiding her head slowly. You can see your boyfriend’s face being so turned on staring intently at your friend. Knowing him, you know he wanted to buck his hips so bad and fuck her throat to oblivion.

Receiving a head from you is definitely one of his favorite. You stare at him watching how he fights the urge to fuck her throat. You can’t help but laugh seeing him breathe so heavily, trying so hard to compose himself.

“fuck, i need to eat you out now” he pushed her head off of his cock and look at you

“can i babe?” he asked for your permission and you quickly responded with a yes “go do everything that will make her feel good, we can’t make her first sex experience boring”

“fuck” jake cursed at your approval and hurriedly unzip his hoodie and unbutton his uniform. You see your bestfriend watch him as he strips himself in front of her. You chuckled at how thirsty your friend is.

She can’t leave her eyes from your boyfriend’s hot physique, not when it is fully displayed in front of her. She finally got a closer look of it and most importantly she’ll finally be able to get a taste of it.

You’ve known your friend for so long - even before you met jake. You basically grew up liking each other’s tastes. So it’s not surprising for you to see her drooling over your boyfriend as you always catch her staring at his body during their practices. You would always invite her to watch their training after classes and she never even once declined your invitation knowing that jake will be there running around the soccer field shirtless. You even caught her capture a photo of his sweat-covered body and shamelessly zoom it in on his bulge. You can’t blame her tho, jake is hot and is the hottest guy in the campus.

“like what you see baby?” he scratches the back of his neck flexing his firm biceps and chest. Your friend look away and hides her face making you let out a sarcastic laugh “oh come on, don’t act like you don’t eye fuck him all the time”

Jake stares at her biting on his lips seducing your bestfriend “take off your panty for me now please” he ordered before laying down the couch resting his head at the edge.

You look at your friend as she took her panties off while looking at jake shyly. “girl, he’s seen almost everyone’s pussy in the campus, don’t be shy”

She was about to put her black underwear in her pocket when jake immediately grabbed it and shamelessly sniffed it in front of you.

“damn, calm down babe” you laughed out loud, finding the action of your boyfriend funny “you’re acting like you’re the one who’s virgin”

he gave you a silly smile and tossed the underwear anywhere in the room. He averted his gaze to your friend who’s seemed lost and doesn’t know what to do

“come here baby, my cock needs you now” he pouts tapping his legs

“go lay down on top of him and face his cock” she looks at where your boyfriend is, his body inviting her. But she’s stuck in her place not knowing what to do.

“watch” you bring yourself to jake and hopped to the couch. You show her how to do the 69 position.

You’re now face to face with your boyfriend’s dick, coated from your friend’s saliva. You grab it and deep throat him in one go making him moan and roll his eyes to the back of his head. You felt him lift your ass up and lick at your clothed pussy. “ugh…fuck jake!” you let out a high pitched moan, taken aback by his sudden action. You turned to him to see a sheepish smile and lolling his tongue out.

you rolled your eyes and turned back to your friend to ask if she gets it now.

she weakly nods her head unsure if she can do it. She examines jake’s figure as she makes her way to the couch.

She positioned herself on top of the guy, placing her knees on both sides of his head. Jake immediately forced her to sit down on his face and she gasp when she felt your boyfriend’s tongue against her bare pussy without a warning. She lets out a weak moans grabbing the head rest of the couch for support as jake starts eating her out.

She is crying for help from you when jake pushes her down and shuts her by stuffing her mouth with his cock.

She’s gripping the cushion beside her almost ripping it. You can see how much distracted she is as she can’t even continue to suck your boyfriend’s length due to his aggression in her cunt.

You turn to look at jake getting pussy drunk and basically lapping and making out with her cunt. He played with it together with his finger, using it to spread and open her pussy wider. He stares directly at it and spat before sucking on her clit.

“jake relax”

“sorry can’t help it, it taste good” he hummed. You rolled your eyes again before looking at your friend still struggling to compose herself from the strange feeling.

“hey, are you okay?” she shakes her head. She can’t handle the stimulation and the overwhelming pleasure she’s feeling from your boyfriend. You know she’s seeing stars. You know she’s feeling in heaven. She couldn’t totally talk right now, not when the guy below her is eating her out like a hungry dog is all she could think about.

jake is spreading her pussy lips with two fingers while guiding her hips to grind it against his tongue. You look at your friend hiding her face in jake’s pelvis, eyes shut, moaning and grunting against your boyfriend’s cock, still so overwhelmed and over sensitive. She kept on shaking her head crying, trying to lift herself away from jake “it’s too much ahh…”

But Jake hold her still, his grip on her hips is so firm keeping her sitted in his face. “relax baby, i know you like it… you’ll get use to it… now suck my cock please” he whined, his cock twitching and begging to be sucked.

jake is so needy! you see how your boyfriend desperately suck on her clit while inserting his long finger. You heard her muffled moans due to her mouth being stuffed full by your boyfriend’s cock. Tears are falling down from her face as jake started to slowly buck his hips upwards. You see how his cock unintentionally go out of her mouth not knowing if its due to his messy and unsteady thrusts or it’s just your friend who can’t suck a cock right.

She paused for a moment grabbing the cock away from her mouth as she moans out your boyfriend’s name “ughhh jake wait… ahhh” you can’t count how many times she screamed jake’s name but it’s understandable. Jake’s tongue work will definitely bring you to heaven.

You knew it wasn’t okay when you suddenly hear her screamed out the loudest scream. you quickly take a look at your boyfriend only to see him being drowned by the liquid spilling all over his face. But being the horny and nasty motherfucker he is, he is quick to catch it using his tongue slurping all of it.

You see your friend crying and shaking from the sensation.

You grabbed the camera and zoom it to your boyfriend lapping all over her pussy as he helps her ride her orgasm. She’s begging jake to stop from how his tongue is still moving against her sensitive pussy.

jake pauses for a bit to catch some air and stare directly at the mess made by your best friend “so fucking good” he said licking his lips and giving her pussy one long lick before letting go of her. “you taste so fucking good baby”

Jake gave her no time to recover and forces her to get up “get up baby we’re not done yet” he spanked her ass and gave it a squeeze

you looked at your friend lying on her stomach. Face fucked up, messy hair, and swollen lips, all because of this horny motherfucker in front of you.

You made eye contact with him and try your best not to laugh at the current state of your best friend. But he only smirked and winked at you. ‘This horny bitch’

“baby get up now” your boyfriend says in a silly tone while stroking his dick

“are we going to do the….thing?” your friend weakly asked, voice strained from an intense orgasm “do you have condom?”

jake came closer to her “no baby, im gonna need to fuck you raw” he whispered

“NO!”

they both looked at you. Silence filled the room, clock ticking being the only sound. The three of you stared at each other for a minute until jake broke the silence.

Of course you know your friend wants it! She’s a slut for your boyfriend! But jake?! You didn’t expect it!

He didn’t listen

jake didn’t listen. he lays her properly and peppered her with soft kisses on forehead, down to her jaw, sniffing her neck, biting her skin softly, quickly sucking on her nipples, kissing her tummy down to her inner thighs.

Damn, your boyfriend is so down bad, but he’s so caring and gentle with her. He’s always rough with you.

Do you find it hot? You hate to admit it but YES

Do you wish it was you? Definitely, Yes! but you don’t know why you’re anticipating what will jake do next. You don’t know why you want to see jake ruin her. Part of you want to be in her position right now but at the same time you don’t know why you find it so much hotter with your friend lying under your boyfriend. Maybe you’re a female cuck. Finding it hot how jake is so eager and desperate to fuck her. You find it so hot that you didn’t realize you were touching yourself again.

You got to your senses back when you hear the woman the beneath your boyfriend whimpering. Jake grabbed his fat cock rubbing it against her slit. You can see jake’s chest goes up and down hissing as he continues to tease your friend’s hole.

“gonna breed this fucking pussy” he whispered tapping his cock on her folds making her squirm and whine

“please…” she cried out feeling the heavy cock constantly hitting her. She’s arching her back pushing her core closer to your boyfriend’s cock.

“oh you like that hmm?” he asked leaning down to bite her lower lip

“you want me to fuck you while my girlfriend watches us?” he chuckled as he looks at you

you’re froze, you don’t know what’s going on in your mind and you’re letting your boyfriend fuck your friend WITHOUT protection. You only agreed to it but you never said he would have to do it without condom! It’s driving you insane, it’s making you mad! but your pussy says other wise. You feel hot at the thought of it. Is it okay with you? No! But You want to see it.

“such a whore” he slapped her dick once more against her folds collecting all the juices using its head

“babe look” he knows you’re getting jealous but he also knows you want to see him fuck your best friend. He asked you to look at him as he aligned his leaking cock to the pussy beneath him, still rubbing it with his tip. “can i fuck her now babe?” He looked at you with so much desperation. His gaze went down to your aching pussy being touched and penetrated by your two fingers.

“oh look at that, two sluts begging and so needy for my cock” he cooed teasing the both of you

“keep touching yourself while i fuck this pussy yeah” all you did was nod, too stunned to even oppose to his idea

“are you ready baby?”

“jake please i wanna feel you so bad”

“call me daddy” he gripped her jaw forcing her to open her mouth. He collected a good amount of saliva in his mouth and stick his tongue out letting it fall straight on to her tongue.

“swallow it” he commanded, you saw how her throat moved indicating that she really swallowed it. Jake leaned down humming as he lick over her tongue “good girl”

“please daddy” she moaned massaging her right boobs while locking eye contact with your boyfriend

“fuck me….ruin me…. daddy” she flirts back

“you’re gonna crave for my cock once you get a taste of it” he slapped her pussy making her whimper

“such a slut for letting me take your virginity huh?” he slaps it again

“i’m gonna be the only one fucking this pussy, understand?” he slaps it for the last time earning a nod from her

you didn’t know but that turned you on so much that you squirted just from hearing the two dirty talk with each other

jake laughed when he heard you scream out of pleasure “oh look at that” you were the last person he was expecting to cum or squirt that fast. But can you blame yourself?

he turn his attention back to the girl under him still not pushing his tip inside “i’ll make you squirt like that baby, you want that?”

“yes daddy.. fuck me now please” she reaches for his cock but jake was quick to tap her hand and slaps her folds for the nth time “you wait! you don’t want me pounding that hole do you?”

He quickly look over to you to check if you’re still fingering yourself.

Jake grunts as he slowly penetrates your best friend’s hole. Jake literally had her crying already just from the tip. “fuck baby let me in” he hissed clenching his jaw as he fights the urge to thrust all the way in. You know that your boyfriend wants to shove his whole cock. The veins in his neck being more prominent. Your best friend on the other hand is crying from pain.

“baby can you relax for me please” he leans down to kiss her forehead caressing her cheeks.

“slowly please” she cried out gripping on your boyfriend’s biceps

you see how her hole being split open by the girth of his cock and it turned you on much that you inserted your third finger to your hole this time.

They both moaned in unison when jake slowly pushes his cock all the way in. She lets out a pained moan arching her back and gripping onto the couch. Once he bottom out, he caressed her face once again wiping off the tears falling from her eyes and pecked her lips. “shhh.. it’s okay baby, you’re okay” and shooting her with a reassuring smile

it’s your first time seeing your boyfriend like this. So gentle that you can’t help but feel jealous.

“tell me if i can move” You were expecting him to turn his attention to you as he waits for your friend’s signal. But he didn’t, instead, they both stayed in that position with your boyfriend kissing all over her face waiting for her to fully adjust to his size.

Once he get the green light, he started slowly but making sure that his tip hits her cervix. he’s thrusting so slow that you’re able to watch in detail how his cock disappear into her hole every time he bottoms out. The sound of their wetness makes you crazy. You hear each sound made by his cock going in and out of her. They’re keeping eye contact with each other and you swear it was the hottest thing ever.

they were both moaning lewdly with every time jake hits all the spot inside her, and every time your friend clench around his cock. Jake hissed holding her hips still and stopped moving

“fuck baby if you keep doing that i won’t be able to control myself and cum right now” he said slowly trying to pull out and push it back in. He’s using two of his fingers to split her open because her tightness is driving him crazy.

their moans never stops. Jake arches her back and start moving faster this time.

the sound of their skins slapping, the groans and grunts made by your boyfriend and the whimpering of your friend is music to you ear.

you never stop touching yourself inserting 3 fingers in the same speed of how jake fuck your best friend. He looked at you when you made a needy sound

“look babe she’s taking me so well… fuck”

jake grabbed one of her leg and put it in his shoulder and started thrusting faster this time.

You’re mad but you’re so turned on at the sight of him. Head thrown back, his biceps are full of scratches, sweat dripping down his face down to his chest and abs. He’s so hot. They’re both hot

“you’re so tight baby girl” he pushes his hair up chewing on his lower lip. He’s staring at your friend’s abused pussy smirking, proud, seeing how it spreads so widely.

when jake gets bored in that position, he puts her in a mating press. He gently brought both of her legs to his shoulders and leaned down bringing himself closer. He angled his hips and you can see your friend crying from how deep and hard this position allowed your boyfriend to pound into her hole. She’s screaming loud as ever feeling the cock tearing her apart.

you can see jake losing his control, he doesn’t even look at you and ask for permissions. He clearly wants to do it in his way.

he grabbed the back of her head and start making out with her again. He wasted no time swallowing your friend’s moans and screams, almost eating and licking the entirety of her face from desperation.

he pressed her leg even more to her face and fucked her faster and deeper. You can see and hear each pointed thrust your boyfriend made.

he looked at you movements not stopping “can i cum inside her” he hissed feeling how her walls grips her cock becomes harder and tighter.

You don’t know how to respond so you just stare at him still pleasuring yourself.

“jake please” you heard your bestfriend whine trying to get your boyfriend’s attention by clenching her pussy once again

you heard jake gasp “ahhh fuckk… I know baby girl i know” he started to move again. You watch them as they become more bolder and bolder as if you weren’t there.

“ride me” he quickly grabbed her by the waist and sat down without pulling his cock out

“move baby girl, show her how good you ride my cock” you saw how jake bit his lips and lick the side of her neck while staring at you.

Is he purposely making you feel jealous?

his hands gently massages her hips as he guides her up and down his cock

“fuck baby girl, you’re taking me so well…. still so tight” he throw his head back against the couch and puts both of his hands at the back of his head displaying his pits. You notice how jake watch her ride his cock and keeping eye contact with her with his mouth open while encouraging her to do better.

“good girl” she uses jake’s chest as a support beginning to fasten her movement above him.

you can see how jake reacts, whole body twitching signaling for his close orgasm “you see how deep you take me baby hmm?” he grabs her hair and forced her to look at the bulge forming at her abdomen “such a good girl for me” he pulls her hair back and starts sucking on her neck. Your friend throws her head back giving more access to your boyfriend. His mouth went down to her breast sucking on its nipples simultaneously.

he grabbed her waist and halts her movement. with both of his hands he starts moving by himself, punishing your best friend’s already ruined hole. He fucks into her really fast and hard making her grip in to jake’s hair strangling him for being so rough. She brings her self closer to jake, boobs bouncing and touching your boyfriend’s nose as jake continues to try and reach his orgasm

“ahh… im gonna fuck you full, m’gotta make you pregnant” his movement from below become impossibly faster as successive moans escapes his wide open lips

you’re crying upon hearing him say those words but still finding the scene in front of you so hot as you’re fingers move faster too

“im cumming too jake” she utters weakly as jake continues to pound her from below

“fuck yeah cum with me baby”

“cream my cock….fuck….ohhh…..ahh….” a long groan escaped his lips as he finishes with few more pointed thrust. He threw his head against the couch, hands never leaving her hips as he made few more slow and deep thrust onto her making sure that he fucks all of his seed inside. Your friend in the meantime couldn’t bring herself to talk or even make a sound as pleasure took all over her body, cumming for the second time with your boyfriend.

“so good, so fucking good baby” he said catching his breath. Your friend fell down on jake’s body panting and crying in the crook of his neck

he came a lot that you see some of it drips out of her hole

“fuck this pussy” he bucked his hips once again making her jolt

you heard jake cursed and made a long groan as your friend clenched around him upon hearing those words. “how are you still so tight baby? didn’t i fuck you well enough?” she lets out a small chuckle weakly slapping jake’s chest.

They just laugh it off as jake traces the skin of her back and rubs it gently, planting kisses at the side of her head. “you did so well baby, you think you can squeeze my cock for the last time hmm?” he pouts making your friend laugh again “jake stop”

they stay in that position for a while as your boyfriend requested her to cockwarm him. He looks at you while he’s brushing her hair softly who’s now asleep against his bare chest.

He looked down your dripping pussy. He didn’t notice that you already came by yourself. You can’t help but feel jealous and neglected. You look away from him and made an excuse to leave the room.

You weakly smiled at him as you fix yourself and make your way to your shared room to clean up and get a rest.

jake’s eyes followed you as you slowly disappear from his vision. He felt bad, he really did. especially after that bittersweet smile you gave him earlier.

He lifted the weak woman on top of him and slowly pulls out his flaccid cock and lays her down the couch. He can’t help but smirk at the sight of her pussy dripping with his cum.

But he push that thought away and proceeds to clean her up.

He made his way to your room. He needs to make things up to you. He needs to make you feel that he loves you more and that his cock will always crave for you.

It isn’t his fault tho, you were the one who requested this.

And

It was just a one time thing right?

or NOT

#jake enhypen smut #jake smut #sim jaeyun #enhypen #enhypen jake #jake sim #jake sim smut #jake sim x reader #jake sim x y/n #jake sim x you #enhypen fanfiction #enhypen scenarios #enhypen imagines #cucking #voyerurism #jake enhypen #sim jaeyun x you #sim jake smut #sim jaeyun x reader #sim jake #jake x y/n #jake x reader #jake x you #jake x fem reader #jake #jake enha #fanfic #smut #enhypen smut #jake sim drabble

[bettyfrommars]

Touch my cheek before you leave me, baby//Part 2

gigolo!Eddie x virgin!older!fem!Reader

(part 1)(part 3)

18+Only, mature content, intimacy smut, sweet!Eddie, nipple play, praise!kink, masturbation, oral (f receiving), protected p in v, toxic mother, self-esteem issues, alcohol consumption, implied self-loathing, pet names, implied sex with someone other than reader, paid sex. wc: 4.6k

summary: After that first night together on your 29th birthday when you lost your virginity to gigolo Eddie, he mentions, in his own way, that he'd like to see you again off the clock. Reader is an introvert dealing with self-esteem issues and invites Eddie to be our date for a wedding, but not before he invites us back to his place.

authors note: I never intended this to be more than one part, but it quickly became a favorite, and I had so many requests for more. Who am I to deny us more of sweet, gigolo Eddie?

All of your support means the world, and I very much look forward to your thoughts ❤️

pls no minors beyond this point

-------

You still couldn’t tell if it was real.  When he said he wouldn’t charge you if you ever wanted to meet up again. It felt sincere when he said it, but now, two days later, by the phone with gigalo Eddie’s number in your hand, you were convinced that it was all part of his game.  Maybe he was just that good.

He knew everything that would turn you on, everything you needed to hear, right down to the pet names and the missionary style, intimate sex. It had all been in the paperwork you’d submitted. It was nothing but a job to him, and you had totally fallen for it.  

Now you felt like one of those idiot, lovesick men at the strip clubs who always believed that the girls were really in love with them after they made eye contact a few times and tipped them for hours on end. 

You did your affirmations in the mirror that morning, trying not to look at yourself from the side in the full length mirror and pinch at the parts of your body you thought were gross.  Trying not to indulge in the morning ritual of hating yourself.

Even if Eddie had felt some type of real connection with you—which you now highly doubted—how would things progress between the two of you? From what Robin had told your friend Nellie, Eddie was a busy boy.  He was a respected gigalo within a 50 mile radius, and his list of regular clients was long; your evening with him was booked a month in advance.  On nights when he didn’t have clients, he was practicing with his band or playing gigs, and you were sure he could have any woman he wanted when he performed.

But then the phone rang as you were sitting there right next to it and you jumped, a shriek escaping your throat.

It was your mom, reminding you to pick up the dress for your cousin's wedding the following weekend. You weren’t going to be in the wedding party, but your mother had made it abundantly clear that she didn’t want you to embarrass her with any of the styles of clothes you would’ve picked out for yourself.  

She exhaled a haggard breath.  “I suppose you still haven’t found a date? There’s a new boy who goes to our church. I think he might even like you, as long as you don’t bring up any of your strange conspiracy theories or serial killer statistics. Wear that special bra I got for you, and put a little makeup on.  Men like women who try to look nice for them.”

You wanted so badly to let your mother know that you’d recently paid for a gigolo to take your virginity, just to hear the horror and panic in her voice.  You were already a disappointment to her, why not put a cherry on top?

You put Eddie’s number on the table and stared at it while she talked.  “Actually,” you took a stiff swallow that felt like a marble in your throat.  “I do have a date.  For the wedding.  His name is Eddie.”

You relished the silence of shock at the other end. “Oh? What does this Eddie do? Not another jobless musician like the last boy you had a crush on, I hope?”

You winced at the way she brought it up.  Almost a decade ago, you had a crush on the brother of one of your friends, that is until you overheard him refer to you as “creepy”.

You knew she’d never drop it until you told her something; what a person did for a living and their social standing was very important to your mother.  “He’s, um,” you looked around, eyes landing on one of the cassette tapes on the shelf for the band Mike and The Mechanics.

“He’s a mechanic,” but you knew that wouldn’t be good enough.  “He, uh, runs his own auto body garage.” The lie—the fact that you even had to lie—made you squeeze your eyes shut.

She of course asked what the name of his garage was, and you told her he was from out of town and only coming in for the wedding.  She started badgering you with more questions and you lied and told her someone was at the door of your apartment and you had to go, hanging up the receiver before she could protest.  

A few hours later, after listening to music on full blast in your headphones and nearly pacing a hole in the carpet, you cracked open the nerve to call Eddie.

Your blood ran freezing cold as it rang on his end, and you glanced at the clock: it was just after 8:00pm.  You’d purposely waited until it was later in the evening, praying that he’d be with his band or with another client, and then you could leave him a message on his machine.  You were banking on this, actually.  If he picked up and you heard his voice, you’d probably hang up on him.

As luck would have it, you did get his answering machine.  Nervous as all hell, your voice was a tad squeaky at first, but then you cleared your throat. 

You decided you would present the invitation to be your date to the wedding as a job, one you would pay him for.  You let him know you’d had a great time the other night, and then made sure he had your phone number, and that you would TOTALLY understand if he was already busy that weekend.  You were about to hang up when you realized that you’d never said exactly who you were, and so you blurted your name out at the last minute, but it was too late because the recorder beeped and cut you off.

You went to bed that night convinced you would never hear from him again.  

Much later that night, after a long day, Eddie grinned down at the answering machine the second he heard your voice—he knew it was you right away.  He’d been thinking about you nonstop since that night you’d been together, but he never expected to hear from you.  He worried that he had put you on the spot when he said you wouldn’t have to pay him, and it had probably made you uncomfortable.  Flirting on the job was not something he had done before and it was very unprofessional of him. At the very least, he needed to apologize to you.

But there you were, calling him this soon as if you’d been thinking about him too.  

He tucked his hand in his armpit and nibbled at his lip when you asked if he was free this weekend to go to a wedding with you.

His heart skipped a beat.  He was thinking something more along the lines of dinner and a movie, but, sure, he would be your date—he had a tux. He’d have to reschedule one of his regulars, but she would understand. Other guys might’ve seen that as getting too serious too quick, but not Eddie.  He hadn’t had a girlfriend, or even been on a date that was not work related in over a year.  Women weren’t interested in taking a gigolo home to meet their parents.  They wanted his cock in all of their holes, but none of them ever wanted to know how his day went or what his dreams were.  

“So, just let me know…” you continued in the message.  “...if you’re available, and how much would you charge for something like that? I’d totally understand if…”

Damn it, he cursed to himself, sucking air in the side of his cheek.  He thought that invitation was sounding a little too good to be true.  

All the same, he called back the next day and left a message while you were at the local grocery store where you worked as an assistant manager, letting you know he’d be honored to be your date, and to tell him the where and the when.

But he did not give a price, and the omission was not lost on you.

—-----

You were so nervous, you could puke.

But it was still a day before the wedding, and you were in attendance at the post-rehearsal dinner at Enzo’s.  Although you were not going to be in the wedding, your beautiful, outgoing sister Judith was, and you weren’t entirely against a dinner paid for by your uncle at one of the fanciest restaurants in town.  

You were feeling the buzz of the wine and trying to play wallflower as the other four people at the table, including your sister and three of her friends, engaged in lively conversation and shared exaggerated stories from their college years.  You were sitting back in your chair, offering a chuckle to something that was just said, when you looked across to the main entrance and saw Eddie coming through the door.  

You were only looking in his direction for maybe five seconds before you looked away, but it felt like an hour.  There was an ocean in your ears as your heartbeat soared and your brain scrambled to make sense of what was going on. 

He looked particularly beautiful.  Hair worn down, framing his face, a crisp white button down, allowing for the dark designs of his chest tattoos to show, sleeves rolled up at the elbows, exposing his defined forearm muscles and tattoos.  

Eddie was not alone.  

Next to him, holding onto his arm, was a very pretty woman.  Shoulder length, brunette hair brushed back from her face, flawless skin, tight black dress and gold jewelry.  She might have been mid to late thirties, much shorter than Eddie. They appeared to be very cozy as they stood waiting to be shown to their booth, and when she turned to ask him something, Eddie answered, and then kissed the back of her hand.

You snapped your eyes back to the table, twirled the stem of your wine glass a few times, and then lifted it to your lips for a generous gulp.  Everyone at your table was just tipsy enough to not notice how flustered you got, cheeks blooming red hot.

Eddie saw you while he was escorting Lana to their table, but he wasn’t sure if you had seen him yet or not.  This was his fifth “date” with Lana.  Her husband passed away four years ago, and she’d decided that she’d never love another man again as much as she’d loved him, so she didn’t want any romantic attachments.  What she wanted was a man to take care of her once in a while: escort her to dinner, treat her like a lady, hold doors for, and then let her suck him off so he could cum on her tits the way her husband used to do.  He wore her husband's Old Spice aftershave and called her “Sugar” which had always been his nickname for her. 

He needed to focus on Lana, but as the waiter handed over the wine menus, Eddie kept glancing in your direction.  It'd been a week since the two of you had been together biblically, and he’d really been missing your face, more than he could even admit to himself.  He found himself drawn to you chemically in a way he hadn’t experienced since he was a teenager. 

You shot him a look over your wine glass, and he lifted his fingers in a small wave, but you ducked your head and tried to hide behind whoever was sitting next to you. 

If anyone there recognized him tomorrow at the wedding, and happened to connect the dots that he was with another woman on a date the night before, that would be bad. He made a last second decision to switch places with Lana in the booth so that his back would be to the people you were with, in an effort to hide his identity.  

“I think it’s time for me to go home,” you announced to the table, getting to your feet as you said it.

Your sister protested.  “But, we just got here? One more drink?”

You fumbled so fast for your jacket that your chair fell to the ground.  Even over the Italian music and plentiful conversations, everyone turned to look, including Eddie, and then you were rushing to get out of the restaurant, bursting into the fresh air and hurrying down the sidewalk.

Down at the corner of the building, you were catching your breath and feeling stupid as hell, when you realized Eddie was coming toward you with his hands in his pockets.  He had waited a few minutes, but eventually followed.

“Hey,” he said, catching up to you after a few slow, deliberate strides.  “I hope I didn’t make anything weird for you in there.”

You covered your eyes with your hand.  “No, I’m the one who made things weird,” you told him. “I’m just not a fan of crowds. I think I got a little claustrophobic.”

“I know what you mean,” Eddie had his head down, shuffling his foot, and you noticed how different his demeanor was when he wasn’t “working”.  

You huffed a laugh.  “You’re a natural with people, what are you talking about?”

“Maybe I just play a good game,” he lifted his eyes to meet yours, chin lowered. “On the inside I spend plenty of time curled in a ball in the corner, I promise you.”

A car horn blared in the distance, and then Eddie spoke again.  “You look really pretty tonight,” his hands stayed in his pockets, but he gestured with his elbow.  “Are we still on for tomorrow?”

“Of course,” you said quickly, praying he hadn’t suddenly changed his mind.  “I mean, if you still want to?”

“Of course I want to, sweetheart,” he cocked his head, but then he gestured toward the restaurant. “I need to get back in, I can’t leave her hanging.”

You started to speak nervously, something about “oh yes sure go ahead absolutely okay goodnight” as you walked away, but then he caught your arm.

He searched your face in the dark shadow of the street corner.  “Are you…busy later? Like, in a couple hours?”

Your heart tightened at the urgency of his question.  The way his eyes settled on you, they were full of desire, and you couldn’t remember the last time anyone gave you all of their attention like that.  

Eddie was really taking a chance with this one.  What woman in her right mind would want to spend time with him right after he’d been intimate with someone else?  This is where any dating situation he ever attempted came to a screeching halt.  He went home lonely more often than not.  

Your gaze flicked from his eyes to his beautiful neck, letting the gravity of what he was asking you sink in.  “Won’t you be…tired?”

He brushed his knuckles across your cheek.  “Not too tired.”

—----

He called from the payphone at Enzo’s and left his address on your answering machine, just like he said he would, and so there you were, in your car in the driveway of the adorable light blue house he shared with a friend named Steve, who was supposedly also in the gigolo business. Steve was out of town for a few days, though, and inside your head you were screaming; you couldn’t believe this was happening.

 It was one of the better maintained houses on the block; lawn perfectly mowed and trimmed, a flower bed with purple pansies along the sidewalk.  There was the husk of an old muscle car in the garage though, and an engine weeping oil on the pavement.  The lie you’d told your mother wasn’t too far off, and a grin kicked up one side of your mouth thinking about how Eddie’s strong hands had some black stains in the crevasses from working on cars, even though he scrubbed them constantly.  

Eddie had no idea what he was doing.  The good thing about being a gigalo was that he could control the atmosphere and the outcome: he never had to worry about getting hurt because it was just a job.  

You could tell he’d just come out of the shower when he answered the door in a plain white tee and jeans exposing the tattoos on his arms, hair wet down his shoulders, skin warm and soft when he hugged you in the doorframe. 

The hug lingered, and when you stepped back, your chin was down, your eyes trying to avoid him at all costs. Sure, you wanted to be there with him, but also, your body was in fight or flight mode.  You could hear your mother’s voice in your head then, telling you there’s no way a guy as good looking as Eddie would be interested in a girl like you. She’d insist he was using you for something.

“Hey,” Eddie caught your chin and brought your attention back to him. He ran a thumb across your mouth.  “I’ve been dreaming of these lips.”

It made you snort a laugh, and Eddie laughed too, squeezing one eye closed.  “Sorry, was that too cheesy? Occupational hazard.”

“I like cheesy,” you beamed, parting your lips to accept his kiss, opening your mouth to take him deeper, working your hands up the front of his chest over his shirt.  You tried not to think about the woman he’d been with just an hour earlier, and the things they’d possibly done together.  If he could accept you and still find you desirable, even when you didn’t even like yourself, you were willing to have an open mind about his profession.  At least for now.

You found out he had an episode of Elvira’s Movie Macabre on the TV, and told him it was one of your favorites.  This made Eddie like you even more.  He sat back on the couch, legs long, and beckoned for you with a few eager flaps of his wrist to come and sit flush with your back against him.  “This is what I needed,” he said as you got comfortable between his legs.  He kissed the side of your head, intertwined the fingers of one of his hands with yours, and you could barely concentrate on the show with the way his closeness made your pussy pulse.

“Is this okay?” He whispered.  Both of his thumbs slid down the front of the blouse you were wearing to graze the hard nubs of your nipples, while he kissed the outer ridge of your ear.  

You could only make a needy purr in the back of your throat, pushing against him at the need for more.  

“Are your nipples this hard just for me, sweetheart?” He hushed, nuzzling your ear.  You squirmed a bit more, nodding, exposing the side of your neck to greet his mouth.  He unbuttoned your shirt and pulled down the front cups of your bra to pluck at your tender buds, making you whine.  He found your pulse point on your throat and sucked there, continuing to work your nipples in a way that had your underwear immediately damp with arousal.

“You getting wet for me so I can taste how good I make you feel, baby?”

Indeed, your body was letting him know loud and clear that this is what it wanted.  

He licked his fingers to wet your nipples, and you felt like you might be able to cum from his finger twisting alone.  You undid the zipper on your trousers and sank your fingers into the wetness there, working your slippery clit.  You slid your digits down a little further and dipped them into your hole; it gripped around you, begging to be filled.

“Let me taste it,” he told you.  You presented your two glistening fingers up and he sucked them into his mouth, licking them clean, making you tremble at the way his tongue flicked between them.

“Keep touching yourself,” he encouraged, milking and twisting your nipples with a bit more force now that they weren’t as sensitive, causing zings of pleasure to rock through your body.

“Eddie,” you whimpered, finding your clit again, working your wrist.  “You’re going to make me—”

But then it was already happening, a pop of velvet streamers liquified at your core, pulsing, throbbing, making you go blind for a second.  

Eddie’s cock bucked hard against his denim.  You turned to kiss him in the aftermath, and he slid out from under you to get on his knees, pulling your pants off the rest of the way.

“I need to taste it,” he breathed, hiking your knees up over his shoulders so he could bury his face and lick you clean, lapping up your gift, groaning and rocking forward on his knees as he did so.  

You grabbed onto his hair.  “You like how hard I cum for you, don’t you baby?”

You were learning to be more verbal, and it made his hips twitch against the couch, he wanted you so bad.  Once he devoured the sweet  nectar of  your cum, he worked his way up your body, kissing your breasts, and then finding your mouth.  He sank two fingers into your aching hole, and your pelvis flexed eagerly up to meet his hand.  

“Hey,” he brushed his lips over yours, hovering there.  “I don’t ever go down on...clients,” he admitted to you, eyes finding yours, fucking his fingers slowly in and out, curling them up once they were deep inside of you. “You are special, I just thought you should know.”

“I like knowing that,” you said with a quiver in your voice, holding his face. “I want you inside of me.”

There was a condom in his wallet and he helped you guide it onto his cock after he pushed his jeans down, every bit the teacher.  You slid your shoulders down the couch, legs spread wide, exposing all of your holes for him.  Gripping your hip, he teased the tip at your entrance, eyebrows pinching together at the sensation.

“Without a condom, I’d probably blow a hole through you, baby, you’ve got me so hard.”

Your pussy was soaked, dripping from your folds down the condom on his cock.  “You’re the only one I want inside of me,” you were merely stating a fact, but it was just what he needed to hear, and he rose up on his knees, pulled your ass a bit further off the couch, and buried himself balls deep with a hard gasp.

He leaned forward to brace his forearms on the cushion at either side of your head, kissing you, thrusting in a few times as deep as he could go, skin smacking, your wetness now shimmering on the curly hairs at the base of his cock.

You were amazed at how your body knew how to respond, even though you had absolutely no clue what you were doing.  Bucking your hips up to meet him was your favorite, and then every now and then, he’d swivel his hips, holding your legs out.  

“That was a fancy move,” you breathed against his lips. 

“I save all my fancy moves for you, sweetheart,” he chuckled.

He brought his thumb in to play with your clit.  “I want you to cum with me.”

You didn’t know if that kind of tandem miracle was possible, but you were willing to try.  You brought your fingers in to work your slick juices over just the right spot, and Eddie sat back to watch you. He was observing and taking notes.

“You stretch me out so good,” you whined, getting into the swing of things, swiping your fingers faster, not phased at all by the way the parts of your body you hated were all hanging out for him to see.  

“Shit,” Eddie bucked. “You’re gonna make me cum right now if you talk like that.”

“You’ve ruined me for everyone with your big cock, baby,” you continued. “No one will ever fill me up like you do.”

“Fuck, you’re so tight, holy shit,” Eddie cried out.

You could feel the peak approaching but then Eddie pushed in a bit too eagerly, and his cock slipped out and dove up into the folds of your pussy.

“Oh, fuck, right there,” you called out, clutching his shoulder, begging him to work the head of his cock on your clit.

“Fuck baby fuckkkkk,” he hissed, thrusting his hips, fucking your folds with the underside of his cock.  “I’m gonna cum, baby.”

And then, it was you who was cumming, babbling, riding the wave as Eddie cock dipped back inside, needing to feel like he was pumping it inside of you, worshiping you from the inside with his seed.

In the aftermath, his head lowered, hair hanging down, he enjoyed the slip of your cum, feeding you the shaft a few more times. 

Eddie was about to pull you against him to watch Movie Macabre for real this time, but when you came out of the bathroom, you were fully dressed with your bag over your shoulder and a distinct look of goodbye on your face.

“I should get going,” you announced, picking at some loose skin around your cuticle.  

Eddie stood from the couch, fixing himself, making sure the zipper was up on his jeans.  He didn’t have a shirt on, exposing the cut lines at his hips and trail of hair below his belly button.

“Sure, sure, um,” he looked around, hands on his hips.  “You don’t have to go.  I mean, you could even stay here, if you wanted. I could set my alarm if you have to get up early.”

You wondered what he charged for overnight stays.  Would you receive a bill on Monday for two full days worth of gigolo time? You had no idea what his rates were, and you still knew you couldn’t afford it.   The voices in your head were telling you what a gullible, cock drunk fool you were. While in the bathroom, you realized that everything he said was way too good to be true.  No man had ever wanted you this bad, nor would they ever.  A part of you was even harboring some anger towards him for being deceitful and making you feel things you’d gone 3 decades without.

“Thank you,” you cleared your throat. “For this.  I have a big day tomorrow, so,” and then you turned without another word, headed for the door.

Eddie hustled after you.  “Okay, so, I’ll pick you up at your place tomorrow, yeah? We’ll go together?”

“Actually,” you gave him your profile.  “I think it would be better if  you just met me at the venue.”

“If that’s what you want,” he said quietly.  He was having a hard time reading you. “I’ll be there.”

“Okay, thanks again,” you said in a rush. 

“Hey, wait—-” but you were already out the door and hurrying down the driveway to your car, afraid to look back.  

---------

Thank you for reading!

#gigalo Eddie #touch my cheek before you leave me baby #sweet Eddie #gigalo!Eddie #Eddie munson #Eddie munson smut #eddie munson fic #eddie munson x reader #stranger things smut #gigalo eddiemunson #Spotify

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Hey Ari, happy birthday! i know birthdays aren’t always the best as we get older so i hope yours is a good one 🫶🏻 could we maybe see a birthday celebration in one of the edgier verses? young scruffy! reader maybe? i love all the effort you put into your blog and you truly deserve the world for allowing us all a little bit of escape from our own 🩵

Here's Bruce trying to be nice

Bruce rapped gently on the door frame of your bedroom and took a deep breath. He hoped you would accept this in the spirit it was intended.

He held the box in his hand against his side and when you regarded him in your mirror, raising your eyes slowly he took that as silent permission. If you didn't want to see him, you would usually just... not. He would become a non-entity. You didn't ignore him so much as you looked through him. You would hear and acknowledge. But beyond that he didn't exist.

"I uh- I found this in the vault and I- I think mother would have liked you to have it."

Truthfully, he looked for it. Had it cleaned and repaired. The gems were all perfect cut and clarity. They mirrored your eyes. The fact that his mother would have liked you to have it was true. She'd always wanted a daughter. And she'd always spoken of you fondly when he was a boy. That you were a sweet girl.

"Bruce-"

"I missed your birthday," he said, apologetically. "And after you planned such a nice fundraiser for mine."

"It was in the middle of the week. Dinner was fine I-"

"Stop stalling and open it," he said, smiling a little. He'd never met someone more hesitant to accept gifts. Probably because they usually had strings attached.

He proffered it a little more insistently. Satisfied when you take it and cautiously remove the ribbon from the original velvet box. But when you're frozen in place for a moment he isn't sure what to say. Or do. He can't see your face.

"Bruce I can't take this it was your mother's."

"She would have given it to you herself," he said confidently. "And it's a shame for it to stay in the vault on the off chance I have a daughter to give it to. Or some long lost half sister."

"I-"

"May I?" he asked ignoring your protests. He was willing to respect your boundaries- except for this one. A beautiful woman should have a collection of beautiful things. And this one suited you. Vintage. Elegant. If it hadn't been designed for Martha Wayne, it could have been designed for you.

And when you nod hesitantly, he makes a soft satisfied noise. Fastening the necklace around your neck deftly and the bracelet around your wrist.

"Mother lost the earrings on a Yacht in France I believe," he said. Watching the shimmer of the gems in the light. "But I think I can track down the designer- he's retired now but his son is perfectly cabable of-"

"Why?"

"Because," he said kneeling and tilting your chin up to meet your eyes. "I can't give you a fairy tale. Not really. But- it doesn't have to be a horror story."

#bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne #ask answered #minors dni #reader insert #arranged!verse2.0

[lazygirldoesfics]

drunk confession [1/7]

how i imagine each of the bistro huddy guys would drunkenly confess their feelings for you

starting with nico !!

Nicole plops into the passenger seat of your old sedan, heaving a sigh. "Thanks for picking me up last minute."

"No worries, you're on my way anyway. What happened to Bridgette?"

"She fucking bailed." You watch as Nicole studies herself in the visor mirror. She picks at her mascara, eyes sparking with outrage as she continues, "Her bum ass boyfriend told her she 'couldn't come', that it's not 'his scene' so it'd be 'disrespectful' if she goes to another guy's birthday party without him. Like fucking grow up."

"Unbelievable," you groan, commiserating.

"I don't know why she stays with him," Nicole says smacking the visor back into place before she turns to you. Her lips curl upwards, deviously. "Which means we have to put in the work tonight to make sure she feels every bit of FOMO and gets pissed at that piece of shit so I'm not the only one seething about it." Nicole pulls out her phone, angling the camera to get both of you in the shot, and snaps a picture when you're wearing matching frowns. She texts it to Bridgette as you shift the car into gear and take off.

"Of course he picks a spot with absolutely no fucking parking," Nicole complains as you make your way to the club. The click clack of your heels echoes every inch of road you had to drive down until you finally found a place to park. Nicole keeps having to pull her dress down, grumbling each time she wrangles the hem back into it's place. You suppress a smile, amused by her grumpiness, knowing fully well that if she didn't want to be here she wouldn't have put in the effort to show up.

"It's gonna be fun," you cheer. "He's been talking up this spot all week."

Nicole stops dead, glancing down at you with eyes bearing just a hint of judgement. "It's Nico. I don't exactly trust his idea of a great spot. I'm prepared for sexual harassment and well drinks that taste like diesel." You shove her playfully with your elbow and that at least rises a smile out of her. "All I'm saying is I better get extra fries all week for coming to this. Like they better be hot and waiting as soon as I clock in."

"Agreed," you laugh.

There's a line out the door that emits more cursing from Nicole, but you make the best of it by sending selfies to Bridgette while you wait. She responds to each one almost instantly, hearting the messages or sending crying emojis. You frown when Nicole suggests this means Bridgette's probably watching reruns of Real Housewives by herself, while her boyfriend ignores her.

When it's your turn to be inspected by the bouncer, you give him your best smile. He barely glances at you before waving you passed the threshold. Stepping beyond the entrance door, you become engulfed by the change in atmosphere. Sweat slick air clings to you, fog from the DJ booth hazes your vision and the thrum of the bass pulsates through to your core. An air of cloying desperation sinks into your skin while your heels stick to the grime covered floor.

Nicole coughs next to you, disdain barely concealed. Eagle-eyed, you spot a guy stumbling towards your direction, beer sloshing onto the floor in his wake. Gently, you steer Nicole to the left, just beyond the drunken splash zone, saving her from a drenching.

That man has no idea of the life debt he owes you.

Nicole clenches her eye shut, breathing deeply. "Okay. Okay! I'm aligning my energy. I am here." Her eyes snap open and she brushes her long blond tendril back. "Let's go kill this shit."

She uses her height to scan the crowd and you're happy to watch from your shorter vantage point. "I see them." Nicole strides through the crowd towards the left side of the dance floor and you follow the path she carves. Still, she checks behind her every so often to make sure she hasn't lost you.

At last you make it through the crowd, rewarded with the sight of familiar faces. Brad turns his attention from the bar to wave a greeting, then signals back to the bartender to add two more drinks to his order. Ruby toasts her beer to you with a barely perceptible nod. Joey, perched at the edge of a black plastic bar stool, rubs at his temples. "This music is fucking awful."

"Oh, don't be such a boomer, Joey," Nicole teases, happy to abandon her own irritability if it means she gets to rub Joey's face in his. He mouths for her to shut up and Nicole responds by turning around to snap a selfie. She winks at you after sending the photo off to Bridgette, a secret between the two of you that she actually agrees with Joey more than he'll ever know. You choke down a laugh as you sit next to Ruby, letting Nicole sidle up to Brad and grab the two drinks he ordered for you both.

"Where's the birthday boy?" you ask and Ruby nods towards the dance floor. It's easy to spot Nico with his signature red bandana, though you don't know the cute blond girl he's dancing with. The burn of a blush creeps up your neck as you linger on Nico's hand clutching at the girl's side, ashamed that you notice the way his eyes rake down her figure. Besides him is Pickles, bouncing around like a pinball and dancing, presumably, with himself. That, at least, makes you smile.

"Bottoms up!" Nicole announces, handing a shot off to you. Her and Ruby share a terse smile. You wish they'd get along better, they are so incredibly alike.

You down the shot, letting the warm burn fill you. "Next one's on me!" you say, putting the glass down on the table and standing. "Anyone gonna dance?"

Ruby stills and Nicole proclaims she's not ready, turning back towards the bar to get another drink. Brad scans the crowd, though his eyes seem to trail after Nicole as she flirts with the bartender.

"Joey?"

The chef shakes his head. "Sorry, sunshine, as soon as this beer's done I'm out of here." He shakes his half full bottle of Coors at you. You put your hands on your hips, feigning appall. "You're all boring." With that, you jump into the crowd next to Pickles and bump your hip into his in time with the music.

"Y/N!!!" Pickles beams, flinging his arms around you and squeezing. "I'm so happy you're here!"

You squeeze Pickles just as hard, then take his hand to let him twirl you around. As you spin your eyes lock with Nico's, unaware that he'd even noticed you were here. You smile at him over Pickles' shoulder, and his lips pull into that lazy half-grin he sometimes gives you from behind the line. The blond he is with is lightning fast though, putting her hands on either side of his face to pull his focus back to her.

Your chest tightens, but the music changes to a song with a fast bass that dissolves the knots forming. You grab onto Pickles' hands and you jump together while sing-screaming the lyrics at each other. This goes on for awhile, the songs bleeding into each other, each one hyping you and Pickles up more and more.

The latest song begins to fade and Pickles leans into you, panting. "I need water."

You nod in agreement, fanning yourself with the neck of your shirt. Hands entwined, Pickles pulls you off the dance floor. Ruby and Joey are exactly where you'd left them, a few more beer bottles discarded around the table and hands waving wildly as they argue about something. Nicole stands a few feet away, back leisurely pressed against the bar. She's making exaggerated expressions over her espresso martini glass. You follow her eye line as you press up to the bar next to her and realize she is silently judging Brad's dance partner. Brad's eyebrows react back to her, and though not a word passes either of their lips, they are having a full blown conversation. Gracefully, Brad untangles himself from the girl, walking back over to Nicole in defeat. "I didn't think she was that bad."

"I didn't say a word," Nicole responds, smugly.

Barely hiding a smirk as the bartender approaches, you ask for two waters, handing a cup over to Pickles when they're given to you. The song changes just as the water hits your lips. The familiar opening bars to a Queen song fills the club. You turn to Pickles, eyes meeting each other in pure delight and the water cups are immediately discarded. "Oh we're ALL dancing to this one!" You proclaim, latching onto Nicole and Brad's wrists. You pull them forward, pushing them to follow Pickles onto the floor before you turn on Ruby and Joey. "You guys too, let's go! C'mon Joseph!" Ruby gets up, feigning reluctance as she lets you prod her along while you pull Joey by the crook of his elbow onto the floor with you.

You meet the others just in time to hear the girl Nico had been dancing with pout over the song being lame. She leaves when she realizes Nico's attention is totally lost for the moment. The song may not be her thing, but it also probably didn't help the way Pickles was jumping on top of Nico with abandon, holding absolutely no regard for her attempt to continue grinding. You all surround Nico, singing at the top of your lungs and jostling him in the middle of your mini mosh pit. Even Joey belts out a few words and plays air drums along with Nico's air guitar. Nicole catches it all on video, instantly sending it to Bridgette.

"Alright, alright. I'm outta here," Joey says as the song ends, waving his hands in front of his chest when you groan in protest. He pulls Nico in for an overly aggressive hug and slap on the back. "And don't any of yous be late tomorrow. I'm not dealing with a Terry temper tantrum." A chorus of 'bye Joey' and eye rolls reply to him.

"I'm heading out too. Happy Birthday," Ruby adds, a near smile hinting at her lips before following her boss towards the exit.

"Need. Water." Pickles pants again and heads back to the bar, just as the blond girl re-enters and takes up Pickles' spot next to Nico. Nicole and Brad, who have somehow gotten into an argument about how to make a proper gin martini, are so lost in their own bickering that they haven't noticed the crowd jostling around them. You stand awkwardly next to them, not wanting to get involved but feeling like you can't exactly escape either. Holding your arms across your chest, you sway uncertainly.

A hand find yours, and you look over your shoulder to see Nico tugging you back towards him. "It's not too early to cash in on a birthday dance is it?" He smiles at you in that aloof way, his eyes focusing in on you. A question bubbles on your tongue, wanting to know where the blond went but you decide you'd rather not know. "No, not too early. Right on time, I think," you smile back, fitting your arms around his neck.

His left hand is soft against your lower back, fingers guiding you to sway back and forth in time with the music. You're moving slow, the beat lost as you can feel the inches between you and Nico closing. The club is nothing but Nico's dark eyes swallowing you, the weight of his arms pulling around you until you're poised to meld together. You can't take the heat of Nico's eyes on you anymore so you hide against his collarbone, eyes shutting and letting the smell of earth and smoke on his shirt collar encompass your whole world. You're not sure if the thrumming you feel is the bass or your own heart, if you're still dancing or just standing still wrapped up in Nico's arms.

Suddenly you're knocked backwards, stumbling over your own feet until you hit up against someone. "Hey!" a voice shouts, indignant and you mumble an apology as you try to find reality again. "What the fuck, man," Nico's saying, head turning to glare at the man who'd shoved him and caused you to nearly fall on your ass. The guy is standing over him, absolutely beaming. When Nico finally sees him, he starts laughing. "Oh! Yo, I almost fucked you up man!" The two start shoving each other, albeit playfully, as more guys surround Nico, shouldering anyone, including you, out of the way to land punches and smacks on Nico's shoulder and stomach.

You feel disoriented, discarded even, as you slowly find your way back to the edge of the dance floor. You find the others there, all looking towards the sea of newcomers that have swallowed Nico. "Who are those guys?" you ask, hating how defeated your voice sounds.

"I think they used to work with Nico at Waffle House, at least some of them did," Pickles informs you. You try not to watch him assess you, ignoring the slight frown he wears as he turns to the bar to order another water. You drink it slowly when he hands it to you, watching the amorphous blob of raucous men completely take over the dance floor.

"And that's my cue to leave," Nicole asserts. "Ready?" she looks at you expectantly.

You should leave. You know this in the way you feel cold and unsure and slightly humiliated but you can't ignore that something just opened up between you and Nico. You're not quite ready to leave whatever that is behind yet.

"I'll drive you home," Brad interjects, saving you from having to say anything at all. You're not sure if he could sense your hesitation or if he was just looking for an opening of his own, but you're grateful nonetheless. As long as Nicole agrees.

Her eyes flit to Brad, assessing him with the quickness of a hummingbird's wings. "Let's go then," she says as if it's a challenge, daring Brad to follow through on something unspoken. You watch them disappear, Brad's hand hovering at the small of Nicole's back as she leads them through the crowd.

Next to you, Pickles rifles through his front jean pocket. He pulls out a bag of Skittles, pours some into his hands and offers them to you. "You don't have to stay for me you know," he chirps, "I told Nico I'd drive him home so I'm here for the long run."

You shove the Skittles into your mouth, the candy sticking to your teeth. You look towards the dance floor, watching the group of men you don't know chatting up different girls and pointing them towards Nico. You fix a smile on your face for Pickles. "I'm having too much fun to leave."

Pickles nods, giving you a look that's somewhere between skepticism and pity. You sigh, letting your shoulders sag and the pit in your stomach swallow you down with its full weight before putting your hand back out for Pickles to fill with more candy. Instead you feel a warm weight in your hand. You look up to see Nico, hand wrapping around yours. "You're still here," he's beaming at you, though his eyes are so glassy you're not sure how he can even see you clearly.

"Yeah," you answer softly, wishing you could stop the smile that's spreading from cheek to cheek.

"I think you need water," Pickles says after assessing Nico's wobbly stance, excusing himself from the table. Nico's still standing over you, hand in yours. "Our dance got interrupted," he says, his signature lazy laugh chasing after his words. He starts to move to the music that's playing, eyes slowly shutting. A heavy arm slams into his shoulder, and in the startle Nico slips his hand away from yours.

"You gonna introduce me?" It's the same guy that shoved into Nico while you two were dancing. His eyes waggle towards you in a way that makes you recoil.

"Oh uh, Carmine this is--"

He interrupts before Nico can finish. "No, let me guess. Nicole, right? Or are you Amber?"

You frown. "Neither. Actually, you just missed Nicole."

"Damn!" Carmine snaps his finger. "I really wanted to see the hottie my boy won't shut up about it."

"Bro," Nico says, with what could be a glare if his eyes were alert at all.

"Nah, I mean, you're cute too, don't get me wrong. What's your name sweetheart?"

"I'm nobody," you answer, hastily. "And I'm leaving so…have a good night. It was nice to meet you." You stand, ignoring the hushed way Nico tries to stall you. You put a hand on his shoulder to stop his fretting. "Happy birthday, Nico." You lean in, landing a soft, barely there kiss to his cheek. Eyes glued to the exit sign, you walk as fast as you can towards it before you completely lose your composure. You even ignore Pickles when he calls your name, pretending not to hear the way he asks Nico what happened to make you run off.

You look back at the dance floor quickly, noticing Nico's red bandana bob and sway in the crowd. You leave before it gets too close. The cold air outside hits you in the face like a brick, clearing your senses and leaving you with a weird empty feeling. Like you had something in the palm of your hand but it's slipped through your fingers. You walk a few feet, until the music is no longer drumming in your ears, and lean against the wall of a closed Chinese takeout. Your hands brace against your knees and you let yourself breathe. You can feel tears start to prick at your eyes but you're too drained to fight them off. You can't help but wonder what the hell that was all about. Your feelings for Nico aren't entirely a secret to anyone, certainly not to yourself, though you hope you've always held your composure well enough. You're always hiding your blushing cheeks when he flirts and batting away Nicole and Amber's teasing when they catch you smiling to yourself after leaving the kitchen. But you always held it arm's length, knowing it was all just part of the fun with Nico. It can't ever be serious with him, it just can't be.

"Y/N."

His voice is like a rasps against the wind. You brush your eyes quickly, straightening up as Nico jogs haphazardly towards you.

"Why'd you leave so fast?" he says, breathing heavy as he catches up to you.

"Sorry, yeah, I um, I didn't realize how late it was," you lie.

"Are you mad or somethin'?"

You shake your head as he contemplates you. Eventually he leans against the wall next to you, pulling his vape out for a long pull, as if that's going to help him breathe any easier.

You shrug one shoulder up. "I didn't want to overstay my welcome, is all," you admit quietly, trying to escape the track of his eyes on you. His lids are heavy almost closing as he rests his head back against the wall, yet he won't take his eyes off you. "Not possible for you to do that."

"I have to go, Nico." You say gently.

"Don't." Nico says, hand finding yours again. Entwining your fingers together, Nico tugs you towards him and you oblige, leaning against your side so you're facing him. His head falls into the crook of your neck and you can feel him nuzzling against the sensitive skin there.

"Nico," you protest without any real harshness or edge to your tone. Just a sadness that you can't mask the way you normally would.

"Stay," he pleads, hand trailing down your back. "Everyone else can leave, if it means you'll stay." His words murmur against your skin. Lips press against the side of your neck so gentle you're not sure you really feel anything at all. You sigh as he moves further up, letting him land soft little kisses up your neck to the nape of your ear. He nips at your lobe and that's when you have to push him away.

"Nico," you say firmly, putting a hand against his chest to make distance. He smirks as his head lolls back against the brick wall.

"C'mon baby," his hand hooks around your wrist, thumb running gentle circles. "I know you want me."

Your heart drops, sinking into the deepest pit of your stomach. You wretch away from him. "Don't be an asshole."

Nico's bloodshot eyes widen and he shakes his head as he stumbles forward trying to cling onto you again. "No, no, no. I want it too. YOU, I mean, I want YOU too."

He's holding onto your wrists, knees slightly bent as he sways in the non-existent wind. You're afraid he's going to fall down and you won't have the strength to pick him up so you walk him back towards the wall so he can lean against it. You try to pull your hand from him but he just holds on even tighter. "It's your birthday, you're drunk and you're just trying to get laid. There's a million girls in that club that would be happy to go home with you. Please don't do this to me, Nico. It's not fair. "

"They're not you. I don't want them."

"You don't want me either!" you laugh, incredulously.

Nico's mouth drops open, eyebrows shooting straight up as if they're going to hide in his bandana. "You're all I want!" You don't know how to respond to that. You stare back towards the club hoping Pickles or Carmine or someone will appear and come take him away so you can just go home and forget this entire night happened.

"I like you SO much," Nico confesses, eyes still wide and words slurring together. "Like, I haven't even quit once since you started working. Every time I get to see you it makes all the like bullshit worth it. I know it's kinda crazy, you and me. You deserve a lot better."

All the wind knocks out of you. You try to process what Nico is saying, justify it against the way his eyes glaze over with alcohol and weed. "You're drunk," you say again, an explanation.

"Yeah," he smiles, lopsided. "No way I'd ever tell you this shit if I wasn't."

And though his eyes are barely open there's a sincerity to his words. "You know," he continues, "I've seen our future, if we like, try this. It's all good baby, just me and you forever. 'Till the four kids of course."

"Four?" you laugh,"That seems like a lot."

"Okay maybe two, and a cat named Lucy."

"I'd like a cat," you smile, leaning against him as Nico wraps his arms around your waist. You can feel the stretch of his smile against your cheek as he spreads kisses across your face. He moves closer to your mouth and you can feel his lips reach out for yours. You catch his head between your palms. "Not while you're drunk," you reprimand gently.

"That's fair. I can fuck with that," Nico smiles. "Tomorrow then. I'm taking out for breakfast before our shift and I'mma kiss the shit out of you."

"Sure," you smile back. "IF you remember any of this."

"Oh, baby, I'll never forget it."

Nico grabs you, picking you up off the ground as he twirls you just slightly. You're a little afraid you're both going to fall and tumble to the ground but he makes it around a little half circle before setting you back down. You throw your arms around his neck, holding him close as he nuzzles deep against your cheek.

Your phone pings, notifying you of a text. You pull it out from your purse, swiping it open while Nico continues to nestle into you. It's from Nicole, a picture of she took of you and Nico dancing. In it you're pressed against him, face hidden in his collar as he looks down on you with an expression of pure serenity. Looking at it you can't help the butterflies that swarm within you. You hold Nico even tighter, hiding your big, wide grin against his hair.

#bistro huddy #headcannons #nico x reader #god i hope there's somebody out there who wants this beside me hahahahhaa

[marvelwomenarehot0]

𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐒

Summary: Natasha has been gone for a while, you just couldn’t handle it any longer.

Word count: 1047

Warnings: Mentions of insecurity, crying, “bad” thoughts? (not like BAD bad just like- bad?), fingering, mirror sex, aftercare, cuddling, first smut fic, idk let me know if i missed something, this is not proof read

a/n: This is for Abby’s birthday!!!! and her fic in general- anyways!!!! happy birthday abbs!! @abbyromanoff

There was a certain silence in the compound that evening. Your girlfriend had been out on a mission for the past few weeks and everything just seemed to fall apart. From the small snarky marks Bruce made at you, to Natasha no longer being able to answer your calls at night.

You could hear the soft patter of rainfall against the windows of the compound outside, curled up in the hoodies that you could find that still smelt of Natasha. You hadn’t had much energy to do much of anything except stay in bed and just get lost in your thoughts.

Just a few more thoughts sent you over the edge. How could Natasha like someone like you? A beautiful, stunning, Russian goddess and you were nothing. You got up for a second and stumbled a bit as you made your way over to the full length mirror. You stared at yourself for a moment. It seemed so easy to pick out each and every mistake and thing wrong with you.

You hated the way your hair looked. It wasn’t thick, it wasn’t straight, it wasn’t good enough. You lifted your shirt up slightly. You hated every bit of it. The tummy you had, the scars and marks, you hated all of it. Your legs were too long, your eyes were too far apart, your nose too big, breasts too small. How could Natasha love you of all people? The thought sent pure cold fear into your heart and you sank to the floor in a heap, curling up and crying quietly into yourself.

Natasha arrived back at the compound a few minutes later. She was beyond happy to be back, but more than happy to go see you. She had felt horrible about not being able to see you over FaceTime while she was away, but she knew seeing you in person was better than anything in the world.

The redhead made her way up to your shared room and opened the door slowly. She frowned softly at your state and made her way over to you slowly, a gentle hand coming down to rub at your back. She was a little shocked by the way you cried and latched onto her, yet she sat down and pulled you onto your lap to let you cry it out.

There was a bit of quiet after you had stopped. Natasha hadn’t said anything yet and only pressed a kiss to your head as you sniffled. The assassin could easily tell you weren’t just crying because you were happy to see her.

“Detka” Natasha whispered softly, a gentle thumb coming to softly wipe away your tears. You sniffled a little and gazed up at her.

“What happened princess? What’s running around in that pretty little head of yours?” A gentle kiss to your head finished the question. You struggled to find the words you wanted to get out, it just seemed impossible.

“Why are you with someone like me? How do you love me when you know there are people like Wanda who are just absolutely stunning and they just take everyone's breath away? Nat I- I just can’t.I’m not perfect enough for you, I’m not good enough for you.” You rambled out quickly.

Natasha stared down at you and shook her head. “No precious, that is not the case at all.” She whispered quietly, gently taking your waist and turning you around to face yourself in the mirror.

“You are so beautiful my love, and I’m going to show you that.” Natasha was getting rid both of your clothes just a few moments later, both becoming exposed to the mirror that sat in front of you. Natasha’s hands came up to gently squeeze at your boobs whilst her other tilted your chin towards the mirror.

“Don’t take your eyes off of yourself, alright?” Natasha mumbled into your ear. You only nodded slightly as Natasha made marks along your neck. “My sweet girl, so perfect. I love everything about you” she whispered, sending tingles down your body.

Natasha smirked a little, her hand that was once holding your chin in place coming down to gently rub at your pussy. You gasped quietly, whimpering out as Natasha played with you.

She was an expert with her hands, her fingers delving into sweet warm walls. You moaned out at that, clenching around her. Natasha smiled and kept making sure you were watching yourself. Anytime you dared look away she would stop. You caught on quick enough, Natasha pressing faster.

“Say you’re beautiful baby, say it and you can cum” Natasha whispered into your ear. You were shuddering, a moaning mess reduced to nothing from her, yet you knew what you wanted. “I’m beautiful” You cried out, making Natasha smile softly as you came around her fingers.

Natasha pulled out slowly, pushing her fingers into your mouth to suck them clean. You watched through the mirror, taking deep breaths to get yourself to relax and calm down. Natasha scooped you up into her arms and brought you into the bathroom, turning on the bath for you. She put in some bubble bath, knowing just how much you loved it.

You gazed up at Natasha lovingly as she washed you with the utmost softness, being careful to not be rough with you. Eventually Natasha finished and gently picked you up from the bath, drying you off with a soft hum. She got you changed into one of her hoodies and brought you to bed, letting you cuddle up to her.

“I love you, Nat” you whispered, already drifting off to a peaceful slumber in your girlfriend's embrace.

Natasha smiled “I love you too” she whispered back, pressing a soft kiss to your hair and falling asleep to the rain that sounded outside.

#venus speaks! #abbyromanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #natasha x reader #natasha x you #natasha romanoff fanfic

[shadowbriar]

Sirius Black - Heart Stamp

Pairing : (F/M) || Sirius Black x Reader Word Count : 3.7k Warning : Tattoo. Soulmate AU. Notes : A good for nothing like him surely deserve no soulmate, Sirius believes, but when the heart is starved of something, someone, the universe throws him into another round of misery. An OC was mentioned as Remus’ soulmate. Reader is 2 years younger than Sirius. There might be a part II but I don’t want to make promises.

Sirius winces as the needles pierce through his skin, leaving black marks along the thin lines of stencil he’d agreed upon. He’s lost track of how many markings he’d made on his body. Everyone always admired the beauty, they so called so, of tattoos decorating his skin but for him it was nothing more than a veneer concealing his cowardly self. Everytime he looked at himself from the mirror, he could only let out a sigh, holding on to the last bits of time left before she knew the truth.

He cursed on whoever was responsible to pass down the tradition. What kind of sore tosser thought that it would be a great idea for a sixteen years old to know their soulmates? What if they don’t want to have a soulmate? What if they’re damaged beyond repair to ever deserve a soulmate? Wouldn’t that just be cruel to the other party, having to know that they’re bound for life with someone who’s as good for nothing? Someone like him?

He’s tried every spell, potions, whatever rituals there are that he’d read from the restricted section of the library to revoke the linkage, yet when his birthday came it was clear for him that the world hates him out of spite. Her initials were engraved to his forearm, just below the line of his inner elbow. Though he’s tried to cover the mark with some horseshit phrase he stole from one of Remus’ novels, you can still see the lines of her initials peeking through.

Another laugh the universe cruelly dumped on the poor boy.

As much as his little heart rejoiced in happiness, having to know that the girl he’s been so madly in love with for years was destined to be his soulmate, Sirius had to take the sour turn and hide the truth so as not to make people know who the unlucky girl is. Though he’s got no regret on being disowned by his family, he understands the weight he’s carrying isn’t something he should share with anyone. It would simply be unfair of him to throw the dirt and shame at her, so he chose to remain quiet. Even after her persistent questions of who his twin flame is. 

And so Sirius gained a new routine, weekly going to the tattoo parlour to stamp his skin with some doodles and wearing a long sleeved shirt to cover her initials.

When the tattoo artist was done, Sirius stared at the new markings. It was a simple heart shape, one of the simplest tattoos he has on his body. He wanted to have a reminder of today, one day before she would find out about the lies and secrets he’s hidden from her for the past two years. He needed a reminder that later on tonight when all hell broke loose and she’s angry at him for not telling her that she was his twin flame, when all of the mean things she’s spat gradually turn into cries and begs for him to embrace her, Sirius has to keep the promise he’d made to himself— He will not accept her as his soulmate.

“You alright, Pads?” James asks, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder.

Sirius nods, faking a smile, “Grand.” 

Placing a few galleons to the table, Sirius heads to the door. His three friends sigh, watching the black haired boy acting so nonchalant when it’s apparent that he’s shattering inside.

“Let’s see what we have left on our to-do list,” Sirius said, looking at his palm as if he was holding a note “Get the stuff for her birthday party tonight, checked. Get her presents and her favourite snacks from Honeydukes, checked. Get a new tattoo and cover her initials once more, checked. Prepare a good argument when she finally finds out that I’m her soulmate, not checked but I’m working on it.”

“You’ve prepared an argument?” James asks with raised brows “How exactly would you argue with her? You’re keeping the fact that she’s your soulmate for two whole years, Pads. I don’t think you should be making arguments, you should be writing your will instead.”

Sirius pursed his lips, tapping his chin in a thinking manner, “Good idea, I’ll add that to the list.”

Remus rolled his eyes, “You’re making a fuss out of nothing. Should’ve just come clean with her in the first place.”

“Speaking from experience, aren’t you Moony?” Peter asks, nudging the wolf boy “How is it with Diane? You look like you don’t need much of our help anymore during full moons.”

“She’s brilliant, she understands my conditions and there’s still a lot to unpack but we’re working on it.” Remus says, slightly blushing at the mentioning of her soulmate “I suppose that’s what being a soulmate means. The universe doesn't just give you some random name to be bound for life with, they chose the one person who would understand you and help you through your nightmares. The same way you would help them through theirs.”

“That’s exactly what I’m feeling with Lily.” James chimes in, looking intoxicated with love as he speaks of her “She makes everything better and easier. We have our misunderstandings and fights, sure, but at the end of the day it would only bring us closer.”

“Alright now, enough of the sappy talk.” Sirius sneered “You lot are making it hard for Wormy who’s yet to meet his girl.”

“Oh, I’m content. I don’t mind waiting for a year or two to finally meet her.” Peter answers, trying to avert the spotlight back at him “I may not know what she looks like yet, but I know that I love her already and that’s enough.”

Sirius chews the inside of his cheek. He knows the trick his friends are pulling, to make him yield into this soulmate rubbish and accept it wholeheartedly. Making it seem as if being in love and having a soulmate is the best thing to have happened to their lives. Had the circumstances differ, Sirius would gladly swallow the idea with bliss but he’s not in such a position right now. The whole predicament with his family is taking enough space in his mind and he wouldn’t want to have her reside in such an uncomfortable place.

“Your antics aren’t working, boys.” Sirius says with a mocking face “Besides, it’s what? 8 hours till midnight? Coming clean to her now would only mean spoiling her surprise, I’d rather stall a few more hours before my execution finally comes.”

James shrugs, “If you say so. Your death, not mine.”

—-

Sirius stares at the Room of Requirement’s door. He could hear the music playing from the inside. People were coming in and out, slightly bumping into him who’s standing right in the middle of the corridor. He could feel his heart beating as if it was fighting its way out of his ribcage. His palms were sweaty, worried about the outcome of tonight. He’s given a lot of thought of the words his friends said earlier, about the concept of soulmate and how it’d change their lives drastically. Perhaps the struggle he’s facing right now isn’t as colossal as he thinks it is. Perhaps her love could help him come out of it alive.

And so Sirius whispered to himself, if by the time she knows and she forgives him from keeping it a secret from her, he would give this soulmate crap a chance and would try to work their way up. He would love her proudly and profoundly. He wouldn’t let his house difficulties affect them. He would give a chance for himself to feel the love he so longed to breathe in for years.

Folding the sleeves of his shirt, barely showing the tattoo that’s covering her initials, Sirius takes his steps into the party. People were already crowding the place, familiar faces talking and laughing with each other. On the sofa he could see his pack being comfortable with each other, inviting him to come and have a seat when his eyes met them.

But Sirius only nods, gesturing that he’ll be over in a minute. He’s got something to cross off of his list right now. Something much more urgent than the game of beer pong.

“Sirius!” A lovely voice called, waving at him “You’re here.”

“Of course, I am. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Sirius says with a wide smile, relieved to have finally met her “Happy birthday, Bug.”

“Not yet.” She shakes her head, smiling “You have to wait till the clock strikes at midnight to say that.”

“Well, I like to do things earlier than most.” He argues, giving her a small box “Your first present.”

“First? There’s more?” She asks as she excitedly takes the gift, opening it and revealing a star pendant necklace “Sirius.. It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“Would you like me to put it on you?”

She nods eagerly, “Please do.”

Sirius smiles as he takes the jewelry from her hands. His breathing was caught when she put her hair away, revealing more of her skin. Merlin knows how much will power he’s got to gather to fight the urge to plant a kiss on it, claiming her his. The smell of her perfume is so inviting, becoming his personal force of attraction. The way his fingers brushes to her skin is making the butterflies in his stomach go crazy, combusting as if they were fireworks on New Years eve.

Once the clasp was closed, she turned to face him again. A happy smile was decorating her face, slight blush tainting her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled under the dim light of the room and Sirius swore he’d never seen anyone look more delicate and precious as she is right now.

“You’re staring at me weirdly.” She comments, noticing the lack of blink the older boy was having “Are you alright, Sirius?”

Awkwardly clearing his throat, Sirius nods, “Splendid, really.”

“I think you’re lying but I’ll let it slide this time.”

Sirius smiles. She was acting like a child who’s just gotten themselves a cotton candy at a theme park and it made his chest flutter in bliss. Perhaps this is what his friends were talking about. She makes everything better and easier, indeed.

“Bug?”

“Yeah, Sirius?”

“You know that I love you, right?”

The look on her face turns into a soft one, looking slightly downhearted as if she hoped he would mean those words differently, “Of course, Siri.”

“Then promise me this,” Sirius says, this time taking her hands in his and squeezing them gently “Whatever happens tonight, whoever your soulmate would be, promise me that you would still look at me the same way you’re looking at me right now. Look at me with those same eyes that always give me warmth and happiness. Look at me as if I put the Moon and Stars to your sky. Look at me as if I’m someone you love.”

“Sirius, you know I can’t promise you that. People say that once you know your soulmate, you can never look at other people the same way.” She says with an apologetic smile “But for what it’s worth, I hope that my soulmate would be you.”

Sirius nods.

“I mean, I know that’s impossible cause you already know who your soulmate is and it’s obviously not me, that’s why I’m brave enough to admit it.” She rambles, making Sirius to chuckle lightly “But if the Universe could grant me one birthday wish, you know what it’ll be.”

With a forced smile, Sirius brought her hands closer to his chest and kissed them gently. He wishes to live in this moment forever. He wishes to have her this close, close enough to feel his love but far enough to not be chafed from his actions. He wishes to keep her in oblivion and keep loving her in silence, living the rest of his life from fragments of stolen intimacy.

But time is running out. The bomb is about to be explode and all there’s left of him to do now is to sit and wait, crossing fingers that whatever the future would lead them to, his heart and soul wouldn’t crumble completely.

—-

Sirius didn’t realise the blood seeping through his fingernails as he bites them, waiting for her to come out of the room. She’s entered the chamber fifteen minutes before the clock strikes at midnight, wanting to have her own private moment before the initials of her soulmate appear on her skin. The placing of said tattoo is different for everyone, only matching to their soulmate, so she’s asked a couple of her trusted friends, Lily being one of them, to help scan her skin once she officially turns sixteen. Sirius could easily tell her that there’s no need for her girlfriends to help her see where the tattoo would be cause he knows exactly where, but once again he chose to remain silent about it.

Twenty minutes have passed since the day changed and she still hasn’t come out. Sirius was getting more worried of the storm happening on the other side of the door. Is she alright? Is she already having a fit of anger from the realisation? Could she be crying in happiness that her birthday wish is actually granted?

“Lily!” James calls as he notices her girlfriend coming out of the chamber in a hurry “What’s going on in there? Why is she not out yet?”

“Something’s wrong.” Lily says in a hurry as she walks to the drinking table, taking a few bottle of water.

“Wrong? What do you mean wrong?” Sirius asks with alert “Is she alright?”

“Her tattoo, it’s not showing.”

“What?” Remus asks this time “What do you mean it’s not showing? It’s almost 12.30, she should already have her tattoo by now.”

“I know, Remus, but it’s not showing.” Lily answers, sounding as if she couldn’t believe it herself “We’ve checked every inch of her body, there’s no tattoo.”

“Check her left arm, the tattoo should be there.” Sirius says, his tone raising in panic too as he shows the location of her initials “It should be here. My initials should be here.”

Lily raised her brows at his words, turning her eyes to James to ask for explanation but looking at the worry washing over Sirius’ face, she could piece the puzzle together easily.

“Lily, check her arm, please.” Sirius says once more, his tone begging for her to do the favour “My initials should be there.”

“We’ve checked, Sirius, there’s no tattoo.” Lily said once more, looking apologetic this time “But I’ll check her arm again, alright?”

With drinks in her hands, Lily reenters the chamber. The boys now have their eyes glued to the door, dark clouds hovering over their heads. The party is still going in a full blast behind them but the music wasn’t as deafening as the silence around them.

“It’s my fault.” Sirius says with volume barely above a whisper “It must’ve been one of the rituals or spells I did that made her tattoo not show.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Pads. It might just take a longer time for her tattoo to show.” Peter says, trying to enlighten the mood “Her tattoo will show, don’t worry about it.”

“No one has ever had a late appearing tattoo, Wormtail. It’s either there or not there at all.” Sirius says, rummaging his hand through his hair “I screwed up. I screwed up big time.”

Remus places a hand to his friend’s shoulder, “Calm down, mate. We’ll figure it out together, alright?”

“Yeah, Pads. Sit down and we’ll think about it together.” James says, offering a space next to him by the sofa.

Sirius didn’t say a word, his head hung low trying to hide the tears that were starting to fall. He lets Remus guide him to the sofa and sink himself on it once he’s seated. He buries his face on his palm, sobbing. Just how cruel can the world be to him?

—-

Sirius smiles weakly at her once he enters the chamber. She was sitting at the corner, leaning on the walls with head resting on the footing of a table. Tears were staining her cheeks, ruining her makeup. Sirius hates his mind but he couldn’t stop thinking of how pretty she looks as she cries. Her vulnerability made him love her more. It made him want to pull her into a tight hug, hoping his embrace could glue back the pieces of her broken heart.

Taking a seat next to her, Sirius sighs when he feels her head now resting on his shoulder. She was still shaking from the sobs, sniffling as she tried to control her breathing. He tried to peek on her left arm and through the stolen glances, his nightmare was proven to be true. The tattoo wasn’t there.

“I haven’t a soulmate.” She whispers, her voice cracks in between the words “Whatever did I do to not be deserving of one, Sirius?”

“Don’t say that, Bug.” He replied, fighting the cry that’s about to break through “You haven’t done anything wrong, believe me. You deserve all the love in the world and more.”

“I haven’t a soulmate, Sirius. Why?”

Sirius has to close his eyes and pull her for a hug. Her cries were becoming loud once more, breaking right inside his embrace. He could feel his shirt being wet from her tears. He was crying with her, questioning the fault and sin they’ve committed in their previous lives to have the universe curse them so. Why couldn’t they be as normal as other soulmates? Why do they have to have so much pain to go through? Why does the universe love to toy with them so much?

“I haven’t a soulmate, Sirius.” She says once more, repeating the words as if she’s trying to comprehend it “I don’t understand. Don’t we all have a soulmate?”

“We do, Bug.” Sirius says gently “You have a soulmate, believe me. It’s not that something is wrong with you, nothing is wrong with you, nothing could ever be wrong about you. We’ll figure it out together, I promise.”

“I just don’t understand.”

“I know, Bug, I know.” He says, this time pushing her to sit up and cupping her face “We’ll figure this out, alright? You have my word, I will not rest until you get your answers, okay?”

She nods, surprised to see him crying too.

“You’ll get your tattoo, I promise.” Sirius says once more before placing a kiss to her forehead “Don’t you worry your pretty mind, alright.”

Smiling faintly, she rests her head back to his shoulder. She intertwines her fingers with his, focusing on his body heat to be her sole source of energy and tranquillity. For some reason Sirius was the only person that could calm her. She’s heard the same words and promises from her friends yet it has to be Sirius to be the one to give her a fragment of peace. It has to be his voice to give her a sense of security. It has to be Sirius to rescue her.

“You’ve got a new tattoo.” She says, noticing the heart shaped tattoo on his right wrist “I’ve just noticed that.”

She silently traced the lines. Having countless tattoos on his body, Sirius knew that new tattoos aren’t supposed to be touched but he couldn’t careless. Her gentle caresses are his only grip to sanity. Without them he would lose his mind completely.

“I made that for you.” He says with a tired voice “For your birthday.”

She smiles, looking at his eyes with warmth, “Stop it, you’re making me wish harder that you’re my soulmate.”

The smile on his face dilutes for a moment. Should he tell her the truth now? Would right now be the right time to come clean? It would’ve been nice to place all of his cards on the table and let her be the judge of it. Let her be the one to decide their future, whether to build it brick by brick or turn the other cheek and walk away. But with everything that’s happened tonight, could they survive another fight? Would it not shear their last strands of sanity?

Taking a pen out of his back pocket, he reaches for her left arm. Right where his initials should be, Sirius wrote his name. He wrote his name boldly for everyone to see. Though it’s nothing close to how a real soulmate tattoo would look, the position and the smile plastered on her face was enough for him to know that she’s his.

“That looks like a ghastly soulmate tattoo.”

Sirius rolled his eyes, “You love it still.”

She chuckles at last, giving Sirius enough fuel to do the next bold thing.

He leans in, sealing their lips together gently. It took her a few moments to return the gesture but before Sirius could pull away in shame, she placed her hand on his cheek and pulled him closer. The kiss soon becomes desperate, trying to water the thirst they both have been dying of since forever. 

Sirius lifts her and makes her sit on his lap without breaking the kiss. He needed to feel her as close as possible, extremely in need of her touch, but before they could proceed further, Sirius had to step on the brakes and pull away. He couldn’t go all the way with her tonight. Not when he hasn’t come clean to her.

She was smiling sweetly at him, playing with his hair now, “I’d take that you really meant what you said to me earlier.”

Sirius raises his brows, “What did I say earlier?”

“That you love me.” She says with a grin, yet it disappears as fast as it came “But what about your soulmate?”

“Don’t you worry about that for now.” Sirius says gently, smiling as he places a kiss to her nose “All you have to know is that I love you and I will always do.”

She nods eagerly before pulling him into a tight hug.

Sirius breaths in her scent as if it was his oxygen. He buries her face on the crook of her neck, kissing her exposed skin gently. He wanted to savour this moment as best as he could, stretching and stalling the time as long as he could. He wanted to freeze time, making them live in this very moment forever. Forget about his family problem and her not appearing tattoo.

Because when tomorrow comes, he’s to face his sins and does his walk of shame.

#the marauders #marauders #the marauders imagine #marauders imagine #the marauders scenario #marauders scenario #sirius black #sirius black angst #sirius black scenario #sirius black imagine #sirius black oneshot #sirius black fanfiction #sirius black fanfic #sirius black x you #sirius black x reader #sirius black y/n #sirius black x oc

[mononijikayu]

chapter one  — violetta and alfredo.

Every detail of her being held captive in a cascade of enchantment. Her beauty was a symphony of nature's finest elements, a composition that left him spellbound. Her hair, reminiscent of the morning light that kissed the shores and painted the sky, framed her visage in a halo of radiance. Eyes, bright and vibrant like the ever-changing hues of autumn leaves, mirrored the lively spirit of the earth's vast wild plains. Bathed in the moonlight, she seemed to emanate the very essence of life, casting out darkness with the light it needed to thrive.

Genre: No Curses Au!, 1800s Royalty AU!

Warning/s: Fluff, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Pinning, One - Sided Romance, Royalty, Strangers to Friends, Friends to Lovers, Courting, Arranged Marriage;

masterlist

note: almost 12k words,,,,,,it seems im back to my old way of writing. its just that type of life i suppose. anyway, enjoy!!! i hope this makes up for ghost of you!!! i love you!!!

SHE THINKS THAT THE SIGHT OF A CITY LIKE THIS WAS MARVELOUS. The anticipation of the journey ahead filled her with a sense of excitement and wonder, her mind drifting to the possibilities that lay beyond the distant river. Lost in her daydreams, she imagined the adventures that awaited them on the other side, eager to explore the unknown.

However, her reverie was abruptly interrupted as she was pulled back to reality by the need to change into a new outfit. Her brother, Yu, was busy preparing for the journey as well, and she knew he must be equally disguised to blend in with the crowds. Yet despite the preparations, Yu seemed adamant about reuniting with his old friends from his academy days, particularly Lord Nanami, whom he held in high esteem.

The arrival of nobles from distant lands to celebrate the king's birthday added an air of caution to their travels. Father would undoubtedly be furious if he knew they were embarking on such a journey without proper precautions. However, Yu had planned their departure a day early, anticipating potential delays due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Yu's thoughtful consideration for their well-being touched her deeply, a testament to his generous nature amidst the complexities of their world. She cherished his kindness above all else, a beacon of light in the darkness of the Jujutsu world. As they prepared to embark on their journey, she couldn't help but feel grateful for her brother's meticulousness in all of this.

Yu's decision to choose an inn east of the city, known for its discretion and privacy, was a thoughtful one, reflecting his understanding of their preferences. He took great care to ensure their privacy would be maintained by organizing the departure of all men in small groups, minimizing the risk of drawing attention to their presence.

She departed with the servants first, allowing Yu to bring up the rear and oversee the process without causing any delays. As they approached the inn, named 'Cherry Merry,' she couldn't help but giggle at the whimsical name. Yet, the sweet scent of cherry blossoms that enveloped the room upon their arrival immediately charmed her, offering a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

The simplicity of the room, adorned with cherry-colored sheets and subtle hints of silver, resonated with her taste. The presence of two large lamps on either side of the bed, accompanied by round tables, added a touch of elegance to the space. A small desk awaited her, adorned with quills resting atop clean white parchments, and a bottle of ink enclosed in a glass cylinder, inviting her to immerse herself in creativity.

Despite the temptation to open the wide windows that flanked the bed, she hesitated, mindful of the need to maintain their privacy. The unlit fireplace, filled with fresh logs scented with cherry blossom, added to the cozy ambiance of the room, creating a serene retreat for them amidst the chaos of the outside world.

Her luggage sat neatly arranged on the edge of the bed, a silent testament to her presence in the room. Embellishments adorning her belongings hinted at her noble lineage, with the wide heron's head emblem proudly displayed. It was a symbol of the once illustrious lineage of their clan, now revitalized by her brother's lordship. Their family's fate had been lackluster for years, overshadowed by the repercussions of siding with the wrong faction in the previous war. Whispers of their father's shortcomings echoed through the halls of Jujutsu society's higher echelons, yet her brother's tireless efforts had begun to mend their tarnished reputation.

Despite the weight of their family's history resting heavily on her shoulders, she found solace in the unspoken understanding between her and her brother. He never asked for her assistance, preferring to shoulder the burden alone, but she knew that her role extended beyond mere appearances. It was a duty she willingly embraced, masking her inner turmoil with a facade of poise and grace whenever required.

Raised in the sheltered confines of Haibara's distant ashy meadows, she had always felt stifled by the constraints of her noble upbringing. The societal expectations of a lady felt suffocating, constraining her desire for freedom and autonomy. Deep down, she yearned to break free from the shackles of her status, to embrace a life unrestrained by societal norms.

Her brother, understanding and empathetic, would have readily granted her that freedom had she asked. But she couldn't bear the thought of leaving him alone in their struggle for redemption. They were each other's pillars of support, their unwavering bond the only constant in an uncertain world. If she were to leave, he would be left to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and power alone. The mere thought brought a pang of guilt to her heart, a silent reminder of the sacrifices she made for her brother's sake.

As she stood at the threshold of her room, lost in her thoughts, Kusakabe's voice broke through the silence, drawing her attention. She turned to face him, the weight of her contemplation evident in her eyes.

“You alright, little one?” He asks her, taking a place by her side.

"I'm fine, just... there is much in my mind, Kusakabe," she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I have no business being here."

Kusakabe nodded in understanding, his expression reflecting a sense of empathy. "No," he agreed solemnly, "but it is the king’s invitation. King Satoru insists on everyone being there to celebrate his birthday. And he likes your brother enough. Shielded both of you from the elders.”

Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help but sigh in resignation. “I know that much. But I was happy at home, you know.”

"Quite obvious, little lady," Kusakabe chuckled softly, "But isn’t this your introduction to society?”

Her shoulders slumped slightly as she contemplated his words. "Not what I want. I’ll never hear the end of society if I show up.”

Kusakabe's laughter rang out, a warm and familiar sound that eased the tension in the air. “Hm, I suppose you won’t.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, enveloped in their own thoughts. Then, with a gentle smile, Kusakabe approached her, reaching out to tuck a misplaced strand of her hair behind her ear. "I can’t believe you’re already so grown up. I never thought I’d ever be watching both you and your brother like this.”

Atsuya Kusakabe had been a steadfast presence in their lives, standing by their family through thick and thin. From the siege of their family home to the challenges they faced in their daily lives, he had always been there, protecting them with unwavering loyalty. 

A few years older, he had been taken in by their father when he was gravely injured on the streets, offering him freedom in exchange for his service to the family. Since then, he had become an indispensable part of their lives, more like an elder brother than a servant. His dedication and loyalty had earned him their trust and respect, making him an integral part of their family.

"This is so new to me," She mused, a hint of wonder in her voice.

"Hm? What is?" He inquired, turning to regard her with mild curiosity.

"Atsuya would not say this. This is certainly not you," She replied with a playful grin, causing him to chuckle and nod in agreement.

He rolled his eyes affectionately, pinching her cheek. "You are ever so cheeky like this. Brazen even. A man would not stand a chance, I fear."

"Who needs a man anyway?" she retorted, her grin widening mischievously. "Yu would be happy to keep me at home as a spinster. Would you not be happy about that too?

He sighed softly, a wistful expression crossing his features. "It’s not that I wouldn’t be happy to keep you at home with us. It’s just that… don’t you want that life too?"

She raised a skeptical eyebrow, contemplating his words. "What do you mean?"

"You know, falling in love. Being happy. Having your own family," He explained gently, his gaze searching hers.

"But you guys are my family," She replied sincerely, her voice filled with warmth. "I’m content with that."

He sighed, nodding in understanding. "I can’t argue with that."

She smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. Now, go and eat something. You must be famished after being stuck with me."

He laughed, the sound echoing with fondness. "As if. Go back to your room too, little one. You need to rest before we resume our journey."

With a playful wink, she nodded in agreement. "Alright, Atsuya. I'll see you later."

As he departed, she remained standing in the hallway for a moment, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. The conversation with Atsuya had stirred something within her, prompting her to reflect on her own desires and aspirations.

What comes next?

What is there to be for her?

She sighed, pondering.

What is there for a woman?

IT WASN’T LONG WHEN THE THOUGHTS OVERWHELMED HER. Heading back to her room, she couldn't help but ponder the notion of love and family. While she cherished the bond she shared with her brother and uncle, she couldn't deny the faint tug of curiosity about what it might be like to experience romantic love and create a family of her own.

Settling into her room, she allowed herself to daydream for a moment, envisioning a future where she found someone who cherished her just as much as her family did. But for now, she was content to enjoy the present moment and the journey ahead with her beloved brother and their sworn sword by her side.

As the hours stretched on with little to occupy her mind, she found herself grappling with an unrelenting sense of boredom. Initially, she attempted to immerse herself in the books she had brought along, eagerly flipping through the pages in search of diversion. However, the stories she once found captivating now felt dull and predictable, failing to hold her interest for long.

Turning to another favorite pastime, she reached for her writing materials, hoping to channel her restlessness into creative expression. Yet, as she attempted to weave words into poetry, she found her thoughts scattered and uninspired, unable to summon the eloquence that usually flowed effortlessly from her pen.

With a heavy sigh, she leaned back against the soft cushions of her seat, her gaze drifting aimlessly towards the ceiling. The emptiness of the room seemed to mirror the void within her, amplifying her sense of ennui and prompting a restless stirring within her soul. She knew she couldn't bear another moment of this oppressive boredom and resolved to find something, anything, to occupy her mind and soothe her restless spirit.

Frustrated by her inability to find solace in either reading or writing, she rose from her seat with determination, determined to seek out an activity that would banish her boredom once and for all. Casting a quick glance around the room, her eyes fell upon a familiar object tucked away in a corner – a beautifully crafted chess set.

A spark of excitement ignited within her as she approached the set, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings of the chess pieces. Chess had always been a favorite pastime of hers, a game of strategy and intellect that never failed to captivate her mind.

With a smile of anticipation, she carefully set up the chessboard, arranging the pieces in their starting positions. As she settled into her seat, her mind focused solely on the challenge that lay before her, she felt a sense of purpose and excitement wash over her, replacing the oppressive boredom that had plagued her earlier.

Lost in the intricacies of the game, she relished the mental stimulation it provided, each move calculated and strategic. The hours flew by in a blur of intense concentration, her boredom forgotten as she immersed herself in the timeless battle of wits that unfolded upon the chessboard.

By the time she emerged victorious from her match, her mind felt alive and invigorated, the lingering traces of boredom banished by the exhilarating thrill of the game. 

But the problem is she keeps winning.

She could only pout as she looked at the pieces.

She needed to get out of here.

She needed to not be bored.

IT WASN’T LONG WHEN SHE STARTED TO PREPARE TO LEAVE. As she rummaged through her belongings, her heart raced with excitement, her hands trembling with anticipation. She knew exactly what she was searching for, and when her fingers finally closed around the familiar handle of her fishing rod, a triumphant smile spread across her face. With the rucksack in hand, she practically danced towards the door, her mind already envisioning the peaceful tranquility of the nearby river.

However, her excitement was quickly tempered by the realization that there were guards stationed just outside her door, their watchful presence a constant reminder of her restricted freedom. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she opened the door and greeted the guards with a polite nod, masking her inner turmoil behind a facade of composure.

Engaging the guards in casual conversation, she deftly maneuvered the conversation towards the topic of their well-being, using her charm and wit to subtly persuade them to accept her offer of refreshment. With a gracious smile, she produced a handful of gold coins from the folds of her dressage, insisting that they indulge in a well-deserved respite.

Despite their initial protests, the guards ultimately yielded to her request, their reluctance overshadowed by the implicit threat of consequences should they defy her wishes. As they hurriedly departed to enjoy their brief reprieve, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at her ability to wield her influence and power when necessary.

With the guards temporarily distracted, she seized the opportunity to slip out unnoticed, her heart pounding with exhilaration as she embarked on her impromptu adventure to the river. As she made her way through the lush foliage, the sound of the rushing water growing louder with each step, she felt a sense of liberation wash over her, reveling in the freedom that came from defying the constraints of her gilded cage.

After swiftly changing into a simple ensemble to minimize the risk of being recognized, the lady deftly attended to her own attire without the need for assistance. With no ladies-in-waiting at her beck and call, she completed her dressing with practiced efficiency, braiding her hair before adorning herself with a scarlet hat that lent a touch of flair to her ensemble. A satisfied smile graced her lips as she appraised her reflection in the mirror, pleased with her appearance.

With nimble fingers, she quickly assembled her fishing rod, drawing upon her past experience to complete the task with ease. Gathering her essentials into a rucksack, she prepared for her impromptu adventure, ensuring she had everything she needed for a pleasant outing.

As she made her way down the stairs, she maintained a cautious vigilance, scanning her surroundings to avoid any encounters with the guards stationed throughout the manor. Concealing her face with the rucksack, she felt her heart quicken with nervous anticipation, yet her determination propelled her forward, undeterred by the prospect of potential obstacles.

Stepping out onto the stone cobbled street, she relished the sensation of her sturdy hunting boots against the pavement, the familiar weight grounding her as she embarked on her excursion. Despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach, a wide smile graced her features as she set out to seize the day, eager to immerse herself in the adventure that awaited her.

"Excuse me," she called out to a passing man, his long white beard and merchant's attire marking him as a familiar sight in the bustling capital. "Good man, I do not mean to disturb your morning, but could you tell me the way to the river?"

The man regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, but he quickly nodded in response. "Yes, uh, it's to the left, to the left."

"To the left, to the left," she repeated with a grateful smile. "Thank you, good sir!"

With a nod of acknowledgment, the man continued on his way, leaving her to begin her adventure.

As she made her way through the narrow streets, the vibrant energy of the capital enveloped her. She walked amidst a sea of people, each engaged in their own activities—selling, trading, and going about their daily lives. The sidewalks were bustling with activity, and makeshift markets sprang up along the paved pathways, offering a colorful array of goods and wares.

With her fishing rod in hand, she navigated through the crowd, her senses alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling city. The beauty of the capital unfolded before her, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventure that lay ahead.

As she strolled through the lively streets, the warm rays of the sun bathed the city in a golden glow, casting a cheerful ambiance over the bustling scene. People of all ages and walks of life meandered along the cobblestone pathways, some leisurely enjoying the sunshine while others bustled about their daily tasks.

Mothers cradled their infants in their arms, their laughter mingling with the cheerful chatter of couples strolling hand in hand. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from nearby bakeries, tempting passersby with its irresistible scent. Old taverns, steeped in history and tradition, stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time, their weathered facades echoing tales of days long gone.

Amidst the historic landmarks, she spotted newer establishments springing up, each one a testament to the city's vibrant spirit of innovation. A quaint watchmaker's corner caught her eye, its storefront adorned with a freshly painted sign that gleamed in the sunlight. Intrigued, she stepped inside and browsed the assortment of finely crafted timepieces on display, marveling at the meticulous craftsmanship.

After making her selections, she continued on her way, her steps quickening with anticipation as she approached a bustling market stall. There, she purchased provisions for her fishing expedition—a selection of bait and tackle, as well as a loaf of freshly baked bread and a refreshing cup of lemonade imported from distant lands. With her supplies in hand, she set off once more, eager to embark on her outdoor adventure along the riverbank.

As she wandered through the city streets, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the simplicity of the lives she observed around her. The ordinary people she passed seemed content with their everyday concerns—finding love, pursuing careers, and building homes—without the burdens of status and expectation that weighed heavily on her own shoulders. Despite her privileged position as a high-ranking woman, she envied their freedom from the constraints imposed by societal norms and familial obligations.

Pushing aside these thoughts, she focused on her quest to find the river. With a warm smile and friendly greetings, she attempted to engage with the locals she encountered along the way, despite their wary and hesitant responses to her unfamiliar appearance. Clad in a dark velvet gown adorned with feathers, she stood out amidst the crowd, a foreign presence in their midst.

After a half-hour journey, she finally reached the riverbank, her eyes lighting up with delight at the sight before her. The calm waters of the river flowed gently, reflecting the blue sky above like a mirror. The riverbed, dotted with large and small stones, created a mesmerizing contrast against the water's dark hue. The peaceful ambiance of the surroundings made her feel as if she had stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary, a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling cityscape.

Setting aside her fishing rod, she retrieved a bag of worms from her rucksack and carefully baited the hook, following the instructions her brother had taught her. With a practiced hand, she cast her line into the water, watching with anticipation as it disappeared beneath the surface. Standing on the edge of the rocky outcrop, surrounded by nature's beauty, she felt a sense of calm wash over her, as if all her worries and cares had been momentarily suspended in the gentle flow of the river.

As she focused on fishing, memories of her childhood with her brother Yu flooded her mind. She recalled the days spent by the riverbank, learning the art of fishing from him. Yu, ever the resourceful and creative one, had fashioned her first fishing rod from sturdy sticks he had whittled down with his trusty knife. With a few modifications and some ingenuity, he had transformed the simple sticks into functional fishing rods, complete with thin wiring and metal hooks.

The nostalgia of those carefree days brought a bittersweet smile to her lips as she waited for a bite. Suddenly, she felt a sharp tug on her fishing rod, jolting her back to the present moment. Excitement surged through her as she realized she had caught a fish. With a surge of adrenaline, she gripped the rod tightly and began to reel it in, feeling the familiar thrill of the catch.

However, in her eagerness to land the fish, she pulled too hard, causing the fishing rod to slip from her grasp. With a gasp of surprise, she watched in dismay as the rod flew behind her, caught on something unseen. The sound of horses nearby startled her, and she froze in panic, holding onto the rod as she tried to free it from whatever it had become entangled with.

"You, woman with the fishing rod, how dare you fish here?" The voice boomed, causing her to whirl around and face two men on horseback. One was a tall, lean figure with sandy brown hair, his expression stern and disapproving. The other remained calm atop his horse, her fishing rod's edge snagged in his cloak. She gasped in realization.

"Oh, dear god! Please don't move," she pleaded, releasing her grip on the fishing rod and hastily reaching for her rucksack. With trembling hands, she retrieved a small pocket knife and rushed towards the two men on horseback, her heart pounding with urgency. She felt tall enough to reach the cloak and was about to cut it when the redheaded man stopped her. “Let me help you, my lord!”

"How dare you point a blade at the king’s high minister, you lowly woman?" he bellowed, dismounting from his horse and restraining her.

"Ino, there is no need for such fury over a trivial matter," the blond man interjected calmly. "We inadvertently interrupted her fishing. She has every right to be here. It is open to the public. That’s the purpose."

The man, named Ino, bowed his head slowly. “Forgive me, my lord.”

"The king’s high minister?" Her breath caught as she locked eyes with him, her gaze meeting his soft brown eyes behind green-tinted goggles. Yu will not let her hear the end of this with his teasing. She should have known who he was. 

He was handsome, far more than her brother had described. She glanced at the brown-haired man and attempted to free herself, but he confiscated the knife. Rolling her eyes at his overreaction, she focused on removing the hook from the minister's cloak.

Then she got down on her knees in a curtsey she had always known to do, her eyes averting the minister's gaze nervously as the man with red hair looked at her with proud demeanor. She had never seen Nanami Kento before. The times he visited their family’s estate, she would be out visiting Utahime in her family’s estate. She purses her lips, looking at him. But ending up flustered, cheeks colored scarlet.

He was very handsome, a bright burning star in an already bright sky. So bright that no one could even outshine him. His primed blond locks were neatly pleated on the side of his head. Dressed in a silver uniform, he looked ever so formal — Yu had said he never wore anything else but his military uniform. She wondered if he did this every day, walking and riding about the city without any guards and freely accompanied by such companions. It could be dangerous if he was not careful or keeping a low profile.

"My lord, I must apologize for any offense I may have caused," she spoke softly, bowing her head in contrition. "I understand that such a transgression is punishable—"

"Dear lady, there is no need for apologies when no wrong was committed intentionally," Nanami interjected, his voice calm and reassuring. "Please, rise and reveal yourself. We assure you, we harbor no ill intentions towards you."

Obeying his command, she stood up, allowing Nanami to fully see her. He couldn't help but be struck by her beauty; her long hair tied behind her back accentuated her celestial skin, making her eyes shine even brighter than he thought possible. In her innocence, she appeared as a vision of purity, and Nanami couldn't fathom her being capable of any wrongdoing.

However, her attire revealed her foreign origins. Such dress was uncommon among the women of the capital or the surrounding regions. She must have been the daughter of a merchant, Nanami deduced.

"What is your name?" the blond man asked as he dismounted from his horse. "I presume you are not from the capital, am I correct?"

She smiled warmly at him and shook her head. "No, my lord minister, I am from the countryside."

"Ah," Nanami smiled triumphantly. "I am correct, then. You are from the countryside, but your accent—"

"The countryside boasts a variety of accents, my lord minister," she replied, though she felt a pang of guilt despite the truth in her words. "I reside near the far meadows, within the Haibara lands."

"I see. You must be a vassal of my lord Haibara." Nanami nodded thoughtfully, patting his horse before gripping the reins. Ino glanced at his lord minister, unsure if this decision was wise. Turning to his friend, he hesitated, "Ino, will you return to the castle and inform them that I will be delayed? I intend to walk back."

"But Lord Nanami, this is not prudent. I cannot leave you here—"

"But you will," Nanami insisted firmly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "That is my wish, Ino. I wish to accompany this lady back to her lodgings safely."

"But—"

"That is my decision, and if you disregard it, you are not truly following me, my friend," Nanami interrupted, his tone unwavering. "Have you not pledged to comply with any request I make?"

Takuma Ino sighed heavily, recognizing his friend's stubbornness. Reluctantly mounting his horse, he cast a concerned glance at Nanami. "Very well, but ensure you don your cloak upon your return. Your safety is paramount, my lord minister."

Nanami Kento chuckled softly at her words, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Yes, my lady. It seems even princes are not immune to moments of chivalry."

She returned his grin, feeling a sense of warmth at his playful response. "Indeed, my lord. It's a refreshing reminder that chivalry still exists in this world."

As she began gathering her belongings, Nanami watched her with a gentle expression. "Take your time, my lady. There's no rush."

She nodded appreciatively, feeling a sense of ease in his presence. "Thank you, my lord. I won't be long."

With a graceful movement, she carefully packed her belongings back into her rucksack, ensuring everything was secure. As she finished, she straightened up and turned to face Nanami once more.

"Now that we're alone," he began, his voice soft yet commanding, "I would prefer it if you addressed me by my name. Kento will suffice, my lady. The formal titles... they feel unnecessary in our private conversation."

She nodded in understanding, a smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Kento. Thank you for your kindness."

As they stepped out into the bustling streets of the city, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The city buzzed with activity, merchants hawking their wares, street performers entertaining passersby, and the aroma of street food wafting through the air. Despite the crowds and the chaos, there was an undeniable energy that permeated the atmosphere, a vibrant pulse that seemed to echo the heartbeat of the city itself.

Walking side by side, Kento and the lady navigated their way through the throngs of people with ease, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they exchanged stories and shared insights about their lives. With each step they took, the city revealed itself in all its splendor, its grandeur and its flaws laid bare for all to see.

The lady found herself captivated by the sights and sounds of the city, her senses alive with the vibrant energy that surrounded her. She marveled at the towering buildings that reached towards the sky, the narrow alleyways that twisted and turned like a maze, and the colorful tapestry of life that unfolded before her eyes.

Kento, meanwhile, was content to simply be in her presence, enjoying the simple pleasure of her company as they strolled through the city streets. He listened intently to her words, his heart warmed by the genuine warmth and kindness that emanated from her.

"I think I get what you mean," the woman said, her voice carrying a hint of understanding.

"Hm, about what?" Kento inquired, his curiosity piqued as he raised a brow in intrigue.

"It’s as though those titles just feel like it's about to drown you and the expectations with it, just too heavy to carry," she explained, her words filled with a sense of weightiness.

Kento's gaze softened as he listened, his eyes following her every movement as she carefully adjusted her rucksack. "Yes," he nodded slowly, "Exactly like that. And there is no time for you to think about what you actually want to be."

The woman nodded in agreement, a solemn expression on her face as they continued their stroll through the city. "Well, the control is often out of our hands," she remarked, her voice tinged with resignation. "A woman is always to be charming to her husband and obedient to all men, father and husband, without having the right to think of it. The same as your predicament, Kento."

As the woman's words echoed in Nanami's mind, he couldn't help but be reminded of his own family's struggles with duty and expectations. His thoughts drifted to his mother, a woman who had been forced into a marriage with his father solely out of obligation and tradition. The weight of her sacrifice and the constraints of societal norms weighed heavily on his heart.

Nanami's mother had endured a life of silent suffering, bound by the chains of duty and obedience. Her marriage had been a transaction, devoid of love or choice, leaving her trapped in a life she had never desired. Nanami had witnessed her struggles firsthand, the longing in her eyes for a life of her own, free from the shackles of expectation.

For a moment, a wave of melancholy washed over Nanami, engulfing him in a sea of sorrow and helplessness. He felt the weight of his own obligations pressing down on him, the burden of his father's expectations suffocating his spirit. His mother's sacrifice had taught him the harsh reality of their world – that sometimes, duty came at the cost of one's happiness.

Yet, despite his inner turmoil, Nanami remained resolute. He knew the risks of challenging his father's authority, the potential consequences of defying tradition. He couldn't afford to act impulsively, not when the stakes were so high. Nanami understood that he would have to bide his time, waiting for the right moment to assert his own desires and ambitions.

As they continued their walk through the bustling streets of the city, Nanami's thoughts remained consumed by the weight of duty and the struggle for autonomy. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that gripped him, knowing that for now, he could do nothing but watch and wait.

As Nanami's thoughts swirled in a tempest of emotion, the gentle cadence of the woman's voice brought him back to the present moment. He found solace in the way she spoke his name, the syllables rolling off her tongue with a delicate grace that soothed his troubled mind.

"Kento." Her voice was a soft melody, a gentle reminder of the reality that surrounded them. "Are you alright?"

Nanami's initial response was a reflex, a facade he put up to shield his vulnerability. "Y–yes," he stammered, attempting to mask the turmoil brewing within him. "I am very well”

The woman's concern was evident in her expression, her eyes reflecting a genuine worry for his well-being. "I had thought I had broken you. Do forgive my words if they have offended you.”

Nanami's smile, though strained, radiated warmth and reassurance. It was a facade he wore with practiced ease, a mask to conceal the turmoil raging beneath the surface. "Oh no, do not be alarmed, you have not," he reassured her, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within. "It was just you who said such true things. On behalf of the men in the world, I apologize over that matter. Women have as much say in things as we men do, I agree."

His words were a testament to his belief in equality and justice, a declaration of solidarity with those who sought to challenge the constraints of societal norms. Yet, behind his composed facade, Nanami grappled with a torrent of conflicting emotions, wrestling with the weight of his own obligations and the desire for freedom.

As they walked together through the bustling streets, their conversation took a playful turn, the woman teasing Nanami with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"For a moment, I thought there that you are pioneering a way for the kingdoms, Kento," she teased, her grin playful as she gazed at the lord minister.

Nanami couldn't help but chuckle at her jest. "Maybe one day, when men realize women as their equals, then perhaps that will happen," he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness.

The woman pursed her lips thoughtfully. "You should know that if all women were like you, then perhaps men would fall to their knees and bow to all women, who would be our queens.”

A raised brow was the woman's response to Nanami's statement. "Must all women be like that in order to be queens? Can't sweet girls be queens, or ones who are powerless?" She challenged him.

Nanami paused for a moment, considering her words carefully. "Well, I suppose I did not think of that... all people can be queens or kings," he answered diplomatically. "If they manage to convince others, if they have the strength to do it, then they will have power."

The woman grinned at his careful response. "Careful answer, Kento," she remarked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I try my best to please others with my words, of course." Nanami replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on her as they walked. "I have forgotten to ask, forgive me.. What is your name?"

As she paused, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her features. She knew she couldn't reveal her true identity, aware of the potential consequences if her brother found out. Yet, with a graceful smile and a steady gaze, she decided to share a piece of herself with Nanami.

With gentle sincerity, she whispered her name to him. It was a moment that seemed to suspend time, as if the world around them faded into the background. Nanami's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name, finding it as sweet as the person standing before him. In that instant, it felt as though life itself was unfurling in the most enchanting way, as if a new chapter was beginning with each syllable spoken.

"It's nice to meet you," he murmured, pressing his lips gently against her hand as she extended it to him. The touch was as delicate and soft as feathers brushing against her pillow. A sense of warmth and admiration filled her as she regarded the gentle lord minister before her. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

She withdrew her hand, clasping it with the other as they exchanged pleasantries. Glancing around, she realized they were nearing her intended destination. Time seemed to have slipped away in the company of this charming prince, leaving her with a memorable stroll to cherish.

"Do you like music?" he inquired, his eyes sparkling with a mix of joy and melancholy as he spoke of his passion. There was a depth to him, a complexity that intrigued her.

"Very much," she replied sincerely. "I often find myself lost in all kinds of melodies. Sometimes, the music moves me so much that I can't help but dance. The musicians at home would play the best tunes to dance to! My brother teases me so much for it—” Se stops once she realizes he freezes and she blushes. “Am I talking too much?”

He shakes his head and smiles warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Not at all. Passion exists everywhere. Music is just one of them. Music is a deeply personal experience for everyone. Do you prefer lively tunes then?"

"Oh, yes, dearly," she chuckled. "If I could dance until dawn, laughing and giggling, I would!"

Nanami's compliment caused a faint blush to rise to her cheeks. "I could imagine you outshining all the ladies of the king’s court," he remarked. "A beauty and mind such as yours would be a power unable to be reckoned with by all others."

She offered a soft smile in response. "Such compliments must get you far with the ladies of court, then?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh no, dear lady. Women are always charming to me at court, yes. But there are other matters more important for me to attend to."

She regarded him curiously. "And you... you have no interest in them, my lord?"

"Kento," he corrected gently, his expression thoughtful. "It's not that I lack interest in women... it's just that I haven't found the right one."

She tinges red once more. “Forgive me for my slip of the tongue, Kento.”

“Not at all.” He reassures her again, a smile on his face. “It happens.”

She pouts back at him. “I still need to do better at it. You requested that I call you Kento and I slip.”

“It will get better with time.” The blond says to her, waving her off. “It’s not that important. We aren’t at the king’s court.”

“Oh, so you wish to see me again?” She now grins at him, looking up to his higher figure. “I am irresistible, I suppose.”

“You are quite a cheeky lady, aren’t you?”

Her eyes beamed with mischief. “Why, yes! ‘Tis would be dull if I was not.”

“Then you have my answer to your question earlier.”

Her brows furrowed. “On what?”

“I will not be shackled to marry someone that I do not like.” 

"But won't that matter?" she questioned, meeting his gaze with curiosity. "We don't always get to choose who we wed..."

Nanami nodded in agreement. "The king is insistent on seeing me married. He believes it will make me more sociable, less focused on my work. But….”

“You haven’t found the right woman.” She finishes for him.

He nodded. “And the king insists that I should make it happen as soon as possible.”

"Well, I’m sure you work so diligently that the king simply worries," she remarked with a small smile. “You are his friend, after all. Well, the whispers say he is.”

He snickered softly. “The man is more of a nuisance and trouble than he's worth."

She laughed lightly. "I’m sure the king is not that bad, my lord."

Nanami shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "Believe me, you wouldn't wish to be at court, my lady."

She pivoted on her heels, coming to the realization that they had arrived. The familiar facade of her inn stood before her, a place she considered her refuge. A flicker of concern crossed her mind as she acknowledged the potential complications of bringing the lord minister into such a common establishment. The inconveniences it could cause were considerably too significant to overlook, and she resolved not to add unnecessary trouble to the lives of those around her.

Stepping away from his side, she turned to face him. A subtle height similarity emerged between them, with him only slightly taller. The streets around them whispered with the murmur of city life, the vastness of the cityscape stretching out beyond. In that moment, the boundaries between their worlds became apparent, and the delicate dance of their encounter carried an air of bittersweet transience.

"I suppose this is where you leave me," she said, her voice carrying a hint of resignation.

"Are you sure of that?" He asked, his brow furrowing with genuine concern for her safety. He didn't know her well, but he wished he did. "Not all of the capital is as safe as it once was..."

"I shall be fine," she assured him, mustering a convincing smile that could rival the radiance of a thousand women. "I am off to the ships tomorrow anyway. We will be returning home. I will be fine, I promise. I am a merchant's daughter, Kento. I know a thing or two about protecting myself. Do not worry about me.”

"But still..." he began, his worry lingering in the air.

"Please, Kento," she insisted once more, her voice soft but resolute. "I will be fine."

"But I must insist on bringing you to your quarters tonight safely, my lady," he persisted, his tone gentle yet firm.

"That is very kind of you, my lord," she conceded with a grateful smile. She looked adorable, slipping once more, with formality. She’s such a kind little soul, prim and proper. And yet so cheeky. When she finally realizes, she pouts once more. “This tongue of mine slips too often.”

"It is merely Kento," he said softly, his eyes reflecting a sincerity that touched her heart. "I insist on that with you. If I see you again. This informality makes me happy. It makes me feel…”

Amidst an atmosphere charged with unspoken tension, two figures stood resolute, their gazes locked in a silent exchange that transcended mere words. Despite the insistent push of the wind, urging them to part and surrender to the whims of the world around them, they remained steadfast, rooted in the intimate space they shared. In this moment, it was as if the external world faded into insignificance, leaving only the profound connection that bound them together.

Within the depths of their gaze lay entire universes, each conveying a myriad of emotions and thoughts that defied comprehension yet resonated deeply within their souls. It was a language of the heart, spoken in the silent symphony of their intertwined gazes, weaving a tapestry of understanding and empathy that surpassed the limitations of verbal communication. In this wordless exchange, they found solace and understanding, a sanctuary where their souls could converge in perfect harmony.

As they stood enveloped in this ineffable connection, it felt as though they were swept away by a force greater than themselves, engulfed in a love that knew no bounds. It was a sensation that consumed them entirely, suffusing every fiber of their being with a sense of completeness and belonging. With a gentle lowering of her gaze and a soft brush of his fingers against her hair, they shared a tender moment of intimacy, each gesture a silent affirmation of their shared bond.

In that fleeting instant, as their worlds collided and merged into one, it felt as though time stood still, allowing them to exist solely in the embrace of each other's presence. It was a moment that transcended the confines of reality, a sacred communion between two souls intertwined in the intricate dance of love and longing. And in the quiet stillness of that moment, amidst the echoes of their shared breaths and the soft caress of the wind, they knew with unwavering certainty that what they had was real, and it was enough.

The young woman, her voice barely above a whisper, breaks the silence with a single word, "Human." Her gaze locks with that of the man opposite her, their eyes briefly connecting in a moment fraught with unspoken meaning. 

Kento’s response comes in a contemplative murmur, his mind seemingly wrestling with the weight of her declaration. "Yes... human," he echoes softly, his eyes never leaving hers as they both linger more in the enigma of the other.

The woman's response was gentle, her words carrying a subtle grace as she acknowledged his gratitude. "You have been a gentleman," she murmured, her smile reflecting the warmth in her tone. 

He clears his throat, his hands resting at the small of his back. “It was nothing. It is…a gentleman’s duty.”

With a smile and a nod, she continued, "Thank you for your escort, Kento." 

Her gratitude held a depth that transcended the simple act of companionship, hinting at a mutual respect and appreciation for the connection they had shared during their time together. Nanami Kento could not help but be warmed inside.

"Will I see you again?" he ventured, his voice tinged with a mixture of longing and apprehension. 

Kento's inquiry, delivered with a blend of hope and uncertainty, hung in the air between them, pregnant with the weight of anticipation. “....If you return to the city. Will you come and seek me out again?”

She blinked at him, the drawing sun drawing immortality upon their silhouettes. His question carried with it the unspoken desire for their paths to cross once more, fueled by the fleeting but profound connection they had forged during their time together. She thinks it was her turn now, to feel this warmth.

Their exchange encapsulated a moment of delicate vulnerability, where unspoken emotions lingered beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged. As they stood in the quiet aftermath of their parting, the question lingered like a whisper in the air, leaving the possibility of a future encounter suspended in the balance of uncertainty and hope.

Nanami Kento's curiosity about her was insatiable. He longed to delve beyond the surface, to understand the intricate layers of her being. It wasn't just her love of femininity, strength, and wit that captivated him, though those qualities held a magnetic allure. No, he yearned to uncover the depths of her soul, to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden within.

He found himself pondering, contemplating the enigma that was she. And he wanted to know everything. He wanted to unravel her. All for his own. What were her dreams, her fears, her passions? What secrets did her heart hold, and what stories did her eyes long to tell? Each moment spent in her presence only deepened his curiosity, stirring an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

In her, he saw a world waiting to be explored, a universe of possibilities waiting to be discovered. And so, with each passing encounter, he sought to peel back the layers of her facade, to uncover the true essence of who she was beneath the surface. For he knew that within her lay a treasure trove of untold stories and hidden truths, waiting to be unearthed by the curious soul brave enough to seek them out.

"Who knows, Kento," he heard her say, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "You may ask the gods. Wish for my presence very well. The gods are merciful to those who they deem worthy."

Before she could continue, she turned to face him again, her expression softening. "About what you said earlier." She smiled gently at him, almost sympathetic. "I don't think you should continue to let yourself suffer this way. The commandment of the holy books can be too much, even for the pious."

He raised a brow, a curious smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "And what say you?"

"I think that you should be able to be your own man, too," she answered, her voice gentle but firm. "You have a right to it. You are only a man, Kento. Be one that lives for yourself too. Not just for others."

"Then I suppose I must work on that then? Being my own independent man?" he mused, a thoughtful expression crossing his features.

"Yes," she nodded at him encouragingly, her eyes shining with sincerity. "Yes, yes you do."

And so she walked away from him, her figure fading into the bustling crowd until she disappeared from his sights.

In that moment, a sense of melancholy washed over him, a feeling of loss at her departure. Yet, amidst the melancholy, a glimmer of hope flickered within him.

Hope that he would see her again, that their paths would cross once more in the winding streets of the city. Hope that the connection they shared would endure beyond this brief encounter.With a wistful sigh, he turned to continue on his own path, carrying with him the memory of her presence and the anticipation of a future meeting.

HE COULD NOT STOP THINKING OF HER. As Nanami Kento returned to the castle later that night, his thoughts were consumed by her, an irresistible force that lingered in the recesses of his mind. The captivating allure of her presence was indelible, leaving an indescribable imprint on his thoughts. She embodied life in its most enchanting form, a woman who compelled him to consider possibilities he had not dared to entertain before. In her existence, he found a paradox, a challenge that both intrigued and unsettled him, becoming an unexpected anathema to his previously defined world.

Every detail of her being held captive in a cascade of enchantment. Her beauty was a symphony of nature's finest elements, a composition that left him spellbound. Her hair, reminiscent of the morning light that kissed the shores and painted the sky, framed her visage in a halo of radiance. Eyes, bright and vibrant like the ever-changing hues of autumn leaves, mirrored the lively spirit of the earth's vast wild plains. Bathed in the moonlight, she seemed to emanate the very essence of life, casting out darkness with the light it needed to thrive.

Her lips, a rich shade of red reminiscent of a precious ruby, were meticulously contoured like a finely crafted sword. Cheeks adorned with the delicate pink of apples in the late echoes of summer, ripened by the passage of time, crushed into a powder that the wind carried, infusing the scarlet wind with vibrant color. Yet, it was her blush, a tender display of vulnerability, that captivated him most profoundly.

Unable to escape the allure of her image, Nanami Kento found himself entangled in the enchanting tapestry of her existence. She became a muse that colored his thoughts, a presence that lingered in the corridors of his mind, leaving an indelible mark that defied both reason and restraint. As he navigated the corridors of the castle, he grappled with the unspoken emotions that blossomed within him, a tumultuous sea of longing, admiration, and a recognition that, against all odds, she had become a singular force that reshaped the contours of his world.

As Nanami Kento raised his goblet to his lips, the rich aroma of the wine enveloped his senses, but it was the scene unfolding around him that truly captivated his attention. The grandeur of the chambers, filled with an abundance of people, seemed to overwhelm him more than the wine itself. Despite the lively atmosphere of the king's party, his mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of her, her image echoing in his thoughts like a haunting melody.

Throughout the evening, he had fulfilled his duties with practiced ease, maintaining a composed facade as he greeted guests and exchanged pleasantries. Yet, beneath the veneer of social niceties, a sense of restlessness gnawed at him, rendering the mundane tasks of courtly life nothing more than background noise.

However, as a familiar face loomed into view, Kento's brow furrowed in a subtle display of displeasure. The sudden interruption disrupted the fragile semblance of calm that he had carefully cultivated, pulling him away from the sanctuary of his thoughts. Though the white noise of the party had momentarily receded, replaced by the distractions of familiar faces and idle chatter, he found himself yearning for the solace of his own thoughts once more.

As he navigated through the sea of faces, exchanging polite greetings and engaging in fleeting conversations, Kento couldn't shake the feeling of detachment that lingered within him. Despite the opulence surrounding him, it was the memory of her that held sway over his mind, casting a shadow over the festivities and leaving him longing for a moment of respite amidst the chaos of the night.

"My lord," Sir Geto Suguru's voice cut through the air, his figure adorned in the regal elegance of fine silk, a cloak trailing behind him as his hand rested on his side. He smiled as a gentleman would. It was clear why he’s the king’s favorite. An intrigued brow arched upward as he addressed Nanami Kento. "You seem to be rather...silent tonight."

Lady Ieiri Shoko, her demeanor playful as she lounged with her pipe, enveloped in wisps of smoke, chimed in with a knowing grin. Nonchalant as always, Kento thinks. But thicker with her bluntness. "My lord does have a lot on his mind, Suguru," she interjected, patting Suguru's shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie. "He deals with Satoru enough. Give him the space."

Lady Tsukomo Yuki, her presence commanding as she leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye, joined the conversation. Her husband, Lord Choso tending to his brother, Kento’s god-son, distracted him. It would make sense why she was a stray in tonight’s gathering. 

"Though I must say, my lord," she teased, her arm resting casually upon Suguru's shoulder, "Ser Ino was rather...moody today. Tell me, my lord, with all your honesty, was he jealous? Was he jealous of you meeting a lover?"

Shoko's snort of amusement punctuated the air as she handed her pipe to Suguru, who eagerly indulged in a puff of smoke. "Make sure Satoru doesn’t hear," she quipped, her tone laced with amusement. “He’d find this lover and force our lord here to get hitched!”

Nanami Kento's gaze scanned the bustling chamber, searching for the familiar figure of the king amidst the sea of courtiers and nobles. "Where is the king, anyway?" he inquired, a hint of concern tingling his voice.

Sir Geto Suguru, ever the observant companion, gestured towards a cluster of individuals, his gaze settling on a pair of piercing blue eyes that shone like beacons amidst the throng of guests. "There he is," Suguru remarked with a wry smile, "Set loose upon the courtiers, scaring the old folks who don't want to fund his little projects."

Kento sighed inwardly, a sense of resignation settling over him as he contemplated the inevitable task of mitigating the fallout from the king's impromptu interactions. "I should have suspected as much," he muttered under his breath, mentally preparing himself for the diplomatic challenges that lay ahead. 

Satoru Gojo's family background was steeped in tradition, with his father known for his staunch conservative beliefs. However, Satoru himself diverged from his father's ideology, embracing a more progressive mindset that often clashed with the traditional views of the higher-ups in the court. This ideological divide was a source of constant tension and potential conflict, one that Kento Nanami knew he would eventually have to navigate as the king's minister.

As he contemplated the impending conversation that awaited him, Kento felt a familiar ache begin to throb at his temples, a physical manifestation of the weighty responsibilities that came with his position. The intricacies of court politics were a delicate dance, and as the king's trusted advisor, it fell upon him to manage the inevitable fallout from Satoru's divergent beliefs.

Though the prospect of confronting the conservative factions within the court was daunting, Kento understood that it was a conversation that he, as the king's minister, was uniquely positioned to handle. His loyalty to the crown demanded that he navigate the delicate balance between tradition and progress, ensuring that the king's vision for the kingdom remained uncompromised.

As Kento braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead, the weight of his responsibilities pressed down upon him like an oppressive force. The relentless pounding in his head served as a grim reminder of the burdens he bore as the king's minister, a solemn duty that demanded finesse and diplomacy in navigating the complexities of court politics. Yet, as he prepared to confront the ideological divide threatening to tear the court asunder, Kento steeled himself for the difficult conversations that awaited, knowing that the fate of the kingdom hung precariously in the balance.

Amidst the weighty atmosphere, Lady Tsukomo Yuki injected a moment of levity with a playful tease, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "But go on," she urged with a teasing glint in her eyes, "Don’t leave your guests hanging. Satoru’s tomorrow’s business. We are your business right now. Continue with your little story about the eventful stroll, my lord! Give us your romanticism!"

Kento felt his lips retort upward at Yuki's jest, a fleeting smile gracing his lips as he acknowledged the playful banter of his companions. Despite the weight of his responsibilities and the intricacies of courtly politics, there was a certain camaraderie in moments like these, a shared understanding and camaraderie that served as a welcome respite from the rigors of noble life.

 And as he prepared to navigate the complexities of the evening's festivities, Kento couldn't help but feel grateful for the companionship of friends who lightened his burdens with their humor and camaraderie. But he knew he would never say that out loud. Not even if Yu would force it out of him. He supposed he was a bit more grateful for that. Haibara Yu was more than he could ever handle. They may have been childhood friends, but there are things Kento keeps to himself.

Kento sighed softly, crossing his arms in a casual display of nonchalance. "It was nothing much, really," he retorts, a hint of sheepishness coloring his tone. "He was merely angry with me for being too kind to the woman.That's all."

Suguru's laughter echoed through the room as he took in Kento's explanation. "A beautiful, kind stranger of a woman?” he exclaimed with mirth. "Love at first sight, perchance?”

With a resigned sigh, Kento met their amused gazes, preparing to divulge the details of his encounter. "She is a merchant's daughter, if I recall correctly," he confessed, knowing that his friends would appreciate the honesty. "It was merely that she was fishing by the lake and managed to hook onto my clothes by accident."

Suguru's laughter continued, the jovial sound filling the room as he teased, "Oh, my lord. I never thought the day would come when the mighty and trusted Lord Nanami Kento would be fished out from the river by a merchant's daughter."

Despite his attempts to downplay the situation, Kento couldn't help but feel a sense of bashfulness at their teasing. "It was only an incident," he insisted, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Shoko snickers at the sight of him, as much as his response. "She may have fished a lord, but she saw me as a regular man, for which I am thankful."

Yuki nodded in understanding, her voice soft with empathy. "That is the only thing a man ever truly wishes for," she murmured, her gaze meeting Kento's with a shared understanding. "To be seen as nothing more than a man. Like you always wanted, huh?"

Shoko's smirk widened as she teased, "And how beautiful is this merchant's daughter, my lord? She must have been quite a surprise."

Yuki’s short empathy turned into mischief. “Oh, yes! Do continue to tell us about that!”

Suguru intervened with a sigh, handing the pipe back to Shoko. "You ought to stop it before he starts to be irate, Sho," he cautioned, though amusement danced in his eyes.

Kento sighed, feeling the wine loosening his lips as he opened up further. "And she is not just beautiful," he admitted with genuine warmth, a fondness coloring his voice. "She is very smart, lively, and opinionated, I may add."

Shoko's mischievous grin widened even further, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she leaned in closer to Kento, eager to hear more about the intriguing merchant's daughter. "Oh, she sounds absolutely captivating," she remarked with a playful lilt in her voice, unable to contain her curiosity. "I must say, my lord, you seem quite taken with her."

Yuki, sensing Kento's growing warmth and openness, couldn't resist adding to the teasing. "Indeed, it seems you've met your match, my lord," she teased, a playful twinkle in her eye. "A smart, lively, and opinionated woman? She must have left quite an impression on you."

Suguru, ever the voice of reason amidst the playful banter, offered a gentle reminder to temper their teasing. "Let's not push our luck too far, my dearest ladies." he interjected with a soft chuckle, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "We wouldn't want to overwhelm our dear lord with our curiosity."

Despite Suguru's caution, Kento couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the lighthearted distraction his companions provided. "Thank you, Suguru," he acknowledged with a nod, his smile reflecting the genuine warmth he felt towards his friends. "And you're right, she did leave quite an impression on me."

Shoko raised a brow, intrigued. “It must be enough that you would want to see her again.”

"I should hope to see her again.” he admitted, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It was merely a chance encounter."

Yuki's teasing only fueled the jovial atmosphere, her playful twinkle mirroring the lightness in Kento's heart. "Ah, but my lord," she persisted with a playful glint in her eye, "a chance encounter that leaves such a lasting impression? It sounds like fate may have intervened."

Suguru, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a gentle reminder, his tone laced with amusement. "Let's not delve too deeply into matters of fate, my friends," he cautioned, though there was a fondness in his voice. "After all, we mustn't forget our duties here tonight."

Kento nodded in agreement, acknowledging Suguru's reminder with a grateful smile. "Of course, Suguru," he replied, his tone sincere. "But I appreciate your concern. Rest assured, I will handle matters accordingly."

As the evening progressed and the wine flowed freely, Nanami Kento found himself gradually opening up about his encounter with the merchant's daughter in a way that surprised even himself. Despite his usual composure and ability to handle his liquor with ease, tonight was different. Tonight, there was an energy in the air, a sense of camaraderie and warmth that encouraged him to let down his guard.

With each refill of his cup by attentive servants, Kento felt himself becoming more relaxed, more willing to share the details of his encounter. It was as if the wine acted as a catalyst, loosening his tongue and freeing him from the constraints of propriety.

The gentle prodding and playful banter of his companions only served to fuel his openness, encouraging him to delve deeper into the nuances of his interaction with the merchant's daughter. He found himself recounting the details of their conversation with a newfound enthusiasm, each word tinged with a sense of wonder and excitement.

Despite his initial reservations, Kento couldn't help but revel in the warmth of his companions' company, allowing himself to be swept away by the moment. Tonight, he was not just a noble lord; he was simply a man, sharing tales of love and longing with friends who understood him like no others.

As the night wore on and the wine continued to flow, Kento found himself swept up in the easy camaraderie of his companions. The weight of his responsibilities seemed to melt away with each passing moment, replaced by a sense of lightness and excitement that he hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if tonight held the promise of something extraordinary, a feeling that lingered in the air like the scent of blooming flowers on a warm spring evening.

Suguru's laughter subsided into a knowing smile as he regarded Kento with a twinkle in his eye. "It seems our lord has found himself quite intrigued by this charming young woman," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement.

Shoko leaned forward, her curiosity piqued as she pressed for more details. "Do tell us more about her, my lord," she urged, her expression eager. "What is she like? How did you find her?"

Kento paused, his thoughts drifting back to the lively encounter by the lake. "She is unlike anyone I have ever met," he confessed, a hint of wonder coloring his voice. "Her spirit is as vibrant as the sunlight dancing on the waves, and her wit as sharp as a finely honed blade."

Suguru couldn't help but interject with a teasing remark. "And he had a poet's career in a day's time," he quipped, a playful glint in his eye.

Yuki nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with interest. "And what of her opinions?" she inquired, leaning in closer. "Did she challenge your beliefs, my lord?"

A thoughtful expression crossed Kento's features as he recalled their spirited exchange of ideas. "Indeed, she did," he admitted with a chuckle. "She has a way of seeing the world that is both refreshing and enlightening. It was... invigorating, to say the least."

Suguru's gaze softened with understanding as he listened to Kento's words. "It sounds like she left quite an impression on you, my lord," he remarked, his voice tinged with warmth. "Perhaps it is a sign of something more."

Kento's heart skipped a beat at Suguru's words, a rush of emotions stirring within him. Could it be possible that this chance encounter held the promise of something greater? He pushed aside his doubts, allowing himself to entertain the tantalizing possibility. Tonight, amidst the laughter and conversation of his friends, Kento dared to believe that perhaps, just perhaps, there was something extraordinary waiting on the horizon.

As Kento mulled over Suguru's words, a surge of anticipation coursed through him, igniting a spark of hope within his chest. The possibility of something more with the merchant's daughter danced tantalizingly at the edge of his thoughts, like a distant melody beckoning him forward into the unknown.

With a renewed sense of determination, Kento turned his attention back to his companions, a bright glimmer of excitement shining in his eyes. "Perhaps you're right, Suguru," he admitted, his voice filled with a newfound optimism. "Perhaps there is more to this encounter than meets the eye."

Shoko's eyes widened with curiosity as she leaned in closer, eager to hear more. "Do tell us, my lord minister," she urged, her tone tinged with excitement. "What do you plan to do next?"

Kento's mind raced with possibilities as he considered his next steps. "I suppose only time will tell," he replied with a thoughtful smile. "But for now, I intend to explore this newfound connection and see where it leads."

Suguru nodded in approval, a supportive smile gracing his lips. "A wise decision, my lord," he remarked, his tone filled with encouragement. "Follow your heart, and trust in the path that unfolds before you."

Yuki's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Yes, my lord, embrace this opportunity and seize the moment!" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

As the night continued to unfold, Kento felt a sense of purpose and excitement bubbling within him, fueled by the support and encouragement of his companions. With their unwavering support behind him, he felt ready to embark on this new journey, eager to discover what the future held in store. And as he laughed and talked with his friends late into the night, a sense of anticipation and possibility filled the air, setting the stage for the beginning of something truly extraordinary.

#jujutsu kaisen #jjk #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen fanfic #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk fic #jujutsu kaisen x you #jjk x you #jjk fluff #jjk x y/n #jujutsu kaisen x y/n #nanami kento #kento nanami #nanami kento x y/n #nanami kento x reader #nanami kento x you #nanami kento fluff #kento nanami x y/n #kento nanami x reader #kento nanami x you #kento x reader #jjk kento #nanami x reader #nanami x you #nanami fluff #suguru geto #geto suguru #takuma ino #ino takuma #shoko ieiri

[uniquevoidflowers]

Four's Birthday part 3!!!

“Hurry, hurry!” Wind urged, a grin on his face.

The colours obliged and went into a building. “Happy Birthday!” All the chain cheered.

Red gasped and his eyes sparkled with awe as he looked around. Blue yelped before softening and smiling. Green was stunned for a second before wrapping an arm around Red and grinning as well. Vio crossed his arms with a smile and a blush creeping up on his face.

“Thank you!” Red said, with tears in his eyes.

“No need to thank us, you did a lot of the planning.” Hyrule piped up.

The room was decorated with red, blue, green, and violet colours, lights dancing across walls and the ceiling. Tables were littered with various foods and beverages, a birthday cake standing tall in the back. Vio inspected the cake, eyes glimmering. Red dove for the snacks and drinks, giggling. Blue inspected the many gifts sitting on another table, smiling genuinely. Green stood there, glad to see his brothers grinning and enjoying themselves.

The sailor ran up to Red and began babbling about how amazing Wild was at cooking and baking. The cook in question scratched the back of his head as he flushed and the rancher laughed and clapped him on the back. 

Legend looked soft for once, and he turned on some background music. Blue wandered off and ended up beside the veteran who started teasing him. “Seems you got soft.”

“Same to you.” Blue shot back, although didn’t deny the vet.

“What? Me? Soft? Never.” Legend shook his head.

Blue rolled his eyes and grabbed a beverage. “You know you were supposed to go clothes shopping earlier, right? Something about not being in a dirty tunic during a ‘special event’ like this.” Legend huffed.

The blue link blinked and then scowled. “No. Wind never told us.” 

Legend sighed. “Of course he didn’t.”

“What’d you expect?” Blue huffed.

The vet gave a soft snort. “Anyways, I saw you staring at the gifts.”

“Oh I don’t know, maybe I was simply admiring the wrapping paper.” Blue said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Nice isn’t it? You can thank me for that.” Legend retorted.

“Well thank you for all your kindness, and softness, and care.” Blue smirked.

Legend sputtered. “Not what I meant!”

Meanwhile the old man wandered over to Vio. “The champion certainly has incredible skills.” 

Vio startled a little and then nodded. “Indeed. I must get a recipe from him as soon as possible, and the design just fascinates me. How he knows exactly what me and the others enjoy and incorporates that in a cake, is beyond me.”

“Make sure to tell him that later.” Time chuckled.

Vio smiled. “I will. I’m glad you guys did this. Blue is smiling for once, Green isn’t trying to be more than he is, Red isn’t crying…”

“You all deserve this.” Time said.

“That’s…Thank you.”

“Well, this is your birthday too. What are you hoping you get?” Time wondered.

“Oh! Well, some books on dark magic and maybe mirrors would be helpful. Other books of course, none that I can name of the top of my head though.” Vio answered.

Time chuckled. “Is that so?”

“Yes. I have a project I’m working on, to…put myself at ease I suppose.” Vio responded cryptically.

Time hummed. “Dark magic is not something to be meddled with unless absolutely necessary.” He stared at the violet link with piercing eyes. “You better have good intentions.”

“Y-Yes it’s…not just for myself. For one of my friends.” Vio looked away.

Time sat there for a second before nodding. “You said mirrors? Interesting.”

Vio said nothing. Time sighed. “Well I can worry about that another day. Tell me more about your friend.”

“He wasn’t my friend at first but he had a change of heart.” Vio murmured.

Time listened as Vio continued. 

Wind gasped. “So you had a fairy on your adventures too?!”

“Well for a little bit! She helped me!” Red responded in between mouthfuls of food, grinning.

“I had one on my second quest. Her name was Ciela. She had lost her memory but she embodied courage.” Wind explained.

“Was she nice?” Red asked.

Wind nodded. “What happened to her?” Red asked bluntly.

“Oh uh I guess…I lost her.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Wind shrugged. Red wrapped him in a hug instantly. “Anyway, that’s enough about me.” The sailor grabbed a pastry. “Do you have any fun stories from your adventures?”

The red link though for a moment before nodding. “There was the time we thought Vio betrayed us.” 

The sailor gestured for him to go on, looking surprised. “Well, before that the four of us got split up. The fairy I was talking about earlier helped me save Blue from being frozen forever. We went and found Vio…or an illusion of Vio..? and he told us that Green was dead, but we found out quickly that it was fake. Then we almost got eaten by a monster. Then we found Green and went to Vio who was at Death Mountain, sitting on a throne. He was with Sha-err our shadow and Vio pretended to betray us, saying we were drowning him? I dunno. But anyway, Green and Vio fought, it was quite scary, and then Vio knocked him unconscious. We all thought Green had died, and so did our shadow. So Vio left, and the fairy told us Green was alive. Green awoke and then told us that Vio had used the not pointy end of the sword to defeat him, and he was really trying to get more information from the enemy.” Red explained.

Wind blinked a couple of times before nodding, barely comprehending what was being said. “Yeah it was really scary, but we got Vio back in the end and…never mind. Do you have any cool stories?” Red asked.

“Well…”

After awhile the traveller approached Green. “How’s it going?”

Green startled but saw Hyrule and laughed a little. “Good, good. You guys really know how to party.”

The traveller laughed too. “Well, that was mostly the others.” 

Green doubted that, the traveller often thought he was doing less than he really was, but he didn’t say anything. “Do you wanna dance?” Hyrule blurted out, pointing to the spot near where the background music was playing.

“Sure.” Green shrugged and Hyrule led him there, a little embarrassed.

Green began dancing along to the music, grinning. Hyrule looked a little nervous but then as the green link laughed at his moves, Hyrule joined. Green saw Legend notice and turn up the volume.

The traveller was great at dancing, actually.

The veteran hero looked proud. Green saw Blue staring at him and gestured for him to ‘come here’. Blue instantly shook his head no. “C’mon Blue!” Green called.

Blue scowled and muttered something before walking up to the dance floor. “I hate you.” Blue hissed.

“You love me.” Green smirked and Blue began cursing under his breath as he danced.

[Insert Green telling corny jokes to Hyrule while Blue covers his ears dramatically]

“You’re absolutely horrible.” Blue snapped.

“Mhm. I bet you secretly like my jokes.” Green joked.

“Shut up.” Blue replied.

Green laughed and Red bounced over with the sailor. “You want to hear my awesome jokes, Red?” Green teased.

Red’s face scrunched up. Green gasped dramatically. “Are you implying my jokes are bad?!”

“Yeah.” Red said.

Green gaped. Blue snorted. “I thought they were brilliant.” Time sighed. 

“Of course you would think they were good old man.” Legend drawled.

Red giggled. “I don’t know what you mean.” Time insisted and whispered something in Green’s ear. Green stifled a laugh. “Oh, come on!” Blue growled.

“It was a mistake coming over here.” Legend lamented. 

“Agreed.” Blue mumbled.

“Hey guys, what do you call a—“

“NO! No, just no.” Blue yelped.

Time snickered, mischief glimmering in his eyes. “Y’all let’s open gifts now!” Wild demanded.

“Perfect timing.” Legend stopped the music and they all gathered around the gifts. 

“Uhh, Green first.” Sky declared.

Green was handed a box wrapped in his colour, and tore the wrapping paper off. He saw a new sword, the Triforce engraved near the green hilt. He made sure he was out of the way and swung the blade around. “This is powerful…” he muttered.

“It’s from all of us, but the old man got the blade.” Sky informed him.

“Thank you so much.” Green said and put it on the table.

Sky picked a random gift off the table and handed it to Vio. Vio carefully ripped the wrapping paper off to reveal a woodcarving of a mirror. “This is incredible!” Vio exclaimed, examining the piece with awe.

“He’s going to be asking questions about it later.” Green whispered into the traveller’s ear.

Hyrule giggled slightly. “Thank you.” Vio murmured and set the piece down on the table next to Green’s sword. 

“Next is…Red!” Sky decided and handed Red a bag.

Red took his time setting the tissue paper down nicely and then pulled out a knitted blanket. The blanket was red of course, and it had hearts all over it. Red gasped happily. “This is so cooool! Thank you, thank you!” Red squealed and then asked, “Who made it?”

Warriors nudged Legend who rolled his eyes and said, “I did.” 

Red ran and hugged the veteran who froze and then hesitantly hugged him back. Then the red link hugged all the others. After he was done the skyloftian handed Blue a gift. Blue tore off the wrapping paper and Green leaned over to see a hammer, the Triforce engraved on it and blue cloth wrapped around the hilt. “Fuck yeah!” Blue cheered.

Red giggled at his reaction. "Language!"

“Thank you I guess.” Blue mumbled and set the hammer on the table next to the other items.

“You guess?” Time teased.

Blue rolled his eyes. “If you keep rolling your eyes like that your eyes are going to get stuck.” Green said jokingly. Blue blinked slowly and then scowled.

“Next we have a gift for you all.” Sky announced.

The colours perked up curiously. They saw four woodcarvings of the Four Sword, knitted ribbon wrapped around the wooden hilts, each in different colours. Red was crying with tears of happiness, Vio looked soft, Blue was grinning, and Green examined it in awe. “Thank you!” They chorused.

The chain chuckled. “It’s all thanks to the chosen and the veteran, actually. They worked very hard at the gifts.” Hyrule chimed in.

The chosen blushed and the veteran scratched the back of his head. Red pulled them in a hug and then they all began talking about the gifts, and how much fun this whole thing was. Wild handed out cake, saying “Y’all better eat this.” 

“Woah this is really good!” Green exclaimed and shoved the cake in his mouth.

“It’s just a simple vanilla cake since the town didn’t have anything else.” Wild shrugged.

“Doesn’t mean the cake isn’t any worse.” Blue retorted.

Green took that to mean the blue link really liked it as well. “Ah yes, I definitely need the recipe.” Vio said to himself.

“I’ll write it down!” Wild called and scrambled to get a pen.

Time chuckled. “Well boys, I think this day has been pretty successful. However there’s still something to be done. The party will go on longer.”

Green remembered and swore. They had to give the old man the bottle. Who had it? Wind. Wind did. The sailor looked at Vio who facepalmed and whispered something to Red. Red nodded and then started wailing at the top of his lungs, tears gushing out of his eyes. Green tapped Time on the shoulder and pulled him away while the chain tried to see why Red was crying. Vio hurried over but the veteran noticed. “What are you doing?” He called, narrowing his eyes.

“We need to talk to Time because…” Green trailed off.

“He wanted to know what our favourite foods were before the party ends.” Vio finished, elbowing the green link slightly.

The veteran seemed to accept that answer as he nodded and turn back to the commotion. “What have you got?” Time whispered.

Vio pulled out the golden bee. The old man stifled a snort. “What does this do for me?” He asked quietly.

“The shopkeeper said monsters don’t stand a chance to the bee.” Vio hissed.

The old man contemplated this and then nodded. “It’ll do. Now go comfort your brother.” He said, winking.

“Green get your ass over here.” Blue growled.

Green ran and hugged Red whispering reassurances before the red link sniffled and “finally” calmed down. Red and Green walked away and the chain relaxed. Legend turned up the music and they danced until Time deemed it time to go. The colours collected their gifts, Wild and Twilight collected the leftover food and the others collected decorations. They retreated to the inn and Time left to go get supper for the chain. “That was one awesome birthday party.” Red murmured.

“Yeah. I’m going to be using this sword soon.” Green smirked and slashed his new sword around, being careful not to hit anything. “Don’t get me wrong the Four Sword’s great but I could use a new weapon.”

“This hammer will be pretty useful. My other one is damaged.” Blue hummed.

Red was nestled in the blanket on the bed. Vio had the wooden mirror sitting beside him, and there was a glint in his eye. The only reason the colours were split right now is because it was their birthdays and they had needed to split in their last battle. It felt refreshing though. 

Time returned and handed everyone slices of pizza, and soon everyone was laughing and chatting. Warriors strategized with Vio. Sky chatted with Red, making sure he was okay. Legend and Blue stuck together again, bantering playfully. Time and Green chatted amicably, just about the day and the old man asked abruptly, “Do you know why Vio is interested in dark magic?”

Green stiffened. “What?”

Time repeated himself. “Do you not know?” He questioned.

“No, I know…” Green hesitated then said, “He wants to get a friend back.”

The old man softened. “Just make sure he doesn’t go too far, okay?”

“I won’t let that happen.” Green assured him.

#unique writes #linked universe #lu green #lu vio #lu blue #lu red #lu time #lu wind #lu legend #lu hyrule #lu wild #lu twilight #lu warriors #lu sky #birthday #fluff

[ereardon]

That Summer || Part Eight [Bradley Bradshaw x Reader]

A Bradley Bradshaw AU

Synopsis: One night during the summer you turned eighteen, you woke up to a surprise. Your father, a retired Navy Admiral, had posted bail for the son of a former colleague who was now orphaned and had gotten himself mixed up with the law. Instead of letting him get lost in the judicial system, your father signed himself up as Bradley Bradshaw’s guardian to prevent him from going to juvie. You were explicitly told to stay away from the boy in the attic room. But as the summer went on, you and Bradley struck up an unlikely friendship that turned into a forbidden relationship. Bradley tipped your world upside down, challenging everything you had once thought you knew. How could the two of you think it would end any differently than it did when your father called the cops the night he found the two of you in bed together?

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader 

Warnings: Cursing, angst, smut

Chapter summary: Y/N celebrates her 18th birthday and Bradley gives her a gift she'll never forget; Bradley and Y/N take their relationship to the next physical level and he makes a promise to her he's dead set on keeping

Wordcount: 2.3K

Series masterlist here; Part Seven here

You had never been in love before Bradley. 

What you didn’t know was that love like the way you and Bradley felt about each other wasn’t standard. It wasn’t normal for two teenagers to feel that way about each other and mean it. 

What you didn’t know was that you would spend the rest of your life trying to recreate how you felt that summer. For the way you felt that night as Bradley’s arms wrapped around you and he told you, for the first time, that he loved you. 

What you didn’t realize was that loving Bradley was short and sweet and perfect. And it would crumble. Before your very eyes. 

***

He knew, the moment he said it, that he shouldn’t have. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t love you. He did. Bradley Bradshaw was sure of only a handful of things in his life — that California was superior to most, if not all other states; that his mother was his best friend, even in death; that more restaurants should carry hot dogs and meatballs as main courses. 

And there was one other thing that he was absolutely certain about. It was that he loved you, with every fiber of his being. With every breath he became more infatuated and tied to you. 

The two of you were bonded. Bradley knew that no matter what happened, you would own a part of him forever. He would never be complete again. And that was OK. He loved you, and he wanted to give you the world. But he had nothing to his name. So he would settle with giving you a piece of his soul. 

He gave you everything he could. He promised he would.

He just prayed it was enough.

***

“The dress code is white tie,” you said, snapping your seatbelt and adjusting the mirror. 

Bradley frowned from the passenger seat. “What is that?” 

You rattled on about what exactly it entailed and Bradley’s stomach sunk further. He was suddenly, overwhelmingly, anxious about this. Dancing in front of a room of strangers? Watching his every move so that he didn’t betray what you two had? Trying, and failing, to learn the steps of some arcane waltz that was exclusively designed to trip people up? 

But he couldn’t tell you any of those fears. You were excited. He could see it in your face. The way the light hit you as the two of you pulled onto the main road, headed for town and the custom tailor your father swore by. For the first time in a long time, Bradley saw you happy outside the confines of your bedroom or his. 

He felt it was his duty to maintain that happiness. If only for a fleeting moment. 

“That sounds great,” he said as you finished telling him about the meal. 

You looked over with a grin. “Really?” He nodded and you reached out, taking his hand in yours. “See,” you said. Beyond the windshield, the island stretched out in front of you, seemingly endless. 

But everything ends. Roads would turn to vegetation and then sand and then water. And if you kept going straight the two of you would be shuttled off into the abyss of the ocean. 

“I knew they’d come around,” you added and Bradley smiled at you gently, feeling your fingers squeeze his. “They’re going to love you just as much as I do. It’ll all work out, I promise.” 

You meant it. He knew you meant it. 

But he also knew you were wrong. The minute your father found out that Bradley was the person you were sneaking off to see under the cover of nightfall, it was all over for him. For both of you. 

It was only a matter of time.

***

“Happy birthday, Pumpkin.” Your father kissed the top of your head and placed a small box in front of you at the kitchen table. “From me and your mother.” 

You smiled at him and slid a finger under the wrapping, revealing a familiar robin’s egg blue box. You gasped and your father chuckled. 

Inside was a small diamond pendant necklace. You lifted it up softly, letting the diamond swivel around and collect the light. 

“Thank you daddy,” you smiled. You looked at the opposite end of the table. “Mother, thank you.” 

She nodded curtly. 

Louise brought out a perfect three-tiered coconut cake, way too much for four people, and you blew out the candles in one swift breath. 

Your father raised his glass of champagne. You and Bradley did the same, as well as your mother. “To my daughter on her eighteenth birthday,” he said warmly. “You’re perfect. And we love you so much. Cheers.” 

Bradley caught your eye from the other side of the table. He smiled and you felt it in your toes.

Eighteen. You had your whole life ahead of you. But all that mattered in that moment was making it to tonight. Because you and Bradley had plans. 

***

The door eased open. You turned from where you had been staring out the window at the waves crashing along the shore during high tide. 

Bradley tried not to let his jaw drop. You were practically ethereal. Pale, silvery moonlight illuminating you from behind. He stepped inside, closing the door softly, trying to gulp as silently as possible. 

You fiddled with the sleeves of your white lace robe, suddenly nervous. But when Bradley crossed the room, sliding one hand beneath your chin, drawing your eyes up to his, all of that fear and anxiety drifted away. It was just the two of you. That’s all you would ever need. Just Bradley. 

“I didn’t get to say it earlier,” he whispered, “but happy birthday.” 

You smiled and Bradley’s thumb reached out, tracing over the corner of your lip. “Thanks.” 

His other hand came out, brushing over your waist. You shivered unintentionally. “We don’t have to do this,” he murmured. 

You shook your head. “I want to. I want you, Bradley. All of you.” 

Bradley nodded, dropping his hand to take yours, walking you over to the side of the bed. He reached up to unbutton his shirt and you leaned forward, doing it for him. Carefully, you undid the row of buttons on his linen shirt, sliding your hands along his bare chest, nudging it off his shoulders. 

He reached out, fingers grasping the silky tie of your robe. Bradley looked up at you, waiting for the go-ahead. You nodded and he slid it open softly, reaching out and letting the robe slip from your shoulders and arms, pooling onto the ground. Bradley’s eyes went wide as he took in your matching white panties and lace bra. Gently, he leaned down, kissing your shoulder as your head reached back, a small sigh exiting your mouth. Bradley’s hands ran over your exposed skin, warming you, and your fingers reached for his belt, pulling at it. 

He leaned back with a smile. “Slow down, Birdy.” 

“Need to feel you.” 

A groan fell from his lips and he quickly shed his belt and shorts, standing in front of you in a pair of blue boxer shorts, cock already standing at full attention beneath the fabric. You reached out, petting him over the cotton material, and Bradley moaned sinfully. Your fingertips slid into the waistband and you looked up at him, waiting. He nodded and you pulled them down, letting his thick cock spring free. 

The two of you stood facing each other. Bradley reached out, holding your hips, pivoting you wordlessly toward the bed. He laid you down gently before crawling on top of you, his lips everywhere: your collarbone, the top of your breast, your stomach, the squishy part of your thigh where it met your hips. 

You moaned quietly as Bradley unclipped your bra, taking your nipple into his mouth, massaging your other breast with his hand. “Fuck,” he muttered, nipping at the delicate skin. He looked up, brown eyes locked on yours. “You’re perfect.” 

Excitement coursed through your veins. Your body was desperate for Bradley. “Brad,” you whispered. “Need you now.” 

You could feel his cock flutter against your thigh, the tip already wet. It made you want to press your thighs together, craving the friction. “Honey,” he murmured softly. “Let me at least get you ready.” 

The truth was, he needed a moment himself. The truth was, Bradley had never done this before. 

You ran your fingers through his hair. 

“I’m ready. More than ready.” 

Bradley nodded, easing his fingers into the waistband of your panties, pulling them down and tossing them off of the side of your bed. You opened your legs wider, allowing him to settle himself between them. He was quiet for a moment, one hand on your thigh, the other gently holding his hard cock. A hesitation. 

“Are you OK?” you asked. 

Bradley looked up. “There’s something I have to tell you.” He let out a breath. “I’m a virgin.” 

Oh. Oh. That explained it. The way he was looking at you. Wanting to take things slow. You sat up, kneeling on the bed facing him. You reached out softly, one hand cupping his cheek. “Bradley.” His name on your lips made him want to pass out. It was gentle. Caring. Bradley knew he might never meet another person who would love him the way you did in that moment. 

He wanted you, all of you. He wanted so much it terrified him. And the worst part was that he knew you wanted more, too. You wanted him. A life with him. You wanted things he couldn’t give you. You wanted stability and comfort and a home. You wanted a whole life that was outside of Bradley’s reach. 

“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” you murmured. “Whatever you want to do, I’m happy.” 

He shook his head. “I want to.” I’m just scared.  

“Are you sure?” 

His eyes latched onto yours. “I love you, Birdy. More than anything else in the world. More than I ever thought was possible. So yes, I’m sure. I just, I needed you to know.” 

You leaned forward, pressing your lips against Bradley’s. His warm hands came out to your sides, leaning you back gently, settling you on your back on the mattress. One of his hands nudged your legs open and you gasped into Bradley’s mouth as you felt the hot tip of his cock brush against your wet entrance. 

He groaned as he pushed the head inside of you, a literal whimper leaving his mouth. “Oh, oh God.” 

“Bradley,” you whined, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and upper back. 

“Fuck, you feel amazing,” he whispered against the skin of your neck, pushing further inside of you, splitting you into pieces. “Birdy, oh shit!” 

He slid further inside of you, thick cock stuffing you full, your walls fluttering around him as you stifled moans into the skin of his shoulder where you pressed your mouth. Bradley’s hand came up and gripped your neck, holding onto you. Clinging to you. 

Once he was all the way inside, you opened your eyes. Bradley sat staring back at you, his brown eyes blown wide. “Baby,” he whispered. 

You knew what he wanted. You nodded. “Please,” you begged and he obliged, pulling out a few inches before slamming back into you, eliciting a simultaneous moan from both of you. His rhythm was clumsy, asymmetrical, as he pulled back, thrusting into you repeatedly. But it didn’t matter. Your feet climbed onto Bradley’s back as you curled yourself around him, his pants and sighs in your ear causing your walls to tighten on him. “Bradley!” 

“Fuck, Birdy, I’m not going to last,” he moaned as he slid further inside of you. “Where should I?” 

“Inside of me,” you begged and Bradley’s pace picked up until he was shooting cum inside of you, a messy jumble of moans and praises falling from his mouth as he stilled inside of you. You wrapped your arms around him tightly, holding him to your chest where he had collapsed against you. “I love you,” you murmured against his sweaty, salty skin. “I love you.” 

You held him close, his face buried between your neck and shoulder. And you knew that you would never forget holding Bradley in your arms. 

Finally, he pulled out slowly, groaning lightly. The two of you cleaned up in the adjoining bathroom before you slid into bed under the covers, patting the space next to you. “Stay,” you asked. 

He nodded. “I will. I promise. But first, I have a present for you.” 

You frowned. Bradley had no job. No income. He had nothing to his name. How could he have a gift for you? 

Bradley bent down, fiddling with the pocket of his discarded shorts, before slipping under the covers next to you. He grabbed your hand, dropping something from his fist into yours. 

It was cold. He pulled his hands away and you opened your hand, revealing a plain gold band placed on your palm. 

“It was my mother’s wedding ring,” he said and you looked up in shock. “It’s the only thing I have of hers.” 

You shook your head, pressing it back into his hands. “Bradley, no. Absolutely not. I can’t accept this.” 

“Y/N,” he said and there was a finality to the word. “Yes, you will. She would have wanted you to have it. I want you to have it.” 

“Is it, um?” You didn’t know how to ask. 

“Not yet,” Bradley whispered. “But someday, Birdy, yes. Someday I’m going to ask you to marry me. I promise, no matter what happens, I’ll make you my wife.” 

You slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of your right hand instead of your left. It fit perfectly. You looked up at him. “I love it. Thank you.” 

He leaned forward, pressing his lips to yours softly. “I love you. I’m always going to love you. I'm sorry it's not much," he added. "But it's all I could do."

Your fingers tightened around his, the cool metal brushing against his skin. "It's perfect," you murmured. "It's more than enough. You're more than enough."

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@angelbabyange @taytaylala12 @mizzzpink @wkndwlff @mygyn @sadpetalsstuff @xoxabs88xox @averyhotchner @oneelleandaneye @teacupsandtopgun

@rosewritesitout @atarmychick007 @khaylin27 @wittywhispers @wildlyobserving @eyesthatroll @localhockeygirl @xomrsalliej4787xo @rosiahills22 @teacupsandtopgun @sexytholland @djs8891 @rxmtoon @cactajuice @purplevortexx @dempy @lemur46 @louie-bug @arson-tm @valkyrja-siren-blog @avengers-fixation @fudge13 @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @not-two-shrimp @abaker74 @evans-dejong

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@babyminghao @taytaylala12 @bradshawseresinbabe @theweekndhistorybook @mandylove1000

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[exouniverse]

Band’s Cut

Pairing: jaehyeong x gn reader

Genre: fluff, birthday fic

Warnings: none, but if any please tell me and I’ll add it.

Summary: The Rose members have seen the subtle sparks flying between Jaehyeong and his acting classmate, but their slow-burn romance only drives them to meddle further and play matchmaker. Will a chance for a confession finally arise at the surprise birthday party that they’ve planned?

Word count: 5.1K+

A/N: I haven’t seen much of The Rose fanfic around, so I hope this reaches as many Black Roses as it can. Also, I have come to accept that the birthday fics will no longer have a limit of words… they simply flow so easily each time that they become longer and longer. Perhaps some will be short, but that will depend on the premise. So, I hope you like this! Happy birthday Jaehyeong!

A little fun fact, “Band’s Cut” refers to the “Director’s Cut” version of a film, but in this case is the members version of how the romance happened (or more like how they “made it happen.”)

Banner template by @kithsune/@cafekitsune

MASTERLIST | MOODBOARD

The members gathered around Woosung's laptop with coffee and water in hand, about to embark on hours of reviewing audition tapes after their casting director's preliminary cuts.

As Woosung hit play on the first file, they settled in for a video marathon. Dojoon diligently took notes on the potential candidates, carefully analyzing their skills and talents. Meanwhile, Hajoon closely observed the performance nuances, paying attention to the finer details.

The casting director did an excellent job selecting the finest dancers, evident from their clean lines and exceptional technique. The actors showcased remarkable skills in delivering emotions and portraying mannerisms. Some triple-threat performers showed great promise and made it onto the list. However, none of them had managed to captivate all the members with an overwhelming sense of fascination.

Jaehyeong doodled absently, almost lost in the poodle dog playing with a ball that he drew in the corner of his notes. It was the first word you spoke that made him look back up at the laptop, the words melting in his ears.

The members were deeply moved by every gesture and glance throughout your audition. Every minute of your performance left a lasting impact, and even after it was over, the essence of your talent lingered in their minds, preventing them from even moving on to the next audition tape.

"Y/N, was it? Really connects to the heart of the song," Hajoon remarked in awe. Murmurs of agreement echoed among the members, making it clear that, despite having some more entries left to review, Y/N must be considered for the lead. But little did they know this match-up held promise beyond just professional prospects.

The dialogue was almost turning into doodles on the pages. Jaehyeong was having a hard time deciphering his lines for the scene they were studying in his acting class.

He sighed, putting his script down. The line caught in an endless loop within his mind, making him feel dizzy. Suddenly, a voice brought him down to earth. "Need any help with your lines?" you offered.

Jaehyeong looked at you, contemplating and mirroring your kind smile. "This part," he said, and pointed at Captain Wentworth's line, "‘half agony, half hope'...what do you think it means?"

You grabbed the script from his hand to analyze the dialogue. "For Wentworth, I think it's the fear of getting rejected once again after what happened with them in the past, but he's still holding onto a little hope in his momentary jump of faith to confess his feelings to Anne. It's all of the excitement and uncertainty tangled up."

When you looked up at him, he somehow looked even more confused. His eyes were locked on yours as if looking for a deeper answer, so you said, "in a more general sense... it's just how complex and contradictory love is. Like when your emotions for another person change from friendship to love. The agony will be in the fear of your feelings not being returned, while the hope will be in the possibility that that love will be reciprocated."

As Jaehyeong assimilated your perspective on Wentworth's complex emotions, your explanation resonated with him on a deeper level. A clarity emerged through your guidance, breaking the haze around the lines that now reflected his own awakening feelings. Up until now, he had thought his admiration for you was only due to your artistic abilities, but now he could understand Wentworth's words towards Anne.

Words were hard to find, so he hoped his gaze spoke for him, and he offered a complimentary smile as a thank you for your thorough description that shaped his performance as well as his newfound emotions.

Dojoon walked with Jaehyeong towards the dressing rooms to get ready for the music video shoot. They were just chatting about the last TikTok they posted when Dojoon noticed Jaehyeong was a little distracted. Following his gaze, Dojoon spotted you entering the hall accompanied by a group of staff members.

Smirking knowingly, Dojoon was aware of Jaehyeong's fondness for you. He had seen it ever since the call-back auditions, when the selection process for the lead and the ensemble dancers began. Among the three actors being considered, it was evident that Jaehyeong had a stronger bias towards you compared to the rest of the members. His smile would widen every time your name was mentioned. When the decision was made to cast you as the lead in their music video, Jaehyeong passionately advocated for you, leaving the rest of the team exchanging meaningful glances.

Dojoon nudged Jaehyeong playfully. "Look who can't take his eyes off our new lead."

Jaehyeong looked back at Dojoon as he smiled nervously. "What? Was I that obvious?"

The members, as it was too obvious, had managed to get a confession out of him that day after the selection was made. He told them all about you and how much he admired your talent. He truly enjoyed working with you on the class assignments.

Dojoon chuckled and whispered, "only if anyone was paying close attention, like me."

Both of them entered their dressing room. It was just the two of them, so Dojoon dared to say, "you should tell Y/N, about how you feel." He stopped as he checked his wardrobe, making Jaehyeong linger on his words.

"No pressure though," he offered with a kind smile. Dojoon suspected that you also had feelings for their maknae. You had been smiling too wide and giggling so much around Jaehyeong after the call-back auditions. Even more so when you two got some time to catch up and Jaehyeong introduced you to the band.

Hajoon entered before Jaehyeong could say anything, his cheeky smile giving away his thoughts. "Jeff, Jeff!" Hajoon shouted.

"Know who is here?" Woosung whispered excitedly as he came in behind Hajoon.

Dojoon smiled at them knowingly. Jaehyeong seemed like a mouse caught in a trap; his sweat around his eyebrows was evident. "Hajoon and Woosung!" Dojoon replied to Woosung's question as he gave them a warning look.

Woosung looked back at their lovely maknae and nodded. Hajoon mouthed an "oh" in understanding, acknowledging the unspoken sentiment.

Jaehyeong was pensive throughout their glam session for the shooting. He appreciated Dojoon's encouragement; he really could've said something long ago, but the moment he found out about his feelings slipped away too quickly, and his hectic schedule distracted him too much. It also felt too weird to say it during class or now at the shooting of their music video since they haven't had much time out of those restricted spaces.

The whole crew planned to gather after everyone was ready for the first scenes to start off the shoot with the best energy. As soon as you saw Jaehyeong coming out of his dressing room, you approached to greet him, "Jaehyeong-ah! Thought I missed you, but it's nice to see you before we start."

Jaehyeong eased up into a bright smile when he saw you. "Y/N! I'm so glad to have you around for this music video; you're the best."

You could've missed it, but you caught a glimpse of the rest of the band rushing to get back inside their dressing room. You were a little confused but decided to ignore it and continue to chat with Jaehyeong. "You are great yourself. Wanna go to set together? Are you waiting for the members?"

Jaehyeong clearly heard Woosung's giggle and Hajoon whispering "go." He smiled at you, trying to contain his own laugh at his hyung's antics. "We can go together; they are too slow, too slow," he joked, scrunching his nose, and walked along with you as you two chuckled.

The members giggled silently once the two of you had left. Dojoon looked at his friends, already plotting something cheeky in his mind.

"Do you guys think he will say something today or tomorrow?" Dojoon asked them.

"I hope so! They're so cute and so into each other," Woosung expressed.

"Jaehyeong has been overthinking this too much; he must," Hajoon agreed. "However, he's always moving at the beat of his own drum, so perhaps he will take some more time."

"Okay, drummer cliché, don't turn the mood down," Dojoon joked. "But you're right..." he admitted.

Woosung nodded and shared, "I heard Jaehyeong say he wishes he could hang out with Y/N more. That they have barely seen each other outside of class."

They took a moment to consider a way to help their maknae, but their manager came looking for them as they were supposed to be at the set long ago.

The three of them arrived fashionably late, thankfully while some staff crew were still settling equipment for the scenes, so they were not noticed by everyone. Especially Jaehyeong and you, who were caught up in a seemingly smooth conversation as you laughed at whatever Jaehyeong was saying.

"Oh oh oh, look at Y/N's hand!" Dojoon emphasized as you placed your hand on Jaehyeong's while laughing with him.

"Jaehyeongie!" Woosung exclaimed.

"He probably doesn't need much of our help," Hajoon commented.

The music video shoot went incredibly well, with everything flowing smoothly. As the day came to a close, Woosung extended an invitation for the cast to join the band for some drinks. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to unwind and cherish the quality time spent together, further strengthening their bonds.

The following day of shooting unfolded much like the previous one, with Jaehyeong still hesitant to confess his feelings. The other members opted not to intervene too much, instead choosing to support Jaehyeong whenever possible. They offered advice and encouragement whenever they sensed the need. Jaehyeong's hyung cheering crew discreetly arranged situations for the two of them to spend more time together. Nevertheless, it seemed that Jaehyeong was taking his time quite slowly.

After the celebration with the entire crew, the members gathered to discuss their observations and analyze if there was anything else they could do to support Jaehyeong. They contemplated whether it was best to continue their efforts or step away completely, respecting Jaehyeong's pace.

"Guys, I think we've done enough," Hajoon remarked.

"Yeah, I think they're okay," Woosung echoed Hajoon's opinion.

Dojoon took a deep breath and dramatically set his coffee on the table. "No, they're not," he looked back at his friends and continued, "Jaehyeong said he wanted to spend more time out of work with Y/N. So far, everything has been about work—the music video, lunchtime, the after-work celebrations included. I don't think he's saying anything any time soon."

"Dojoon-ah, it's still not our place to meddle too much, though," Woosung pointed out.

"I know, I know..." he said, taking another sip of his coffee. "But, should we try one more thing?"

Woosung and Hajoon looked at him almost uninterested, only to entertain him a little bit more since it had been mostly him orchestrating the moments for Jaehyeong to confess his feelings. They wanted to help too; they had been excited to take part in the scheme, but seeing how Jaehyeong was taking his time made them think it was better to step away for a while. Contrary to Dojoon, who seemed even more committed to the cause, "one last try," Dojoon restated.

"Okay, what do you suggest?"

"Nothing too crazy, please!" Hajoon stepped in, limiting Woosung's encouragement.

"Let's invite Y/N to Jaehyeong's surprise birthday party next week!" He exclaimed, "that would be completely out of work. We give Jaehyeong a week to try to make a move if he wants to, but we still secure another moment together for them no matter if they end up coming as a couple or singles ready to mingle...between them, I—"

"Okay, we got it!" Hajoon interrupted.

"That's genius!" Woosung regained his enthusiasm. "I'm in! One more nosy try won't hurt."

"I knew you were going to agree!" Dojoon looked back at Hajoon, "Joon-ah! C'mon, get in, please," he begged.

Hajoon rolled his eyes before he said, "alright, one more try."

The final day of shooting was with a reduced cast since it was mostly the band and the lead who were supposed to film. The perfect setting for a little surprise invitation to a surprise birthday party.

Woosung managed to grab a moment with Jaehyeong gone from your side; it seemed almost impossible with time to separate the both of you. He casually made conversation about the music video and how incredible it was to have found you for it. He needed to be fast, though, before Jaehyeong came and heard about what they had been planning for his birthday for a month already.

"What's best is that you were already familiarized with our band, especially Jaehyeong, at your acting classes," Woosung said.

"That helped a lot!" You exclaimed, smiling widely. "When I saw the casting call, I immediately thought of Jaehyeong and did my best to get it since working with him is super fun. He's a great friend, so I knew it was definitely going to be so easy to navigate."

"Right, you're super close. You've been glued to each other this whole time," he threw in a little tease, "but it's cool to see our maknae happy having friends around that share such cool creative drives between them," he smoothly added.

You nodded. Woosung caught a little shyness in your gesture, so he continued, "hey! Actually, it's awesome that we got to know you properly. Jaehyeong talks about you a lot, and we wanted to contact you for a little surprise we're throwing for him for his birthday."

"Oh, really? I was actually thinking of calling him and inviting him for some treat or something, but that is even better."

Woosung had to contain his excitement hearing you talk so enthusiastically, confirming even more how into each other the two of you were. He succeeded; Dojoon's plan was taking off steadily.

"Awesome! I'll tell Dojoon to send you all of the details."

“Hey, Y/N!”

"Hey, Y/N!" You heard Jaehyeong call you from inside the class.

It took you a second to realize he had been calling you, but as you turned around, a smile graced your lips. You watched as he maneuvered through the small crowd that had formed around your classmates near the entrance, causing you to giggle. After apologizing to Haeyoung, the class assistant, for accidentally bumping into her, he finally reached you.

"I thought I missed you," he blurted, a little out of breath. "So, I was thinking, do you wanna go grab a coffee?"

His smile was contagious. "Sure! Coffee would be nice," you agreed as enthusiastically as you could.

"It seems it might rain; we could go to your favorite just a couple of blocks away from here."

You simply nodded in response and followed him. Jaehyeong was undoubtedly the top highlight of acting classes. When you first saw him in that initial class, you couldn't help but feel a bit starstruck. However, he quickly showed how down-to-earth and kind he was, quickly erasing any notion of him being a celebrity from your mind. If you were to describe him in a single word, it would be "comfort." Whenever your best friend was absent from class, it was Jaehyeong that you would always gravitate towards, or sometimes the both of you if Hanna was also present.

"Are you in the mood for something sweeter today? Or just your regular Americano?" Jaehyeong asked once you entered the coffee shop.

"Oh, uh..." he caught you a little off guard. "Something sweeter sounds good today," you agreed.

"Find us a spot; I'll go and order," he suggested, anticipating your protest as he often did when he planned to pay for everything. "Please, just let me," he quickly interjected, flashing a genuine smile, hoping you would agree and allow him to treat you to coffee.

"Okay, but you will let me pay next time."

"Yeah, maybe," he joked, effortlessly bringing out a small laugh from you.

You went to look for a good spot so you could enjoy your coffee calmly. There was a corner near the window where not many people were around, so you sat there to wait for Jaehyeong. He had been right. As you stared outside the window, you noticed the raindrops starting to fall. You contemplated the weather, trying not to think about anything.

"Nice spot!" You heard him say as he sat down in front of you. "It did rain! Am I a psychic?" he joked, looking at the rain and giving you your drink.

"That is sweet," you said, and suddenly realized you might not have just meant it to describe the drink he chose for you. His eyes were so sparkly and full of joy, making you laugh again. "Seems you know me quite well; this seems delicious, or you really are a psychic," you said as you raised your eyebrows playfully.

"I will look into auditions for psychics; it might just come natural."

You were not surprised at how easily he could make you laugh, but the blossoming affection within you piqued your curiosity once again. All of your emotions collapsing caused you to retreat inward, contemplating and reflecting on them more deeply.

You would normally be aware of your surroundings, as you swear by the "here and now" perspective, but it was becoming more evident that something was on your mind.

Jaehyeong tried to study your expression. "So you got an interesting scene for the assignment?" he asked casually.

It was only natural for him to ask such a question, but what he understandably failed to anticipate was the extent of your concern since you first read it. He did notice the way you sighed and gazed at your coffee, absentmindedly playing with the whipped cream on top.

"Is everything okay?"

You looked up at him; his eyes expressed so much concern, and you felt so comfortable that you even managed to pull off a small smile. "It's a tough one," you admitted. "I read it, and it just feels so real. I'm concerned about not being able to even start with it; I think I—I, uh..."

Jaehyeong allowed the silence to linger, giving you the space and time you needed. Finally, you spoke up again, expressing your worries, "I don't know how I will manage to separate my own feelings from the character's." You glanced back at your coffee. "Actor's problems, huh?" you added, trying to lighten the mood with your self-deprecating comment.

Jaehyeong chuckled softly and met your eyes. "No need for jokes; your feelings are valid." He considered his words, "that is definitely a challenge, but you have a gift for channeling emotions authentically while keeping yourself protected."

He pondered for a moment. "You can perhaps resort to a simple technique...breath in and out, stay calm so the tears flow naturally once you relax," he suggested, offering a potential solution for the challenging assignment you had to prepare for next class, where you had to cry on cue. "But you can always talk to the professor and see if he can change your scene. I'm sure he will understand. Your learning process doesn't have to come at the expense of your suffering."

You finally smiled truthfully; his understanding and advice moved you deeply. He really saw through you and realized how deeply it was affecting you.

"And you're not alone," he added, smiling back. "I'm here if you need someone to talk to; I'll listen and provide my psychic powers, no charge."

The way he brought out your most genuine laugh of the day spoke volumes. He was a special one, no doubt. You felt so grateful towards him, and just having him around felt like a blessing. The emotions were finally clear as you saw into his eyes, expressing your heartfelt gratitude. There was a deep care for him that made you feel excited and frightened all at the same time.

“Oh, hi Y/N!” Dojoon exclaimed with a smile as he saw you entering the venue. He walked over to greet you properly and led you to where Woosung and Hajoon were busy setting up some fairy lights. They greeted you as warmly as Dojoon had and happily welcomed your offer to help with the preparations for Jaehyeong’s surprise.

“Thank you for lending us a hand; Jaehyeong would love to know that,” Woosung said, winking playfully. It seemed he had caught you off guard; your nervous smile was the giveaway. He let it rest but exchanged a look with Hajoon, who was trying to hide a knowing smile from you.

It was getting more obvious as time went by just how much you were into each other. The members didn’t want to meddle much anymore, but they still had some tricks up their sleeves if they didn’t see much interaction. Just one final push.

More guests began to arrive once the early crew finished decorating, filling the venue with an air of excitement and joy as the hour drew near. Smiles adorned everyone's faces as they eagerly anticipated Jaehyeong's arrival, but it was a certain starry-eyed face that kept the members eager to witness their youngest member's reaction.

The plan was set in motion. Hajoon received Jaehyeong's message, expressing concern as he found no one around in the building. Hajoon quickly reassured him that he was in no trouble but urged him to hurry since the crew needed to begin filming the promotional video for the tour earlier than planned, mentioning a logistical issue with the venue—all of this a white lie concocted to ensure Jaehyeong arrived alone at his surprise birthday party.

Jaehyeong's face showed a whirlwind of emotions as he stepped through the door. The lights out momentarily masked his concern, but it flickered across his face for a brief moment before he comprehended the situation. The sudden burst of lights, music, and chants of birthday wishes took him completely by surprise.

A particular someone captured his gaze, and all that his face revealed was enchantment. The members nudged each other, beaming at Jaehyeong‘s perfect reaction to realizing you were here. The birthday party be damned—almost—this is what they lived for, just witnessing their maknae being truthfully happy.

The band energetically embraced Jaehyeong in a group hug, messing with his neatly styled hair that his style crew had meticulously managed to tame. He had already thought that his sort of laid-back outfit didn’t match the tidy hairstyle much, so he felt more comfortable as he let them ruffle his hair. If only he could have guessed it was just to make him think he had to be at least half ready to only change his outfit once he arrived at the promotional video set.

Jaehyeong’s smile remained on his lips as the members pulled back, filled with gratitude for his friends. But his eyes suddenly searched past them, landing on yours across the room as he heard the beats of his yearning heart echo inside his ears.

There you stood, smiling shyly. The party buzz faded into background noise as your gazes met and held. Before he could second-guess himself, Jaehyeong started walking towards you. His heart pounded faster as your smile grew, mirroring the hope in his own eyes.

Time seemed to pass slower than it really was, but as Jaehyeong reached you under the colorful lights, he softly spoke your name, bringing you back from your slow-motion imagination.

“Y/N, I’m so happy you’re here.”

You shook your head slightly as you scrunched your nose. “It’s not hard to show up for you. Your hair...” you said, noticing the disheveled locks that his friends had left. Gently giggling, you ran your fingers through his hair, fixing it back into place. Jaehyeong didn’t have much time to react since the crowd approached to congratulate him. You stayed behind, trying to slow your heartbeat as you greeted a couple of acquaintances.

The party started right away, with people taking Jaehyeong from one place to another. Dojoon kept an eye out between mingling, ensuring everyone felt included in the revelry. He noticed you and Jaehyeong gravitating naturally together amidst chaos, even stealing shy glances when thinking no one saw while you were not within the same group of people. Trusting the magic of moments, Dojoon gave you space, engaging others enthusiastically.

In a brief moment, he found Woosung awaiting karaoke's start. Woosung nodded discreetly towards the balcony as he drew Hajoon in, who was busy setting the microphones. They watched in awe as Jaehyeong led you outside while holding your hand.

Woosung smiled knowingly. "Our work here is done. All that's left is for them to follow their hearts."

As you walked out onto the balcony, the sounds of the party gradually faded into the background, merging with the bustling city below like distant background music. You both took in the view, and for a moment, nothing was said.

You took the opportunity to reach for the small birthday present you brought. You were not planning anything specific to gift him, but when you saw it, you immediately thought of Jaehyeong, and you bought it right away.

“I got you something,” you announced.

Jaehyeong looked at you, surprised. “What? You didn’t have to,” he chuckled nervously.

“How could I not? It’s small, but I really hope you like it.” You took a deep breath and handed him the small box.

The gentle touch of his fingers sent thrills down your arm, so you tried to hide the sudden nervous smile that grew on your face. You stared as he opened his present and were moved by his growing smile.

“I’m a psychic… this is so cool. Where did you get it?”

He discovered the reason why, and you couldn’t help but laugh. “I was just window shopping and saw it; it was meant to be yours.”

“You…” he searched for your eyes. “I love it. Could you?” he asked you, offering to put the subtle crystal ball necklace around his neck.

There was no possible way to hide your smile anymore; he had you hooked. You stepped close enough to grab the necklace and softly rested your arms on his shoulders to fasten it. Once the necklace was secured around his neck, you took a second to admire it on him. It was perfect; it wasn’t extravagant, and it fit so well with him. Before he could read the emotions that your eyes expressed, you looked back at the city.

“Thank you,” he simply said.

“Welcome.”

Jaehyeong's heart raced with anticipation, but he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He reminded himself that there was nothing to worry about when he was with you. Being around you brought him a sense of tranquility that he had never experienced elsewhere. Just by gazing at you and witnessing how your smile mirrored the radiance of the moon in the night sky, he felt at ease.

“Thank you for coming; seeing you made this surprise even better,” Jaehyeong softly said. You turned to face him, and the full sight of your smile melted his worries away.

“There was no reason not to be here.” Something in your voice gave him courage.

“I’ve loved to have you around the past week; we hadn’t seen each other in so long since I was too busy to attend classes.” Jaehyeong stepped closer, slowly, almost without being noticed. “I’ve missed asking you for help; I’ve missed our talks—“

“I’ve missed you too,” you interrupted, summarizing what you’d both felt before you could see each other again.

A fondness entered his eyes, and he nodded. “Y/N,” he started and gently reached for your hand, brushing his thumb over your skin. Your fingers curled around his, igniting sparks in both of your hearts. “I’ve been wanting to tell you something,” he paused for a second. “I’ve felt the agony for so long, but now I’m taking my leap of faith, letting hope lead me. What I’m trying to say is... I like you, Y/N. Not just as a friend. Every time we’re together, you become the highlight of my day.”

A tender smile broke across your face, accompanied by sparkling eyes that searched for his, easing the last of his nerves. “Jaehyeong, I like you too. I have for a while.”

It was your heart´s turn to settle into joy and calmness. You also lived through the agony and hope that Jaehyeong mentioned, making you remember about that small moment you shared in class once. It was almost poetic how he brought it up. He eased you up in ways you hadn’t known before, and that is why you stepped even closer and lifted your free hand to cradle his cheek. Jaehyeong’s eyes fluttered shut at your warm touch, savoring it.

Slowly, you leaned in, giving him every opportunity to pull back if unwanted. But all he wanted was you. He searched for you with his eyes still shut, until both of your lips met in a tender, lingering kiss. His lips were impossibly sweet and soft against yours, weakening your knees, but you stayed strong and continued to kiss him.

You both pulled away, driven by a gentle laugh that started without even thinking much about it all. You rested your forehead on his, keeping your eyes closed as you kept your hand on his cheek. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” you whispered, your thumb stroking his cheek soothingly.

Jaehyeong smiled with ease when your eyes met, both sharing radiant gazes equally filled with care and desire. “You make me so happy,” he shared while his cheeks heated up.

You giggled softly and pulled back to appreciate his face. “I am the lucky one,” you admitted.

“Should we stay out here for the rest of the night?” Jaehyeong asked, almost suggesting.

“You are the star of the party; it’s your birthday.” You giggled even more. “Even though, that sounds nice. No matter how cold it is out here, I feel warm being this close to you,” you confessed.

Jaehyeong’s protectiveness heightened and embraced you, drawing you even closer. “Then let’s get inside. The guys would also probably want to know what happened,” he chuckled. “Did you catch up on their meddling?” he asked, amused.

“I did!” you exclaimed. “I admit they helped quite a bit, though.”

“Yeah, they did.” Jaehyeong searched for your hand and tilted his head towards the door. You squeezed his hand and followed him inside.

You stepped in even closer than you had been when you went out to the balcony. Hajoon noticed the smiles on your faces and whispered at Dojoon to look back, and in a chain reaction, he pulled Woosung from where he was talking to a couple of their friends. They looked at you both in awe, full of joy for what seemed to have been a successful confession. No matter who initiated it or what was said and done, they were just happy for the both of you and how easily everything fell into place.

#happy birthday jaehyeong #jaehyeong fanfic #jaehyeong #lee jaehyeong #the rose #the rose band #the rose fanfic #the rose jaehyeong #birthday fic #exouniverse

[bullet-prooflove]

Flight Deck: Harmon 'Harm' Rabb x Reader

Tagging: @keyweegirlie @dizzybee03 @@snowlover250 @too-strong-to-lose @buckysteveloki-me @kmc1989 @kenbechillin

Prequel to Happy Birthday (NSFW) and Georgetown

The first time Harm lays eyes on you is on the flight deck of the USS Allegiance. You’ve just stepped off a chopper from the mainland and he’s greeting you in his flight suit because he landed a plane less than five minutes ago. It’s sounds like the beginning of a Hallmark movie.

He doesn’t realise how attractive you are, not until you take off the helmet. If he was a romantic he’d say that was the moment he fell in love but it isn’t, that comes much later. There’s a spark through, he feels it everytime he looks at you. When you know, you know he thinks retrospectively, he was just too guarded to realise it at the time.

He tries to ignore it but he finds it damn near impossible, because you aren’t like the other NCIS agents afloat, you don’t keep to yourself.

Every morning at five am you’re on the flight deck, stretching before you head out for a run. You catch a few wolf whistles and you salute them with your middle finger, before you take off for your circuit. The thing is Harm runs too, at exactly the same time. He ends up keeping pace with you the majority of the way until it starts to become a race. You pull ahead just a little and before he knows it it’s a sprint to the death. You win, barely.

“Same time tomorrow?” He asks you as you lean back against the railing, struggling to catch your breath.

You give him that smile and he knows in that moment he’s a goner.

It becomes a regular thing, the two of you running on the flight deck. On the days you don’t run, he meets you for a cup of coffee. The two of you watch the sun raise over the horizon while you shoot the breeze over the good stuff, because the coffee in the Officer’s Mess is so much better than the Crew’s. He learns a lot about you in that time. You hail from Cincinnati, leaving behind an ex-husband and not much else. You’ve had eight postings in five years, you never stay anywhere for longer than six months.

It's like looking into the mirror. He hasn’t settled since Mac had broken things off nine years ago. He’s toured the world jumping from carrier to carrier, base to base. It’s the plight of the broken hearted, he finds himself telling you and you laugh because you’ve heard he’s left more than a couple in his wake.

“Does that bother you?” He asks you as he tilts his head towards you.

Your gaze meets his and once more he’s completely captivated. You have such beautiful eyes, he understands how a man could get lost in them. He has many a time over the past three months. He’s lost count of the amount of times he’s wanted to reach out and touch you, to run his hands through your hair, to fuck you.

“No.” You tell him, the edges of your mouth tipping up into a smile. “I’ve left a couple in my wake since the divorce too.”

He knows what it’s like to experience freedom, to taste ecstasy and know that there are no expectations, no complications. It’s beyond liberating but it also gets old. All those one night stands can’t give you the intimacy of being with someone that loves you. He misses that, caring for someone, being cared for in return.

He thinks the two of you could get there if you gave it the chance.

Unfortunately it doesn’t happen because later that day you get word you’re being reassigned to New Orleans, effective immediately. You have thirty minutes to pack before you’re on the chopper to Louisiana.

It’s in the doorway to the flight deck that you pause. He sees you’re hesitation and he wonders if you feel the same sense of loss that he does. There’s so many things that are left unsaid between the two of you, he wants to change that but you have thirty seconds until you need to be up in the air. His hands come to rest on your shoulders, squeezing lightly and he gives you that resigned smile.

“Come visit me.” You say quietly. “The next time you have leave, come to New Orleans…”

You trail off and he understands why. You’re taking a risk, putting yourself out there for the first time since your divorce. If he takes this step then he’d telling you he wants to take this chance, that he’s willing to explore this thing between the two of you, see where it goes.

“New Orleans in the Spring could be fun,” He murmurs, his thumb chasing over the line of your jaw. You kiss him then and it’s like he’s feeling the sun on his skin for the first time in years. When you pull away he isn’t ready, he can tell you aren’t either but the pilot’s radioing through for you to get a move on.

The next time he sees you it’s in a bar in New Orleans, it’s been two months since he’d laid eyes on you and nothing’s changed. Your smile still lights up his heart, your laugh makes him laugh and when he looks into your eyes…

Harm knows there’s no going back.

Love Harm? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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#harmon rabb jr #jag series #harmon rabb jr x reader #harmon rabb x reader #ncis la #ncis los angeles #harmon rabb #harm rabb #harm rabb x you #harm rabb x reader #harmon rabb x you #jag

[kyleraynermybeloved]

Wedding Day

Pairing: Mickey 'Fanboy' Garcia x NavySEAL!Reader Summary: Your wedding day arrives and as usual there’s bound to be some playful banter with those you love. Warnings: None, tooth rotting fluff. Word Count: 903 A/N: It's my birthday and I wanted to post this fun little drabble as a gift to y'all! Hope you enjoy! TWAHF Masterlist

To say you were nervous would be a complete understatement. The nerves kept you up much later than you would have liked, keeping you groggy for the better half of the morning.

You were just glad you had Mickey’s mom to help you get prepared. Once you were finished you looked at her through the mirror as she hugged you from behind, smiling with tears in her eyes. “You look breathtaking. Just as kind and beautiful as the shy little girl Mickey had been excited to bring home for the first time.”

Your dress was gorgeous, beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of with the beautiful necklace she had gifted you in the morning.. It was a family heirloom that’s been passed down for generations, usually to the first married woman of the family. With Mickey being the oldest of two siblings and his younger sister not planning on getting engaged any time soon, it went to you, no matter how much you declined.

A few tears slipped as you hugged her tighter to you. “Thank you so much for everything. I don’t think I’d be where I am now without you or the family, you mean the world to me.”

The remaining hour went by in a flash. The venue was decorated with an assortment of fairy lights, giving it an ethereal glow. You both had invited a handful of people, a few family members and your closest friends, wanting to have a small wedding. Mickey was beaming with joy while trying to contain his crying as you both said your vows, you were no better. His best man and best friend Reuben had subtly handed you both tissues causing your heart to soar as you thought about your now husband having wonderful people in his life that cared deeply for him.

Your first kiss shared as husband and wife had completely swept you off your feet, your friends and family cheered loudly with a few hoots and hollers coming from the back. You were so enraptured by the kiss you didn’t realize Mickey had swept you up and carried you towards the reception area. The group had followed heading to their seats as all the food was being served.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. Garcia?” Mickey beamed at you.

“Absolutely in love, Mr. Garcia.” Winking at him, you leaned over and gave him a peck. It was so easy to get lost in each other. After all, you two had practice since you were five. You had a whole life together and were ready for more, greedily taking what you could get.

“You two are so sickly cute it’s disgustingly endearing. Remind me to nausea meds when I’m around the both of you,” Reuben teased you both. He was sitting at the table next to Mickey, shoving food in his mouth with a grin.

“Oh, I second that. It was bad enough I was forced to see her read the novels he sent her but now I have to see them interact in person.” Casey, your best friend who was your maid of honor chuckled. She sipped on her drink next to you with her date on the other side hiding a laugh with her hand.

“Hey, I wasn’t that bad. And those letters were sweet.” You grumbled under your breath causing the whole table to laugh. In all honesty, you were down bad.

She raised an eyebrow at you, “Need I remind you of the events leading to your callsign, Wraith?” She had got you there, not even your loving husband knew about that.

“Nope!” You squeaked, cheeks turning a dark crimson color. Reuben gave a questioning look to Mickey who shrugged back. He knew of your callsign, just not the story of how it came to you.

“Now you have to tell us. You can’t expect us not to bite the bait you’ve just thrown at us.”

Casey opened her mouth to speak but stopped at the look you gave her, instead she shrugged. “Sorry. Lips are sealed.”

“How wonderful,” you replied dryly, shaking your head at her. The others protested, wanting to hear the story that managed to ruffle your feathers. “I promise it’s nothing too interesting. She’s just making it out to seem like more than it really is.”

“I beg to differ,” Casey said behind her glass, smirking at you from the memory but relented in the end. It wasn’t everyday she got to tease you endlessly which had been payback for all the times you’ve done it to her. But she knew her limits and didn’t plan on crossing that line lest it fall back on her.

Reuben perked up at the exchange, “You’re not getting out of it that easily, I will expect an explanation some time in the future. As for now, go have your first dance you two lovebirds.” He and Casey had all but pushed you and Mickey out of your seats towards the makeshift dance floor. 

Giggling at their antics you grabbed Mickey’s hand in yours pulling yourself into his embrace as the music played after the announcement of your first dance. 

Finally having a moment to yourselves without any interruptions before the rest of the party joins you.

You looked up at him, completely love-struck, eyes shining with emotion. “I love you, Mr. Garcia.”

“I love you more, Mrs. Garcia.” He smiles, leaning down and pulls you into a kiss.

#kyleraynermybeloved #mickey fanboy garcia #mickey garcia #fanboy #fanboy drabble #mickey garcia drabble #mickey garcia x reader #fanboy x reader #mickey garcia x navyseal!reader #fanboy x navyseal!reader #the wraith and her fan

[kidcataldo]

Strange Magic sequel idea/concept that will never happen (bc the original movie didn’t do so hot and also i do not work in hollywood)

small warning, this is like the entire summary written out

The Bog King and Marianne marry and combine their two kingdoms. Goblins and Fairies now live together, but there’s still a lot of tension between them. The only thing preventing them from clashing is their loyalty to their respected ruler.

This conflict mostly gets resolved with the birth of Bog and Marianne’s first child. Lets call the kid, Onyx (bc he needs a name). Onyx is beloved by both goblins and fairies alike, who see him as their true uniter and a bridge between their two very different worlds. He helps them to see themselves as equals and learn to coexist as one kingdom.

Meanwhile, Roland looks into a mirror and is freed from the love potion spell (his one true love is himself). After coming out of the daze and learning what’s become of the fairy kingdom, he quickly devises a plan to break up the now combined kingdoms.

This, of course, involves kidnapping the beloved prince who unites them. He plans it at the little prince’s first birthday party. Chaos ensues. Something goes awry and the “failed” kidnap results in the kingdom all thinking the prince is now dead. This assumption is amplified with the small wings of the prince being found at the scene of the crime (a protagonist with some type of disability is interesting imo, plus it’s important to the plot). The thought is that some larger creature ate him (and maybe that is how both he and Roland get their injuries).

Roland doesn’t get caught and isn’t the presumed kidnapper. In fact, he’s hurt badly in the confrontation, leading him to flee now heavily scarred, turned “ugly,” not knowing and not caring about what happened to the prince.

The kingdom turns on each other: the goblins think the fairies did it, claiming they can’t stand having a half-goblin heir; the fairies say the goblins did it, thinking they might have gone back to their “savage” ways.

Soon after, it is shown that their son is not in fact dead but rather “lost.”

His disappearance is easily explained with him falling through the cracks between the two kingdoms, literally. Somewhere along the border there is a deep crack that is off limits/folklore to goblins and fairies. This is where the gnome creatures live.

Neither of the kingdoms know this, because the creatures remain hidden, anonymous. Like with the goblins and fairies, everything beyond the darkness is off limits/folklore to them. But they provide “offerings” to goblins and fairies, which is something like coal for fuel and diamond for currency (things that affect their livelihood/economy, but the gnomes do it as a way to appease the “gods” who are really just goblins and fairies). They view Onyx’s abrupt arrival as a task from the gods to raise him as one of their own and learn the ways of the gnome people.

Flash forward to present day:

The kingdoms are more divided than ever. Marianne closes off on everyone and everything, leaving an equally grief-stricken Bog to rule basically both kingdoms alone (with the fairy kingdom not really liking him/disobeying his orders because, in their eyes, he’s not their leader).

Roland remains hidden in the shadows, too fearful of the way he looks to enjoy the kingdoms being divided again. His self-hatred turns to hatred toward others and he vows revenge, but doesn’t know where to start.

Meanwhile,

Onyx is a rambunctious kid with a skill for climbing steep things, such as the walls leading up to the outside world. He works with the gnomes to help mine coal and things, but is often bored of the work mentality. The constant “go! go! go!” is too much and goblins and fairies unintentionally pressure them to keep moving (again, without them knowing the gnomes are down there).

But he’s seen as the gnomes’ protector. And when one gnome nearly falls to his death after lurking too close to the edge, it’s Onyx who takes the lead and rallies all of the other gnomes to work together and save him.

He’s not allowed to climb too far up the wall (both because of the risk of falling and because the outside people are presumed dangerous), but his curiosity gets the better of him one day and he climbs to the very top, only to witness creatures who look just like him. He sees creatures flying and understands the scars on his back were once wings.

Curiosity gets the better of him and he wanders into a nearby village where he sees the things the gnomes work hard to mine being used for their pleasure. A rage fuels him at the very sight. It is in every way an injustice.

Roland spots the lost prince during his trip to the village and plans out his revenge on him, coming to the conclusion everything bad that’s happened to him started with his unsuccessful plot to kidnap him. He follows him. (He’s a drastically different, more evil guy than he was in the original movie here: the point of no return kind of different.)

Onyx returns to the gnome creatures quickly to express his anger: how it’s all a lie and how the creatures above live leisurely while they’re stuck down under working for them in the mines.

The gnomes begin an uprise with the encouragement from the lost prince. They take control of the elf village he visited simply by luck (catching everyone off guard at a party), but understand anything beyond that they will be easily defeated. Onyx, a warrior at heart but with little battle experience, is still encouraging them to try.

The Bog King hears word of this mysterious uprising and quickly flies out there to handle it. A fight ensues with Bog (and his army) easily outnumbering the gnomes. But he freezes at the sight of the one gnome out of place—his son, instantly recognizing the face. Onyx, recognizing Bog only as the leader of the tyrants enslaving the gnomes, throws a sharp object at his wings while he’s halted. And Bog comes tumbling down, his wings severely damaged. The gnomes capture him and drag him down into the crack to hold him hostage.

While down there, Bog is shown the hardships that the gnome people face and agrees something must be done about it.

Later, he and Onyx have a moment where he reveals that he is his father (after he’s absolutely certain this boy is in fact his lost, presumed dead son). His son is resistant to accept the news, and even more resistant of the fact that Bog wants to now take him away from the gnomes and live with the creatures above. He pulls away from his father’s touch, claiming he belongs down here with the gnomes.

Marianne, after learning of her husband’s capture, awakens from her fog and flies up with a fury to rescue him.

By then, Bog is no longer a prisoner and climbing (due to his wings being damaged) with some gnomes up the wall to return to the outside and settle this dispute once and for all. Onyx, despite Bog’s encouragement, does not go up with him.

Later, Onyx has a change of heart (probably after a gnome elder talks with him about it) and he begins his climb to catch up with them. But Roland gets to him first and kidnaps him (again).

Bog hears his panicked call and quickly moves into action to rescue him. Marianne, who hears it too in the middle of kicking gnome butt in the village, moves toward the chaos. They all find themselves near the edge of the crack with Roland threatening to drop the wingless prince. Finally, it’s revealed he is the one who did it all those years ago.

And Roland gives some long speech about never meaning any true harm, that it just all got out of hand, and that he just wanted true love but can’t now because of the way he looks. He holds Onyx’s arm as he speaks, his grip slowly loosening with the threat of dropping him in. Bog, in a panic, is trying to convince him to move away from the edge, that Onyx is innocent in all this. But Roland refuses to listen.

Marianne, witnessing all of this somewhere nearby, moves into action. She hits Roland, who loses his grip on Onyx. Bog flies with damaged wings to catch him before he falls into the darkness.

A fight ensues between Roland and the king and queen. Fairies and goblins alike witness this, their leaders’ first fight together in years. Somehow Roland’s wings get damaged, leading him to hang off the edge with no way of getting himself up. His hands are slipping and he’s pleading for the king and queen to show him mercy. Both Bog and Marianne are unwilling to help, wanting him to fall to his death; he was the cause of all their pain, after all.

Onyx quickly moves into action, rallying the gnomes to work together and save him (just like at the start), much to everyone’s surprise. They’re able to lift him to safety. Roland is crying out his gratitude as Stuff and Thang apprehend him with some fairytale version of handcuffs. Everyone looks to Bog for his sentencing, thinking execution is what he’ll go for. He approaches the fairy with gritted teeth. He wants to attack him, but holds back: “My son deems ya worthy of livin’, so you’ll rot in my dungeon fer the rest of yer days.” Or something like that, idk.

The story concludes at yet another birthday party where the gnomes coexist now with the fairies and goblins, learning how to stop worshipping them as these otherworldly beings. Maybe Griselda takes advantage of their innocence and puts them to work, making them be her chair and hold her drink for her while she sips it. And Dawn has to interfere by scolding her, releasing the gnomes from duty. Bog and Marianne have a heartfelt moment alone and then with their son. And also maybe it’s shown that in the dungeon Roland finds love/friendship somehow with the imp (who, of course, is in prison too), again idk.

The kingdom is once again at peace. The story ends.

—

Anyway, that’s my idea. It’s very different from the enemies to lovers plot in the first movie, but i still think it’s a cool/interesting idea to explore. Too busy with real life to write this fanfic out fully, so you get this instead.

#strange magic #butterfly bog #Marianne #the bog king #marianne x bog #story concept #fanfiction #sometimes i like to come up with sequels to things #sorry I’m neurodivergent and this is how i ‘like’ media

[yumeko2sevilla]

Urban Legends AU

[TWST Urban Legend AU belongs to @achy-boo]

CW: Mentions of Sexual Abuse, Suicide, Stabbing

†•°•══════ஓ๑✬๑ஓ══════•°•†

"Because we will always be alone, together."

Yukiharu Shirokami_ The Solitary Clockworker

✦Cause of Death: Sexual Abuse to Death

Oh dear.. It seems Yukiharu is quite an individual, isn't he? A quiet, apethetic yet gentle guy who always act more than talk. Legend says that, one day when Yukiharu walked past the Mystery Haunt, a young woman in black hoodie rushed from the workshop, saying that she needed help since her friend was murdered. Yukiharu, thinking that he could be kind followed her into the workshop.

Big mistake he was.

When they got to the Hall of Clocks, the woman suddenly pulled Yukiharu down and riped his clothes off. He tried to resist, but the Hall of Clocks was soundproof which the woman took advantage of it and sexually assulted him.

By the time she finished, she heard the sounds of ticking became louder as Yukiharu took his final breath. Which resulting in him can never escape Mystery Haunt.

What a pity, that one.

✦The Haunting Clockwork Ritual

"The Haunting Clockwork Ritual" is a ritual where you can summon Yukiharu, the Clockworker. Now suprisingly, this ritual is the most simple since you will only need three things: White candles (6 at limit), Yukiharu's pocket clock which is near the biggest cuckoo clock, and a sharp object.

P/S: Don't worry, it won't involve your blood.

✦Directions;

You need to find Yukiharu's pocket clock. (Notes: It has a gray-ish blue hue with a mirror inside it, the numbers were written in Greek.)

Place the clock on a table that has white candles surrounding as a circle. Now remember, it won't work if you don't put it in the middle of the circle.

Light the candles; one by one. Then open the lid

Stab the middle of the clock 4 times, while chanting: "Oh the Solitary Clockworker, let me regain my most precious memories that lost through time, show me the feelings I have sew." 2 times.

Wait for 3 minutes. If you stabbed the clock, yet it was still ticking louder as the mirror at the back of the lid cracking, revealing Yukiharu in his messy clothes kneeling before you, then congratulation! You have summoned Yukiharu to ask him questions regarding your memories.

✦Results;

If you ask him with a polite and genuine manner, Yukiharu will answer it gently. He will tell you your memories of your precious one even if they're dead, that you have forgotten, and let you hear their voice.

If your questions are beyond his permission, he will protect you for your life as an apology gift.

If you ask any offensive questions, he won't answer your question and immidiately throw you out of the Hall of Clocks. You can't summon him after that under any conditions.

If you're rude, offensive or even mention his death, he will kill you himself, slowly yet painfully. Maybe it was better, consider you don't want to hear the sound of ticking for eternity... Run, run all you can. He is fast, faster than anything that you could have imagined. Run.

Locals of Mystery Haunt advise not to enter the Hall of Clocks during October 11- The Clockworker's Birthday. The true reason behind this was unknown, however some said that they heard the sounds of someone breaking lots of things. I wouldn't suggest you to go investigate the source, curosity killed the cat you know? Now, will you be able to regain your precious memories through The Solitary Clockworker?

†•°•══════ஓ๑✬๑ஓ══════•°•†

"Drowning into the scary and bottomless hole of the ticking sea, with me. Would you?"

@anxious-twisted-vampire @writing-heiress @achy-boo

#twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #twisted wonderland au #yukiharu shirokami #yukiharu🌧️

[libra-cant-just-dance]

Hello! 👋

Pinning my Just Dance fics here!

Crawling Back/Pulling Away

At the end of the battle, The Night Swan was defeated and retreated back to her home to recuperate. But despite meeting his new friends, Jack Swan felt pulled to return with his mother. Now he works as a double agent, receiving information from both The Swan Army and Wanderlust. But when his mother has a plan to put an end to her opponents once and for all, he has to decide where his loyalties lie.

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Post-canon JD2023, Word Count: 6,942)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47521522

Son of a Fairytale

Wanderlust is the prince, the chosen one, and the son of the most famous love story in all of the danceverses. By all logic, he should have it made. But when The Night Swan's absence mysteriously begins causing Eternyx to turn to stone and it becomes Wanderlust's job to fix it, he realizes all those titles come with more pressure than he bargained for. With a disaster to stop, his deity parents nowhere to be found, and distracting new feelings toward one of his friends, it's going to take more than his powers to save the day this time.

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Post-canon JD2023, Word count: 14,028)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49299619

Flower Gleam and Glow

An ancient magical flower, a lost princess, a thief on the run. Jack Rose has lived in a tower with his controlling mother all his life, dreaming of the chance to visit the kingdom that plays a beautiful song every night on his birthday. His mother forbids him from seeing the outside world, but when a charming blue-skinned stranger breaks into the tower in search of a place to hide, it might provide him the opportunity of a lifetime.

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Tangled AU, Word count: 13,130)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49595017

In Your Blood

Something is wrong with Jack Rose. He isn't sleeping right, his heart isn't beating right, and he has a dangerous hunger brewing inside. Isolating himself from his friends in a search for the cause of this sudden change, he may have stumbled upon a family he never knew he had. But his boyfriend Wanderlust won't let him run away that easily, and the new life ahead of him may be even more complicated than he imagined.

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Vampire AU, Word count: 17,950)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49844932

The Tainted City

It's been years since The Night Swan turned Wanderlust, Sara, Brezziana, and Mihaly to her side. Years since she took control of Eternyx and made it into her own personal playground. Years since Jack Rose lost everything. But in those years, he began building an army. And despite being cut off from the other Danceverses, forced into the underground, and losing people by the week to The Night Swan's soldiers, that army made a vow. Somehow, someday, Eternyx will be free again. If only Jack, haunted by the past and his old friends at his mother's side, can make that happen.

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Post-canon JD2024, Word count: 50,424)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52540396

Mirrored Walls

(A sequel to The Tainted City)

Jack Rose finally freed his friends and his world from The Night Swan's reign. But that war changed things. And although the battle is over, the aftershocks still remain. While Jack struggles to hold together Eternyx from atop his mother's old throne and Wanderlust works to re-earn his place as The Chosen One, something strange is happening to the border between Earth and The Danceverses. Can the five saviors of The Danceverses restore balance once again, or did years under The Night Swan's control damage our heroes beyond repair?

(Wanderlust/Jack Rose, Post-canon JD2024, Word count: 9,753 (in progress))

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55567912

[super-ion]

Apple & Spindle

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a far away kingdom, two children were born on the same night.

One was the child of the king and queen, who were beloved by their subjects. They had tried and failed to conceive for many years and were overcome with joy at the arrival of the baby. The entire kingdom rejoiced and on the child's first birthday, emissaries from neighboring kingdoms, both human and fae, arrived to pay respects to the royal family. Late in the celebration, an uninvited guest arrived - a fae creature, ancient and wicked. The fae lord cast a curse upon the child to prick a finger upon the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep from which there would be no awakening. Try as they might, no human magician or fae sorcerer could break the curse. Devastated as they were, the king and queen resolved to raise their child to adulthood in hopes that one day, someone would find a way to save their child.

The second child was born to a widow. Grieving her lost wife, she spilled three drops of blood on freshly fallen snow and beseeched the spirits of the forest to give her a child. The spirits were moved by her pleas and nine months later she gave birth. The woman loved her child with all her heart and they were happy. One day the woman chanced to meet one of the court magicians, a witch of some renown. They fell in love and were soon married. Scarcely a year later, the woman took ill. She begged her wife to take care of her child and though the witch was indifferent towards the child, she consented. Shortly thereafter the child's mother passed away, leaving the child alone with a stepmother who was cold and distant.

The two children grew, not knowing that their fates were entwined…

Briar sat at the vanity in his room and examined his hair in the mirror. The barber had tried his best to fix the damage, but there was only so much he could do with so little. His mother had of course been furious, but Briar had acted alone in hacking off the long curls that had haunted him for so long. With his blond hair now boy-short, his head felt delightfully light. He tossed his head and gave himself a nod, it could use some work, but it was definitely an improvement.

He stood and began working through some of the exercises he had seen the squires working through. His parents granted him plenty of leeway in his pursuits, but his mother balked at the idea of him training with the pages and squires. The last time he brought it up she had fallen back on the excuse that it was "unbecoming of a princess".

He scowled at the memory and made a particularly aggressive lunge towards his imaginary opponent. There were days when he felt as if his parents' affection would smother him. He couldn't exactly blame them, he had only been afforded eighteen years and they were determined to make the most of it.

He just wished they could see beyond the beloved daughter they saw him as. He wished they'd let him live.

A clatter at the window interrupted his thoughts. He spun as the window swung open and a figure tumbled ungracefully to the floor. The figure moaned softly in pain before painfully standing, then froze at the sight of Briar.

He looked familiar and it took Briar a moment to recognize him as the boy who always sat with the court witch Hilde during court dinners. He had always looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

The boy, Briar thought it was a boy at least, looked to be about his age. He was scrawny, not quite grown into his gangly limbs. Despite a black eye and tear streaked dirt smudged on his cheeks, there was an ethereal beauty to him. Beneath the dirt Briar could make out pale skin, red lips and startling green eyes.

"Can I help you?" Briar asked, not really sure what one asked to a stranger who tumbled in through a third story window.

The boy blinked.

"I'm sorry!" He stammered, "I was… I mean I didn't know anyone was in here."

Briar cocked an eyebrow.

"The candlelight didn't give it away?"

"I was trying to get to the library."

"There isn't a library in this tower," Briar said, narrowing his eyes.

The boy made a miserable groan and dragged his hands across his face.

"How did you get in here?" Briar asked as a thought occurred to him.

"I climbed," the boy replied as if it weren't obvious.

"No. I mean, how did you get past the wards?"

"The… wards?"

"This tower is warded against intruders. No male may enter unless he is of royal blood."

The boy took on a greenish pallor and a whole gamut of emotion played out on his face. He opened his mouth but all that came out was a strangled squeak as his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Briar dropped his practice sword and lunged to catch the intruder, barely catching his head before it hit the floor.

***

Rose came to on a bed that was far softer than it had any right to be.

The jumbled events of the evening came back to her and her heart sank. The pack of her fellow squires had tricked her. She'd been desperate for any reprieve from their torment, so she'd gone along with their dare. Instead of a library, she had fallen in through a window into the chambers of… oh no…

Rose scrambled to sit up but froze. The princess was lounging on a chair, watching her intently with impossibly blue eyes. For once, rumor proved true, the princess had in fact cut her hair down to almost nothing. She was wearing a men's shirt, slightly too large, and trousers. She was tapping the blade of a dagger against her leg, a far cry from the bored looking girl that Rose had seen at court.

"I have some questions for you," the princess declared."You'd better have some answers."

She deftly flourished the dagger with the practiced skill of someone with too much time in their hands.

Rose swallowed.

"You didn't call the guards?" she asked meekly.

The princess grimaced at the fact that she'd been thwarted in asking the first question, but quickly recovered with a cocky smirk.

"Not yet. You falling through my window is possibly the most interesting thing that's ever happened to me. Let's say I'm curious. Now… you're the witch's son, are you not?"

"Stepchild," Rose replied curtly.

"But you are a boy?"

Rose's stomach twisted.

"I… I don't know."

The princess made a thoughtful noise and leaned forward.

"What's your name?" the princess asked.

"My name?"

"Yes, what would you like me to call you?"

Rose's mouth went dry. The way she asked it made Rose think she wanted more than just the name she had been given. The way the princess studied her gave her the impression that she wanted the name Rose whispered to her reflection in the mirror when she was alone, the name she wrote in the margins of her notes before blotting the whole thing out with ink, rendering it illegible.

"Rosamund," she whispered. "Or Rose, I guess."

The princess's face split into an incandescent smile that made her heart flutter slightly. She slipped the dagger into a boot and offered a hand to Rose.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Rose. My name is Briar."

Briar. Rose couldn't recall ever hearing the princess referred to by that name. Why would…?

Oh… oh!

The hair, the men's shirt, the name. The princess was like her, but the other way around.

Rose cautiously took her (his?) hand.

"His royal highness, prince Briar?" she asked.

For a beat, she worried that she had overstepped or perhaps broken him. He stared at her wide eyed before his grin somehow widened even more.

He helped her to her feet.

"Do you want to get cleaned up?" he asked.

She caught her reflection in the mirror behind him and grimaced. She was a complete mess. She nodded gratefully.

***

Briar rushed about his room, tidying up the worst of the haphazard mess. A girl was in his room, fallen right in like some fairy story.

And she was like him. She knew what it was to have to pretend to be someone. She knew what it meant to be burdened with a name that didn't fit.

The door to the adjoining washroom opened and he stopped in his tracks. She had scrubbed the dirt from her face and combed back her damp hair. He had thought her pretty before, but scrubbed clean, she was beautiful, even with the black eye. She was wrapped up in a silk robe that he had offered her. He had hated the pastel pink when the robe had been given to him, but she looked radiant in it. She was looking down upon it and feeling the silk like it was the most beautiful thing she had ever worn.

She noticed him staring and she immediately hunched her shoulders defensively. It was a gesture of someone who was terrified of being seen and judged.

He reluctantly tore his gaze away and gestured to a tray of fruit.

"Are you hungry?"

Staring at her feet, she shuffled over to the bowl and plucked an apple.

"Thank you," she murmured as she sat down.

He sat across from her and tried his best not to stare. From the corner of his eye, he did notice her casting curious glances at him.

"So… um…" he began, suddenly tongue tied.

"So." she replied, biting into her apple.

"Do you fall into towers often?" He asked, grasping at anything to break the ice.

She stared at him for a moment before she burst into laughter.

"No, not usually," she replied.

"How old are you?"

"Thirteen, but I'll be fourteen next month."

"Oh! My birthday is-"

"We have the same birthday," she said flatly, looking away from him."

He cocked his head. Of course she knew when his birthday was, especially if they shared one.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring down the mood. It's just I'm not the biggest fan of birthdays… not since…"

She left the rest unsaid. He knew enough that he felt he had a pretty good idea.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I myself have a complicated relationship with birthdays."

She perked up, a bright spark of curiosity in her eyes.

"So it's true? You're cursed?"

"Yep. When I turn eighteen, I'm supposed to prick my finger and fall asleep and never wake up."

"How does it not crush you? Knowing what will happen?"

He leaned back and shrugged.

"Can't really do anything about it. Believe me, a lot of people tried. So I just try to make the most of the time I've got."

She peered at him like he was a puzzle she wanted to figure out.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked.

"You've done little else since we met," she said with a small smile.

"What were you doing climbing the tower anyway?"

She stared at the apple cupped in her hands.

"It was a dare. The other boys…" her mouth twisted in discomfort. "...there's a group of boys, other squires, that make my life difficult. I suppose I don't act manly enough for their liking. I thought if I took on a dare, they'd back off just a little. I didn't know about the wards on the tower. I think they meant for me to fail..."

Her eyes widened.

"Oh god, they probably saw me fall in. What are they planning on doing to me now?"

She looked suddenly so miserable, sitting there. He had to say something.

"But there are girl squires and knights and stuff. I mean, there are two guardswomen just down the hall"

"Yes, but there aren't any…" she gestured helplessly at herself, "people like me in the knights corps. At least not that I've ever heard of."

She hunched her shoulders in a way that made her look like she had a shameful confession. She took a breath and chewed her lip.

"I don't even want to be a knight," she said finally.

He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.

"Then why do it?" he asked. "Why be a squire if that's not what you want?"

She met his gaze.

"Because sometimes it's easier to just go along with what people expect."

He considered that. He knew the feeling, the nagging suspicion that if he just acted like the princess everyone expected him to be, life might be simpler. But such an existence would be suffocating.

"Easier maybe, but not better," he murmured.

She gave a little half shrug.

"Alright, but if you could do anything, be anything, what would you do?" He asked.

She startled slightly at the question and he wondered if anyone had ever asked her that before.

"I don't… I suppose I might be a scholar… or…" she wrung her hands self consciously.

"Or…?"

She steeled herself.

"I think I'd want to be a magician."

He felt his eyes widen. He had met his share of magicians in his life, human wizards and fae sorcerers, and watching them work had always been wondrous.

"But your stepmother-"

"Hilde and I aren't close," she said crisply. "She doesn't want anything to do with me. I very much doubt she'd take me as an apprentice."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," she replied.

He leaned back, contemplating an idea that had started taking root.

"Rose, I think I might know a way we can help each other."

She tilted her head curiously and regarded him.

"I'm in need of… of a lady's maid. I've managed to scare off the last three, much to my mother's displeasure. You could take the position. I'm very low maintenance, it wouldn't be difficult work. You wouldn't have to be a squire any more and my mother would be satisfied."

Her eyes widened and she stared at him as if he had sprouted an extra head.

"I could get you unlimited access to the royal library." He added, playing his trump card.

"Oh… I don't know," she said, despite the envious gleam in her eyes. "I mean, I don't think they'd hire a…"

She grimaced.

"A boy," she finished flatly.

"Nobody's going to believe you're a boy if you walk out of this tower," he replied. "Believe me, the wards on this place are rock solid."

She chewed on her lip. He desperately wanted her to agree. He hadn't had a real friend in a very long time.

"Okay," she said quietly.

His heart leapt.

"Okay? As in, you'll do it?"

She gave him a shy smile and nodded.

***

The guards barely batted an eye when Briar emerged from his room with a guest. Rose was fairly certain one of them had given the other a knowing smirk that had made Rose blush furiously.

He escorted her down the tower to the majordomo's office to secure Rose's position as the princess's new lady's maid. The thin little woman eyed her dubiously before shrugging and producing the appropriate paperwork.

Rose was even more surprised when she produced two dresses in the color of the royal livery. The prospect of having dresses, even if they weren't technically hers, made her head spin. The thought of wearing them openly only further convinced her that her life was careening out of her control, into some strange, wonderful new direction.

From there the two of them walked to the wing that housed the magicians' quarters, guards in tow. Briar chattered affably the entire time about nothing in particular, almost as if he were trying to distract her from the gnawing anxiety in her belly. In any event, she found it charming and somehow comforting.

They reached the door to the apartment that she shared with her stepmother. He gave her a bow as he bid her goodnight which she returned with an awkward curtsey. She caught herself smiling after him as he disappeared around the corner.

Opening the door, she steeled herself, it was late, but her stepmother kept odd hours. Of course, Hilde was sitting next to the fire with her back to the door. Rose heard the crackle and scrape off a page turning and she crept towards her room, hoping her stepmother was too engrossed with her book to notice her.

"The captain came by looking for you," Hilde said from behind the high back of her chair. "It seems that you disappeared after your training exercises."

Rose let out the breath she'd been holding. Might as well get this conversation over with.

"I'm not going back," she said. "I done being a squire."

Hilde turned to look at her with one of her perfect eyebrows arched.

"Oh? And what exactly will you do instead?"

"I have a new position, attending the… the royal family."

She didn't mention the draw of the library or the royal tutors.

Hilde's gaze pierced into her. Rose desperately wished for this conversation to be over, but she stood her ground.

After what seemed like an eternity, her stepmother shrugged and returned to her book.

Rose continued to her room, closing the door behind her. She flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling, replaying the events of the evening. Finally she rolled onto her side to face the tiny portrait of her mother that sat on her bedside table.

"Hey mom," she whispered. "I made a friend today."

#transgender #fairy tale inspired #trans fairy tale #my writing #fantasy #this is actually an older thing I wrote on AO3 and abandoned and I really wanna motivate myself to finish it