#but they were from guest spots before she was a regular. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

deadghosy · 1 month

Text

WHERE PENGUIN! READER WILL LIVE IN:

Pt5 of Penguin! Reader x Hazbin Hotel

Prompt: The aftermath of the court is where you decided where to live

Note: this will be the final part of the series lol. Sorry if the sections are short, I tried to make it long with the bullet points just being some. 💗

“The court has spoken. The rightful place the reader belongs in, is……” sera say opening her mouth to announce the news.

HELL

Lucifer is fucking happy that sera said that would go with them. Charlie has tears dropping out her eyes as she finally is relived to have you by her side and kingdom. Adam was pissed as he thrown papers on the ground. Lute is screaming mentally as her heart breaks.

Back in hell, every one does a celebration party. You get a bandanna with your name, the scarf wrapped around your neck has the name of Y/N Morningstaryou are officially in the family. Welcome to hell.

Literally you get all the food you love in a week of celebrating before they monitor what you eat 💗

Charlie is such an older sister vibe as she shows you the ropes of being royalty as she gives you an allowance. Which you totally didn’t spend in cookies and cakes. But matter of most is that she even shows you how to run the hotel while you just quack at things from afar. Overall her protective rate is 5/10.

Lucifer may be happy and relived that you can be in hell with him. But he is still worried about your safety in hell as he watches you closely and even has razzle and dazzle to look after you. It’s cute and all for you. But for others, they can tell this man baby’s you so much to the point he even gets you to bed like one. Overall his protective level is 100/10

Vaggie loves teaching you how to use her spear in case the exterminators try to kidnap you. She is always the one who watches you on the playground to make sure you are okay. Her protective rate is 9/10

Husk is the damn grumpy drunk uncle who only has a soft spot for you as you aren’t annoying and is pure. Literally you aren’t a bad kid as you just help clean glasses. PST, he actually bought plastic looking glasses so you won’t cut yourself on accident. Plus he appreciates that you want to help him. It’s just you are so small and he is bigger than you. Overall his protective level is 7.5/10

Angel is like that older brother who knows how to hide bruises. And of course we know why…but like past that imagine you bruised your whole ass knee and you didn’t want anyone to worry for you so you went to angel. He chuckled and took care of it. You are such a cutie that he kisses your head and sends you off. Overall his protective level is 7/10

Alastor loves teaching you about his radio station. He even takes you as a co-host and a regular guest as he makes you quack out a song. 💗 some awesome uncle and nephew/niece moments as he also makes you tea if you can’t sleep. His protective rate is 8.5/10

And the rest of hell, they love you equally as somewhat you bring hope in hell to have them redeemed as they visit the hotel to see you and meet you. Hell, the other deadly sins met you and were in awe at how cute you were. Beelzebub was immediately starstruck as she feeds you some of the best food in hell.

So in the end, you love being in the royal family of the Morningstars. It’s peaceful in the hotel with you around as Angel can now get a lot of days off💗

HEAVEN

Adam is immediately flipping off the two demon royals as he lifts you up in his arms. “SUCK IT BITCHES AHAH!” Adam yells pulling you close to his pudgy body as lute is flipping them off from behind the first man as the two demon royals are sent back in hell.

After exiting court, you are met with getting ice cream with the two angels who were fighting with the demon royals verbally. Adam got you [favorite flavor] ice cream as lute just smiles smugly happy to have you here with them.

Adam has gotten use to you not leaving him like how his other ex-wives did. He won’t admit he feels insecure about you leaving him. But with you now being property of heaven and you living with him personally. He feels like he might actually have a loved one with him. It’s not like romantic since you take form of a gah damn actually penguin. It’s more of a platonically close friendship. He finds you alluring at how sweet you are to others. Even if Adam isn’t. Overall his protective meter is 9.5/10

Lute is still the same ol lute everyone knows. It’s just that she watches you from afar. Keeps tabs on you and where you go. Its like if she’s your personal bodyguard. She always love bombs you in a manipulative way. She just wants you to depend on her. I mean hell, she’s literally crazy at how pure of gold you are in heaven. Her protectiveness level is…200/10😨

Sera is a busy woman, but she keeps tabs on you too. Even sending a angelic guard to make sue you are mentally okay and not unstable of taking you away of your so called “home” down there. But she cares for you endlessly in a mother figure way. her protective meter is 5.5/10

Emily is happy regardless if you went it heaven or hell. This girl literally take you shopping with her as she get you a cute sailor like outfit for your delivery job. She even makes you your own damn basket to give cookies to your regulars with their mail. Overall, this sweet girl’s protective meter 4/10

St. Peter sends you cookies on weekends as it’s the days that you aren’t working as the adorable penguin delivery boy. 💗 St. Peter checks up on you as well as you are just staying home and he comes by just to see if you are liking to live in heaven for years now.

You live with Adam as he and you have some kind of relationship were he wants to look after you. Literally it’s oddly sweet this man has a change of heart kind of. He literally will try to cook only for you to burn out the fire in the kitchen. He’s ordering gah damn take out.

See, me personally you’re still getting stalked a bit from yandere! Lute as she smile smugly seeing you in heaven everyday and replaying the son of bitches face when you got to stay in heaven with them.

The amount of times angels in heaven have gifted you lots of grift baskets for the custody of heaven. It’s crazy as it’s whole bunch of fans just celebrating you staying 💗 it’s sweet but crazy.

Overall you still got your job as a paper delivery person and you get watched 24/7 every day. From afar….😨 but all you know is that you are safe in heaven still missing the people below them.

BOTH

Heaven and hell is shocked, what I mean by that is Lucifer and Adam being shocked. Adam is immediately yelling out profanities at how this is “complete bullshit”. Emily and Charlie did a mutual nod to each other not hating or liking this idea as it seems clear and fair to share you 50/50 like divorce parents.

After court, it was time to hang out with hell only to go heaven for the next day. 😭 honestly, you could stay in hell for a week and go to heaven for another whole week☝🏾😕

Adam gets so salty seeing Lucifer pick you up and take you through the portal to hell. Lute just scowls walking away. Meanwhile Lucifer is still salty as well to share you, he has to be mature as Charlie was just excited to have you the whole week.

HONESTLY IF ITS VALENTINE’S DAY, YOU GET SO MUCH CHOCOLATE AND TEDDY BEARS FROM HEAVEN AND HELL. OMG IMAGINE YOUR BIRTHDAY 😱😨LEGIT A WHOLE CARTOON ASS BIRTHDAY-

You still sleep in Lucifer’s bed when you stay in hell, but there is still a spare room for you. And for heaven you sleep directly in the same room as Adam as he snores holding your chubby and round fluffy body.

Thanks to @gineazu for the idea of this schedule of them sharing reader.

Hell has reader on mondays Wednesday's Friday's and sundays. As heaven has them on tuesdays thursdays and Saturdays like a true ass divorce. But just like I said you could also spend a whole week in hell and another whole week in heaven. And it could repeat.

LMAO JUST IMAGINE THE AWKWARDNESS WITH ADAM HAVING SUNGLASSES WAITING FOR YOU AS LUCIFER IS TEACHING YOU HOW TO CALL HIM IN CASE ADAM TRIES TO “abuse” you 😭😭

You’re literally eating nuggets in the hotel’s lobby until a busted down wall happens as a golden light shines. “Kid, pack ya shit. The shit lord didn’t bring you to me on time.” Says Adam with sunglasses and chewing bubble gum. Lucifer came from the kitchen having lemonade for you only to drop it seeing Adam. “What are YOU doing here!” He exclaims seeing the first man. Adam smirks, “I’m here to collect the bird brain. Duh?” “It’s literally only been 2 days?!” Lucifer retorts.

Yeahh…at first Adam had a problem being clingy towards you and wanting to stay in the blue skies with him.

Honestly it’s funny how Lucifer is the mom who wants to scam the father to make it seem he is abusive as Adam is just a guy trying to be the fun dad. It’s literally tug of war for your affection for crying out loud- 😭

“HAVE YOU SEEN SMILEY?” Is basically the song to describe your relationship between the two places of heaven and hell. It’s so painfully tooth aching and wholesome.

It’s nice spending time with your people in hell and heaven. Like literally it’s cool how you still got your delivery job in hell and heaven at most. Overall you are just happy seeing both of your so proclaimed friends and family. ‼️💗❤️🦆

A/N: I did this because I couldn’t choose lol 💗 hope you guys like this as everyone gets their own happy ending

taglist: @zamadness @ilovelyneysm07 @listenerchan @equkki @ambersison-allejo @froggybich @hah-simp-acc-2 @aria-tempest @chefysawesomeideas @angela075905 @loyx2 @libraryraccoon @indom-eclipse @simpcreator @caffieneaddictt18

1K notes · View notes

exhaslo · 4 months

Note

Hi love! How are you? I’m so in love with your writing and I wanted to see if you could write something for me? 🥺 (only if your requests are open.)

I was wondering if you could write a Sugar daddy!Miguel? The reader is working at little club and notices her one night working, running all over the place serving drinks to other drunk people. Miguel calls her over for a drink and talks to her for a bit. He tells her “someone as beautiful as you shouldn’t be working in a place like this?” And offers her to be his sugar baby, she’s surprised at his request but takes it. After he spoils her she realizes she starts to have feelings for him and he does too. 🫶🏻💗

Sure thing! This might be late from when you originally requested, but I finally got it done! Haha. I won't do too much of a age difference, since I'm not too comfortable with large age gaps, but hell, sugar daddies can be the same age too!

Right??

Warning: Fluff, language, teasing, fluff fluff and fluff

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another day, another dollar. That's how you tried to keep motivated. Did it work? No, but your bills sure did play a part in getting your ass off the bed. Being an adult sucked. Where you worked, also sucked; but were you going to quit...Not yet.

Although, you were desperate for something new.

You hated your job. Working at a stripe club, serving drinks to drunk and perverts. It wasn't your ideal choice, but it was the only place that was willing to give you a chance. You couldn't afford to go to college and your bills were too high to wait for anything else.

You had been told by your boss that you'd make more money as a stripper, but to hell with that. You knew the risks and quite frankly, you were afraid to dance half naked in front of so many men. Though, it didn't stop you from getting some tips here and there.

"Another round over here, sweet cheeks!" One of your regulars called out.

You let out a huff, pouring more beers into glasses. Before hitting the floor, you fixed your booty shorts once more and hurried to him. The drinks hit their mouths before you even put them on the table.

"Geez, trying to hit a record? At least let me get them on the table before inhaling them," You teased.

"Drinks from you are too good to not have, baby. I'll take it nice and slow next round if you get on that stage."

"Not even in your dreams, pal." You huffed, walking to the next table.

You hated this place. You hated the customers. Hell, sometimes you hated the pay. It was not enough for the shit you had to deal with on a daily bases.

"(Y/N), VIP guest is requesting you from bring them a popular drink. Doesn't care which one, he just wants you to deliver it. Don't fuck this up." Your shitty manager said over the radio.

"Great."

------------

Miguel let out an obvious sigh, signaling to his brother that he was not happy to be there. He would groan and grunt, but unfortunally Gabriel had gotten used to those noises and somehow tuned Miguel off. Honestly, it was a talent.

Since Miguel was forced to come to the club, he might as well have made the best of it. Miguel grabbed the VIP room and made himself comfortable. His sunglasses making him the center of attention sure did help with keeping Miguel seated in his seat.

He watched the crowds of men cheer towards the strippers, begging for more and throwing their money. Miguel exhaled softly, looking at his private stage. There was no need for him to be here. He should be outside, stopping crime.

"Miggy! Stop being such a brood and have fun!" Gabriel huffed, poking his head into the room. Miguel shrugged,

"I am having fun. See? I'm here."

"Such a bore."

Miguel rolled his eyes towards his brother. He hummed lowly, watching the people in the club. He furrowed his brows, spotting you run around with a scowl on your face. He couldn't help but smile. To think there was someone else in here who was just as unhappy as him.

Miguel pondered to himself. He had been wanting to do something risky lately. That and he was touch starved. Perhaps he could save someone tonight, but in a different matter. Hell, it could be fun too.

Requesting for you, Miguel leaned back in his seat and waited. With his heighten senses, Miguel resisted a chuckle as he heard you cuss under your breathe. By the time you arrived, you had a obvious fake smile against your lips and a tall, colorful drink in your hand,

"Hello! You requested me?" You asked sweetly. Miguel raised a brow as he took a sip of his drink,

"Couldn't help but noticed you working too hard out there," He said smoothly and motioned to the seat across from here, "Your boss can't see us from here. Take a break."

"Ha, you trying to get me fired?"

"Perhaps, if you're willing to listen and take my offer," Miguel said, continuing to force the sweet drink down his throat.

Miguel watched you hesitate before taking a seat. Your clothes were obviously too tight for you.

"So, what's your offer?"

"It's obvious that you're too good and beautiful for this job. So, hear this bored man out," Miguel tried to get you to smile, "I have too much money and not enough to spend it on. Would you allow me to waste it on you?"

"Huh? Like...Have you as my sugar daddy?" You questioned, observing him, "You only look a few years older than me. How can you be that rich?"

"Plenty of ways. I won't have you do anything you don't want. Just a date here or there, and in return you can spend as much money as possible on whatever you want."

"So....just a date in return?" You hesitated and glanced at the club, "I am being punked right?"

"Why would I lie?"

You glanced at the club once more, honestly considering the man's offer. You were desperate and what was the harm in just playing along for a date or two? If you can pay off your bills and get enough money, you could run away if things got too scary.

"Deal, I'm (Y/N)"

"Miguel."

--------------

Part of you still doubted Miguel and his offer. Even as you quit on the spot and held his card in your hand, you still doubted it. It was only until you officially paid off a bill and was asked on a date that it hit you. This was real. You nabbed yourself a Sugar Daddy.

And a hot one at that.

Honestly, you weren't too disappointed with your situation. Miguel was really kind to you and didn't ask for much. Your first few dates were honestly some of the best you've ever had. The most you did was hold hands and a small peck on the cheek here and there. It was sweet and simple.

You really only used his money to pay off your bills and do some small groceries here and there. Honestly, you were more into having another date with Miguel. He actually listened to you and took care of you. Something that made your heart flutter.

"Hey, Miguel, want to come over to my place tonight? I'll make dinner." You asked him over the phone.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I want you to come over," You said with a smile as you cleaned your apartment, "I want you to try my cooking for once."

"Then I'll be there."

---------

Miguel was honestly surprised by your request. He was new to this whole Sugar Daddy business and was enjoying it for what it was. Your little dates gave him energy after a long day of Alchemax and the Spider Society.

Your little touches made him want more. Honestly, Miguel was having a hard time holding back. He was enjoying this too much and wanted more from you, but that was not part of the deal. Miguel didn't want to push you away.

Swinging around the city, Miguel tried to think of ways to approach you in the matter. He wanted to kiss you. He wanted to tell you that he liked you, but what if you didn't? Miguel only approached you because of how beautiful you were and how much you looked like you needed a break.

This wasn't part of the deal.

"But please say yes."

----------

You could feel the sweat on your palms as you finished prepping dinner. You even wore a sexy dress to get Miguel's attention. Hearing your door bell, you hurried over and let Miguel inside. You greeted Miguel and pecked his cheek, hiding your blush.

"Um, don't mind the mess." You motioned him inside. Miguel tried his best to keep his hands to himself,

"It looks fine. You on the other hand, beautiful." He hummed. You hurried to the table, placing the plate before him, "Smells amazing. You truly didn't have too."

"Like I said...I wanted too." You sat beside Miguel, watching his reaction, "I can only thank you for much. I want to show more of my appreciation."

"You don't have too, baby," Miguel rubbed your head, "I chose to take care of you."

"And if...I want more?"

"Money?"

"No!" You nearly yelled and inhaled deeply, "Sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice, but I'm not that greedy. I was wondering if maybe, I can give you more....affection."

"I don't want to force you to-"

"I want too!" You told Miguel, grabbing his hand, "Miguel, we've been in this relationship for about two months now. You've done so much for me and honestly...I really, really like you. I want to be with you and kiss you and-"

Miguel was the one to interrupted you this time as he pulled you into a kiss. Both of his hands cupped your cheeks, holding you in place. He could feel shivers run down his spine as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

This was what he needed. What he wanted. Thank whatever God listened, but Miguel was grateful that you shared his feelings in return. Breaking the kiss, Miguel stroked your lips and hummed in response,

"You are such a good girl for me," He whispered. You rested your forehead against his,

"You know, I never mentioned how much of a turn on that is whenever you say it."

You couldn't help but laugh as Miguel immediately grew flustered. He nudged his side and signaled towards his plate. Miguel cleared his throat and finished his meal alongside you. Once the two of you were done, you both decided to watch a movie.

More like make out on the couch.

Your Sugar Daddy soon turned into your 'Daddy' really quick. You now had new bills to worry about, aka pain killers and muscle relaxers because Miguel was a beast in bed.

But hell, it was worth quitting your job for him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waaaaaah, I hope you liked it!!!!

@tojishugetiddies

#miguel o'hara #miguel o'hara x reader #miguel spiderverse #spiderman 2099 #miguel o’hara x reader #miguel spiderman #atsv miguel #across the spiderverse #miguel x you #miguel x y/n

588 notes · View notes

hrryshoney · 2 months

Text

no. 1 party anthem

matty healy x photographer!reader

A/N: lowkey projecting bc im a photographer/videographer❤️ this is set during like self-titled. if u could tell. named this after the AM song bc i think it fits (the bridge of this song is so them coded) this is unnecessarily long (6.1k words) but anyway Enjoy

warnings: smut 18+. um fingering, p in v unprotected sex, oral (m and f receiving), masturbation a bit? (male), degradation, praise, use of a camera during sex, Sir kink, exhibitionism (kinda), sex on a couch, light choking/slapping (blink and miss it!), probs more kinda filthy etc..

Today was shit. Complete and utter shit. Your alarm didn’t go off, you spilled coffee all over yourself, had to go home to change, and you were going to be late to your first clients appointment. It’s only 8:30, and you could already tell it was going to be a bad day.

Your first client was booked at 7:45. You only had four appointments today. Normally, you’d be a bit more booked out. But, your last clients would take up more time than usual. An up-and-coming band you heard, that were quite popular already. Their management had informed them about your local studio, and an appointment was made.

Upon walking into your studio promptly at 8:00, you saw that your best friend was stalling for you. She had your first client engulfed in mindless conversation. God love her, Lexi knew how to keep a crowd entertained. Really, showing up 15 minutes late wasn’t a good look. You were glad she was here to null some of the damage.

As you walked up to them, you caught the tail end of her gossiping, no doubt. You placed your hand on Lexi’s shoulder, startling her out of conversation. “Oh! Let me get out of your way. I was just telling Christian how my last shift at the diner was absolute madness. As always, though. He’s all checked in. Have fun, hope the shoot goes well!” You shot her an appreciative smile, then an apologetic one to Christian.

Stepping out of the lobby and leading him to the studio, you were face to face with him. “I am so, so sorry I kept you waiting. This morning was one from hell, for sure.”

“It’s alright, don’t worry. Shit happens.” He smiled back at you, following you into the room.

You were grateful for his understanding, hoping it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience. You prided yourself on being punctual and professional. Thankfully, the studio was already set up for his shoot

You took the lens cap off your camera and began to set up your tripod for some head shots. Flipping the camera switch to ON, you then turned to Christian.

“Let’s get started.”

…

Your next 2 appointments went on without a hitch. They were both fairly basic shoots, nothing too heavy. Your 2nd client was even a regular. She was so lovely. Today she came in to get maternity photos with her husband. Considering how long she’s been coming to your studio, you were ecstatic for her.

You were still a bit out of it and tired though, the effects of your morning not completely worn off yet. You had an hour and 45 minutes before your last clients for the day came in. The band that you’ve been anticipating.

It was 11:34 now, so you were taking this as an opportunity for your lunch break. You decided to go to the sandwich shop that was about a block down from your studio. Walking out of the darkroom in your facility, (some guests preferred genuine photographic film) you spotted Lexi. Still behind the front desk, but now on a stool, slouched and looking at her phone. Mindlessly scrolling, she was kicking her feet back and forth as they dangled from her place in her seat.

“Hungry?” You came up beside her, tapping her thigh twice. Lexi was pulled out of whatever she was watching on her phone, looking up at you. “Mhm, starving. Lunch?”

“On me,” You confirmed, “thought we could get it in before our last clients. They’re gonna take a while, but I’m looking forward to it.” You said honestly, looking out the studio’s glass windows to the street. “Have we ever shot a band?” You use the term ‘we’ loosely. When you and your best friend both got a start, you always knew that you were going to be more hands-on. She didn’t necessarily share the passion for photography, but when she had no shifts picked up for her service job at the local diner, she would pay you a visit. She stuck beside you, and you’re thankful for it.

Lexi does most of the behind the scenes work for you when she’s there, and it would honestly be 10x harder without her. “Don’t think so. I would have remembered that. Every guy in a band is, like, insanely hot.” She hopped off her stool, beat white converse hitting the ground.

“Good to know where your priorities are. Hopefully they’re cooperative.” You wondered aloud, you knew they were young. That normally meant they would be rowdy, too. Four guys around your age was bad news in general, even worse that they’re musicians. “Hopefully they’re hot.” Lexi corrects, too caught up in picking at her nail beds to see your expression.

She had you laughing out loud. Wide eyes and an even wider grin on your face. “Right, extra incentive.” You picked up your keys to the front door that were lying on one of the shelves under the front desk. Checking your watch and walking to the door, you flipped the sign to CLOSED so you and Lex could grab a bite in peace.

…

You and Lexi wasted more time than you thought. You were out for at least an hour, having went shopping after eating. You both decided you could use a new outfit. Not for anything particular, but just to treat yourselves. Then, you traveled back to the studio.

30 minutes until your next client, you still had time to kill. You went to read the email from their management, again. You saw they specifically wanted a couch in their shoot. You should probably set up their studio now. You knew you had an old, black leather couch in the back somewhere. Finding it would be the hard part.

It wouldn’t be in any of your front studios, so you decided to check the last one first. Studio 13, it was more of a storage room now. When you first leased this place, you were pretty sure it used to be a one-level warehouse. You’re never booked to the point where you’re using all the studios, and you don’t have enough staffing anyway. Still, it cleans up nicely.

You end up shouting for Lex’s help dragging the big couch to your front studio. You had already set up a white tarp for your backdrop, knowing it was a pretty minimalistic shoot. As you lug the couch along the concrete floor, the feet of it scraping against it to make a rather brash noise, you began to think the soft, calming music that you queued to combat it wasn’t working very well.

You finally push the last bit of the couch into the studio, dragging it in front of the white tarp. Lexi raised her hand for a high five, which you gladly reciprocate. You look at her with a grin. “Not bad, huh? Little studio we got going.” You both laugh, staring at the quite bleak set.

“Best in town,” Lex returns dryly, she steps out and looks to the front windows. “Those your clients?” Before you even look, you answer. Albeit sarcastically, “And I’m supposed to know, how? I’ve never met these people before.” But the words died in your throat the moment you looked. They had to be your next clients. You didn’t think anyone could fit the bill for ‘band members’ more perfectly.

So, there they were. Smoking and loitering outside the studio. And Lexi was right, because she always had to be. They were hot. No sooner than you think it, the words are coming out her mouth. “Christ, they’re handsome.” All of them wearing some short of black getup, with tight jeans and t-shirts. One boy, with longer, blonde hair, had his sunglasses on with a snapback. She laughs through her sentence in disbelief, a hand coming to her mouth. You can’t help but follow suit.

“Right, well. Even if they are, he best not ash his cig in my flower pots.” You squinted your eyes, the cigarette resting between the boys middle and index figure. Trailing your gaze to his face, he had dark curly hair. A pale complexion with deep brown eyes, cheeks sunken in as he took a drag of his cigarette. The face that, after you finished staring, you saw was looking right at you with a half-smirk. You smiled back and looked to Lex, taking a step back into the front studio. “He saw me.”

“You weren’t exactly being subtle, but oh well. That’s the one you want?” She raises her eyebrows in a tease, a wide grin splitting across her lips. Your face and body heat, eyes widening. “Can you not? I need to be professional. This is the real deal, you know? They’ve got management and everything.” You didn’t wanna blow your shot, you knew this was the foot in the door to bigger things. Cute band members were not taking this one from you.

Your hands came subconsciously to brush at your outfit, looking down at yourself to see if you looked presentable. You could practically hear your best friend’s thoughts, and the smirk on her face. You ignored her.

The bell on your door rang with entrance, and you turned to see one of the guys walking in. He had shorter dirty blonde hair, and you could see one of the others stomping on his cigarette before following behind.

Putting on your customer service smile, you took a few steps back to make room for the 4 men in the lobby. You scooted closer to Lexi, suddenly feeling outnumbered. Four sets of eyes were now looking back at you. Two brunettes, one who had closer to black hair. Two blondes, one whose was longer and lighter.

“Nice to meet you,” You sighed out, their intimidating gazes piercing. “So, um, welcome to our studio.” You introduced the both of you, giving your name and Lexi’s. Gesturing between the two of you with a wave of your hand.

They went down the line doing the same. Ross, Matty, Adam, and George. In that order, introductions exchanged in their thick accents through giggles. The boy you had taken interest in you now knew as Matty, and he was only drawing you in more.

“Well, we can get started on your session early since… you’re here.” You looked to the group, waiting for some sort of approval. You got a couple head nods, and a smirk from Matty.

“That eager to get us in, babe?” He chuckled, knocking his shoulder into his friend’s playfully. You felt embarrassment flood through you, but you led them to the studio with your head up.

“Sure. So, Studio 13. I’ll get a lot of ‘full band’ shots, but your manager said he wanted some solo shots of the each of you, too. Think it’ll be easier to get the group ones now, though.” You told them, wringing your hands slightly.

There was a small murmur of agreement, and you turned around to get your camera ready. Checking your lens, SD card, battery. “Whatever you think, you’re the pro.” Your head shot up, seeing Ross smile reassuringly at you. You returned the gesture and got back to work.

As you walked around the room to flick your lights on, you saw Matty shooting his friend a look. You didn’t think too much of it, but your eyes couldn’t stop finding his face. You were gonna have fun photographing him solo. “Okay, everyone! Get together, pose, do whatever you want. I’ll take a bunch of shots.”

After a few pictures, you stopped. Lowering your camera. “Maybe.. We should get you in the middle.” You pointed at Matty, him freezing in his place at the end of the line. “I mean, you’re just…” You trailed off, hoping he’d get the point.

George spoke up, saving you from having to complete your sentence. “She’s saying you’re the shortest, mate. Get in the middle.” He snickered, hand raising to his mouth to hide his smile.

Matty’s smile dropped, shoving his friend’s shoulder. “Whatever,” he muttered, moving to his new spot. “Better?” He tried to hold back his laugh, but was failing over the sound of his friends chuckles in the background.

Once you got them started, you could see they really were naturals. You assumed their close bond caused them to work so well and naturally together. Joking around, but still getting good shots.

However, this perception faded when you had to go in for the solos. Of course, above anything, they were boys. And they were also making your job a living hell. No matter who you were photographing, the other three were trying to get a laugh. Anything to make their friend break.

Your last straw was when you tried to get a photo of Adam, and Matty all but fell into his lap. You laughed along, (because truly, it really was just a little bit funny), but forced yourself back into work mode.

“Okay, this isn’t working. How about for the solo shots the rest of you stand out in the hallway? And we get a little rotation.” You suggested, trying to make yourself sound as light hearted as possible. Though a wave of whines passed over the group, they ultimately agreed in the end.

Working with them one-on-one was really nice. The two guys you shot so far, Adam and George, were very intelligent and funny. Unnaturally respectful for men your age, and you really couldn’t complain.

You finished both of them up, their mini shoots taking about 15 minutes each. You went back in the hallway you collect another one of them.

Adam and George now stood to the side, leaving Matty and Ross to linger right outside the door. You opened the door, looking at both of them and keeping your palm on the door handle. “Who’s next?”

Ross’ eyes went to Matty’s, about to step backwards and let him go. Then, Matty’s arm shot out to land on Ross’ shoulder. It seemed he tried to give his friend a shove forward, but the most he got out of Ross was a stumble. “Ross will go next. Save the best for last and all that, right?”

You giggled at Matty’s antics, while the rest of his friends let out sighs and eye rolls. Ross mumbled something under his breath, a sarcastic ‘right, sure..’ was the most you caught. You then lead him into the studio, closing the door on your way.

Ross’ session took about 5 minutes more than the others. He was incessantly flirting, making it hard to do your job. And while there was no denying that he was very cute, you knew they were all harmless comments.

You were finding out quickly that the boys were good company. And the shots were all turning out more than great. They were all so naturally photogenic, and the camera loved them. You doubted you’d have to do much editing.

…

You walked out with Ross, on your way to finally bring Matty in. You two lightly chatted on your way out, Matty’s eyes landing on you the second the door opened. He looked at Ross and tilted his head, to which the taller boy only looked down at him and grinned.

You broke the awkward silence, clapping your hands together. “Right, well. Matty, last but not least and all that.” You step back and put your hands up, gesturing for him to step in before you.

Once you finally got him away from the rest of the band and you closed the door, his whole demeanor shifted. Matty turned around instantly to look at you, and you looked down to the floor. You could see his smile through your periphery.

“Okay, so. For the rest of the guys I got a few of them standing and a few of them sitting on the couch…” You trail off, looking around the room. At this point, you’re just desperately trying to avoid eye contact with him. Maybe saving him for last wasn’t the brightest idea.

“Okay,” Matty nods his head, eyes following yours and looking around the studio. “Should I.. get on the couch?” He says offhandedly, a hand coming to hide the smirk that’s blooming on his face.

You feel your face get hot, but you agree anyway. “Um, yeah. That’ll work.” You walk over to the studio light, dragging it in place from where you moved it when with Ross.

After getting the area set up, you turn back to Matty. He’s looking at you expectantly, waiting for direction. “You can just pose however you want. I’ll just take a bunch of shots and there’s bound to be some keepers.” You smile and turn your camera on, fiddling with the settings.

“Have to tell me if I’m doing good, then. Don’t know what I’m doing when I pose, to be honest.” He laughs, moving in his seat a bit. You scoff, still too preoccupied with your camera to realize you did it out loud. “What?” he asks intrigued, still smiling.

“Don’t think you could really look bad. I mean, you’re photogenic and good looking to begin with, so.” You press your lips together, the words flowing out of your mouth too freely. You turn around and walk to a cart that’s in the corner of the room, pretending to grab something from it.

“Yeah, sweetheart? Think I look good?” His smile grows unbelievably wider, not being able to hold back his teasing remarks. You roll your eyes, obviously not meaning the blatant compliment to come out. You come closer to him and he kicks his knee out so it brushes your thigh.

Trying to brush it off, you shrug your shoulders. “You caught me,” You said with the faintest smirk on your face. Taking photos of him flows naturally. He’s just too.. perfect. And though you don’t throw that word around, he really is. You already love the few shots you have of him.

You get down on your knees to take the next picture from a better angle, leaning back on your calves as you do. Matty’s eyes widen and immediately find yours. It doesn’t register in your head what he’s thinking, until you see him shift in his seat.

He doesn’t do it subtly, and you know he wants you to look. You’re no better, so easily giving into temptation. Your eyes drag to his hips, watching the way he lifts himself off the couch momentarily.

“Alright, babe?” He calls, drawing your attention back up to his face. Though, your gaze lingers on his mouth. He winks at you.

“Should I be asking you that instead?” You hide behind the camera, snapping more pictures. You remembered the promise you made to Lexi and yourself. Be professional.

He chuckled, bringing his hands to run them along his thighs. “Only if you’re gonna help me out.” His eyes search yours for an answer, and you can only guess that you look as desperate as you feel. You nod.

His hands run higher, rubbing over the tent in his jeans. “Gonna need your words, then.” He smirks, and you feel so out of control. But it feels nice.

“Yes, please. I’ll help you.” You get up from your spot on the floor, ready to move towards him. Matty’s hand presses on himself harder, and he groans.

“Ah,” He tsks, stopping you in your tracks. “Don’t get to touch me yet, we’re not done our photo shoot.” He smiles, which then gets interrupted with a moan. The only thing you’re focusing on is how he works himself with his hand.

“Please, Matty. Need you.” You’re already begging him, but you don’t dare move from your spot. Because you want to be good for him. You feel the pit in your stomach, and then the pool of arousal in your panties.

“C’mon, take a picture of me baby. Isn’t that your job?” Matty throws his head back, palming himself through his jeans even more. You feel your knees weaken, the camera suddenly heavier in your hand.

You bring the camera up to your face, looking through the view finder. Matty looks sinful. You clench your thighs together and his hips lift off the couch even more, a whimper falling past his lips. You take the photo.

“Knew you’d be so fucking eager. Could see ya eye fucking me since we got here.” Matty starts to unzip his pants, allowing his cock to be less constrained by the pressure. You don’t even think when your finger hits the button.

“Like you weren’t doing the same?” You shoot back, voice coming out breathier than intended. He lifted his hips up, pulling his jeans down past his thighs. He was left in his black Calvin Klein boxers. The imprint of his hard cock very much visible.

He strokes himself over his boxers, mouth parting slightly. “Watch that mouth, thought you were a good girl.” He groans out through gritted teeth. “Come here.”

You obey, of course. Walking straight to him, though your mouth gets the best of you. “Maybe you thought wrong.” You say with an innocent smile, the toes of your shoes hitting his. He grabs your wrist, bringing it to his dick. He moves your hand up and down, letting you feel all of him.

“Wanna be a brat for me, baby? Come on, take me out. I’ve got another use for that mouth.” You reach for his waistband, your camera still in your other hand. He notices the compromising position and takes it from you. You expect him to put it to the side, but he keeps it in his hand. “Get back on your knees.”

You lower yourself down, pulling Matty out fully. He’s pretty. His cock is long and thick, the tip slightly red with precum beading out from touching himself. “So big, Sir.” You look up at him through your lashes, pumping him twice. He whines out.

“Sir, huh?” He smirks, throat gravelly. You work your hands around his length more. Then, you hear it. The camera shutter. You look up, his eyes looking through the viewfinder.

“Can I suck you off?” You bat your eyelashes, waiting for permission. Matty’s hands falter, bringing the camera down slightly. He hums.

“Mhm, take your top off, sweetheart. Leave your bra and leggings.” You pull your hands off him, swiping your shirt over your head. You were wearing a blue bra with lace trim, and it pushed your tits together nicely. Thank you, Lord.

Matty started to pump his cock when your hand left, now working himself faster. “Open your mouth.” You submitted to him, quickly sticking your tongue out. You subconsciously pushed your breasts together with your elbows.

Matty slapped his dick on your tongue, loving the way your moans vibrated around him. He teased you, taking himself away to take another picture. “Please, please Sir.” You rock yourself on your heel, the desperation growing.

“Little slut,” He giggles, pressing his cock into your mouth. Groaning out when you close your lips around him. You could only take a little more than half of him in your mouth, swirling your tongue around his tip.

Your hands came up to work the rest of what didn’t fit. “Made for this, to take my cock.” You whined around him at that. Hollowing your cheeks and pulling off a bit. You say something around him that he can’t make out, and he bucks into your mouth.

Matty’s hand comes to rest on the back of your head, hand tangling in your hair. “Like that? Wanna be my fucktoy?” You nod around him, bringing one of your hands to rub yourself over your leggings. Matty guides your head down on him until you gag, letting you pull off and take a breath.

Tears welling in your eyes, you swallow your saliva and look back up at him. “I’m okay, please keep going. I like it.” You respond to the concerned look in his eyes, and he nods. Before you take him in your mouth again, you spit back on his cock.

“Fucking hell, shit.” Matty moans, throwing his head back on the frame of the couch. He pushes your head down again, making you take his whole cock in your mouth. You don’t gag this time, and he starts to move his hips.

He’s fucking your mouth, and you’ve never been more turned on in your life. You felt your knees starting to bruise, and you rubbed your cunt faster. The only thing separating you being two layers of fabric.

He pulled you off of him, then. Looking at you touching yourself. “Getting off on making me feel good? S’pathetic, baby.” He teased you, and you heard the camera go off yet again. “C’mon, up here. Gonna make you feel good.”

What a gentleman, you think. Not coming before you. The thought makes you giggle, but it’s interrupted by your own shriek when he pulls you onto the couch. He places you on his thigh, grinding you down against him. Your whines are constant and he’s not letting up. “Please, Matty. I want you.” You whimper.

Matty pulls his shirt over his head, throwing it to the side. You state shamelessly, taking in all of his tattoos. They make him even more attractive, and you know you’re only feeding his ego with your wide eyes and parted lips.

He flips your position, and now Matty’s on his knees before you. He pulls your leggings off briskly. Then, you’re only left in a bra and panties. He presses over the wet spot on your panties, and you jolt. He hooks his finger in them, and pulls them to the side.

His fingers run through your wetness, and you’re practically glistening under the studio lights. He slips his middle finger inside of you, but it’s gone as soon as it came. You squirm, needing to feel any kind of friction. He pulls you closer to him by your thighs, spreading your legs wide.

He’s just staring for a few minutes, until you feel him blow a gust of cold air onto your exposed cunt. You scream out, hips bucking off the couch. Matty lightly slaps your inner thigh. “Sh, don’t want our friends to know what a whore you are, right? Giving it up so easy for a guy you just met.” You hear the smirk in his words, his accent becoming thicker and breathing more rapid.

Without warning, he licks a bold stripe up the center of your pussy. You put your hand in front of your mouth, muffling the moans. Matty sees this, however, and has a different idea. He says something without lifting up from you, the feeling of his mouth making your eyes roll back. Finally, he pulls off of you. “Camera.”

You whine, “Huh?” The camera is suddenly being placed in your hand, the weight making you shake more. “Only fair you get some pictures of me. Had your photoshoot, now it’s my turn.” And with that, his mouth is back on you.

Matty licks your clit, pursing his lips and sucking. Your legs start to shake, and he brings his hand around to insert his middle finger in your hole. Your whole body goes weak, the light grip you have on the camera not helping.

Matty continues eating you, and he’s messy with it. You feel your slick on your inner thighs. His tongue goes inside of you, slowly moving in circles. He pulls off again, watching you clench around nothing before shoving his face between your thighs.

Your moans are nonsensical, bucking your hips off the couch and squirming uncontrollably. Matty spits on your cunt, moving his hand to pinch at your clit. “Fuck! Oh my God, Matty. Don’t tease.”

“God or Me, which one?” He laughs, pressing a light kiss to your clit. “You haven’t taken any photos, Miss ‘pro’.” He brings up Ross’ words from earlier, the realization causing you to smile. The smile is wiped away, though, when he runs his two fingers through your slit and puts them inside of you.

Your mind clears, and you finally take a photo. You don’t even bother to check the shot anymore, just clicking the button mindlessly. Matty grins and curls his fingers inside you. His tongue laying flat against your clit.

He sucks on you again, scissoring his fingers slowly. “Mm, please, Sir. Gonna cum, please.” You beg, hoping he won’t take it away from you. That he’ll just allow you to let go. You take another picture, the top of his hair and bottom of your abdomen most likely the only things visual.

“C’mon, baby. Cum for me and I’ll give you what you really want. Fill you up with this cock.” He stutters in his words, and you realize his other hand went down to lightly stroke himself. More precum that he’s been using to lubricate himself.

You cum with a shout, that’s muffled by his lips on yours. Matty swallows your moans, sticking his tongue in your mouth instead. You can barely taste yourself on his tongue, and you ride his fingers through your orgasm. “Matty, Matty. Shit, thank you.” You pant, chest heaving.

“Good girl.” He pats the top of your head condescendingly, snickering. He stands back up to his full height. “Don’t thank me yet, ‘M just getting started with you.” His hand comes behind your back, unclipping your bra and letting it fall to your lap. “Lift your hips up, love.”

You do as he says, letting him pull your panties off. He throws both scraps of fabric somewhere on the grand. His hand immediately going towards your tits. He grabs a handful, and starts kissing down your neck.

“Sir, need you now. Can’t wait anymore.” Matty’s lips attach to your collarbone. He bites you, sucking on the spot. He licks over the red mark, moving to another spot on your neck to do the same.

“You’ll fuckin’ wait if I make you. Do anything to please me, right?” You nod, head rolling to rest on your shoulder. You finally feel satisfied when Matty takes his cock, resting it just above your pussy.

He lines himself up, but never goes where you need him. He keeps bumping your clit, every time making your body twitch. He holds your hip in place, the tip of his cock prodding at your entrance. The only coherent thing coming out of your mouth is please, mixes of Matty and Sir.

He puts his tip inside of you, feeling you clench and then quickly pulling out. You whine, trying to move down the couch and put him back in. “Beg for me if you want it so bad, baby.” Matty is hard, and you know he must be aching as bad as you are. His cock and angry red, you know he needs to give in soon.

“Please! Please, I need it. Need you so bad.” You’re not above begging, obviously. And Matty loved it. He groaned, your wet cunt coming in contact with his dick again.

“Need what? Gotta use your words like a big, or I won’t know.” He rubbed his cock down your slit, pressing on top of your clit. He moved his hips forward slightly, and you squeezed your eyes shut.

You threw your head back, “You! Your cock, Matty. Need it inside me.” You tried to close your legs, clenching around nothing and needing friction. Matty gripped your inner thighs, prying them apart and pressing them to either end of the couch.

He lined himself up with your dripping hole again, slipping inside of you slightly. “Gonna give it to you, ruin you.” With that, Matty thrusted inside of you. He started slow, half his cock inside of you. He was stretching you out so good, letting you adjust. “More,” You grit out, teeth clenching in your head.

“Was gonna give it to you gently.” He pressed more of himself inside of you, watching you shake your head. His hand came up to grip your jaw, making you look at him. “You don’t want it slow, right? Just wanna be fucked dumb.” Matty pushed the rest of his cock inside of you. Finally, you were taking him in full.

“Yes! Yes, Sir.” You feel so whole, so full. It makes you want to scream, and you bring your knuckle to your mouth and bite down. You see Matty reaching behind your head for something, and see him with the camera in hand.

He pulls halfway out of you, and the camera shutters yet again. “Look at the way you grip me, christ. Just milking my cock. He starts pounding into you again, hips slapping against yours.

Matty has a steady rhythm, it feels so fucking good for you. You keep clenching around him, and you’re close again from your other orgasm. “Faster, sir. Please.” You jut your lips out. “Wanna cum.” Matty laughs.

“Thought you wanted to be my toy, huh? Sit so pretty for me and take it? That’s dirty, you know, babe. Toys don’t get to cum.” He pouts at you in faux sympathy, eyes casting down towards you. The leather couch was making you sweat now, his gaze piercing through you.

“Please, Sir. Need it so bad, I’ll be so good. I’ll be quiet.” You whined, hips coming off the couch before Matty’s strong hand pushes you back down. Letting your head fall back, a gasp escapes your mouth again when his hand attaches to your clit.

“You’re greedy. Already came once and begging like a slut for it again.” He presses down on your clit, thrusting into you harder. He does go faster, speeding up his rhythm. Your stomach turns and you know you won’t be able to hold it.

Matty’s hand comes to rest lightly on your throat, pressing his thumb into one of the hickeys. “Cum for me, sweetheart. Let go.”

You do, with a shout so loud Matty doesn’t even bother covering it. He’s too focused on reaching his own release. He speeds up even more, riding you through your orgasm and making you overstimulated. “Fuck, fuck. Good girl. Where can I cum, baby?”

“My mouth.” You say with no hesitation, and he pulls out of you cunt. Matty moves up slightly, and pumps his cock above you. You open your mouth and stick your tongue out, and the visual makes him cum. He throws his head back with a loud moan, letting his cock hit your bottom lip.

You swallow, holding his eye contact. He curses under his breath, picking the camera back up and taking a picture of you like that. Then, one with his thumb pulling on your bottom lip before he wipes the corner of your mouth with it.

You giggle. “You taste good.” You watch him step off the couch, searching for your clothes. He finds your underwear and bra, bringing it back over to you. When he realizes there’s nothing to clean you up with, he leans down and licks your cunt.

You shriek out. “Could say the same about how you taste.” He winks at you, handing you your clothes so you can get dressed. He goes to find his own and do the same. You hide your face in your hands.

“No way you’re shy, you just had my dick inside of you.” He rolls his eyes, throwing his shirt back on. Tone full of amusement and disbelief.

“Doesn’t mean you have to be vulgar.” You joke, strapping back into your leggings. The anxiety about Lexi and his band mates is hitting you now, but there’s no going back. “Thank you.”

He looks over, a wide grin on his face. Matty grabs your shoulders. “No, thank you. Best photoshoot of my career.” He walks over to the door, and you take long strides to catch up with him.

You smooth a hand over your hair and straighten out your clothes. It’s no use though, because when you open up the door and walk into the hall with Matty, they all know.

Lexi and the guys all stood there, knowing smiles on their faces. George even starts laughing when you both walk out. Adam’s head hung with his shoulders shaking, and Ross a smirk on his face.

“Think Matty got the all inclusive session, then?” George says, causing the rest of the group to burst out in laughter. You shrink in on yourself, looking over to see Matty’s grin. Lexi shoots you a look. A timid smile, but her eyes say ‘we’ll talk later.’

Matty giggles, humming. “Mhmm, don’t be jealous.” He shrugs looking between Lexi and you. “Contact us again for another shoot, then? We love your work, and would love to come back.” His eyes go to your face for the last bit, and you nod.

They all say their goodbyes, exchanging handshakes and stares. When they walk out, Matty catches your eye again through the window. Waving, and pulling out a cigarette.

…

Later, when you’re cleaning up the studio, you find a folded piece of paper under the front desk. A 10 digit phone number, a small heart and the words Matty scrawled under it.

#divider cred: @cafekitsune #matty healy x y/n #matty healy x you #matty healy x oc #matty healy blurb #matty healy oneshot #matty healy fluff #matty x reader #matty healy x reader #matty healy smut #matty healy fic #matty healy x fem reader #matty healy x fem!reader #photographer!reader

244 notes · View notes

atlasofthestaars · 5 months

Text

[MK X READER] New Era - Chapter .012

first part | previous part | next part

NOTE: TBH a while ago I considered putting titles for these chapters but then I realized I am pretty, pretty bad at titles. Would you guys want titles anyways?? For convenience I would still probably have the numbers be the main thing to click on but for AO3 and the top of the page it would be labeled???

I broke down the votes on tumblr for the poll combining the votes of the tumblr poll and here :D! Here’s a link: here

I know links are not. really usable on ao3 though so I’ll copy and paste the breakdown in the bottom note.

The tldr version is: 1) Johnny 2) Bi-han 3) Liu Kang 4) Tomas 5) Raiden 6) Kenshi 7) Kuai Liang 8) Kung Lao

I’ll reveal what these votes are being used for when we get to the part when this was important LMAO <3 ty all for voting!!

FROM THE EYES OF ONE WHO TRIES TO FIGURE CERTAIN THINGS OUT

Today was the first day in a while that you did not awaken to see the sun.

Opening your eyes, it felt like a dream to awaken to a room lit up with the soft glow of the crystal lamp. For a moment, your heart raced. Your brain panicked at the unfamiliar feeling of waking up in a spot that wasn’t your room or the Wu Shi academy. Then, you felt a sense of calm fall over yourself as your brain remembered that you were simply in Outworld for the tournament.

You sat up, feeling your body slowly come to life. Joints popped, muscles stretched. You drowsily rubbed your eyes as you swung your legs over the side of the bed. After a deep inhale, you forced yourself to get up. A yawn left your lips as you walked over to the small closet you had unpacked your extra clothes into. You undressed, and as you did so you took a moment to pause as you noted the mirror hanging on the wall right next to the closet.

You hadn’t noticed it until now.

Swallowing your nerves, you turned so your back was to the mirror. You didn’t really have mirrors in the Fire Temple. You supposed it could have been chalked up to a lack of vanity of those living there, you never really questioned or cared. But all that mattered was that you rarely saw the mark on your back.

It was a scar centered right between your shoulder blades. It was shaped as if someone had struck you with a leopard fist. Then, thin lines spread out from the mark in all directions, stopping conveniently just before it would be exposed with the clothes you wore. It was as if it were like veins and arteries and your scar was the heart. You let out a sigh as you reached back to trace the lines before gently brushing the main scar.

It felt rough compared to the rest of your skin, it was like comparing gravel to dirt. It was probably from the lack of care you put into it, but you had a feeling no matter how much care you would have put into it, nothing would cause it to get any less rough. The mark was notably lighter than the rest of your skin, the edges of it slightly pink before it faded into your regular skin color.

No one knew you had these marks. At least, you assumed not, you’ve never shown anyone you had these. It took you long to find out you even had these marks. It was only until one night you had stayed over at Madam Bo’s and noticed the mirror she had hung in the guest room you had been staying in. You figured it wasn’t important to tell anyone, especially when you didn’t know the origin of it. It’d only serve to make you seem more suspicious.

Your fingers brushed the mark again. You’ve always assumed this was from your current life, before the memory loss. The last reminder of your past before it was all wiped away when you awoke in those fields near the Fire Temple. Your lips pulled downwards into a frown. You’ve never put much thought into who you were before you lost your memory.

Did anyone know or care who you used to be?

You huffed, knowing the answer. It was doubtful that anyone did. Maybe this wasn’t even from this life, maybe it was from your past life. You wouldn’t know from your memories, they never included details of scars or anything of the sort. You shifted your weight as you considered it. No, maybe it wasn’t, you concluded. You don’t know how you would even retain a scar from a past life.

You tore your eyes away from the mark and tugged your clothes on. It was too much to think about for something that was probably so insignificant. You turned to look at your back in the mirror once you were dressed again.

It was concealed once more. Out of sight, out of mind.

Your stomach grumbled, reminding you that you needed fuel for today. Where would you even find food? You pondered over the food you could potentially get, and that’s under the assumption that you even had time to eat. You stood, staring at the door for a moment pondering over this new found dilemma before realizing you were wasting more time by thinking about it. You shook your head and walked out of your room.

Unlike your room, the rest of the palace was fairly open with windows and spots where the light could filter in. The palace felt like it was bathed in a soft glow of light. It felt almost like a dream to stand among the light.

How lucky you were that you could be here to witness this majesty in person. You took a moment to close your eyes and just bask in the atmosphere of the palace. Just standing here made you feel regal. It made you consider how the palace looked on the outside, was it just as beautiful as it was on the inside? You felt like you understood why the royalty enjoyed lavishness, just a bit. Who wouldn’t enjoy waking up to this view?

The tapping of heels caught your attention, snapping you out of your reverie. Loud, commanding and with purpose. You turned to look over, down the hallway to see who the source was. You blinked as you recognized Princess Kitana walking down the hall. You stared for a moment, thinking of how funny it was that you encountered her again like this.

Your heartbeat got louder again, and you recognized the feeling. A memory? Again? As the world faded away you could only question why Outworld was unlocking so many memories for you.

You opened your eyes to see a crowd of people around you. The faces of the people you saw felt hazy in your mind. You could vaguely recognize them, but it felt all too peculiar. Glancing to your right, you noted how you were once again standing next to Raiden and Liu Kang. It seems you were by their side more often than you had expected.

“Are you alright, Lord Raiden?” The words fell from your lips as you watched the uneasy look on the thunder god’s face. You saw him raise a hand to his head and your eyebrows raised. You crossed your arms and glanced to Liu Kang and noted his own worried look.

“Strange visions.” Raiden muttered, his gaze looking off into the distance. You heard the little crackle of glass. Raiden grabbed his amulet, something that made your stomach twist and turn at the sight, and you all saw the fractured glass.

“Your amulet!” Liu Kang exclaimed. Your breath hitched upon seeing the cracks.

“It is nothing.” Raiden dismissed, though you could hear the hint of worry that lingered in his tone. “The tournament begins.” He continued, turning his gaze to the front as he placed the amulet back upon his chest. Liu Kang followed his example, turning his attention to the proceedings. Your gaze, however, stayed on Raiden for a few moments more.

A pit of dread formed in your stomach. Father would have probably called Raiden out on his lies. Should you follow in his footsteps? You shifted your weight from one foot to the other. Perhaps not, he was closer to the god than you were. Taking one last glance at the cracked amulet, you took in a deep breath. Then, you turned your attention to the front.

Monks walked in from the left and right sides before the fighting arena. From behind them, you spotted the Outworlders walking in. An old man, a tarkatan, and two Edenians. You blinked as you locked eyes with the Edenian dressed in blue.

Princess Kitana.

Your eyes narrowed, giving her a challenging glare. The princess, in return, seemed to steel her own resolve.

No matter what this tournament throws at you, be it princesses, tarkatans, or sorcerers, you were determined to help Earthrealm win.

“Is something interesting, Earthrealmer?” Kitana inquired, snapping you out of your rather short memory. A perfect eyebrow raised as she came to a few feet away from you. You blinked, mulling over the sudden question before you realized that she must have found it odd that you were staring. You forgot you even were staring, too lost in thought.

“I was just thinking about how I encountered you again in this hallway, odd isn’t it?” You replied, lying. There was a moment where Kitana returned the stare, her face showcasing she was a bit perplexed by your answer. Perhaps she wasn’t ready for the answer you provided. It was rather mundane and casual. Were you performing a faux pas by being too casual with royalty?

“I wouldn’t consider it so odd, I take this route all the time.” Kitana replied, entertaining your conversation. You felt relief flood through you after her words, realizing you had not tarnished both your and Earthrealm’s reputation. That, and she had not caught on to your lie. A small, polite smile appeared on her face, the very same one she had shown you yesterday. It was all too perfect, too practiced in your opinion, but you would rather see that smile than a disapproving look. “Would you like to accompany me to the Great Hall?”

“It would be an honor.” You replied, sending her a smile of your own. Yours was less practiced, just a bit more honest. You, after all, didn’t have as much practice with sending polite smiles as the princess did. You only could hope it was enough for her. She nodded, seeming to be pleased by your response. You joined her side, a familiar feeling for something you had only done once.

Though the memory was short, your mind raced with the small details you remembered. This wasn’t your first tournament. You had fought in at least one other before in your past life. Though from the memory it seemed much, much more severe. Then, there was the other detail that was immediately nagging at you. The amulet.

Liu Kang had called it Raiden’s amulet. Was it mere coincidence that in this life he wielded the very same amulet? You chewed on your cheek as you mulled over the question. Liu Kang had mentioned how Raiden had been a natural with it. Had that been simply a statement of skill, or was it a tease of how he actually used to wield lightning and had an amulet like that?

No. That was impossible. Liu Kang was simply a demigod, how would he know anything of a past life? He had even speculated that your visions were of another world, not of a past life.

You were just overthinking it, surely. And yet, even with this confirmation in your head, the dread building inside you did not abate. You couldn’t tell if it was due to the fact that you didn’t even believe your own thoughts or that other nagging feeling you couldn’t quite place.

“How confident are you in your student?” Kitana inquired, peering over to you, breaking you away from your thoughts. Her eyes scanned you, as if she could glean how well the training went from your attitude alone. Or maybe, she was trying to analyze that pondering look you had. Her lips pursed. You smiled at the inquiry, feeling a surge of pride. You pushed the thoughts you had away, trying to lift your spirits.

“I’m very confident in Raiden.” You replied, hands clasped behind your back. Both from the pride you held in Raiden and the position, your back straightened a bit more. “He was a lovely student. He was very diligent in his training and very receptive to feedback. Not to mention, he was very adaptive.” You sang his praises, knowing very well that you and the others would have to hype Raiden up since he was far too humble.

“I see.” Kitana hummed, seeming to mull over your words as if it were like a fine wine which needed a review. “I hope we can see if he lives up to your expectations, then.” She commented. Not necessarily antagonizing, but you could sense the challenge within her words. You nodded, not taking the slight rivalry personally. It only made sense.

“I can assure you that he will.” You countered, indulging a bit in the challenge. An eyebrow raised at your words and a glimmer appeared in her eyes. It reminded you of the very same look she sent Johnny Cage last night, it was pure amusement. You smiled a bit wider, holding back a chuckle. “I would not underestimate him despite what his humble nature may lead you to believe.”

“We shall see.” The princess spoke after a beat. “I hope your high praises weren’t for naught.” She told you as the two of you arrived to the Great Hall. Her words hung in the air, though polite you could tell she was still very much rooting for the downfall of Raiden. Again, understandable, but you did have to commend Kitana for her attempt to be cordial.

The two of you had arrived rather early, so only a few people were around. Not only that, but it seemed that most seemed to be milling about trying to shake off the drowsiness that clung to them like a wet blanket. Had it not been for the conversation with the princess, you felt like you also would suffer from the same condition. With a nod, Kitana walked off, leaving you to your own devices.

“I see you have become somewhat familiar with princess Kitana.” Liu Kang spoke as you walked over. For the moment, your small group composed of the fire god himself, you, and the two former farmhands. You nodded at his comment before letting your gaze drift across the group.

Liu Kang, as usual, was pristine. After all these years you had no idea whether the fire god even slept or not, and if he did, you’ve never seen it. He always seemed ready and prepared. You couldn’t deny that you were at least a little envious of it. Raiden was prim and proper too. Not too surprising, considering how he was rather diligent in his routine. You could sense the nerves radiating from him though, and you had a sense that his nerves were the main cause of his alertness. Kung Lao, on the other hand, seemed to still have a few traces of drowsiness left.

“I wouldn’t consider it as me becoming more familiar with her.” You corrected the fire god, crossing your arms. You pursed your lips as you considered what you would call it. “She just entertained some conversation, I’m certain she was simply being polite rather than actual interest.” You said, shrugging. You didn’t mention how she was probably more interested in the way you were lost in thought around her. Liu Kang’s eyebrow arched at your statement, but he seemed to not continue his line of thought.

A member of the royal house staff walked by, offering some breakfast styled hors d'oeuvres to you. You smiled and grabbed some for the group. You offered the small portions to the group. Both Liu Kang and Raiden refused. Luckily for you, Kung Lao was more than eager to eat the portions you didn’t want. It seems he’s not as tired as you thought.

As you bit into the food, you felt a bit better and your worries melted away for now. There was still that annoying nagging voice whispering in the back of your head trying to make you remember something, but now it was much more quiet. It was like you placed a tarp over it, muffling it’s presence.

Maybe you were just hungry and over exaggerating everything while you were famished. The voice, faintly, yelled at you that you weren’t, but you kicked it away. You would have time to think about it later. You didn’t want to worry others by being oddly distant during the tournament. You wouldn’t know how to excuse yourself properly.

Soon enough, Kenshi joined your side. It seemed he took the extra time to make himself presentable as you could not see a hint of sleepiness from him. You nodded towards him and pointed out the hors d'oeuvres to him. He nodded to you in acknowledgement before slinking off to grab some for himself before he rejoined the group.

“Feeling better?” Kenshi inquired, peering over to you. His voice was discreet, trying not to clue in the others on your conversation. You looked at him, raising your eyebrows as you tried to interpret his question. When you continued to stare at him, he let out a small sigh. “Your headaches yesterday.” He told you, and you let out a small “oh” at the realization. “You seemed better at the banquet yesterday.”

“I am feeling better, I suppose I just took the whole interrealm travel worse than the rest of you.” You said, which was not entirely wrong. It was a little ironic though, you reflected, how you a supposed Edenian struggled the most in Outworld. You paused for a moment as your mind lingered on his last comment. He had noticed how you were at the banquet yesterday? Last you recalled, he had been eating at an entirely different table. The attention he had paid to you made you feel…touched. Your smile grew just a bit more. “Thank you for worrying.”

“It’s nothing.” Kenshi dismissed, nodding. His lips curled into a soft smile before it fell as he set his eyes upon something just past you. Raising an eyebrow, you turned to look at who or what had caused him to lose his little smile.

Ah. Johnny Cage.

“Man, I know we woke up early at the Wu Shi, but did we really have to wake up at the crack of dawn for this?” Johnny said as he joined your little group. You watched as he expertly snatched a few breakfast hors d'oeuvres from a passing staff member. He shouted out a causal thank you before turning to the group. “A man like me needs some beauty sleep, you know.” He complained before popping some food into his mouth.

“Empress Sindel would like the tournament fights to happen earlier in the day so the rest of the day is free for you all to explore and mingle with others.” Liu Kang explained, eyeing Johnny Cage. His hands folded together neatly. “I too, encourage the rest of you to explore Sun Do and its wonders. Just remember to not get too drawn in.”

“Got it, chief.” Johnny Cage nodded, though his eyes were clearly somewhere else already. You sighed and sent him a glare to get him back in line. “Hey, I’ve been sticking to my word, teach!” His hands flew up into the air. “I’m allowed to admire the merchandise, aren’t I?”

“I think you’re doing more than just admiring, Johnny.” Raiden pointed out, looking over to Johnny. The rest of the group seemed to agree, leading to the actor rolling his eyes.

“Everybody’s a critic…” The American mumbled as he sulkily turned away from you guys. You let out a small laugh as you pat his back to comfort him. You received a pout in return, though you could tell that his pout was more so on the playful side.

After a bit more of a wait, the princesses made their entrance with the Empress. Much like before, the crowd parted to allow them to cross. Silence hung in the air so their footsteps were more pronounced. Once they took their seats and got settled, Sindel stood up once more.

“Welcome back to the tournament.” Sindel announced, her arms spread with a cordial smile on her lips. You watched as Raiden stepped up to the front of the crowd, singling himself out. “You proved to fight well yesterday, young man.” The Empress said, turning her attention to look at Raiden. You watched as her eyes narrowed just slightly. “Let’s see if you can continue to impress.” She sat down and crossed her legs. “General Shao, whom have you chosen as our next competitor?”

“Your Majesty,” The General began, walking out from the side. Your lips pressed together as you focused your attention on the man. You still felt uneasy around him, it was the mixture of unsettling memories and the attitude he showcased yesterday before the fight. “I have chosen Reiko, my second in command.”

From the hallway, you spotted a figure emerging. The man, who you assumed was Reiko, marched forth. He looked more like he was going into war rather than into a friendly tournament. You wondered silently if that was the attitude of all the soldiers in Outworld or if it was just him. You recognized him as the man who stuck to General Shao’s side during the banquet last night.

“As a boy, Reiko was orphaned during the Katallah War.” General Shao announced as Reiko continued forward. “Though captured, his spirit remained unbroken. He scratched, clawed, and survived. After the war, I took him in. Molded him into the perfect soldier. Few others are as well versed in the ways of war.”

Your eyes went back to General Shao and you had to restrain yourself from raising your eyebrows. General Shao didn’t strike you as the type of person to take someone in, nevermind even being the fatherly type. Your eyes returned back to Reiko as you wondered if he had a fine childhood after being taken in.

He certainly seemed like a hardened soldier now.

Coming to a stop a few feet away from Raiden, Reiko turned away from him. Instead of greeting his opponent, he began to shadowbox, demonstrating his forms and skills. And here you thought Johnny was flashy. Raiden did not appear to be cowed by the little show which was a relief to you. After a spinning kick, the man finally turned to face Earthrealm’s champion.

“In whose army have you served?” Reiko interrogated, staring Raiden down. An attitude of being unimpressed rolled off of him in waves. You crossed your arms at this, narrowing your eyes just a bit. You could tell he did not take your student seriously, not even in the slightest. “In what wars have you fought?”

“I have done neither.” The former farmhand admitted, his softer tone contrasting with the second in command’s harsher one.

“Then you are woefully unprepared, Earthrealmer.” Reiko sneered. He lifted a hand to point directly at his opponent. “This will be your last battlefield.” He declared. A mutual understanding seemed to be in order as both of the men settled into fighting stances. Reiko bounced in his with a sense of barely restrained energy while Raiden was much calmer, much like how you had taught him.

Sindel called out for the fight to begin, leading Reiko to charge forward. His strikes were fast and aggressive, you could tell from the intensity behind them he was aiming to end this quickly and brutally. You were suddenly grateful for the training you had given Raiden as you watched him anticipate this and go more defensively.

You winced as you watched Raiden, at one point, get grabbed by the soldier and slammed into the ground. You had to admit, Reiko was ruthless and knew how to use his strength well. He was a grappler, something that you hadn’t trained your students well against. You could only hope that Liu Kang taught him good counters.

Still, despite the initial worry, Reiko seemed to lose steam against Raiden’s defensive tactics. This allowed the champion to gain the upper hand, turning the tide and turning the momentum of the battle against the soldier. It didn’t take very long after that occurred for Raiden to emerge victorious.

“Felled by a simple farmer.” Raiden spoke as the soldier laid defeated upon the ground. Your lips curled upwards at the small taunt. Reiko deserved that for underestimating the man. The electric user turned around to face the Empress and bowed. You watched as General Shao huffed upon seeing his second in command fail.

“Congratulations on another victory, young man.” Sindel commended, though you could sense an underlying sense of irritation behind her words. It seems she thought that Reiko would be capable of conquering Raiden. She stood and addressed the crowd this time. “We shall adjourn once more at first light tomorrow.”

Much like yesterday, the crowd dispersed quickly. Though this time, you could see how a few more people lingered just a touch longer to stare and whisper about Raiden. It seemed he was making waves already.

“And that’s another victory under your belt, Thunder Lad!” Johnny celebrated as the champion rejoined your group. Though he had a smile that told you he was grateful for cheers, you could have sworn you saw a flash of irritation at the nickname. You let out a silent chuckle at it. You recalled him mentioning how he hated that name, but you didn’t think it was that bad.

“Indeed, you are doing well.” Liu Kang spoke, nodding. “Many seem to be pleased at the display of strength you are showing.” A pleased smile was upon the fire god’s lips. Looking at the group, he gestured to the hallway. “The day is free for you all to explore and mingle with others. Although not a banquet, Empress Sindel will be offering dinner once more tonight.”

You all nod, looking towards each other and beginning to discuss their various plans. Then, you felt a hand settle on your shoulder. You look over to see Liu Kang looking at you. The same pleased smile was present on his lips, though you could sense something else lingering there.

“May we speak privately first?” Liu Kang inquired. Your eyebrows raised. As the question processed in your head, you felt a small sense of dread begin to build. He didn’t appear to be upset or overly serious, but the idea that Liu Kang needed to ask you to speak privately made you worry. What could he possibly need from you?

“Certainly.” You reply after perhaps a bit too long of a silence. You and Liu Kang waved to the group before walking off towards the outside exit. You both made your way towards a quaint bench in the garden outside. It was quiet here, peaceful. You swallowed your nerves as you sat down next to the fire god. You put on your best smile, hoping it was not obviously nervous. “What did you wish to discuss?”

“I just wanted to check if you were feeling alright, first.” Liu Kang responded, a gentle look on his face. You nodded, and it seemed that the god was pleased by the response. “Good, I didn’t get a chance to ask you after you went to get air yesterday.” You remembered that clearly, mostly because you had been only slightly avoiding him. You didn’t want to make too much of a fuss, but then again, here you were. It did feel nice to know that the fire god had still wished to check up on you.

“I’m alright, Lord Liu Kang.” You replied, your hands folding together as you relaxed just a touch more. “Is that all you wished to ask?” You inquired, tilting your head to the side just a bit. You had a feeling it wasn’t, seeing how he wished to speak privately. You doubted he would ask to speak alone if it were just that.

“No.” He said, confirming your suspicions. You straightened up a bit more, bracing yourself for the other question he was about to send your way. You saw him pause for a moment as he looked at you, observing your reaction. He leaned in a tiny bit more and his voice dropped to a whisper. “I wanted to ask again, are you having visions again?”

You hated how your body betrayed your thoughts. Immediately you stiffened up and you were certain your face contorted into a look of nerves and shock. You looked away as you forced yourself to relax, looking over the peaceful garden. You had basically given away the answer by body language alone, so you figured there was no point in lying about it this time.

“I am.” You confirmed, still not looking at Liu Kang. You were, for the time being, afraid of looking at him. You don’t know how many of your guarded secrets you’d let out if you told him. “It’s mostly memories of a different looking Outworld.” Your fingers drummed on your knee as you stared straight ahead, looking at the wonders of the garden. “It’s so…jarring.”

“I see.” Liu Kang said after a moment, seeming to take in your words. Before he could speak again, you decided to cut him off.

“Do you think an Outworld like that exists, one that is filled with more bloodshed and tyranny, or is it simply visions?” You inquired, testing the waters a bit. Maybe, just maybe if he thought so too, you wouldn’t be thought of as crazy if you did tell him. You turned your head just slightly to see his reaction.

He was deep in thought, his lips just slightly pursed as he seemed to mull over your words. His eyebrows were furrowed the tiniest bit. After a moment, he shook his head, and your heart sank.

“It is…unlikely.” Liu Kang spoke, the last word hanging in the air. You looked away from the god, closing your eyes. Perhaps you were truly alone in thinking that a past life existed that you lived. His hand covered yours in a comforting motion. You took in a deep breath, feeling your insides churn. Liu Kang probably misinterpreted your expression of unease from your visions. “Do not fret, that Outworld does not exist.”

Anymore, you finished in your head.

“I know.” You said, uncertain whether your words were lies or not. Were you just being crazy by believing that you were seeing a past life? Not even Liu Kang thought it had existed. Still, despite your uncertainty you felt the comfort of his hand. His hand squeezed yours gently, as if trying to anchor you.

“I am sorry that you are plagued with these visions. If I could, I would remove them from you.” Liu Kang told you, his words feeling like a soothing balm. Even though his words were meant to be comforting, a stupid part of you whispered in your head telling you that you didn’t want that. You couldn’t be getting these memories for no reason.

You’d figure out the reason alone if you needed to.

“Thank you for the sentiment.” You told him, opening your eyes and sending him your best smile. He smiled back, his smile much warmer than yours. You envied it, how could he look like the sun? You could feel your smile grow a little more, and you felt your face heat up for a reason you didn’t quite understand at the moment. You just felt warm. It wasn’t too odd, you supposed, seeing as Liu Kang was the fire god, so you pushed the odd, light feeling away. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?” You asked after doing just that.

“Yes.” Liu kang told you with that same smile. After one last squeeze he released your hand. He stood up, seeming to be content after your small conversation. “I will let you explore Sun Do now, it is truly a prosperous place.” He nodded at you, looking at you fondly for one more moment before walking off. You sat there a moment longer, letting the conversation sink in a bit more.

You sighed as you leaned forward and rested your forearms on your thighs. You folded your hands and pressed them against your forehead, closing your eyes. You didn’t know what to make of the conversation you just had. The memories…visions…whatever they were, they didn’t feel fake. They felt too lived in, too real.

Perhaps a past life was beyond comprehension for even a god. You doubted Liu Kang would lie to you if it were real, especially about something you’ve had for so long and was so important to you. As you continued to sit there deep in thought, you barely registered the footsteps that was headed your way until you noticed a shadow fall upon you.

“There you are, I’ve been looking for you.” You blinked as you registered the man standing in front of you as Rain. You sent him a perplexed look, but nodded to indicate he should go on. A friendly smile appeared on his face. “You were very intrigued by the prospect of the Imperial Academy, yes?” He inquired, and you slowly nodded. “Would you like to accompany me to see it tomorrow after the fight?”

“I would be delighted.” You said without even thinking. A grin appeared on your face and for a moment you forgot about your worries, too excited over the idea of seeing a school full of magic. Your answer seemed to please the High Mage, and he nodded with satisfaction.

“Good. Perhaps you may learn a bit to further your own abilities.” He said.

“I suppose if there was a place to help learn my limits and how to push them, it would be a school dedicated to magic.” You said, nodded. The smile on Rain’s face remained. It was quite nice how you found someone who seemed enthusiastic over magic.

“I shall see you tomorrow then.” He told you. Then, after that moment, he disappeared into the gardens. You were left feeling a bit happier. You let out a small sigh as you got up from the bench. You’ve had enough of sitting out here for now. That, and you supposed today would be a good start to finding gifts for the Lin Kuei trio.

You walked back to the Great Hall, intending to go to Sun Do through the entrance. You stepped in only to be surprised to see Raiden still standing there. He appeared to be milling about. Once he spotted you, the former farmhand seemed to light up and made a beeline for you.

“You’re still here?” You remarked. Your eyebrows raised as you scanned Raiden, trying to perceive the reason why he stuck around before he spoke. You watched as his smile turned just a tad more shy and there was just a barely perceptible dusting of pink along his cheeks.

“Yes.” Raiden confirmed, nodding. He seemed to pause for a moment to consider his words. His head tilted downwards, his hat brim obscuring his face. Then, another moment passed before he lifted his head to show his face which seemed a touch more confident. “I wanted to wait for you to go see if you would like to go explore Sun Do together.”

“You didn’t have to wait for me.” You replied, laughing a bit in surprise. You crossed your arms as you looked at the man. You were touched at the fact that he had wanted to wait for you. “I’d be honored to accompany the Earthrealm champion, though.” You told him, teasing him just a little bit. The smile on his face only seemed to get brighter at your words. “Maybe you can even help me.”

“With what?” Raiden inquired, now walking by your side. You both made your way down the hallway side by side.

“I planned on buying some gifts for Bi-Han, Tomas, and Kuai Liang.” You explained, and in turn the farmhand nodded. “It’s not everyday that one gets to travel to Outworld, after all, and since they didn’t get to come I figured it would be nice to give them some gifts.”

“Why don’t the Lin Kuei participate?” Raiden asked, a thoughtful look on his face. Your steps faltered for a moment as you considered his question. Why didn’t they participate, you tilted your head, considering the question. You’ve never quite thought about it.

“I guess I don’t know.” You replied after your little moment. Your footsteps resumed at their pace. “It has probably something to do with the tournament rules, I suppose.” You carded a hand through your hair. “I’ve never really questioned it.”

How much else have you never questioned? There was so much you’ve never really taken into account. Maybe you should start questioning things. It wasn’t good to be ignorant, after all.

Sun Do was still as pretty as ever. Banners, lanterns, and other decor lined the streets. Music filled the air and many of the citizens laughed and danced along the streets. Vendors shouted out their wares, and you listened in to see if any of it would be of use to you. You grinned as you passed by them all.

“It’s very lively out here.” You mused as you turned to look back at Raiden after a while of walking. To your surprise, he was gone. You stopped and scanned the crowd to look for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Frowning you made your way to the side to see if you could find him better. After a few minutes of searching, you sighed as you failed to see him.

“May I help you?” A voice asked. Stiffening up, you turned to see a Naknadan woman standing within the store. She peered at you with wide eyes as she put away various weapons with her arms. At first, you were about to dismiss it, then you looked closer at the store. It was a weapons shop. You took a moment to look around, then noted the collection of karambits lined along the wall.

“Ah, yes.” You said as you eyed the collection. You stepped forward to get a closer look, observing the fine craftsmanship that went into every single one. It was then that you found it. A karambit with the blade a silver white. On the handle were intricate designs etched into almost akin to smoke. It was as long as Tomas’ personal karambit too, so he wouldn’t have to adapt. The safety ring was gold. “How much is this one?” You inquired, gesturing to the blade.

She told you the price, giving you a sunny smile. You reached into your bag, grabbing the money that Liu Kang had given you prior to the trip. She peered at you curiously, inquiring what the blade was for. Enthusiastically, you told her that the blade was a gift for a friend.

“Would you like for me to engrave something on it? I can engrave it upon the safety ring.” The lady asked. You lit up at the idea, smiling. With one arm, she plucked the blade from the wall and placed it upon a table. Then with a few other of her arms, she grabbed various tools from another table nearby. “What would you like?”

“Have strength, Tomas. From,” You spoke your name. The Naknadan woman nodded. Using another arm, she grabbed some glasses and placed it upon her face. You watched with awe as she precisely engraved the message you had said onto the ring. Then, she delicately placed into a velvet lined box to which she wrapped up and handed to you. “Thank you.”

“I hope whoever you gift that to will enjoy it.”

“I’m certain he will.” You said, turning to exit the shop. To your delight, you spotted Raiden standing outside the shop, looking puzzled and searching around the crowd. Making sure to keep your footsteps light, you snuck up upon the man. With a small smirk you placed a hand upon his shoulder, making him jump. “It seems I have a knack for sneaking up on you.”

“Yes…Yes you do.” Raiden said as he recovered from the little scare you had provided. You let out a laugh, squeezing his shoulder. After his recovery, he peered at the box you held in your hand. “Where did you wander off to?”

“Well, after I noticed I had lost you in the crowd, I stepped to the side to try and look for you.” You told him before turning your head to look back at the shop you had stepped out of. “I happened to step inside there and happened to find a gift for Tomas.” You explained, lifting up the box and showing it off.

“I suppose that us splitting up was a good thing, then.” Raiden mused as he looked curiously at the box you held. He sent you a bright smile. “Would you like to continue to tour around Sun Do?” He asked you, and you nodded in return. You took your hand away from his shoulder and put away the box. As you turned back, you saw Raiden looking at you before he cleared his throat and turning away.

“What’s on your mind?” You asked. raising an eyebrow at the odd way he had reacted.

“Oh, well…” Raiden trailed off, still looking away before he looked at you once more, forcing himself to look you in the eye. Then, gently, he took your hand. For a moment, you wondered if he used his amulet on accident, because you felt electricity surge through your veins. In your surprise, your face heated up. “I thought it’d be best if we held hands, just so we don’t get separated again.”

“I guess that’s pretty smart.” You said, still feeling your face flush at the unexpected contact. You looked away, from him as you cleared your own throat. Surely he must have accidentally used his amulet, that’s why you were feeling so odd. It’s not like you haven’t held anyone else’s hand, so why did this feel so…different? You felt his hand squeeze yours softly as he tugged at it.

“Then let’s go.”

The rest of the day exploring Sun Do was quite fun. Despite all of the exploring you did all afternoon, there was still plenty left to discover. You decided you would have to spend a few more days to check it all out, especially since you had not found gifts to give both Bi-Han and Kuai Liang just yet. There were plenty of things you could have given them, surely, but it didn’t feel right.

Dinner went quite well as well. The food, though not as bountiful as the banquet, was still quite delicious. You had witnessed Kung Lao in action, he devoured enough for multiple men alone. That night, you returned back to your room quite satisfied.

It wasn’t until later when you crept back out into the dead of night. Tanya, once more, assisted you to the Hanging Gardens in a dutiful way. With a raised eyebrow, she inquired whether you always stayed up this late, or was it just the travel? With a friendly smile, you admitted that you struggled going to sleep. With a satisfied hum, she nodded and let you roam the garden in peace.

“I’m glad you can remember our little arrangement. I would have been quite disappointed to have missed out on hearing another one of your entertaining stories.” Mileena remarked as she noticed you walking over. She sat on the same bench that you had sat on yesterday. With a smile, you noted how this evening she did not seem upset as she was yesterday.

For a moment, you wondered what had happened to her that made her so upset. Then, you remembered that it was out of line to ask her that sort of question.

“I would hate to disappoint you.” You replied as you took a seat beside her. You tilted your head up to observe the sea of stars above. The sky was so clear here, and you didn’t think you could get over the view. It was just so…beautiful. After basking in the sight, you turned to look at the princess with a smile. “Was there a particular story you would like to hear about?” You asked, mentally trying to remember all the sorts of movies your students had shown you.

“Do you have any stories of royalty?” Mileena inquired after a few short moments of thought. You hummed, closing your eyes as you thought through the movies you had seen. What story was worthy enough of a princess who was to be the empress one day? You tilted your head as your fingers drummed upon your knee.

“Well, perhaps this one will suffice…”

Mileena was very taken in by the story you told her. She listened carefully at your retelling, only stopping you here and there to ask for clarification. You supposed it was fair, since there were some cultural differences you forgot to account for at times. Still, it was pleasing to see the princess be so enraptured by the story.

“You are quite the storyteller.” The princess remarked as you finished your tale. You grinned, pleased as one should be when complimented by royalty. “Tell me, where did you hear these stories from?” She asked, she leaned just a touch closer to you, but she still kept a considerable distance from you on the bench.

“In Earthrealm there are many other storytellers, I enjoy listening to their own tales that they share. They tell them far and wide, allowing for others to hear their stories as well.” You explained, not certain how to explain movies to the princess. “I only pass on their tales, just as they would have wished for.”

“I see.” Mileena took in your words, nodding. “Perhaps in the next tournament Earthrealm hosts I shall be able to listen to these stories from the other storytellers you speak of.” She said, seeming to be intrigued by your explanation.

“Johnny Cage, one of the ones here with the rest of us, knows many stories himself.” You told her. You held back a laugh at the face the princess made upon the name Johnny Cage. You wondered what he must have said to make her react that way.

“I prefer listening to you much more than…him.” She admitted, her nose still scrunched up at the mention of the actor. She stood, stretching before looking back over to you. “Your stories continue to entertain, Earthrealmer. I would enjoy listening to you again.”

“And I would be honored to tell more of them to you, princess.” You told her, feeling quite pleased by the fact that your retelling of movies was enough to entertain royalty. “Would you like to meet back here tomorrow night?”

“Yes, that would be preferable.” Mileena confirmed, nodding. She sent you one last smile, one that was more genuine than the ones you’ve seen from her when she had to present herself as princess. “Sleep well, Earthrealmer.” She told you, then disappeared off into the night.

“Sleep well as well, princess.” You called out to her, taking a few more moments to sit in the gardens. You sighed as you thought of the things you’ve learned and experienced today. Outworld was proving to be more than you had initially expected.

What would await for you tomorrow?

part thirteen

tagged - @bonezisded @lollipopin @simpxinnie @zhivaxo @koisuko

275 notes · View notes

caffeinemachine · 8 months

Text

Life Jacket- Chapter 2

Hi!! Thanks for all the love on the first chapter! Sorry this out later than I expected but I couldn't stop writing and I didn't want to end the chapter at an odd spot.

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! Hope you like this chapter!

WC: 4.8K

Conrad Fisher x Eldest Conklin Sibling Reader

Blurb | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

~~~~~~~~~~

The first day always went the same. Unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner. Sometimes the first bonfire of the season was the first day we got there, other times it was the next day. This year it was the first. So today’s order was, unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner, get ready, party.

We all gathered around the table for dinner in our usual spots. My Mom, Belly, and me on one side, Steven and Jere across from us, then Conrad on the end next to me, and Sussanah on the end next to my Mom. The spots never changed over the years, unless we had guests to squeeze in somewhere. The other thing that never changed was the food. Susannah was an amazing cook. She had taught me to cook over the years. I had spent many hours by her side being her ‘little sous chef’ as she called me. This summer she told me she would show me her old college food recipe hacks.

I picked my head up from my plate when I heard Jeremiah’s voice, “So Y/n/n when do you leave for school? Do they have the swim team go early?”

I nodded, quickly swallowing my food so I could answer, “Yeah I have to go early, It's not too bad though only 2 weeks before the regular move-in date. I leave on August 5th.”

Susannah spoke next, “We’re so proud of you, our little fish.” Everyone chuckled at the nickname, ‘little fish’. Susannah had been calling me that for years.

“So what about you man when do you leave for training camp?” Steven asked Conrad, only he wasn’t the one who answered. Jeremiah did.

“He uh quit football.” Silenced stretched over the table. He what? I stared at him in disbelief, but in my heart, a part of me felt relieved for him. Being a student athlete isn’t easy and I knew Conrad only did football for his father. Sure he still loved the sport, but not enough.

“What you quit? Why man, I would’ve killed to play college ball?” Steven asked Conrad but again he didn't respond, his mother answered this time.

“He can always change his mind.” That made Conrad speak up, getting defensive towards his mother in a way I didn't usually see from him.

“I’m not gonna change my mind, I was just gonna sit on the bench all season anyway.” I sat quietly. I didn’t know what to say. Conrad and I bonded over our athleticism over the years, it felt weird to think we didn’t share that similarity anymore.

I hadn't realized I was staring at him until he looked back at me, our eyes locked and yet I still couldn't move. You'd think it'd be instinct to look away but as he came into focus, we just stared. I tried my best to read him to understand why he might do that, Why would he quit? I knew he didn't love it but he had gone this far with it, What made him change his mind?

There was something unreadable in his expression I didn't think it was regret or nostalgia or sadness or anger but instead some combination of all of it. I wondered why. He looked away first turning his attention to his plate as he picked at the food in front of him. I didn't push him on it, I wasn't sure I'd push him on it later either. I’m sure he had a reason, maybe it’d be best if I just let him tell me if he wanted.

The rest of dinner continued on like normal on the first night. Catching up, making jokes, and just being happy to be in each other's presence again. Everyone went their separate ways to get ready for the bonfire, and Belly and the moms stayed downstairs preparing for their movie night. Their tradition started a few years ago when Belly was 11, almost 12. That was the first year we went to a bonfire, Conrad and I were 14, and Jeremiah and Steven were 13. The bonfires were different then, we were with the younger crowd still unmixed from the older kids. It was in the backyard of the house owned by a kid Jeremiah and Conrad knew from sailing camp. Belly was so upset she couldn't come with us. She was too young and we didn't want to have to watch out for her the whole night, or entertain her for that matter. I love my sister and she's gotten a lot better over the years but she loves attention, even though she won't admit it. Having her come meant that I would have to keep her by my side the whole night, that I couldn't mingle with new kids and make new friends. The moms promised to hang out with her that night. They went to the drugstore in town and bought a bunch of candy. Susannah made brownies and they watched a movie, a PG-13 movie which Belly thought was awesome at the time.

I didn't do too much to get ready for the bonfire, it wasn't anything new, but I still like to look a little bit nice. It was the first time I was seeing everybody for the season after all. My hair was down, air-dried from the shower I took earlier so it had a natural wave to it. A little concealer under my eyes, some mascara, tinted lip balm, and that was that. I put on a tank top and some jean shorts with my navy Cousins Beach sweatshirt on top. It tended to get a little bit chilly on the beach at night. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes catching on the shimmer coming from my ears. My pearl earrings, Susannah's pearl earrings. She gave them to me for my 16th birthday just like her mother did and I've treasured them every day since.

I had to shoo the thought away as I felt myself getting choked up. I exited my room and went down the stairs, slipping on my very worn-in black Converse by the door. I heard stories of people in college having a designated pair of shoes they called their ‘frat shoes’. This pair of black Converse was that for me over the summer. They had been covered in sand, soaked from water, and scuffed with dirt, more times than I could count.

As I finished tying my last lace, the boys walked down the stairs. I sat up, shoes now tied, and patted my knees, “You guys ready to go?”

“Yep let's do this we're taking my car. Y/N you promised to be DD for the night right? Don’t worry though I won’t drink too much anyway, wouldn't want to be hungover for my first day of duty, right Y/ N?” Jeremiah answered.

I laughed, “No Jere, you definitely shouldn't be hungover. Wouldn't look good for me either after I vouched for you to get this job. But yes I’ll be DD.” He laughed with me throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked to the car. Steven called shotgun which left me and Conrad to sit together in the back. I hated to admit it to myself but he looked good. How someone could pull off a gray hoodie that well I didn't know, but he pulled off a gray hoodie and jeans better than I'd seen ever before.

The drive was silent in terms of conversation but in the front seat, Jeremiah and Steven were singing their hearts out to Steven's ‘pregame’ playlist off Spotify. I kept my gaze out the window. Partly because I was still taking in the beauty of Cousins, partly because I could look at him. He looked too good and I always had to distance myself from Conrad before parties. I never knew how they’d play out with him. Sometimes he’d just stick close to us, the crew, and have a super fun night hanging out. Usually, that’s what he did when I was at the party with the guys but I’d been told the stories of his playboy party actions when I wasn’t there, and last summer I had gotten a glimpse of it. A girl named Nicole had come up to him and started chatting with him. Within seconds she was quite touchy-feely. Her hand was on his chest or upper arm, even playing with his hair every once in a while. I had whispered into Jere’s ear who was between me and the horny fest, “Who’s that?”

Jere took a quick glance over his shoulder and then whispered back, “Nicole, she and Conrad hook up every once in a while.”

I furrowed my brows, “I’ve literally never seen her before.”

“They met at a party last summer when you had left for swim camp, I think her family like only comes out for August.”

I swallowed the information and then excused myself to get a drink. I stole a beer from the kid's fridge and walked back feeling a little bit better now that I had a drink in my hand. But when I looked up to find Nicole on her tiptoes kissing Conrad against the wall, the power of the drink in my hand ceased. I turned back to the kitchen, leaning against the counter by myself for a few minutes. I had my focus down on my hands when I suddenly looked up at the sound of the refrigerator doors flying open. It was her. She was seemingly grabbing a beer from the fridge the same way I had been just a second ago. I expected her to walk back out to Connie, but instead, she stationed herself on the counter, so I took that as my sign to walk back. It was the first, and only time since I had seen Conrad's fuck-boy behavior, but the stories continued, and I never let myself feel unprepared for the chance I might see it again.

Now sitting in the car with him I did just that as I watched the houses go by. The streets are littered with beautiful bloomed hydrangeas. Suddenly, my hair was pushed behind my ear. I turned my head as his hand draped its way down from my ear to the ends of my hair. His face was soft but I could see the dimples around his smile starting to crease. I shifted in my seat, nervous with his attention on me.

“W-what are you doing?” I spoke lowly. Not that it mattered, Jere and Steven had no chance of hearing over our screaming.

“You’re hiding.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. And it left me speechless. “Your hair is always so soft, you’d think after years of chlorine that wouldn’t be the case.”

That eased the tension a little, as the corner of my mouth turned up. “Well, that's because I wear one of those swim caps.”

He laughed, “I’d pay to have a picture of that.”

I laughed with him, “Don’t say that to my mom 'cause she’d easily take your money for an exchange.”

“Let's go!” Jeremiah shouted, exiting the car along with my brother. I hadn't realized we had stopped.

I looked over my shoulder to see Conrad hadn’t moved. His eyes looked at me like he was observing my soul. I held my breath. As if not breathing would help ease the bubbles floating around in my chest.

I couldn’t bear it.

With an awkward laugh, I scooted out of the car and jogged over to Jere and Steven. I didn’t want to walk down alone. I knew the boys wouldn’t stay by my side the whole night, they’d go do other things within the first hour, but I liked to hold onto them for as long as I could. I didn’t mind the girls I’d met with the guys here over the years, but we were never that close. Nicole, Dara, Gigi, Marisa, and Shayla, we’d all lose contact over the school year. I also knew some people who weren’t from that crew. Some of them I knew from the swim club I used to do at the Country Club when I was little under the Fisher’s name. I wasn’t exactly supposed to be in the club seeing as I wasn’t truly a member but Susannah had a way of getting people to do what she wanted. Kindness can be blinding. The club was mostly made up of little boys, there were only 3 of us girls, Sydney, Ally, and me. Sydney was a nice girl. She was super smart, and ambitous, she’s set to start at Princeton for business in the Fall. Ally, I remained better friends with as we grew up. She was a dedicated swimmer like me so we even ran into each other sometimes during the school year at competitions. Ally was a total sweetheart, but she liked to have fun. She was easy to hang out with, she understood. I hoped they were here, I had forgotten to text them when I got to Cousins.

The fire wasn’t too crazy, they had to be careful not to draw too much attention from the cops. A big crowd of people had already formed though and it was only 9:30. I grabbed a cola from the cooler as I said hello to everyone coming up to us. Chit-chat was made with numerous people, and I couldn’t help but feel these conversations were really competitions for these kids. It was like every comment had to be a one-up to the one previous.

It was around 10:30 when a hand plopped down on my shoulder abruptly. I assumed it was one of the guys but then he came into my eyeline, Peter Millington.

“Yooo Y/N what's good?” He said a little slurred. As he moved to stand in front of me his hand dropped from my shoulder.

“Hey Peter,” I laughed. Peter was a good guy, he was flirty but it was harmless. Annoying, but harmless. I met him at the swim club when we were 10.

“So miss big shot where you heading this fall? I’m sure schools across the country were practically begging outside your front door!”

I laughed, “I won’t deny that, but I’m actually not going far. I’m gonna be going to Harvard.” His mouth hung open.

“No shit.”

“Yes, shit. How about you, still swimming?”

He shook his head, “Nah nah, I’m trying to be a sports agent, I’ll be going to Penn State.”

“That’s great, congrats.” I smiled at him.

He pointed at me a big smirk spreading across his face, “Yeah so you better remember me when you go all famous.” He finished his statement by slightly hitting the side of my arm.

“You got it Pete, I won’t forget you-”

“Belly what the fuck!” My head snapped and my jaw dropped. I took off over to them. I sort of abandoned Pete but eh, he’ll be fine.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Steven yelled.

I smacked his shoulder once I had run up to them. “Stop yelling! You’re making a scene!” I whisper-shouted at him.

Then I turned my attention to my baby sister. My baby sister, who wasn’t supposed to be here. My baby sister, who was just talking to a man 5 years older than her. My baby sister, who chose to wear a tiny skin-tight pink mini dress. My clueless, trouble-causing, baby sister.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her as calmly as I could.

“What I can’t go to a party?” She bit back defensively.

Excuse me? She didn’t get to give me shit for being concerned when she's the one who showed up out of the blue. I scoffed, “Did I say that?”

“What are you even wearing Belly we are on the beach why would you-“

“Steven. Knock it off. Go hang out with Shayla.” This was getting too aggravating. Steven was instigating too much, he must have already pissed Belly off by the time I ran up and now I had to deal with it.

“Did Taylor tell you to wear that or something?” I asked Belly, trying my best to figure out what was going on without having to have an argument in the middle of a party.

“Why can’t I just dress nicely without being questioned?” Why the hell was she being so defensive?

“Again did I say that?” I couldn’t hold back the bite to my tone.

She rolled her eyes before looking at me. But then her gaze sharply caught something over my shoulder. I turned to look. Jeremiah. Drunk off his ass. Standing next to the fire trying to strip and go skinny dipping. He had already stripped off his sweatshirt, shirt, shoes, and socks.

“Great.” I scoffed, running over to my now 2nd problem of the night.

When he saw me running over he smiled brightly, “Y/N! We are going swimming come on! OH MY GOSH Belly! You’re here! You come too!”

Belly laughed beside me and I would’ve thrown a dirty look her way if I had the energy to spare.

“No. No one is going swimming. It’s pitch black, the rip currents are crazy, and you are wasted. That’s all recipe for disaster.” I said authoritatively.

Jeremiah pouted. “Please?”

“No. Now put your clothes on.”

“Booooo.” Was he serious? He swayed as he re-dressed, his shirt blocking his vision. Good god.

“And get rid of the drink Jere, You’ve had enough.”

“Ughhh fine party pooper.” Before I could stop him he threw his drink into the fire.

“Jere-” The fire grew, a blaze lighting the beach. Shouts were heard as other drunk idiots followed Jeremiah’s lead and fueled the fire. “I can’t with this, Jere hang out with Belly.”

He smiled at that, “Alright come here belly button sit with me by the fire.” She giggled and obliged.

I took a deep breath, my feet taking me to the shoreline without even thinking. I needed to calm down. The chaos was overwhelming. I sat down on the sand a few feet away from where the water reached. The breeze flowed against me and I felt my mind begin to ease. This. This is why I always loved Cousins. I will never feel as at peace as I do when I’m next to the ocean. Water just calmed me down. I was the little fish.

I hoped that would never change. I hoped I would always be the little fish, no matter how big or how small the pond. No matter what happened down the line, the peace I felt by the water would never be disturbed. I’d always be, as Susannah so deemed me, a little fish.

I felt a plop next to me in the sand. I knew who it was without even looking, I could simply feel his energy. It was Conrad. He looked out on the water as he placed whatever drink he had in his hand down next to him. I kept my gaze out on the water as well. It felt good to just sit with somebody. With him.

“So you go around telling everybody you’re going to Harvard?” He said, slight humor in his tone.

I sighed, “I mean only when anyone asked.”

“No shouting from the rooftops?”

“No shouting from the rooftops. I’m not a big bragger.” I snickered, and so did he.

“You? Please! You have always been humble but you never shied away from sharing your accomplishments. You should be proud of yourself, it’s a big deal.” I just shrugged in response.

“I’m proud of you.” I looked at him then. His eyes were full of sincerity. I don’t think he knew how much that meant to hear. I caught his eyes flicking to my lips.

Wait what-

He was looking at my lips and when he looked back up his eyes shone with vulnerability. I couldn’t help myself when my eyes dipped down to look at his. I imagined what it’d be like to kiss him. His soft pillowy lips moving against my own. I wondered where he’d put his hands. He seemed like the type of guy to cup the back of your head. I’d feel the weight of his hand as he pulled me into him like he was desperate for our connection. Maybe one hand would fall to my hips or my thigh, acting like an anchor.

I couldn’t let my mind wander too far. Lord knows where that would lead. When our eyes met the tension was unmistakable. I couldn’t. I couldn’t let myself fall into him. I’d never stand back up.

“Stella? Alright, thanks man!”

Spell broken. Peter had just snatched Conrad’s beer from its spot between us and was taking a big slug of it.

“Pete what the hell?” I said, standing up from my seat on the sand.

“Dude give me my beer back.” Conrad stood up as well, Pete was standing between us.

“Whaaaat? You weren’t even drinking it man! It was just- you know just sitting there and all the- all the other Stella’s are gone.” He was plastered. I felt my chest sink. This isn’t gonna go well.

“I don’t give a fuck if there aren’t any left, that one is mine now give it back to me.” Conrad defended.

“Connie come on-”

“It’s just a beer man.” Pete turned to face primarily towards Conrad.

“Exactly, so give me my beer back and get yourself your own.”

“No.”

“Pete come on you definitely don’t need another drink.” I approached him, going to put my hand down on his shoulder to try and calm him down. Then just as I did he rolled back his elbow saying,

“Oh fuck off.”

I fell to the ground. His elbow collided right with my ear and the side of my face. Well, that hurt like a bitch. I’ll have a black eye on my first day back to work. Awesome.

“Y/N-“

I kept my eyes clenched shut for a minute before I felt a hand come to my shoulder, it was Belly and Jeremiah helping me up. My ears rang for a minutes before clearing. I watched as Steven and Jere broke up the fight.

Conrad looked at me as Steven pulled him back. I shook my head and looked away. Actually, I looked right at the flashing blue and red lights now coming from the top of the dunes. Cops, awesome.

“Enough!” I snapped everyone out of it, “Let’s go! Come on!”

I grabbed Belly’s hand as we ran up to the car, glancing over my shoulder quickly to make sure the boys were behind us.

“Jere keys!” I caught the keys as he tossed them to me, unlocking the car doors. “In! Now!”

I started the car, a scowl on my face. My head felt like it was vibrating but it wasn’t like any of them could drive with their intoxication level. I couldn’t believe them. How on earth did they think it was appropriate to act like this? I kept my eyes on the road, but I was sure they could feel the anger radiating off of me.

“Y/N look I-“ Steven started but I cut him off.

“I don’t wanna hear it.”

Then Jeremiah came in, “We didn’t mean to-“

“I said I don’t wanna hear it! Unless you want me to hit a drunk teenager stumbling home, you’ll shut up and listen to me! I’m distracted enough by the pinging in my head.”

They were silent after that.

I was mad and I had plenty of reason to be. I had been in this position with my sibling plenty of times, a few with Jeremiah, but never Conrad. I knew he started fights occasionally, but never with me around.

I pulled into the driveway and parked the car. Then I child-locked in all those mother fuckers. I unblocked my seatbelt and positioned myself to be able to see them all. Steven and Jere struggled to open the doors while Belly sat in the middle confused. To my surprise Conrad just sat in his seat, his focus down in his lap, he made no objections. Once the three backseat idiots figured it out they looked to me expectantly.

I raised my brows, “What you thought just cause I didn’t want you distracting me while driving you were gonna be off the hook?”

“Y/N what do you even care? You’re not our mom.” Belly said, rolling her eyes.

She only fueled my anger, “Yeah no shit I’m not 'cause Mom wouldn’t have put up with even an ounce of the crap you guys pulled tonight. Do you think I like playing mommy? Do you think I wouldn’t have rathered to enjoy the first night of my summer stress-free? You are lucky I’m a good sister, 'cause I could so easily walk inside and tell Mom everything that went down tonight. Then maybe you’d realize that having you deal with me instead of mom, is me being nice.” I watched my sibling's attitudes deflate. Jeremiah on the other hand was sitting there trying and failing to hide the smirk from his face. “What’s so funny Jeremiah? Do you think I’m not talking to you too right now? All of you put me in bad positions tonight because of how you acted. ”

Jeremiah chimed in again, “We weren’t that bad.”

My jaw dropped, “Not that bad? Let’s see who should I start with. How about you Jeremiah, I stopped you from getting naked in front of every teenager in cousins, potentially drowning and killing yourself, and even after I did that you acted like an idiot! Throwing alcohol into the fire, you’re probably the reason the cops came! Oh and just the cherry on top, the fact that you’re wasted after promising me you wouldn’t be.” He was quiet now.

“Steven had to cause a whole scene, but I’m not even that mad at him because he was right to be questioning you Bells! How the hell did you even get there?”

She peeked up sheepishly, “I walked.”

“You walked? Belly do the Moms even know you came to the bonfire?”

“No, I snuck out.” She spoke in a quiet tone.

“Jesus Bells! If you had just told me you wanted to come I would’ve vouched for you. For god sake, I would’ve given you a ride!” My head pounded. I rubbed my forehead trying to ease the pain, I needed some advil. “You guys can’t act like that. It’s dangerous, and quite frankly embarrassing. I’m just- I’m done dealing with it.” I took a breath and unlocked the doors, “Go inside guys. Go to sleep.” I sat forward with my head in my hands. I heard the doors open and close as they got out without a word.

Except he didn’t. I didn’t look over at him. I honestly didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how I felt at the moment.

“Are you ok? Is your head alright?” He had worry in his voice and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my heart.

“I have a headache and I’ll probably wake up to a huge bruise on my cheek but I’m fine.”

“How come you’re not mad at me too?”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t mad at you.” I felt his eyes on me the whole time but mine stayed forward at the house.

“You didn’t yell at me like everyone else.”

“Because I didn’t know what to say to you not because I’m not mad at you.”

A beat passed. Just us sitting in the car before he spoke up again, “I’m so sorry you got hurt, Pete was plastered-“

“You could’ve just let him have the beer.”

“Y/N I wasn’t going to-“

“Look it’s been a long night, just- just go to bed Con.” I grabbed the keys and left the car. I hadn’t looked at him once and I didn’t look back at him. I couldn’t. I don’t even think I was truly mad at him, I mean it was Pete’s fault, not his. I was more overwhelmed with tonight’s events and I didn’t have the energy to unpack anything right now. My head was pounding and I needed to lay down. Work would be a nightmare tomorrow morning.

I went straight into the shower when I got inside. I gave myself a quick rinse. Susannah always stoked our bathroom with luxurious bath products for me and Belly. But I know Steven liked it too.

I walked into my room and plopped right down onto my bed. Man, it was soft, and it only seemed softer after a hard night.

I went to grab my phone when I saw it. A water bottle, advil, an ice pack, and a cookie, sitting on my bedside table, and I most certainly didn’t put it there. I knew who did. I knew it was him, and I could feel myself smile a little. I felt myself forgive him, he was hard to stay mad at. He wouldn’t mention it, I probably wouldn’t either, but we knew that we knew. That was enough.

For now.

~~~~~~~

Tag list:

@mid-80s @geekinthefuschiahair @paytonloiselle

#the summer i turned pretty #conrad fisher #conrad fisher x reader #jeremiah fisher #jeremiah fisher x reader #tsitp #tsitp s2 #jeremiah fisher fanfic #jeremiah fisher imagine #conrad fisher imagine #conrad fisher fanfic #belly conklin #steven conklin #tsitp conrad #tsitp jeremiah #conrad fisher x y/n #conrad fisher fluff #conrad fisher angst #conrad fisher x you

434 notes · View notes

aettuddae · 4 months

Text

hole in one. — 141. it'll be heaven.

⌕ synopsis: at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, where everyone is battling to be the center of attention, yu jimin is just a regular. people want her because of her beauty, but all she cares about is sharing her freaky stuff with her friends and passing her subjects. although there's one thing that might push her out of her comfort zone, revenge. when nakamura kazuha, one of the richest and most well-known students of NCU, starts to spread gossip about her for thousands of followers to see, jimin decides to get back by taking away the thing kazuha cares about the most: her perfect girlfriend, the young golf star, kwon haru.

masterlist | prev

[written chapter]

"guys, i ran out of battery on my phone." reported seungkwan from his seat.

"i told you to charge it before you left." reproached yunjin.

"i got distracted by leveling up in candy crush and forgot." defended the boy.

"how many students are there?" questioned minhyuk with an irritated tone. "i'm hungry."

"me too, i didn't have breakfast." shared juyeon.

"why didn't you have breakfast?" asked ningning.

"i didn't have time." explained the older keeping her eyes on the stage where students continued to pass by to receive their graduation diplomas. "minhyuk was supposed to go wake me up, but the bastard showed up fifteen minutes before we had to leave." she reminisced in frustration.

"at least i remembered to come get you." said the jock.

"no, it's okay, i already know you, i should have predicted it." dismissed.

"excuse me? we're all entitled to one last chance." he lashed out with mock offense.

"you never got anywhere early in your whole life, you're not starting now." replied eunseo.

"i can change..."

"... uchinaga aeri." the voice of an older teacher echoed through the auditorium where the graduation ceremony was taking place, grabbing the attention of the entire group of friends and thus interrupting their conversation.

"up, up!" commanded juyeon.

everyone stood up and began to applaud their friend as she was taking her diploma. haru, minhyuk and juyeon with their phones held high recording the whole process as if they were three proud parents, the last two even shouting some chants of pride and love to the japanese girl, who wanted to die of embarrassment and made countenances at them telling them to shut their mouths. they were genuinely happy for their best friend.

aeri received her certificate, had her picture taken with it and then proceeded to walk off the stage towards her spot again and let the event continue with the next students.

haru was in a good mood that day, of course she was. her best friend was graduating, and in the same class was the girl she loved, who she would finally have in the flesh next to her after agreeing that they were going to be fine. it was a good day.

the golfer followed giselle with her eyes until she was in her chair, and then she tried to locate jimin among her classmates, but it was such a large group that even if she tried to look for them alphabetically, she wasn't being able to find her.

as her eyes wandered around the place in search of her favorite human, she came across someone she hadn't expected to see at all,

nakamura kazuha.

the girl was standing next to an empty seat, presumably hers, at the edge of the small aisle that formed between the student area and the guest's, trying to get a better view of the proceedings.

it had been almost as long since she had last seen kazuha as it had been since she had seen karina before the wedding, so the girl was a particular sighting, to say the least.

kazuha was still living in seoul and playing golf at the rottary club, as usual. the last kwon had heard, she had joined a professional team.

kazuha possibly felt the watchful eye on her, as she turned to look for the reason why she felt observed, finding her ex with a dumbfounded and slightly goofy expression. as they made eye contact, they both gave each other a shy smile and the younger girl raised her hand, waving it and greeting haru.

the sudden feeling of familiarity came over her, and the eldest began to walk past her friends until she could step out of the small place where their seats were and approach the girl.

"hey." greeted her, somewhat hesitantly.

"hey." returned the chestnut with a big smile on her face.

"hey." repeated letting out a nervous giggle, then looking to the side and giving a nod to sakura and eunchae, the japanese girl's mates, who were accompanying her.

"i didn't imagine you'd come over." she shrugged.

"how can i not approach when i haven't seen you in years?" she settled in next to her, both of them with their eyes towards the scenario.

"well, it's not like we were splendidly two years ago." she remarked. "how have you been?" she wondered looking sideways at her.

"bad," kwon went silent, contemplating her answer, eliciting a frown of concern from the girl. "but i'm fine now." she assured her.

"are you sure?" she put her hand on her back to show reassurance. "what happened?"

"don't worry, i'm serious." she nodded her head, reinforcing her words. "i don't know if you know i moved..."

"of course i know, haru." she cut in, her tone carrying a hint of sadness.

"well, it was the moving, the new town," it was obvious she wasn't going to mention the main reason for her pain to her former girlfriend. "i couldn't play golf for a long time." she added, downplaying her words. "you know, it was hard." she concluded. "but i'm fine now, really, how have you been?" she rested her gaze on her, expectant for an answer.

"i've been fine." she assured calmly, removing her touch from haru's body. "i'm on a team, my teammates are good, they are talented. we will prepare to participate in the championship next year." she said defiantly.

"oh, then we'll be rivals." she cocked her head confidently and stretched out her hand for kazuha to shake. "may the best one win."

"you say that because you're the best." she narrowed her eyes, judging her. "and aside from golf..." she folded her arms, thinking. "i don't know, not much has happened." she sighed not knowing what to tell. "i graduated last week." she commented. "you didn't come." chastised kazuha, as an innocent comment.

"sorry." haru lowered her head, an ashamed smile on her lips. "you went to mine even when we had been broken up for months, i should have go since i was in town."

"don't worry, haru, just kidding." she gave her a gentle nudge with her elbow. "you didn't have to come." she understood. "it's enough that you came over to talk to me now." she brought her hand to the back of her neck and squeezed from both sides playfully to comfort her, causing them both to laugh. "you came to see aeri?" she changed topics, returning to the situation they were in.

"yes, obviously, we all came." she took a glance at where her friend was sitting. "and well, jimin too." she admitted, feeling out the younger girl's reaction.

"oh." her mouth hung slightly open and her eyebrows raised as she processed what she had just been told. "so, you two...?" she raised her index finger to point at her, then wagged it around as if trying to finish her sentence with her gestures.

"it's complicated." she sentenced. "we met again recently." she didn't want to give away too much information.

"sure." she took a moment. "i hope you two do well." she encouraged, seemingly sincere.

"thank you, zuha."

"tell her that..." she took a big breath of air, gathering courage to let her pride go. "that i'm so sorry."

both pairs of eyes met for the first time in the entire talk, and haru saw in her a glimmer of the kazuha she once loved. a kazuha who could become tender and sensitive, a kazuha only she seemed to have known.

"i know it's not going to change anything." her hands danced in the air illustrating her attempt to explain herself. "or maybe after all this time it doesn't matter anymore." she closed her eyes for a second, recomposing herself. "but if you can, and want, tell her i'm really sorry." she lifted her eyelids, letting her guard down.

"i will."

haru felt something inside her stir, the memories. seeing kazuha in that place felt surreal to her, but apart from that talking to her brought back a feeling that mixed both the familiar and the unfamiliar. she could never hate her, after all, haru had always been one of the few people who couldn't do that at all. seeing her there, being a bit of who she once was, blinded something in her brain, and her first instinct was to lean in and hug her.

"it's good to see you." she whispered, her chin resting lightly on her shoulder. "and it's good to hear you're sorry." she moved her hand along her back.

"i want to apologize to you too, haru." at that moment, she finally dared to raise her arms and reciprocate the woman's gesture. "sorry for ruining that nice thing we had." her voice sounded a little shaky.

"i don't need you to apologize to me." she shook her head even if the girl wouldn't see it. "i chose long ago to keep only the good parts of your time in my life."

the older girl stood up straight, breaking the hold they had on each other. she arranged her locks behind her ears and connected their gazes, which were flooded with nostalgia and affection. between the two of them, there was no more romance, but there would always remain the deep adoration you have for someone who was once your confidante and security.

"... yu jimin." this time it was a female professor's voice that announced the name, interrupting the moment. again kwon had not heard the introduction.

"oh shit." exclaimed kazuha in surprise. "your girlfriend." she centered her focus on the student body area. "go!" she put her hands on her arm and began to push her back into her seat.

"kazuha, it was good to see you-"

"yeah, yeah, we'll meet again when we compete, now go, jimin is graduating." she didn't let her finish, rushing her.

"wow, you've changed."

"go!" she insisted, ending in both of them letting out a few laughs at the interaction and haru returning to her seat.

the athlete took out her cellphone as she had done with aeri, and pointed it at jimin, who was walking up to the stage. with great joy on her face she took a few photos of her as she received her diploma, then locked the device and put it away so she could applaud her and watch her personally.

when karina stood for her picture with the certificate that she had finished her studies, by coincidence, or a bit because she was looking for it, she found haru in the audience, and couldn't help but stop and admire her as she was happy for her. so in the final image she was not even looking at the camera, but to the side, full of love.

the ceremony was over and the group of friends had ventured out in search of the new graduates, parting in each other's close circle.

minhyuk, eunseo and haru were with giselle and her parents, showering the girl with hugs, affection, congratulations, and taking pictures of her. each one posed with her individually for the camera, and then they did it all together, then with the parents. they would have enough documentation of that moment to fill an album so they would have to forget the picture they had taken of her earlier where she was begging her friends to keep quiet.

minhyuk even cried, claiming he couldn't believe that the youngest of the group had already finished her college years. they had met when they were just teenagers, and now they all had degrees and their futures planned.

jimin was first greeted by her family, who warmly congratulated her on her achievement, and then her friends arrived, who, of course, started a magazine-worthy photo session in the middle of the auditorium. seungkwan even lifted up ningning, who was holding a phone with the flashlight on, in order to properly illuminate the picture that winter was taking of yunjin and jimin.

after, they became involved in a hyped conversation, but the girl could not stop diverting her interest to the group surrounding the uchinagas.

she had already been welcomed and showered with compliments for what she had accomplished, she just wanted to run to haru and have her close finally. but over there, they kept crying and hugging each other sentimentally.

it was while her loved ones were talking about the different job offers karina had on the table for her future, that she turned to see what was going on in the other gathering of people and noticed a bored haru, as they were not doing anything in particular, she was distracted scanning what was going on in her surroundings.

she took the opportunity as her own and excitedly ran towards the oldest, who noticed her approaching her euphorically and opened her arms waiting. jimin's body crashed into haru's, with enough intensity that the latter slightly lost her balance and had to take a few steps backward, dragging yu.

"how is my favorite graduate?"

she wrapped her arms around jimin, with one holding her body tightly and one hand wandering through her hair subtly. the younger clinging to her waist as if there was a hurricane around and the girl was the only thing she could hold on to.

"actually, that offended me." giselle's voice was heard from behind.

"you're my favorite too." she detached her hand from the blackhaired's back to point her finger at her friend.

"you can't have two favorites." aeri held her waist and brought all her weight to one leg as she judged with her gaze.

"later you discuss it." karina made a rambunctious gesture indicating for them to be quiet. "hello." she whispered, as she pressed her forehead together with the haru's.

"hello." she replied in the same volume, just for her to hear, showing all her teeth from the joy she felt. "i'm so proud of you, princess."

"thank you, baby." they stared at each other stupidly for a few moments. "i missed you." she added, finally being able to say it to her face.

"i missed you too." she lifted herself up a little, getting to the height to leave a delicate kiss on her nose. "you look good." she exclaimed in amusement taking a few steps back so she could observe her full body, their hands enlaced.

"don't i?" she took one foot off the ground giving a short hop and cocked her head to one side with a cheeky expression. "i'm the most adorable economist." she ran her hair making it fly back, continuing the joke.

haru's smile spread even wider and her eyes, or what could be seen from between those cavities that formed moons as they narrowed, sparkled as they followed karina. the girl could no longer contain the wave of beautiful emotions beating against her chest, and she walked briskly to catch the younger girl again and lift her into the air, spinning around, accompanied by her giggles.

the golfer slowly stopped, but before she set her down, jimin took the chance to use the hold on her neck and the closeness to her ear to murmur to her, in a tone that mixed melancholy and absolute happiness: "being like this with you seems like a dream."

"don't worry." she released the girl once her feet were on the ground. "it's not." she caressed her cheek tenderly. "i'm really here, and i'm happy to be." she reassured, comforting the girl.

jimin stopped to admire her. even with her words, she found it hard to understand that she was real. she felt like it was an angel in front of her. she loved her, in such an overwhelming way that jimin thought it escaped from her heart and took over her whole body, leaving no room for her blood, organs or veins. she loved her with all that she was.

"come!" the younger girl exclaimed abruptly after remembering something, startling the sportswoman with her sudden change of attitude. she took her hand and then started walking quickly.

they approached where jimin's acquaintances were standing, stopping short in front of them. haru felt a little shy since she had never met the girl's parents. off to the side, her friends watched the scene proudly, after all they had accompanied her through in those two years.

"mom, dad, this is my girlfriend." she held out her hand to the girl, who bowed as a greeting of respect to the elders, but looked a little puzzled. seeing her reaction, yu realized the label she had used and felt nervous. "my thing." that wasn't good either. "my haru." she corrected herself. "this is haru."

"so you are haru..." the man said, taking in the person in front of him.

"the golfer!" the lady recalled.

"that's what people know me for." agreed kwon, extending her hand to the couple.

"jimin used to make us watch your matches when she was at home." commented the father, causing the named one to cover her embarrassed face. "you know, i really like golf too..."

to no one's surprise, everyone got along well. haru was incredibly likeable after all, and it filled jimin's soul to see the most important people in her life excitedly engaged in conversation.

a few minutes later, giselle approached them to remind that they were all going to eat at a restaurant later to celebrate. there was a reception for all the graduates, but they preferred to go with their best friends.

they had been there for at least two hours, but they had only started eating. although everyone had been drinking and chatting since they arrived.

it was amazing how the two groups had found each other and managed to get along, despite the things that had happened between them.

at one end of the table were seungkwan and minhyuk, the latter had his arm around the back of the other's chair, wrapping it around him. they were distracted in a debate about whether fries tasted better with ketchup or cheese, and it was endearing to see how the chef never stopped laughing at anything that came out of his boyfriend's mouth, while the golfer gets fascinated listening to the things he told. they had a nice relationship, they understood each other in humor, and had similar tastes, they were boyfriends and friends at the same time.

the rest of the girls were sitting one on each side, across the table. it wasn't an abysmal distance, but they were still carrying on an almost shouting conversation, laughing uproariously, with eunseo leading the chatter they were engaged in, which was largely gossip. to one side of the oldest redhead, minjeong was quiet and smiling, drinking her beer and stealing loving glances at her now wife.

and in one corner, haru and karina were in their chairs next to each other. the older one's hand rested comfortably on the graduate's leg, who was brushing her fingers along the other's body in search of contact. both were attentively listening to what the others were saying and would let out a giggle when someone made a funny comment. sometimes starting short exchanges of words only between them, but mostly just enjoying the moment.

juyeon was trying to explain something to yunjin, who was looking at the others with bewilderment as she didn't understand what she was hearing. the girl's expression was funny to her friends, even to jimin, who burst out laughing when she saw her and leaned on haru for support. once it passed, she stayed in that position, with her head on the golfer's shoulder, and after a moment, she wrapped the arm that the girl had holding her with her own, clinging completely to her.

"i love you." said the blackhaired, leaving a kiss on haru's cheek.

"i love you." she reciprocated, turning her head so she could look at her face.

"sorry for introducing you as my girlfriend to my parents today." she casually mentioned.

"no worries, i guess i will be at some point anyway." she shrugged with plenty of attitude.

"oh? so that's how you think..." she gave her a playful pinch. "if so, then why aren't you right now?" she bit her lip expectantly, embarrassed that her heart was pounding at the inquisitions of what she had said.

"you haven't asked me yet." haru explained without giving it much thought and then leaned over to pick up her glass and take a swig of her drink.

"do i have to ask you? i was waiting for you to ask me." she pointed a finger at herself.

"no, clearly you have to ask me." she sipped again, looking defiantly at her over the glass.

"would you be my girlfriend?" karina asked hurriedly, so fast the words were barely understood. her eyes painted with anticipation.

"you're asking me here? with minhyuk present?" she exclaimed ironically.

"what did i do now?" questioned the boy across the table.

"you don't care." the girl dismissed him without even turning to look at him, getting him to throw his hands up in the air in disbelief.

"you must have done something." eunseo accused him, triggering one of their silly arguments.

"come with me." jimin got up from her seat and started walking. haru obeyed and went after her.

"where are you going?" the sportsman vociferated.

"you don't care." repeated her best friend.

"kwon haru, i'm not liking your antics!" he complained offended.

the two girls continued on their way, jimin sure of where she was leading and haru, a little lost, behind her. they arrived at an almost completely unoccupied side of the restaurant, from the main hall of the place you couldn't see clearly and there were few tables, at the end of it, a double glass door that the now economist opened to pass through, the one who was following her also passing by it.

behind it, there was a rather small backyard, which was blocked by trees and bushes. beyond the decorative forestation, there was a concrete wall that could not even be seen among so many leaves and trunks. lights hung from the tops and branches, and there was even a small bench on one side. haru presumed that this place was specially designed for smokers, but at that moment it was empty.

"how did you find this place?" kwon inquired, her eyes on the small lamps above her.

"when i went to the bathroom i got the wrong direction and ended up here." she laughed shyly.

"it's pretty." she lowered her eyes, turning back to jimin.

"like you." she returned witty.

"and you." she added roguishly. "and you brought me here to...?" she raised an eyebrow mischievously.

"kwon haru," she put her hands behind her back, feet together and puffed out her chest, pretending to look like a prince about to make an announcement. "would you do me the honor..."

she paused to search her pockets for something, observe her fingers, and then surveyed her surroundings. she dropped her gaze to the ground, turning only with her upper body so that she could analyze behind her back. she leaned over and held a cigarette butt between her fingers, then extended it toward haru.

"is it antiromantic if i ask you to be my girlfriend with a cigarette butt?" she pouted. "i don't have a ring to give you."

"wait." haru was now the one digging through every crevice of her clothes looking for something that would work. she picked up her wallet and checked it. "is it any use proposing to me with a bill?"

"that's even less romantic than the cigarette." she dropped her arms on either side of her body listlessly.

"a picture of my mom?"

"haru."

"my id?" she continued without stopping checking.

"put that down, put that down." she approached her and pushed down the girl's hands holding her billfold.

"i didn't find anything either, sorry." she put the object away and made a regretful grimace.

"would you like to be my girlfriend?" she said again, unexpectedly.

"don't you need a ring, then?" the woman caught her face between her palms, creating an eye contact that exuded sweetness.

"i'll buy you one for our first anniversary." she promised, her voice soft, only dedicated to her. "and on the next one, and the one after that, and when i ask you to marry me." she held haru's waist. "although i'm so sure you're the love of my life that i might ask you to marry me before any anniversary."

"one step at a time, princess, we're here now." stopped the older one, laughing adoringly at such ideas.

"be my girlfriend." she asked again. "i love you, i don't want to not have you by my side, and i swear i will never ever again do anything to take you away from me. my place is with you."

"of course i will be your girlfriend." haru accepted.

upon hearing the answer, karina bounced on her feet on the spot because of the exhilaration that exploded inside her. she fleetingly pulled the girl from the back of her neck so they could join in a kiss to seal the pact.

it was the first kiss they had shared in two years that carried no pain behind it. all it brought was new beginnings and love. it was safety, and light. the promise that from now on, they both had a place to return to and a refuge for when everything got rough.

jimin's lips caressed haru's with affability, taking the exchange calmly, wanting to express all the stunning chaos she unleashed within herself through that gesture. the opposite held her figure gently, holding her as close to herself as possible as if trying to keep her from leaving again.

they broke the union carefully, still remaining over each other, their noses touching, their lips no more than an inch apart, "haru, let's move to busan." she suggested suddenly.

"what?" she frowned in surprise after hearing what the younger girl had just said.

"or come back to seoul." she added without thinking about what she was saying. she didn't have to as it had been on her mind for days.

"what are you talking about?" she let the girl go and walked a bit away.

"or i can move to incheon." she continued.

"wow, stop right there." she pointed her finger at her signaling to calm down. "what?" she reiterated.

"is that," she gulped in a breath of air, her grimace turning desperate. "you don't live here." she burst the bubble. "and i know we've been avoiding the subject voluntarily, but in two days you go back home, and then we'll be apart again." she began biting her nails.

haru was silent. she knew that what karina was telling her was the inevitable reality, and that they would soon have to part ways one more time, but she had chosen not to worry about it and somehow managed to forget.

"haru, i love you." she affirmed again. "and i'm tired of losing you, so if you tell me that in incheon you're happy, i wouldn't hesitate for a second to move there so i could be with you." she was sure of what she was saying. "but tell me the truth, is incheon for you? do you live the life you want there?"

the golfer knew she didn't. she had two friends in that city, one of whom was juyeon. she played on a team with people she didn't care about. she didn't feel full on her drive in the mornings to go to her training, she didn't even go for a walk in the streets like she often used to do in seoul.

what was there in Incheon for her? what was there in incheon that was hers?

she left seoul because it generated sadness in her, but if she had to be honest, thinking about incheon also made her feel miserable.

"busan?" she blurted out hesitantly after a moment in silence.

"weren't we happy when we were in busan?"

yes. the answer was clearly yes. depending on how you wanted to look at it, it was the place where it all started. where they admitted they felt things for each other and gave those emotions a place to be explored. despite being surrounded by people, it had felt like only they had been there. together. their own universe.

"just you and me?" she hesitated.

"well, we can take juyeon if you want, but she won't live with us." she said jokingly. "oh, and a cat." she finished seriously.

"you, me and a cat?" a smile began to tug at the corner of her mouth.

"what do you say?" she inquired hopefully, unable to hide that she was already excited.

"busan." she shook her head up and down, saying yes. "you and me."

karina let out the highest pitched squeal she had ever projected in her life, she ran towards haru almost as if flying, not even noticing how she came to be held to her girlfriend like a koala bear, her legs clinging to her waist, haru holding her tightly, contentment present in every part of their beings.

"and a cat." she stated again.

"yes, my princess, us and a cat." she guaranteed.

"and we will never separate again." jimin pulled away a little so she could look into her eyes.

"never." haru backed up her words, then moved closer and joined in a kiss.

— the end.

[a/n: thanks to everyone who read, 141 chapters wouldn't have happened without the support this story had. ♡]

(!)

— taglist: @runawaymazola @chaenniefirst @livelaughchoerry @rinapomu @jeindall777 @petruchiosstuff @sewiouslyz @yvesismywife @vvyuqi @aeriniee @chaewoni3

157 notes · View notes

holylulusworld · 22 days

Text

BFG (7)

Summary: He’s new to town and just your type…

Pairing: Reacher x Plussized!Reader

Warnings: angst, unplanned pregnancy, lovesickness

A/N: I added the pregnancy because of an ask.

Catch up here: BFG (6)

BFG masterlist

The first days without Reacher were hell. He was still everywhere you looked. His scent lingered on your pillows, and you still felt his hands on your body.

You even dreamed about him. Day and night.

Life moved on while you suffered the worst lovesickness you ever experienced.

Sally Ann offered help and took over your shift for a few days.

Most of the time you had to force yourself to get up and start a new day without Reacher.

That was until you found out Reacher left a sweet little gift for you.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to you that Reacher got you pregnant. You had unprotected sex all the time and forgot about your pill more than once due to the events leading to KJ’s death, and what happened at your diner.

“Y/N, did you hear me?” One of your regulars asked as you wiped the same spot for the third time. “There is a new face.”

“Huh, oh?” You dipped your head to watch the woman step toward the counter. “Hi, welcome. What can I do for you?”

She asked for coffee, and cereal instead of pie. You chuckled at her choice but prepared a bowl with coco pops for her.

“This is a nice place, and the pie looks great. I have a friend who’d love your pie,” she said and watched you pour her a cup of coffee.

“Thank you,” you smiled at her and turned your attention back toward the stain on the counter. “I assume you are rolling through town.”

“I’m looking for someone,” she replied before taking a large sip. “A friend of mine asked me to check on her.”

You tried to end the conversation. The woman was nice but she reminded you of another stranger you met a few months ago. “That’s very nice of you.” You replied and tried to walk away.

“Wait, maybe you can suggest a hotel. I’ll stay for a few days,” she said. “That would be very kind of you. I’m not from around her and wouldn’t know where to look for a place to stay.”

“Oh,” you tried not to give away that there is no nice hotel in town. “We only have a motel. It’s not very nice and-” You leaned closer to whisper the next part. “Most of the guests are prostitutes, and their clients or people cheating on their respective other.”

“Crap,” she said and glanced around the diner. “Anywhere else I could bunker. Maybe someone is renting out a room.”

“You could stay at my place.” Reacher would scold you for offering a place to stay to a stranger. But he was no longer around, and you always followed your heart. The woman in front of you was nice, and she meant no harm. You were sure about it.

“Whoa, that’s very kind of you,” she said and held out her hand. “I’m Frances Neagley.”

“Y/N,” you gave her your name with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Frances. That’s a very nice name.”

“Yours too,” she chuckled. “I’ll pay you, of course.”

“I don’t rent out. If you clean up your mess and eat your food at my place only while you are around, we are good.”

“It’s a deal,” she shook your head and grinned. “I’m glad I came here.”

“Me too.”

Frances helped you clean the diner and followed you home. She eyed you the whole time, as you told her about the town, your diner, and the stray you took in. The dog, not Reacher.

“I like dogs.”

You showed her around the house and introduced your dog to her. Frances was eager to learn more about the town, you, and your life.

“I’m tired, and will retreat earlier today,” you yawned and rubbed your sore back. “There’s food, beer, and water if you get hungry. I don’t mind if you grab a late-night snack. I’m alone again and—” You bit your tongue. She didn’t need to know you bought too many groceries because you forgot that Reacher left.

“Thank you,” she said and gave you a genuine smile. “Really. It’s nice of you.”

“No need to thank me. If you want to you can have all the beer,” you subconsciously rubbed your belly. “I don’t drink.”

Frances watched the motion with concern.

“That’s nice. I’m not much of a drinker myself, though.”

The next morning Frances was already up. She sat on your kitchen counter, eating coco pops when you entered the kitchen.

“Morning,” you chirped and went straight for the fridge. “Damn, I need something fresh but sweet.”

“Can I ask you a question?” She said while you rummaged in the fridge to find anything to satisfy your cravings.

“Sure,” you grabbed an apple and the pudding you were hiding in the back of the fridge for emergencies. Not the best combination for breakfast but these are different times.

Your sweet secret not so well hidden by the thin nightie you wore, caught Frances’s attention. “How far are you?”

“Uh-around two and a half months,” you started to cut the apple to distract yourself from thinking about the father of your unborn child and his absence.

“Does the father know?” she asked, looking you straight in the eyes. “Y/N?”

“No,” you dipped a slice of apple into the pudding. “I don’t know if he’d care or how to reach him. He’s not the usual kind of guy, you know.”

“You think he wouldn’t care about his baby?” She hopped off the kitchen counter to gently touch your shoulder. “I bet he’d love to know.”

“He wouldn’t…” you sighed and shook your head. “You see, the father is not the kind of man to settle down or even stay in one place for longer than a week. If I told him, he’d believe I wanted to tie him down or something. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Y/N, you’re not a burden but pregnant with his baby. He should grow up and take care of the woman he got pregnant,” Frances tried to convince you to call the father of your child.

“I can handle this on my own. I always did, and never needed man,” you stated. “I know you mean well, but begging a man to come back to me is just not my style.”

“Reacher, finally,” Neagley rolled her eyes when Reacher told her he still didn’t have a phone. “I told you to stay in touch so I can report back to you. Is it so hard to buy a burner phone and send me the number?”

Reacher told her to report back and make it short. He asked Neagley to check on you after he left. He knew, that if he came back, it’d be even harder for him to leave again.

“Haul your big ass over here,” she grunted. “You left Y/N with more than a broken heart. I will give you twenty-four hours before I come looking for you. And believe me, you don’t want me to hunt you down, big guy!”

“Finally,” Neagley huffed. “I believe you’ll need longer.” She checked her phone, smirking. “Ten and a half hours. This must be a record for you.”

“Neagley, not now. Is Y/N okay? Is the…baby okay?” He asked and glanced at your home. “Is she home.”

“She is asleep. Don’t wake her,” she softly said. “I hope you came to stay and won’t leave again. You can’t get a woman pregnant and run off.”

“I didn’t know,” he whispered. His features softened while looking at Neagley. “Thank you for checking on her and calling me. I’ve got it from here.”

“If you leave her again, I’ll hunt you down…” She glanced at the two duffle bags slung over Reacher’s left shoulder. “I see you got luggage this time.”

“Everything I own and cherish,” Reacher said his goodbyes to Neagley before he entered your house with the key you gave to him.

He silently stepped inside your house, careful not to wake you.

Reacher didn’t plan to reach your house in the dead of the night, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.

He dropped the bags and kicked his shoes off before silently making his way upstairs.

Reacher entered your bedroom, tiptoeing toward your bed to watch you sleep. He dipped his head and reconsidered his decision to come back to you. He never hung his heart on a place or people except for his family.

For a heartbeat, he was about to leave, but then you whispered his name in your sleep. His heart stumbled, and he took off his shirt and shoved his pants down his legs.

While you turned around to instinctively make space for the huge man, he crawled under the covers to wrap his arms around you. He kissed your temple and murmured your name.

Jack Reacher finally found his home.

BFG 8

BFG Tags

@xxyaoi-nationxx

@lovestoreadfiction

@glambyk

@sonicthehedgedoggo

@thewitchesofart

@emily-roberts

@littlelearningbrat

@mcira

@shondlenoodle

@bitchwhytho

@miniemonie2001

@nervousnerdwitch

@stilesxreid

@dory-98

@loona-fox

@drewsuncrustables

@buckybarnessweetheart

@watersquirtpewpewboomm

@muamazon4

@yourlocalnegroko

@its-carlerrr

@fanboyswhore9

@mydolle-dd

@so-this-is-a-thing-now

@maldita-world

@redpool

@maeb99

#reacher x reader #reacher x you #reacher fanfiction #reacher x y/n #reacher x plussized!reader #plussized!reader #tw: pregnancy #BFG (7)

138 notes · View notes

actually-safer-to-kiss · 6 months

Text

Leaving a Mark

Summary: Spencer’s been sent to interview his secret boyfriend at a bar.

Couple: Spencer Reid/Male!Reader

Category: Angst/fluff

Content warnings: some internalized homophobia, smoking

Word count: 2k

Spencer tugs on his collar while in the passenger seat, hiding the small bruise that peeked over it. The streetlights rolled over the windshield and might as well have felt like a spotlight. Derek hasn’t given up twisting his arm about it all day, which is why he insisted on driving him.

“You know J.J. could’ve snagged you some concealer when we were at that drug store.”

Spencer sighed, still messing around with his collar. “I mismeasured the size of—”

“Your game?”

“No!” His frustration is as audible as his embarrassment, given the strain in his voice. “The length of the collar to the—well, the—doesn’t matter. We’re here.” Spencer grabs a handful of fliers before preparing to exit.

Derek takes a spot on the street. Queen is muffled but easily heard outside the glass doors. He tends to stick to classical music but fell into the rock scene months ago thanks to certain influences. But Spencer pretends the sound is unfamiliar, resisting his head dipping to the beat of Somebody to Love as Derek meets him on the sidewalk, humming the tune.

Spencer knows this location. He already sees his friend chatting with guests while she wipes down the bar. When Derek’s phone buzzes and he answers it with the classic “Talk to me, Mama,” he’s hesitant to even inch near the door. But with Garcia’s voice at high speed on the other end, Derek encourages him to go in anyway.

Again, Spencer hesitates, but he scooches in as if the place is crowded. The regular groups of friends and couples gathered at their own tables while some loners sipped at the bar. An array of pride flags and rainbow lights hang from the ceiling. His eyes meet with the girl behind the bar, and he watches her face light up. He gives a brief wave as well as a strained smile with wide eyes. She gestures him over.

He’s quick to point to the files cradled in his arm. She gives a thumbs up and points to the far right of the room before going back to her business.

Meanwhile, Spencer tries not to stare when he sees you. You’re lugging equipment from the floor to the stage like you were built to do so, despite the smudging liner around your eyes and the sweat stains evident on your dark tank, which clung just enough to your abdomen. Spencer tried not to stare, but he then snapped out of his trance when the breeze of mid-fall hit the back of his neck, and Derek was behind him once again. “Garcia says the guy we're looking for is likely to be in some kind of band that plays here on the regular. Probably best to ask around.”

“Uh-huh,” Spencer says. And before he has the chance to turn back to Derek, he’s already spotted the two same people.

“Well, this shouldn’t be difficult. But you seem a little nervous, kid.”

Spencer swallows dryly, the worst convincing chuckle escaping his throat. “Nervous? How so?”

Derek laughs, a palm coming down on his shoulder. (Spencer swears his knees were going to give in, but somehow they did not). “How about you question the bartender, and I’ll question Mr. Brightside over there. ”

Spencer scoffed. “What? No, I can do it. Don’t worry. I can talk to him.” Spencer keeps the stack of fliers close to his chest.

Derek looks at Spencer, his notable eyebrow forming from a wave to a defined arch. Spencer does his best to maintain some sort of confidence and neutrality. “Okay. You go ahead. Let me know if you need me.”

Spencer merely nods before making his way over. He’s lucky none of his regular friends are here, and no one at the tables recognize him, though they are definitely wary at the sight of him, given the gun hanging on his hip. He would’ve had more shame around it if you hadn’t spotted him at just the right moment. Your smile beamed, despite being yellowish (he has been trying to get you to stop smoking for weeks). Spencer clamps his lips closed as he approaches. “Hi,” he meekly says.

“Well, hello there.” You put a hand on your hip and lean against the amp. “Very rare for you to be visiting me before rehearsal.”

“Yeah.” Spencer finds breathing difficult for a different reason now. He takes a flier from his hold. “There’s, uh, there’s a reason for that. Unfortunately. We’re looking for someone.”

“You’re on the job right now?”

Spencer nods slowly, his eyes pointing toward his gun.

The yellow grin shifts to your sharp jaw twitching from side to side as you look over Spencer’s shoulder. You spot Derek. Your dark brown eyes seeped into Spencer’s heart (and not in the usual way). “So, you show up here as a cop and bring your friend, who is a cop, to a gay bar. Where people are unwinding for the night? Do I need to remind you how that went down in the sixties?”

“I know, I know. It’s just that…” Spencer finally hands over a flier. “There’s a reason why I’m here specifically.”

You take the flier, and Spencer doesn’t need to be a profiler to examine the changes in your face as you read. “This is—”

“I know.”

His bassist. Spencer met him first when he was introduced to the whole band a few months ago. Apart from you, he was the first to buy Spencer a drink as a warm welcome to the group. And Spencer learned quickly that night: You don’t bring boyfriends around the band. Yet they all spoke to Spencer like they had known him for years. It was a comfort to find such acceptance. And now he’s in his safe space, feeling guiltier than ever (the irony hurts).

“Why would he be a suspect? What’s the case? Murder?”

“That’s usually what we’re called for. Three is the minimum.”

“Christ.” You crumple up a portion of the paper with your fist, and Spencer can tell it’s taking everything to keep your cool. “He would never murder anyone. He was in with some bad people, but that was years ago, babe, you know that. You’re a cop, and he still told you that.”

“It’s only for questioning, I promise. No arrests. Nothing on his record.”

The frustration on your face is minimal (for you), but Spencer sees it all unfolding in front of him. He wants to grab your hand, so it may unfold from a fist and calm you down. But he doesn’t, because Derek might see. Spencer looks behind him, despite all his anxious thoughts persuading him otherwise. All he sees is the back of his head, with some rainbow lights reflecting off the shine as he jokes with the bartender. Thank God she’s good at on-the-spot conversation. So good that he even took a whiskey on the job.

“He still doesn’t know, does he?”

Spencer turns back around. “What?”

“I wasn’t a boy genius like you, but I know you can’t play dumb. Especially not right now.” You cross your arms; the black and gray piece of your old Sphynx cat is hidden. “So, he doesn’t know about us. He doesn’t know you know me.”

Spencer sighs. “No.”

“So they could say you’re withholding evidence.”

“Technically, yes, I am.”

“What would you call it un-technically?”

“You can just say ‘plainly’.”

And you respond with a plain face. Spencer tries not to correct your grammar. And sometimes he forgets. “I’m trying to keep you guys safe.”

“Or are you just protecting yourself?”

“Wait, that’s not—”

“Don’t manipulate this into sounding like you’re doing me a service, Spence, okay? You’ve made it clear that this is your family. Your mom, and then these people. The way you speak about them, clearly they love you. Yet you look over your shoulder as if that one is going to charge over and kill us both for speaking.”

Spencer tries not to sound insulted when he says, “Derek wouldn’t kill us.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Spencer opens his mouth but says nothing. He sees the pack of cigarettes outlining your black jeans as you pull them out. Ever since your drummer gave you a Newport, it’s what you’ve stuck to. You’ve gone through half of the pack in the past two weeks. Spencer doesn’t have to say anything in regard to his feelings about it, especially since you know his mother still smokes. The band mentioned he used to smoke more in high school.

“Six minutes, right? That’s what you used to tell your mom?”

Spencer shifts in his stance, keeping a grip on his fliers. “More like eleven now.”

“Oh.” You let it hang between your lips. “Why’s that?”

“You’re seriously manipulating me into outing myself to stop you from smoking one cigarette?”

“No, of course not. That's cruel. And pointless.” You push yourself off the amp and pull out your lighter from the same pocket. “But as far as certain people in here know, we are strangers. You’re just a cop asking me about a suspect, and I’m just a singer in desperate need of a smoke. You don’t know anything about me, and I don’t know who left the hickey on your neck. So I can lie and say I’ve never seen him before, and we can go on with our nights until you text me you’re home and lonely.” You crumple up the flier to toss it at Spencer’s chest (which he miraculously catches) and start heading for the back exit, your typical smoking hideout. “So, I’m sorry, Agent Reid, but I’ve never seen this man in my life.”

But Spencer reaches for your hand, and you hear the fliers hit the floor, some flatly while others sweep across the wood. Spencer doesn’t dare look at Derek, even though his eyes are most definitely on him. On both of you. “I’ll tell them.”

You pull away your arm, but you slowly turn around. Your head to the side.

“Not now, but soon. We’ll all get dinner.”

You inhale sharply through your pierced nose. You take the cigarette out of your mouth as you cross your arms once more. “I do like dinner.”

“So… you’ll call him?”

“Nothing’s going to happen to him?”

“Nothing. When they know I know him, they won’t let me in the interrogation room, but I’ll be watching. We don’t have DNA evidence that leads to him, if that makes you feel any better.”

You nod. “I’ll call him tonight.”

“Good.”

You and Spencer exchanged a lingering gaze, reminding him of one of your performances where you winked at him throughout the night. Words were unspoken, but Spencer needed the trust you grew together to stay strong. So, with a gentle smile, Spencer leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to your lips. When pulling away, he mouths a quiet “thank you” before turning to gather the papers. He moved with a newfound confidence (mixed with nerves, though, no doubt). But there was still a weight to his steps, a gravity that spoke then.

Once the fliers were neatly organized again in his hold, Spencer gestured to Derek, signaling that they could leave. At the car, Spencer gathered everything into his assorted manila folders and satchel before getting in. Hearing Derek’s footsteps around the car, Spencer says, “He’s in the band. He’s going to call him tonight. Knowing the bassist, it’d probably be best to expect him between 9:30 and 10:00. At the earliest, at least.”

Derek leans over the top of the car. “Knowing him, huh?”

“Yeah, they’re all night owls, if that wasn’t obvious enough.”

With everything stowed away, they climb in. Derek twists the key, letting the engine hum to life. But he doesn’t drive. Spencer looks at him.

“You know you could’ve told me about him, kid. I wouldn’t have harped on you so hard if this was something you were nervous about.”

“No, no, I planned to. It just never seemed like the right time, you know, with this job.”

Derek grins. “Well, clearly, you care enough about him to withhold information. But I won’t tell Hotch that part.”

They both shared a laugh, easing the tension that had built up throughout the evening. As they drove away from the bar, the anxiety in Spencer’s chest lifted a little.

123 notes · View notes

suppose-i-was-worm · 11 months

Text

Iceberg Siren pt 6

**Here we are, lovelies, almost to the penultimate chapter! Hope you like this one!**

“Cricket?”

Danny blinked his eyes open drowsily to look at his boyfriend.

“Hm?”

Jason was propped up on his elbow on the bed, facing Danny.

“You’ve got powers, you told me you do- why don’t you use them?”

Danny blinked again, processing the question for a moment before answering.

“I do use them, though.”

He could tell by the tilting of Jason’s head that his answer wasn’t sufficient, so he thought for a moment more before elaborating.

“My voice is part of it- I cheat a little as the Siren. A friend taught me how to use my voice for mild hypnotism.”

At the other man’s look of alarm, he backtracked.

“I don’t use it for anything bad! Just to make people like me more. I’ve never used it on you, I promise.”

Jason smiled at him and reached out, cupping Danny’s face with one hand.

“I wasn’t worrying about that- does anyone else know about this?”

Danny pressed his face into Jason’s warm palm after a shake of his head.

“No, not even my boss. I only told him about the other powers.”

“Like?”

“Enhanced strength, sensing similar energy, manipulating said energy to a point- nothing I use on a regular basis.”

Nodding slowly, Jason leaned down to capture Danny’s lips in a soft kiss.

“Thank you for telling me.”

His murmur was low against Danny’s lips, and Danny couldn’t help but kiss him again. No, that wasn’t guilt roiling in his gut like some many tentacled beast. He didn’t use his extended powers on a regular basis, and he wasn’t planning on it any time soon.

~~~

Duke was confused. Bruce had insisted that the entire family be at dinner- the first strange thing.

Second? Dick and Stephanie seemed to be conspiring with Tim. Tim, who looked more tired than usual (a true accomplishment) and in a foul mood. Damian looked mildly perturbed, and Cass was signing too quickly at Babs for Duke to translate.

They were all milling about in the main foyer, right up until Bruce walked down from his office.

“Thank you all for coming- Jason and his guest are pulling up in the drive. Please make your way to the dining room so we don’t scare them off too soon.”

Oh. This was about Jason’s boyfriend. Duke dutifully made his way to his seat in the dining room, but he watched the double doors closely even as the others filed in.

He heard Alfred open the main door and watched as Jason stepped through into the dining room, and then another man walked in, lighting up the room. Literally. Duke had to close his eyes and fish around in his pocket for his emergency sunglasses.

When he finally had them on, he found the whole family plus newcomer looking at him in concern.

“Dude, you’re like, super bright.”

The Boyfriend laughed self-consciously.

“Sorry about that, it’s in my blood.”

A meta, okay.

“I get that. Just don’t sit right across from me.”

Duke grinned to show he meant his statement as a joke, and Brighter Than The Fucking Sun grinned back.

Jason picked Tim up by his shoulders and put him in the seat across from Duke, and then sat down in Tim’s spot, leaving the spot across from Babs empty for his companion.

“Guys, this is Danny. Danny, these are the Waynes. None of us bite.”

Danny laughed and nudged Jason with his elbow like Jason had made a joke, and then the family dinner commenced.

For all that Duke would have to wear sunglasses around Danny, he seemed to fit in pretty well!

~~~

Dani floated above Robin’s head, her long dark ponytail dangling just barely tickling his nose.

The young vigilante’s brow was wrinkled, but otherwise he didn’t react to her messing with him. That was the best part about Robin, he was like Danny in that he just let Dani do what she pleased and didn’t react to anything.

“But Rob, I’m booooored.”

“No, Phantom, we cannot go out and look for your brother. That would require civilian gear, and I am not permitted to reveal my face.”

“But I can reveal mine, and then you can help me look! Superboy says you bats are good with computers, right? You could do like, an image search or something!”

“Genetically, unless you and your brother are identical twins, your face will not match his closely enough for an image search.”

Dani grimaced. She didn’t really want to reveal to anyone else that she was a clone, but she really missed her original.

“What name do you think he would be going by, Phantom?”

“Like I told Green Arrow, his name is my name too. If he’s out as a hero, he’s out as Phantom.”

“No other heroes under the name Phantom have been reported, Phantom.”

Dani sighed and flipped over, gravity taking hold and flipping even more of her ponytail in Robin’s face.

“I just can’t imagine why he hasn’t set up as a hero. I miss my brother, Rob.”

“I am sure he misses you as well. If you could give us a name, we would have more success in finding him.”

She shrugged and floated away, flipping over in the air and landing on her feet.

“If he’s here, he’ll hear me, and I don’t want to pull him away from whatever life he’s made for himself in this dimension. He deserves happiness, and me being around might come in the way of that.”

“But you miss him?”

“He’s the only person I have left from home.”

~~~

Bruce sat at the Watchtower computers with Diana and Clark, watching the numbers flash across the screen.

“So, this means that there’s something powerful on the way?”

Bruce nodded shortly at Diana, frowning beneath the cowl.

“Cyborg has reported that the energy fluctuations have been going on for several months now, and indicate a powerful individual either already in our dimension or on their way. We cannot let out guards down.”

“Has Justice League Dark spoken with the new Teen Titans member? She claimed to be from another dimension, is it her?”

“Clark, she’s a child. Despite the fact that she doesn’t like you, no- there is no evidence that she has the power level that this new possible threat contains.”

“She’s a child with unknown origins and suspicious opinions on clones.”

Diana smacked Clark across the back of the head so Bruce didn’t have to.

All three of them had met Phantom, and only Clark seemed to disapprove of the girl.

“She seems very fond of her teammates. I am firmly of the belief that she would not betray them.”

“We can’t assume the best of everyone, Bruce.”

“Nor can we assume the worst, Superman. Phantom is no danger to us.”

“If you boys could stop squabbling, we have better things to think about.”

~~~

Jason watched as the morning sunrise filtered through the blinds, illuminating Danny’s face as he lay sleeping peacefully on his bed. They had talked about moving in together, but hadn’t made concrete plans yet.

It was probably Jason’s own hesitation and the little secret he was keeping that kept them from making those plans.

Danny’s skin glowed in the light, pale and ethereal. Jason would call him translucent almost.

With gentle fingers, he traced the scars that trailed down his boyfriend’s chest, a harsh pucker of imperfection on otherwise flawless skin.

Danny hadn’t told him what cause him to be dissected, and Jason wasn’t about to ask when his boyfriend was so careful about keeping his scars covered when he was awake. They’d been dating for a while now and only in the last few days had the other man stopped wearing a shirt all the time they were together.

It broke Jason’s heart that the man he loved so much had so much pain in his past- he would talk lovingly of sisters and best friends, but never of his parents, and it seemed he was even more reluctant to discuss the lab accident that gave him his powers.

His League communicator beeped, and he let out a heaving sigh. He hated to leave when Danny was still asleep, but he knew that the JL wouldn’t call him unless it was an emergency. At least his boyfriend wouldn’t be lonely- he was petsitting for his neighbor for a few days.

Jason leaned down to kiss Danny’s forehead and then he made his way out of the apartment through the window, putting his helmet on as he left.

Time to save the world again.

#dp x dc #dp x dc fanfic #dp x batman #arctic siren au #dead on main #damian wayne #dani fenton #dpxdc

167 notes · View notes

midnightfantasiez · 6 months

Text

Invitation | Jacob Bae

SUMMARY: never would you have thought to have instantly clicked with the one and only idol Jacob Bae, within a short period. when he finally invites you to take a further step in your relationship with one another, how could you possibly refuse?

PAIRING: idol Jacob x afab! reader

GENRE: smut (18+ MDNI!!)

WARNINGS: french kissing, pet names, oral (afab! reader receiving), fingering (afab! reader receiving), p in v sex, protected sex (we cheered), man's doing it from behind

WORD COUNT: 2,354

A/N: @zzoguri this was written for you 😚 i hope you like it 🥺

It has been a couple of weeks since your mutual friends introduced you both to one another.

You were in your final years in college and had little to no connections to many boys in your life. You were the type to always hide in the library or the quiet reading rooms scattered throughout campus, wanting to avoid indulging in all of the parties or chaos around you. With that, you were definitely not a regular on the college’s party scene. Attending frat parties or clubs would be the last thing you want to do on a Friday night, choosing to snuggle up in bed with your favourite snacks and drinks while watching your favourite TV shows.

Naturally, your friends were starting to worry about your love life—convinced that you wouldn’t be able to find someone even until graduation came in a year. Hence, they decided to be good samaritans and tried their best to find one that would suit your type to the best of their abilities.

Your close group of friends knew how you’ve always had a soft spot for music, and it’s something that you have always been passionate about besides the current course you were taking in college. It was probably pure luck when one of your buddies was mutual friends with an actual idol from one of the most famous boy bands of the year.

Given your personality, she was convinced that you and Jacob Bae were a perfect match with one another. Thanks to her luck, she secured a few tickets for you to attend their ongoing concert—The Boyz 2nd World Tour: Zeneration.

Wishing that she would finally shut up about meddling with your love life, you decided to give it a go and went to the first day of the concert. Unbeknownst to you, you start taking interest in the man himself.

It was the way he presented himself on stage—the way his body moved according to the rhythm and vibe of each song perfectly, his harmonious voice that suited each of the songs from the setlist, not to mention the outfits he was given to wear (especially during the opening where he wore a see-through shirt with his hair all slicked back good lord).

When you finally got to meet him in person backstage after the concert, he was a man you would fall for and would immediately be listed down in your “men whom I surprisingly approve of and will trust with the rest of my life” book.

He was so calm and friendly that he could break off the ice between you two even though you’ve just met, and it was how you were engaged in every conversation you’ve had with him. You definitely were a little upset when they had to call it a night as they had to prepare for the upcoming concerts for the rest of the week. But he managed to grab a few more tickets for you and your friends so that you could come again during the tour's encore and final day.

Fast forward to the present day, you were at the backstage waiting for the rest of the members to arrive. It took about 10 minutes before all 11 members came down to thank all the staff and visit all the guests that had arrived to support them on their final day. It took a while for Jacob to finally make his way towards you, but when he did, he absolutely couldn’t leave your side in the slightest bit.

Something in the air made both of you seemingly attracted to one another, even though you had just met for the second time. It was as if you both were drawn to each other, wanting to know more and deepen the relationship you both have created.

He gently grabs hold of one of your hands into his, caressing it before opening his mouth to suggest the plans for the rest of the day.

“Say, there is this really nice restaurant not too far from here that I occasionally dine in whenever I feel for a candlelight dinner. Care to join me for the night?” He asked in such a sweet way, how could you say no?

Without much hesitation, you quickly nodded your head before he made some arrangements to inform his managers and your friends that you both would make a quick dinner and that he would bring you back home safely by the end of the night.

Seeing this as a sign, your friends immediately encouraged you to take up the offer, convinced that this would be the start of a spark to happen between you two.

For the first time in a while, you actually agreed with your friends on this for once.

It was a rather fancy restaurant that had the Parisian vibes to it. You could tell how it would be a place where idols would occasionally indulge after a long day of work, especially when they have just finished a concert tour.

Jacob, being the kind gentlemen that he was, ensured that you’ve always felt comfortable and would bring up a variety of topics to talk about—which you deeply appreciated because gradually, he was slowly pulling out from your bubble, getting you to open up to him more.

You were glad that you weren’t the only one who showed interest in the other party. Otherwise, it would’ve been an awkward one-sided relationship. There was just something about you that drew in him, and he couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was either. All he knew was that he was desperate to try to get to know you better, and eventually, he definitely thought about taking a step further in the relationship you both have now.

The dinner went on smoothly and he offered to pay for the meal at the end, much to your disagreement.

A gentleman should always pay on the first date, no?

Those words lingered in your mind, and you couldn’t help but chuckle.

As you both exited the restaurant, he somehow volunteered to be your chauffeur, clearly wanting to keep you as long as he could to himself.

“If you are free for the night, would you like to come over to my place?”

“Woah, Jacob. Aren’t you taking this a little too far? What makes you think I’d return to your place that quickly?” You joked.

“What if I said I have got the best liquor saved just for you, some good music to vibe to, a comfy sofa and a cosy atmosphere to indulge you for the night? Would you agree to my proposal?”

Now that was tempting. Given both of your similar interests in music (and good liquor), it was very hard to reject the man’s offer. You knew that it should be a red flag for someone to invite you back to their comfort place that quickly, especially when you two are just friends at the moment, nothing else.

But somehow, you just couldn’t turn down his offer. In fact, you wanted to know more about him too.

In return, you smiled back at him while taking a step closer so that you were mere centimetres apart from each other’s faces.

“That is a yes in my books.”

One thing led to another, and you both began feeling tipsy. And before you knew it, you were both kissing one another on the sofa.

You were both finishing up the last drop of the liquor bottle that Jacob owned among his stash of wines and when you both looked into each other’s eyes, you knew that you were far too gone to even think rationally at this point.

Jacob bent down his face to yours in slow motion, and within seconds you felt his hot mouth infused with the sweet wine he had just consumed earlier all over your mouth. As you wrapped your arms around his neck, he then slipped his hands down to the curve of your sides to rest on your hips as he drew you in. You didn’t expect how much of a prodigy he was with his tongue, casually slipping and wrapping itself onto yours.

God, this whole session was causing you to lose your breath, your pants getting more visible as the minutes passed. Jacob noticed how much you enjoyed it and proposed a better idea.

“Won’t you—crawl up in my bed—with me.” He asked in between the kisses.

“What makes you—think that I would agree with that?” You asked while trying to catch your breath.

“For one, you would be cosy up in the sheets and I’ll make you feel good and care for you. Will you accept the invitation?”

If you did, you already knew where this was going. Having sex when technically this was only your second time meeting one another? It would be absolute insanity.

But you were already deep in this whole situation and ready to let loose for the night.

“Show me what you’ve got then.” You challenged the male.

Immediately, he carried you into his room and laid you down gently on his comfy sheets. He slowly undressed you, only leaving your underwear on as you laid your stomach down on the sheets.

“Relax, baby. Let me take care of you, hmm?”

Accepting his proposal, you laid your head on your arms and crossed them on the sheets.

Closing your eyes, you start to hear how he has walked behind you, undressing himself before slowly climbing onto the bed with you.

Instantly, he bent down and began to fidget with your core, slowly rubbing it, earning a soft moan that escaped your mouth.

“Does it feel good, baby?”

You nodded your head and he knew he could proceed onwards with his care. He slowly increased his speed before finally coming into contact with his mouth upon your core, kissing and sucking them.

“Mmmh… yes… keep going, Jacob.” Your moans sounded so sweet to his ears, and that was when he knew his care was effective after all. It was then he decided to insert two of his fingers into your core while he continued to suck on it simultaneously.

God, you were on cloud nine. It just felt so sickly good.

“M-more… Jacob… please… don’t stop.” Purely on instinct, you decided to spread open your legs more to give him access to your entrance. And how you’d actually wish him to finger you deeper within.

It went on for a few more minutes before you both knew you were about to reach your high. Jacob gives you the consent to cumming around his fingertips, and that was exactly what you did when you released your sweet love juice around his fingers. He takes them out from your core before placing them into his mouth, savouring them all without leaving a single drop.

“God, you taste so f*cking good.”

Just when you thought he was done, he opened up one of the drawers by his bedside to reveal a condom that he was about to place over his member. He asked you for your consent first to see if you were willing actually to do the deed with him.

“What makes you think I would say no after you literally just made me cum?”

He smirked. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Once he was done adjusting his member to the entrance of your core, he slowly pushed in as he climbed further up onto your back so that he was hovering over you completely now.

“God, Y/N. You’re so tight for me.”

“Then do your magic and help me loosen up, sweetheart.” You whined, already wanting him to go fast on you.

“Such an impatient one, aren’t you?”

With your consent, he instantly picked up his speed and went as fast as you would’ve preferred. There is nothing about going slow and gradually picking up his pace whatsoever. He grabs both of your hips and pounds into you continuously, checking up on you ever so often by leaning in to kiss you on your forehead.

You just looked so goddamn attractive to him at the moment. Your bareback, the way your long brown hair flowed down onto your back, and god, your moans. He swears he would definitely record them down so that he could listen to them all day at all times if he has to.

Especially when he needs that motivation right before heading up on stage before a performance.

“J-Jacob… I’m cumming…” You mewled.

“Cum for me then, baby. Do it with me.” He groaned.

With a few more powerful thrusts, you both reach your highs simultaneously and instantly release your juices together. He slowly pulls out his member from you and lays beside you as he reconnects his lips with yours.

“Our connection is something else, don’t you think? Perhaps we are really meant for one another.” Jacob announced, making himself clear while he was still panting from the intense workout.

“Gee, I had no idea you were this obsessed with me. What makes you think I’m special in your eyes?”

“I wouldn’t have asked you to attend another day of the concert and take you out to dinner if I weren’t interested in you.”

You both burst out in laughter before reconnecting your lips once again. But it all came to a halt when you suddenly realised how you had forgotten to keep your friends updated about the night, surely you have to return home sooner or later-

“Why don’t you stay over for the night? At least stay with me till the sun rises.” Jacob proposed, which, to be fair, was valid—you were in no shape to be able to walk normally after that intense session you both have just done.

“I can’t. My friends would worry about me.”

“Hmm. I think I could fix that.”

He gently takes your phone from you while having your consent to type out the message that he would send to the mutual friend you’ve both had.

🍐: change of plans, i’m keeping Y/N with me for the night. fyi, we’re more than just friends at this point.

masterlist

taglist: @deoboyznet @kflixnet @zzoguri (join my perm taglist here!)

#deoboyznet #k-vanity #k-labels #kflixnet #the boyz #tbz #the boyz x reader #the boyz imagines #the boyz scenarios #the boyz fanfic #tbz scenarios #the boyz smut #tbz smut #jacob bae #jacob bae x reader #jacob bae smut #jacob smut #jacob bae scenarios #jacob bae imagines

122 notes · View notes

simpinghour · 11 months

Text

Cake and Pears at 2am Hange x fem! reader

Summary: What is meant to be a casual night out to hang with Mikasa and friends leads you to meeting the very dapper, very suave even though they sometimes remind you of a golden retriever, Hange.

This was meant to be a mafia AU and there are light mentions of it but that's not the focus. Here you'll read about a fem!reader who is 14 years younger than a nonbinary Hange but doesnt let that stop her from dating them.

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Nonbinary Hange, gothkasa, Strap on sex, loss of virginity with strap on, this is smutty as hell and I have no regrets, side Eruri, Side Eremika, Squirting, Oral Sex, Fingering, also side Mikenana, Yelena needs her ass kicked, age gap, but not a creepy age gap I promise, I had to do so much research about strap ons for this damn fic

Ao3 link

Chapter 1

First you didn’t feel like going out. Then Mikasa wheedled until you gave in, and you asked what you should wear.

“Anything is fine. Wear your regular clothes.”

And that was how you ended up wearing an ankle length black linen dress, feeling completely out of place when turning up at Mikasa’s cousin’s bar.

The plan was to have a quick drink to start off the evening. How you ended up drinking by yourself was a mystery, but you suspected it was likely due to Mikasa getting in a quickie with her boyfriend and losing track of time.

I hope the dick is good because I’m going to kill you and Eren when you get here, you quickly texted Mikasa while trying to ignore the drunken man to your right doing the most to get your attention.

“Either drink this and stop harassing our guests or get the fuck out. Your choice,” you hear someone say.

You look up to find a guy with short dark hair and an undercut who eerily resembles Mikasa pushing a glass of water across the bar top while glaring at the man bothering you. A quick glance at the man shows that he looks as though he’d been scared sober, because he takes the water and scuttles in the other direction without another word.

“Tch. Asshole,” the guy says in disgust before he flicks a dishcloth at a spot of moisture on the bar. “You okay?” he asks.

“I’m good, thanks. I would be great if my friend Mikasa didn’t have me here waiting like an idiot.”

He scoffs again. “So you’re friends with my cousin. No doubt she’s glued to that idiot boyfriend of hers.”

“I’m guessing you don’t care much for Eren,” you reply, biting back a laugh.

“Hmm,” he grunts. “She could do better, but I guess she could also do worse.”

He doesn’t offer further commentary and moves to the other end of the bar. You go back to fiddling with your phone and sipping on your drink.

Ten minutes later you get hit on again, this time by a tall blonde who is admittedly attractive but too damn pushy for your tastes.

“Don’t be like that,” she says, reaching down to wrap long, rough fingers around your wrist.

The last thing you want to do is cause a scene; not only is this a club for members only, but everyone here is at least fifteen years older than you. On top of that, Mikasa vaguely mentioned something about her cousin’s bar being a mafia hang out, but she didn’t answer or give more details when you outright asked if her cousin was in the mafia.

As you think back to the way the guy harassing you earlier looked like he was going to wet himself when the dark-haired guy glared at him, you think the answer is yes.

“Yelena, leave the young lady alone before I have Levi ban your ass,” a raspy voice interrupts in a way that seems light yet has a casually threatening undertone.

The woman named Yelena takes her hand off you and you peer around her to find the owner of the voice.

You were aware that you were likely gawking, but you hadn’t expected to see a lithe brunet dressed in a three-piece suit that clung to them like a second skin. Their hair was sort of long but had been pulled up in a partial ponytail, and a few strands framing square-rimmed glasses and a pair of warm brown eyes were the second things you saw. The unamused expression on their face was the next.

“You and I both know why you’re acting like this,” they continue, staring unblinkingly at Yelena.

You know this person came to your defense, but you can’t help feeling intimidated. Then Yelena sighs dramatically and backs up a few steps.

“No harm done, Hange. It was just a bit of fun.”

“Bit of fun, my ass. You’re only here because we like Onyankopon. Now move along.”

Yelena stares hard while slinking away and the person called Hange leans against the bar to peer down at you.

“Sorry about that,” they apologize while sticking out a hand. “Hange Zoe. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

“This is my first time,” you explain after giving your name and shaking their hand. “I’m supposed to be meeting some friends here but they’re extremely late.”

“Oh? Anyone I know?”

“Mikasa and her dumb boyfriend Eren. And I think our friend Armin if he’s not glued to his computer.”

“Ohh, you’re Mikasa’s friend. Levi told us some of you would be stopping by tonight.” Hange turned to look across the room and pointed to a table. “Wanna join us while you wait?”

You peer over to see a man with shaggy blond hair sitting there, engaged in conversation with another man who had neatly styled brighter blond hair as well as a stunning blonde woman with a short haircut that fits her face perfectly. Levi, who you learn is in fact Mikasa’s cousin when pointed out by Hange, is in the middle of sliding into the booth with the two men and a lady. They all seem equal parts classy but intimidating, and it immediately sets you on edge. They’re nothing like anyone you’ve been around before and you’re in fear of making some serious social faux pas.

“I don’t want to intrude,” you protest.

“You aren’t. Besides, it’ll piss off the blonde who just got grabby with you.”

“Okay, only if you don’t mind,” you agree, picking up your glass. “Who was that, an ex of yours?”

A wry look cross Hange’s face as they lead you across the bar.

“You could say that. Say, what is that you’re drinking? It looks tasty.”

“It’s called a Red Devil. Not everyone knows how to make it but this guy with brown hair knew what I was talking about. He made it perfectly too; some people use too much gin and it tastes disgusting like that.”

“If he had on a blue shirt that’s Moblit and yup, he makes the best drinks.”

When you and Hange reach the table they introduce you to everyone. Nanaba is friendly and Miche is polite but doesn’t seem like a big talker, although Erwin and Levi have plenty to say. Hange orders you another drink without you asking and you sit on the outside of the booth, sipping on your second Red Devil while wondering how the hell you ended up at the table of Mikasa’s cousin and his friends.

You guesstimate that the jacket alone to their suits is equal to the price of a month’s rent. And you don’t know much about watches, but you definitely know what a Rolex is and every person at the table except you is wearing one. Correction, Miche and Nanaba have on his and her Patek Philipe watches.

Eventually someone else equally well-dressed joins the table, the tall man with brown hair named Moblit who happens to be the person that made your drink.

“Are you and Hange going to drink one another under the table tonight?” Levi asks, and Hange grins broadly.

“No,” they laugh. “But now that I think about it, I could use a snack. Are there any olives in the back?”

“Yes, for the cocktails,” Levi hisses, looking scandalized as though Hange suggested snacking on earthworms.

“Actually, I bought a large bag of mixed olives because I know you like them,” Erwin interjects, ignoring the way Levi glares at him.

“I thought I was the only one who ate olives on their own,” you murmur, and Hange’s face lights up.

“I guess you’ll share with me, right? Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

“Hange, don’t you break my damn bar!” Levi yells over the booth as Hange hurries in the direction of a closed door. “And bring something to put them in!”

You’re wondering why Hange needs to be told to bring something for the olives, and bite back a laugh at the image of them eating olives right off the tabletop. Soon they return, arms laden with a small stack of bowls and the olives.

Erwin hadn’t been lying; the bag of mixed olives he bought was enormous. It easily rivaled the size of a food container one would find at a food co-op. Hange tries to cut it open with a pocketknife but with speed-lightning deftness, Levi reaches over and snatches it out their grasp.

“I’ve got it, before the whole fucking thing ends up all over the floor,” he grumbles, pulling out his own pocketknife from somewhere and neatly slitting open the bag.

“You are so weird,” Miche says, watching Hange pour a generous portion of olives into two paper bowls. They stab a toothpick into a green olive atop both mounds and push a bowl in your direction.

“See, Miche? I told you I wasn’t the only one who ate olives like this,” Hange tells him, brandishing a toothpick with a black olive on the end before popping it in their mouth.

The entire situation is laughable. The idea that the stunning human in a bespoke suit has the personality of a golden retriever yet can clearly switch to that of a guard dog with a killer bite is unfathomable. Either way, you’re having a good time and don’t think the night can get any stranger. But you’re soon proven wrong.

Miche excuses himself and as he crosses you to get out the booth, he pauses and loudly sniffs your hair. Hange explains that it’s a thing he does and he means no harm, but then he says your hair smells good. Nanaba says she noticed the same thing too, and then everyone else says they also agreed.

Everyone starts throwing out names of expensive parfums that would probably take you a month or more to save for if you wanted a bottle. You tell everyone that it’s not perfume you’re wearing, they’re smelling the hair oil you used on your ends. That prompts a conversation about your tight curls and you’re explaining that your hair tends to get dry and needs extra moisture when Mikasa finally shows up. Eren is behind her, trying to pretend that he isn’t hiding from Levi and failing miserably. Armin is also there and he’s smiling nervously. Mikasa looks confused when she sees you sitting with her cousin and his friends, but her expression barely gives away anything.

“Hey brat, why’d you make your friend wait all this time?” Levi asks her.

“Eren and I lost track of time,” Mikasa offers dismissively, sniffing as she looks away.

“Tch. I bet,” Levi scoffs, narrowing his eyes and the increasingly nervous Eren. Armin also looks anxious, but mostly because he likely feels like a third wheel knowing what his two best friends were doing that caused them to be late.

“I don’t want to keep you from your friends,” Hange tells you with a smile. “Thanks for keeping me company.”

You really don’t want to leave but know it would be rude to not join Mikasa and the others. So you thank Hange and everyone else and reluctantly leave their table.

You’re oddly quiet while sitting with your friends, yet they’re too busy quarrelling over something to notice. When you cast a surreptitious glance over at Hange, they’re laughing loudly at something while slapping Miche’s shoulder. You feel a stab of envy, wishing you were the one to make them laugh when they suddenly turn in your direction and wink at you. Before you can react, they’ve turned back to their friends and you’re left wondering if you imagined everything.

Eren and Armin go to fetch drinks and when they return, Armin hands you another Red Devil and a glass of water. You notice that everyone also has water along with their drink and Eren asks Mikasa why her cousin made him also take water. The answer comes in the form of Mikasa shooting Levi a nasty glare across the bar and he returns her look with an eerily similar one.

“He hates sloppy drunks,” Mikasa explains. “This is his way of telling us to have fun but not too much fun. I watched him make someone mop up their own puke before throwing them out on more than one occasion.”

“Your cousin is scary,” Armin says, warily eyeing his cocktail as though unsure if he should drink it.

You finish your Red Devil a little too fast and become the teeniest bit tipsy—okay, you’re drunk—and decide to wobble outside, in desperate need of fresh air. Just as you take a deep breath and close your eyes, you hear the door open and someone else walks outside.

“Needed a breather?” Hange asks with an unlit cigar held between their teeth. They reach into their pocket to pull out a box of wooden matches and some other metal tubular object on a ring. “It’s a hole punch for cigars,” they explain when they see you staring. “It gives a better flavor as you smoke opposed to completely cutting off the tip.”

“Yeah, I got a little hot in there,” you reply. “So are cigars good? I’ve never tried one.”

“The right cigar is very good,” Hange explains, taking the cigar from their mouth and punching a hole into the end. They put it back into their mouth and strike a match and you’re captivated by their long fingers cupping the flame while bringing it up to their cigar. A few twirls between two fingers ensures that its lit evenly and Hange takes a few pulls and exhales a grey cloud into the cool night air. “Darker cigars—maduro they’re called— have a smoother taste. A lot of people think the lighter ones do but those tend to be harsh on the throat.”

You’re really drunk and wonder if you’ll remember this impromptu lesson on cigars, but mostly you’re enthralled with watching Hange smoke while looking like the picture of ease in their vest, the other hand in their trouser pocket.

“Would you like to try it?” they ask suddenly, and you realize they’re smiling while holding it out to you.

“You don’t mind?”

“Nah,” they reply, nudging their hand again in your direction. “Go on. Don’t suck too hard though, it’ll taste awful if you do.”

You feel awkward as you take the cigar and try to ignore the sensation of Hange’s fingers brushing against yours. Without their jacket on you catch a whiff of their cologne; something sweet yet musky with a hint of wood and vanilla. It mingles perfectly with the cigar smoke and the aroma leaves you light-headed.

Okay, girl, you really need to calm down, you tell yourself, lifting the cigar to your lips.

Normally you’d be disgusted by the idea of putting your mouth on something that was just in the mouth of someone you barely knew, but you aren’t for some reason. The tip of the cigar is damp and you brush way the intrusive thought that this is an indirect kiss, but you take a soft pull as directed and are shocked to find that it indeed tastes good.

“Nice, right?” Hange asks when they see your eyebrows raised in surprise.

“It is, actually,” you admit, handing the cigar back to them. “It’s sort of chocolatey but earthy? Makes me think of a nice latte.”

“Yes! Some people do have cigars with coffee, as well as chocolate and some teas.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It is. If you ever want a recommendation, I’d be happy to help.”

Just as you’re about to say yes, the door opens and Mikasa sticks out her head.

“Oh, here you are,” she says. “Sasha just texted me to see if we wanted to meet up with her and Jean at the diner.”

“Did any of you drive here?” Hange asks.

Mikasa shakes her head. “We took an Uber.”

“Me too,” you chime in.

“All right. If you need help getting home let one of us know.”

The rest of the night is uneventful and boring compared to how it started. Mikasa had her limit of alcohol and used Eren’s shoulder as a pillow for an impromptu nap. Armin’s face is flushed and he keeps complaining that he’s hot and his hair is annoying him. You dig two satin scrunchies out your purse and put his hair into two tiny pigtails and he is visibly relieved. Armin keeps his pigtails in and when Mikasa finally wakes up, she asks Eren if she’s seeing things while staring at Armin.

“I got hot,” Armin replies without further explanation.

“And on that note, I think it’s time to go,” you tell your friends. “I’m going to say goodnight to Hange and your cousin and his friends,” you add, looking at Mikasa who is laying back on Eren’s shoulder. She nods and remains silent, clearly not giving a shit.

“We’re going to leave now but I wanted to thank you,” you tell Hange, who is sitting in the booth with Moblit. “Did everyone else leave?”

“Nanaba and Miche did, and Erwin and Levi are probably making sure things are tidied up before they close. You said you all came in an Uber, right?”

“Yeah, I’m going to order one in a minute.”

Hange reaches into their vest pocket and pulls out their phone. They tap at the screen a few times and then hand it to you. “Just put in wherever you want to go.”

You see that they’re booking an Uber pool for you in an SUV which you know costs a grip.

“I’ll pay you back,” you tell Hange, and they wave dismissively.

“No need. The only thing you need to do is make sure you all get home safely.”

Hange waits outside with you all and you’re disappointed when the driver arrives faster than you anticipated.

“It was really nice meeting you,” they tell you, taking your hand and stroking the top with their thumb. That small touch leaves you speechless and you want to say more but Mikasa is yelling for you to get in the damn truck.

“You too,” you tell Hange, flashing them a smile before getting in the truck and shutting the door. You watch their retreating figure out the window until you’re out of sight, and then you feel immense regret at not asking for their phone number.

Shit.

“You like Hange, don’t you?” Mikasa asks a week later when you two are having a girl’s night at her place, although her sentence sounds more like a statement.

“What makes you think that?” you ask, wondering how the hell you’ve been caught.

Mikasa shrugs, leaning in close to a mirror and relining her lower lids with a smudgy black eyeliner pencil. “It was obvious that night. Well, obvious to me that is.”

“How the hell could anything be obvious to you? You were two hours late!”

“I only needed ten minutes at most to figure out that you like Hange,” Mikasa continues, now working on the other eye. “You wouldn’t stop looking at them.”

“Well, they’re good-looking. So they are non-binary, right? I didn’t want to be rude and ask since I’d just met them but that’s the impression I got from listening to everyone else speak.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Cool. There was a woman named Yelena there too. She’s Hange’s ex?”

“She is, that bitch. They broke up a few months ago because Yelena’s a conniving, manipulative asshole. Levi didn’t like her from the start. Although it’s not as if he likes many people from the start.”

“He’s probably good at sniffing out bullshit,” you tell Mikasa, thinking back to her stern-faced cousin.

“He is and it’s annoying at times. He’s rarely wrong though, not that I’d admit it to him. Anyway, should I ask Levi for Hange’s number so you can text them?”

“No! I can’t do that.”

Now Mikasa is lining her lips in black, and you see her eyeing you through the mirror.

“Why not?” she asked, leaning closer to perfect the sharp lines at her cupid’s bow.

“Because I… I don’t know.”

Mikasa sighs and turns around to face you. “Listen, I know you’ve always been too shy to flirt with someone who wasn’t a man, and I get it. Men are simple as shit and think a girl likes them if she blinks in his direction. But Hange isn’t some big bad wolf who’s going to attack you. You two can meet for coffee or something casual.”

You know that Mikasa is right, and there’s a stretch of silence before you speak again.

“Fine. Text your cousin. But if Hange isn’t interested, do me a favor and please don’t tell me.”

“You got it, you dramatic weirdo. Honestly, you’re weird and Hange is weirder. You two should get on like a house on fire.”

“That’s an awful analogy, Mikasa,” you groan, flopping over onto your other side. “Can you do my makeup when you’re done?”

The corner of Mikasa’s lip lifts slightly and you know your tactic to distract her was fruitful. For some reason, Mikasa loves putting eyeliner on all her friends. Eren fussed that it made his eyes itch, but Armin allowed Mikasa to do whatever she wanted. You also didn’t mind; you found that someone else doing your makeup was relaxing, and sometimes you fell asleep and let Mikasa do whatever she wanted.

“You’re actually going to let me do your entire face?”

“I’ll do whatever you want me to do, Yoda.”

“Ugh, like I said—weirdo.”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

“Sure. Now be quiet while I clean your skin.”

You’re lying flat on Mikasa’s bed while she swipes a cotton pad soaked with micellar water across your cheek when you speak again. “So what else do you know about Hange?”

“They’re older than us but you know that already. I think they’re forty? Something like that; I only remember because I know Levi is a few years older.”

“Wow, I figured they were a few years older than us. I didn’t think there was a fourteen-year difference.”

“Yeah. They’re also smart as hell. Two doctorates I think and run a lab. Also an adjunct professor if I remember correctly.”

“Well now I’m a little intimidated,” you admit quietly.

“I don’t know why. This is the same Hange who blew up hard-boiled eggs in the microwave at Levi and Erwin’s house because they forgot that you can’t microwave eggs.”

“Okay, that’s actually funny.”

“It is, but the runt didn’t think so. He cursed out Hange, made them scrub it twice and cursed them out some more when they didn’t clean it to his standards.”

You think back to Levi fussing about Hange spilling olive brine all over his bar and fight back a laugh.

“I had a good time with Hange and their friends until you and Eren came. They’re really funny.”

“Yeah, they’re cool. I’ve known most of them since I was a kid.”

Mikasa is now working on your eyeliner so you stay quiet so she can concentrate.

“Let’s go outside when I’m finished your makeup,” she says, using a short eyeshadow brush to buff out the pencil liner. “I need to smoke and I also got that wine you like.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” you reply with a tiny grin.

Twenty minutes later, you and Mikasa are out on her balcony that’s been decked in orange lights that were meant for Halloween but are year-round decorations for her. Mikasa brought out her phone and speaker and a darkwave mix is playing in the background while you two puff on cloves and sip wine.

“I texted Levi for Hange’s number, by the way,” Mikasa says casually, blowing a puff of smoke out into the night air. “No doubt he’s wrapped around uncle Erwin right now so his phone is probably turned off.”

“Shit, thanks Mikasa. Now I’m going to be a nervous wreck all night.”

“I have something stronger than cloves if you want. There’s edibles and gummies; pick your poison.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

143 notes · View notes

ctitan98official · 2 months

Text

Anonymous: hi i really love your headcanons, you have my favorite writing style! Could I request some hc on how the Dimitrescu's first met reader and how they prepared to bring up to their protective mother (and daughters) they have a new human they're keeping?

Finally got around to this one. Let’s get into it!

Alcina:

You first met Alcina at a lavish party in the grand halls of her castle. As you mingled with the guests, you couldn’t help but be drawn to the elegant and regal presence of the mistress of the castle. You were surprised when she approached you, her crimson gown flowing behind her.

“Welcome to castle Dimitrescu,” She purred, her voice silky smooth. “My name is Alcina Dimitrescu. Who might you be?” She asked.

You blushed and introduced yourself, trying to hide your nerves as she offered you her hand. She was captivating, with her tall stature, striking beauty, and commanding presence.

From that moment on, she was your universe and you were unable to resist her allure. You spent time with her in the castle, but you two really only stuck to her study. Alcina valued privacy and this was the most secluded spot for her.

You loved learning more about her and her three daughters.

As your relationship with Alcina grew deeper, you didn’t know how the girls would react to you and Alcina dating, and you didn’t want to cause any tension between them and their mother.

One day, after she shared that she had talked to the girls about a… “Special friend” of hers, you mustered up the courage to ask Alcina about Bela, Cass, and Dani’s feelings about you.

She smiled warmly at you, her eyes gleaming. “I have told them all about you, draga. They are very eager to meet you.”

You were relieved to hear this and grateful that Alcina felt strongly enough about you to introduce you to the girls.

As you settled into life in the castle as Alcina’s lover, you found yourself growing even closer to her. The girls seemed to adore you as well. You really felt like part of the family and had never been happier.

Bela:

You never expected to meet someone like Bela. The moment you laid eyes on her, you were captivated by her beauty and grace. You were just a regular human, going about your day in the village when you stumbled into her as she ran some errands. While she might have been a little bit condescending when you first met her (Honestly, it just made her seem more hot), She soon found herself growing incredibly fond of you.

As you spent more time with Bela, you found out that she was one of Lady Dimitrescu’s daughters. At first, you were terrified, but she assured you that her mother would never hurt you. You began to trust her more deeply and your feelings for her grew stronger each day.

One day, as you were lounging in the castle’s garden, Bela approached you, looking nervous. She told you that she wanted to introduce you to her mother, Alcina. You could tell how important this was to her, so you agreed to meet her.

Bela spent hours preparing you for the meeting, making sure you looked your best and knew all the proper etiquette. She told you stories about her mother, warning you that she could be intimidating, but that she had a good heart.

When the time came, Bela took your hand and led you through the castle halls until you reached a large room. Alcina was sitting in a chair by an ornate fireplace, a glass of wine in her hand. You felt nervous as you approached her, but Bela stood by your side, giving you strength.

Alcina studied you for a moment before speaking. “So, you’re the human my daughter has been keeping,” She said, her voice cold.

You felt a chill run down your spine, but Bela squeezed your hand, reassuring you.

“Yes, mother,” Bela said. “I wanted you to meet Y/N. They’re very important to me.”

Alcina’s expression softened slightly, and she gestured for you to come closer as she inspected you. “Very well,” She said before grinning in approval. “You could do much worse, Bela. Welcome to the family, little one.”

You let out a sigh of relief, and Bela beamed at you. As you looked at her beautiful face, you knew that you were now a part of something truly special.

Cassandra:

As you wandered through the forest, you couldn’t help but feel like you were being watched. You had heard stories of lycans lurking in the woods, but you had never encountered one yourself. You thought about turning back, but curiosity got the best of you, and you continued on your journey.

Suddenly, you heard a rustling in the bushes. Your heart pounded in your chest as you cautiously approached the source of the noise. To your surprise, you found yourself face-to-face with a beautiful woman dressed in a long, flowing dress. She was holding a sickle and looked like she had just come back from a hunt.

You couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her piercing golden eyes and long, flowing raven hair. She introduced herself as Cassandra and you felt a strange connection with her from the moment you met.

Over the next few weeks, you and Cass spent every moment you could together. She showed you the secrets of the forest and taught you how to hunt. You knew that there was something different about her, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it.

Eventually, Cass revealed the truth about herself to you. She needed blood to survive, and often fed on humans. You were shocked at first, but you quickly realized that it didn’t matter to you. You loved her for who she was, no matter what.

However, you knew that Cass’s mother, Alcina, was a powerful and dangerous Lord who might not take kindly to her daughter’s relationship with a human.

Cass prepared you for the meeting, telling you what to expect and how to behave, but you were still very anxious.

When the time came to meet Alcina, you were nervous, but Cass stood by your side, reassuring you.

To your surprise, Alcina was more accepting of your relationship than you had anticipated. She recognized the love between you and her daughter and gave her blessing for you to be together.

From that day on, you and Cass were inseparable, and you knew that your love for each other would only grow stronger with time.

Daniela:

You first met Dani when you were lost in the forest on a hiking trip. She found you wandering aimlessly, and even though she looked intimidating with her tall stature and sharp features, she offered to help guide you back to the village.

As she walked beside you, she spoke softly and asked about your life. You found her to be charming, funny, and very kind. By the time you made it back to the village, you felt as if you had made a friend for life.

Over the next few weeks, Dani took you under her wing and showed you around the forest and mountains. You hiked together, visited local landmarks, and enjoyed each other’s company. It wasn’t long before you realized that your feelings for her went beyond friendship.

Dani seemed to feel the same way, and you quickly began a romantic relationship. You were ecstatic.

But, there was one obstacle that worried you - Dani’s mother, Alcina. You knew that Alcina was a powerful and possessive woman, and you were concerned about how she would react to her youngest daughter being with a human.

Dani shared your concerns and prepared you for the meeting with her mother. She explained that her family had a long history of ruling over the land and that their ways were different from those of humans. She warned you that her mother could be intimidating, but assured you that she would protect you at all costs.

The day of the meeting, you nervously entered the castle. The sight of Alcina made you shrink back, but Dani’s reassuring presence gave you strength. You presented yourself as respectfully as possible, hoping to win over the matriarch’s approval.

To your surprise, Alcina seemed to take a liking to you. She even offered to show you around the castle herself. As the day wore on, you began to relax and enjoy the company of the Dimitrescu family.

Thanks to Dani’s preparation and her mother’s acceptance, your relationship with her blossomed. You continued to explore together, and even ventured into the castle’s secret passages.

Masterlist

#alcina dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu #re8 #re8 village #re8 lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitriscu x reader #lady dimitrescu x reader #bela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu x reader #alcina dimitrescu x y/n #bela dimitrescu x reader #cassandra dimitrescu x reader #daniela dimitrescu x reader

28 notes · View notes

gay-dorito-dust · 2 years

Text

The devil in the basement

Tag list: @mess-in-side

Idea: @vanillastrawberrylove

a/n: ngl it go a little shitty and sloppy in places.

You hated working for that eccentric old man who had more then he did in wealth then he ever did in health but how were you meant to sustain yourself? Even though throughout your mainstay as one of Roderick’s housekeepers had made you felt that you were being severely underpaid for a majority of the workload you had to get through, Some were pleasant while others not so much; you would often find yourself ease dropping on his conversations whilst doing menial small tasks such as dusting where you found out that the old nutter was asphyxiated with the idea of being able to bring back his dead son.

‘Fat chance.’ You scoffed to yourself as though you didn’t just ease-dropped on some personal information that was never yours to listen in on before getting back to the task at hand in the case of if you were ever to be spotted lurking outside his office at odds hours of the day. Yet the aspect of possessing the ability to bring back a loved one never left your mind; it went against the natural course of life yet that didn’t mean humans didn’t desire to have one last moment with their loved ones before it’s too late. You’ve had your fair share of similar thoughts but never let them foster long enough to become your driving motivator, your soul reason to live; You left them to die when reality taught you that there was a reason that fantasies were called fantasies. It was better and beneficial for your health that you gave those thoughts up before they became unhealthy obsessions on a delusional scale.

However one passing conversation made by two of Roderick’s pristine guests caught your ear as you were polishing the glasses til they shone as though they were crafted out of crystal. “Did you hear? Sir Roderick has captured the devil and kept him in the confines of his basement.” Georgina, a frequent visitor of the Burgess household, spoke no lower then a whisper yet no higher then an obnoxious dog whistle. It proven hard to not show that you were ease-dropping in on their conversation but somehow you managed to achieve the persona of the unassuming help. “Oh come off it dear, you know that old coot is just spouting off anything that’ll keep him in the limelight long enough before he reaches his deathbed.” Reginald, Georgina’s partner, responded as he lead the young woman out by the door, though not before stopping to retrieve their coats from a reluctant Alex. “I saw him Reginald!” Georgina cried, “mistaken it for the bathroom I did but he had starry eyes, dark hair, fair skin from head to toe. It wouldn’t be a far cry to mistake him to that of an angel.” She sighed dreamily, recollecting the man that was supposedly in Roderick’s basement. It was obvious to anyone that Reginald didn’t like the way she was talking about another man in front of him and muttered under his breath bitterly he said, “Lucifer was an angel once,” before shutting the large door behind them without another word.

You hated how easily your curiousness peaked that night as you found yourself being lead some those steps and down into the basement reciting Georgina’s words under your breath, “starry eyes, dark hair, fair skin from head to toe,” where soon enough you were within distance of a glass prison with markings littering the floor beneath it that ominously looked to be linked to some type of binding magic; A partial percentage of your family delved into the mysteries of magic once upon a time ago and got severely punished for it and now you’ve grown to possesses a fearful hatred of it. Sat depressingly within the prison was the most beautiful man you have ever seen in your life. Starry eyes staring directly into your soul, dark hair that looked as though he just had gotten out of bed, fair skin that glowed ethereally bright that you wouldn’t be surprised that this was how his skin was actually like on the regular; he was certainly comparable to that of an angel, a caged angel, if you were to go so far…a fallen angel even.

“Who are you?” The man didn’t respond, initially you thought that he couldn’t hear you and went to clear your throat before trying again, “did he hurt you?” Again you received nothing in return but his cold, harsh glare that might as well have cut into your skin. His jaw clenched and unclenched from time to time which indicated his anger and frustration clearly to you as you internally groaned at your own ignorance. Of course he was waiting to be freed! Yet instead he was stuck with your stupid ass, anyone would be fucking livid at the prospect of being caged for who knows how long that words no longer could convey everything. “Would you at least give me clues on how to free you? I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed after all.” You jested as the man merely darted his eyes to the binding markings keeping him tethered for a brief moment before they went back up to meet yours.

You huffed frustratedly, you could tell this guy was incredibly stubborn and petty in nature; so much so that it would make him a difficult person to engage in a conversation with without feeling as though you would’ve gotten better reactions from a brick wall. “Break the binding magic? That’s all?” You asked rhetorically as you stepped closer to the prison, looking over your shoulder now and then at the slightest bit of sound incase old man Roderick had decided to come and pay the devil in his basement a little visit. “I don’t get paid enough as it is and what a better way to tell that old fuck I quit then help freeing the devil in his basement.” You muttered under your breath as you got to work scrubbing one of the binding markings out into a indistinguishable smudge.

Morpheus tilted his head in questioning, how come you seemed to be the only human capable of doing what Roderick Burgess’s son seemingly could not? For without hesitation you went out of your own way to free him with no fear as to what was to become of you afterwards but more as an act of vengeance against Burgess himself, much like Morpheus would when he escapes this infernal cage he’d seen more then his fair share of. Alex Burgess was given opportunity after opportunity to free the dream lord yet never took it in cowardly fear of a father who clearly didn’t care whether or not his bidding was obeyed right down to the very last detail.

It didn’t take long for Morpheus to know that no matter what Alex did to please his father it would never be enough to earn a place in his blackened heart; Alex was forever in his own obsessive delusion that one day Roderick would utter praise upon him and therefore went against his better judgment in freeing Morpheus all for the appraisal of his cynical old man that only looked at him as a servant then his own child. You didn’t seem all that bothered in what was to come when the time comes for Roderick to realise his prized possession was gone, almost as though you’ve been waiting for an articulate moment to set it in motion and he ,Morpheus, was that moment for you.

He certainly wasn’t in the mood to start trusting you after being exposed to the ugliest parts of humanity during his imprisonment and was steadfast in his assumptions of humans being the same as the last. Cowardly, power hungry, pathetic, disgusting individuals who would do anything -including the likes killing one another and betrayal- just to feel as though they were the higher power looking down on everything and everyone. Morpheus didn’t believe you could any different from Roderick, from Alex, from the estrange cult that helped capture him in the place of his sister. He genuinely didn’t see you being to key to his freedom, he didn’t foresee your arrival as anything other as a false hope; and that the moment you came down here just to head back up as though you didn’t see anything out of place that would arise suspicions like everyone else. Yet you stayed, you asked if there was any way to free him, and here you were standing back to full height with a proud smile as you gazed down at your work which he followed out of curiosity.

To morpheus’s surprise, not only had you smudged out one binding marking you smudged out an entire third of them, the opening you gave him was big enough to escape. He could finally use the inklings of his powers after so long of being deprived of his tools. “Welp, hope that helps.” You told him with a shrug as though you weren’t expecting anything in return, “just promise me one thing will you?” Morpheus stared you down, waiting for the worst to leave you lips as you pray to him to grant you any wish imaginable, “make sure to put the fear of god in Roderick for me when you come back for vengeance.” With that you snuck out a vase from behind your back, rearing your arm as you used all the force you could muster to shattered the glass that was the only thing hold the dream lord back from exulting his wrath.

#the sandman fic #the sandman fanfic #the sandman x you #the sandman imagine #the sandman imagines #the sandman x reader #morpheus x reader #Morpheus imagines #Morpheus x you #Morpheus imagine #Morpheus fic #Morpheus fanfic #dream of the endless imagine #dream of the endless x reader #dream of the endless imagines #dream of the endless x you

701 notes · View notes

dmysterioblog · 6 months

Text

Chapter VI ✦ Jealousy & Deja Vu

Pairing: Rhea Ripley x Roman Reigns

Summary: A lot happens at the event.

Warnings; angst, smut

Word Count: 6.7k

Playlist

Masterlist

A/n: This my favorite chapter and by far the longest 😭

7:00 PM

Both had finally arrived at the event as Roman had parked the car. The place was packed; so packed that Roman at first was struggling to find a parking spot for them for about ten minutes until he was able to find one near the building. Rhea gathered her phone and her handheld purse before she got out while they both went straight to the building.

“You think even the president himself could be here?”

“Highly doubt it, although we were told that we were speaking to important people, so who knows.”

“So what, you go to one half of the building, and I go to the other?”

“… yeah, sure, that works.”

“Hm. Say less.” Both then went to the entrance as a security guard was checking everyone in while going through a list as he noticed them.

“Good evening, we received the invite for this event.” Roman told the man as he gave him two envelopes. The security guard opened and read both envelopes before he gave a nod.

“I’ll be needing your IDs and if you could please sign these forms right here.” He then pulled out two forms and a pen for the two as both champions retrieved their IDs from their pocket. After signing the forms and while the security guard confirmed their identifications, he returned the IDs to them as well as retrieving the signed forms.

“You may now enter, there should be enough seats for both of you if you are interested in taking one now. If you have any questions or concerns, you may direct them to Nick Khan as he is present here today.”

“Great, thank you sir.” The security guard nodded at them before the two went inside. Looking around the large venue full of guests. Music could be heard amongst the talking from everyone, while a few waiters and waitresses were going around serving everyone champagne and any type of wine. Rhea had begun to look around first, passing by a waitress who had a plate filled with glasses of champagne as she took one glass and began to roam around the venue, leaving Roman aside while he also went to the other side of the venue. While she didn’t mind talking to strangers, she was somehow not quite sure where to start at first.

She looked around for a little bit, all the while she took a sip from her drink when someone approached her as she was immediately engaged in a conversation with said person regarding her career, introducing herself and whatnot as they asked her a bunch of questions. As she spoke to them, Rhea felt quite comfortable and started to settle in while she then shook hands with the person and bid farewell as they walked away. Afterwards, Rhea kept looking around, still finding some sort of conversation with someone else.

For a moment, she wished that the boys were there with her.

But at the same time, for some damn unknown reason, she wished Roman was the one walking around and talking with her instead.

She immediately discarded the thought before she suddenly turned and noticed there was a small bar in the venue. Noticing her glass was empty, she decided to go in for another drink.

Instead of ordering herself a champagne, she ordered herself a negroni as she stood and waited. As she did, she looked around the venue to see the cluster of guests talking, drinking, and even taking pictures. She thought nothing of it since this was a regular event. After all, this was only for work purposes too.

However, she would only think like that if only she didn’t see Roman at the far end of the bar.

At first she thought that he was only interacting with someone, until she discreetly took a closer look while the bartender served her drink. When she did, however, it then dawned on her.

He was fucking flirting with a blonde.

At that, she immediately looked away and focused on her drink instead. Normally she would only roll her eyes the same way she did last time when he winked at the receptionist back at the hotel. Although this time, she didn’t fucking know why, but it felt… different. And not in a good way.

No.

No way.

No fucking way.

There’s no way that she’s jealous. Hell no.

She was in complete and utter denial. She then took a deep breath as she took another sip from her drink and tried to focus. She wasn’t here for any other reason. She was only here for work. To represent the agency that she worked for. To show everyone who she was. End of story.

Nothing more, nothing less. Just. Work.

She simply sat there for a while until she finished with her drink and ordered another. This time, she walked away from the bar and went somewhere else within the venue to distract herself, unaware that the culprit who was flirting with the blonde woman from earlier had suddenly stopped speaking to her as he was now watching her every move.

Two hours had passed, and now, Rhea had already interacted with half of the guests. She finished speaking with a woman who was a part of another sportsfield as well as who was asked to also represent her agency before she walked back to the bar. She left her empty glass there before she decided to go for some water this time.

However, returning to the bar this time was a mistake. Again.

This time, Roman was still there, though he was already flirting with another woman.

At that, Rhea immediately looked away and suddenly snatched her glass of water before she even had time to process anything. She decided to walk up the stairs of the second floor of the venue where most people were walking around as well as talking. She finally made her way upstairs as she walked through the crowd of people until she had bumped into someone accidentally.

“Shoot, I apologize—“

“No, I should’ve looked—“ She looked up and apologized to whoever guest she bumped into. “I should’ve been looking.”

The person then paused before he looked at her and blinked. “Oh wait- you must be Rhea Ripley? Women’s World Champion in the WWE?”

Rhea was a bit taken back by this, until she suddenly assumed that this was yet again someone else interested in knowing more about her career and whatnot. “Yes, I am.”

“A pleasure to meet you!” The man said politely as he shook his hand with her. “I’m working with New York Times- would you mind me if I ask a couple of questions in regards to your career.”

“Well, absolutely, of course.”

“Perfect!”

As both of them were talking up on the second floor, Roman had been chatting with multiple people. However, he somehow lost sight of Rhea, and although he was still focused on the event, he began to grow slightly concerned, for some reason. He would’ve seen her talking with someone, or even with a group of people by now. But ever since he last saw her at the bat and left, he hasn’t seen her since then.

He interrupted his last conversation as he walked around with his own drink, pretending to just roam around, but at the same time trying to find at least a glimpse of Ripley. However, when he did, it was only when he looked up on the second floor.

Up there she was, along with another man, both of them talking and her smiling and chuckling while the other man did the same as well.

Normally, he wouldn’t think much of it, but…

For some reason, something in him said to walk upstairs as he did so. Walking up the stairs until he approached the two as he cleared his throat. “Good evening- am I interrupting something here?”

The man was the first one who turned to him as he perked up and smiled. “Oh! You must be Roman Reigns!” He extended his hand to him in a handshake. “I was just talking to Miss Ripley here about her accomplishments in the agency!”

“And you must be…?”

“I work with New York Times, sent here for a general interview for the next publication.” The man explained. He then clapped his hands together as he smiled and spoke. “Now, I was just finishing up my talk here with Miss Ripley, but if you don’t mind, would you be interested in answering a few questions about our Women’s World Champion here?”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t like to interrupt here any further—“

“Oh no, Roman, it’s alright.” Rhea suddenly spoke as she turned to him with a smile. At that, he turned to look at her. He knew that someone, she was either annoyed with his presence alone here or she was actually amused at the fact that he thought that she was flirting with a man just now. “Go on, I don’t mind. I think I also answered enough questions here for the night. If you’ll both excuse me,” She then shook hands with the interviewer. “I must end it here, but it was a pleasure to meet you.”

“Well the pleasure is all mine, have a great evening!”

With that, Rhea walked away, but soon enough, her walk became fast as Roman watched her leave while he blinked. He wasn’t paying attention to anything that the interviewer was telling him as he watched her go downstairs and merge into the crowd.

Something felt off with her.

At this, Roman apologized to the male interviewer and told him he would return in a bit to answer his questions before he went downstairs in search of her. He looked around the crowd of people, ignoring the amount of people greeting him and even excusing himself as he tried to steer his way through the crowd before he was able to clear away from the venue and down a hallway.

And there she was, speed-walking down the hallway and away from the venue.

She wanted to be away from him and from everything.

However, this didn’t give no reason for him to just blatantly ignore her as he decided to follow her. He was even able to catch up to her as he trailed behind her. “Ripley, what was that back—“

“Reigns, I need to be fucking alone.” The last words were firm and loud enough for him to hear as she said it between her teeth.

“What- hey, wait up!”

“I said stop—“

She then stopped down the corridor to what seemed to look like a storage room, opening the door which was thankfully unlocked as she went in and attempted to close the door, but Roman was already going inside as she groaned in annoyance and walked away from him to the other side of the storage room.

“Jesus fucking Chr- just leave me alone.”

“I was only checking on you back there. Nothing more, nothing less.” Roman immediately told her while she only paced around the room, closing her eyes as she tried her best not to snap at him and keep whatever ounce of patience she had in her left.

“Yeah- sure you were, of course you were.” She mumbled in a sarcastic tone before she paused in her steps and looked at him. “Now try telling me that while looking at me straight in the eyes. Go on, say it.”

Roman looked at her for a few seconds as she also looked back at him. She then took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of her nose, leaning against the wall as she tried to calm herself.

“… Roman. I’m being serious when I’m telling you to leave me alone. Please.”

“Was it something that I did—“

“YES, goddammit, it was!” She snapped, snapping her eyes open at him as she gave him a heated look. “From the moment we left the airport to when we got here- you’ve been suffocating me, even after I told you clearly that we can’t let anything else happen. And now, you’re giving me that damn look like I’m some sort of lost puppy. So for fuck’s sake, stop looking at me and leave me alone.” Rhea didn’t notice but tears had begun to run down her cheeks. She was finally letting all her pent up stress out.

The room went silent for a few seconds as Rhea took deep breaths until she noticed her own tears. She immediately wiped them, internally cursing at herself for crying as she was about to tell Roman to screw off again until he spoke.

“And do you think I want to look at you?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake—“ Rhea choked out as she ran her hands through her hair. “Just stop it—“

“No- no, you know what? Okay, since we’re finally snapping, I might as well, too.” Roman suddenly said, Rhea refusing to look at him as she turned her back away from him. But she could tell by the tone of his voice that he was just as stressed as she was. “You really don’t think I’d rather be looking at someone else other than you?”

‘Fuck no. Please, please don’t. Please don’t say it.’ Was all that Rhea could think as she closed her eyes and kept bracing herself.

“You really think I’m not bothered by the way your “Latino Heat” treats you? Because guess what Ripley, I am. It bothers me very much.” She heard him speak, thus still not willing to face him. “God- I would give anything to not feel a single thing when he’s around you, but here we are now.”

Once again, the room was silent. She exhaled deeply as she rubbed her face and willed herself to slowly face him. When she did, she looked at him.

Roman also gazed at her. Her eyes were slightly a bit red due to the crying from earlier, and God help him, if he hadn’t been the cause of her tears, he would’ve been the one wiping them away from her face.

“… so that’s why you were flirting with those two women earlier?”

“What the fu— Rhea, what the hell? I wasn’t—”

“No- no, don’t start backtracking now.” She interrupted him as she walked towards him this time. “You just said that you can’t stand the thought of me being with someone else, so that’s why you did all that, because you wanted to prove your point and you wanted to try to get something out of me, wasn’t it?”

“I’m not- I wasn’t—“ Roman had to will himself to not snap again as he took a deep breath and rubbed his face with his hands.

“Roman,” Rhea looked at him with a firm look. “Don’t backtrack.”

“Fine! Yes I did that on purpose,” he said looking down.

“Do you think this is some sort of game? Is it fun to play with my feelings, huh?”

“Rhea, that’s not-”

“Don’t interrupt me. You know what I've been going through. Trying to sort out my feelings, making things right with Dom, and here you come in, flirting with other women to make me jealous,” Rhea scoffed, “You’re unbelievable.”

“Rhea please, just let me explain,” Roman pleaded. Rhea stayed quiet, looking down, and Roman took that as an opportunity to speak. “I didn’t think this whole situation through alright? And for that I am truly sorry. My intentions weren’t to hurt you,” Roman walked up to Rhea and cupped her face, “I just wanted to make you realize that you have something for me too, and that I'm not just a fling but I realize now that that is not for me to decide.” More tears ran down Rhea’s cheeks but they were quickly wiped away by Roman.

“Roman, I can’t-,” Rhea’s voice cracked.

“Shh, I know. I’ll leave you alone.” Roman was inches away from the door until Rhea pulled him back.

“Don’t leave.”

“But I-” Rhea drew Roman into a soft kiss, her arms around his neck while his hands laid on her waist.

“Let’s get out of here?” Rhea nodded in response. They quickly said their goodbyes to the guests of the event before heading out to the hotel.

“Fuck, that traffic took forever.” Rhea sighed in exasperation as they finally went back to their hotel room. “Almost made me fall asleep.”

“Well, I mean, if it wasn’t for you music…” Roman commented as he closed the door behind him while she snorted and took off her accessories.

“Come on, you know you like it.”

“Well, okay, I’ll admit, I am a fan of all types of music… except country. Don’t ask me why.”

At that, Rhea wanted to laugh but opted to snicker instead before she noticed the pillows on the bed. She looked at it for a split second before she began to take them away. At that, Roman arched an eyebrow.

“So we can share the bed now?”

“Shut up.” A pillow was sent right at him as he caught it on time and chuckled before he placed it aside while she smiled and rolled her eyes. After placing the pillows back in their place Rhea sat down on one edge of the bed. She slowly took off her heels, wincing at the pain from walking in them for hours. Roman took notice of that and walked towards where she was and knelt in front of her.

“What are you doing?” Rhea asked with a curious look.

“I’m gonna give you a massage. I can only imagine the pain your feet are going through right now.” She smiled at his genuine gesture. She watched him as he gently took her right foot in his hands and massaged it. Rhea tossed her head back in relief. She then realized this whole situation reminded her of the second time they ever hooked up.

“Don’t you get deja vu, Roman?” Roman chuckled when he realized what she was referring to.

“I do.” He smiled.

It was the night of Smackdown a week after Roman returned. He had a promo with the Judgement Day as he was announcing not only his contract signing with LA Knight for the Universal Championship Match at Crown Jewel, but as well as his and the Bloodline’s official affiliation with the Judgement Day. Ever since they assisted with Roman last Friday, rumors have been going around about how Roman was the one that authorized the deal between the Bloodline and the Judgement Day and now, it was officially confirmed by himself, especially after how everyone saw when he and Rhea shook hands in front of everyone in the crowd.

However, that moment was interrupted when Bobby, along with the Street Profits, suddenly interrupted their promo, with Bobby starting to run his mouth about how they’re taking way too much control and how both factions needed to be reminded of who truly ran all of WWE. In the middle of that talk, he even announced the return of a certain superstar as well as the newest member of the Street Profits: Bianca Belair.

The second she came out was when the crowd instantly went wild. She stood within the Street Profits when Bobby suddenly began to talk about how he would be interested in seeing Rhea and Bianca face off against each other for a title match. However, Rhea reminded them that her title was not going to be taken away that night and that if Bianca truly wanted a shot at it, then she would have to wait until after Crown Jewel after she eradicated the four women who were involved in that match.

It was then that at that point, Bobby came out with a proposition: a mixed tag team match with him and Bianca against Rhea and another male wrestler. The only issue was that A, Finn and Damian were to defend their tag titles that same night against Pretty Deadly, so neither of them could help Rhea in the match, and B, Dominik was out injured for a little bit because of Frazer and could not wrestle until in a few weeks.

Bobby was about to call off the suggestion until Roman suddenly volunteered to be Rhea’s tag team partner. Which shocked the entire arena, but also made Damian, Finn, Jimmy, and even Paul more than happy with the idea of two of the most dominant champions against Bobby and Bianca, especially with the fact that this match was going to be before the tag team match of Finn and Damian VS Pretty Deadly.

So the match was now official and so, Rhea and Roman fought against Bobby and Bianca.

Had it not been for Roman spearing Bobby on time for trying to avoid Rhea from pinning Bianca and before he could even break the count, both of them would have lost that night.

But there they stood as winners, right next to each other as the referee raised their arms up.

“Here are your winners… Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns!”

The crowd cheered as Rhea couldn’t help but smirk victoriously despite the screaming pain in her right ankle as well as her exhaustion. She gave a side glance to Roman, who also smirked back at her as a sign of approval and even mouthed a ‘Not bad, Ripley. Not bad,’ to her.

Paul stood by the corner of the ring as he also congratulated both champions while holding their titles, all the while they got out of the ring when Rhea suddenly began to limp.

This immediately caught Paul’s attention first as he perked up and called for a medic the second they went off-camera for commercial break. She was going to protest that she was fine until her ankle was checked. It was deemed to be injured due to Bianca tossing Rhea over the ring by using her finisher and her ankle colliding against the steel stairs. But regardless, she didn’t pay attention to the pain at that moment and focused on eradicating Bianca throughout the entirety of the match.

They won, but at the cost of her injuring her ankle.

She was only able to make it backstage with a help from Roman, letting her place an arm around his shoulders for support while he placed an arm around her waist, helping her walk backstage and into the medical room as her ankle was checked. Finn, Damian, Jimmy, and Solo even heard about what happened as they all went to see if she was alright.

“She’ll be fine.” One of the medics said after verifying her ankle. “It was just a minor injury, although it should be healed in the next three days or so she should get some rest, put some ice on it, and some icy-hot. Which should only be applied three times a day.”

“Well, Rips, you heard him.” Damian patted her shoulder. “Gotta rest up.”

“Y’all killed that match though!” Jimmy commented as he had a huge grin on his face. “Uce and Ripley, delivering the most deadly matches of all matches?! Y’all really taught those Street Profits a lesson too. Damn!”

Rhea couldn’t help but chuckle as the others did the same. After a while, she was helped back to the locker room as the others also followed while she laid on the couch.

“See? Told you it wasn’t a bad idea teaming up with him.” Damian told Rhea as he gestured at Roman. “You teaming up with this guy right here? It delivers a statement to everyone here in WWE.” He then turned to Roman and extended his hand to him. “I appreciate you for having her back out there, man. She needed it.”

Roman only smiled, wiping off the sweat from his forehead with a towel while he shook hands with Priest. “Don’t mention it. You guys had my back, now I’m having yours. It’s the way things should be.”

“I knew you weren't gonna be disappointed with this plan!” Jimmy told him as he patted Roman’s shoulder. “I can already see it: The Judgement Day and the Bloodline taking over all of WWE in every single place, every single time, every single day.”

“As we should.” Finn chuckled.

“Alright, It’s time for us to win our match now,” said Damian, gathering his own tag belts while Finn also did the same.

“You need us in your corner? You know, just in case shit goes down?” Jimmy asked as he pointed at himself and Solo.

“Nah, we should be fine, but thank you.”

“Maybe we could have Paul in our corner though? You know just for him to witness the match?” Finn suggested as Paul perked up at this.

“Oh- well, I’d love to, just- is that okay with you, my Tribal Chief?”

“By all means- I don’t mind.” Roman said as he smiled and nodded. Jimmy couldn’t help but pat both Finn and Damian’s shoulder as he chuckled.

“You guys are gonna have Paul represent y’all, this match is gonna be lit!”

The small group laughed as Damian and Finn began to prepare themselves. “Good luck out there, boys. Show them what you got.” Rhea told them as she pumped her fist with both Damian and Finn’s.

“We got this. See you in a bit, sis. And rest up.”

With that, both males left the locker room with Paul following them behind. It was only Rhea, Roman, Solo, and Jimmy in the locker room as they chatted for a bit while watching Damian and Finn’s entrance from the TV until Jimmy stood.

“You know, I might wanna watch from catering, I’m kinda hungry here.” He commented as he went up to the door. “Y’all want anything? Water, snacks, anything?”

“Oh no, I’m fine, no worries.”

“I’m good.”

“Alright. Solo, wanna come?”

His brother nodded as he went and followed Jimmy out from the locker room. This time, it was only Rhea and Roman who both stayed and began to watch the match. Rhea rested up at one side of the couch while Roman simply sat on the other side.

“Still hurts?” Roman asked as he noticed the ice pack that Rhea got in her hand while Rhea laid her leg on the couch, wincing as she placed the ice pack on her injured ankle.

“Just a bit.” She only said as she tried to lay down comfortably on the couch. “Belair almost took my ankle out.”

“You managed to get out of that lock though. I’m impressed by the way you did it.”

“Please. Don’t act all nice now.” Rhea scoffed and rolled her eyes while Roman couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What? I’m telling the truth.” He told her while she only gave him a look, trying to bear with her injured ankle. “Worst thing that could’ve happened is us losing and you being more injured.”

“Well, it didn’t happen, so once again, you’re welcome.” Rhea said as she reached for the icy-hot cream that was sitting on the table nearby and opened the cap. She removed the ice bag from her ankle before sitting up a bit.

“Here, want me to help?”

“I got it, no worries.” Rhea reassured him.

“Hey, you know I owe you one after the match. Who knows when it’s gonna be the next time I return a favor to you.”

At that, Rhea paused as she looked at him and gave him a questioning look. After a while, she looked at the bottle in her hand before she gave it to him. Roman sat up from his place before he went to her side and took the bottle, propping her leg up carefully to his lap before he opened the bottle and applied some cream on his hand.

“Though I’ll say, I’m sorry about earlier.” He told her, beginning to rub the cream on her injured ankle. “I should’ve asked if you were okay with me helping you beat Bobby and Bianca.”

Rhea hummed, leaning her back comfortably as she allowed the other champion to rub the lotion on her ankle while he also gave a small massage to it. She leaned her head to the side as she tried to suppress the slight pain coming from it which Roman noticed.

“Does it hurt? Let me know if I need to go slower.”

“No, it’s okay. Just… keep going.” She mumbled as Roman did what he was told. After a while, he finished, going to the bathroom to wash his hands before he returned minutes after to find Rhea placing the pack of ice back on her ankle. “Feels better now?”

“Yeah. It does.” She nodded, before she shifted on the couch slightly as a smile formed on her lips. “Though I never knew you were good at giving a massage, Reigns.”

Roman snorted at that, sitting down on the couch as he gave her a look. “Is that the only thing you think I’m good at?”

“And so what if I think so?”

“Well, not to brag, but I’m good at many things.”

At that, Rhea arched an eyebrow. “Are you seriously flirting with me?”

“And what if I am? We’re gonna act as if nothing happened a week ago? Hm?” Roman asked her as he crossed his arms and looked at her.

“Didn’t we agree to not go on with this any further?” Rhea asked him, crossing her arms while still leaning on the couch while Roman gave her a look.

“Well, if I’m recalling correctly, you did, but I sure as hell didn’t.”

Rhea wanted to roll her eyes at this. “Last time was a mistake, and you know that.”

“Damn, so I’m no longer acknowledged by you, Ripley? That hurts.” Roman feigned to be hurt by her words as he placed a hand to his chest. “That means I can’t acknowledge you anymore.”

She gazed at him, her demeanor from before slowly dropping as she sat up straight this time despite her injured ankle. “I don’t think you understood what I said last time, so let me speak in your language this time.” She began to speak sternly. “I’m drawing a line. The line is drawn, and you cannot cross it. Understood?”

At that, Roman looked down at the floor as he seemed to contemplate on her words for a few minutes while tapping the side of the couch. “… so about this line…” He began as he turned to face her again. “Is it an imaginary line, or do I have to draw it for you?”

He attempted to hold back a grin of his own when he saw Rhea look at him firmly. There was something about her that made Roman amused more than anything- and it was how easily he could make her annoyed.

“You’re very irritating, you know that right?”

“And here I thought things were going well between us.”

“Reigns.”

“That’s my second name, don’t wear it out.” He then perked up as he made a face. “Matter of fact, no one has ever called me just by my second name before.”

“Okay, and?”

“Okay— alright, let me stop annoying you.” He then went and grabbed himself a bottle of water before he also gave Rhea one as he sat back down beside her.

“But… question- and this is just out of curiosity, not because of any other reason.” He began as he placed his water on the table. “On a scale of one through ten—“

“—how would I rate our sex from last week?” She asked him with an arched brow.

“Damn, you won’t even let me finish my question?”

“Because I can already tell whatever shit you’re about to ask next. That’s why.”

“And what if I didn’t ask that? What if I asked you about our match against Bianca and Bobby, hm?”

Rhea rolled her eyes at this as her and Roman began to watch the match from the TV. After a minute or so, Rhea suddenly spoke.

“Six.”

At that, Roman scoffed. “A six? Really?” He turned his head away from the TV to her. “What, you think your Dom Dom can do any better?”

“… Hm.” She only said as she looked down at her nails. “I don’t think he can, Roman. But I know damn well he can.”

“Pft. Please. I’m not buying that. Hell, I highly doubt he even pleases you at a—“ He suddenly felt a harsh kick on his side as he yelped in pain, Rhea being the source of it as she had kicked him with her good foot as she glared at him.

“Go ahead. Finish that sentence, see how that goes for you.”

“Sheesh, sorry—“

“Sorry, can’t take the apology. We’re closed until further notice.” She simply replied back, leaning more comfortably on the couch as she faced him. “… although, I might reconsider taking that apology.”

“If…?”

“… if you prove me wrong. Which I know you won’t, by the way.”

“Well, as long as I get a higher rating than a six.”

“In your dreams.”

It was already five minutes after the match ended. Finn and Damian stood victorious in the ring with their tag belts as they were able to retain while Paul left backstage, grinning proudly as he was going to check on the others for their reactions about the match. He suggested Finn and Damian to catch up at catering later along with Jimmy and Solo who were still there while he decided to go and find his Tribal Chief and the Eradicator back in their locker room. He couldn’t wait to see Roman’s reaction to them retaining. If anything, with both champions winning tonight as well as Finn and Damian, this will certainly deliver a message to everyone in the agency.

He spoke with a few people until he went all the way back to the locker room. He didn’t even think about knocking as he was always allowed inside the Bloodline’s room no matter what. He grabbed the doorknob and turned it before he went in.

“My Tribal Chief! Miss Ripley! Did you both see—“

He was suddenly interrupted at the sight of him as he froze where he stood. There on the couch, Roman simply sat, naked, with a naked Rhea on his lap as she was riding him.

He didn’t even have time to process everything when both noticed his presence and immediately, Roman shielded Rhea away from Paul while pulling her off from his lap while also pulling her to his frame as she was naked and had nothing to cover herself with. “PAUL— GET OUT—“

That was when Paul was able to recover just in time as he scurried out from the locker room and closed the door behind him. For a while, he heard some shuffling and other noises coming from the locker room as well as their voices- more than likely arguing- until it began to calm down suddenly. The image was still fresh in his head as he looked like he just saw a ghost.

Roman Reigns. He was sleeping with Rhea Ripley.

Roman Reigns, his Tribal Chief- was having an AFFAIR with the Women’s World Champion. Who was taken by Rey Mysterio’s son.

He suddenly gulped, trying to wrap the fact around his head as he simply stood there in front of the door until he heard it open. Yelping, he took a step back as he saw Roman walk out of the room, now completely dressed with two carry-on bags clinging from one arm- one being his and the other being Rhea’s- while he wore his title around his waist. All the while Rhea also followed him- completely dressed as well- her title also wrapped around her waist while she was supporting her good leg with a crutch due to her injured ankle.

Paul gulped, looking up at Roman. Then at Rhea. If looks could kill, Paul would definitely be dead not only once, but twice.

“I swear, I didn’t see anything, my Tribal Chief— and— and, I humbly apologize Miss Ripley, I—“

“See what?” Roman suddenly interrupted as he looked down on him with a questioning look. “You simply only saw me and Rhea talking about the match, didn’t you?”

“I…” Paul immediately caught on to what Roman was saying. He wanted him to be completely silent about this. To not even utter a single word from his mouth about what he just saw. Roman was firmly counting on his trust, especially right now.

However, this only made Paul concerned and for many reasons, but he decided not to voice them right then and there.

“I… yes, yes, you both were.” He quickly said as he cleared his throat. “And- speaking of which- Finn and Damian’s match went really well, they retained, and they’re now at catering with Jimmy and Solo as we speak and—“

“Good. We’ll meet them there. We’re just about to leave now, actually.” Roman said as he looked at the time on his watch. “Let’s go.”

He then began to walk away as Paul watched him and Rhea was about to follow when she paused and gave Paul a look. Once again, Paul gulped.

“I… I swear I won’t say a word.”

“Good. I trust you won’t.” She simply told him as she looked him in the eye before she began to leave.

Paul took a deep breath and tried to calm himself while rubbing his face before he went to follow the two to catering. He mentally prayed that this wouldn’t affect his Tribal Chief in the long run.

— End Flashback

“I’m not gonna lie, it was kind of funny when Paul walked in on us that day.” Roman commented as he got out of the shower, now completely washed and wearing a simple pair of gray sweatpants and a shirt while Rhea dried her damp hair before she turned and looked at him.

“You’re joking.” She blurted out. “Roman, I was naked.”

“Yeah, but he didn’t see you, still, I made sure of that, remember?” He commented as he laid down on one side of the bed and grabbed the remote for the TV as he turned it on.

“Yeah well… we also made sure he didn’t tell anyone.” She told him as she finished drying her hair, placing the towel back inside the bathroom before she closed the door. Roman then looked at the time on his watch as he placed it on the table lamp. It was already almost midnight, and while they had a place be present tomorrow afternoon, he still didn’t feel that sleepy.

He then felt the bed shift as Rhea laid down on the other side of the bed. At that he placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his frame while he began to switch channels on the TV, all the while Rhea allowed him to welcome her in his embrace as she placed an arm around his waist and her head on his chest.

“You watch Station 19?” She asked him in a low tone. “Boring.”

“Well, sorry I’m not that much of a fan of horror… well, only a bit, but still.”

At that, Rhea looked up at him. “So you get easily creeped out by horror stuff?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you would still rather choose to watch a TV show over a badass horror movie. Gotcha.”

“Since when you’re good at reading people?” Roman said in a joking manner while Rhea rolled her eyes.

“So now you know me.”

“Well, I mean… it wouldn't hurt to start now.” He suddenly commented as he looked down at her. At that, she looked up at him. “Is that a good or bad thing?”

“We can talk about that later at some point… I’m really tired.” Rhea mumbled as she leaned against his frame and hugged him closer. Roman decided to switch the TV off as he pulled the covers on them while he also adjusted himself. The two of them soon drifted off to sleep in each other's arms

Taglist:

@sassginaswanmills @riptideripley @tonuitekan

#fanfic #smut #angst #rhea ripley x roman reigns #rhea ripley x dominik mysterio #rhea ripley #roman reigns #dominik mysterio #the tribal chief #the judgment day #the bloodline

44 notes · View notes

rehfan · 1 year

Text

Chapter 4 is here!

The Hat Shop Girl

Inexperienced!Ralph X Fem!Reader/AFAB!Reader

Fandom: Timewasters; Joseph Quinn

Summary: You were working as a clerk in a hat shop when Ralph Penbury walked into your life. Nothing was ever the same.

Tags: meet-cute, eventual smut, slow build, angst with a happy ending, class differences, fantasizing, implied/referenced drug use, non-consensual touching, sexual inexperience, first kiss, kissing, first French kiss, neck kissing, sexual education, angst, emotional hurt, vaginal fingering, nipple play, vaginal sex, first time, blow jobs, cream pie, fluff and smut

Warnings: 18+ and over only please. Eventual smutty smut - NOT for children! Non-consensual touching, implied/referenced drug use.

THIS IS THE CHAPTER WITH THE NON-CON TOUCHING - PLEASE BE AWARE.

Read all four chapters on AO3 HERE

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9

******************************

CHAPTER 4: The Snowball Party

The Hollingsworth family had always thrown an end-of-the-season soirée but it had nothing on the Penbury twins. Screaming laughter, wild dancing of all kinds, loud jazz, and booze of every description were everywhere. You had come downstairs in the blue gown that Ralph had picked out for you. It dripped with fringe to your knees and caressed your shoulders with the same. The silk stockings fresh out of the packaging lay creamy against your skin. Your complimentary silver shoes pinched a bit at the toe, but you ignored it in favor of the view in front of you.

The first guests were arriving, a cavalcade of youth and exuberance that fairly poured out of various beautiful automobiles, through the reception hall, past the grand staircase where you had stood, along into the anteroom, and deposited themselves at the various tables until there was barely any space to breathe. There was food, but only nibbles. Everyone’s entrée seemed to be alcohol.

Champagne was the queen of the ball, followed by gin, whiskey, various wines, and brandy. Then there were the second cousins: vodka, rye, and someone brought a rum all the way from Jamaica.

You sipped on your single flute of bubbly, not wanting to lose your senses before you had a chance to speak to the Selfridges manager. Ralph had said his name was Miller. He worked just under Mr. Selfridge himself. The more you thought about it, the more nervous you got. The more nervous you got, the more you wanted the bubbly. But you’d settle for one Lord Ralph Penbury. His lovely dark eyes and bright smile would calm you and buck up your courage. Trouble was. you couldn’t spot him anywhere.

But of course, you could barely find yourself in that room. You had been jostled twice as you moved about the room by two different people in as many minutes, one a tiresome looking man who acted as though you were the problem when he had stepped backward into you in order to show his friends how he performed his version of the turkey trot. The other was a girl who quickly apologized - which was a nice change - as she vacated the toilet just off the anteroom, wiping at her nose indelicately. A terrible night to come down with a cold, you thought.

You thought perhaps he was choosing to come down fashionably late. But what was fashionable? Ten minutes? Thirty? An hour had gone by and Ralph still wasn’t to be seen. Victoria had joined the party since the beginning, arriving down the stairs with a scream and a squeal at a few of her best buddies who greeted her with the same alacrity. She was hard to ignore in the hour since. She was holding court, her admirers and friends surrounding her where she sat on some man’s lap. Spotting you, she waved you over and introduced you as “Ralph’s hat shop girl”.

“We made her over, of course,” she added, “Couldn’t have her gadding about in the drippy clothes she had.” Everyone nodded in sage agreement at the wise decision. “She does clean up rather well, doesn’t she?”

“You’re a regular Pygmalion,” said the man whose lap she was occupying. “Or is that Svengali?”

“Oh no, that’s definitely my brother. Positively dottie about the girl.” Following everyone’s chuckle, and almost as an afterthought, she handed you her empty glass and asked you to get her another ‘what’s-it’ from the barman. “Just tell him: same again, won’t you dear?”

“Where is Ralph, Victoria?”

“What? Oh who knows?” she waved you off, laughing, “I never know where my silly brother gets to. Have you checked the gardens outside? I think he wandered out that way when I last spoke to him. He wasn’t best pleased with me. Although I wasn’t best pleased with him in that ridiculous waistcoat he’s wearing. He called it romantic. I called it an eyesore.” She turned to her hangers-on and quipped: “Perhaps he’s decided to drown himself in moonlight?” The round of laughter that followed informed you of everyone’s general opinion of him. It made your blood boil.

“He is good for one thing though,” one woman commented, before you wandered away, leaving Victoria’s empty glass on one of the other tables. “He’s good for powdering my nose.”

Everyone laughed at that too. You didn’t understand the joke, only the cruelty.

It seemed a silly suggestion of Victoria’s but you had searched everywhere else. You left the cluster of self-indulgent people and stepped out into the chilly early fall air. There was little breeze and the air was crisp. The scent of decaying leaves was in the air and it made you long for the fireplace in your room. There were certain folks who had come out onto the grand back porch into the moonlight, falling together, pulling apart, leaning over each other, touching and laughing softly, their conversations lost to the night.

You came around the side of the house that led to the gardens you strolled through earlier that day. The fountain and bird feeder were still barren, but no less picturesque. A still figure sat on a bench near the fountain. Ralph.

“Where have you been?” you asked, hurrying to his side. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

When you first spied him, his face held that same far away look he had in the car ride up, but upon hearing your voice and seeing your face, his smile returned. It was not as radiant as before, but it was still there. You stood before him, your question hanging between you.

“I’ve been right here,” he said. “Victoria… she…”

“What did she say, Ralph?” you asked, bracing for the words you already knew had been leveled at him.

“She didn’t want me wearing my favorite waistcoat. She hates it. Says it gives people the wrong impression of me.”

His hand brushed the material, embroidery styled in the pattern of peacock feathers. You thought it resplendent. And perfectly Ralph.

“And what impression is that? That you’re a joyous person? That you’re fancy-free? That you like a good time? Because that’s what I see.”

He beamed at you. “Do you really think it suits?”

“Of course! You look splendid, a real corker of a fellow. Now come on. I want you to teach me how to do the turkey trot.”

He leapt to his feet and gave you a small bow. “My pleasure, my queen.” He held out his hands. “Shall we?”

“Out here?”

“Why not? Perfect for a lesson. Plenty of room. And we can still hear the music.”

You had to admit, his reasoning was sound. “And if I tread on your toes, there’s no one else to see. You’ll forgive me? I’ve never been a good dancer.”

“No worry,” he said with a laugh. “I’m a wonderful dancer. And as for treading on my feet, well, I think I’m made of tougher stuff than that.”

Said the boy who was ridiculed about his waistcoat and sat for an hour in the cold feeling sorry for himself, you thought. Ralph Penbury, you are a tragic figure, aren’t you?

But he had been right: he was a marvelous dancer. And an excellent teacher. Gentle yet solid under your hands, you relished the feel of him. His cologne had a note of spice, mixed with the French milled soap that was made available to all in the house. His eyes held delight when you got the steps right, encouraging you to do better and better with each repetition. After roughly four songs, you felt much more confident and suggested that you two both head inside. “After all, Ralph, despite the calisthenics, I am a bit cold.” His eyes went wide and you found yourself being escorted inside promptly, Ralph’s black evening jacket around your shoulders.

One of his hands was at the small of your back, his other was holding yours. It had been too long since you had been touched like that. It made you dizzy. Your eyes never left his face as he walked you across the porch and inside.

“By the by, meant to say: you look stunning this evening,” he whispered to you, just as you crossed the threshold. And when he followed it with your name, the look that came into his doe eyes was breathtaking. He kissed your hand gently, a bare brush of his lips against your knuckles, but your skin retained the feel of the heat of him and you felt your knees buckle and your panties moisten.

“T-thank you,” you said. You felt yourself blush. “D’you know, I’ve just noticed that our outfits almost match in color. And I do love this dress on me. You were right about the blue, it seems.”

“Yes,” he beamed, “I was, wasn’t I?”

The energy in the room had gone up a few notches, the frenzy of music was at a fever-pitch with people crowding the small dance floor and spilling in between the tables. Two women zoomed past you and Ralph, nearly tipping you over if Ralph hadn’t caught you. Lord, he was surprisingly strong.

“Alright?” he asked you, cradling you from behind and holding your elbows. His breath brushed the shell of your ear and you swallowed hard and forced a smile as you got your feet back under you.

“I think I’m too sober for this party,” you joked.

Ralph let loose with a delighted laugh. “That’s easily remedied. Shall I get you something? Champagne? Gin? Cocaine?”

“Cocaine?” you asked, genuinely shocked. The Hollingsworths would have never-

“Oh yes,” he said. “There’s plenty. I made sure the man gave me extra-“

“You bought it?”

“Usually my only job at these things,” he said. “It terrifies me no end, of course, but better me making the arrangements than my sister.”

“Oh.” You had no idea what to make of that. You only knew that you didn’t like it. Not any part of it. You instantly imagined Ralph knowing dangerous people in dangerous places hired to purchase a dangerous illegal substance in enough quantity to make this crowd happy? It was unthinkable. You didn’t mean to be prudish or a wet blanket, but you certainly weren’t that kind of girl. It was horrifying.

Before you could recover, and before Ralph could explain further, his mouth open and about to utter another word to you, the man who had stumbled into you while demonstrating the turkey trot to his friends came busting between you. “Penbury, old man! Someone’s been holding all the snow at this ball hostage. Just wondering if you had any more- Well! Who’s this little sheba?” You could hardly credit it, but it seemed that he was more drunk than when you first saw him.

“Oh! Miller! Just the man!” cried Ralph. “Come out here and let’s discuss something.” To you he said, “Come along. This is the Selfridges man I was telling you about.” He escorted you both back out to the porch, all the way at the other end where you could at least hear each other speak.

Your head spun as you put two and two together. Snowball party. Snow. Cocaine. Of course. You inwardly cringed. This horrid man who was supposed to get you your next job was clearly spifflicated and seeking cocaine. This is not who you expected to meet and your stomach twisted.

Ralph, ignorant of your inward crisis, happily introduced you to Mr. Randall Miller, floor manager at Selfridges, London, and explained quickly about your employment situation. He then left you with a wink and said he would seek out the extra supply and be right back leaving you alone with the repellant Mr. Miller. For his part, Miller managed to leer at you, grinning drunkenly, his eyes sweeping up and down your body in a way that made you want to take a hot shower with some steel wool. “So, you want to work at Selfridges?”

“Uh- Y-yes, sir,” you said. “Most of my practical experience is in tending to customers directly, but I hope to one day design clothes. I’m especially interested in men’s and women’s haberdashery.”

“Tending to customers directly, eh?” he repeated, a tone of mockery in his voice. He hooked a finger under the glitzy shoulder fringe of the light blue gown you were wearing and asked, “Did you design this?”

“Sadly, no,” you said, gently bending away from his touch. “But I was thinking of a hair band design that would complement it nicely.” You wore a plain one tonight, simple and silver.

“I like the one you’ve got,” he said, stepping closer, presumably to inspect the band in your hair, but his hand found your waist.

You stepped back and re-directed his attention. “Do you think they will hire me on? I can type up a list of references should it be required.” He stepped even closer as you spoke until you backed right into the large concrete railing surrounding the edge of the porch.

“The truth?”

“Yes. Please,” you said, swallowing hard and looking frantically about for Ralph’s return.

“Well,” he said, leaning so close to you that you could feel and smell his breath, the tang of gin unmistakable. His hand snaked around your waist once more and you froze. “I think that a beautiful thing like you would have all the chances in the world.”

“I think that a person should be judged on competency for honest work, not outside looks, Mr. Miller. If you can put in a good word, I would be grateful. I will take care of the rest in any interview they offer.” You attempted to twist your body away from him, but he pressed you further against the railing, placing a leg between yours and bracing you on either side with his hands. “Sir, I -uh. Please… can we go inside now? I’m rather chilly.”

“I can warm you up,” he said. “If you’ll let me.”

“I’m not interested in that. I only wanted a job. Please leave me alone otherwise.”

He laughed at this. “Oh? I can employ you. Same way Ralphie has.”

“What?”

“Oh come off it. No woman willingly spends time with that twat. You’re a rented chippy looking to make good? Looking to ‘better’ herself? Ha! As if that’s possible. I mean, good on you for trying, but let me level with you, love. It ain’t gonna happen.”

Shocked, you had no words. Sputtering was all you could manage at first. “I- am NO- NO such thing!” You shoved at him with your forearms, not wanting to soil yourself by touching him with your hands. He laughed at your efforts. “You are the worst sort of- You cad! You horrid horrible man! I- would- I would NEVER! You cruel- terrible- hateful- drunken-!” You managed to take a breath as he stood up and away from you, amusement painting his face. “You think me a- a- prostitute? You think I sell my body? That I am one of those- women? How could- How? You disgusting-!”

There was nothing else for you to do but to slap him. So you did. The sting against your palm was worth the look on his face.

“What in the world is going on here?” Ralph came hurrying up, panicked and breathless. He looked from you to Miller and back again.

“Your lady friend here is a firecracker. But be warned, Penbury. She’s either a gatecrasher or a gold digger. Wouldn’t keep her more than the one night if I were you.”

“So you won’t put in a word for her at Selfridges?” Ralph asked, completely flummoxed.

“That bearcat? I wouldn’t even if I could,” he replied rubbing his cheek.

You perked up: “If you could? You mean you can’t?”

He huffed a laugh as he walked off. “Got the sack, didn’t I? Three weeks back.” He shrugged at Ralph. “Sorry, old man. Hope you get your money’s worth out of the slapper.”

The two of you stared at the back of the man’s head as he disappeared into the house. Tears stung your eyes and you gasped for breath. You had never been so insulted all your born days. Instantly, Ralph was at your side. “Are you alright?” You gave him a look. “Of course you’re not. Stupid, stupid Ralph. I am so so sorry. Please forgive me. I had no idea he was a-“

“A bounder? A snake in the grass? A louse?” you supplied. “Ralph, he thought I was a prostitute.”

“No! Clearly, he’s in the wrong! How could he-? How could anyone-?” Ralph objected. He seemed more insulted than you were. “I shall have a word with our staff and have him bodily removed. This will not stand. Not in my own home.” He offered his handkerchief and you wiped your nose and dabbed at your eyes. “Oh, but I shouldn’t abandon you when you’re upset, should I?”

You were inconsolable for a few minutes before recovering yourself. Ralph sat on the railing beside you and rubbed soothing circles along your back until you were able to speak again. You wiped your tears and your nose and managed: “I’ll be honest with you, Ralph: I’d be more upset knowing he was around than being out here on my own wetting your handkerchief with my tears.” You looked in his eyes pleading, “Please get rid of him. He’s the worst person.”

Ralph stood tall. “Consider it done, your majesty.” He made a deep bow and vanished inside the house at a full run. Inside moments, there was shouting and protesting followed by the sound of booing and hissing and then applause. The music, which had died down in the fracas, picked back up again, a jazz tune that was quite popular on the wireless.

Ralph came back to you, not a hair out of place. “Let it never be said that a Penbury man couldn’t get the job done when he had to.” He was very pleased with himself; you could tell from the way he puffed out his chest, the peacock waistcoat shining in the moonlight.

You stood and held your arms up to him. He stepped closer. “Are we dancing again?” he asked.

You embraced him, his jacket falling from your shoulders. He reached behind you to catch it just as you were wrapping your arms around his neck. You felt him go rigid for a split second. You pulled back. “Sorry. I’m just grateful. I didn’t mean to be inappropriate.”

His hands brought his dinner jacket back around your shoulders and then guided your arms down gently. “Not at all, my dear. I completely understand, but really you should be very angry with me. I led you to believe I could get you a new position. Now it seems I can’t. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you somehow. I’ll find a way to fix this.”

He was so sweet you wanted to cry - again. “Never mind that, Ralph. Come on. I need a drink.”

“Oh! Well, I think I can assist you there!” he said and held his arm out for you to take.

************************

MASTERLIST LINK

Tagged readers: @h-ness1944 / @eddie-is-a-god / emma77645 / @hahahafucku / @paranoidmunson / @honey-eyed-munson / @mystars123 / @bl4ckt00thgr1n / @live-love-be-unique / @ becca-alexa / @aysheashea / @bohemianrhapsody86 / @luvrsbian / @etherealglimmer / @ladybug0095

#fanfic #writing #ralph penbury #ralph timewasters #ralph x reader #joseph quinn #joe quinn #a03 #ao3 writer #the hat shop girl #THSG

93 notes · View notes

hrhbella · 1 year

Text

Happy

Pairing: Theodore Nott x fem!Reader

Word Count: 1.7k words

Summary: N/A

Warnings: N/A

Author’s Note: Final part, I believe. I had ideas for scenes, but they would be flashbacks between the two of them. Let me know. -B

——

Sitting on the stool in front of her vanity, she nearly dropped the mascara when the door to her room swung open. Theodore made eye-contact through the mirror,

“Nott. It is general practice to knock before entering.”

He blinks, “I thought it would seem regular.”

“Regular?” she picks up the cosmetic, “How ordinary.”

“Polsy let me in.” Theodore stood in the doorway, slowly taking in the subtle changes to her room.

She turns, facing the unexpected guest. Polsy would, of course, let Theodore Nott in without issue. It didn’t matter if a certain blonde wizard had been frequenting her home, more than Nott ever had. She watches as Nott’s eyes irregularly examine her windowsill. She stood, blocking his path of sight.

“As she would. Much like knocking, inviting visitors off the doorstep is anticipated,” she crosses the room and grabs the black traveling cloak off the back of her settee, “What inspired you to bother me?”

He glides atop the carpeted floor to assist her, gently setting the cloak onto her shoulders, “This doesn’t change how I feel.”

She, once again, faces Nott. A curious look is painted across her features, “This?”

Nott gestures toward her, “Him.”

“How-”

“Still one of my best mates. He hasn’t once gone for a spot of tea on his own account. Or willingly chose to do so instead of a scrimmage match.”

“Ah.”

She firmly holds onto her Floo gloves, and Theodore watches as Floo powder coats her hands.

“That doesn’t change a thing for me,” She opens her mouth but Theodore cuts her off, “I want you. You are-”

“You do not get to stand here and sing me songs about how much I mean to you. Not now.”

He runs a hand through his hair, “It does seem hypocritical of me, I will give you that.”

She scoffs and tosses her gloves onto the side table.

“I made a mistake.”

“Explain to me how you mistakenly fuc-”

“Listen to me, please.” She looks up from staring at her dust-covered manicure and sees the pleading in his eyes,

“Nott, there isn’t anything you could say to me right now that will stop me from Flooing through to Diagon Alley.”

He doesn’t seem to flinch from her admission, “And that may be true.”

“It is.”

“Then there is no harm in hearing that I still love you.”

She can’t bear to witness this proclamation. Anything but the young man in front of her seems more interesting, so she settles on counting the leaves of the plant on the bedside table behind Nott as he continues,

“I have always loved you. Since we were tots. Remember when Polsy had to tell both our fathers that she had walked in on me kissing you, at the ripe age of four?”

She didn’t meet his gaze, though a small smile itched to surface.

“I have always pinned after you. Throughout our adolescence, though I will admit to not being very aware of my own feelings. Our times at Hogwarts only made my affections grow for you. Every Quidditch match you attended, the countless library sessions we shared, and each night at dinner. Every small moment I hold onto and I treasure them, as you’re a part of them.”

The leaves seem less interesting, but she isn’t ready for what Theodore says next,

“I had begged, nay, pleaded with my father to pioneer a marriage between us. Because while I had managed to befriend you, I was too scared to lose you on my own account. If there was the fall back of arrangement, I felt-”

“You wouldn’t have to try as hard?” His exhale flew from his chest, it was as if a troll had sat on his diaphragm.

“You eat a croissant with fruit through the warm seasons. Begrudgingly, you suffer through eggs, toast, and sausage through the fall and winter months. You rattle on about America and the whimsical holidays to be had, but every summer holiday, you can be found in France. Every year for your birthday since you were twelve, you go into Muggle London and pick up a book and some of that face paint.”

He watches eagerly as she smiles, “Make-up.”

“Make-up. And one of your more posh traits, you always wear Floo gloves when traveling as you hate how the powder coats your hands. You don’t think Scourgify actually gets it off and you hate to be bothered to scrub your hands after every Floo.”

They both watch on as she rubs at the powder on her palms. Their eyes meet, and while Theodore feels he has laid out more feelings than he ever felt necessary, he cannot place at all the emotions flying behind her eyes.

“I love you. I do. You are who I am meant to be with. I will not let that fact be disregarded, even if it were my own doing.”

She stares up at the ceiling while exhaling, and Theodore braces himself.

He almost wants to close his eyes as her gaze falls onto him, “And even if I love you still, Nott, you hurt me in a way I do not deserve.”

He nods. No argument to be had.

“I cannot just, just forget.”

“Are you determined to put me off?”

She swipes up the gloves and begins towards the mantle, the lid to the Floo powder floating off the canister, “I have an engagement to get to.”

His jaw would fall to the floor if it were capable of doing so, “Oh?”

“Yes.” She looks poised. Standing straight, politely making eye contact, though clearly indicating to Nott that she wishes to be anywhere else through her position, half standing in the fireplace.

“So it seems. I will take my leave, if you have nothing to add?” He is hopeful, they both can see that fact clear as day.

“Nothing of consequence, I’m afraid. I am sure you can show yourself out.” And with that, he watches as green flames swallow her whole and he finds himself alone in her room.

He doesn’t want to stay idle, and makes haste out of the bedroom. Theodore doesn’t notice her father stopped at the opposite end of the hall, having just left his study, and quickly descends the staircase towards the foyer. Polsy was waiting, and opens the door as he approaches,

“Good day, Master Theodore.”

He nods, sliding on his own coat he had haphazardly given the house elf upon his arrival. Theodore doesn’t think he could stand to look around at the well-kept grounds and instead intently watches as the gravel crunches and moves out from under his step. He continues this until he feels the enchantments wash over his body. The moment he is fully on the other side of her family’s home’s protection, he apparates to his own home, alone.

Theodore sheds his outerwear, tossing it onto the tiled floor. He hopes to down the bottle of Firewhiskey stashed in his bedside table before the afternoon ends. He’ll have to tap into his father’s humble collection after dinner, but Nott thinks the wine with the meal can hold him over.

Having made his way upstairs to his own door, he pushes in and sets a course straight toward the drawer. However, he quickly finds himself hitting the back of his door in surprise. There’s a witch sitting on his bed, traveling cloak still on. His witch, former witch as it were. His chest is heaving with every breath, and his brain cannot seem to put any coherent thought into palpable conversation.

“There is something of consequence I wish to add.”

He tilts his head, “I am all ears.”

She stands, “I love you.”

Theodore reluctantly becomes hopeful.

“I love you. And now I find myself here. Instead of attending tea.”

Nott nods, trying to discern whether he had started drinking already and this was a hallucination, “I find you here, as well.”

I have had tea in my diary for a fortnight. But I love you.”

“Some part of you believes it’s true, clearly, or it wouldn’t have become a dilemma for you, would it? It would just be Tuesday.”

Her concern turns to confusion, “It’s Wednesday, Nott.”

“Allegedly.”

She swipes his words out of the air, and turns fully toward him while raising her eyes to meet his own, “I love you, Theodore. And I do not wish to move on from you. I do not wish to see you move on from me. I want to move on with each other.”

“Oh?”

“I want to call it on. I want to call it all back on; the wedding, the house, us.”

He smiles, “One doesn’t simply call things back on.”

“Then we’ll do the socially acceptable alternative, Nott. At this moment, I couldn’t care less of the particulars.”

“That isn’t the witch I know, you only care about the particulars.”

“There’s one detail I wish to focus on at the moment.” She closes the space between them as he takes a step to meet her.

Theodore could melt if it was appropriate of a young man as they put an end to any gap there was. It had been weeks, months even, since they had shared a kiss. It was different than any with her that he could remember. He found himself holding her close, a hand in her hair and on her lower back. The grip she had on his jumper felt refreshing; he felt needed.

Their foreheads rested against each other as they caught their breaths. She didn't know what possessed her to tell Malfoy that she needed to reschedule. She had no rational clue what led her to Flooing into Nott’s bedroom. There seemed to be nothing of sense to support her practically throwing herself at the young man and kissing him.

“It may be my advanced age,” Theodore looks down at her, “But I don’t remember exactly the feeling of your lips against mine,”

She smiles, the happiness bleeding into her features, “You’re unbearable, Nott.”

Yet, she found herself leaning in.

——

> If you wish to write a formal letter to Her Royal Highness, please do so here.

> If you wish to see Her Royal Highness’ completed list of works, please do so here.

> If you wish to see some of Her Royal Highness’ most frequently asked questions, please do so here.

#theodore nott x you #theo nott x reader #theodore nott imagine #theodore nott fanfiction #theodore nott x reader #theo nott imagine #harry potter imagine

108 notes · View notes