#can't believe i haven't gotten around to making gifs of him yet

[wardenparker]

For Valentine's Day

Joel Miller x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

Rating: E for Explicit Word Count: 12.2k Warnings: Cursing, mentions of food and alcohol, taking care of a baby in the post-apocalypse, Ellie being a big sister, established relationship, mentions of breastfeeding, fingering, unprotected sex, praise, talk of birth control methods. Summary: You, Joel, Ellie, and Caroline arrive in Jackson to find the town getting ready to celebrate Valentine's Day. Notes: These darling dears were long overdo for a visit, so Happy Valentine's Day from the post-apocalypse! The rest of the 'For' series can be found on my Masterlist if you haven't read it yet!

Jackson is like another world. Joel is on edge, despite the friendly faces. Despite the relative safety of the town. He had been shocked to see Tommy here. Thriving, when Joel has lost so much to find him. To find that he isn’t needed. Although, he’s relieved to find a safe little spot for his baby girl and for you. Relieved that a comfortable house is available for you to rest in. It still baffles him to find an entire town getting ready for Valentine’s Day.

The trip was grueling, although all four of you made it in one piece. There were a hell of a lot of days that you weren’t sure if you would make it at all — but that wasn’t really an option. Not with Caroline sleeping on your chest in the homemade wrap carrier that Joel had helped you fashion out of ripped sheets you’d found and washed in an abandoned house along the way. You’ve been bonding with Ellie along the way, and she’s pretty good with Caroline, but your little girl is the reason you’ve been fighting so hard. Now that you’re in Jackson you don’t really know what’s going to happen with you and Joel. All you know is that you have four walls and a roof again, and Caroline is safe.

“Why are there so many hearts everywhere?” Ellie asks Joel, looking around as decorations are put up and the snow crunches under his new boots as he shoves his hands back in his pockets. “Holiday.” He grunts, sure that the kid is fucking with him. She seems to know all the old holidays anyway.

“Have you ever heard of Valentine’s Day?” Who knows what she learned in that FEDRA school back in Boston, or if anyone even thinks about Valentine’s Day anymore — outside of Jackson. You can't even believe that this town is decorating and getting ready for some mass celebration. It's surreal. And a little Hallmark. But in the post-apocalypse? It's amazing in a way you didn't even know you wanted.

“You mean that commercial holiday where men bought their ladies chocolate and flowers, took them on expensive dates?” Ellie asks with a smirk on her face. “You know, they said that soooooo many people proposed on Valentine’s Day. Or made babies.”

"That...is not wrong," you admit, ruffling her hair as you walk alongside the teen with little Caroline strapped to your front. "I guess the folks here are trying to keep as many older traditions alive as they can."

“So what are you going to do for Valentine’s Day?” Her voice takes on a sly, teasing tone and she cuts her eyes over to Joel, who’s shoulder seem inches higher than they just were. “Make a sibling for Caroline?”

"She already has a sibling." When the dubious teen wrinkles her nose at you in confusion, you knock her shoulder and offer her the warmest, softest smile. The real one — not one that teases or has expectations. "You, Ellie. You've been an amazing sister to her on this whole trip."

“Oh.” Her cheeks turn bright red and she ducks her head down slightly, but you don’t miss the proud look on her face. “She’s not so bad.” She huffs. “For a baby.”

"You're not so bad, either." A soft laugh escapes you, and you duck your own head to press a kiss to the top of Caroline's covered head. "For a teenager."

“The baby ready for a nap?” Joel asks. “It’s been a while.”

"We're almost home. I'll lay her down when we get in." The trip into town had been necessary, but Caroline had gotten fussy while Joel was talking to his brother and stepping outside had been practical. It's definitely naptime, no two ways about that. Especially not the way your little girl has been on the verge of tears for half the walk.

“Do you want me to hold her?” Joel asks. Knowing that it’s been a struggle keeping her calm and maybe you need a break.

"She might calm down a little for Daddy." Typically Caroline seems to find being held by Joel to be soothing or at least enough of a novelty to distract her from whatever was upsetting her, and you pause in your steps to carefully extract Caroline from her nest on your chest to hand over to Joel.

His hands are always gentle holding Caroline. As if he is scared to possibly hurt her or stain her with his blood-soaked hands. “Hey, baby girl.” He coos, smiling down at her tear-stained face. “Why so grumpy?”

His little girl — your little girl whimpers and moans a little but the tears stop flowing and you end up chuckling wryly under your breath. “I’m the one who brought her into the world and took care of her for months all alone and she’s still a Daddy’s girl. Go figure.” There’s no heat in it, no malice of any kind. After two months on the road together, you’re thrilled to see the pair of them still bonding so well.

"She's grumpy because she's yours." Ellie snorts, rolling her eyes and grinning when Joel cuts his eyes at her for a moment before looking back at Caroline. "See? Same grumpy looks."

“Like father, like daughter,” you tease, needling Joel’s arm with one finger.

He rolls his eyes and shuffles Caroline onto his shoulder, rubbing her back softly. “Come on, baby girl. Let’s get you out of the cold and into a clean diaper.” He murmurs. “Then we’ll see if you’ll get some sleep so you aren’t as grumpy as your old man.”

The house that was bestowed upon you is just a little further out from downtown and when the four of you get inside, Caroline’s trusty basket is right where you left it in the living room. “She’ll want to eat when she gets up, but I can manage that.” Managing to breastfeed here and there still works, but it’s good that there have been foods that Joel can feed her, too. “If you put her down, I can take care of her when she wakes up.”

“She had a rough night.” Joel argues softly. Caroline was a little under the weather, so she had been fussy. You had wanted to stay up with her, and now you look ready to drop. “Go take a nap and I’ll get her highness when she wakes up, okay?”

“Thank you, honey.” It’s an easy reflex to brush a kiss on Joel’s lips now, and you offer him a smile before pacing past him to fall into the bed that the two of you share upstairs.

Joel gently lays Caroline down, having a supply of cloth diapers and pins nearby. “Hey, baby girl. We’re gonna get you all clean and dry in just a minute.” He promises, finding it easier than he had imagined to fall back into a routine with taking care of a baby. It was decades ago, but he remembers soothing Sarah’s tears as he fought against diaper rash and colic with her.

“So.” Ellie smirks, leaning against the archway into the living room like the absolute picture of adolescence. “What’re you gonna do for her for Valentine’s Day?”

“Do for her?” Joel snorts, not looking up from his task since Caroline likes to pee on an unsuspecting victim when she’s being changed. “What do you mean?”

“The mother of your damn baby, Miller.” Ellie huffs, also as grumpy as her father figure. “There’s a whole holiday about love and romance and they celebrate it here.”

He frowns, realizing that you might have some kind of expectation given the atmosphere around town. “I’ve never been good at that kind of thing.” He admits.

“You can’t do nothing,” the teen argues, keeping her voice down so she won’t disturb the baby or be heard upstairs.

“Yeah.” He grunts, aware of that now. He has never really had to do Valentine’s Day. Unless you counted getting Sarah those boxed Valentine’s for her classes. “I’ll think of something.”

“What’s Tommy doing?” She might not know much about Joel’s brother, but she knows he has a wife and figures he must have a plan of some kind. “He might have an idea you can steal.”

“Haven’t asked.” Joel shrugs, carefully pinning the new diaper to Caroline with a slight frown.

“Probably should.” But Ellie shrugs. It’s no skin off her nose if the grumpiest old man in the world is bad at romance.

He pauses and looks up at Ellie suspiciously. “Has she said something to you?” He asks seriously.

“No.” If you had, she would have been kicking his ass about it a lot harder and a lot sooner. “But she deserves something nice. For like…putting up with us.”

You do put up with them. He snorts and lifts a brow. “Don’t you mean puts up with you?” He jokes. “She happens to like my grumpy ass just the way it is.”

“All the more reason to be nice.” As if he has proven her point completely, Ellie smirks. “Nice and romantic.”

“What do you know about romance, twerp?” He scoffs and shoots her a grin. “You’re too busy scaring off the girl that is interested in you.”

“S’not my fault your scary rubbed off on me,” she gripes in turn. “And you don’t know she likes me. Shut up.”

“You were scary before I met you, kid.” He chuckles, smirking slightly at the mortified expression on her face. “Maybe you’d find out if you didn’t run her off.” He suggests. “Talk to her.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t run off.” Ellie’s characteristic huff comes with a frown and a whole lot of blustering now that she’s the one being called out and she pushes away from the doorframe with a near-stamp of her feet. “Whatever, old man. I was trying to help you.”

“Yeah, you are.” He acknowledges with a grin. “Imma put her down and then run talk to Tommy. You good with listening out for her? She should sleep the entire time.”

“Fine.” Anything to end the torture, though Ellie does smirk that she might have given Joel a good kick in the ass.

He snorts to himself as he lifts a now sleepy Caroline to his shoulder. Patting her but as he moves over to her downstairs bassinet. It’s was odd, you had carried Caroline in a worn out sling and then luckily found a new one on the way, but supplies and space for them had been so limited, now his daughter has a downstairs sleeping area and one right in the room you share with Joel

******

“Well look what the cat dragged in.” Despite the cold, Tommy is out on his porch when he spots Joel walking up the road, and he leans over the banister with a dash of curiosity in his shit-eating grin. Any time his big brother comes to him for just about anything, he still considers it a win. “Back again so soon?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Joel shoots Tommy a half-hearted glare and shoves his hands in his pockets. “You got a minute?”

“Sure.” Tommy’s head bobs in agreement. “You wanna come in?”

“Maria home?” Joel asks, not quite sure if it’s a good idea. Tommy’s wife doesn’t seem to be his biggest fan and he can only assume it’s because his brother told his wife some of the things that Joel has done to protect the people he cares about over the years.

“Nah.” The younger Miller brother shakes his head and stands on creaky bones to open the door for them. “She’s got meetings today. I don’t pretend to know everything she has to deal with, but she comes home to a warm house and dinner on the table, so I guess I’m doing something right.”

“Well, ain’t you a good little house husband?” Joel snorts, busting his brother’s balls a little. The man had been a pain in his ass hellraiser when he was younger. Before outbreak. It’s nice to see him get to enjoy domesticity once again.

“Hell yes I am.” But Tommy snorts too, knowing it’s a far cry from the kid he used to be. As it turns out, the end of the world and the love of a good woman can change a man. “You think I’m not gonna do everything I can to keep that wife of mine? ‘Course I am.”

Tommy was always the optimist, something that Joel had lost after Sarah’s mother had left. He had been too busy trying to raise her right, and then he lost her. Joel frowns for a second and then nods. “And how are you doing that with this Valentine’s thing?”

“Not as easily as I would have before,” Tommy admits, but that’s also a pretty obvious thing to say. Nothing is as easy as it was before. “That cache of movies they’ve got has plenty to pick from and they’re screening…” He thinks for a second, hard, and shrugs. “Some damn 90s chick flick. I dunno, but she’s excited. And since she’s been eating carrots like a bunny with this pregnancy, I’m makin’ her a whole meal centered around it for dinner.”

“Carrots.” He snorts and smirks at his younger brother. “Your kid is gonna come out and say “what’s up doc?”.” He sniggers, imitating the cartoon character from long ago.

“At this point I wouldn’t be surprised.” It makes Tommy laugh though, and he puts a glass of water in front of Joel before pouring one for himself. “Watcha need?” He asks, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

“It’s about….” He looks down at the water and says your name. “The kid says I need to do something for her. For putting up with my shit.”

“Smart kid.” But still, Tommy frowns. “Are you…not together? Is that it? Or am I not gettin’ something here?”

“We were together one time.” Joel murmurs. “And we had a kid.” He shakes his head and looks back down at his hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the baby. Caroline is sweet and her momma-“ he sighs. “She’s too good for me really, but she wants to be with me.”

“Just one time?” An impressed and slightly disbelieving whistle escapes Tommy’s lips. “Do you…wanna tell me what happened? Or is that topic off limits?”

“You remember that supply run I made right after you left to go out west?” Even though he had been with the Fireflies, Joel had told Tommy his plans, hoping he would come along.

“Sure. You left the day after I did.” That had been the plan at the time, anyway. He can’t be sure that’s when Joel actually left.

“Came across her in an abandoned house.” He smirks slightly as remembers your surprise and his own reaction to your beauty. “Bunked down together for the night.”

“Ah.” The younger of the two men chuckles in acknowledgement. He can very easily see Joel trading sex the way he traded favors and sold drugs. “And she found you again? Afterward?” He guesses.

“She told me where she was from.” Joel explains. “After we got in trouble in the city and lost Bill’s truck, we headed there. Hoping that we could somehow find someone with a car.”

“And maybe hoping to run into her?” He doesn’t believe it happened by accident. That Joel hadn’t been thinking about you when he decided to go to wherever you were from. He knows his brother better than that.

“She had told me she was going west sometime.” He gives a half shrug, but that is why he had chosen to go so far out of his way.

"Cut the bullshit, Joel," Tommy smirks, knowing that his brother's ability to evade admitting to emotion is legendary. He's been like this for most of his life. Since his wife left. And that is what it is. But Tommy knows Joel well enough to know that he doesn't go out of the way for just anyone. "If you don't want to be with her that's one thing, but you protected her and that baby all the way from the east coast."

He could argue that he has an obligation to you because of the baby. Caroline is his daughter, but it’s just delaying the inevitable admittance of wanting to be with you. “So what the fuck do I do for her, Casanova?” He huffs, scowling at his brother and wondering why the fuck he came to him for advice. “She’s too fucking good for me and I know it. All the women in my life have been.”

“Well you’re taking her to the movie, right?” It’s not exactly a common thing to be able to do, and is therefore a pretty damn big special occasion in the world you all live in now. “Even if you didn’t do anything else, you gotta do that.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” Joel likes movies, used to love them back in the days before the world burned. “She likes books, maybe I can try to find her favorite?”

“We made a library in town of all the books that were left in everybody’s houses,” Tommy tells him with a nod. “Same way we got all the movies we screen. If you’ve got a bookworm, I think a library card counts as romantic.”

“That night…” Joel looks down at his hands and smiles slightly at the memory. “She was reading a book to me that was sexy.” He huffs out a chuckle. “Guess she seduced me with her reading abilities.”

"Fell for brains, huh?" That makes his brother chuckle, and Tommy leans back in his seat with a grin. "Maybe you can talk to Jana — the woman who runs the library — and arrange a little date there? Rekindle a little romance?" He's trying to help as best he can, knowing that old chestnuts like taking you out for a fancy dinner or taking a little weekend trip away can't happen with the world the way it is. He could be patronizing and tell Joel to hurry up and make an honest woman of you, but that is also something that's changed in this world. Not everyone feels the need for the formality of a marriage anymore.

“That would be good.” Joel doesn’t sound completely convinced. “Although I’m sure jewelry would be better. Even now.”

With one eyebrow raised, Tommy cocks his head at his brother. “What kind of jewelry were you thinkin?”

“Somethin’ to celebrate Caroline. And give her something pretty.” Joel hadn’t quite thought it through but most women loved the thought of jewelry.

“Earrings? Necklace?” The way Tommy wants to pry is nearly a physical necessity at this point. “Whatever’s in the house you guys have moved into, wrap it up. Consider it our gift to you guys for being part of the town.”

“Was thinking about a necklace but I don’t know.” He frowns slightly. “Maybe a ring?” He looks up at his brother. “You didn’t remove the valuables from the house?”

“What’s jewelry worth in the apocalypse?” It’s something that only had to be worried about in the cities, it seems like. In the places where FEDRA still reigned. In the places where appearances still mattered. “We took the tools, the resources, split them all up evenly or kept them in reserve, depending on what they were. “Whatever water, food, warm clothing, shit like that? That’s what matters. Not jewelry.”

“True.” Joel shakes his head. “See why I’m not good at shit like this?” He huffs. “Too bad I can’t build her a stroller for the baby.”

“I mean I don’t think you would find very good suspension, but we can get you the stuff to build an old fashioned one.” Tommy snaps his fingers in quick succession, thinking hard. “What the fuck were they called? The one from black and white photos? Prambutrators?”

“Prams.” Why Joel knows that, he doesn’t have a clue. But like he was watching an old episode of Jeopardy, the answer falls from his lips easily.

“Strollers, but beds.” There’s a longer word for it, Tommy’s sure of that, but he shrugs it off. “You wanna do that for her? We can make it happen.”

“Might be a good idea.” Joel hums thoughtfully. “Especially since you’re about to have your own kid. “Need some way of transporting them when your back is aching.”

"It'll be a family heirloom," Tommy huffs, amusement makes his smile spread all over again.

Joel snorts and he taps the table. “I want to build it.” He decides. “I can find out about the library card and look for something pretty too. She did give birth to my daughter and took care of her alone until I saw her again.”

"So it'll be a big holiday." That seems to please the younger Miller, and he chuckles quietly. "She's a hell of a woman. And deserves it, if for nothing else than putting up with your ass."

Joel rolls his eyes and sighs softly. “I don’t know how much she puts up with me because of the kid and how much is because she’s insane for wanting me.”

"Oh, she's certifiable." Tommy can't help but laugh at that. "But it's obvious she loves you. For whatever that's worth. You can see it on her face."

He doesn’t see it, but he might still be in that stage of disbelief. “I better get back.” He pushes the chair back and stands with a groan. “Told her I’d get Caroline when she woke up. She had a long night with her last night so she’s taking a nap too.”

"Ellie's with the baby now?" It's obvious to everyone else in the world that Joel has taken in the teenager with the same ferocity that he's taken to his infant. It's who he is.

“Yeah.” He can’t help the soft smirk on his face as he thinks about the two of his three girls. “She’s taken on the role of big sister pretty well.”

"Sometimes you gotta get thrown in the deep end to figure out how to swim." Standing with his brother, Tommy claps Joel on the shoulder. "Go get back to 'em. We'll get your building supplies tomorrow."

“Thanks.” Joel’s shoulders relax slightly and he shakes his head. “Still can’t believe we’re gonna have kids that grow up together.”

“Musta done something right to deserve it,” Tommy laughs, the edge of disbelief in his voice obvious. “Can’t figure out what the fuck it was, but it must’ve been good.”

“I— I never actually congratulated you.” Joel murmurs after a moment. He had been a little raw when he realized Tommy had been living a charmed life here and he had lost so much, Tess, Bill and Frank, another piece of his soul, on his way to rescue him. Then Tommy’s disbelief about Caroline and his own budding joy about fatherhood had brought up the loss of Sarah. It hadn’t been pretty, but he had regretted his harshness. He reaches out a hand, hard from the man he had become and the work he had done, to shake Tommy’s. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.” The handshake, warm and firm and full of things the Miller brothers aren’t very good at saying out loud, makes Tommy falter and clear his throat a little to push away the emotion. “I, uh…I’m doing my best. And that’s all I can do. Because Maria and the baby deserve the world, but the world is pretty fucked up these days.”

“It’s always been fucked up.” Joel corrects. “Now it’s just more obvious.” He lets go of the hand and shuffles slightly.

“Fair enough, I guess.” Tommy chuckles, but he rubs his hand on the back of his neck. “Did you…need anything else?”

Joel shuffles again and feels like a teenager. “Do any - uh, is there birth control available?” He asks, not wanting to get you pregnant again. At least not now. Although that afterthought shocks him.

A sort of lopsided smirk forms on Tommy’s face, and he chuckles — the sentiment clear as day. “The ladies have developed some interesting but not full proof methods. It’s sort of frontier-style out here. In that regard and a lot of others.”

“Yeah.” Joel nods and sighs. “I’m fucking fifty-six years old, Tommy.” He huffs. “Don’t need to be knockin’ her up every time I’m feelin’ frisky.”

“For her sake way more than yours.” Tommy laughs again. “I’d go see the Doc,” he advises. “She was a general practitioner before the world went to shit, so now she’s our town doc.”

Joel nods, knowing that it needs to be done. Tess couldn’t have anymore kids, so it had never been a problem. You’ve only had sex a few times since being in Jackson, and every time, Joel had pulled out the second you had cum so he could jerk off.

“Sounds like you’re planning a damn good Valentine’s Day,” Tommy teases.

He snorts, shrugging slightly and the slight grin on his face is purely male. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this relaxed. And she’s a damn beautiful woman, who loves me.” He admits, proud of that fact.

“If you’re relaxed with a baby around, that’s proof she’s not your first.” Shaking his head once more, Tommy slaps Joel hard on the shoulder. “Go home to ‘em. I’ll see you tomorrow with the stuff you’ll need to build.”

“Thanks.” He sends Tommy a grateful look and quickly slips out the door. Eager to get back to you, Caroline and Ellie. Even though Jackson is safe, he feels better when you are close.

******

Ellie is sitting beside Caroline’s bassinet in the living room when Joel gets home. Her old, weathered joke book is in her hands and she glances up when the door opens to let Miller inside. “Shhh,” she puts one finger to her lips performatively and whispers. “She’s so fuckin cute when she sleeps.”

“Yes she is.” Joel can agree as he quietly walks over to the bassinet. “She slept the entire time?” He asks the other girl, proud of how easily she’s bonded with her. Despite not like diaper changes, Ellie loves Caroline and would often ask to hold her when you had stopped for the night.

"She fussed a little," Ellie admits, but she holds up her book. "I giggled her off to sleep."

“More like bored her to sleep.” Joel snorts. “You certain she’s still breathing?” He jokes, even though he can see that she is, it’s simply for the pleasure of watching Ellie scowl at him.

"Caroline thinks I'm funny." The teenager defends, though she knows making a baby laugh isn't too hard in the first place. "Even if you don't share our refined sense of humor."

“Yeah.” He huffs and rolls his eyes, resisting the urge to smirk. “Keep telling yourself that, cupcake.”

“Shouldn’t be surprised.” Though it comes with a huff, Ellie keeps her voice down. Caroline is sleeping, after all. “We’re cuter than you, too.”

He shoots Ellie a look that is half amused. “That’s not hard to do.” He admits. “But I’m smarter…..and meaner.”

“You wouldn’t be mean to us.” Ellie bats her eyelashes dramatically, knowing fully fucking well that Joel can be mean. That he has been mean. But never to the baby.

“No, I wouldn’t.” He might have been at one point to the older girl, but now he would die protecting her. “Did you know there’s a library in town?”

“There is?!” Her voice jumps up at that and she immediately ducks as though her volume were some kind of tangible weapon that she needs to get away from the baby immediately. “There is?” She hisses quietly instead.

“Yeah.” Joel chuckles at the way Ellie’s eyes light up. You aren’t the only one with an affinity for reading. “Planning on going over tomorrow to get a card. Wanna come?”

“Hell yes.” The teenager nods with enthusiasm. “Is it a big library?” He must have heard about it from Tommy, which means it’s worth bragging about. Tommy Miller loves to brag about Jackson.

“It’s filling up a store, so it has to be big.” Tommy had told him where to go. “They compiled all the books in town and any they brought in.”

"You're on, old man." Ellie hops up off the sofa, apparently having thought of something either extremely important or just imminently elsewhere that she needs to be. "I hope you're ready to carry books back, cause I'm getting out as many as they'll let me."

“Bring a bag, brat.” He reaches out to swipe her head with his hand, to mess up her ponytail, but she ducks. “Where are you going?” It’s a safety question, even though the town is safe. He still wants to know.

"Upstairs." She assures him. "I'm not leaving after dark."

“Good.” Joel lifts a brow. “Keep it that way. Even though it’s safe here, shit can happen.”

"I know." She agreed to follow Joel's rules, and she meant it. Even if he can be a complete nag sometimes, she knows by now that he is the one person to trust over anybody else in her life. Joel said not to go out after dark, so she doesn't. End of story.

“Thank you.” Joel relaxes slightly and rolls his shoulders back after Ellie agrees to stay close. “Don’t say anything to her about the library card.” He cautions her. “It’s gonna be a surprise.” He hopes you haven't heard about the library yet, but if you have, you haven't had time to get a card or you would have been raving about it.

“Got it.” The teen smirks and heads for the stairs.

Joel rolls his eyes again and looks down at Caroline softly before taking off his jacket and boots. He's comfortable here, and its a surprise to find out how quickly he could readjust back to fatherhood. He takes the soiled diaper from earlier and brings it over to the bucket that you keep them soaking in. Deciding that he will wash them so they can hang dry in the kitchen overnight. Having a baby in a post apocalyptic world is kind of like having one in frontier times, in his opinion. A lot more work, and those conveniences he had taken for granted with Sarah are a thing of the past.

******

It’s been a hell of a long time since you could feel safe enough to nap, but Jackson is unique in that it actually feels safe. When you wake up it’s after dark and the house is quiet — which really just means that Caroline is quiet. Joel and Ellie habitually keep their voices lower and their steps lighter because the instinct of having to stay hidden is so ingrained. The fact that there’s no sound from downstairs now is a good thing. Hopefully Caroline has managed to nap and Joel can do…whatever Joel is doing.

Joel stirs the pot on the stove, throwing together a stew to eat. The leftover vegetables from last year’s growing season were all canned, but he was grateful for them nonetheless. When he hears you on the stairs, he pokes his head out of the kitchen. “Got some tea ready.” He calls out softly.

"You're perfect," you hum with a grateful sigh, stretching languidly on the last step before you hit the bottom floor. The air of domesticity here is deep, in a way that could almost make you forget what the world outside is like. At least for a little while.

“You just love that I’ve learned how to make your tea.” He snorts and leans over to press a kiss to your forehead when you drift by him on the way to the counter for the cup he has set out.

"I'm appreciative." For so, so many things that Joel does. Not being the only person in charge of Caroline's survival and happiness as well as your own has lifted an enormous burden from your shoulders and you can only hope that you have helped him in even a fraction of the same way. "Thank you, honey."

“Of course.” He nods and turns back to the stew. “Figured I’d make some dinner, we still have half a loaf of that oat bread.” He shakes his head. “Amazing how we are actually eating bread….Considering.”

“We’re all eating like hippies,” you joke, leaning in to Joel’s side as he stands at the stove. It’s a comfort just to be close to him, and you’re much closer now than you were even weeks ago. “Anything but wheat flour.”

“That’s true.” He chuckles and reaches around you to snag your waist.

“Thank you for letting me nap.” A perfect rest is one you get to take together, but those were few and far between on the road. Now that you’re in Jackson, being able to sleep next to him every single night is an absolute luxury.

“You’re welcome.” Joel leans in and brushes his nose against your cheek. “You were up with her last night, you deserved to rest.” He reminds you. “I got the diapers washed. They are hanging up on the back porch.”

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” He’s been such a huge help, and even helped you get a better rhythm even in your one-on-one time with Caroline.

“Are you asking or lamenting?” He jokes and pats you on the butt gently. “So I talked to Tommy.” He murmurs. “There’s a doctor in town that we should go see.”

“Are you not feeling well?” Concern is written on your face instantly, eyebrows drawing up in worry.

“No, nothing like that.” He instantly replies, trying to ease your fears. “They have some….methods of birth control.” He feels his own cheeks heating up because of bringing this up. “If you— I mean, if we’re— you know— uh—”

"Oh." He's blushing, and that's just about the most adorable thing you've ever seen. "Then yes. We should definitely go see that doctor."

“I just— I don’t want you to— not if—” he’s never been great with words and he just shrugs after a moment. “I don’t think you should be havin’ another baby right now.” He murmurs. “I know back before everything, they told my….ex, that she should wait at least three years before another baby and fuck- by then I’ll be sixty fuckin’ years old.”

"Honey..." Turning into Joel's side completely, you tip your head back to offer him a smile and put your other arm around his waist to hold him close. "We'll do our best to keep up with effective birth control. We'll be as safe as we can be. Sometimes...sometimes things just happen. We know that. We have the result of that, sleeping in the other room. Family planning doesn't exactly work the way it used to."

“No, it doesn’t.” He leans in and presses his lips to yours. “But I want you to be healthy, not worn out because my pullout game isn’t the best.”

"If it happens again, we'll love them just as much as we love Caroline." You are absolutely certain of that, without hesitation. "And if it doesn't? She's already got one fantastic big sister around to help take care of her, and another big sister that she can hear stories about whenever Daddy is willing to tell them."

“I—” he bites his lip and shakes his head. “It’s been-“ air whooshes out of his lungs. “A long time since I’ve been called that.” Caroline being alive and healthy makes the last time he heard that particular phrase only bittersweet, the ache in his heart still there, but it doesn’t bleed this time. “I still can’t believe I have her some days.”

"We're lucky to have you, Joel." That is something you believe with all of your heart, even on the bad days and the hard days and the days when it all feels like too much. "All three of us."

“Everything changed.” Joel acknowledges. “But I’m glad I could keep the three of you safe. Get you here.” He tilts his head. “Do you know how far we are from your family land?”

"The last I heard from anybody, they were actually on the outskirts of Jackson." Having been too afraid to ask, you've kept it to yourself that you might actually have a family home out here with sentimental things that once belonged to your cousins. "I have the address, but...I assume that since the street isn't part of new Jackson, it must be either wrecked or overgrown."

“Do you want me to ask around?” He asks quietly, squeezing your hip gently. “See if I can get out there?”

"Honestly, if it's still around? I would want to go too. But I don't want to risk taking Caroline out to somewhere dangerous again." You shake your head at that idea, not liking it at all. "Not when she's finally safe again."

“No.” Joel is immediately shaking his head. “Our daughter stays behind the walls.” He insists, voice flat and final. Even though you don’t want to take her out, Joel wouldn’t allow it.

“Never a sentence that I thought I would find comforting, but here we are.” The two of you stand silently for a long moment before you sigh. “I know there’s probably nothing left of them,” you repeat, hating how final that is after everything. “But I’d rather know for sure. There might be a memory or two left in the house.”

“Then we will go.” Joel hates that you haven't found any of your people yet, although they may just not be around much. It’s a vain hope, but he has it for you.

“And we’ll go see the doctor.” That’s a more pressing trip, if you’re honest with yourself. Any birth control at all would be useful, even if it’s only by a little.

“I don’t have to be inside you.” Joel murmurs softly, knowing that as much as he loves your cunt around you, your health is more important.

“There are plenty of ways to be intimate.” With one hand on his chest, you rub small, soothing circles there for a second and kiss his jaw before his lips. “But we’re still going to go see that doctor. I like having sex with you too much to just give it up cold turkey.”

He huffs out a small laugh and he smirks at you. “Got addicted, huh? Even when you sometimes have to ride?”

“Don’t be so smug.” An attempt to frown or even look somewhat stern fails you, though, and you end up throwing a matching smirk back at him. “I…like that we don’t go our separate ways the next morning.”

“You and Caroline, Ellie…” he pulls you closer. “You’re all that matters to me. Keeping you safe.”

Cup of tea and simmer stew pot long forgotten, you turn in Joel’s arms to face him fully and put your arms around his neck. “We love you too, handsome. All of us. In very different ways.”

He grumbles slightly but he doesn’t argue. Knowing that it’s useless to argue with you. “Yeah, yeah.”

You hum, grinning that he doesn’t protest it anymore, and kiss the tip of his nose. “You’re cute when you blush.”

He rolls his eyes and his hands slide down to your ass. “Yeah? You’re cute when you’re naked underneath me and chanting my name over and over again.”

“Joel…” A knot in your belly forms instantly, making you squeeze your thighs together in turn.

He grins at you and winks. “Good thing you took that nap, huh?” He teases softly. “Now you need to eat a good meal to make sure you won’t pass out on me from hunger.”

“This,” you huff, laughing at the way the two of you have just clicked back together so easily over the last few months. “This is why we need that doctor. We’re too horny for our own good.”

“Kind of hard to fuck on the road.” He reminds you with a laugh of his own. “Now we have a bed, a door that locks.”

“And a real mattress and box spring for that old man back of yours.” Not that you don’t appreciate it too, of course. But of the two of you, Joel definitely has more aches and pains.

“Damn right. And the bed is comfortable.” He snorts, remembering that shitty, worn out mattress he had in Boston. “Did I mention that Ellie isn’t sleeping three feet from us?”

“And we don’t have to worry about Caroline rolling or crawling away, or any of a million other things.” The fingers of one of your hands thread into his hair and you hum as you press yourself against him right there in the kitchen. “Of course, there’s also the kitchen counter…”

The way his cock twitches in his pants is a good indication that he had been thinking along those lines too. “Kid’s upstairs, reading.” He grunts, pressing his lips under your ear just like he’s discovered makes you shiver. “Baby’s asleep. If we make it quick, we can do it.”

“I should just stop wearing pants around you,” you tease, already shifting both of you backward so that you’re the one pressed up against the counter. “So we can be as fast as we want.”

“We can always find you some skirts.” He hums, sliding his hands down to your jeans and around the front to unbutton them. “When you’re inside Jackson. I wouldn’t want you to wear them outside the walls.” He says seriously, frowning slightly at what could possibly happen. Clickers or humans.

The soft chuckle that escapes you is a little rougher than usual just because he's shoving your jeans down your hips, but you still shrug your shoulders. "We're horny, not stupid. Skirts are only for when it's safe."

Joel has become a little feral now that your relationship has progressed back to physical. There’s something about you being the mother of his child that seriously gets Joel going. He had never had that since his ex had disappeared out of his and Sarah’s life so early, but he was not upset with the discovery. Your body was softer, marked by motherhood and he found it incredibly sexy. “Then you need to see the doctor.” He growls. “Because I might just bend you over a table every time Caroline naps.”

He barely has your jeans pulled off in time for you to hop up on the counter, legs open for him to fill the space between even as you start to work open the belt he wears day in and day out. Frenzied kisses take up the space where there could be more words, but oxygen is precious when you're doing your damnedest to drown in each other while your baby girl sleeps.

Most intimate moments were rushed, quiet and out in the open. Using his fingers on you to give you pleasure while the girls slept. Because of that, he knows exactly how to touch you to make sure you are wet.

"Joel—" You have to bite back a whine the second his fingers find you, already wet and aching just from talking about sex and not even from him touching you. Hell, kissing him is still enough to make your cunt bottom out and you hope that never changes.

“That’s it, baby.” Joel growls against your neck softly. “Want that pretty pussy nice and wet. You want to cum before I fuck you? Or do you want to cum on my cock?” He swirls his fingers around your clit and then presses them into you to curl up and strike against that spongy spot deep inside near your cervix.

You could protest that there isn’t time for two, but you know Joel would make it happen. He’s learned your body fast, and how to wring pleasure out of you as fast or as slow as he wants to. “O—on you,” you manage to pant out two coherent words and try for a few more. “Want to cum on your cock, Joel. Please?”

“I love when you beg, baby.” He groans, having heard so many people beg him over the years. Often for their lives when there’s no saving them, but this is what he loves. You, begging for him to make you feel good. “You’ll cum on my cock, baby. All over it.”

“Always do.” The way you shift forward on the counter is proof of how eager you are, in case he wasn’t sure. Every time you shift or roll your hips, his fingers stroke that spot again and you have to bite back a moan.

“I know you do.” He grunts, unbuttoning his pants to pull his hard cock out. “Always so good for me.”

It goes back to the first time he called you his good girl, and you know it. That was the moment you called it quits on any resistance whatsoever. “Always. Fuck, always, baby.”

Joel smirks and pumps his cock, listening to make sure that the kid isn't coming downstairs. He doesn't want to scar her, but he doesn't want to wait to get you upstairs. He groans when he has to pull his fingers out of you and hums. "You ready?"

"I don't think there's ever a time when I'm not." You nod enthusiastically, glancing up at the closed door that leads from the kitchen to the living room, and when no sound can be heard from your sleeping daughter you look back to Joel. "Take what you want, baby. I'm just along for the ride."

It only takes a moment to notch himself at your entrance, his lips fused with yours as he starts to push inside you. Loving how tight you immediately squeeze his cock inside your walls.

Every sound you have gets poured into that kiss, muting your moans and whines so they don't echo through the house. In this position the best thing you can do is hang onto the counter and let Joel take what he wants — exactly as you said — and that kiss is another perfect way to stay connected to him as he starts to move.

There’s a perfect rhythmic pace he can keep that doesn’t hurt his back and still keeps your toes curling in their socks. He’s tested it, although he never told you and he uses that pace now. Holding onto your hips as he rocks into you again and again, swallowing your moans greedily as he basks in your utter want of him.

One hand has to move to his shoulder, clutching his shirt as he fucks into you hard enough that it feels like he's stealing your breath but not so hard that you'll end up walking funny and give away what you've been up to. No doubt Ellie has noticed by now, but there's no reason to rub it in. There's just nothing better than basking in Joel's full attention. In being his sole focus. lt's like coming home.

Once he’s broken away from your lips, there’s not a part of your exposed skin that Joel doesn’t kiss. Loving to nibble and kiss along your neck and chest. Inhaling the milky scent of your breasts, heavier since Caroline is due for a feeding when she wakes up. Though he doesn’t touch them, knowing they need to be left alone for his child. “Fuck.”

"So good." With his ear right by your mouth, you can just gasp and sigh right there for only him to hear. "Always fuck me so good."

“This little pussy was made for me.” Joel grunts, loving how you spasm around him when he pours filth into your ears. Sometimes his fingers and words get you off so quickly, he’s amazed you haven’t been worked up all day. “Squeezin’ me so tight.”

"Can't help it," you chuckle low in his ear and have to bite back a gasp when his hips hit yours sharply. "Your cock's just so fucking big.'

He snorts and twitches inside of you at the breathless praise. “You gonna cum for me, pretty girl?” He asks, moving one hand down so he can rub your clit as he thrusts into you.

"'M close, baby." The breathless promise comes on a whine and you have to work to not just let your mouth hang open and Joel's rhythm picks up and the broad pad of one of his thumbs skates over your slick, swollen clit. "So fucking close, oh god."

His teeth snap together, breathing heavily and his face is almost set in a determined frown. Watching you as his hips shuffle forward to fill you again and again. Loving how your body heaves and lurches every time he swipes his fingers over your clit, almost overstimulated - you’re so close. “Be my good girl, baby.” He growls. “Cum for me.”

Whether you’re responding to his praise or to the near overstimulation is anyone’s guess, but it’s only a moment later that your legs start to tense and shake around his waist and your mouth falls open in a silent sob as you come apart for him.

The heat, the pressure around his cock is exquisite as you start to cum. The rush of wetness helps him move when your walls squeeze tight and he loves the nearly non existent sound you make. Taking his hand off your hip, grabbing the back of your neck and dragging your lips back to his as he fucks you through your orgasm.

These are the times — mid orgasm with a foggy brain and no filter for your thoughts — that you wish Internally for another baby. Accident or planned, it doesn’t matter to you. It’s just that flash of a thought as your climax washes over you that you know will subside again but it makes you hold onto his kiss that much tighter. Grateful for what you do have. For him and for Caroline, above all.

He feels your body relax, going boneless as he continues to batter against your fluttering walls. He’s close but he can’t pull out just yet. “Fuck.” He groans. “So pretty when you cum.” The praise is whispered against your lips.

“Just for you,” you promise in a shaky breath, practically gulping down air as the intensity of your orgasm subsides.

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum.” He hisses, regret lacing his tone because he’s having to pull his hips back. Letting go of you and wrapping his hand around his cock as he starts to quickly jerk himself off, the other hand poised to catch the mess so there isn’t a huge cleanup of the counters.

If you could have gotten there quickly, you’d be on your knees to catch every last drop, but you definitely move a little bit slower after he’s just gotten done fucking you — mostly just because your legs are jelly. Instead you watch Joel with dark eyes, satisfied temporarily but always wanting. It’ll be another few hours before he can even think of going again, but that doesn’t mean you won’t daydream about him.

It’s not as satisfying as when he’s buried to the hilt inside, but he can’t risk it, can’t risk you. Clenching his jaw, he hisses slightly as he stops stroking his cock, panting as he looks up at you and leans in to kiss you once more.

“I love you.” Simple words, but loaded with so much emotion that you sigh a little after saying them. “So much, Joel.”

“I love you too.” He promises, pulling back to take his cum filled hand to the sink to wash before he gets a rag for you. “Don’t ever think I don’t.”

“Well it was a little touch and go there while we weren’t anywhere near each other,” you tease, flashing him a grin. “But I don’t anymore. I promise.”

Snorting, Joel rolls his eyes at you and after washing his hands, he soaps up a rag and comes back over to you to clean you up. “Hush.” He grumbles, biting his lip as he spreads your thighs again.

“Never.” Instead your grin widens and you steal another kiss while he cleans you up. Only after that do you carefully hop down from the kitchen counter to pull your clothes back on.

Right as you are buttoning your pants, he hears the first little squawk from Caroline and grins. “I’ll change her.” He tosses the rag into the diaper pail to soak. “Drink your lukewarm tea before you come feed her.” He orders, kissing your temple before he walks out of the kitchen, already buttoned and buckled back up.

“Yes, sir.” There’s not even any point to protesting. You just pick up your tea and admire his ass as he strides out of the room.

Caroline is definitely feeling better, waving her arms and squealing when she sees Joel. The bubbly, happy grin on her adorable face never fails to bolster his spirits, which are always pretty high after being intimate with you. “Just like your momma.” He teases as he picks her up with a grunt. “Always squealing.”

With the door open it isn’t really difficult, but you still lean out from the kitchen and huff just loudly enough for him to hear. “I heard that.” Not that he’s wrong. Not at all.

Joel chuckles, nudging his nose against his daughter’s cheek and listening to her gurgle. “You were supposed to, baby.” He tells you, grinning at Caroline when he pulls back. “You were supposed to.”

******

Joel spends a decent portion of the next few days out of the house, helping Tommy with some vague project that you don't think much of. He had taken Ellie with him once but she has been mainly at home with you. The town is enjoying their preparations for Valentine's Day at the end of the week, and from time to time you've found yourself daydreaming about Joel doing something spontaneously romantic but you aren't expecting anything. It's not as though he can pop into a jewelry store or go down to the sweet shop for chocolates. Even flowers aren't really on the docket these days. It doesn't matter. Not really. All that matters is that he comes home safe every night, and Joel definitely does that.

It had been a pain in the ass, but the pram is finished; even Tommy is impressed with the final product and Joel had used some stuffing from cushions to make a padded layer on the bottom to make it more comfortable for Caroline. It’s got a back that can be adjusted to tilt up for when she’s older and a cover for the sun or rain. Now, he’s just waiting on the varnish to dry and it will be ready.

It’s late morning when he comes back from Tommy’s today, looking as pleased with himself as Joel ever does, and your plan to go down to Jackson’s seamstress to inquire about a skirt or dress goes by the wayside immediately. “Hey handsome.” Out on the porch with Caroline against your chest, you wave to him when you see him approach.

“Hey.” He climbs the steps with only a slight protest from his knees and gives Caroline a quick kiss before letting his own linger on your lips for a moment. “So, they are having a movie tonight for the celebration.” He reminds you, as if that’s not been the topic of the town for days.

“Did you want to go?” He hasn’t mentioned it at all so you wondered if maybe he was ignoring Valentine’s altogether.

“Was thinking that if you wanted to go, we could.” He shrugs one shoulder and shuffles his feet as he reaches into his jacket pocket. “Unless you want to stay home and read.”

“Read what?” You’re looking at his face, not his hands, and it takes an enigmatic smile from Joel before you glance down and see a very official card sitting in his hand. It’s a business card for the old Jackson public library, printed and crisp, but when he flips it over you see your name scrawled there in beautiful cursive and gasp. “What is this?”

“There’s a town library.” Joel explains. “They collected all the books out of the houses and any they brought back from scouting missions.” He smiles. “Thought you might like to go browse and check some out.”

“Honey.” Instantly your arms are around him, squeezing him into your side so you can show him how grateful you are without crushing Caroline between you in the process. “This is incredible. A library? That’s — it’s so sweet of you.” The grin on your face is wide, spreading to overtake you by the second. It might not be just anyone’s perfect Valentine’s gesture, but it’s definitely yours. “Thank you, love.”

He huffs in relief that you aren’t upset at his gesture. “You’re welcome. I knew you would want to read some more.”

“I wonder if they gathered up all the kids' books, too?” More bedtime stories for Caroline would be amazing as she gets older. Right now lullabies still do it when she’s fussy, but you don’t expect that to last much longer.

“I’m sure they have. Which will be amazing for Caroline.” He had read to Sarah from the time she was a baby and wonders if they have some of the books he had read to her. It would be a little tradition to read them to his other daughter.

“Thank you,” you murmur again, leaning against him and pressing a kiss to his cheek before you look down at your daughter. “Can you say thank you Daddy? For being awesome and loving us so, so much?”

“You have to come with me to get the next present.” He snorts, enjoying the way that Caroline automatically coos and waves her arms.

“There’s a next present?” Your head tilts in curiosity and a smile cracks across your face again. “Mr. Miller, you’ve been busy.”

“Not like I can get you flowers or chocolates.” He’s embarrassed by the surprise in your voice and he shrugs.

“You didn’t have to do anything at all. I still know you love me.” The thing about Valentine’s Day is that it has been so surprising to see it revived. It isn’t necessarily as surprising that he is embracing it. Not when he’s working so hard to relieve the sins of his past and whatever happened with Sarah’s mother.

“I know.” He picks up the backpack you had started using as a diaper bag for the baby and glances at you. “You want to carry her? Or do you want me to get our little princess?”

“I’ve got her for now, she’s comfortable.” Sometimes the biggest thing really is her comfort, so you’re not going to disturb your little girl for right now. “Where are we going?”

“Tommy’s workshop.” He picks up her little blanket and throws it over his arm. “Hopefully you like it, it’s more of a practical gift.”

“I’m sure I’ll love it.” If he thought of it? Put care and love into just thinking that you will appreciate it? Then whatever it is will be perfect.

Like all babies and families with babies, it takes a few minutes to get going. The pram should be completely dry, the fans blowing on it and he wonders if you will like to. Sure he could have tried to find one at an abandoned store, but for him, it was about making something. It had been a long time since he had done that and it had felt pretty good.

“Ellie seems like she’s adjusting okay to being back in school.” The walk over to Tommy’s doesn’t take long, and you’re curious to see what he’s been up to with his brother.

“She’s enjoying the school having zero to do with FEDRA.” Joel agrees. “I think she likes the days they take care of the livestock the best. She loves animals.”

"She loves them and she's great with them." Your free hand slips into Joel's while you walk, enjoying the sunny, clear day in spite of the cold. "That's a hell of a valuable skill set in this world. Keeping the livestock happy and healthy is vital."

“Yes it is.” Joel nods. “Tommy and John think they might have gotten that old grist mill working.” He tells you in passing. “The kids are going to have a class on that, come next week.”

"Everything but wheat flour," you joke with a shake of your head. "Although that oat bread was pretty good. John's got a good thing going in that bakery he set up."

“Exactly and there’s a sack of barley seeds they want to plant and make cornmeal.” He has been impressed with Jackson so far and wants to stay here. There’s no reason to go back to Boston and he would never put his daughter under FEDRA control.

Squeezing his hand, you smile up at Joel and cradle Caroline with your other hand. "It's nice here."

“It is.” There are moments where Joel doesn’t trust it, he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for the ugliness to infect Jackson, but he wants this to be a haven, for you and Ellie and Caroline. Especially for Caroline. He wants her to be able to grow up without being exposed to the rawness of the outside world as much as possible. To give her a chance at normalcy. “You want to stay, sweetheart?” He asks quietly.

"I can't imagine any place being better for us." On your chest, Caroline is looking around her with the characteristic wonder of an infant, and you grin and place a kiss on her little tuft of hair. "Your brother is here, there's reliable shelter and food. Ellie is safe to the point where she's enjoying school. It's...I'm not going to call it perfect but it feels like spitting in the face of the universe if we just walk away."

“I feel like the other shoe is going to drop, but it’s also the most relaxed I’ve been in years.” Joel admits. “I’ve- there’s more to worry about than me. And I’ve worried a lot since Lake City.” He had tried to hide the panic attacks, but you had seen signs of them. “I think we should stay.”

"You're entitled to worry." It's just a quiet reminder, but it's important that Joel remember that he has permission to feel whatever way he feels about things. Having a family and being a protector in this environment is a stressful thing. "But you're also entitled to be happy."

“That’s the hard part of this to swallow.” Joel admits, squeezing your hand gently. “It’s alright, baby. I want to stay, if you do.”

"If not for us, then for the girls." That's really the key here, and you pick up his hand to press a kiss to the back of it. "I would follow you anywhere. But they deserve whatever childhood we can give them."

“Yes they do.” The door to Tommy’s shop is just up ahead and he smiles slightly. “Hopefully this next gift will help that. At least for one of them.”

"What did you do?" At this point you're too curious not to feel bubbly about it, and you desperately wish the younger Miller brother's workshop had good windows.

“You’ll see.” He chuckles at your curiosity and lets go of your hand so he can open the door. “After you.”

"Come on, baby," you murmur to Caroline, grinning as you duck into the workshop.

Sitting in the middle of the space is a beautifully put together and obviously handmade perambulator, with a padded cloth bottom and a sun visor that...seems to be moveable as well as handcrafted. "Oh my god..." you breathe, stepping into the room further and bending over the pram with tears in your eyes. "Baby...did you make this?"

“I know I could probably find one, somewhere…” Joel can’t tell if you love it or hate it, so he shuffles slightly. “But I wanted to build one that you could use for a long time.”

"Honey, it's beautiful!" The tears in your eyes are pure love and gratitude, and you backtrack immediately to give him a kiss before going to inspect the pram that he put together with his own two hands. "It—it's incredible. You...how long did this take you?"

“It’s what I’ve been working on this week.” Joel explains, walking over to it to show you the shade and how it can flip down to become a basket to put things in.

"I can't believe you did this." There is such a wonder in your voice. Awe and love, and shock that anyone would put this much work into such an enormous gesture.

“Figured she was going to get too busy and too fidgety to haul around on your chest all the time.” He tells you. “Plus it can sit up when she’s really moving.”

"Do you want to see what Daddy made you, honey?" Caroline keeps reaching for the pram like she knows it's hers, and you look to Joel hopefully. "Is it ready for her to try out?"

“Yeah.” He holds up her blanket. “Figured you want a cover on her since she’s not right up against you.”

"It's perfect," you murmur again. Unwrapping her from your chest is a careful process, but soon a squirming little girl is ready to be set down in her very first pram and she giggles with glee just as soon as you lay her blanket over her. "Daddy made you the perfect little pram so we can push you around and let you see town without having to be attached to my chest the whole time."

“Tommy helped too.” Joel admits, pleased that you seem thrilled with the pram. “He wants to make one for Maria now.”

"Brand new family heirlooms." It's a magical and unexpected gesture, that you reach down to tickle Caroline's belly and can't resist kissing Joel, as well. "This kind of puts my Valentine's surprise to shame, babe."

“No it doesn’t.” Joel immediately frowns and shakes his head. “You don’t have to do anything for me.”

"You didn't have to do anything for me, either." With a grin, you lean over and kiss his cheek again while Caroline looks around her pram in wonder. "I went to see the doc the other day." He's been busy — apparently building you a damn stroller with his own two hands — so you had taken it upon yourself to go in the meantime.

“Yeah?” Joel’s eyes widen slightly and he looks Caroline in her pram to you. “And?”

"And." He looks like he might jump up and down from excitement, and you can't help but laugh. "She had a diaphragm for me."

He frowns and tries to remember what the hell that is. It’s been a long time since he’s talked about birth control in depth. “That- that’s that thing that goes inside you before sex, right?”

“Right.” Another giggle escapes you, and you lean into his side. “It’s not full proof, but it’s something.”

“Yeah.” Joel knows that no birth control is perfect, but he feels better with that. “Do you still want to have me pull out?” He asks seriously.

“Is it irresponsible to say no?” You just want to feel him completely, but you’ll understand if he declines. You’ve already brought one baby into the world, the idea was to prevent two. “It’s your decision, love. All I care about is getting to be close to you.”

“I say we keep track of your cycle like you normally do.” Joel murmurs. “I’ll pull out when you’re ovulating.”

“In that case.” The grin on your face turns absolutely devilish. “No need to pull out tonight.”

Joel blows out a loud breath and reaches down to adjust himself. “That’s the best fuckin’ Valentine’s you could ever give me.”

“I thought you might like it.” Compared to what he’s done? It’s barely anything at all. But the chance to be as close to each other as possible is something you’ve both been craving as you’ve realized the depth of feelings you have.

“Love it.” Joel growls, reaching for you to pull you close and press his lips to yours for a quick and harsh kiss.

“Love it a lot. Got it.” You melt against him and bury your face in his chest, glad to be held in his arms for even a few moments at a time. “We’ll have some grown up time after the movie tonight?”

"Already asked Ellie if she would mind the bassinet being in her room." He tells you with a grin. "Bottles ready."

“Scheming!” You erupt into giggles, cheeks burning hot and desire starting to ache in your core. “You have been scheming.”— Today at 8:02 PM

"I have been scheming." He admits shamelessly. "And there's one more thing that I have to give you."Today at 8:07 PM

“Joel.” A pout comes with a tilt of your head and you shake it immediately. “Baby, no. You’ve already done so much.”Today at 8:12 PM

"This is something from me....for you." He promises softly. "I wanted to give you something that shows you how much I love you." He swallows. "Do you want it now, or do you want me to - you know, make it romantic?" Today at 8:25 PM

“I want you to do whatever will make you happiest.” Another soft kiss between you makes you melt that much more. “I’ll love it no matter what.”day at 8:33 PM

"I kind of want to give it to you now, before I lose the damn thing." Joel admits with a huff of amusement, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a faded velvet box.at 8:42 PM

“What…?” It may be a long while since the last time you walked into a jewelry store, but you still remember what a ring box looks like as your eyes flick between the box and Joel. “Honey?”day at 8:52

"It's- do you know how fucking hard it was to remember birthstones?" He snorts, shaking his head. "I wanted to get you something that had meaning. That's symbolic of how we came together."

He holds it out to you a little more surely and you realize your hands are shaking a little when you reach to open it. The ring inside has been cleaned, it's shining in the dim sunlight streaming into the workshop and the tears spill over immediately. "You—you figured out Caroline's birthstone?" It had never occurred to you to even try to think of what it would be, although you did figure out what her zodiac was while holding her one night right after she was born. y at 9:13 PM

"Yeah." He looks down at the ring and smiles. "There was a book in the library." He admits, not wanting you to think he was some kind of genius. "You told me when she was born, and I'm never gonna forget that." He bites his lip. "I was thinking you could wear it like an engagement ring or whatever, if you want."y at 9:18 PM

"Are you saying you want me to wear it like an engagement ring, or that I can think of it that way if I want to?" Slipping the ring out of the box, it's obvious immediately that it will fit you pretty perfectly and you wonder if Joel tried to do any sneaky measuring of your ring finger while you were sleeping or something like that.t 9:21 PM

He bites his lip and resists the urge to fold his arms over his chest. "I want- it's kind of up to you, baby." He reminds you. "I should ask you though, right?" He's talking to himself, rolling his eyes at how he is bungling it up. "Do you want to get married? If they do weddings here?"9:29 PM

If you were going to tease him, you would remind him that his brother and Maria got married. That there is something like marriage here in Jackson, even without the way weddings were in the past. And the end of the world, marriage is about a commitment between people. Not about a thousand dollar dress or haggling over the guest list. And honestly? That is the way you would have wanted it even back then. "Yes," you nod, that smile spreading back across your face as you hold your shaky hand out to him. "Yes, I absolutely do."35 PM

Joel takes the hint, carefully pulling the ring from the box and taking your hand gently to push the ring onto your finger. "It fits." He sighs out in relief. "Tying a string around your finger to measure it worked." He looks up into your eyes with a grin. "How do you like it?"t 9:41 PM

"It's perfect." Wrapping your arms around his neck, you press into his space and let yourself just breathe him in. Grateful for the coincidence that brought you together, for the accident that has sealed your connection, and for the love that has bound you. "I love you."

“I love you too, baby.” Joel vows softly, pressing his lips to yours. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon   @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse @itsrubberbisquit @mikeyswifie @guelyury @lizzie-cakes @for-a-longlongtime @vabeachazn @purplerain04 @weho2kcmo @madnessofadaydreamer

For series: @lol-im-done @sezren @kyuupidwrites @spxctorsslxt       @mythrielofsolitude @missmarmaladeth @midgetpottermills @spishsstuff @wrathofcats @rickysgrimes @that-friend-in-the-corner @123passwort @taygra5shaon @buckysmainhxe @mariwinns16 @superflymaterial @s1xthirty @gothicxbarbie @pedrettilov3r @flyingmushroomss @littleshadow17 @lovelyygirl8 @hairspeaks @zliteraturehoe @princessgriffin1998 @belahbelieve @leatherbride @ccomandercody @spacelatinos4life​ @gracie7209 @whorunstheworldgirls

My Masterlist!

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Joel Miller #Joel Miller x reader #Joel Miller x you #Joel Miller x female reader #The Last of Us #The Last of Us HBO #TLoU #baby mama reader #established relationship

[lazywriters-blog]

SISTER's SUPPORT 2

Summary: You have a story to tell about how you got pushed into a situation by your sister-in-law. Lying didn't get you anywhere.

Since you wanted a part two, here it is. With some sprinkled dark chocolate and layered spooky, I like these kinds of goofy dark scenarios- (not proofread)

You felt like a married couple consoling a raging teen who refused their favorite snack because of something you did. Even if you did, you had no idea of what you did wrong to deserve this, you barely know the twin brother and sister.

Maybe faking it till you make it home safe and sound was a good decision to keep in mind while you slowly and carefully sip your black tea, peering over to the twins who thought taking eyes off of you meant death.

You know they are not bad people, there are only good things you've heard about them in passing, adorable twin magicians with hats and tricks beloved because of it.

You didn't think the sister would have such a temper. Who in their right mind would come forth and throw accusations, unless her dear brother did admire you and you've gone and missed his magic show?

"No need to be coy, you don't need to lie about anything, we know much already. You like my brother too, don't you?"

You couldn't have responded quicker than lyney who gasped and hid his face behind his hand unsure if disappointment or embarrassment was right in his situation. '... Would you please stop embarrassing me and giving me heart attacks?"

"I'm sure he's a good gentleman and-"

"I asked, do you like him or not? Quit beating around the bushes and tell us the truth, that way my brother can rest easy and move on from his unhealthy fixation." She crossed her arms and glared, you are not sure if she's older than you yet.

"Oh... Uh." she's blunt, you were caught off guard, "Well, to be honest, I don't know him. You both are good magicians I've heard, I can't say if I like him or not if I haven't gotten to know him at all."

"Brother, tell her about yourself." She faced him, "You've been pining over a girl who doesn't even know you better than herself and you've been losing sleep over this?"

"Lynette, maybe spare me some dignity and let things happen naturally. Why do you have to rat me out like that?"

"Because I hate seeing you like this."

If you could get up and leave, you would without a second wasted. The twins were bickering while you contemplated your wisest words and phrases, sentences that were guaranteed to get you out of it with your ego intact.

"I said I've lost sleep because of that one failed trick I got wrong, and you were the one to butt in before I could make my move!"

"If I hadn't, this wouldn't be happening! You would be back to stalk-" Lyney quickly put his hand on her mouth and furrowed his eyebrows, as if to say 'Shut up she doesn't need to know that.'

But that expression eased off when he turned around to look you in the eye, "I'm sorry about this, my sister is a little fussy and all, you know..." he nervously smiled, had you not known better or seen it happen you would have believed they had nothing to hide.

"It's fine." What more could you say? They were guilty of dragging you here.

"I am sorry, I am, My sister usually doesn't pull off such stunts, it would be better for us to forget about this and move along." he laughed, but somehow it felt ominous to you, the way he steepled his hand and drop his elbow on the table, he didn't feel threatened anymore.

"Of course, why not," you answered.

"Splendid!" he raised his hands, giving you a tight smile with closed eyes. Giving it a few seconds, he waited for his sister to say something, elbowing her when she didn't.

Were you bonding with the twins? Not really.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but would you like to marry my brother? I'm sure he'll sleep better knowing you are his. He's not a bad guy."

If you weren't there, Lyney wouldn't have kept up his smile and made you see him in a good light, however, his smile still appeared strained.

These two were oddly funny siblings with a sudden tendency to expose each other.

"Lynette..." Lyney hummed in a low voice, and his sister did not even flinch, "Sorry bro."

"Was this conversation about marriage from the beginning? Why didn't you say so? I wouldn't have had to worry so much haha..." how were you supposed to get out of this?

Reacting positively could only get you so far.

"So? Do you approve of my brother? You guys should get married in two days." Nothing seemed to faze this girl.

You looked at Lyney, then Lynette and you weren't sure of what you were going to say anymore.

If you say no, you are certain his sister will tear you to shreds and make sure the rest of your days go on as badly as possible, even saying 'I'll think about it' ingrained the same scenario in your head.

It shouldn't be so bad to say yes, no?

"... Why not?"

Saying no meant more harm than good. Besides, you just wanted to get out of this situation as quietly as possible.

"Bro, you owe me one. When can I expect grandchildren?"

"You mean nephews..." lyney replied.

"Yeah, that."

Tag list

@swivy123 @rotin0

@idontevenknow129 @heartsbyvalentina

#yandere imagines #yandere drabble #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact oneshots #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact #yandere genshin x reader #genshin impact lyney #lyney x reader #lyney x y/n #lyney #yandere lyney #Kindaa yandere #genshin imagines #yandere genshin impact x reader

[miheartsedthings]

Happy Valentine's Day, Loves!

Ready for a treat? 😊 I've got just the thing. Let's take a look at your first kiss with Billy Hargrove.

Summary: Because of an altercation with his dad, Billy shows up late for your first date, and with a black eye. The two of you end up on the playground looking at the stars.

SFW Billy x Reader

Warnings: Implied child abuse.

Note: You and Billy are both 18 but you haven't graduated yet.

❣️The First Kiss❣️

You're watching the clock on your nightstand slowly countdown to 6pm. Your nerves are rattling, and you can't find the bracelet you wanted to wear. You started getting ready two hours ago, yet it feels like time has flown by and you're still rushing around putting on finishing touches. This is what Billy Hargrove does to you.

You'd met in detention. You were there for your alleged involvement in a fight. In truth all you'd done was pull a girl off your friend when it looked like she was losing. You may have tossed a couple words at the other girl but nothing that wasn't true. Nevertheless your friend got suspended and you got detention, where Billy Hargrove sat leaned back in his chair, arm slung around the back of the empty seat beside him.

The chaperone left halfway through the hour to run an errand, leaving you alone with the mischievous hottie who, unbeknownst to you, was stealing glances at you whenever he could. Before you knew it, he was plopping down in the seat beside you, tossing his arm behind your back like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Didn't know you were the fighting type.”

You were surprised to hear him talk to you. Billy Hargrove who only associated with the popular and blonde. It hadn't occurred to you that he knew anything about you, let alone why you'd gotten in trouble.

“I broke up the fight, actually.”

“That's real heroic.”

You cut your eyes at him, annoyed by his condescending tone. He only smirked.

“You better be careful making that face at me.”

Your face warmed, nerves fluttering in your stomach. He laughed because he could tell what kind of effect he had on you. Before you knew it the two of you were talking about the hardass way Hawkins approached discipline. He asked if you wanted to ditch the rest of detention, and when you said you couldn't risk getting into more trouble, he teased you. You asked if he would stop bothering you so you could pass the rest of the hour in peace, and he asked you out.

That was a few hours ago, and now you're freaking out because you can't find your bracelet and the clock just struck 6. You rifle through your jewelry case one more time, then finally give up. You snatch your phone from the charger, add an extra puff of perfume, and rush out of your bedroom. In the end, all the rushing is for nothing, because you get downstairs and go to the window, just to find that Billy isn't there. Not a big deal, he's never come across as a punctual person. You sat on the couch and waited, still excited. You wonder if he'll like your outfit, the way you styled your hair. Minutes tick by.

“He's still not here?” Your mom asks, clearly disapproving.

“He's just a little late. No big deal.”

You try to hide your nerves but you're starting to worry. Wondering if the whole thing had been a joke. You've heard rumors about Billy being rude and sometimes downright cruel, but you figured they were exaggerations. Maybe you'd been naive in this.

Five and then ten minutes goes by, and with every moment you doubt more and more the fun you'd had with him in detention. Maybe you'd imagined that he'd been into you. Foolishly believed he'd break from his asshole behavior and show you a better side of himself. After nearly 30 minutes you're ready to call it. Your mom is saying he doesn't know what he's missing and you're trying not to feel like an idiot, when your phone rings. You stare at the phone a moment before you answer. You bring it to your ear and don't even say anything. Too angry to speak.

“I'm here.”

Is all he says before hanging up.

“Tell me you're not going.” Your mom says, giving you a look.

“I'll be back before curfew.”

Outside, Billy sits in his black Camaro with his sunglasses on, bobbing his head to “Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeath. You slip into the passenger seat and stare at him for a moment, not even closing the door. He looks over.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah?”

You snip back. He smirks.

“Damn, you really are so cute when you're mad.”

He goes to touch your cheek and you turn your face away.

“You're late.”

You say, fighting your attraction to him with your arms crossed. His demeanor is cold, and he watches you behind those shades with a flat expression.

“I got into somethin’”

“You got into something.”

His jaw tensed.

“You gonna let me make it up to you?”

His tone is sharp and wounding. You're conflicted for a moment. If he hadn't shown up at all you would've been sure he was just fucking with you. If he'd sat there in detention without saying a word to you, your life would've gone on as normal. But, he'd spoken to you, and nothing's normal anymore. You're sitting there with Billy Hargrove, he's late but he's there, asking to make it up to you.

You shut the door and the song changes from Megadeath to Metallica. Any giddiness you'd felt for the date has already drained away and now you're more curious than anything. What exactly did he ‘get into’ that made him so late? Why was he being so uncharacteristically quiet? And why in the goddamn hell was he wearing sunglasses at night?

You hoped this wasn't the legendary Hargrove charm; showing up late in a shitty mood paying lazy homage to some tacky rock song? No thanks.

The burger place is pretty packed when the two of you arrive. People crowded into the space. One booth is full of kids graduating under you who recognize Billy instantly. They lean into their little cluster and whisper, not even attempting discretion. You focus on the menu, remembering your appetite in a sudden rush of hunger.

“Man, I forgot how hungry I was.”

You say as the two of you settle at a booth with your meals.

“How do you forget something like that?”

He doesn't take off the sunglasses to eat. You shrug and answer with your mouth full.

“Thought I was getting stood up.”

“Why would I ask you out just to stand you up?”

“Happens all the time.”

“To you?”

“Well, yeah. Once.”

He stops mid-chew, looking at you.

“No shit.”

“I'm serious. I really liked the guy, too. Left me waiting at a roller rink.”

He shakes his head.

“Fuckin dumbass.”

You smile a little. It can't be helped. After food you climb back into the car. You've already missed half of the movie you were meant to see.

“Wanna wait for the later one?”

You ask him, only to be met with a shrug. He's noticeably distracted and drives with the music turned up. Every once in a while he winces as if in some invisible pain.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm great, doll, how are you?”

He looks at you, cracking his lips into a forced smile.

“I'm wondering why you're wearing sunglasses?”

“Is it a problem? I'll take you home if you don't like it.”

“Is that what you wanna do? Go back home?”

This makes him settle, and the little sneer recedes until he's flat again. Hidden.

“I have an idea.”

You direct him to your old elementary school’s playground. Once there, you're reminded of your favorite pastime and your giddiness returns. As soon as the car is in park you unbuckle and hop out.

“Damn,” he exclaims, hurrying to follow you.

You glance up at the sky, ecstatic to find the street lamps are dim enough to see a bounty of stars.

“Ah, it's perfect.”

You race through the wood chips heading right for the swings.

“Alright,” You hop onto one of the swings and start pumping “I'm about to show you my special talent.”

“Don't get yourself hurt,” he chides and you shush him, already going faster and swinging higher than his head.

“You just stand back. Don't get in my way.”

He does stand back, shaking his head at you with a little amused smile.

“If you break your fuckin legs I swear to God.”

“I won't. I'm going over, up and over!”

“What?”

He's more than a little concerned when he sees how high you're going and realizes what you're talking about.

“What the fuck? Are you kidding?”

You swing up, your belly dropping with the familiar momentum, the world tilts backwards and for a moment you're flying.

“Nope.”

The trees bend away at an angle, and the city skyline stretches far beyond. You can see fields in the distance.

“You're not a kid, you're gonna fuckin tip this thing.”

“I won't!”

Your words whip by on the wind rushing past your face, then, a smattering of stars smears across your vision and for a moment you and the world are upside down. The chains rattle as your swing comes clammering back down to center, one loop completed. You're laughing uncontrollably and stagger off the swing on wobbly legs. Your head rushing.

“Holy shit.”

Billy’s mouth is hanging ajar.

“Told you.” You switch your hips like a boisterous pigeon, teasing “You're gonna fuckin flip it, you're not a fuckin kid.”

Before you can finish the taunt he's after you. The two of you take off in a game of chase, dashing through the chips, over the see saw and under the monkey bars until finally, he snatches you into his arms. His grip is tight around your waist from behind.

“Okay, okay, I give up.”

The two of you relax, and his grip eases, but there you are in his arms. Neither of you want to let go just yet. You stand there, his breath warm on your ear, his arms around your middle and your arms over his. The two of you fit together so perfectly. You turn your head, finding his lips right there, his handsome face, and those sunglasses. You reach up to remove them and he catches your hand.

“You're so weird.” You say, softly.

“Me? You're the one who almost nut yourself over the swingset.”

He had a point. The two of you make your way to the playset and lay down on the brown plastic, looking up at the stars.

“When I leave here, I'm going somewhere warm." You say, eyes on the stars "All I'm gonna do is sit outside drinking white wine and all I'm gonna eat is lobsters and coconuts.”

“Sounds like you're going to Cali, then.”

“I'll try it out, for sure. But I gotta see Jamaica, too. And the Virgin Islands. Miami, even.”

“I could see you in Miami.”

You rolled onto your side to look at him.

“Yeah?”

He smiles, and for once it's a real smile instead of a smirk.

“Yeah. But Cali’s better.”

You smile back.

“I'm glad you showed up.”

He doesn't say anything, but there's a response, a change in the way he regards you that you can't help but notice. Maybe it's the set of his mouth or the softening of his brows. Either way, the air is filled with static. When you speak again, it's so softly you think he might not hear you.

“Are you gonna tell me why you were late?”

He looks at you for a long moment. So long that you start to make your peace with the idea that you might never know. Then, he lifts up on his elbows and slowly takes off the sunglasses. Around his left eye, a darkening bruise. Your heart sinks looking at it, and registering the trepidation in his gaze. He isn't looking directly at you, his eyes focused on your lips, his expression flat, as if bracing for the worst.

You do something you've wanted to do for a long time, which is trace your finger along his jawline and then along his bottom lip. His eyes are kind. So kind it's a wonder he can be so intimidating. Looking at him now, you can't imagine this person hurting anyone. His eyes are kind, catching the light of the stars.

“Still so cute,” you say, and the relief he feels crumples his brow. He touches your cheek with the backs of his fingers, caressing gently. Then, you could be imagining it, but it seems like he's leaning in. No, he is leaning in! Your heart jerks to a start as he comes slowly closer. You close your eyes, and sure enough there are his lips, soft against your own.

You never imagined a kiss with him would feel so pure. You didn't think his tongue would be sweet, you didn't think he'd hold your chin and kiss you like you were so precious. But soon you'd know this kiss, you'd come to know it as the way he kisses you when he means to say: “I love you.”

Thanks for reading!! 💖

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove 18+ #billy hargrove smut #stranger things #fanfic #billy #billy hargrove imagine #valentines day #miheartsedthings

[zegrasdrysdale]

Can you write a pregnancy scare with Jamie?

[ not our time ] j. drysdale

paring : Jamie Drysdale x fem!reader

summary : after she’s late for her period, (Y/N) tells Jamie about her suspicions and he tells her to take a pregnancy test to make sure

warning(s) : mentions of pregnancy

author’s note : i’ve been wanting to write something like this so ty for requesting :)

quick announcement : i’ve made a google form you can submit to be added to (or taken off) the taglist that will be at the end of every fic from here on out !

༺═──────────────═༻

The only reason she didn't immediately get on the phone with Jamie was because she knew he is on a plane and on his way back from his week-long roadie to the east coast. She probably won'[t even tell him when he walks in the door because she knows how tired he's going to be.

She should. She could be carrying his baby.

Getting sick when she doesn't normally throw up was definitely a red flag. Then she realized she's late for her period. She's rarely ever late.

If she is pregnant, she wants Jamie to be there if the test comes back positive. She doesn't want him to be on a plane somewhere over the United States when she finds out she's carrying their child.

Before she can talk herself out of telling Jamie, a key jingles in the door and it swings open. (Y/N) looks over at the door to see a happy Jamie walk into the apartment. "Hi, baby," Jamie says.

"Hey," she replies as Jamie pulls his equipment bag and suitcase through the front door. "How was the trip? Congratulations on the wins against Philly, Buffalo, and Washington, by the way."

Jamie leaves his equipment bag by the door with his suitcase when he is finally inside. The door closes behind him and he walks over to the couch.

He tilts (Y/N)'s head back and presses a kiss to her lips. She smiles into the upside down kiss. "Wish you could've been there," he says as he pulls back. "Z set me up for an insane goal against Philly and I can't believe that it actually went into the net. That's Trevor, I guess."

"I saw the goal," she tells him. "It was very impressive, Jamie. I'm very proud of you."

A big smile forms on Jamie's lips and (Y/N) feels her heart flutter in her chest. He's so pretty, even now when he looks exhausted.

She decides in that moment to tell him.

"So, um, I have to tell you something you should know," (Y/N) says. She watches Jamie's smile falter. "It's nothing bad, I think, but it's something you should definitely know."

Jamie walks around the couch and sits next to her. "Is everything okay?" he questions. "I mean, did something happen?"

She gnaws on her bottom lip. "It's more like something didn't happen," she admits. "I haven't gotten my period yet and I've been really sick recently. I think I might be pregnant. I haven't taken a test yet because I wanted you here in case."

Another smile breaks out on his lips. "You might be pregnant?" he asks. "Oh my God. That's amazing. Do you need me to run to the store and grab tests? Snacks? Anything you need."

"I have tests," she tells him. "I just haven't taken one yet. I've been waiting for you to get back."

"Go do it," Jamie replies. "I'll be right here when you get the results."

She nods and gets off the couch. "I'll be right here."

With shaking hands, she grabs the box of three pregnancy tests out of the drawer in the bathroom. She pees on all three of them and sets them on the sink counter while she waits for the results.

(Y/N) sits on the floor with her back against the counter that the tests are sitting on. Her head leans against the counter and her eyes are closed while she waits.

Honestly, she doesn't know what kind of results she's hoping for.

If it's positive then she will love this baby with everything in her. It's a part of both of them and she will love them with her entire heart. If it's negative then it's just not their time and they can actually try later on.

It isn't the end of the world if these tests come back negative.

A soft knock rings throughout the bathroom. "You okay?" jamie asks through the door. "Do you need anything?"

"Can you come in?" she asks.

The door slowly swings open and (Y/N) stands up in front of the tests. "Did you look yet?" She shakes her head in reply. "Come on. Lets look together, okay?"

She nods and Jamie takes her hand. With a sigh, she turns around and looks down at the tests on the countertop.

One line on every single one of them. All of them are negative.

"Maybe it's too early," she tells Jamie. "I'm only a few days late for my period." Tears prick her eyes and it surprises her. She didn't think she would be this upset at a negative pregnancy test.

Jamie's happy smile when she told him that she might be pregnant pops into her mind and it breaks her heart. The tears roll down her cheeks.

"(Y/N), baby," Jamie coos. "It's okay. It just isn't our time right now."

She wraps her arms around his torso and buries his face into his chest while silent tears run down her face. "You were so happy when I told you I thought I was pregnant," she says. "I'm sorry, Jamie."

"We'll have a baby one day," Jamie tells her. "I promise. One day those results will be positive."

(Y/N) nods and feels Jamie wrap his arms around her shoulders. "I didn't think I'd be this upset," she admits. "I haven't even thought about having kids until there was a possibly I was having a kid."

He backs away and looks down at her. "I want kids with you," Jamie tells her. "Maybe when we're both more prepared, yeah?"

"Yeah," she agrees. "And when we talk more about it."

Jamie smiles and nods in agreement. "Do you want to eat some ice cream and watch Criminal Minds?" he asks. "I think we have a little bit left if you want some ice cream."

"Absolutely."

༺═──────────────═༻

MASTERLIST

have a request ? check out the guidelines !

wanna be added to the taglist ? fill out a form !

taglist : @fanboysfangirl @dancerbailey3 (if you're crossed out, it won't let me tag you)

#hockey imagines #hockey imagine #hockey fanfiction #hockey fic #hockey oneshot #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fanfiction #nhl fic #nhl oneshot #jamie drysdale #jamie drysdale x reader #jamie drysdale fic #jamie drysdale fluff #zegrasdrysdale request

[the-faceless-bride]

Yandere 701 Headcanons

A/n: I haven't really gotten into all the boys in room 701, I will write for them soon I promise and that will be part two to this one, but for now it's only Jack, Legoshi, Collot, and Voss

Warnings: yandere behavior, reader is a herbivore {bunny type but is not fully said so, there for it can be any herbivore you would like} violence, threats, murderer, dark content, and Su•cide

🐺Legoshi❤️‍🩹

Yandere Type -> protective, worrisome, aware

How it started -> you were one of Haru's friends a sweet little thing in the gardening club. Now when he first started visiting the gardening club it was for Haru... But the more he saw you the more interested he became. So small, so soft and fluffy, and yet unafraid... So willing to stand up and get in others' faces whether they had fangs or not. You stood up for Haru quite a bit however Haru had always looked out for herself first and you never if not rarely got the same treatment from her, he felt you needed him...

🐺❤️‍🩹• Legoshi is very protective, he is ok with you going on your own, and he is alright with you having friends... (for the most part) however if you do go out he has to know several things first, where are you going? Who is going with you? What time will you be back? Are you coming back to him right after? Can he go? If not, why?

He wants you to be safe and wants to be the one to keep you safe, and if he deems it not safe for you, he either comes along whether you know it or not, or he doesn't let you go at all. Simple as that. It can go one of two ways, either he tries to make excuses as to why you can't go or explains how he already planned to take you out that night, or he just has to make a hard call and forces you to stay home even if he feels bad afterward.

🐺❤️‍🩹• Legoshi is very worrisome, he worries about everything all the time. Are you ok? Are you thirsty? Hungry? Cold? To warm? Maybe you'd like to go to the garden? Or maybe stay home with him? Have you eaten today? Does he do too much? Do you ever get bored of him?

He is worried that one day you'll decide you hate him and just run away; of course, he wouldn't just let you go, or more so he CAN'T let you go. It would tear his heat to shreds, he would have to force you to stay and then you would hate him and that would also hurt him but not as bad as you going away forever.

🐺❤️‍🩹• now Legoshi isn't delusional, and while he tries to justify what he is doing, telling himself that you need him and you don't always know what's best and that he only wants you to be loved, cared for, and protected he knows deep down that what he is doing isn't morally right.

But even then he tries to justify, saying that he IS a carnivore and they survive on feeding the flesh of others, so his existence isn't morally correct.

Deepest fear -> he is afraid of hurting you, not just accidentally scratching you, or pulling your ear a bit too hard. He means getting carried away and losing in his feelings that he devours you... Afraid that one day he will just snap and he'll clamp down on your soft neck... If he did that he would probably take himself out of this world out of guilt...

🐶Jack🐕‍🦺

Yandere Type -> worshiper, Clingy, Stalker

How it started -> he was being pushed around, being a dog that is known for being domesticated and weak he is always being pushed around by the bigger guys. But when a small little thing like you came to his aid, he swears you were a fluffy little angel, and while he was mocked for being saved by someone like you... He didn't even care. Not when butterflies, rose petals and star dust seemed to dance around your head.

🐶🐕‍🦺• Jack looks at you like you hung the stars in the night sky, you could tell him you made the earth and he would believe you. Anything you tell him he takes as truth with no questions and will defend your words no matter what. He doesn't care if what you said was wrong or what you said isn't true and he knows it, he gaslights himself into believing whatever you tell him. Once you say something no one can convince him otherwise not even his best friend legoshi...

🐶🐕‍🦺• Jack is very very very clingy... He has to be breathing the same air as you to be happy. He always has his hands on you. Not even in a sexual way. He just always has to be holding your hand, fluffing up your fur, petting your ears, and nuzzling up to you.

He doesn't care who is around, they can leave. Or sit there and watch. He doesn't care, he is already bullied for being him so what could be worse? Being called a simp? Or obsessed? Oh please, he's heard worse from his own mother.

🐶🐕‍🦺• Jack is always around you. Even when you think you're alone, you're not. Even before you were dating he watched you from afar, either just sneaking around your dorm room door, a bench at the park, or just following your car.

You've already shared many intimate experiences together and you just don't know it. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about you. He always tells you it was "just a hunch" when he 'guesses' the things you like when he does anything or gets anything for you. It wasn't a hunch he knew because he saw it...

Deepest fear -> you leaving him behind, one day you feeling suffocated by him to the point of loathing him and just packing your things and leaving him behind... It would shatter his soul. He would lose his sanity and would probably end up damaging himself, emotionally, mentally, and physically

🐶Collot🐩

Yandere Type -> delusional, playful, manipulative

How it started -> most girls flock to him, but he doesn't fully know why. But he isn't one to complain about the attention from pretty girls. However, that doesn't mean he exactly enjoys being labeled as this heartless playboy leaving a trail of broken hearts. He just likes to explore his feelings sometimes he feels a type of way about someone only for that feeling to drift and find a better feeling with someone else. He doesn't mean for it to seem like he is a heartless player but it comes across that way. You were very cute and very sweet but just seemed to have a sour taste about him. But that changed when you we being chased around by some boy rabbits trying to get you to go out with them, and in a moment to try and save yourself you found Collot and pretended to be dating so the boys would get scared of the large dog...

🐶🐩• he is quite delusional, he truly doesn't see what he is doing as wrong. To him it's just his feelings, everyone has feelings, and some are just more extreme... Right? He just doesn't get it.

But if you tried to explain it, he really wouldn't listen. He had never felt this way before how would you possibly know what was going on with him? He likes you, isn't that enough?

🐶🐩• Collot is very playful, he uses that to mask his unusual acts and way of thinking. For example the time he 'playfully' shoved Jack for standing a little too close to you. Or the time he jokingly told someone that if they let their hand get too close to your butt again he'd have to bite it off.

He again doesn't see anything wrong with these 'jokes' and he can always just blame when he gets to rough on him just being a big dog. And that's a bonus to him! while yes he is big and can be intimidating to anything smaller than him he is still a dog, and others still don't really take him seriously. He can get away with a lot.

🐶🐩• Collot is manipulative but unintentionally so, he is just really good at talking things into going his way. Thanks to his laid-back nature and seemingly unfazed aura, "yeah you can hang out with them, I mean that seemed a little grabby about you but if you really trust them don't worry about me. Go ahead and have fun, just text me once in a while yeah? Just so I know nothings happenin' to ya."

It's that kind of manipulation where he just makes you second-guess your choice of friends, and who you are in a moral sense.

deepest fear -> being pushed to the side because you find someone more alluring than him. Collot isn't a firm believer in karma and what comes around goes around, but he would be lying if he said he hadn't ditched someone he was talking to simply because he found someone he was more interested in. It wasn't maliciously, he is just a go with the flow 'it is what it is and shrugs-it-off kinda dog and he doesn't fully grasp the fact that not everyone is like that and his actions have caused others heartache in the past, and normally if someone he was talking to did the same to him he again would just shrug it off... But if you were to... He doesn't think he could just shrug it off.

🐶Voss🤏

Yandere Type -> Demanding, Clingy, possessive

How it started -> he again was being ignored for being one of the little guys, he asked three times for no pickles and he still. Got. Pickles. But no matter how angry he got or how much he told the guy he still didn't listen. But you overheard and stood up next to him and said "Excuse me! He said No. Pickles." you sassed the large carnivore and while Voss would normally be pissed at someone stepping into his business but... Seeing someone small like you being able to get sass one of the big guys and get away with it... It made him feel something he never had before...

🤏🐶• Voss is quite demanding in your relationship, but he is so small and cute that he kinda gets away with it. He is demanding in a way of always wanted to be around you and gets quite valgure when you don't let him.

He will shit-talk your friends, and he will ask you if you wish he was different, "do you wish I was taller?" "Oh I see, you just want me to be quiet and just sit in the background huh!" he isn't always mean, but he can be when he gets insecure.

🤏🐶• Voss is clingy, very clingy. He is always on you. Not holding your hand, not following you. He is ON you. You might be small but he is smaller, he is on your shoulder, and he won't get down. Voss just wants you to want him, he wants to be in your lap and just talk, and show you that he really likes you. More than he has ever liked anyone.

Even his friends were shocked at how clingy Voss was, while yeah he hung onto them but only when he needed to get around quick with them but he never clung to them like this, and while they think it's good he found a partner they don't think it's the healthiest.

🤏🐶• Voss doesn't want you being around ANYONE, he doesn't want you talking about interacting with anyone that isn't one of his close friends or you have to interact with them due to class or work reasons. He hates the idea of you not spending time with him and having fun with someone else.

Deepest fear -> being replaced. He is a small guy, he is always pushed to the back and is only ever seen when he is with someone bigger. He is afraid of you not finding him interesting anymore. Afraid you will see his as everyone else does. He just wants you to love and want him as much as he does you.

I hope you enjoyed, sorry I was away for so long. I have gotten back into beastars if anyone wants to ask for them 👉👈

#beastars x reader #beastars jack #beastars #beastars imagine #beastars legosi #yandere beastars x reader #beastars legoshi #beastars legoshi x reader #yandere legoshi #Beastars jack x reader #Yandere jack #yandere beastars #beastars room 701 #Beastars 701 x reader #Yandere beastars 701 #beastars collot #collot beastars x reader #collot x reader #Yandere collot #beastars voss #Voss x reader #Yandere voss x reader #room 701

[thought--bubble]

Like a Vice

(Dark) Will (Salad Days) X (Tom's GF Reader)

Warnings After The Cut

Will (Salad Days) Masterlist

Full Masterlist

Banners by @arcielee

Based on THIS request

Warnings:: Cheating, Obsession, Jealousy, Rage, Dubcon.

"I'm a dolt! A fool! A charlatan!" You groan as you roll over, clutching your face.

"You made a mistake.... baby, it happens." Your best friend Leah rubs your back, attempting to make you feel better.

"A mistake? I cheated on Tom!" You groan louder. "I cheated on Tom." Saying the words out loud makes you sick to your stomach.

"You still haven't told me what actually happened or who it happened with," she continues to rub your back. "You know you can trust me, right?"

"Believe me, what happened and with who matters very little" You roll over on your back. "I am just going to forget this ever happened"

That is much easier said than done when the whole thing plays in your mind on an endless loop. The fight with Tom. The alcohol consumed at the local pub. HIM walking into the pub.

You rub your eyes trying to push it all out of your mind but like a never ending montage, flashes of his smile and his soft laugh sitting next to you at the bar flash by every time you close your eyes.

You can't tell Leah it was Will. You really can't. She has known him since they were young kids and on top of that, your boyfriend Tom? He is one of his closest friends. This entire situation is completely fucked up.

It didn't seem so bad when the two of you were just laughing away at the bar. It didn't even seem that bad when he offered to walk you home, since it was late and you were his friend's girlfriend it would be perfectly normal for him to walk you home, chivalrous even. You somehow didn't even question yourself when you invited him in for tea. As a thank you for walking you home, of course.

Now any rational decent woman would have had some tea and sent him on his way, instead, as you put the kettle on and drunkenly lean against your counter he came up behind you wrapping his arms around you and whispering in your ear. You should have pushed him away. What did he even whisper? You don't remember, what you do remember is before you knew it, you were bent over the kitchen counter screaming the name Will while the beautiful emerald necklace Tom had gotten you bounced off your chest.

Which is why you find yourself curled up in your bed two days later feeling like the worst person in the world while your best friend strokes your back.

"You're still coming to Matt's party tonight, right?" Leah says softly.

"I would really rather not..... but if I don't go, Tom will know something is up. " You groan while rubbing your eyes again. I have to go and just pretend everything is normal somehow."

"You know, you could always come clean? Tell the truth and see what happens?" She gives you a little smile.

"I could, I know I should. I'm just not ready yet." You sigh. "It didn't mean anything, and Tom, he means everything to me."

"Well, just think about it, ok? Keeping a secret like this. It will drive you mental. " Leah's words repeat in your head long after she leaves, all through getting reading, brushing your hair, putting on your makeup.

"Might be too late. Think i am already mental. " You mutter under your breath as you walk outside, pulling your jacket tight around you. Matt doesn't live far from your flat, and the quiet walk in the cool, crisp air was soothing.

You were worried about seeing Tom, but you were even more worried about seeing Will. The day after your little after the pub romp, he had shown up at the convenience store you work at. He bought himself a pack of smokes, and for a few minutes, you spoke to each other as if nothing had happened. As if you were just mere acquaintances strung together only by your mutual connection to Tom.

That is until he offered you to meet him for a drink sometime. You shut it down right away, telling him there was no way that would happen. The air between the two of you had chilled so abruptly after that statement that you had felt a shiver run through your body. He left quickly after that, but the look on his face, a mixture of anger and grief, hadn't yet left your mind.

As you walk into the party, there is music blasting and people chatting. Smoke fills the air, and alcohol is everywhere. This is how the boys partied. Always to excess. Where they got the money for this, you never knew, but they always made sure you had a good time, and for that, you were thankful.

When you spot Tom sitting on the sofa chatting and laughing with Matt, you quickly make your way over and sink down on the sofa next to him.

"Ahh, there she is!" Tom kisses your cheek."You are so beautiful. Did ya know that?" His cheeks are red, and his face is a bit warm.

"Started without me, I see?" You chuckle and lean in placing a small kiss on his cheek.

"Not my fault! You took forever to get here. I was starting to think you weren't gonna come at all. " He nuzzles into your neck, placing soft kisses along it. "I'm really glad you did, though."

You giggle at the sensation as he places his hands on your waist, pulling you in closer. The joy you were feeling was suddenly replaced with fear, as you felt the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. You could feel him watching you.

You slowly turn your head to the side and see him. Will is standing leaning against the wall nursing a beer. Tom, oblivious to the fact that you have an audience, continues with his small kisses and displays of affection. While Will continues to look straight into your eyes.

He is incredibly handsome. There is no denying that, his tall, slender figure, the sharp features of his face, his striking blue eyes. Those same blue eyes that were currently burrowing into your soul.

Those eyes on you in tandem with Tom's wandering hands and kisses feel overwhelming in this moment. Your mind screaming at you, how could i have done this?

You jump up shocking Tom. "I'm gonna go out for a smoke, you say, quickly snatching your bag off the couch.

"You don't have to go out for a smoke, look round, everyone's smokin" Tom laughs and gestures toward three separate party goers who all have a cigarette in their mouths or between their fingers.

"Just need some air, I'll be right back." You don't give him time to respond and hastily skate from the couch toward the front door. You need to get out of there, away from those eyes. Those eyes that look at you, the eyes that know what you have done.

The second the cool air hits your face, you feel yourself begin to calm down. You quickly hop down the steps and move around the side of the flat into the small alleyway between the two adjacent buildings. You lean your back and head up against the wall and breathe deep.

"This will all blow over," you whisper to yourself. "It was just a mistake"

"Was it?"

You open your eyes quickly and look toward the opening of the Alleyway. Will standing there a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

You look away from him and grimace. "Yes, it was"

"Nah..... " He tosses his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his foot. "Nah.. it wasn't a mistake."

You quickly turn back to him, and you can feel the heat rushing to your cheeks. "Yes, it was. I'm not sure what you are thinking here, Will, but believe me, it was a mistake, and it won't be happening again"

"That right?" He stalks toward you, his eyes squinted. "No love, that wasn't a mistake, I know mistakes, make lots of em, this? what happened between us? this was no mistake"

"Will, I'm with Tom." You back away from him a bit, and when he notices that, he cages you in with his arms.

"You think I care about tha? Stay wif em. Don't stay wif em. Don't make a difference to me. " He moves his body up against yours.

"Will..." You attempt to push him back a bit by his shoulders, but he doesn't budge.

"Admit it." He tilts his head to the side to maintain eye contact.

"Admit what?" You whine exasperated."What do you actually want from me??"

"I want you to admit it wasn't a mistake." He takes your chin delicately in his hand. "Admit that you want me."

"I ... I .. I'm with Tom. " You try to turn your head from him, but he tightens his grip.

"That isn't what i asked ya." He gently rubs his nose against the tip of yours. "Admit that you want me" ....... he slightly turns his head and, under his breath whispers "that i matter"

You feel your heart break just a little. "Will, I want Tom." You fight to hold back the tears that are fighting their way out. You never meant to hurt him like this. It was all just a big mistake.

"Yea." He holds you there against the wall, looking down at the ground deep in thought. The minutes tick by, and you feel frozen in place. As if you were to move, it could break the calm that has settled over the two of you.

You finally build up the strength to speak and decide it would be best to simply let him down gently. "This is over now, ok? We can just go back to what it was before"

His grip on your chin tightens again as his back stiffens and his jaw clenches. When he lifts his head and looks back at you, he is furious. "Go back? You want me to go back? Go back to watching you with Tom?"

His body is shaking as he presses you even more tightly to the wall.

"No," he whispers before he slams his lips down on yours, pushing his tongue into your mouth.

You squeak and push against his shoulders, but he keeps kissing you with a desperation, a longing.

"I won't walk away from you.... I can't" He huffs between kisses. "You're everything"

He lowers his kisses down to your neck. "Will!" You gasp.

He grips you by your thighs, pulling you up and pinning you between him and the wall. He runs his hands over your hips and down the curve of your ass.

Between his kisses, his hands, and the sounds of wanting he was making your body betrays you. You gently rock yourself against him.

"Fuckk" He groans quietly pushing himself up against you harder. He reaches under your skirt and can feel your wetness through your panties.

He closes his eyes and bites his lower lip as he pushes your panties to the side and slides a finger into your wet center.

You tightly grip his shoulder as he slides his digit up against your delicate walls pushing in farther with each stroke.

"See? You do want me. " He bites at the side of your jaw as you pant above him. He crooks his finger inside you and grins with pride as he finds the spongey spot that has you whimpering in his arms. "Come on. say it. " His voice drops to a whisper."Please say it"

"I want you" You are so close to your end you would practically say anything but this is enough for him. He pulls his finger out and quickly loosens his belt.

You groan at the loss of sensation and rock your hips against him

"I got you love" He pulls his jeans down just enough too free his cock that is already standing at full attention. He tightly grips your thighs as he pushes himself into you.

"Say it again" He holds one thigh up by his waist his other hand holding you up by the ass as he gently a slowly fucks into you.

He nuzzles his nose into the shell of your ear "Please say it again"

"I want you" The words come out again, Like they are being drawn from you, barely above a whisper.

He quickens his pace burying his face in your neck "I want you too" He bites into your shoulder and then kisses his bite gently.

You wrap your legs tightly around his hips as he bucks up into you.

You close your eyes and angle your head towards the sky. You do want him,, you shouldn't because you love and adore Tom, but you want Will all the same.

"Say it for me" He grunts as his thrusts get messy and more desperate . "Just once more"

"I want you!" You moan more than say.

He grips your hips tightly, rolling them against his body giving you that sweet, sweet friction you are so desperately craving pulling you over the edge of bliss with him.

He doesn't pull out and you are far to fucked out to care. He holds you there against the wall kissing your cheek and jawline as you pant breathlessly.

When you finally catch your breath and lower your legs, you hold your arm out against the wall to steady yourself.

"Will.... I don't know what just came over me" You nervously brush your fingers through your hair. "This can't happen again.... we have to end this"

He fixes his jeans and looks back at you with a cocky smirk.

His eyes land on the necklace hanging around your neck. He reaches over and quickly tugs it breaking the chain and stuffing it into his pocket.

"I ain't ending shit"

To be added to taglist click here

#ewan mitchell verse #will salad days fic #will salad days #will salad days fanfic #ewan mitchell fanfic #ewan mitchell #ewan nation #ewanverse #jess fics #my emo angsty bf

[a-constant-gay-panic]

Can I make a request for soft!dom Eddie Munson x fem!Reader with prompts angst #7 "wake up, please!" and smut #19 "shh it's alright. I'll take care of you." Maybe where the reader is almost taken by Vecna and they're both so emotional after that they just HAVE TO fuck! Peas and carrots! ❤️❤️❤️

Close Call

masterlist

pairing: soft!dom eddie munson x fem!henderson reader

summary: after you have a frightful near death experience at the hands of vecna, eddie can't hide his true feelings for you anymore and he decides to show you just how much you mean to him. 

warnings: a little bit of swearing, smut, porn with a lot of plot basically, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it people!), angst, slight s4 spoilers but if you haven't watched it by now, what are you doing?

word count: 2.3k

a/n: here’s your eddie munson fic @... sorry it took such a long time!   it’s been a while since i saw season 4 so vecna’s parts may not be fully accurate and for that i apologies. just go with the flow and ignore it if his words seem uncharacteristic-  i am a firm believer in the eddie x henderson!reader trope and i won't apologies for it nor will i apologies for the ending. i’m in a angsty mood 

the song used in this fic is called "The Day Before You Came" by ABBA, i do not own it in any way shape or form. all rights to the original artists.

— — — — — X — — — — — 

your heart beats frantically and blood pounds painfully loud in your ears as you feel your body give into exhaustion. you slump to the ground as he approaches you, slowly, tauntingly, knowing that he’s won yet again. you gasp for breath as a vine wraps around your throat, your air flow being constricted as you’re forced up and into the air. 

“you can’t escape it y/n. you can't escape your destiny.” vecna’s words ring in your ears as tears stream down your face. “you and your friends will all die. there’s no stopping me.” 

you can practically feel his breath ghost over your face as he stands in front of you, ready to make his promise of killing you a reality. thoughts of your friends and how you’ve let them down cloud your mind. your heart aches as you think of not seeing your brother, dustin, again. your own regrets make another wave of tears roll down your dirty and scraped face and your mind wanders to eddie. although you’ve never admitted it, you've grown extremely fond of the local freak, admiring his bond with dustin. 

“say your goodbyes, y/n.” vecna mutters, his hand slowly rising to hover over your upturned face. your eyes close and you hold your breath, waiting for your end… that is, until a soft yet recognisable melody seemingly drifts through the red, overcast sky of the upsidedown. 

“must have left my house at eight, because i always do

   my train, i'm certain, left the station just when it was due

   i must have read the morning paper going into town

   and having gotten through the editorial no doubt i must have frowned” 

your eyes open and you see vecna's hand is still, extended in the air above you but his face is turned to the side. you can almost feel his annoyance and rage at the sudden interruption. 

“i must have made my desk around a quarter after nine 

   with letters to be read, and heaps of papers waiting to be signed 

   i must have gone to lunch at half past twelve or so

   the usual place, the usual bunch

   and still on top of this i'm pretty sure it must have rained 

   the day before you came” 

your breath comes out ragged as you remember dancing to this daily with dustin and later eddie. the thought of them alone is enough to make you claw at the vines around your neck, desperate to see them one last time. 

“i must have lit my seventh cigarette at half past two

   and at the time i never even noticed i was blue  

   i must have kept on dragging through the business of the day

   without really knowing anything, i hid a part of me away”

you look behind vecna and notice a gate open up, figures which appear to be your friends on the other side. you start to kick and thrash, the urge to escape becoming even stronger. you couldn't let them down, you couldn't let yourself down. you refused to give in to him just yet. 

you see eddie cradling your body and you can almost hear the words which he seems to be screaming at your limp form. 

“wake up, please! please y/n, wake up!” 

his cries are enough to light a fire inside you and you suddenly remember the lighter in your pocket, courtesy of eddie himself. 

your hand blindly reaches into the back pocket of your jeans and you pull out a zippo, flipping it open on your leg and lighting it in the same movement. you raise your shaking hand and the flame licks at the vines keeping you in place. vecna looks at you sharply as your body falls to the ground, the vines unravelling when they feel the fire.

you drag yourself back as he stalks closer. “trying to escape is futile.” you continue to move further away from him, the sound of ABBA continuing to break the eerie silence. your hands sting from the roughness of the ground, your face is covered in dirt and dust and your voice is hoarse yet you find the strength to mutter, “i don't care. i'm not dying today, you bastard.”

with that, you muster up all your energy and make a run for it. tripping and stumbling over vines which try to slow your run but you refuse to let him win. your eyes are set on the image of eddie cradling your body in his arms while dustin kneels next to him.  

objects fall from the sky in attempts to block your escape but you make detours around them, trying your best to run as fast as your sore legs could carry you. your breaths come out in pained huffs, chest screaming at the lack of oxygen you’re getting. 

‘damn me for being so unfit.’ you think to yourself. 

you can almost feel your escape, relief starting to fill your whole body. you hear a loud rumble as the ground beneath you starts to shake, vecna’s shouts echoing in your mind as you jump through the gate, the soft melody coming to an end and darkness consuming your every sense. 

“and turning out the light 

   i must have yawned and cuddled up for yet another night 

   and rattling on the roof i must have heard the sound of rain

   the day before you came.” 

— — — — — X — — — — — 

a warm sensation fills your tired body and light floods your vision as you force your eyes open. you realise that you’re laying on your bed, your familiar bedroom wallpaper a clear indicator as to where you are. you gaze at the faces staring down at you, each with a worried expression plastered on their face. 

“i feel like shit.” you croak out and dustin laughs despite the tears which cloud his vision. “really? you almost died and that’s what you have to say?” steve deadpans and you chuckle before breaking out in a fit of coughs as you try to sit up. “sorry mama steve.” you tease him in an attempt to cover up how sore you were. 

“hey, at least she’s not dead!” robin defends you as she chases after steve who’s walking away, not ready to deal with you. nancy smiles softly at you before kneeling on your bed and giving you a gentle hug. “i’m glad you’re ok, y/n… don't scare us like that again.” she says as she pulls away. you give her a lopsided grin, “i’ll try not to get killed again, i swear.” she shakes her head at you before standing and walking towards the bickering pair who are standing outside your room. 

you turn your head and your eyes lock onto eddie’s, his face is red and his eyes are puffy, clear evidence that he’s been crying. “hey eddie.” you mutter. “hey…” he trails off, kneeling on the ground with his arms resting on your mattress. his eyes wander your fragile frame, inspecting you closely for any possible injuries.

you turn away from him and dustin is the next one to tackle you in a hug. “are you ok? are you hurt? what happened?” he throws question after question at you, all while keeping you in his vice-like embrace. “i’m fine alright? nothing happened.” you reassure him. he lets you go and eyes you suspiciously. “really, i'm ok.” you sigh. 

dustin doesn’t seem to believe you but he lets it slide when he looks at eddie who is still staring at you in a daze. pulling you into another hug, he whispers, “talk to him. he was panicking the most out of all of us.” 

with those words, he stands up and smiles. “glad to have my annoying big sister back.” he calls as he walks over to the other 3 who seem to be in a heated discussion about god knows what. 

“i’m sorry.” you mutter into the silence, the tension between you and eddie is thick and feels suffocating. he seems to snap out of it and looks at you in confusion. “why are you sorry?” you smile sadly at him, unconsciously grabbing his hand to play with the rings on his fingers. “sorry for worrying you… for leaving you like that.” your voice is small and it makes his heart clench. 

“you have nothing to be sorry for… i’m sorry that i couldn't save you.” his words make you shake your head. “no, you did… the thought of you was enough to keep me from giving up…” you glance at him and see his mouth hanging open before quickly adding, “the thought of you, dustin and the others kept me going…” 

neither of you noticed how silent it went, nor did you notice that your 4 friends had been listening to your conversation and decided it’d be best to leave the two of you alone together, closing the door behind them to give you some privacy.

“y/n… i-” he cut himself off. your eyes bore into his, an expectant look on your face. “i’m happy that you’re safe now.” he mumbles. you sit there in silence, deep down hoping for him to say something else… the three words you want to say to him and want him to say to you. 

‘i love you’ 

eddie’s eyes snap towards you and you feel your face heat up, realising that you said it out loud. 

“what?” he asks dumbfounded. “i… i love you.” you whisper, figuring that there’s no going back now. you close your eyes and hang your head low, embarrassment coursing through your veins. that is, until you feel a pair of lips against your own. your shock wears off quickly as you kiss him back, pouring all your emotions out into that single kiss. 

“i love you too… so much it hurts.” he breaths into your ear as you pull away for air. 

“are you hurt anywhere?” his voice is worried as he eyes the bruises around your neck caused by the vines. you shake your head, “i’m fine. how many times am i going to have to say-” 

his lips against yours cuts you off and you intertwine your fingers in his hair. soon enough, you find yourself lying underneath him, his chest pressed against yours as he glides his tongue over your lips, silently asking for permission. you allow him access and hum in pleasure as he explores every crevice of your mouth. 

breaking away for oxygen, his lips travel down your throat and press soft kisses to the bruised skin and you bite your lip in an attempt to silence your sounds. he moves up to your ear and his breath fans over it, causing shivers to run down your spine and a quiet whimper to escape.

“shh, it’s alright. i’ll take care of you.”

his hands slowly start wandering lower and lower, raising the hem of your shirt before sneaking underneath it and stroking your soft stomach. “i love you so much.” he whispers before he helps you sit up and pull the shirt over your head. your hands move to his jacket and tug on it, silently asking him to take it off. 

he complies and soon enough, both of you are bare chested. his rough hands rub and sooth every part of your exposed flesh before his lips find home on your breasts. soft bites and kisses being left in his wake, he moves lower until he reaches the waistband of your pants. “may i?” he asks and you nod in response. 

just moments later the two of you are as bare as the day you were born, his arms wrapped around you in a loving embrace as he mutters sweet nothings into your ears. you gasp in pain and pleasure as you feel him enter you, your walls squeezing him tightly and your breaths becoming more laboured. 

his hips still as you wrap your arms around his neck and bury your face into it. “move… please…” you whisper after a while of adjusting to the feeling of  him inside you, 

soon enough, soft moans and grunts fill your room, mixing together to form a symphony of sounds which makes your head spin. eddie’s thrusts are gentle and steady paced, fulfilling his promise to take care of you as your mind goes foggy from the pleasure he’s giving you. 

“please… please eddie.” you whimper, not exactly sure what you’re asking for. he however seems to know and his hand ghosts over your body before coming in contact with your clit. “i’m here… let go, i’ve got you.” he coos as he quickens the pace of his fingers against you. you squirm underneath him and pull his face towards yours, placing a desperate and feverish kiss on his lips. 

this action almost pushes him over the edge and he pulls away from your kiss. “let go… come on, y/n… i’m right here.” his words make your eyes roll back as you feel the knot in your stomach tighten. “come for me.” he whispers and that's all it takes for your body to give in. your mind is clouded with pleasure and your vision goes white as you come undone underneath him. 

he groans and pulls out from you, releasing onto your stomach before his body slumps against yours. jagged pants are all that can be heard from the both of you as you come down from your high. eddie stands with shaky legs and walks to your bathroom to grab a warm cloth to wipe you down. he helps you up and carries you to the bathroom in order for you to use it. 

slowly placing you back onto your bed once you’re both cleaned up, he engulfs you in a hug. 

“i love you.” he says as he places a loving kiss onto the top of your head. you smile and manage to get out, “i love you too.” before sleep overcomes you, eddie following suit.

you couldn’t be happier than you were in that moment. if only you knew that you’d never be that happy again… if you had known what the future held, you wouldn't have fallen in love with eddie munson.

you wouldn't have fallen in love with a dead man.  

— — — — — X — — — — — 

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson #eddie munson smut #eddie munson angst #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x henderson!reader #henderson!reader #fem!reader #stranger things x reader #stranger things eddie #stranger things #stranger things season 4 #angst #smut

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue Ch. 33- Theater of Pain

Summary: Jason Morgan is back! He and Craig bicker. Josie gets the shock of her life. Both men get their just deserves during an emotionally long and dramatic showdown. Orlando is sought out. Some bar fun is short lived. Josie saves Orlando once again and keeps him from making a huge mistake.

*Warnings* language, dark and super angsty, mob depictions, alcohol use, mentions of abuse and molestation, violent tendencies, weapon use

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Chapter characters: Jason, Craig, Josie, Orlando, Luke Sr.

Salem, Massachusetts

March 7, 2023

Twenty minutes after you left Craig's apartment, he received a knock on his door. Thinking it was you, he rushed over and swung it open.

"Hey, Josie, you forgot your box of....Woah. What the hell are you doing?! Get in here before someone sees you!" Craig commanded to none other than your dead and buried brother, Jason Morgan, and then slammed the door shut behind him. "Where the hell have you been??!!"

"Sonny's. Where else?" the blue-eyed muscle man dressed in black retorted.

"Oh well, THAT would have been nice to know after you just snuck out of here like I told you NOT to do! I should have kept you drugged. Did you know my father is out?? He was just here an hour ago! Wanting to know what I've been up to while he was away!"

"I know he was, and my sister too. I have been watching and waiting for them both to leave. Does Cyrus know I'm alive?"

"I have no idea, but I'm sure he suspects it. Why else would he come here?? It sure wasn't to catch up with his beloved son over a cup of tea! Being his son does not protect me from his wrath. He's ruthless in case you haven't gotten a clue yet. If he, or the Zacchara's know you're alive and that I aided with it, all hell is going to break loose. And heeeere you are, literally a dead man walking, coming to my home! You could have at least wore a damn hoodie. Are you trying to get yourself killed for real this time??? I'm not so sure I can heal a fucking gun shot!"

Jason wasn't one for being scolded or told what to do, which triggered him to blow up at Craig's reprimand.

"I would have survived! Just like I survived every gun shot!"

Craig was just like Jason, fearless and blunt, so he continued on with his rant to his best friend.

"Yeah and every explosion??? You only survived that because I fucking drug your ass out of there, otherwise, you would have been an unrecognizable corpse like the one in your grave!! A little thank you would be nice for following you around and knowing what's up and handling all of the dirty work!"

"Right and let me thank you for handling me by holding me against my will and shooting me up with horse tranquilizers!"

"Exactly what were you gonna do?? You're in over your head! I had to do that so you wouldn't go after them too soon and half cocked and ruin the entire plan! YOUR plan remember??? To make them believe you're dead so they wouldn't see you coming and here you are, walking around in broad fucking daylight. My father is clearly watching me so it looks like you've already shot your plan to shit because you have no damn patience. Not to mention, your sister lives right down the damn hall and I have to lie to that sweet girl!! Oh, and my father met her today!! He asked her last name to prove to me that he knows who she is!"

"Who's fault is that??! Why the hell did you let her move in here??? And why was she even here with you?? Wasn't screwing and marrying my ex not enough for you, that you gotta go after my sister too??"

"Ohhh hell no. You didn't just say that to me. Beth pursued me after you dumped her and went after that woman doctor, with very good reason I might add though, but that's beside the point. She followed me to New Zealand. Although I guess I got my karma for it huh? Can't even see my kid, who I'm one hundred percent certain is not even my kid. I'd bet my life on it that Blaise belongs to that punk Ethan. Countless times I had seen them together before she wound up pregnant, in which I think she already was when she found me because the timing just never added up. Blaise was born early and she wasn't a preemie."

"Well at least your kid is alive and knows you as her father. Jake only knew Lee as his dad, which I was alright with. He's a good man from what I know and he truly loved my son as his own even after he found out the truth that he wasn't. I thought Jake would have been better off not being a part of my life, you know, safe and having a normal family. That sure bit me in the ass."

"You're right man. I am truly sorry about your loss and what Beth did to you and that boy. I wish you could prove what she did, then maybe I'd be able to take Blaise from her psychotic demented ass. She has no business being a mother."

"No need for that. Liz will get hers, all in due time and then Blaise will be all yours. So...tell me you didn't tell Jo any of this? I mean, Jake was her nephew that she never knew existed and now she's dating his dad. I would rather her hear it from me at some point."

"No...of course I haven't...and I hate it, with every bit of my soul, lying to her about everything." Craig remorsefully said until a light bulb turned on in his head, causing him to panic.

"Wait....did you just say, oh no no no....Beth's ex Lee is Josie's Lee??"

"Youuuu seriously didn't know that??"

"NO I didn't know they were one and the same! Fuck me...I can't believe I didn't figure that out. She did say....she knew someone going through what I was with Blaise not being mine but never said who...All she had ever said about her boyfriend was his first name which is all I had ever known about Beth's ex...I had never seen the guy and I wasn't going to ask either of them to see photos so I...I didn't place it....and I...I figured when Josie told me about Ethan, that she only knew him because of you...oh Jesus... she is going to hate me when this all comes out! I think I know what a panic attack feels like now."

Craig aggressively ran his hand over his face and then he began pacing, snatching up the wine bottle and drinking straight from it as he did so.

"Yeah Craig, they're the same entity and again, who's fault is it if she hates you? You wouldn't even know her on a personal level if you hadn't let her rent here. My sister was never supposed to be involved in any of this. Why Craig? Why did you do that when you knew I was right downstairs at the time???"

"Honestly, I thought it would be best, for you, ya know, to have her close. Keep an eye on her, help keep her safe. I mean, she was a victim of the Floating Rib's explosion too and that damn dog sniffing cop was her ex....and it's probably a good thing she's here because she told me Ethan is becoming a problem in her life. I guess he recently put his own brother in the hospital, attacked him or some shit and is harassing Josie and LEE. But trust me, I'm going to put a stop to that REAL quick."

"First of all, just stay out of all this and away from my sister. I will handle Ethan and Johnny both. They're the ones who had that bomb planted and I also know Liz was in on it too."

"Yeah well, I can't stay out of it, nor hardly stay away from my own tenant, NOR do I want to. Especially now and besides, you know as well as I do that there's no getting out of the mob because I tried when I left to go home....and don't forget my father. He was the mastermind of it all. You know he's allies with the Zacchara's and he wants you dead for sending him to prison, and then there's Sonny, the real target, who he despises more than anything. Your Sonny's right hand man, the deadly weapon of the Corinthos family and taking you out was the perfect way to weaken him, hitting him where it hurt the most."

"I'll handle Cyrus too, once and for all, like I should have before. Sonny knows he's free and has his eyes and ears everywhere....and Sonny is far from weak without me. You of all people should know that since you work for him too."

"Just as my father has eyes and ears all around, which is how he planned your entire hit from prison. So, I'm still in one piece so I assume you talked Sonny out of busting my knee caps for assisting you in your warped plan??"

"He's grateful that you had my back and saved me, so consider this your lucky day. I'm grateful too. I'm just frustrated, like you are. You're not the only one my sister is going to hate and then there's my mom man. She'll probably disown me, which would be for the best anyways. All I have ever done was try to keep her and Jo safe...but my sister, she's stubborn as hell and extremely fucking smart. She saw right through me and all my dealings. Jo knows me better than I know myself...and I will most likely lose her over this just like you. But with that said, she can't know. Not yet. Not until all the threats are eliminated. I don't want her hurt again because of me."

"Yeah well, I certainly am not going to tell her. Oh and by the way, she also said that Ethan is hanging around your other sister now. He was there today, at your mom's picking her up."

"One way or another, he's going down. Traitorous piece of garbage. I don't give a crap about my sister Megan. He's just her type and they deserve each other, but messing with my mom and Jo, he will soon regret. I'm gonna head back to Sonny's before Jo gets back. Just so you know, I didn't just walk here in broad daylight. I used the old underground tunnels and then I came up the back stairwell exit."

"Ahhh, the old smuggling catacombs. Bet that's an interesting sight."

"Trust me, you don't want to know. I feel like some sewer rat."

"Is that what that smell is?" Craig grinned as Jason rolled his eyes.

"I'll be in touch soon. Look for my code in a text so you know it's me."

"Got it. Watch your back man. Let me go out first to check the hall."

Up the stairs you came, fuming. Not so much over Lee, but over the phone call you had with your mom on the way back from seeing him. It was true. She was selling the Haunted Star and to make matters worse, it was who she was selling it to. You had called Lee right after, needing to talk to him about it and even Orlando too but now both seemed to be ghosting you.

All your thoughts were soon ceased as you headed to Craig's to get the box you forgot, for as you turned the corner, you got another surprise like earlier, only this one was enough to rock your world.

There stood your deceased brother, very much alive, beside a mortified Craig, who like you, forgot to breathe.

"You...you're alive?? How...." was all that came out of your gaping mouth as you stared with wide eyes at a very stunned Jason before everything went black.

As you began to faint, Craig charged past Jason to catch you, then he swooped you up and quickly carried you inside his apartment with Jason swiftly in tow.

"FUCK!" Jason shouted as he slammed the door and stared at you, cradled like a child in Craig's arms.

All Craig could do was gaze down at you, knowing that very soon, you would never want to see his face again and for some reason that he did not understand, it sent a pain through his heart that he had never felt before.

"Craig. Snap out of it. Put my sister down." Jason flatly and firmly ordered.

The addled artist blinked and then whipped his head up. "It's an art studio. I'm not laying her on the hard, cold and filthy ground. My apartment's through the back. Lock that door."

Jason bolted up the steel door, then rushed around the corner to see Craig gently laying you down on his bed.

"What are you doing??"

"She's warm. Open the patio door to let the cool breeze in from the bay and bring me a damp wash cloth from the restroom." Craig rambled off while concentrating on making you comfortable and watching your breathing.

The miffed mob man went to do as his obviously smitten friend asked, knowing you would come to at any moment and he would have some serious explaining to do, which he also knew you would never understand. Could Jason really blame you? He put you and his mom through the hell of believing he was dead. What possible justification for that could there be?

Jason rang out the rag and promptly brought it to Craig who was now sitting beside you, stroking your hair.

"What am I missing here Craig?"

"Huh?" he muttered as he tenderly patted the cloth over your forehead.

"That. This. The way you are with her. The way you look at her."

"You're reaching Jason. I...I just care for her, that's all."

"Yeah, maybe a little too much. Don't forget, she loves someone else and also don't forget who you are."

"Speak for yourself about who I am....and who said anything about love?"

"I did. I know you better than anyone and I see it. You're getting caught up in her. You're the last thing she needs. Look at all she has been through just because of me and my life."

"First of all, I don't need your approval or permission to do a damn thing in my life and second of all, you won't need to even worry about that once she wakes up and tells me to fuck off. Like she'd ever be interested in someone like me anyways, especially now....and quite frankly, it's the last thing I even want in my life after Beth and every other girl who I was never good enough for. Like you said, she loves someone else so drop it Jason."

"You're the one going on and on about it. Who you trying to convince? Me or you?"

"ENOUGH!" Craig barked, causing you to stir. "Heyyy there princess, can you hear me?" he softly said as he took your hand.

Your eyelids began to flutter open and all you saw was Craig's worried face coming into focus, for Jason stood far back, hands on his hips and head down, slightly peering up at you under his arched brow, calmly waiting for the heat he was about to take.

"Craig? Wh...what happened? Where am I?" you asked, squinting a few times at the unfamiliar bed you laid upon and your hand inside of Craig's.

"You...you fainted sweetheart. You're in my apartment....well, my...bedroom."

Craig lightly gulped as your confused eyes then fixated on his. "My panic attack...I...did I...dream of going to seeing Lee? Did I never leave?"

"No, princess, you left and....came back for your things that you forgot and...."

"JASON!" you shouted and flung up with bulging eyes that quickly spotted the icy blue eyes you thought you'd never see again.

The moment was intense and so surreal for both of you. Jason knew that when you found out, it would be a shock any way that he revealed himself, but it wasn't supposed to be like this and not now.

You yanked your hand free from Craig's and abruptly pushed past him to stand up and face the man the who you were told had severe head trauma and was burned beyond recognition. All you could do was gawk at him, studying every detail of his face to make sure you weren't hallucinating or even dreaming....and of course to make sure it was really him because...then who's body did Lee work on?? Who was in the casket and buried six feet under with a tombstone naming Jason Steven March on it???

"I ummm, I'm gonna go in the other room and give you both some privacy." Craig quietly said, attempting to escape and headed to the door.

"Hold it!!" you snapped, holding your arm out, pointing at him as your eyes remained trapped on Jason.

Craig pursed his lips as he froze, then slowly turned back around.

"H...how??? How are you here???!! I...I...I was there....I...the explosion...Lee...he...he saw your...body??? We...we fucking buried you...oh my god, I have got to be having some break from reality right now...this...this is just not possible! I...I want to hug you so bad and at the same time, I want to rip your head off! Someone start talking!!!"

"Craig, you're right. leave us...please. I need to talk to my sister alone." Jason said as he finally worked up the nerve to speak. The six foot assassin feared no one, except for four people. His mother, Sonny, Britt and ...you....and all for very different reasons.

Craig couldn't move fast enough because he was sure his head would be the next target and he was right.

"Don't go far....you and I have our own conversation to have....friend!" you warned with a glare at the man who clearly knew your brother, the man you told only hours ago that you trusted him, the man who now made sense that he was one of the family. When would you ever learn?

Craig's baby blues were remorse ridden, much like Jason's, as he nodded and quietly walked out, closing the door behind him. He began to finish off his bottle of wine from earlier while not being able to help overhearing the crying, shouting and either a slap or a punch, all coming from you....and he knew he would be next.

Almost an hour went by while Craig fretted and drank another bottle. Your voice had become softer at times, then loud again as Jason's could be heard explaining everything and then...the door flung open and you came storming out in a rage.

"YOU! You were a part of ALL this???!!! You KNEW my brother was alive this entire time??? You helped him orchestrate it all because YOU are one of them. My god how blind and stupid could I be...once more?? I trusted you! I actually believed you were a good guy when you're no better than any man I ever believed in because they all let me down. But you knew all about that. You knew everything about me before I ever even met you. You lying son of a bitch. I recant ever calling you my friend."

Craig lowered his head in shame, releasing a soft sigh as he had stood there motionless the entire time, holding his wine glass in one hand and fidgeting with his other while taking the verbal beating he knew he deserved as Jason also stood quietly with a lingering welt of a hand print across his cheek.

"You're not stupid...and you're right...Josie. I am a son of a bitch and a liar, but I swear...I swear on my daughter, please believe me when I say I cannot express how sorry I am for hurting you. I hated every minute of it but I...I had no choice. Please...please tell me you at least believe that. I care about you..a lot. We connected and I know you felt it too. Can I please tell you my side of things? Just you and me?" Craig softly pleaded as he took a step towards you. One he shouldn't have taken, for he also then earned his awaited slap.

He took it with a flinch and then slowly brought his humiliated eyes to yours as you began to cry. The one thing you had told him you never did in front of people if you could help it... and you couldn't help it. He hurt you deeply and he was going to know it and feel it. And he did too. It tore him to pieces seeing you cry.

"Why, so you can manipulate me some more? I know all I need to know. Any connection there may have been, you killed it. You had a damn choice Craig and it certainly wasn't caring about me. The only thing I actually even believe about you now is that you truly love your daughter...and I really hope she's not Ethan's, mostly for her sake, you know, the guy I told you about that you actually knew way more better than you let on?? Like umm, Elizabitch, I mean BETH is your baby mama of all lying cheating whores. Apparently I AM stupid for not realizing that when Britt flat out argued with her about you once, defending you, even said your name...and considering you even knew who Ethan was...a con just like you, that should have been a red flag...and YOU should have known who Lee was too. Guess you were just as stupid as me because YES I WAS STUPID!" you argued to his denial of it, throwing your hands in the air and then continued berating him.

"God how it all makes sense now and then there's your creepy ass dad, another mob man, who clearly had you all in some way after his not so random visit... but you said nothing, you wouldn't talk about him. Guess I can see why now. I mean shit, he just got out of PRISON for the typical not so legal shipments on the docks. I could go on all day here about what I have learned. I mean, what could you possibly say that I don't already know? Just more...'pretty words' huh Craig??...Oh...and then there's the fact that I had a nephew I didn't even know about or ever meet! A nephew who happens to be the dead son of my boyfriend who's life has been turned upside down over it all, but yet he's not his son now is he? He's my brother's son which you both knew. How do I even tell Lee something like this? Like, oh by the way Lee, that sweet little boy you've been grieving over for 4 years now, well guess what, I know who his bio daddy is...it's my not so dead brother and that makes me his aunt. And believe me, I will tell him. Unlike you both, I don't keep fucking secrets. Well, except for mom. Jason can fix his own damn mess with that. ALL I know is you both deserve each other and can go to hell!...OH...and Craig...I am NOT a fucking princess. What I am is a damn fool who was made to feel like one by those pretty words. But hey, thanks for trying to cheer me up."

Your words were getting colder and colder, mocking things Craig had said to you, and you hated it. You hated this side of you, stemmed from always being fucked over, and you needed to get out of there, so you went to walk out , but Jason quickly blocked the door.

"Jo, no. You can't go off like this and you definitely can't tell Lee about me."

"The last time I checked, I could do anything I damn well please, now get the hell out of my way Jay. As elated as I am that you're alive, I can't deal with this right now. It's too damn much. I need to go and let it all soak in... and even then, I don't know if I can ever forgive you... and I'll tell you right now, mom won't."

"Look, I know you're angry and you have every damn right to be, but take a little advice that I was given. Don't go out there all half cocked and do something stupid. That's what has kept me alive. Craig... he kept me alive Jo. Don't put Lee in danger by telling him things he don't need to know. Sometimes you have to do it Jo, to protect those you love. Just like I did. Let me handle this."

"Right, because you done such a stand up job so far at handling things. How is making me and mom suffer and have to bury you, protecting us??? Silly me, what was I thinking? And just how does telling Lee about Jacob put him in danger???"

"Because I never told anyone but Sonny and Craig about him being my son and you know Lee will go straight to Liz about it in anger and she'll figure out I'm alive because she knows they would never tell anyone and then she could easily shoot her mouth off to Ethan and then he'll go to Johnny... do you see now??"

"That sounds to me like it only puts YOU in danger. Story of your life. I can't even believe this... how everyone knows everyone and is involved somehow. It's not like Salem is a small town. All the signs I get in my life, how the fuck did I miss all this??? How do I keep this from him when we are having problems for the same damn reasons???? You can't do this shit to me Jason!!! Not after everything. I won't lie to him. He won't say anything if ask him not to."

"I can't stop you Jo, but I really hope you think about it long and hard before you do. You're already having trust issues with him and..."

"Are you really playing that card with me right now???!!! You may have been spying on me all this time but you know NOTHING about my relationship with Lee. Nothing! I DO trust him. He's obviously not the only one with skeletons in his closet so just back off of him! Go worry about your damn boat that mom sold to Ethan's dad!! And why?? To get rid of everything that reminded her of your criminal life. That was dad's boat Jason, and he trusted you with it! And you went and changed your will, leaving it to mom. Why didn't you leave it to me?? I wanted it Jay. I wanted to make something good out of it and now... now it will continue to be a craft of crime. Better go get your bike before she pawns that off too! Maybe Ethan would like it since the one he rides is a piece of shit like he is! What is wrong with you Jason??? Look what you have done to our family!! Why didn't you just stay dead!!!"

"That's enough Jo!! I get it that you're hurt and angry and with every right to be, but you need to calm down!!"

"Don't yell at her man. She hasn't done anything wrong." Craig firmly stated as he stepped out of his corner.

"Stay out of it Craig and stop trying to suck up to my sister because you have some thing for her." Jason retorted.

"Stay out of it?? You keep saying that and yet here I am, in this shit clear up to my damn neck, and why?? ALL to help you. Why did you even have to come here when you knew the risks???? You could have called!!"

"Yeah, I'm sorry I ruined whatever delusions you had going on here but this was all going to blow up in your face eventually and it was better sooner than later from what I can see."

"Delusional? This is fucking reality. A reality that YOU created Jason and me...her, your mom, Lee, Britt... are just collateral damage in your mob war."

The two bickering men had become within a foot of each other's faces and you had had enough.....although you were inclined to agree with Craig on what he had just said.

"Oh stop it! Both of you! This isn't a damn soap opera, but Craig is right about that Jay. You're like a fucking tornado, destroying everything in it's path and I...I am just done here. I need to go find someone to talk to that I actually DO trust. Someone that worked his ass off to earn it because he genuinely cares for me and I have neglected him because of all my bullshit."

"Josie...wait...please." Craig calmly pleaded, although extreme desperation was written all over his face. "Please, just don't hate me. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right. I'll work my ass off too to earn your trust back. I can't stand this. I never wanted to hurt you."

There was that sincere side of him again and it slightly softened you, but not to the point of oblivion.

"But you did hurt me. What this other person did was something petty, like a high school kid would do. What you BOTH have done is indescribable to me, completely beyond measure to that and I don't see what you could ever possibly do to make that right. I do...I do know it was not intentional. I don't hate you Craig....I feel sorry for you. You're actually a lot like me. You have a good heart in there...I've seen it and I've even heard it, but you let my brother and the shit you been through take you to the dark side and you took me down with you. You can't fix this. As they say, you never get a second chance at a first impression."

You glanced at Jason who held his head low and back at Craig's attentive and somber eyes as tears streamed down your cheeks, in which he then bravely marched forward and gently took your face in his hands. It happened so quickly that you just caved and let him touch you. Maybe you subconsciously wanted him too?

"But this is not the first impression, now is it? You've already seen that in me long ago. You know that and you know me. The real me that I don't let anyone else see. And you even just said you know I have a good heart so you contradict yourself, just Josie. That connection I mentioned. It's there... right now." Craig softly said, bearing the bluest of eyes and kindest smile. The real him that that carried that connection to you. The real him that you secretly didn't want to lose.

Nope. You weren't going to let him work his ridiculous magic on you that you could feel starting to work. You shoved his hands down and then walked out as fast as you could, completely ignoring your resurrected brother and forgetting your box of stuff that caused this entire revelation and situation to unfold.

You headed straight to your car and called Orlando...but as usual, he didn't answer. You needed to warn him about his dad buying the boat because that meant his father had every intention of sticking around Salem. You also missed the good doctor Bloom.

Off you went as dusk was setting in, to see if he was home, for you knew he was still on medical leave from the hospital according to Britt. You didn't have to go that far though, for on your way through town, you happened to see Orlando getting out of a cab and heading into the Brady pub, your family's bar and eatery. It was like you were meant to find him. Signs again?

You circled back around and parked, then headed inside. It was almost as if Orlando sensed your presence as he turned around and immediately locked his chocolate eyes on you. He then slowly approached you with furrowed brows as those now shocked eyes looked you up and down.

"Hey..." you quietly said, coming to a stop only a few feet away from him.

"What are you doing here?" he simply asked with no expression. You just wanted to hug him, needing comforting arms around you but he seemed less than pleased to see you, so you refrained.

"I...I tried to call you. I really needed to talk to you so I..."

"Since when do you need me? I haven't heard from you or seen you since I was in the hospital. Guess you had better things to do."

'You're...angry with me...I'm...I'm sorry...you're right, I've been so wrapped up in things and..so much has happened and...it's no excuse but I...you're the only one I wanted to talk to right now...and I just need..." you stammered as you began to choke up.

Orlando's flat expression instantly became that of concern and he took your hands into his.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked with such compassion, which triggered your tears paired with a pathetic frown.

"Everything." you squeaked as you squeezed his hands in response to the once again tightening of your throat. Thank god there was no one working that you knew and thank god Orlando pulled you into his arms. His scent was refreshing and natural, like Gain laundry soap, reminding you of the other time he had held you in your mom's kitchen during your inebriated mourning of Jason's death.

Orlando rested his cheek against your head as he gently caressed your back with his fingers entwining in the ends of your hair. Orlando was shorter than Lee and Craig, so this time yo couldn't hear his heartbeat but you could feel it against yours as your face was burrowed into his neck. Instead of a slow steady pace like Craig's, Orlando's was racing and as the hot breaths from his nose pulsed over your ear. Strangely though, it was still soothing.

"Feeling better now?" he whispered and slowly pulled back to look down at you.

"Yeah.." you answered in embarrassment for imploding into him in public and quickly released the comfort zone of his body.

"I was just about to get a beer. Join me? I'm buying." he asked with that cute ass smile of his where the corners of his lips slightly curled up.

"Yes, please!" you anxiously agreed and sat down at a secluded table.

Orlando then brought two large glasses of tap and before he could even sit down, you began chugging it. He then plopped down with gaping eyes, watching the last drop enter your mouth.

"Thirsty??" he asked with a slight chuckle.

"You have no idea. Can I get another??" you called to the bartender.

She quickly brought it over and left, then you lifted it up in a tilt to Orlando.

"Cheers!" you cheered.

"I'll drink to that. Cheers." Orlando replied with a silly smirk and toasted back to you.

"So I see your hand is healing up nicely. I'm sorry Lando...that I haven't been around."

"Yeah it is, although I've gotten quite accustomed to using my left hand now. Don't apologize. I'm the one who's sorry for sounding cross."

"Well you kind of had a right to be, but thanks...for being so great, just like you always are. So, where's your mom and Luke?"

"Around somewhere I guess. Luke's off being my brother Luke, always disappearing so who knows what the hell he's up to. Mum's got a place at the Salem Inn for now. I don't stay home much to know anything. Can't stand the silence. Glad I'm going back to work next week. Ironically the same day as Lee's conference. You'll be there right?"

Your eyes fell from his and you continued to drink.

"Josie? What's going on? And don't tell me nothing. This great guy here can see right through you."

"I...umm...I think Lee and I...are over. Story of my life." you told him as you shrugged and fought the sting in your eyes.

"You may not believe this...but...I really am sorry to hear that. I don't ever want to see you hurt Josie. Do you...want to talk about it?"

"Not much to talk about really. It's pretty simple. It's all over Ethan as usual and I think that Lee has some feelings for him to face that he will not be honest with me about or even to himself. I hope Ethan has been leaving you alone because he sure hasn't stayed out of mine or Lee's life and Lee won't make him stay away which speaks volumes. Fucking menace. Ethan's fucking my sister now, did you know that? Came to my own mother's house this afternoon to pick her up. I'm just so disgusted with everything right now."

"Jesus...Josie, no I didn't know. Ethan is always with someone knew all the time and no, he hasn't bothered me. I think Luke did something to cause that."

There was so much you wanted to tell Orlando, about Jason, about Ethan and Liz and Craig, but you couldn't. As mad as you were at your brother, you were so grateful he was alive and you still had to protect him. The question was, were you going to tell Lee?

Speaking of...Luke, the other one...your uh...dad....have you seen him at all?"

"No...and I better not. I want my hand to stay healed."

You saw it in his darkened eyes, the instant rage when he spoke of him....and now, you were fretting over having to tell him what you knew. You let out a deep sigh and forced yourself to do it.

"Landy...he umm...my mom sold him Jason's boat, the Haunted Star."

If someone had dropped a pin, it would have been heard through the entire bar.

"Wwwwwhat???" he snapped as he sat straight up, staring you down.

"Yeah, that was my reaction as well. I..don't have an explanation other than my mom was trying to rid of Jason's things that reminded her of his life of crime and...I think your dad intentionally bought it to bring back that life that once existed on that yacht, which means...he plans on staying around here... I'm so sorry...I dreaded having to tell you but you deserved to know."

"That son of a bitch." he growled and chugged down his beer, then motioned for more. "And I can guarantee you, Ethan will be right at his side through it all. After everything Ethan knows that piece of shit did to me...to him even that he won't admit. Just proves how sick in the head Ethan really is. Like father like son."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I may not have known your dad, but I can tell you're nothing like him. You're a healer and a good person Landy."

He gazed at you for a moment and then chugged down the new glass and motioned for more. "Just keep em coming, please and thank you!"

"So...what's up with you calling me Landy now?" he then asked with a soft smile.

"Hell I don't know. I guess it just rubbed off on me from hearing Lee and Luke call you that. I...I hope it's ok?? I will stop if you don't want me to."

"Nah...I don't mind. I kinda like the way you say it. It has a different kind of ring to it." he grinned.

You forced a smile and then fondled your glass as you stared at it. You just couldn't get Lee out of your head and all the shit with Jason. Orlando then reached across the table and took your hand.

"Hey...you ok?"

"I'm just trying to wrap my head around it all."

"Well, how about for one night, you stop trying and let loose a bit. I'm supposed to meet Jimmy and some guys here in a bit. Stay and have some fun with me. I've missed you."

"You want ME to hang out with you and a bunch of dudes?" you chuckled.

"Yep...I sure do. Come on. Jimmy likes you....and well...so do I. It would make my night if you'd stay with me."

All you could hear in that moment was Lee's voice telling you that Orlando was in love with you, and you never wanted to believe it...but now...you did. The way his eyes lit up when he looked at you told on him and you now wondered if it was a good idea to stay....but then, why not??? you thought. It was better than going home and crying yourself to sleep in the apartment across from Craig.

"Fiiiine. You twisted my arm. Bring on the drinks!"

About fifteen minutes later, Jimmy and two guys came in and you all moved to a larger table and then everything became somewhat normal with conversations and loud laughter, music and drinking. This went on for about two hours and for once, your mind was free of pain....and so was Orlando's. It was good to see him smile again.

As the music played, a song came on that resonated with you big time and you were feeling damn good too, so you got up and began dancing and singing without a care in the world, even if it the song made you think of Lee.

"I didn't wanna leave babe, I didn't wanna fight, started to cry but then I remembered I can buy myself flowers!! Write my name in the sand!! Talk to myself for hours, say things you don't understand. I can take myself dancing!! i can hold my own hand...yeah I can love me better than you can!!"

"Wanna bet!!" Orlando shouted and pulled you on his lap, wrapping his arms around you and laughing while Jimmy bellowed in laughter, clapping like a seal.

Everything was good. You didn't mind his arms around you. It felt nice. You didn't have a shadow of a doubt in your mind that Orlando was into someone else and that's what you craved. To be someone's one and only and not just because they said and showed you that you were, but because you KNEW you were....and with Lee, you didn't know that like you once believed you did.

Annnd, no matter what you did, it still hurt like hell and Lee plagued your mind. Damn him, you thought and got up.

"I need to use the lady's room."

"Ahh, yes. Me too. Oh...no no..I mean the boy's room." Orlando said as he stumbled up in laughter.

Orlando was still laughing as he relieved himself. He hadn't had this much fun since he could remember and it was all because of you. But he felt terribly guilty for feeling even the slightest bit happy that you and Lee may be at the end of the road. Did he really have a chance with you if that were the case? The doubts were there, for he knew deep down inside, it would always be Lee that your heart desired, even if you couldn't be with him.

As he washed his hands, his thoughts were intruded by a familiar face that walked in and didn't see Orlando. The man he stared at in the mirror was none other than his father....Luke Sr.

In his stunned state, Orlando held his head down as his dad did his business and left without even washing his hands. That was a perfect example of the dirty ass man he was.

Orlando quickly walked out to see where he was. Had he been in the bar the whole time, stalking him from a dark corner and decided to follow him into the bathroom to taunt him?? His thoughts ran wild and he couldn't focus as he watched Luke drink the last of his beer, then put on his coat and leave. In his frazzled state, Orlando spun around and accidentally ran into some woman, knocking her drink all over her.

"Are you fucking blind???!" she barked.

That did it. That was enough. Orlando was seeing red. He had to get the hell out of there and follow him. He had waited a long time for this moment and there was no better time in his eyes to unleash his fury on the man who abused him as a child in the most sinful of ways.

He grabbed his coat and stormed out the door with you running after him. As he got outside, he caught a glimpse of his dad heading to another bar down the road.

"Orlando!! Wait! Where are you going???"

"Nowhere...I just need some air." he flatly said, looking like he was going to hyperventilate.

"Hey, what's wrong?? What happened?? You're sweating. Talk to me."

"Nothing Josie. Just go home. I gotta go." he anxiously said as he shook his head and then marched off down the sidewalk.

"What??? Like hell I will. Wait up!!" you shouted and ran back to get your coat and purse, then after him.

Orlando rounded the corner, wanting to get it over with because he knew you were coming after him and he didn't want you to witness it or also try to stop him like he knew you would do.

There stood his father, smoking a cigarette on the sidewalk as he snuck up on him.

"Hello...dad." he said with extreme sarcastic emphasis.

"Ahhh. Landy. I was wondering when you would seek me out."

"Shut the fuck up. I would rather eat broken glass than be anywhere near you. It is you that has come here to find me, is it not?? To torture me some more because years of rape and battering wasn't enough for you???"

You just came around the corner and froze when you saw Orlando and heard what he said to the man who was obviously his dad. Now you understood what happened, that Orlando had seen him back in the bar.

You decided to stay back and give Orlando some privacy to let him have his long awaited say, but you got your pepper spray and phone out, ready to call 911 in case something bad happened. if that man even attempted to hurt Orlando, you would make sure the poor excuse of a father had no eyeballs left.

"Always were a drama queen, weren't you Lando. A real piece of theater, lost in your fantasy world of make believe."

"Fantasy??!! What you did to me was no fucking fantasy!!! Nor was it make believe!!"

Actually, you wanted to go over there right now and rip his other balls off for what he had done to him and for basically calling Orlando a liar when you knew it was true.

"So, what are you going to do? Kick my ass? Is that why you followed me boy?? I saw you back there at the bar. If you think you got what it takes to take me down, give it your best shot you pussy ass little girl. You can't even fucking swim. Why don't you do yourself a favor and go take a dive in the ocean."

Why did Luke's last words instantly send a flash through your mind of the two dreams you had of Orlando and you both drowning??? You prayed to god it wasn't another sign of some sort.

What you saw next, you couldn't quite conceive. Orlando pulled something out of his pocket that appeared to be a small sledgehammer and then he immediately began walking towards Luke.

"Orlando NO!!" you shouted as you came running up, which caused him to back away.

"Give it to me Landy...Now!!" you commanded as you tugged at the weapon which he refused to let go of.

"Damn it josie, I told you to go home! Get out of here!"

"I am NOT leaving you here with him! He's not worth spending your life in prison! Please...please give me the hammer and let's leave together Ok???"

"Would you look at that? Why Lando, you actually got yourself a girlfriend and she has bigger balls than you do! Where'd you find this one? On some porn site? Are you sure she's even a girl? I mean, I know how you enjoy dick."

Orlando charged him and pinned him against the wall by his throat, holding the hammer up and ready to swing it.

"You shut your filthy mouth!! Don't you ever talk about her like that!!!"

You don't know how you did it, adrenaline maybe? But you rushed up behind him and yanked the hammer out of his hand as hard as you could and then held your pepper spray out.

"Get the hell out of here before I call the police, you piece of trash."

Luke belted out a laugh. "Call them. He's the one who attacked me. I know who you are little girl. Your Morgan's sister. Hey, you'll have to stop by the boat sometime and let me know what you think of the new look it's going to get. You're more than welcome to....COME aboard. Hope to see you soon."

Off he strolled while you turned to hold Orlando back. He then glared at you.

"Are you insane?? That was my chance to end him!"

"Stop it! You're drunk and not thinking straight and I know you'll thank me later for saving your ass yet once again! Now come on. I'm taking you home! Let's go!"

@redeemer46

#code blue #lee pace fanfiction #lee pace #orlando bloom #craig parker #steve burton #mob fiction #organized crime #mafia #doctors #jason morgan #love stories #dark stories #dark fiction #fantasies #fairytales #soap opera #angst

[seventeenplug]

Christmas Party (Joshua X Reader)

Pairing: non idol Joshua X AFAB reader (reader has breasts and a vagina)

Genre: fluff and a little perverted in the middle

Warning: a few curse words, mentions of Alcohol and crowds.

Summary: Every year, there was a competition at Joshua's work company. Whoever brings a girlfriend and is the best couple of the night earns a fully paid for trip to their dream destination. Joshua has been wanting to get the prize for over 5 years now. And tonight, he'll try again. With his secret weapon. You.

Word Count: 4.4K

The genre of the party was  always romance. Every year there was a competition about the best couple in the party. This year was no different from the others.The competition began around 5 years ago when the company's CEO, Choi Seungcheol decided to bring his girlfriend as his plus one, the same day the vice president, Lee Jihoon also brought his and as a joke Yoon Jeonghan, Seungcheol's best friend and the business manager suggested to make it a competition worth of a trip to anywhere in the world as vacation.

You weren't all too excited, but you had to admit that your immediate superior, Hong Joshua was. He kept talking about ways to win the prize, despite the fact that for the last 5 years he'd been single each time the competition occured.

"With no offense, Mr.Hong-"

"Joshua" he interrupts you, you roll your eyes with a sigh.

"We're at work, I'm not calling you that. Anyway, Mr.Hong" you make sure to stop at his name to annoy him further.

"You've been saying that for a few years now, and yet you never have a girlfriend, so how do you plan on winning the competition?" You ask confused, he looks at you, a hand rubbing his chin as he thinks.

"Do you have anything planned that day?" he questions, to which you shake your head, a sly smirk makes his way to his face and you eye him as if he was a mad man, a sudden flood of worry hitting you like rocks.

"NO!" You immediately speaks, his smile drops and he sits straight into his chair.

"But I haven't even said anything!" He argues, you uncross your arms, pointing a finger in his direction, which he takes to full ofense, mouth opening in a gasp.

"Don't even think about it" You repeat, making your way out of his office, ignoring his calls for you and making your way to the rest area.

"I can't believe you actually convinced me to attend that stupid party" you grumble, bags of clothes in your arms as you walk besides Joshua who had a heap of bags in his own arms aswell.

The party was happening in less than a week, and it took him buying you food for the whole time and the promise to travel where you wanted to go, a promise to buy everything you wanted to eat there as well for you to agree.

And now, you're both out shopping, compensation for agreeing to it all.

You had gotten a few outfits for the possible vacation and then also a red gown to wear to the party, Joshua telling you all about the other's preferences and how red would be the color that would stand out the most and look best on you, so you followed his advice.

He did drop you off, soft music playing on the background as he drove, the conversation was short, you were mostly still confused on why you had agreed to fake date him, especially after all the heartache you had to go through whenever he told you about his crushes, or dates when the only one you had ever crushed on was him...

"It's in 4 days, so when friday comes, I'll pick you up at 5pm so that we can get there  on time, alright?" you nod as a reply, a tight lipped smile on your face. He nods back, a smile of his own to you. You exit the car and he like always, waits for you to unlock your front door before waving and driving off, leaving you to your own thoughts until friday came.

And it came rather fast.

"Shua, can you help me with the dress?" you laughed, hands stretched behind your back as you tried to make sense of how you were supposed to tie the fabric around your back.

It was finally the day of the dinner and you were now struggling with the strings of the dress that the two of you had decided on.

You could hear his laugh all the way from downstairs, making you huff, eyes on the mirror that reflected your bedroom door, Joshua walking into the frame just a few seconds after with a smile.

"You called?" He spoke, lips tucked inside his mouth as he tried his best not to laugh at your hands that fondled with the dress.

"Yes, can you try and tie this like it's supposed to? I can't do it" you huff once more, turning around, eyes settling on Joshua who leaned his side to the door frame, arms crossed over his chest with a raised eyebrow.

"Pretty please?" you ask, extending your arms that held the pieces of the dress out to him, with his signature smile, he strode to you, arms open and grabbing at the pieces by your sides, hands dragging by your waist line, his sweet fragrance overpowering your senses as he tied the strings behind your hand, hands releasing the fabric in between your fingers, his hand slightly grabbing at your waist, your eyes meeting eachother's in the mirror.

His tall frame behind you."Are you nervous about today?" he wonders, pulling slight away to look at you.

"A little... It's not everyday that you fake date your best friend for a trip" you let out a soft laugh, him nodding understandingly.

"It'll be fine. They've all said that they loved hanging out with you. You've hung out with them hundreds of times over the past 5 years, I promise it'll be okay" he assured you.

"I know that, but I've never had to lie to them and tell them that we're dating. They were always aware that we were just friends" you sigh, face turning slightly to the side, a chance for Joshua to nestle his face deeper into your neck, a blush surfacing from your neck to your face.

"About that, we'll actually be telling them that we are engaged" he monotonously spoke, unconsciously you nod, words seeping in until you pull away from his grasp, and turned around to look at him, shocked was an emotion too small to what you actually felt, eyes widening as you looked at him looking back at you confused.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"What do you mean, what's wrong?! You just said we had to be engaged!" You almost screech pushing at his shoulder.

"Y/N, calm down. It'll be fine!" His hands rest on your shoulders as he reassures you, but you're not taking it well.

This could be the dream for many, but not you. This was your workplace. You worked there. Those were your superiors and bosses. Although they were friends of Joshua's, they were not yours, despite the multiple interactions and gatherings you had attended. The last thing you wanted to do was play with fire and lose your job.

"Shua, this is not -"

"What we planned, I know. But we really have to win the prize." he interjected, eyebrows knit together as he looked at you for approval, to know you agreed to it. But you were still on edge.

"Why do you even care so much about the price?" you ask, arms slapping on your legs as you lowered them.

"There's someone I want to take there" he admits, eyes never leaving yours. But blame it on yourself, because you end up taking a step back from him, arms falling from your shoulders as he looks at you at loss.

A troubled look in his eyes as he stares at yours that stare back at him in hurt.

You were both mistaken.

Joshua swallows the dryness in his throat, nodding, mostly to himself as he steps back towards the door.

"I'll let you finish getting ready. I'll be downstairs waiting" he mumbles a little disorientated, taking long strides to exit the room.

You fan your face, tears threatening to spill and ruin your makeup. Your turn back to the mirror, your eyes shined with tears, nose turning redder than the blush you had on.

"breathe..." you remind yourself, gulping the tears back and touching back your makeup and grabbing your jacket, finally making your way down where Joshua awaited you.

His back to the stairs as his eyes overlooked the sun shining the city in various tones of pink and orange.

"Josh..." you called out, voice shaking slightly.

He turns to you, a small smile in his face as he looked at you, although it didn't reach his eyes.

"Let's go" he says, cutting the awkward silence that settled into your living room.

Despite the awkwardness, he made sure to still open the car door for you, a hand at the top in case you bumped into it. Getting into his own side and waiting for you to settle in and buckle your seat belt before starting the car and driving you to the dinner place.

"What should we say when they ask about when we started dating?" you ask, voice raising slightly from when you stood in the living room.

"Let's just say we started dating after Vernon's birthday party" he shrugged, eyes still on the road ahead.

"Why his birthday?" you scrunch your face confused.

"Because... he flirted with you that day" he almost whispered, the tip of ears blush and he relieves it by looking out the window as if looking through the side mirror, as if he weren't driving in an empty road.

You blush, looking at your own hands laying in your lap.

"And engaged?" you continue.

"Your birthday" he replies, a shy smile tugging at his lips.

"Ri... Oh my god! Joshua!" You yell, grabbing at his shoulder in a panic.

"What?! What's wrong?!" the car comes to a full stop at the side of the road and he immediately looks at you in panic.

"What is it?" He asks again, grabbing the hand you placed on his shoulder.

"Ring... We don't have rings" you said, lifting your left hand. He exhales, a soft laugh leaving his parted lips as he looks at the glove compartiment.

"I wanted to do it in a more sweet way, but since you're so eager" he begins to explain, chest out in pride as he opens the glove compartment and takes out a squared box.

As if deja Vu, your eyes follow the movement of this man's hands as he opens the box, a pair of rings shining brightly inside.

"Your hand, darling" he joked, the sad mood quickly replaced by the playfull one, his palm extended and you laughed, placing your hand on top of his.

And in a split second he lifted your hand, placing the ring with the small diamond on your finger before he lifted his own hand in front of your face.

You get his own ring, a smile plastered on your face as you put it on his own finger.

"What a beauty ring, Sir. Who gave it to you?" you play around.

"The woman I'm planning on marrying soon. A beautiful and smart woman" he says, eyes shining brightly, not once leaving your own.

How could you not know what he meant...

"Well, ready to departure? We're going to be late now" he joked.

"Fashionably late" you hit his shoulder playfully.

The two of you did get there with a little tardiness, but nothing too big, getting out the car he helps you with the walk over the stones until you're both on the platform to the party building, surrounded by a pound and grass.

The sunset falling as the moon rose high up in the sky.

Music heard even from the outside, although not crazy loud.

Joshua laced your hand around his arm a gentle smile shining on his features as he leaned over your ear.

"Just act as usual and we'll be fine" he assured, a small hit of his nose on your jaw.

Entering the party, a few eyes went to you, but the funny thing was how they would look, turn away and then turn back to look at you in shock. The relationship was in fact something that no one had seen coming, especially after the fact that the two of you had been friends for close to a decade.

Joshua and you walked to, of course, the only reason of your attendance. The food court.

Ordering a few snacks before the dinner, Joshua kept you company, rarely even edulging in the chats about the latest horror movies or the latest book of his favorite author, author his ears were open whenever he heard of those topics.

You were truly okay with being left alone, especially since you could see Yurim, your friend, coworker and the girlfriend of Seokmin glaring at you, likely because you hadn't told her a single thing about you and Joshua despite your close friendship.

"Hey, Josh" you call out to the male besides you, he looks at you in a split second, tongue lapping his lips as he drank the champagne.

"Go be with your friends, I have to see Yurim anyway, look at her. She looks ready to kill me" you laugh, his eyes lock onto your friends at the end of the dinning area, a laugh as he turns to you, eyes closing into small moons, removing his arm from behind your back and nodding for you to go ahead.

As soon as Joshua leaves to go to his own friends who, just like yours were shooting daggers at him, you headed to Yurim who pulled you faster to her by the arm.

"Easy you little beast" you laughed, but her mood stayed the same.

"When did that happen?!" she asked you, eyebrows furrowing as she looked at Joshua who was across the room.

"After Vernon's birthday party" you answered like planned, you smile looking down. But your head quickly lifts once you listen to her dramatic gasp.

"And you never told me?!" She almost screams.

"Rim!" You try to shush her with a hand on her mouth, attention all on you, and although it was almost dispersed it was even more drawn in to you when she yelled in shock.

"What is that ring!!" she lifts your hand to her face, eyeing at the diamond in the middle.

By now, even if you wanted to not follow the storyline that the two of you had made in the car, you just had no other choice as everyone was now gossiping about the ring.

"I-... you know" you replied shyly taking your hand from her grip.

"Y/N!" She smiles, jumping around as she pulls your hand once more to her face.

You feel a hand circle around your waist, immediately turning to the side, thankful to see Joshua's soft comforting smile.

"Just follow me" he whispers in your ear, heat once more flushing to your face.

Joshua lifts his champagne cup to everyone, all eyes on him awaiting whatever he was going to say.

"Ladies and gentleman. Thank you very much for attending the party, I can say that this year is a very special one because after many years wanting nothing more than to have this beautiful and wonderful woman by my side. I am blessed to announce to everyone that we are not only a couple. But that we are getting married" he reveals.

His hand grabs yours, fingers interwining as he lifts them up for everyone to see.

You once more look down, maybe in your head he actually means you.

In his heart though, it had always been you. Through everything.

There is a wave of applause and congratulations which seems to lift your mood slightly, especially when Joshua's hand returns to your waist, finger lifting your chin as he watches your every emotion nodding at you comfortingly.

"It's out" he smiles.

"It's out" you repeat, releasing a breath you didn't know that you had been holding in.

The night carries on, a lot of investors approach the two of you, congratulating you two and wishing you happiness. His own friends question the whole situation, most of them already with smirks as they were sure that it would happen one day or another. During the dinner, Joshua had sat besides you, on your right, and although nobody could see it, his hand was under the table and laced with yours.

His thumb making random patterns on your hand as the two of your ate, that is, until Joshua decided to adventure out, hand slipping out of yours and resting on your leg, you almost chocked when it happened, but nonetheless, you liked it.

His hand was right under the slit of your red dress and resting directly on your leg. You turned to look at him, he was calmly talking to Jeonghan, and although you liked his touch, you couldn't help but feel the heat in his hand seep into your leg as he continued to grip your leg at times before smoothing in out with his continuous rubbing.

"Shua" you called him just above a whisper, his head turning to look at you curious.

"Is something wrong? Do you not like the food?" he asks you, eyes assessing your plate that had barely been touched.

"No, your hand is just distracting me" you whisper, biting your lip.

His eyes snap down to your lips, hand tightening once more against your leg, your mouth forming an 'o' causing him to smirk at you.

"Keep that up and I might just have to excuse us earlier" he whispered into your ear, lips puckering to once again kiss your jaw, returning to his conversation with Jeonghan as if nothing had happened, leaving you dumbfounded staring at the back of his neck.

You were the dumb one not understanding when he kept insinuating that you were the woman he wanted to take on the trip.

You ate rather quickly after that, your hands lowering down to your lap to play with his fingers, but mostly the ring that you had earlier slipped into his ring finger.

The flustered one was now Joshua, that often looked at you and then to your lap, a smile playing at his lips as he watched you continue with your own conversations as you played with his ring.

Right after dinner ended, everyone dispersed once again to the dance floor, the songs changed, most of them being slow ones and you stayed behind with Joshua overwatching the amount of couples present in this year's event.

"There's a lot of competition this year" you point out, he hums agreeing, eyes not staying away from you for long.

"I still feel like we will win, though" he smiles, you look up at him awaiting his answer.

"Not a single couple here is engaged, like we are" he smirks, you laugh along.

On the other side of the dance floor, you watched as Seungcheol called over Joshua, a smile on his face and with a quick excuse, Joshua left your side promising to come back once he was done chatting.

You watched the friends talk, a smile on your own face, completely unaware that behind you was the man that supposedly made Joshua porpose. Vernon.

Sneaking a hand along your waist and whispering the word "Boo" in your ear, which, although you hated to admit it. Did scare you.

"You scared me, dickhead" you laughed, Vernon following along as he placed himself in front of you covering Joshua's frame.

"You get scared super easy, Y/n, it's not my fault" he laughed as he spoke.

"I heard the news, you're welcome" he smiles, rolling his shoulders proudly.

"What for?" you ask, crossing your arms over your chest.

"He said he asked you out after my birthday. I played a part" he puckered his lips to which you laugh.

"You're right then. Thank you" you pat his shoulder.

Unknown to you was the sudden mood change in Joshua as he glared at his younger friends back whom you patted.

"Ya... You'll drill a hole through his back, relax" Hoshi tried to calm the older, something that did not work as Joshua began to make his way to the two of you, a scowl on his face.

"Joshua's coming. He doesn't look happy" Yurim tapped you on the shoulder, both you and Hansol turn, just as Joshua near the two of you, his hand grabbing yours and pulling you to his side.

"Jealous much?" Vernon teased the older male, earning a glare as a response.

"Shua, we're friends" you tried to call him but he simply kept the scowl ushering Vernon to go check on Chan who was at the side by the drinks.

With a chuckle and wink, just to piss him off even further Vernon bids his goodbye's and Yurim follows suit to go find Seokmin again leaving you and Joshua alone once more.

"Why are you so jealous?" you ask with a small smile, he turns to you, a small pout evident in his features as he looks down at you.

"I just don't like how he always flirts with you" he replied. You pat his shoulder like you had done to Vernon just a few minutes ago, his shoulders lowering back into a calm state as he settles in your side.

The two of you simply listened in, until your personal favorite song "fast pace" came on, and as if already written in a book, Joshua extends his hand, already knowing that this was that one song you could never skip dancing and so the two of you made your way to the dance floor.

Both quietly singing the song to each other as you danced with one another, your hands around his neck as he had his arm around your waist, the other carrying your glass of champagne, making him just a thousand times hotter.

He twirls you before the bridge of the song, your favorite part, bringing you closer to his chest as he mutters the words in your ear "24/7", the heat rose between the two of you.

You weren't even sure if he meant it or if it was all for that trip but you didn't care at this point, and if anything were to happen you could just blame it on the champagne.

The two swayed, bodies stuck one each other until the song ended and when it did the music just stopped overall as the ceremony began.

Seungcheol stepped up with Lee Jihoon and Kwon Soonyoung, the leaders of the different sectors of the company, although Jihoon and Soonyoung were simply the presidents whilst Seungcheol was the owner of it all.

"I'm not going to give a huge speech, because just like everyone else in the room, I'm more interested in who is winning the trip. So, without further ado. Jihoon please announce our candidats for this year's competition" he quickly steps back as Jihoon hops to the front, the drink already beginning to have its effect on the light drinker.

"You're all so pretty. So good together. I love you. Here are the 4 nominees" he announces pulling a card from the back pocket of his dress pants.

"Seokmin from accountability and Yurim from the legal team. Yunho from the business board and Na Ri leader of the Communications and PR team. Joshua from the Global embassy unit and Y/n his assistant and also in charge of communication. And finally, Daniel from Marketing with Yuna from the Creative team" he calls to everyone who steps forward, closer to the stage.

"I'm so sad that only 1 couple can win" he began to sniffle, everyone in the room started to laugh as Mingyu stood onto the stage bringing the man down as he began to choke on his own tears, Jeonghan stepping up to replace him.

"Moving on" he began.

"The winner is!" he drums on the podium.

Joshua's hand engulfs your smaller one, his left arm around your waist as the two of you wait for the announcement.

"Joshua and Y/n!" He calls onto the microphone.

The two of you are in a state of shock as a wave of congratulations form once again, this time, congratulating you on the free trip.

As if finally aware that the two of you had won, as he wanted to, you turn to eachother with smiles on your faces, he lifts you up, lowering you down and kissing you on the lips which leaves you in shock.

Eyes open for a few seconds before they close and you kiss him back, breaking back after a few seconds.

And although both of you smiled, you knew this was just something else that the two of you had to talk about.

After accepting the prize and thanking everyone you two stepped outside, stopping near the pond and sitting on a bench watching over the fish, the light from the moon reflecting the water.

"We should probably, talk about it, right?" he laughs nervously, you turn to him.

Watching as he tries to avoid your eyes, although he too turns to look at you.

"I like you" you finally admit.

"Why are you saying it first?" He stood up, eyebrows furrowing as he looked at you, meanwhile you just stared back like you had seen a ghost.

"What?" You asked, not fully trusting your ears just yet.

"I wanted to confess to you tonight if we won. I was gonna say it first" he whined throwing his head back.

"I thought you liked someone else" you pointed out, also standing up and standing in front of him, his eyes searching yours.

"Who else would I like?" He sarcastically said.

"I confessed first because I thought you did" you shrug.

"Well, I liked you first. So it doesn't matter" he shrugs back with a proud look in his face.

"No you didn't"

"I so did" he fought back.

"I've liked you for 5 years now" you stuck your tongue.

"I liked you after one week" he smiles, pecking your lips, leaving you once more in shock. Hand reaching up to your lips.

"You can't keep kissing me! This is inappropriate Mr.Hong" you tease, but he kisses you once more.

"Joshua" he mutters taking your lips in his once more.

His face turning slightly to the side so that he could deepen the kiss, the two of you laughing in between.

It was not perfect, but nor did it need to be.

You were both happy and finally together, although it took a silly competition to make it official.

And now, you have a fully paid trip to the place you wanted to go to the most.

Joshua's hometown.

˜˜˜ The end :)

Posted the 29th January 2023

#seventeen #kpop #kpop imagine #fluff #kpop idols #kpop fluff #kpop imagines #seventeen x y/n #imagine #seventeen x you #joshua #joshuahong #hong joshua #seventeenjoshua #seventeen fanfic #svt x reader #svt fanfic #svt #svtjoshua

[ladythornofrivia]

WORK OF ART

Pair: Geto x Reader

Warnings: just plain smut, dirty talk, fingering, tattoo kink, breeding kink, reader and Geto being horny, one night stand to lovers, club, alcohol, Geto being dirty-minded pretty boy. Reader thirsty for Geto. Cunnilingus, Cockwarming. Breathing kink. Sex in Tattoo shop. Birthday Sex. Love at first sight.

a/n: for kinktober! There will be three parts! Hooray!

(Listen to this song)

Night time was the best time to get away from annoying people. More so, your “boyfriend”, who constantly asked you where you're going. Despite your intentions on not telling him, you ignore his insults and back-handed compliments to you.

"You should ignore them, (y/n)," your friend, Angeline, said, touring in Japan. No matter what you do, or say, everyone are just as stubborn. Stupid, even, to not realize their hypocrisy on you.

People who are called as “boyfriend”.

"I can't believe this. But if he goes out, he’s fine with it. He can go whereever and whoever he wants. He doesn't have to notify me. He can be shirtless, and nobody wouldn't insult him. He kept saying things like how he's respectable and shit. But if I make my own plans, he won't let me go anywhere without him or his cousin to take with. They practically volunteer themselves them in and then says they don't remember about them going with me. And it happened last week when I wanted to go to a fancy restaurant by myself, and he didn't want me to go alone and then they volunteer on taking his cousin with me. When I confronted them, they said they weren't there at my birthday, they said that her cousin wasn't there on my birthday, that she's working. They betrayed my wishes, and always lie to me, and always defend then at their wrong choices in life. Why the fuck did I move out so soon?”

"Your soon-to-be family fucking sucks. Losers can't even appreciate you. Well, once you break up with him, I'll take you in with no problem. We can be sisters!"

"Aren't we already sisters?" you teased.

"True. Anyway, just forget about them, we're going at the club! Besides, you look gorgeous in that dress, so don’t waste the effort!”

Looking down on your dress, you felt different. A good kind of different.

(This is the dress)

Eyes widened at your friend's statement.

"Aw come, on, you're good at dancing," she complimented. "If you show off your skills, boys will go to you. Even cute ones--you know the ones that look innocent, but is good in bed."

"You read too much smut," I told her.

"And sometimes, a guy that you'll find, will be able to do anything for you!”

"Not in the club, for starters! We came to have fun, not a marriage ceremony. Besides, I haven’t broke up with him yet."

Angeline pushed you back lightly. "Don't make it sound so bad. Of course we're going to have fun--tons and tons of fun! It's time for a change!"

You nodded. "Enough negativity! I can change my life around!"

Angeline cheered. "Good! That's how an independent woman should think! Damned if you do, damned if you don't. You heart will be set free! Starting tonight!"

~~~

Drinking another liquor, Gojo said, rested his arm on the couch frame, surrounded by ladies, fawning. "Geto, aren't you satisfied you're taking a break from your work?"

Geto, on the other hand, had a shot, uninterested. "I'm glad."

"You don't sound glad," Gojo notified, smirking. "You haven't gotten someone's pussy lately."

Geto choked. "I just want to rest."

"Yeah, rest on someone's pussy."

"Would you stop that? The girls will get the wrong idea."

Gojo shrugged. "I don't think the girls hate it, based on what I've been seeing."

The girls giggled at Geto's reaction.

"Knock it off, Gojo."

"Come on, lighten up. If I was a girl, I'd flirt with you with my blue eyes."

Geto rolled his eyes. "I have to rest for tomorrow. Another client is requesting for a large tattoo on her back."

"What was it?'

"A photo of her husband. Ex husband."

Gojo spat out his drink. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I wish." Geto shook his head. "Though she paid me a hefty amount of cash, so I can't say shit to her."

"Damn, that's dedication for your tattoo shop. Guess I don't have to worry about it anymore. You need to relax. Who knows it'll be fun at the end of the night."

Geto shrugged. "Maybe." Then ate his appetizer, ignoring the girls who try to gain his attention, never minding Gojo, who seems to be doing well with socializing.

~~~

"I'm telling you that this is for your own good. If your stay with your pussy of a “boyfriend”, you're not getting a new dick for tonight."

My eyes paused at Angeline with shock.

"Yeah, if you say it out loud, everyone's going to think I'm desperate."

"(y/n), you have to do this. Staying indoors with him acting as a housewife won’t do you good! Meeting new people is when going outside, sometimes online. Unless if you date someone on virtual mode, then it's weird."

Angeline shoved you slowly, yet gently against your back. "Don't be shy. Show them what you're made of, and someone will notice you. That way, you can move on from your life with your stupid family and relatives who doesn't give a shit about you or remembers a single thing about you."

"Okay, but--"

"No, buts, you have to do this. You have to be more like those Disney princesses who wanted new adventures."

"This isn't Disney, though."

"Still, you get what I mean." Angeline patted your upper arms. "You got this! I'll be here, watching."

You sighed. "Okay, but I want this song to be played in order for me to get started. I know you have to pay the DJ to play the song that people personally like."

"Okay, we'll do that." You friend dragged you and went up to the DJ, requesting the song to play from the Iphone.

"How much?"

"¥14,977," the DJ confirmed.

You took out the wallet to pay, but Angeline already paid.

"Angeline," you began.

"No, I want you to live your life. This is my treat."

"What if I don't get a date?'

"Even if you don't get a date, it's fine."

"But you told me earlier to find someone and fuck them at the end of the night."

"Yeah, I know, but, it doesn't matter now. Whatever the outcome is, all that matters is you being happy away from your “boyfriend”. Even just for tonight. I want you to be happy, far and wide, so that they'll forget about you. I know you're better than them, and I know you can do better than them—even your pussy of a “boyfriend”. Believe in yourself, and never lose sight of your goal, even if it means of cutting them off."

You smiled. "Thanks, Angeline."

"Anytime. Now go have fun," she encouraged.

The DJ played the tune you wanted. All the people on the dance floor stopped, but you we're just getting started.

Super Shy by Newjeans is your favorite song, and you've been practicing dancing the choreography. And that's how you gained confidence, though little by little. At first, you're frightened of making a single mistake, that everyone would laugh, so you pretend that you're inside your room, dancing like no one's watching. In the end, you were giggling, still moving your body.

~~~

"Oh, I never heard that song before," Gojo commented, "Very cheery."

Geto stopped and listened to the beat. "Defintely not from here in Japan."

"Ah, I can probably give you a few reasons why," Gojo said, pointed at you. "She stands out. In fact, too much from the crowd. Can't say it's a bad thing, though. Don't you think so, Suguru?"

Smoking, Suguru said nothing and kept an eye on the dance floor. A girl's movements swiftly clean and sharp with every turn and step. He had never seen a girl who's energetic to do dancing. He has seen girls who dance, but not in a way that you did. The song's rhythm is filled with cheery beat. None of the crowd seemed as cheery as you, but everyone kept watching, your feet insync with music. And by the time it ends, you ended with a smile and a few claps and cheers, but other than that, you left the dance floor and try to search for your friend.

But then another song came on, Jungkook's song, 3D, and you find yourself dancing again. This time, people are jamming in, because everyone knows BTS.

With a finger flicked the cigarette, Suguru stood up, stretching his legs with a groan huffing from his chest.

"Ooh, where you going, Sugee-Woogee?"

Suguru cringed. "I'm heading to the restroom."

Suguru walked ahead and carefully approached the crowd.

"Suguru, that's not where the restroom is," Gojo pointed out.

~~~

When you danced along Jungkook's song, your friend tapped you on the shoulder, rather rapidly.

"Dude," Angeline said. "Dude!"

"What?"

"Dude!"

"What?!"

"I think someone's coming this way!" your friend said with glee.

"Who? I don't see anyone." The crowd is too thick for you to see.

"Have fun," Angeline said in a sing-song voice, waving a farewell. "I'll be at the bar if you need me."

"Dude!" you said in English, whining.

Continue on dancing to a different tune, The Weeknd's song, you felt a large hand slithering around your waist. Then a large bulge grinding against your backside.

When you staggered back, to face who was grasping you, your nealy collapsed on your back; another hand hooked on your back to break your fall, and there you see a man with dark, longish hair with narrowed eyes glinting at you, his lips curved into a small smirk.

"Careful, there, no one wants to see a beautiful princess fall now, don't we?"

A young man gave another subtlety of his smirk.

"Thank you," you uttered, not confident, face covered in blush.

He pulled you right back up. "Don't mention it, princess." Then he did a little waltz with you on the dance floor, treating you with care. "So what does the princess doing here in the club?'

You frowned at that. "Am I not allowed to go to club?"

"You're allowed," he said. "But you look too ravishing compare to the girls I stumbled onto tonight."

Is he serious? you thought to yourself. For all you know, he might have a girlfriend waiting for him. You didn't want to get to a certain point of involving wasted drama.

"You might mind, but I don't."

He hummed. 'Why's that, sweet lady?'

"Your girlfriend might get upset with you if you associate with someone like me. I hate to say this, but it'd be great if you back off. I don't want to get involve with drama.'

He looked at you intently before giving a good laugh. "Oh, you sweet princess. Here's the thing," his lips leaned closer to your ear. "I don't have anyone in my life at the moment."

That doesn't sound convincing enough.

"Ooh, is the little lady doubtful of me?" his voice laced like honey. "You shouldn't be."

'Oh, but I wouldn't count on it.'

'Why's that?'

Your head nudged towards the girls behind Geto, who are sitting at their seats furiously, glaring daggers at you.

'Gojo set me up for a date I didn't like.'

"Date?" You never heard of a guy being set up to a date with numerous girls at the same time.

He nodded. "I was supposed to rest for tonight. My back was hurting for my work. Bending my back down and then stretch it."

'Well, you can go to a chiropractor to adjust your spine. It usually works.'

He hummed. 'I'll keep that mind, princess.' His other hand clung onto your waist and spun your back around for him to grind against you.

'Bet you never have a guy who does it good as me, princess."

You found yourself blushing. 'No one has actually. In fact, I don't even know your name.'

He leaned his face against your locks, inhaling a fainted rose water scent. 'Let's enjoy ourselves for now.'

Despite his claims, you can't help but to look back at the girls the guy used to hang out, are entirely pissed at you. But the guy with white locks and blue eyes gave a toast to you with a smirk.

"Let's go somewhere private," he said into your ear, getting your attention back to a raven-haired man. "What do you say?'

Pondering your gazing look into his eyes before a chance of bestowing him an answer.

~~~

He slammed you against the wall against the bathroom stall in a ladies restroom, kissing and ravishing your neck and collarbone with few licks and nibbles mingling his lips with languid and passionate kisses.

You sighed, clutching his hardened body. "Mhmmm~'

"You like it, princess?” He made sure the restroom's lock so no one can go in. Kisses more on the shoulders, then your neckline until it reaches to your earlobes, tugging it gently with his teeth.

His eyes glinted, examining your flushed skin as you breathed hard, eyes filled with plea.

His hand slid underneath your dress, pressing his fingertips against the nub of your cunt, circling it as it sends a thousand waves crushing against you, soaring with pleasure. Undoing your straps, his tongue and teeth delved and ravished the hardened nipple on your breast with a low moan, fondling the other.

'I'm guessing you have never been touched or have been pleasure by a man.'

Blushing furisouly, you turned your head away, which it lead to him taking your chin and rotated your head, facing him.

'Tell me, princess, and I'll make your dreams come true,' he said into your ear with intent eyes daggered to your sheepish ones.

You gulped. "Fuck me, please." With your hands hung around behind his neck, indicating it gently for him to get closer to you.

Smirking, he lunged his lips and crashed to yours. His slick tongue gained acess to your tongue, his hands clutched the fabric of your underwear, pulling it downward bit by bit. His lips pulled away, looking into the haziness in your eyes.

"Shall I go further, little lady?' his eyes twinkled in anticipation.

Gasping, you held onto his hair. indicating for your thirst to be quenched.

Geto took the initiation of bringing your legs up to his shoulders as he flicks and consumed the taste of you on his tongue, humming in pleasure.

"Ah~" Your head threw back, clutching him tight without fall.

Bucking your hips against his face, your lower body gyrated against him. Large hands steadied you, but with a flick and slurp on his mouth driven you crazy. Your legs enveloped around his head.

He moaned, hands now gripping on your ass and pushed it toward his face closer to a point he wanted to suffocated from your delicious thighs.

"Ah~" your breath ragged, body coldly shivering, shoulders and neck became intensely hot, finding your ragged breath became loudly desperate. "I'm getting close," you said.

His biceps locked your thighs in tighter, his tongue lapped a few more rounds until your walls clenched and drenched his mouth with cum.

As it was over, he settled your legs down carefully. Inclining his head upward, your eyes gazed at the glazed cum you implanted on him. With a smirk, he licked his lips and hummed in satisfaction.

"Taste just as exquisite as you are, princess," he said, getting up on his two feet in haste, and approached you, zipping his pants down, revealing his long and thick cock. Before you could react, he lifted you up, placing your legs on his waist as he pinned you against the wall.

"Hold onto me, princess," he moaned, tugging your earlobe with teeth before he pounded his cock into your hole.

You never had sex before, but you're pretty sure how it works in movies and books compare to real life feels different. Sudden without warning.

But it didn't mean awful in your case. In fact, it felt good and full in your cunt.

Noticing your gasps, his lips curved into a smirk and pounded his cock all the way to your g-spot with a loud grunt, tossing his head back, his moans echoed loudly towards the restroom's ceiling. His hips picked up the pace and pounded twice as rough and rapidly brute. Little by little, your arms weighted with exhaustion, still wrapped behind his neck, as your sloppily kissed with him, tasting yourself from his greedy lips.

"Almost there, princess," he said, breathing onto your mouth, thrusting sloppily yet callously.

"Coming~" you moaned aloud, and his semen spilled onto your hole, filling with hot seed, draining to your inner thighs.

Both of your leaned your foreheads towards each other, pressing with heaving breaths lingering.

His eyes lingered to yours, pressing his lips against yours, almost lax and carefree. He chuckled when saw your flushed expression.

What a cutie, he said.

"That was fun," you said, chuckling.

His long hair swished as he found himself chuckling.

"Tell me something, my princess," he leaned closer. "What is it that you want? From what I can tell, based on you, I can tell you want more than a simple life. What is it that you want, that you truly want?"

Your breath staggered. "Tell me, and I'll give it to you."

Heaving, you contemplated; your legs are shaking and leaden, almost as if it was pinned to the ground.

He kept you steady. "Woah, we can't get a break, huh? You're so beautiful, my darling princess, even in this state."

Nuzzling against his chest, you breathed as your cheeks.

You never knew this man, but somehow he made you feel like you're in heaven with him--a solace from your hell.

"You okay, princess?'

"I'm okay. My legs are sore."

"First time sex always get sore," he said, smirking.

"Clearly," you said, giggling.

He kissed you again, caressing your waist with both of his hands. "I want to see you again soon, baby~"

"I want to see you, too, but--"

"But?"

Your eyes saddened. "My boyfriend. They won't let me be as myself around him, and always supervised me everywhere I go; I can't go alone without him, and my friend brought me here. I just want some peace—I was planning on breaking up with him.”

His eyes looked onto you intently. "What do you truly want, princess?'

You said nothing.

"I'll give you anything you want. Just say the word, and you'll have it."

You sighed, looking away for a second. "I don't know..."

"Look at me, my good princess..."

You looked at him, eyes locked with fear.

"Tell me what you wish for, and I'll make all of your dreams come true," he guaranteed. “Put your trust in me.”

"Well, it might sound silly, but I want to have a couple of tattoos. I just want something for myself."

"Ah, a sign of rebellion," he mused, still holding onto your waist, gripping it tight and proud.

Your gaze lowered. "Yeah.."

His finger tucked under your chin for your gaze to be lock onto his in an extension of time. "That's not silly, at all." He fished in his pockets and gave you something, but before he could touch your hand, the restroom doors banged.

"What the fuck?! The door's jammed!"

"I need to pee!"

"We have to get the security to pry this open!"

Then the silence came.

He chuckled. "Guess we better go." He took your hand and unlocked the door.

Quickly, both you and him snuck out of the restroom, but only to be caught by your friend.

"(y/n), where the hell have you been? I've been dying to tell you about this guy I saw, tall and gorgeous with blue eyes, I--"

Suddenly, she both saw you and him together outside of the restroom, put two and two clues together.

Instead of talking, Angeline gave you a subtle smirk. "I'll leave you guys to it..."

She walked away as he placed his arm behind his head, chuckling awkwardly.

"Sorry about her, she wanted me to--"

"I know," he said, then his hand outstretched. laying the paper material onto your hand. "Call me, princess." He gave a soft, loving peck on your cheek. His suppled lips lingered a little longer than you expected.

"Keep in touch. I'll be waiting." He gave a smile before he went back.

But you seized him.

"We don't know each other's names," you said, frantic.

He chortled. “You’re right.” He looked back and leaned his tall height close to your level, his face nearing against yours. “Tell me your name, princess.”

"(y/n)," you said proudly.

Watching his lips curved upward, he said. "Beautiful."

"I don't even know your name," you pointed out.

"It's on the back of the card," he purred into your ear.

"I want to hear it from you," you said, pleading. “Your voice.”

He chuckled. "Since you're a good girl, I'll tell you. My name is Geto Suguru."

Suguru...

Your said boyfriend texted you in a total of 138 messages and phone calls and angry voicemails.

"Your boyfriend is a piece of work," he commented.

"Yeah, he is. I just want to take a break." You shut the phone off. You rushed off to your friend---him following you--and showed her the missed calls and messages from your said boyfriend.

"They're that persistent," Angeline said, rolling her eyes.

"We should go back. My soon-to-be annoying in laws is going to think I got drugged or something," you said.

He took the card from you and tucked it in. And took your phone and dialed the number instead.

"What if my boyfriend discovers you on my phone?"

"There's a landline," he suggested. Call me by this number."

Fear overtook you for a second, numerous scenarios running in your head.

His callous palm lingered onto your skin as he placed it. "Don't be afraid, princess. I'll be waiting for you," he said with a smile before he gave you one last kiss.

But then you said, tugging his sleeve. "May I see your phone?"

Without hesitation, he gave you his phone, and dialed your phone number and added into his contacts, then looking at him back, watching his smile at your sudden move on entering your phone number.

"That's my girl. I'll keep in touch," he said, and walked away back to his seat with his friend, music blasting away as you and Geneva.

Your eardrums banged even after heading outside. Angeline couldn't help you but smirk.

"What?'

"Where did you go, missy?' she teased.

"I was chatting with him," you said.

"Does banging the restroom stalls count as chatting?''

Your face instantly blushed.

"So, how good is he?'

Hands shielded over your face. "Angeline!"

"I'm just kidding! See, I know you'll meet someone. He's been eyeing on you since the dance floor," she cheered and embraced you by the side while ruffling your hair with her fist. "You're becoming a woman, (y/n)," she said, cackling.

Your phone rang again.

"Don't answer it. I'll do the explaining for you," Angeline said.

"No, don't. They're going to suspect we're doing drugs."

"We'll just tell them there's traffic. Japan is a very busy country, after all. Oh yeah," she took out the napkin. "Might want to use this. His cum is spilling out on your legs and heels."

"Don't say stuff like that in public." As you wiped the cum, the wind breezed against your skin and dress. It felt nice and cold, and yet...naked.

"Oh no," you muttered in horror.

"What? What's wrong?"

"I'm not wearing any underwear," you uttered quietly, blushing at the thought of your knight in shining armor, Geto, taking your panties with him.

© kinggetou - all rights reserved.

Taglist: @galactict3a

#fanfiction #fanfic #x reader #reader insert #ao3 writer #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #archives of our own #jujutsu geto #getou suguru x reader #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #anime #kinktober #kinktober 2023 #anime fanfic #geto suguru #jjk geto #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #geto x reader #smut #fluff #angst #writing #writers of tumblr #writeblr #self insert #fanfics #ao3feed

[wardenparker]

Hummingbird Has Landed, ch 3

Marcus Pike x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

After the debacle of his failed engagement and relocating to Washington to take charge of his task force, newly minted Special Agent Marcus Pike is ready to get back out into the dating pool once more. A slew of bad dates has him feeling a little down, and he takes an old friend up on an invitation to get away and get his head on straight. Imagine his surprise when he finds not only fresh air, but his soulmate as well - hiding in plain sight but in the unlikeliest of places.

Rating: Mature, but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 11.1k Warnings: *Blanket warnings for this series: occasional mention of American politics, pregnant character, food/alcohol consumption, mentions of clothing/regulated dressing for occasions, mentions of therapy because we believe in self care here, reader is in a previous relationship, love triangle* Disagreeing amongst partners, disappointments, unexpected turns, denial of feelings, unwanted revelations. Summary: It's Valentine's Day and no one's date seems to be going quite the way they expected. Notes: Apologies for the posting delay, my lovelies! Please enjoy 💖

Ch1 ~ Ch 2

When you still haven't heard from Marcus the next day, you're really pretending not to be bothered by it. You go about your work as usual, take care of your guests, manage a few nibbles of lunch, and work through the Valentine's check-ins with Malachi to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The whole day is chaotic and the inn is completely sold out, and yet you can't stop glancing down at your phone to see if you've gotten a text back.

You've just slipped into the kitchen after your shift to see Sydney after her spa-and-afternoon-tea date when the restaurant's hostess on duty comes in with a reservation slip to add to the board. The restaurant is basically fully booked now, with a few last minute cancellations and reservations working themselves out throughout the day, and a part of you wishes you could just stay here tonight and keep working, but you promised Sam. And you promised your mother's office that there would be social media updates tonight. This date might as well be public, so there is no backing out now.

“Hey babe!” Sydney grins as she looks up from the cake she is decorating, the piping bag in her hand full of dark chocolate buttercream. “Checking in before going to get ready?”

“Yup. Just came in to say hi and check the last minute reservations.” You take the slip from Sydney’s hostess with a flourish to tack it up on the board, and immediately make some sort of inhuman squawking noise that has your best friend whirling around in the kitchen.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” She demands, rushing over to the board. From the noise you made, it’s either incredibly good or incredibly bad.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Not technically, anyway. But you hand over the slip with obvious discomfort — or maybe a tinge of something else deeper and darker — on your face. “It’s…I guess…Marcus has a date tonight.”

“What? Oh…” she takes the slip and reads it, frowning slightly as she looks up to see you fidgeting and looking away from the paper. “Well, um, I guess that means he will be here and it’s good that you are going out with Sam.”

The frown that has formed on your face cuts deep, and you put down the empty mug you had grabbed to pour yourself a late afternoon cup of coffee with a slam. “Of course it’s a good thing.” You state unequivocally, not wanting to deal with or admit to the burning feeling in your chest. “He’s my boyfriend. It’s a very good thing.”

Sydney doesn’t comment, just pins the reservation to the allotted slot: 7 pm for two. There’s a note on the reservation to have a bottle of champagne brought to the table with dessert, so she’s not sure what to make of that. It seems unlikely that he’s taking his mother or sister out for a romantic meal.

“I have to get changed.” Comes the unnecessary announcement as you pace a little square around the corner of the kitchen only to end up facing Sydney again. “I just wanted to say hi, and I hope you and Juan had a good day.” Before this…intrusion into your thoughts, you had wanted to know everything. Every single thing they ate at tea and did at the spa. Now you feel like throwing up from pure discomfort.

“We did.” It seems wrong to rub it in your face right now, since you seem to be having some sort of reaction to the idea that Marcus would book a date here. She has to wonder if there’s meaning behind it, or if he had just imagined bringing someone here because it was a wonderful little place. The dining room of the restaurant is intimate, perfect for romance, especially tonight with the lights lower and the decor that had been brought out for the holiday.

“Good. I—okay. I’m going to go up, then. Malachi has a full reservation book and there’s an extra bellhop on tonight for the full house.” Sweeping out of the room is probably an overstatement, but you certainly move fast enough that Agent Bailey has to hop to in order to keep up with you as you head for the back stairs. Suddenly you have all the nervous energy in the world to walk all the way up to your apartment instead of taking the elevator.

“Okay…bye.” Sydney calls out, eyes wide at the dramatic exit and she pulls out her phone to send a quick text to her husband.

You might have tried a little harder than was strictly necessary to look good tonight. Not because Marcus might see you — that doesn’t make any sense — but to try to shut up all the whirling thoughts in your head about your loyalties and your attachments. You’ve been with Sam for almost a full year. It’s eleven months next week. And he deserves your complete attention. So if he gets you in your best little black dress and the earrings he gave you for your last birthday? That’s good, too.

Sam is nothing if not punctual, actually showing up fifteen minutes before you needed to leave. One of his office aides had run out to get you some flowers, now in hand, and he smiles widely when he sees you. “Wow.” He hums, whistling appreciatively. “I feel underdressed.” He jokes, wearing a smart suit like he normally does.

“You haven’t been underdressed since the day you were born.” Sam is perpetually put together, so you have definitely stepped up your game from the jeans and cheeky blouses that would normally have been good date clothes in the past. “Hi honey.”

“Hey, sweetheart.” He offers you the flowers with a smile. “You look incredible. These are only half as beautiful as you.”

“Thank you, honey.” The large bouquet is all red and pink buds, clearly done up for the holiday, and you let the day’s earlier tension roll off your shoulders as you inhale the sweet scent. “Let me put these in the vase in my office and we can get going?” Upstairs in your place they’re beautiful, but downstairs means anyone who sticks their head in your office will see them.

“Of course.” He nods and looks towards Agent Bailey. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Agent Bailey.” He tells her politely. “Would you mind following us to the restaurant tonight?”

“No surprise stops, Congressman?” Following behind isn’t unusual, but Bailey still had to do her job. Any unexpected additions to the night just complicate matters.

His smile tightens slightly. “Just the itinerary you have planned out.” He comments, slightly irked that he has to have plans approved through the Secret Service. It’s not exactly his idea of pleasant.

“Ready to go?” It only takes a moment to get your flowers in water, and you reach for Sam’s hand. After spending your time getting ready reminding yourself to focus on your relationship and stop being so wishy-washy, you’re trying to put your best everything forward for tonight.

“Absolutely.” Sam smiles broadly, his shoulders rolling back and he puffs his chest out proudly. “Let’s go get romantic.”

The restaurant that was picked out is small and welcoming, a  homespun but upscale bistro owned by a couple from New Orleans that moved up to Maryland sometime during the raising of their children. You had read the website while you were getting ready for tonight. The place boasts an impressive menu and a fan favorite étouffée, as well as an entire family working every aspect of the restaurant. From what you can tell, it looks like a perfect date spot. When you pull up it’s brimming over with people, too, which makes you even more excited. Busy means tasty, of course.

“Well this looks promising.” Sam comments, looking over at you. “What did you say the menu was?” He hadn’t really paid attention to where it was, just that you had said it was a good choice for a dinner out and photographs. You know how to work PR from your mother’s campaign, something he admires.

“New American through a New Orleans lens.” That’s what the website had said, and you could swear you already hear jazz pouring out the front door.

“Interesting.” He doesn’t particularly care for spicy foods, his stomach never agrees with it, but he trusts your judgement. “It’s perfect for the photographer and I’m assuming there’s some heartwarming backstory to the place?”

“Family owned and family run.” You can practically hear the silent commentary in his head, and you touch his arm as he holds the door for you. “I read the reviews in advance. Not everything is spicy. Don’t worry.”

“You know me too well.” He throws you a grateful look and leans forward to open the door for you to enter the bistro.

“Good evening.” The hostess at the front of the restaurant knows exactly who you are, just like everyone working tonight does. Just like their entire family does. Getting a visit from the Secret Service and having a discreetly placed photographer arrive just a little while ago gives the whole night an extra flare of the unbelievable. With two menus in her hand, she smiles a shaky, bright grin. “Please come right this way.”

Sam’s hand is on your back, knowing that a lot of eyes are turning from the staff to the patrons. It’s expected when your significant other is a recognizable face. He doesn’t miss that they put you and him at a table in the middle of the room.

There are small vases of red carnations on every table, and candles, and neat purple tablecloths that look like they have been given a little extra pressing for the occasion. You thank the girl politely and smile, not thrilled to have all eyes on you but already knowing that there is nothing you can do about it.

Sam is the one to pull out your chair and help you sit down before he pulls his own chair out. “Shall we order a bottle of wine?” He asks. “Or would that not look good?”

“How about a half bottle?” You suggest, showing him the part of drinks menu that lists half bottles. “Celebratory but responsible.”

“Perfect.” Same agrees, knowing. It wouldn’t be a positive image to have drinking and driving be recorded.

“Whatever you want to choose.” He’s pickier than you are in general, and definitely about wine, so it’s up to him.

He smiles at you in gratitude and immediately dives into the wine list to see what they have available.

“Oysters Rockefeller to start?” As a Maryland boy he loves seafood, and there’s some sort of odd determination in your mind to prove to yourself that your focus is entirely on Sam.

“Absolutely.” He agrees while wholeheartedly and when your server approaches, he finds in a polite smile to give them.

He orders the wine and your appetizer, and beams a smile at the flustered waitress before the two of you are left — sort of — alone again. Agent Bailey has gone to sit with the designated White House photographer at a separate, discreet table. It leaves the two of you to pretend that this is just as normal a date night as any other. “So,” you hum, looking over the menu. “How was work?”

“It was good.” He had kept his office hours short today, like most of the House, so he could get out on time. Plenty of other members had plans or just didn’t show up at all today. “Worked on the bill I want to introduce.”

“How close are you to having the draft done?” The House Judiciary Committee has been an important posting for him, and though you can’t claim to understand the nuance of every single detail of the bill he has been working on, you know that it is a big offering to make from such a new member of the committee.

“First draft is almost complete.” He tells you proudly. “Only a few more hours of work to be honest. My team has been working hard on it.”

“The first bill you’re sponsoring yourself is a big deal. I’m glad you’re proud of it.” Given how much of his work is paperwork and legal-ease, it’s good to have something tangible to work on and be proud of. Certainly not everyone who works in the government can say the same.

“Thank you.” He smiles, leaning back as the waiter comes back with the glasses of wine. “Hopefully it’s just the first of many.”

"I hope so, too." He has high hopes for his career, and you know he'll work hard for it. There's just the tiny voice in the back of your head reminding you that he might not value your success as highly that is bothering you. Still, you raise your glass to him and smile. "Happy Valentine's Day."

“Happy Valentine’s Day, darling.” Sam smiles and taps his glass to yours before taking a sip. “Have you given any thought to my proposal?”

“I thought we could talk about it tonight?” The mention of a proposal specifically makes you shiver in a way you didn’t know you could shiver, but here you are. “Starting with…the logistics of it all.”

He admires the practicality of your statement and nods. “What are your concerns?” He can hear that you have them and hopes that the two of you can come to some kind of agreement. He’s negotiated a lot in his position and knows there is always give and take for things to work.

“I…” He’s practical. Pragmatic. And you know that. It’s something that you have always said you liked about him because it balances against your tendency to dream. “I want to move forward. Take another step.” In your impulse, you reach across the table and take his hand. “But I’m not sure I’m ready yet. So I’d like to do it slowly.”

“Maybe a drawer for when you stay over?” He offers, lifting a brow. “Space for a toothbrush?”

“That’s kind of what I was thinking, yeah.” A relieved smile spreads, glad to see that he isn’t upset at your still moving slowly in this relationship. Moving too fast in the past is what you blame some very serious relationship failures on. “Maybe try to see each other more than just once a week? Work permitting, of course. I know we’re both busy.”

“That was kind of the point of moving in together.” Sam reminds you, although he’s not put out by it. “Maybe we can, but you will have to spend less time at the inn.” He hums. “You are always there. You even live there.”

"I know." That's on you, and you know it. But you still shift in your seat like you've been called to the principle's office. "I have to cut back on late nights. Malachi is more than capable of running the place any time of day and the new night manager is doing really well."

Sam nods, it’s a conversation that he’s had with you several times but nothing has changed so far. “I understand being passionate about your work.” He reminds you with a smile, reaching for your hand. “But I also want you to be passionate about other things too.” He squeezes your fingers. “Maybe kids, one day?”

"You know I want kids." That is never something that you have hemmed or hawed about. Wanting a marriage and a family is something you were pretty up front about. "Kids, a dog, the whole white picket fence thing."

“I know.” It’s a good thing too, because he wants the same thing. Although he knows that can’t really happen if you are running yourself ragged at the inn. “Just wanted to make sure that was still the case.” He jokes.

"It is." Your fingers squeeze his gently. "I haven't changed my mind about what I want."

“That’s good.” Sam smiles and feels a little better about the fact you aren’t jumping at the chance to move in with him. He had expected less resistance if he was honest with himself.

"So the next time I come over I'll bring some things to keep at your place?" A little bag of work clothes and duplicate toiletries at his house sounds positively quaint, but very sweet.

“If that’s what you want.” He agrees, leaning back again when the waiter comes with the appetizer. “Are you still planning on staying tonight?”

You pause long enough to thank the waiter and for both of you to order your entrees and have a sip of your wine after the waiter goes again. "Of course I was planning on it. It's what we talked about. But...I felt like packing a bag to bring over tonight felt a little...presumptuous? I didn't want to jinx it."

“Nothing presumptuous about it.” Sam disagrees with a smile, knowing he would have loved if you had started bringing things over. “But we will do things on your schedule, as long as our end goal is the same.”

End goal. That part still bags at you a little and you still aren’t sure if you’re overreacting. Marcus seemed to agree with us, and so did Sydney…and it’s making you wonder. But will it ruin the night to make a fuss over it? There’s really no way to tell. “I want to make sure we’re on the same page about all of it.” You decide, making sure there is no worry or waver in your voice as you reach for an oyster. It’s just a conversation. Just a conversation with your boyfriend. No big deal. Just clearing the air.

“Good.” There’s a moment’s pause where the two of you start to split the appetizer, each of you tasting it and Sam hums in approval. “I say we live together for at least a year.” He looks up at you. “What do you think?”

“At least a year before what?” The clarification seems important, since the two of you seem to have slightly different expectations. It’s slight, but it’s there.

Sam chuckles slightly. “Before the next step?” He asks playfully, shrugging slightly.

“That makes sense.” But not knowing exactly what he meant makes you feel a little foolish, so you huff a laugh and have another sip of wine. “Of course. That makes perfect sense.”

“You seem off tonight.” Sam tilts his head curiously. “Fight with Sydney? Never thought I would see that.”

“No, god no, nothing like that.” A fight with Sydney is about the farthest thing from the truth. The trouble is…you can’t really tell Sam the truth. It would be a ticking time bomb in the middle of your relationship. To not only think that you might have met your soulmate but to suddenly find yourself caring immensely about what that could mean? Hell, even being attracted to him? It would be a disaster. And you can’t blame him because you would feel exactly the same way if Sam came to you after meeting the girl that the universe says is his perfect match. Instead? All you can really do is make an excuse. “I haven’t really been feeling myself for the past few days.” That is very much true. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t let it affect tonight.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Sam’s brows pull down. “Do we need to ask them to box up our meals? The photographer can take their photos now and we can go home if you aren’t up for a night out.” Despite his own views of how the night would go, he would never drag you around if you’d rather be in bed sleeping.

It’s sweet of him to offer, but you know he would be disappointed. And, unfortunately, no amount of sleep is going to pull you out of the Marcus-shaped funk you have found yourself in. No, sleep won’t help. And tonight is supposed to be about you and Sam, so it’s going to be. “That’s okay,” you assure him, shaking your head and promising yourself that the smile on your face won’t falter again tonight. “I’d rather spend tonight celebrating with you.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.” He’s giving you a doubtful look, but he doesn’t call the waiter over. “Maybe it’s just that you need a night away.” He suggests. “I have a late morning scheduled so we can sleep in.”

“Unfortunately, I have an early morning.” You bite your lip, knowing he’ll hate that. “We have a big event tomorrow night and they’re showing up early in the day. Early bird check in, venue set up, all of it.”

Sam is quiet for a minute and then looks down at his plate again. “Well, I guess that can’t be helped.”

"It's all hands on deck right away." And suddenly you feel horribly guilty about it, even though it's your job. It's something you do out of love and a deep passion for the industry that you've chosen to work in. But a morning of just sleeping in sounds so nice.

“You don’t need to explain.” It’s not like you would change your plans anyway, but it definitely sours the idea he had for the next morning. “You have priorities.”

“Yes, I do. Just like you would if you had a day full of meetings to handle.” He sounds cold, and it bothers you so much more than you would have thought. Like you’d had disappointed your parents with a bad grade on your report card instead of telling your partner than you’re anticipating a demanding work day. “I would support you if that was the case, so I don’t understand why you seem so upset with me.”

“Because we had talked about it.” Sam reminds you. “Two days ago.” He clenches his jaw and takes a breath before releasing it. “You’re right, you have work and it’s important.” He agrees. “Forget I said anything.”

“We did talk about it two days ago. And we talked about me staying over, but not about doing anything the next day. Because I told you weeks ago when this group booked their party that it was going to be a big deal.” Barely managing not to drop your fork in the table, your eyes drop to your lap and you can feel the pressure of disappointment driving at the backs of your eyes like fire and you have to take a deep breath to steady yourself. “I feel like we haven’t been communicating as well as we used to.”

“After we talked about you staying over, I asked if you wanted to have a lazy morning and you said ‘sounds good’.” Sam realizes you had told him about the booking. “We got our signals crossed. It happens. We will need to work on it.”

“Yeah.” You nod, quietly sitting back in your chair again while being very aware of the pairs of eyes that have all turned to witness the First Daughter argue with her boyfriend over their romantic Valentine’s dinner. Fuck. Mom’s going to kill me. “Yeah,” you agree with a vague nod of your head. “We’re just a little off. We’ll work on it.”

“It’s okay.” Sam promises with a smile, reaching out and taking your hand again. He doesn’t want you to be photographed looking unhappy, because then rumors would fly. Public figures aren’t allowed to have bad moments. “We will make the best of tonight.” He tells you. “Or…we can go back to your apartment if you’d prefer?” He offers. “That way you can sleep a little longer?”

"You normally hate staying at my apartment." The water pressure is better at his house, you'll give him that. And the bed is bigger. But the breakfast at your place is far superior every single time.

“I know, but I also know that you have an early morning and I would like to compromise.” He offers.

His hand fits around yours, anchoring you to the table and to him, and you remind yourself to breath. A miscommunication isn't an argument. And even if it is, an argument isn't the end of the world. "I would really like that," you agree, squeezing his hand just a touch. Trying to show him silently how much you appreciate that he's willing to bend a little for you. It has never bothered you that you go to him — stay at his place, attend his work and social events, usually let him pick restaurants for dates as well. But it's nice to feel a little give in your direction as well.

“Alright, then it’s settled.” He nods quickly and smiles at you. “We will have to swing by my house to pick up a change of clothes though.”

"We can do that." You'll tell Agent Bailey after dinner, and the message will get relayed. It will all be fine. Whatever is causing this gap between you and Sam, you'll figure it out. Starting with a little bit of compromise. "And tonight we'll clean out a drawer for you at my place. We'll each have a drawer."

It’s on the tip if his tongue to refuse, to remind you he doesn’t like staying at your place. It’s too busy and he likes privacy in his home, not people coming and going at all times. “It’s a plan.” He decides to say instead, happy that the meal is coming out.

The restaurant is busy tonight, full up with reservations for dates and girls’ nights out. Tables are packed full and the kitchen is bustling, but Malachi sits calmly at the reception desk making sure that all of the inn’s reservations for the night are being taken care of to the best of his ability. The less you have to worry about tomorrow with that incoming party, the better.

Marcus smiles as he walks up to the desk, guiding Vanessa up with a warm hand on her lower back. He hadn’t wanted to be alone, especially on Valentine’s Day, so he had once again tried one of the dating apps. Tinder Without Marks was kind of the opposite of Mate Marks and he appreciated that. There wasn’t any emphasis on tattoos or scars, just on personalities. He had been talking to Vanessa since you had bailed on his offer of dinner and tonight was the first date. “Reservation for Pike.” He greets Malachi warmly.

"Special Agent Pike!" Malachi was not going to forget that face or those shoulders anytime soon, and he smiles genuinely for what seems like the first time all night. Holidays are always a lot of extra running around. "Reservation for the restaurant tonight?" He would have noticed the name if the FBI agent had reserved a room at the inn. He definitely would have noticed that.

“Yes.” Marcus nods and smiles. “How are you Malachi?” He remembers the concierge’s name and greets him like a friend. “I knew that coming here would be a fantastic treat.”

“And…Miss D’Amario.” When the concierge’s eyes light on the woman beside Special Agent Pike, he nearly bursts out laughing. This is going to be the biggest gossip amongst the staff. Multiple staffs. “Does chef know to expect you? Or should I let her know?”

Marcus tilts his head and looks at Vanessa. “I didn’t realize you’ve been here before.” He had told her where he had made reservations, but she hadn’t said. “Do you come often?”

“Once or twice.” She admits with a sheepish smile as Malachi comes out from behind the desk to escort them into the restaurant. “Usually just to run errands. My boss…he comes here a lot.”

“Interesting coincidence.” Marcus muses as the two of them follow Malachi. “You never actually said who you worked for.” He reminds her.

She hadn’t. That’s true. Because on a dating website all kinds of information can get taken out of context or photoshopped into other things. All she had said before now is that she works on Capitol Hill. “Congressman Chase.” She tells her date, a little more secure in handing this information over after having looked into him and agreeing to this dinner. A girl can never be too careful, after all. “I’m the senior aide in his office.”

To his credit, Marcus doesn’t freeze, although his eyes blow wide. He can hear Malachi snicker quietly, although the agent isn’t sure why. Even though he doesn’t have anything against the congressman, the knowledge that she is his senior aide dulls the excitement of the date almost immediately. “I met him just the other day.” Marcus admits. “My friend and former colleague is the event planner here.”

“You know Juan?” Vanessa seems to ease immediately, the tension of meeting a stranger off the Internet soothing with the knowledge that Juan Badillo is an excellent judge of character. “Okay. So you know who owns the inn, then. And why I’m running errands here fairly often.” She smiles when Marcus pulls out her chair for her and thanks him before sitting. “I’ve always wanted to try the restaurant but never have a chance.”

Marcus smiles and nods, even though he’s not exactly sure how this dynamic would work. “Then it’s a good thing I got reservations here.” He tells her and picks up the menu. “Do you want some wine? I think I would like some.”

“That sounds great.” She nods happily, not catching the change in his demeanor even in the last few seconds.

He’s still not going to be rude. Vanessa is a lovely woman, and he shouldn’t feel guilty for being here on a date with her. Not even if you know her and she works for your boyfriend. “Are you a red, white or rosé kind of woman?” He asks, scanning the selections and looking back up at her.

“Usually white. But if you like red I’m happy to try something new.” Vanessa is happy to let Marcus take the lead, not feeling strong enough one way or the other to have a preference.

“There’s a wonderful Prosecco on the menu.” Marcus offers, lifting his brows. “It’s Valentine’s Day after all, and we aren’t alone. We should celebrate.”

"Perfect." Her smile spreads again and she sits back, looking over the menu and regarding the man across from her. "So what department of the FBI are you in? We haven't really talked about work yet."

“Art Crimes.” He supplies wondering where you and Sam are. A discreet glance around the restaurant was a relief and a disappointment not to come up with you. “I’m actually the head of the department.”

"So...is that forgeries and thieves? Like in caper movies?" Vanessa sounds suitably impressed even though it isn't the part of FBI work that gets glorified on tv or in movies. "I didn't know that was a whole department on its own. You must have a lot of responsibility."

“It’s a lot of paperwork.” Marcus admits. “Although I’m sure you have plenty yourself.” He chuckles. “I wish that it was like the movies, or that show White Collar that was on a few years ago. I could use a Neal Caffery sometimes.”

"Oh, I don't think I've ever seen it. I guess I have a little homework to do." On whatever the show is, plus on art as a whole. Art class or art history...museums in general aren't really Vanessa's thing. It just never seemed very practical. "Paperwork is okay when there's a rhythm to it. Sometimes I even turn on music quietly in the office while I'm copying and filing. It's really helpful even though it's kind of a no-no."

“Why would that be a no-no?” He wonders if Sam is a stick in the mud. “Most of the time, I encourage my team to listen to music, it helps engage your mind.”

"We try not to have anything on in the office that could interfere with being understood on the phone," she explains, like it's some kind of party line or sage advice that has been handed down to her. "Staying on message is important. And it's hard to stay on message if you can't be heard."

“And what’s your message?” He asks, finding it slightly intense, but he’s not the politician.

"Right now, our message is about serving our community. Working to bring business into our district without threatening existing small businesses, and making sure that we take safety standards into account." Obviously very proud of her work, Vanessa sits up straight in her chair and folds her hands in her lap with the air of someone being interviewed. "The Congressman is paving his own path and we're all on board for the ride."

“I see.” He can approve of such a message, admire it even. The congressman is obviously working for the best of his district and there is something noble about that. “That’s a good message to have.”

“It really is.” When Vanessa nods, it’s eager. “He’s on the fast track to the White House. It’s a privilege to get to work for him now.”

“A fast track, you say?” Marcus works so hard to keep from frowning, not liking the way that it makes it seem as if you are a steppingstone for Sam. Even though that shouldn’t bother him as much as it does.

“Absolutely.” She pauses long enough for the waiter to return for their drink order and explain the beautiful Valentine’s prix fixe menu before leaving them be again for a few minutes. “Congressman Chase has seven more years to be the youngest president ever elected, and he can do it.”

“That’s a lofty ambition.” Marcus agrees, wondering how much of dating the current president’s daughter is included in those plans for the White House.

“It’s going to be great.” She laughs, not the least self-conscious, but shrugs her shoulders. “I like my job a lot. Sorry if I get carried away a little.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.” Marcus waves that away, although he’s sure he sees hero worship in Vanessa’s eyes, and perhaps a crush on her boss. Nothing wrong with that unless they are being inappropriate and he can’t see the congressman doing that with his ambitions. Some congressmen, sure, but not Sam. “I wish a lot more people enjoyed their jobs like that.”

“It makes hard work worth it,” she agrees, though she does demure and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. “You…must love art? To be so involved with those crimes specifically?”

“I have come to really appreciate it.” Marcus tells her. “I never really stopped to look and think about much art before, but some weekends, I enjoy going through the museums for pleasure and not trying to research a piece.”

"DC is a very good place if you like museums." Even if she's not very big on them herself, she knows that to be absolutely true. It's where she ends up bringing family whenever they visit, so she has seen quite a few of the Smithsonian museums by now. She'd just rather be at a game.

“They are nice. Especially if a game gets rained out.” Marcus agrees, leaning back when the waiter comes back with the first course. “Thank you.” He hums and looks up at Vanessa. “This looks amazing.”

“It really does.” Vanessa looks as delighted as Marcus does and she offers him a sincere smile. “I’m very glad you decided to ask me out tonight.”

“I am too.” He smiles at her even if he feels guilty that he’s not as glad has he had been before he realized the connection to Sam Chase and therefore….you. He picks up his Prosecco and holds it up. “To positive first dates.”

“Absolutely.” Their glasses make lovely clink as they tap together and Vanessa smiles again, very glad that she decided to take this step to try to get over the crush she has on her boss.

“Looks like the inn is fairly packed tonight.” Sam hums as he pulls into the employee only portion of the oyster shell parking lot. He’s not upset for you business-wise, but he wished there weren’t so many people there.

“The night manager had the idea to keep our sitting room open for some live music, and it seems like people have stayed. It must have been a success.” The rooms aren’t sold out tonight because there are early check-ins for that party in the morning, but managing to keep people in house and engaged is a huge deal.

“Interesting concept.” Sam’s not really sure if that would attract the kind of clientele that you want here, but he’s a politician, not an inn owner. “Hopefully not too late?” He asks, wondering if it will be noisy into the late night. That’s not romantic.

“It should be over soon,” you promise him, seeing that your watch reads almost eleven o’clock.

“Good.” Once out of the car, he rushes around the hood and wraps his arm around your waist. “I don’t want them to interrupt our plans for tonight.”

“Nothing’s going to interrupt us.” Heading for the back door, you can pop right into the elevator to head upstairs without having to interrupt anything that’s going on or get sidetracked by Malachi. You just want to take a peak into the sitting room but that’s all. “And you can sleep in, in the morning after I’ve tired you out.”

"Is that a promise?" Sam asks playfully, allowing you to lead him away from the elevator and down the hall.

"Absolutely." The rest of the date had smoothed out, being a relatively quiet and pleasant night Now that you're back at the inn with a bag of Sam's things to stash away in your bureau, you're feeling a little bit flirtier and more upbeat. "And when you come downstairs after you finally drag that excellent butt out of bed, I'll have Syd make you some breakfast."

“I do love her breakfasts.” Sam groans, smirking at you playfully. “So you are planning on wearing me out completely?” He squeezes your waist and looks ahead towards the music.

"I'd say you deserve a night of intensely deep sleep, and I intend to make sure you get it." There is a little line waiting for the elevator as guests start to go up to their rooms for the night, so you hang back with Sam and look toward the sitting room instead. The music coming through is atmospheric and sweet and you are right about to lean your head on Sam's chest while you wait — when you spot someone unexpected in the sitting room.

Marcus had decided that just because Vanessa works for Sam doesn’t mean that he can’t have a nice night with her. The music had sounded lovely floating from the sitting room and he had asked if she wanted to stay. Now, they are dancing and he hasn’t thought about you in at least five minutes.

It's not exactly a gasp, but you end up trying to swallow whatever noise of surprise you were going to make when you spotted Marcus with his date in the the other room — and instead of keeping your reaction to yourself you end up choking on your own damn spit and coughing hard enough to worry Sam.

“Are you alright?” Sam pats your back and leans in with a worried look on his face while you wave him away. “What’s—” he glances around the room and immediately stiffens. “What is he doing with Vanessa?” He asks, his voice bristled with a slight anger he can’t shake.

"Vanessa?" You hadn't even seen who he was with, just choked at the sight of Marcus enjoying a quiet, romantic moment with another woman — something which you know shouldn't bother you but it had been a whole five minutes since the last time you thought about him so apparently that is your maximum. "Like your aide Vanessa?"

“How does he know her?” Sam ignores the question, staring holes into the FBI agent that is currently slow dancing with said aide and making her beam up at him in a way that has Sam wanting to drag her away from him.

"I don't know." He's practically fuming, and your forehead furrows as you turn your eyes back from the couple in the other room to Sam beside you. "Why does it matter?"

“I find it funny—” his tone definitely says otherwise, “that this man just magically shows up, gets invited to a game night and is now cozying up to my top aide.” Sam knows that he’s already been tagged by the DNC as a rising star, his own seat on the council is indicative of that, and now there’s this FBI that is showing up everywhere.

"He's friends with Juan." The defense in your voice is impossible to miss, and you cross your arms defiantly over your chest like you're waiting for him to pick a fight. "Maybe they were introduced by a mutual friend? Met in a coffee shop? Found each other on a dating app? Who knows?"

“And they just happened to book your inn as a date?” He scoffs slightly, unable to believe that fanciful tale and narrows his eyes as Marcus twirls Vanessa around and pulls her back against him.

"Why don't you go interrupt them and find out if you're so curious?" This has taken a very deep turn for the worse, and you can only be glad that the last guests waiting for the elevator near you have gone up so you're more or less alone now. Of course Agent Bailey is nearby, but she never comments.

“No.” He wants to. That’s the problem, and he knows it’s not a good move. Frowning, he turns away from the dancing couple. “Let’s go upstairs. The music is horrible.”

It's not. At all. But this isn't about the music and both of you know that silently even if it isn't said out loud. Sam jams his thumb in the 'Up' button for the elevator again but you say nothing, glancing back at the sitting room one more time to wonder if Sam is upset about the date that is happening for the same reason you are. And if he is...what does that mean for the two of you?

Once upstairs, Sam steps out of the elevator and sighs. “Can we just have the apartment to ourselves?” He directs his question to Agent Bailey, not looking at you.

There are certain protocols that have to be upheld, and Agent Bailey looks to you before starting them. “Ma’am?”

In your mind it’s awfully rude, knowing that asking her to sit in the hallway means hours and hours of uncomfortable sitting, but you also know that Sam is…in less than a good mood right now. And while you’re cranky too, you would rather try to smooth things over if you can. “If…you wouldn’t mind?”

“Please stay here.” Bailey directs you both. She’ll do a sweep of the apartment to make sure no one is waiting for you, and then she’ll take a chair into the hallway. She won’t say so, but she doesn’t mind not hearing a fight if it happens. Or the makeup sex. Neither one is her favorite.

Once you two are alone, Sam sets his bag down, aware that the mood of the evening is ruined and it’s his fault. “Do you want me to leave?” He asks, not even sure if he wants to stay at this point. Especially if Vanessa and that agent will also be spending the night under this roof. He’s not happy to see his best aide here, and usually he’s always happy to see her.

“Can you explain to me why you’re so upset?” It’s definitely uncomfortable, this tension that hangs in the air now, and you try not to let your eyes drop to the right before going back to him. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were just surprised. He’s the one who got mad.

“It’s— I’m not—” There’s not a rational reason why he’s upset, and logically he knows this. “I don’t like the fact this man seems to be everywhere.” You had told him about meeting Marcus at the market and it seems as if he’s suddenly everywhere when a few weeks ago, no one knew this man was even in the area. “Strange in my eyes.”

“It’s just a coincidence.” That’s what you’ve told yourself, anyway. It has nothing at all — nothing whatsoever — to do with the universe putting you into situations where you’ll bump into each other. Not at all. “The Secret Service did a background check on him. He’s totally clear.”

“Then I guess I’m just overreacting.” Sam sighs and wipes a hand down his face. “I should go.” He knows that if he stays, the night won’t proceed like it was planned and he’s better off going home. You don’t seem too happy with him. “Unless you want me to stay?”

What you want, and what you should do, and what seems like the healthiest decision for your mental health all are different things. You should tell him to stay, brush it off, and try to salvage the evening. You want to go downstairs and interrupt that damn date to find out if Marcus Pike is as good a dancer as he seemed to be in the small space of the sitting room. But what’s best for your mental health? Is probably neither of those things. “Maybe I can come over this weekend and we can try to have a less stressful night at your place instead?”

Sam is silent for a moment and then nods. Understanding that something has fundamentally shifted in your relationship and trying to figure out what that might mean for the future. “Sounds good.” He agrees and looks at his bag before picking it up. “I’m sorry about how the night ended.”

“So am I.” The air between you feels different. Colder or heavier or just more tense, but you won’t back down just for the comfort of having him next to you in bed tonight. That isn’t fair to either of you.

Instead of a romantic kiss, Sam leans in and presses his lips to your cheek. “I’ll text you when I get home.” He promises, stepping back and frowning slightly before nodding. He had honestly expected you to change your mind, but he won’t beg to stay, knowing it’s not the best idea.

“Get home safe.” A long moment passes with thick air hanging between you before Sam nods again and opens the door, stepping out of your apartment and back in to the elevator. “It’s just us tonight,” you tell Agent Bailey, who comes back into the room the moment she hears the door. “The Congressman has gone home for the night.” And of referring to him by his title instead of his name isn’t a big fucking clue to you right then and there, it should be.

It’s not surprising, given the way the evening has turned sour, but it’s not her place to say anything. “Very well.” She nods. “If you need anything, let me know.” She intends to stay outside and let you sulk if you need to. She hadn’t missed ’the Congressman’ title instead of Sam.

“You can stay inside.” Banishing your Secret Service detail to the hallway is one more thing that rubbed you the wrong way. “I’m just going to go to bed. But the coffee you like…the vanilla caramel one? It in the cupboard above the coffee maker. Any time you want to make some.”

“Thank you.” The couch you don’t mind her sitting on is a lot more comfortable than the chair in hallway and she appreciates that you don’t mind her using the bathroom either. “Is there anything you need before you go to bed?”

“No.” You’re too afraid to ask if you did wrong by letting Sam go home, so you don’t even consider it. “Tomorrow’s an early morning. Agent Sisson coming to relieve you early?”

“Five.” She nods. “If you need to be up earlier, I will be here.”

"I won't be up until after that." Unless you can't sleep, which is a serious possibility considering how poorly the night went and how half of your thoughts are currently downstairs in the sitting room. "So I'll see you tomorrow, Agent Bailey."

“Goodnight, ma’am.” It’s best to keep things formal, although she feels bad that your evening did not end up like it was supposed to. And incredibly interested in the reaction of the congressman to Marcus Pike’s presence.

"Good night." Going to your room alone isn't what you wanted for tonight, but it feels like it's for the best. All you can do now is hope that you sleep.

The next morning is a flurry of activity, but Sydney notices that you aren’t rushing in from the parking lot when you come into the kitchen, looking like you didn’t get much sleep last night. “Good morning sunshine.” She teases, reaching for the coffee pot to pour you a cup.

Teasing barely earns her a grumble in return, but you gratefully accept the cup of coffee she pours you and turn to doctor it immediately. “That early check-in group should be here in a half hour.”

“I already have a breakfast spread ready for them.” She motions to the counter and the baskets she has already started filling with baked goods. The bowl of fresh fruit is inside a hollowed-out watermelon. “I couldn’t sleep.” She explains. “Indigestion.”

“There’s a joke in there about swallowing too much cum, but I’m too tired to make it.” You huff though, trying for a smile for your best friend. “It looks great, Syd. Thank you for working so hard.”

She sees through you instantly and frowns, moving around the counter and wiping her hands on the ever present rag tucked into the pocket of her chef’s jacket. “What’s wrong?” She asks, feeling your forehead and looking like an over anxious mother hen worrying over her baby. “Are you not feeling good? Juan, Malachi and I can handle this if you need us to.”

“Not a chance.” Considering you never take sick days even when you’re actually sick, there is no way you would make your team handle a big event without you. “It’s nothing. I just…had a bad night. That’s all.”

“Everything alright?” She frowns, tutting at your stubbornness and moving over to the espresso machine to give you a shot to help boost you up.

“Sam and I had a little…series of tiffs,” you admit with a sigh. There is a pan of her fresh baked broscia nearby and the Sicilian brioche-style bread is calming to you to be crammed full with jam and butter so you grab one still warm. “We got into it at the restaurant over me having to be at work early today and then again later when he flipped out about Marcus being here on his date.”

“Marcus?” Her head whips around and she gives you an utterly confused look. “One, why was he here? Two, why was Sam upset about that?”

“He must have stayed after dinner. For the musician that Malachi brought in.” Sam had been cranky about it, but you thought the singer at the piano had been lovely. “He…uh…Marcus, that is…did you see who his date was? When they came in for dinner last night?”

“I didn’t see, it was crazy in the kitchen, but Malachi told me that it was Vanessa.” She huffs. “How the hell do they know each other?”

“I don’t know. But the same question made Sam so upset that he ended up leaving my apartment last night instead of staying over.” The best you can do is shrug your shoulders. Because as much as it bothers you? You know why it does. There’s no mystery there, only guilt. “He thinks there’s something suspicious about Marcus, apparently.”

“Something suspicious about Marcus Pike?” She chokes out, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it. “The FBI agent? The man who was an Eagle Scout?” She and Juan had pulled that nugget of information out of him at game night.

“Because apparently, he’s ‘suddenly everywhere’ when none of us had seen him before.” Jam and butter join your bread roll and you sigh a little at the comfort of it. “I think it’s just confirmation bias. Like we probably were in the same places as him before, we just didn’t know to look for him.”

“Well…Juan would have recognized him.” Syd reminds you. “So that’s not exactly true, but I understand what you mean.” She sighs and hesitates for a moment. “Do you think it’s him or because he was with Vanessa?” She knows the other woman has a crush on Sam, it’s obvious from the hero worship stars in her eyes when she’s around. She knows Sam isn’t the type to cheat, but maybe there’s some feelings there that are repressed.

“I feel like that didn’t help.” Coffee and a little breakfast is helping. You can think a little straighter even if you don’t like the thoughts. “I know Vanessa has a thing for him. It’s not subtle. But before now I didn’t think there was cause for concern the other way.”

“It could be that Sam thinks that Vanessa could give away information that he could use if Marcus wanted to cause problems between you and Sam.” She rationalizes. “Slightly conspiracy theorist in my mind, but I could see how it could be construed.” Sydney enjoys playing Devil’s advocate, even if she likes Marcus and doesn’t think he is angling for anything.

“Before last week, I didn’t think there were problems between me and Sam.” It’s disconcerting to realize, as you stand here and talk through it with your best friend, that your relationship has not been as steady as you once thought. “Now? I don’t know.”

“Other than his overreaction, what makes you think that?” She asks, aware that you’ve been a little edgy lately but every relationship has ups and downs at times.

“He seems…really agitated lately. Much more upset than usual about having an agent around. Last night he wanted Agent Bailey to sit out in the hall while we slept, how does that make sense? And making comments about the future of our relationship to other people?” To Vanessa’s parents, now that you think about it. It sometimes slips your mind that his most trustworthy aide is also the only daughter of one of his largest donors. “Everything just feels on edge.”

“Have you talked about all this? Like really sat down and talked?” She frowns, not liking what she is hearing, although it could just be a case of miscommunication.

“Before now there hasn’t really been a reason.” Or at least, there hasn’t been such an obvious compilation of reasons. “And considering he never texted me back when he got home last night, now I’m wondering if he’ll be willing to sit down and hash things out.”

“I’m sorry.” She slides the shot of espresso over and reaches for your hand. “I like Sam, but if it doesn’t work out, it’s better to find out now, than down the road.”

“With the whole soulmate thing and now this kind of…weird accumulation of things?” You shake your head and just sort of shrug awkwardly. “I feel discouraged in a way that I really wasn’t expecting.”

“I’m sorry.” Immediately feeling guilty, Sydney’s shoulders drop and she bites her lip. “I shouldn’t have teased you about finding out what kind of hummingbird tattoo he has.” She hadn’t expected it to cause so many problems, or for you to be so resistant to it. Before Sam, you would have demanded to see the tattoo right away just to disprove the soulmate theory. “What can I do to help you?”

“Honey, you’re growing a literal human. You have enough to deal with.” It’s disheartening, and confusing, and frankly you’re shocked that you’re so willing to throw up your hands. That’s not like you at all.

“That doesn’t mean I can’t and won’t be there for my best friend.” She argues, frowning at you. “Your shit is my shit, remember? I’ll be expecting you to do a rotation getting up with the baby.” She jokes, wanting you to laugh a little.

"If we still lived together, I absolutely would." Being in this apartment upstairs is actually the first time you've ever lived alone — taking over the role of caretaker for the inn when Sydney moved out of the apartment you had been renting in Old Town to buy a house with her soulmate. "At this point I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place...and one of those blockages is purely made up of how confused I am over...just feeling like I want to throw in the towel instead of working things out. That's not who I am. Or not who I have been."

“Honey, sometimes you just…don’t want to work things out. That doesn’t make you a failure.” She hums. “You might just realize that you have different goals.”

"But why do I feel that way?" There's only a few bites of your bun left and you know that today is going to be a peckish day. You tend to nibble when you're worried. "Is it just because I'm having doubts? And why am I even having doubts? It's...soulmates never mattered to me before this."

“Maybe it’s because of the man and not the soulmate aspect?” She probes gently. “Let me ask you this….if you weren’t in a relationship with Sam, would you be interested in Marcus. Even without the soulmate possibility?”

"I—" It feels dirty. A kind of guilt you really don't like and makes your skin crawl. But this isn't a situation you're going to lie about. Not when you're literally asking your best friend for help. "I mean...probably. Yeah."

“Then you should step back. From Marcus or Sam, that decision is yours. But some space might be needed to figure out what you are feeling.” Syd suggests.

"All the social media shit from our date last night is going to go viral really fast if anyone gets a whiff that we've broken up." Just as astonishing as the idea that you would even consider ending things, it's alarming how fast your heart knows the right decision to make. Or at least what you perceive as right in this moment. "It's going to be a shitshow..."

Sydney doesn’t comment on the fact that it seems like you’ve made up your mind, just humming. “Take it slow. It doesn’t have to be some kind of announcement.”

"The last thing I want is to have to make an announcement." The end of your coffee cup comes all too soon, and you fill it up again with a sigh. This morning is going to be a lot for many different reasons. "Syd...you would stop me if you thought I was making the wrong choice, right?"

“I would definitely try to talk to you.” She promises. “I like Sam, I really do, but if you don’t see yourself marrying him, well—” she shrugs. “Just give yourself a week, how about that?”

"Have I really reached the point in my life where it's not worth staying with someone that I don't see myself marrying?" That is a fairly rude awakening because of how honest it is, and you stifle a groan in one hand. "You're right, and I know you're right. But the State Dinner for the Spanish royal visit is in just over a week. The last thing I want is to have to go to that alone."

“To make it fair, give yourself that time.” She tells you. “Give him an honest try and if you still can’t see it, then you have your answer because Sam is the type to want marriage.”

"I want to get married, too." You always have. Ever since you were little. You reveled in family weddings and dreaming in your own big day. You had even talked to Marcus about it at the market. But whenever the future comes up with Sam, it ends up feeling tense now. "I just...it's a lot to even think about, Syd. You and Juan just...you're so good together. I don't think I'll ever get that lucky."

“I think you will.” She encourages. “My relationship with Juan isn’t without work.” She reminds you. “We still have to communicate and work through issues.”

"But it's worth it because you love each other so much." The sentence is out of your mouth before you have a chance to really sit on what you're saying, and just seconds after you hear yourself say it, your shoulders fall in defeat. "Oh...fuck..."

“What is it?” She asks, frowning at the way you just seemed to deflate.

"It's worth it for you and Juan to work through your issues because you love each other so much." Repeating the phrase makes it hurt all the more, because you didn't realize until this exact moment that it doesn't apply to you. At least, not anymore. "I...don't think I feel the same way..."

“Oh honey.” Her expression softens and she is immediately around the counter again, this time pulling you in for a big hug.

"I'm okay," you insist, through very obvious tears that announce the contrary. "I'm okay." You have to be. You have work to do, and you can't greet a large family party here to announce and celebrate an engagement with runny mascara. "I...have to be okay."

“Listen.” She lets you go and takes your shoulder to look you in the eyes. “You are going upstairs. Ahhh.” She stops you when you start to protest. “Take ten minutes, take an hour, take all day, but take some time to yourself before you start running around dealing with the very obvious results of love.” She tells you. “I can get them started with food and then Juan can take over to take them to the venue.” She shakes her head, huffing when you open your mouth again. “No, I’m not listening. Now go.”

"I'll be back in ten minutes." The best thing you can do for yourself today is keep busy, but she's right that you need to have a clear head for things to go well. "I just...I didn't know this was going to happen today. Or ever."

“I know, babe.” She squeezes you again and sighs. “But I’m here for you. Completely.”

"Thank you, love." Squeezing her tight against you as much as you can, you steal your second coffee away with you from the kitchen and head back upstairs with Agent Sisson following behind.

Sydney sighs as she looks at the door you disappear through for a moment before turning back to her work. The best way she can help you right now, is to make sure the incoming clients are happy.

Walking out through the back hall, you clutch your mug of coffee and try to hang onto a thread of dignity until you get back upstairs. There are more tears pressing at the back of your eyes and you absolutely do not want them shed in public. The elevator is in use, apparently, and you jam your finger in the button a second time for good measure before blowing out a sigh. What a great fucking Valentine’s last night turned out to be, and what a terrible fucking day this is looking like…

The little toiletry kits provided in the rooms are a godsend and both Marcus and Vanessa quickly clean up after the alarm had woken them. “Can’t believe we drank so much and we don’t have hangovers.” Marcus hums, riding the elevator down to get a quick breakfast with his Valentine’s date. They had ended up finishing a bottle and then having another few glasses while dancing. Feeling too drunk to safely get home, the night manager had agreed to let them take one of the rooms on the promise they would check out early. He has been grateful and eagerly agreed. “How about you?”

“Normally I would say I’m still drunk,” Vanessa admits with a sheepish laugh. “But I’m okay. I think it’s just a miracle and I’m not in the habit of questioning those. Though I could use some breakfast.”

“I’ll get you fed and then get you home so you won’t be late to work.” Marcus promises. He will be late, but he had already told his team to come in late, so it’s just paperwork that he’s missing.

“In case no one has ever told you before, you are a consummate caretaker.” It makes a girl like Vanessa feel very special, who spend her working hours caring for someone else and her downtime making sure to live up to her parents’ expectations, and while Marcus Pike isn’t quite her dream man — he’s handsome and sweet and she would be stupid to ignore that.

"I like to make sure people are happy and safe around me." Marcus shrugs off the praise with a small grin. "I took you from your house, it's only right I deliver you back to it." He hums as the elevator stops and dings before the doors open. "Now to get you fed."

When the elevator doors slide open in front of you, the most unwelcome sight in the world is waiting. The vision of Marcus Pike and Vanessa D’Amario in the same clothing you saw them wearing last night, looking refreshed and giddy huddled together in one corner of the elevator car makes you want to turn on your heel and flee back into the kitchen. And you probably would, if you weren’t rooted to the spot in shock and trying to remember how to breathe.

Vanessa murmurs your name in surprise. "I—I didn't expect to see you here this morning!" Her eyes dart around, almost nervously as she expects Sam to pop up. "I—uh, is Congressman Chase here?" She asks, "I thought— he said that you had a date." Normally dates between you and Sam included sleepovers.

“He’s not here.” You won’t invite questions by giving extra information, but when your feet remember how to work, you step out of the way to let them off the elevator. “I—um—I was just headed upstairs.” Sam is going to be in a very foul mood if he’s coming off a bad night and Vanessa walks in looking freshly fucked, and that almost makes you sob all over again. “N—nice to see you, Vanessa. Marcus.”

Marcus can't even do more than just nod and lift his hand and wave slightly, feeling foolish as he watches the doors slide closed and your eyes meet his in a kind of silent agony. "Well," Vanessa giggles and Marcus can't help the way that he swallows guiltily, like he's done something wrong. "I guess that's one way for my boss to learn I had a date."

______

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#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Marcus Pike #Marcus Pike x you #Marcus Pike x reader #Marcus Pike x female reader #Marcus Pike x f!reader #The Mentalist #soulmate au #First Daughter reader #Juan Badillo #Graceland #Juan Badillo x f!OC #Juan Badillo x OC #love triangle

[whatudowhennooneseesyou]

Day 3: 'I Could Take You Right Now'

Trope: Enemies To Lovers

Surprise! This is a sneak peek into 'Stayteez Trope'pril' with our very first fic for the month.

And this is my first fantasy drabble I've written ever!

Content Includes: Dom!Changbin x sub!fem reader, dirty talk, kissing, this is more suggestive than smut, arranged marriage au, Changbin is a cocky bastard in this.

Word Count: 509

The cockiness of the Prince you were betrothed too was overwhelming and he annoyed you in every way possible.

Even how he was smirking at you from across the dinner table had your eyes rolling in the back of your head.

‘I prefer men with a high intelligence, though I haven't met one as of yet'

You were quickly shushed by the Queen to which you angrily threw the linen napkin on your plate and stormed out of the room, walking down the darkened hallway.

You don't know how you were going to marry this man, yes he was attractive but his attitude caused your jaw to clench and your teeth to be worn to nubs.

‘You know, that was awfully rude for you to just walk out of dinner like that’

Changbin’s broad figure stood out from the shadows as he leaned against the wall with a cocky grin on his face.

Your face grimaced as you snapped back at him,

‘Well it was rude of you to be in my presence, always inviting yourself unannounced and making me lose my appetite, can't believe I have to be married to you by the end of the year'.

Changbin sauntered towards you and unexpectedly had you pushed against the wall, his hand framing your face as he stared at you intently, his eyes narrowing.

‘Is being married to me really so burdensome towards you?’

He leaned in further, his breath hot in your ear and the act was causing shivers to cascade down your body.

‘You haven't even gotten a taste of what I can offer you yet, how good I can make you feel?’

You could feel his hand being placed gently on your waist as he whispered into your ear more.

'There's more to me than just words Princess, and there's more to you than being mean’

He reached out to tuck a stray lock of your hair behind your ear and the action made you more aroused than what you'd intended, your skin covered in goosebumps.

‘You know what they say about people being mean to you Princess?

He leaned back so he could gaze at you with simmering eyes,

‘They're mean because they like you’

The comment was enough and Changbin looked too enticing, you leaned in and kissed him, breaking the tension as you felt Changbin’s strong arms around you as he pushed you against the wall, moaning and sighing.

‘I could take you right now’ He murmured into your mouth, his hands rubbing your sides.

'Turn you around, hike up your skirt, put my cock inside of you until I have you moaning my name.

Changbin let out a dramatic sigh as he pulled away suddenly, shrugging his shoulders.

‘But, oh well. I guess we’ll have to wait until our wedding night’

He chuckled darkly, smiling like the cat ate the cream as he walked away, leaving you all high and dry.

‘You bastard!!’ You yelled out to him as he walked away,

Changbin stopped as he looked at you over his shoulder.

‘You can say worse on our wedding night!’

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Stay tuned until April 👍🏻👍🏻

#stayteez trope’pril #stray kids smut #stray kids scenarios #skz changbin #stray kids x you #skz x reader #stray kids hard thoughts #skz hard hours #kpop smut #stray kids fluff #kpop layouts #stray kids hard hours #kpop drabbles

[four-color-words]

Okay, so. Thoughts on Charley, his resurrection, and the retcons...

The teal deer of this post is this -- I don't think a heel-turn, as presented in canon, makes much sense. But, with a different motivation, and a couple of changes to the plot, I think it could have made for a very emotionally impactful story.

This post is going to be long, so get a drink and settle in. And it's gonna get image-heavy, so I'm putting it under a break, to preserve your dashboards as much as I can.

With that warning (seriously, this thing is at least four pages long, I'm sure), let's go --

See, what we get in canon is this: Charley was a Titan, he was killed by the Wildebeest, and that seems to have been the end of this impact on the story. (The New Titans (1988) #72).

Image ID: the Wildebeest, a supervillain in horned, bestial armor, pins Charley to the ground, tightening a garotte around his neck. "...Now I should kill you," he says, "I should keep tightening this wire until there's no air left in your lungs..."

(page seven)

(Disclaimer: I haven't gotten to this arc yet. My Titans read is still sitting circa 1987; I skipped ahead when I first started looking into Charley some time back)

So, Charley dies, and then Slade and Dayton just sorta. Leave his body there on the rocks. Which feels... rude? But also, they don't really know this kid, and what would they even do with his corpse anyway?

I dunno. It doesn't feel ooc for either of them, but it does feel strange, if that makes any sense

Anyway, that seems to be the last we see of Charley-boy until 2005, when he finally reappears in Hawkman (2002) #37

Image ID: Charley Parker, in updated armor, makes a dramatic entrance that takes up the whole page. His wings are spread proudly behind him as he alights. The dialogue reads "Nope. The name's Golden Eagle!"

So... How did he come back? What's the story here? Well, let's hear Charley's version of events:

Image ID: While fighting Carter Hall, Charley says the following over the course of two pages: "My father was a hero... A credit to his race. But everyone betrayed him! My mother deceived him... And then his so-called loyal friends were next! Eventually, even the Thanagarian people turned their backs on him!" ... "He was once a hero to this world, fighting side-by-side with the Justice League!" ... "I'm talking about Fel Andar, my father! You and Katar Hol destroyed him!"

(Hawkman (2002) #45)

Which... Okay, he's Fel Andar's son. That's a surprise, but plausible. As part of his cover, Fel was married to a human woman. That's part of the retcon they made back in Hawkworld, where Fel was introduced. Sure, there's a lot of weird stuff in here about Fel being a hero, but that could just be a kid wanting to believe that his deadbeat dad wasn't a total asshole. Charley's not a reliable narrator. But then it gets convoluted:

Image ID: Charley continues his story: "My grandfather was Andar Nal, who in 1947 during a mission to study Earth with his brother Andar Pul, had fallen in love with a woman named Naomi O'Neill. A year later, they gave birth to my father, Fel Andar, and he was raised on Thanagar... unaware that he was a child of two worlds." ... "...My father was dispatched to Earth by the war council as a spy, to prepare for Thanagar's eventual invasion. Like his father before him, he fell in love with an Earth woman, Sharon Parker, my mother, and as part of his cover as a sleeper agent ... he married her. Soon after, they had a son. I was four years old when Thanagar called my father to active duty."

Holy exposition dump, Batman! The part where Fel is half human feels new (and unnecessary?) to me, but the rest of this checks out so far... Given the caveats I've mentioned. Charley wants to believe his parents loved one another. He wants to believe his parents loved him. Anyone would, really, so we can't blame him for that. But this is about where the story starts to fall apart:

"...He couldn't allow Thanagar to know he had fathered a child. In their eyes it would have compromised his loyalties. As a result, my mother was reprogrammed to believe she was Hawkwoman, while I was given up for adoption. When my mother discovered the truth, she vowed to expose my father to the world. Fel Andar had already made his choice between Earth and Thanagar. With her dying breath, she destroyed his legacy."

...Okay, that... Mostly fits with what I remember from Hawkworld...? I mean, the part where Fel genuinely loved Sharon doesn't, but again, unreliable narrator. But the part I don't understand is... How this is supposed to make Charley sympathize with his father, instead of his mother. This is a story that paints Fel Andar as an awful man who betrayed the woman he loved and his son, Charley, who is telling this story, for the sake of a government and a planet that destroyed his family. He sucks.

"By this time, my father had already proven himself as a hero here on Earth and wanted to stay, but you returned from Limbo with the JSA and ruined everything."

I call bullshit! This didn't fucking happen? Did I miss a comic somewhere? What would he even have been staying for, if he'd betrayed his wife, lost his son, and tried to help destroy the planet?? There's no goddamn way I can believe this guy:

Image ID: Fel Andar, his secrets revealed, fires a massive alien weapon at his faux wife, Sharon Parker, amidst a burning house. As he does so, he tells her "Die like the dog you are."

(Hawkworld (1990) #23, pg5)

...Had any reason to stay. I'll keep the less kind language off the post, but this man hated Earth and the humans that lived on it.

Ugh, whatever. Charley, please continue.

"My father fled to Thanagar where, by the grace of his lineage, he was imprisoned... But spared the death penalty. He escaped and returned to Earth twice after my mother's death. Once when he gave me the Golden Eagle armor. And once as I lay dying on the coast of Long Island." (Hawkman (2002) #45)

...And. That's it. That's all he says. We're supposed to believe a high-profile prisoner managed to escape twice? That he willingly came back to Earth? Saved his mostly-human son? A son he loved, and felt no shame over? That doesn't line up with anything else we've seen about Thanagar or Fel Andar himself. And really, a lot of things about Charley's story here don't make any sense when you start to tug on the threads. Let's wheel it back to Charley's pre-Crisis origins here for a moment -- the clearest origins we get for how and when he got that armor:

Image ID: Sixteen-year-old Charley Parker, dressed in a homemade Hawkman costume, is running around playing pretend. His narration reads: "I was jumping down some steps, pretending to fly... When all of a sudden..." The Charley in the flashback takes over then, with internal monologue. "Ohhh! Being zapped by something... Feel tingly all over!" The next panel, he's midflight, the costume turned real. The narration box reads: "The next startling moment found me soaring high into the sky -- as if I'd been doing it all my life!" Flashback-Charley continues his monologue: "Holy cow! My imitation wings... My hood... They're not a costume anymore...! They're real... Alive... Part of me! I look like a real golden eagle.... Fly like one!"

(Justice League of America (1960) #117)

We find out, as this story goes on, that one of Hawkman's villains -- aggrieved at Carter's absence -- has accidentally magically turned Charley's dorky larp into reality. But that's period-typical silliness. We don't really see him again 'til the formation of the Titans West in Teen Titans (1966) #50, where he mentions how he's gotten wings that will last beyond Matter Master's meddling:

Image ID: Charley, speaking to the other members of the Titans West, says "Yeah! I met the Justice League once -- And Hawkman gave me this set of wings -- But I never met you!"

...Heavily summarized, key details missing, but sure.

Now, this is all pre-Crisis! Normally, I'd just dismiss this as having nothing to do with post-Crisis canon, and leave it at that. Except... Charley and Carter clearly have some sort of connection. If they don't, then where the hell did this photo come from?

Image ID: Charley, at his desk, examines a photograph of his younger self standing with Carter. Both are smiling, and dressed as their alter-egos.

(Hawkman (2002) #42)

Charley himself gives a version of events, one that I had at first dismissed as a complete lie. It's several pages of giant panels, but the short version is this: Charley had a rough life, growing up in orphanages and foster homes. He didn't think he had much of a future, and in his depression, attempted suicide. Carter saved him, gave him a job at the museum, and ultimately took him on as a sidekick. This is also in the midst of him claiming Carter is his biological father, and that he got the Golden Eagle armor from Carter and Adam Strange (Hawkman (2002) #43). As parts of this story are later revealed to be a lie (in issue #45), we can't quite be sure which parts are true.

But some of it must be. On top of that photograph, we have this little anecdote of Dick's:

Image ID: a partial panel wherein Dick, as Nightwing, is speaking to Wally, as Flash. He says: "Flash, you were one of us. You know the worst thing you can do to the Titans is to show up unannounced. You used to hate it when Aquaman and Hawkman would knock on the tower door for an impromptu "cookout" -- We all knew they were just keeping tabs on Garth and Charley." Wally, regretful, admits: "I... I guess that did bug the hell out of us."

(Teen Titans (2003) #6)

I checked the publication dates, and this bit of dialogue was in place a whole year before Charley's return. Is it just Geoff Johns wanting to namedrop his blorbo? Probably. But it has consequences for the whole narrative they're presenting here. After all, Dick would have no reason to bring up Charley and Carter, unless this was a real thing that had happened. And Wally would have no reason to corroborate the story.

Image ID: a gif of Oprah Winfrey asking her unseen interviewee "So what is the truth?"

WELP, if we're gonna figure that out, maybe we should see what Carter has to say on the subject. I mean, if this kid was his sidekick, he ought to have known him, right? Had some kind of reaction to seeing him come back from the dead?

Image ID: Two sequential panels from Hawkman (2002) #38. Carter wakes up in a hospital bed. Charley comes into the room, dressed in a suit, coffee mug in hand. He greets Carter: "Carter, I'm so glad to see you up and moving around. How are you feeling?" Carter answers with a question: "Do we know each other?" Charley replies: "Kind of. My name is Charles Edmund Parker... Formerly Golden Eagle. I was a Teen Titan." In the following panel, Carter says "I heard that Golden Eagle died awhile back." Extraneous dialogue has been cut.

...Oooooor not. Yikes on bikes, this sounds bad. No matter how you slice it, Charley looked up to Carter. They had a bond, a relationship of some kind. One that's compared, in that tiny little anecdote, to the relationship between Garth and Arthur. Carter is implied to be a goddamn father figure to Charley. And... Carter doesn't even recognize him. Doesn't remember Charley's name, or his moniker. Shows no reaction to him being dead, or alive, or alive after being fucking dead.

It's goddamn tragic, the story this presents us with. Charley was a kid who was so unbearably lonely, so hungry for a family, for connection. And then, for a fraction of a moment, he thought he had it. He was a hero, a Titan! He had a mentor he could learn from, friends he could trust! He had a home! A family! Finally, he had somewhere to belong!

And then... He lost it. He was lured into a trap and left to die, alone, on the cold rocky shore. Forgotten, completely, by his friends, by his mentor, by everyone who he'd believed loved him. He had no one.

Who wouldn't want revenge, after that?! Who wouldn't be in pain?!

But is any of that brought up? Is any of that stated to be why Charley is seeking revenge on Carter? No. You know why Charley wants to kill Carter and take the Hawkman mantle?

"All Carter Hall did was loot Nth metal from a Thanagarian battleship that crashed on Earth centuries ago! His blood isn't pure! He has no claim to the uniform or understanding of what it signifies!"

(Hawkman (2002) #44)

...Bro, what? This doesn't make any goddamn sense. By Charley's own admission, he's mostly human. He doesn't have a leg to stand on in that extremely gross, racist argument. Besides that, Carter was the first Hawkman. Fel was a fake, Katar was a successor. If anybody gets to decide what it means to be Hawkman, it's Carter.

This is fucking dumb. You had a perfectly good, understandable, valid motivation right there. And you just... Dropped the ball to make Charley be a piece of shit for no reason. Why. Why do you do this to me. To me specifically.

I mean, sure, in his prior characterization, he could be a bit of an ass:

Image ID: Two panels, out of sequence, from a conversation between Charley and Garth. In the first, Charley comments: "I've got a summer house a few miles south." Garth replies: "I remember the party you threw when the old Titans disbanded. I don't think Donna's ever forgiven you for hiring that stripper." Charley laughs it off -- "Aahh, she was always uptight. She needed a laugh." In the second panel, Charley continues with his attitude: "Hey, I liked foes I could beat up with my right hand tied behind my back. Certainly made us look more impressive."

(The New Teen Titans (1988) #72)

...But he was a kid, somewhere between nineteen and twenty-one, nothing more or less. He had room and time to grow. We can see that, behind the jerk who's begging for a headlock, Charley's a loyal friend who doesn't hesitate to defend his friends:

Image ID: A closeup of Charley's panicked, angry face. He calls out: "Garth? Garth? Oh, my dear god." In the next panel, he swoops at Wildebeest, attacking from above. "If he's dead, you bast--" Wildebeest interrupts Charley: "Not my intention, bird-boy."

Unfortunately we don't have a whole lot of characterization for him post-Crisis, prior to his death. Aside from this, the most we really see of his character is him not getting along with Hawk (but who does?) and expressing that he's worn out in The New Titans (1988) #56 and doesn't wanna stick around while Lillith tries to revive Gnarrk. Neither of these things conflict with his pre-Crisis characterization, but they don't give us a strong sense of a whole character, either.

So, let's look at pre-Crisis canon, because that's most of what exists in terms of Charley's appearances. (At least what's listed on the wiki; if I'm missing stuff, let me know. It's a lot of comics to cover!) We can see that Charley struggles with asserting himself in his civilian life:

Image ID: A physically imposing man looms over Charley, working as a gas station attendant. The man growls: "Listen, punk -- I told ya $3 worth!" Charley protests: "But, sir -- I distinctly heard you say "fill 'er up"! You owe $12.45!"

In the rest of this sequence (Teen Titans (1966) #50), the man proceeds to bully Charley into letting him drive away without paying at all. His boss says this is the third time this has happened this week, and says he'll take it out of Charley's paycheck. Charley, sick of this mistreatment, quits. As he walks away, Charley says this isn't the first time he's been out of work, and expresses a desire to go back to being the Golden Eagle:

Image ID: Charley is seen from behind, walking away from the gas station. His internal monologue is as follows: "Well, scratch another job for Charlie Parker, boy nebbish! I guess I should start lookin' for a different way to earn bread -- but I'm not in the mood! I'd rather go home and do my Golden Eagle gig--!"

The implication here is that he doesn't associate being the Golden Eagle with profit or earning money. He's not a mercenary, so he's genuinely doing this out of a desire to do good. And maybe to exert a little bit of control over his life, take on a more confident persona. But that's hardly a villainous motivation, especially for a sixteen-year-old nerd who larped being a superhero. He started being a hero because he wanted to be like his idol, Hawkman (Justice League of America (1960) #116). This doesn't exactly conflict with the arrogant jerk we see just prior to Charley's death. Rather, it paints that as overcompensation. Charley is concerned with how impressive he and the other Titans come across, flaunts his "summer home," and hires a stripper for a party -- all because he's trying to look cool and confident, and hide crippling self-doubt.

He's not the asshole we see in Hawkman (2002). This characterization comes completely out of left field, to my mind. There's not the barest clue of it in anything Charley was in before now, pre- or post-Crisis.

So what would make sense, with that prior characterization in mind? Well, I've got an idea, but that might be for a different post. This thing is already a mile and a half long, and it's killing my browser and internet connection.

Either way, what we get in canon doesn't feel right to me. Maybe there's more in the Rann-Thanagar War arc that will explain the part about Fel's sudden and total change in characterization, but at present, I have a hard time buying it. I sincerely doubt they'll be able to make Charley's bullshit motives for this heel-turn make sense.

I really think Charley had the potential to be and do more than he got in canon. He got twisted into a sad facsimile of himself, a prop to make Carter look better. And it really breaks my heart, because I think this story could have been a huge turning point for Carter and the Hawks as a whole. But my thoughts and feelings on that are an essay in themselves, to be honest.

Anyway, that's the end of this for now. If you actually read this thing all the way to the end, I am absolutely shocked and flattered. Thank you for listening to me rant.

#Charley Parker #i think that's the only fandom tag i'm putting on this lol #i do not want to invite The Discourse to my doorstep

[scratchyemporium]

i've got some monsoon body-based and mindset-based headcanons that i've gathered from both wiki articles and images across the web (i'm not forcing you to believe them!! i am not an expert on anything that i talk about here but it's what i've gathered from personal observation. i also have not gotten to his boss fight yet so i might be entirely wrong on things!!):

1. his hair is fake. it's reconstructed onto his body with some sort of stringy wire. human hair cannot be that naturally white in that amount of hair unless bleached or colored. considering he's in his late 50s/early 60s (he grew up during the khmer rouge crisis in cambodia [according to fandom wiki {which was around 1975-79}]), there's no way he can keep that amount of hair in that clean of a state naturally (there at least has to be some gray hairs and/or his original hair color at the ends of the hair [idk i'm not a hair expert]). the most it can be is a wig, but his hair is definitely fake (wig/wires somewhat explains the stringiness/solidity of his hair).

2. he can't see well without his visor (a duh moment). i believe that he can still see without his visor, but the shootout he had with a gang back in cambodia had damaged his eyes significantly. his iconic "snail eyes" can only help him see objects close up, since a vision like that would likely be some sort of tunnel vision (think of looking out of some binoculars). when he puts on his visor, he also has to be careful as to not damage any links between the visor and the snail eyes so he can see correctly, as i believe that the visor connects with his snail eyes to provide a better view of what he sees, helping him be both far-sighted and near-sighted at once. i also believe that what he sees is covered in a tint of red due to his visor color.

3. splitting apart into different parts is hard to control and he only can stabilize his body if his body parts are close to each other and are obviously in the right position. we all know monsoon's iconic entry. he descends from the ceiling/roof and reconstructs himself when he gracefully lands on his feet at the bottom (gathered from a gif [pronounced geh-if]; again, i haven't gotten to his boss fight yet [this might've actually been in the jetstream sam dlc]). i did notice how his body pieces shake in the air almost uncontrollably until his head gets close to the pieces, to when they snap together almost immediately. magnetism is hard to control, and his visor is the only thing that can control them (confirmed: in the boss fight, the head is the weakness; when striking the generator [the cylindrical piece in his visor that pops out sometimes], he loses all control of his body and is vulnerable to effective attacks). the further the body parts are from the body, the more unstable it becomes, and he eventually either loses control of the piece that is far enough away or his body falls apart altogether. this is why when he's dodging raiden's (alt: jack the ripper's) attacks, his body snaps together instantly once the blade misses.

4. his body can possibly get overheated due to speed and efficiency he has. all electrical machines produce heat. heat is a common product of energy use (electric energy -> heat energy), but sometimes it's not wanted since it can lead to problems like short-circuiting and burning of the inside components of the electrical machine (example [and science experiment!]: try charging your phone with one of those small charger blocks. after a while, touch it. it should feel warm to the touch. that means that it's working faster and more efficiently to charge your phone that demands a faster charge [i'm not that smart with how a charging block works but it does a few things to make it feel like lava]). this can possibly apply to monsoon in a certain scenario, like a very tough fight, many agonizing chores, or a murder spree. if left alone for a long time as he speeds through and slices through enemies with maximum efficiently, his body would start to overheat and eventually shut down. he would suffer heavy consequences from his body shutting down, like the obvious paralyzation but also the inability to move as quickly and efficiently as how he used to, even after he regains his body control. he also wouldn't be able to split apart as freely as before too, since his electromagnetism abilities would be shot and would need to be repaired.

5. if he had the possible ability to bleed, his body fluids would be some sort of purplish byproduct of his electromagnetism process, while his head would just bleed normal blood. this is just all heavy speculation and just a wild theory here. refer back to the gif that i used to explain half of headcanon three. see that purplish wisp-like aura around monsoon? i believe that's a byproduct of the electromagnetism, and if he bled, it would be the same type of byproduct, but more condensed (similar to jet fuel or oil; a slick substance that is hard to get rid of [think of the sticky balls from the incredibles but more melty]). i feel that the byproduct could give a small shock, but would be stronger the more it condenses due to the electric current going through it. his head, however, is a different story. it would just bleed normal blood if sliced into. most people believe that he still has his brain, or at least a part of it, and i don't believe brains can function in sticky oil/tar byproducts of a funky electric process. that's why he would bleed normal blood. there would be a barrier between his body and his head to stop the two fluids from mixing inside the body i believe. circulation and other bodily functions would be out of the photo, as i don't know how he even functions without organs.

6. monsoon chose to be built like what he is now to avoid what happened in the past. there's no way he looked even remotely like that when he died. there was absolutely no way he was two meters tall (for the imperial system fellows; six feet, eight inches) when he died. he chose that body. to be honest, everybody would choose a body like that, including myself, but i feel like he chose that body for a reason. he chose the that body with the ability to split apart with electromagnetism because he secretly fears that he'd die in a shootout again, or something similar to that. he does eventually die by decapitation, which doesn't help him. "what do you mean he fears death??" you might be asking. well, there is an easter egg in monsoon's boss fight where if you act very aggressively, he screams "stop! stop it!!". this shows that he's very well aware that this is his last chance at living and he doesn't want to die to someone who "lost their mind", as monsoon would've put it when talking about raiden (jack the ripper). this just makes monsoon's death more depressing...

7. biased one: even though monsoon has some sort of "humanity" left in him, there's no real way for saving him from his fate. i feel that there's no way to "fix" monsoon, like others (including me) have. to be honest, starting out during the khmer rouge crisis in cambodia solidified his hatred towards people, and the human race in general (quote [well, not really]: he says that humans are diseased [according to the metal gear fandom wiki]). he doesn't see nature as good or evil, but rather just a player in the course of life. his speech of memes (both ironic and iconic) explain his beliefs and how he felt about everything. he has no hope in humanity left, and it shows through his actions and through his words. it even is present in "stains of time", his theme song. he is destined to be sadistic, malicious, absolutely heartless, and so much more, and being killed by jack the ripper is the only way to stop him (even though they used his body later to fight raiden again). hell, his sais are named "dystopia". what more is there to add?

so that's all my headcanons! please tell me which person i should do next through either comments or reblogs! i really liked doing this!

#metal gear rising #metal gear revengeance #mgr #metal gear monsoon #monsoon #headcanon #metal gear #metal gear headcanons #scratchy opinions

[findingnemosworld]

𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 - 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬

・𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬

( 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭 )

𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬.

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲.

She had longed for happiness, believing that she had received such happiness at the tender age of four, her foster father had supported her career in music which skyrocketed to unimaginable heights and yet as time went on, he'd become somewhat of a demon - He manipulated her public image, tarnishing her reputation and spreading rumors that labeled her as promiscuous. These false stories had left her feeling isolated and abandoned, her true identity lost behind a facade created by her manager.

On one fateful evening, as she and her foster father were leaving a restaurant, hordes of paparazzi swarmed them, desperate for a glimpse of the troubled rockstar. In the midst of the chaos, she managed to slip away from her team, disappearing into the crowds. Overnight, she became missing, further fueling the tabloids and their relentless gossip to ensure that she will forever be remembered as a troubled and lost cause, carrying the side effects of fame.

She had met a kind woman who had given her a new home, the elder woman, whom she came to know as Esmeralda had offered her the chance for a better life, which started with allowing her to stay at home that is above the café, to say the young woman was grateful would be an understatement, Esmeralda has shown her more kindness in mere months than her foster father had done in years, the first thing she did was help her get back to school allowing the young woman to pursue her true calling, Medicine, she ventured into physiotherapy, excelling in her class which earned her the respect of several doctors there that have recommended her to Spain's top club, her favorite club that is Real Madrid.

And the experience there, was nothing short of incredible, the medical team was welcoming to her, helping her adapt to the style of work there - and the players were nothing short of kind and respectful, one in particular became quite close to her, Sergio Ramos, the Sevilla born native was the first player she had encountered and the one she had gotten to know the most, their friendship had strengthened in the span of a year, and before either of them could realize it, they slowly grew closer as Sergio found her personality so endearing that he couldn't help but fall in love with her and as she had never experienced a love like his, she allowed herself to bask in his love.

And yet with joy, comes an unfortunate cloud of despair.

One evening, she was in the kitchen making dinner for the two of them when Sergio decided to break the silence by asking, " So, what did you do before working in medicine? "

Her body freezes, however she attempts to seem impassive, " What do you mean? "

" I met your brother a few days ago " Sergio states.

The spatula she had in her hand fell on top of the floor, she turns around to face him, her lips quivering, her eyes glossy with tears, " I ... when? "

" A few days ago, I bumped into an individual by accident and it wasn't until I noticed your picture in his hand that he told me he's been looking for you for a while now, I didn't tell him anything but I asked him about you, he said you ran away from home and haven't been found since " He said, " What the hell is going on? "

Her hands tremble, body shaking as flashes of the abuse she endured, of the mental and physical manipulation return in full force, she looks away, tears streaming down her cheeks. " No, no, no, no " she shakes her head, whispering softly.

Sergio walks into the kitchen, leaning over. " Tell me, please " he whispers.

" I can't " She responds with a tearful expression, " I'm sorry but I can't "

Sergio looks down, unable to say anything for a brief moment before he looked up and said. " If that's the case then I can't stay "

" What? " She whispers, shocked by what he said.

" I always valued honesty above all, I didn't want to pry into your life, because you seemed so happy yet you always held sadness in your eyes but if you can't tell me then I don't think we can keep going " He said, kissing the top of her head. " I'm sorry "

And that was the last night she had seen him, she was torn, completely heartbroken by the fact that her past had ruined the best thing she could ever call hers, what was worse was working around him - she had requested that he would never be assigned to her should he require physical therapy and when asked why, she simply made a trivial excuse that for some reason had managed to work, Sergio would work with another physiotherapist while she continued treating the other players, she firmly believed that he hated her when that was far from the truth.

Sergio remained very much around, aiding and ensuring that not a single person speaks an ill word of her and he knew plenty that worked in the club that would often converse badly about her, he threatened him, including her father when he located him, he had managed to uncover shady information that helped in ensuring that her father no longer looks for her.

Three years had passed since their split, and she was finally on the right track, sure she still felt the painful yet it wasn't as severe as before - Sergio on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to get her back, the mere thought prompted him to invite her over for dinner, at first she was reluctant yet then she decided to accept as she saw no harm in dining with someone that has given her a sense of safety once.

That night, they were in his dining room, eating in complete silence when suddenly she spoke up, " I was abused "

His eyes shot up, widening as he opened then closed his mouth for a moment before saying, " What? "

She exhales a deep breath, " Once upon a time, I was a rockstar " she chuckles dryly, " which is the gentle way of saying that I was a puppet to my foster father who saw money in the way I sing, he was able to manipulate me into diving into the industry blind and before I can make sense of it, I was labeled as the troubled kid, singing about sex and dating men even before I turned eighteen " her voice was shaky as she adds on, " He was abusive, in every sense of the word and I still loved him because he was the only family I had, and on one night while we were celebrating my birthday, I escaped, and came across a gentle older woman that gave me a new name, a new life and the chance to follow what I love, it's the reason why I never let any man close to me, it's also the reason why I struggled to answer you that night "

He was flabbergasted to say the least, neither her father nor her brother had said anything. " Oh my god " he whispered.

She wipes her tears, " I hate my past, it gives me nightmares and that's why I couldn't speak that night, because I didn't want you to see me as the weak girl, I didn't wanna be her again " before she can make sense of things, he pulled her into his arms, allowing her to break down, a fit of sobs washing over her.

Sergio whispered comforting words in her ear while her rubbed her back soothingly, " I'm so sorry baby " he murmurs, pulling her back to look at her, he cradles her face in his hands. " I love you, and I promise, from this day forward that I will always protect you "

" Yeah? " She murmured.

He pressed his lips onto hers, " I love you "

She smiled tearfully, " I love you too "

#sergio ramos #sergio ramos imagine #sergio ramos x reader #sergio ramos angst #sergio ramos fanfiction #sergio ramos fluff

[myreygn]

omg hi since fic rqs are open, can i request lee!camilo from encanto? the ler can be your choice^^ i’m excited to see what you come up with!

show yourself!

summary: Camilo has the audacity to hide Mirabel's knitting materials and disguise himself as Isabella to avoid the consequences. And he would've gotten away with it, if only he hadn't made one small mistake.

an: sorry this took so long and i hope you see and like it anon, thank you sm for requesting smth!

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Of course it had only been a matter of time until Mirabel would discover her missing knitting materials, but Camilo had honestly hoped he would get some more than just twenty seconds to hide them. But no, of course luck just wasn’t on his side today. He gulped when he heard his cousin barge through her door upstairs and quickly hid his loot in one of the huge plant things Isabella had put all over the house, then he made his way to the living room, trying to figure out an escape plan.

His steps caused a loud echo and Camilo flicked his fingers against the wall. "Casita! Sht! You'll give me away!"

The wall's stones made a few click sounds, as if the house snickered, then the door flew open and a furious Mirabel Madrigal came storming into the room.

"Isa! Have you seen Camilo?!"

"No, I haven't." Camilo thanked all the gods there were that he had had the presence of mind to transform himself into someone else and throw himself onto the sofa, grabbing the nearest book. 'A Guide To Local Healing Plants'... whatever, this would do. "Can't you see I'm busy, Mira? Next time better think twice before barging into a room like that, people live here!"

"Jeesh, alright, I'm sorry. Tell me when you see him, okay?" Mirabel made her way towards the exit and Camilo allowed himself a celebratory cheer on the inside - then his cousin froze in her tracks and turned around, her eyes narrowed and hands on her hips in that wonderfully reproachful manner she must've picked up from Abuela. Without even realizing what exactly it was, Camilo knew that he had made a mistake and he felt a shiver run down his spine. His cheer had probably jinxed it.

“Actually, I don’t think we’re done here just yet.” An undeniable sense of nervosity arose in Camilo when Mirabel came over to stand in front of the sofa and stare him down. It took all of his nerve to not drop the annoyed facade of his oldest cousin. “Are you 100% sure that you’re Isa?”

“What the hell are you on about- of course I am!”

“Let me be a little more specific for you. Are you 100% sure that you are, inside and outside, my older sister Isabella Madrigal?”

“Listen, I don’t know about you, but I actually have something to do here, so I’d really appreciate it if you left me, Isabella, alone! Because yes, I am 100% sure!” Fairly pleased with his performance, Camilo returned his gaze to the book in his hands, only to be interrupted once more when Mirabel leaned forward and right into his personal space.

“The thing is just, I’m finding it very hard to believe you.” A truly terrifying smirk appeared on her face, making Camilo shiver. “There are only three people in this entire family who call me Mira, and rest assured, dear cousin, Isabella is not one of them.”

Camilo knew that this was probably the point at which he should just drop the act and confess, but when has Camilo Madrigal ever backed down from an acting challenge? “Can’t I even call my sister Mira when I feel like it?”

“Oh, you wanna play? Alright, we’ll play.” With that, Mirabel’s hands latched onto his sides, squeezing and drawing a surprised shriek from Camilo. Shit. “I promise you, you won’t be able to hold this mask for much longer! I know all of your tickle spots and we’ll just go through them, alright? Are we on the same page?”

Despite the giggles spilling out of his mouth, Camilo somehow still found the composure to get cocky with her. “Ihi dohon’t know how Cahamilo’s spots ahare gonnaha be ohof use for yohou! Ihi’m ohobviously nohot Cahamiloho!”

“Yet you’re laughing, even though Isa’s not that ticklish on her sides.”

Camilo was very much aware that Mirabel had the upper hand, but he was determined to not give her the satisfaction of exposing him just yet. “I aham Isahaha, stahahapt tahalkihing to mehe ahas if Ihi’m nahat hehere!”

“Sure… let’s go on to the next spot then. If I recall correctly, Isa is very ticklish riiiight… here!” Mirabel lifted her eyebrows at the burst of laughter that exploded from Camilo’s mouth. “Oha, seems like you’re too!”

“Behecahahahause Ihihi’m-”

“You’re not, stop pretending.” Mirabel grinned as she wiggled her fingers into the spaces between his ribs. (Why couldn’t his sensitivities and ticklishness also change when he put on a different exterior?! Isabella was not nearly half as ticklish as himself, everything would be so much easier!) “I can tell, because Isa is very ticklish there, but Camilo is veeery ticklish there. Just make this easier for both of us and show yourself!”

“Ihi dohon’t knowhow whahahat yohou’re tahahalkihing ahabout…”

“Oh, you will!” Mirabel’s grin turned wicked. “Let’s see… there’s one more spot we could go to.” Gosh, if that wasn’t unsettling. Camilo squawked when his cousin pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips, facing his legs. He couldn’t even kick properly in Isabella’s stupid dress! “Any last words, Camilo?”

“Y-you wihish!”

“Alright, that’s it.”

All of Camilo’s intentions to keep his act up as long as possible flew right out the window when Mirabel squeezed both of his knees at the same time. He didn’t even notice the transformation back into his own body; at this point he was shrieking at the top of his lungs, banging his fists on the couch and fighting for his bare survival.

“There you are!” Mirabel had turned around to grin down at him, all while not stopping her assault on his poor knees for one second. “I knew you were in there! Now, where did you put my knitting stuff?”

“IHI- I- GAHAHA MIHIRAHAHAHA!”

“Okay, okay.” She slowed down a little. “So?”

“Ihi- ihit’s in thahahat plahant ohover theheheAAAHAHA NAHAHA! IHI TAHAHALD YOHOU WEHEHERE IHI PUHUT IHIT- STAHAHAHAP!”

“Nah.” Mirabel gave him another little smirk before turning back to focus on his knees again. “I think you kinda deserve to go through this a little bit longer.”

#rey writes #tword fic #encanto #encanto (disney) #camilo madrigal #mirabel madrigal #ticklish!camilo #lee!camilo #ler!mirabel #isabella makes a guest appearance if you squint lol