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navybrat817 · 9 months

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Sundresses and Leather

Pairing: Tattoo Artist!Bucky Barnes x Baker!Female Reader Summary: Your first date with Bucky doesn't go as planned, but that makes it all the more special. Word Count: Over 4.7k Warnings: First date, tension, flirting, brief moments of insecurity, slight feels (it's me), Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?). Graphics talent and thanks: Banner by @sgt-seabass. Divider by @firefly-graphics. Bucky edit by Nix. Moodboard by yours truly. Previous Part of AU: Sweet and Strong A/N: More Hottie and Sugar from our Sin on Skin AU. ❤️ Beta read by the lovely @whisperlullaby (thank you for spitballing), but any and all mistakes are my own. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Tonight was the night. You were going out with Bucky Barnes. Excited for the date was a bit of an understatement. You may have told a few customers you had a date when they wished you a good day.

Thank God they were mostly regulars and seemed happy on my behalf.

"Maybe a sundress isn't nice enough," you told Tess, regretting the words the moment they left your mouth. She didn’t need to deal with you and your overthinking. Again.

"It's plenty nice. You’re going to look amazing,” she argued, going to check on the next batch of cookies. “And he can lift the skirt and bury his-"

"I thought you said I didn't have to get laid on my first date with him," you cut her off.

"You don't have to, but the visual alone will give him something for his spank bank later."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," you smiled, but it quickly faltered.

You weren’t sure why a cloud drifted over your sunny disposition. Bucky was a good guy, a far cry from Richard. Gorgeous, kind, hardworking, the whole package. There was chemistry between the two of you that went beyond mere attraction. Maybe it was the fact that you were falling hard and fast for him that suddenly made you so nervous. You didn’t want to scare him away.

But he said he couldn’t stop thinking about me and he wouldn’t say that if he didn’t mean it.

Tess gave you a pointed look. “Stop overthinking. I’m begging you.”

“I’m not trying to,” you sighed, your nerves almost tempting you to grab a treat from the case. “What if I fall on my face?”

“Like Bucky would let you hit the ground. Even if you do stumble, that’s life. It isn’t going to change the fact that he likes you,” she said as you helped her with the cookies. You still had work to do. “The guy said he can’t get you off his mind and to text him whenever you want. He does not strike me as the type to just say those things and I know he doesn’t strike you as that type either.”

It took a moment, but your smile came back. She was right. Life wasn’t perfect and you were far from it, but Bucky liked you just as you are. Tonight would be unforgettable no matter what.

“I appreciate the pep talk,” you said, thankful that she told you what you needed to hear. “I’ll even tell you the dirty details if anything happens.”

“Hell yeah, you will. Remember, at this point, I’m living vicariously through you until I find my own hunk,” she winked. “But I mean it. Have fun tonight and get your man.”

I will.

After your shift, you rushed to change for your date. You somehow managed to arrive a few minutes early outside of Bucky's shop and took a deep breath to get yourself under control. Catching your reflection in the window, you smiled before you turned away. Since Bucky hadn’t given you any hint for what you were doing, you chose your nicest sundress and kept your makeup minimal. You looked and felt beautiful, though you wished you would’ve brought a jacket with you.

Maybe Bucky will let me borrow his if he has one.

“Holy shit.”

You spun around when you heard Bucky’s voice behind you, your heart fluttering as he met you on the sidewalk. Instead of the jeans you usually saw him in, he wore khakis, a button up shirt, and a blue blazer that matched his eyes. He had his hair down, perfectly parted on the right side. You were so busy staring at the broad, handsome man that it took you a moment to realize he was trying to hand you something.

Flowers.

“Sorry. You just… wow,” he said as you took the small bouquet, sweeping his gaze over you as your cheeks grew warm. “You look so beautiful.”

You giggled and quickly covered your mouth with your hand, butterflies in your stomach when he gently smiled. “Don’t apologize,” you smiled back, taking a moment to smell the flowers. “You look pretty ‘holy shit’ yourself.”

His nose scrunched as he laughed and offered you his hand. “So, you’re telling me I clean up well. Steve insisted on the blazer when I said I wanted to bring my leather jacket.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Though I wouldn’t have minded the leather jacket,” you said. He would’ve looked gorgeous, as always. “And thank you for suggesting we meet here. We had a last minute order and I was scrambling."

"It's no problem. One of my clients was running a few minutes late and I almost had to take you out in jeans."

"I wouldn't have minded," you said. You both worked hard and understood that things would come up from time to time. "So, where are we headed?"

He cleared his throat as he led you to his car. “Well, do you want the good news or the bad news?”

Your stomach dropped a little. “Mmm. Bad news first,” you said after a moment. “Always better to end on a high note.”

“Bad news was I had planned to take you out on my motorcycle so we could have a picnic in the park. There was going to be live music and I would’ve asked you to dance,” he explained, looking up at the sky. “But…”

“The weather called for a storm tonight, didn’t it?” you mused, a wistful smile on your face when he nodded. The image of being in his arms under the stars as music drifted through the air made your heart skip a beat. It sounded like the perfect evening.

“Yeah. The band is rescheduling,” he said, tucking his hair behind his ear as he looked at the ground. “Then I thought I could take you to this art gallery nearby. They normally have these stunning paintings of landscapes and various statues, but the current exhibit is on human sexuality and reproduction. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but maybe it was too much for a first date.”

“Oh, come on. It couldn’t have been that bad,” you argued as he stopped and took out his phone.

“No?” he asked, tapping his screen before he showed you what you assumed was the page for the gallery.

“…That’s a giant dick,” you said before you could stop yourself, tilting your head as you stared at the phone. “And does that say BALLS?”

An older woman crossing in the opposite direction gave you an amused stare before you and Bucky burst into a fit of laughter. You had to hold on his arm to keep from collapsing on the ground. It was the funniest thing you had seen since you could remember and to think you almost saw it in person.

This date is off to a great start.

“Maybe I wanted to see a giant dick and balls,” you said once you caught your breath, pointing at him when he opened his mouth. “And don’t say ‘all I have to do is pull down my pants’ or something like that.”

But I know he has a big dick. I know.

He smirked as he started walking again. “Only if you ask me nicely, Sugar.”

He’s going to kill my ovaries.

“I’ll ask you very nicely, Hottie,” you teased, wondering exactly where you were going then. “If that was the bad news, what’s the good news?”

“I managed to get us a reservation at one of the nicest restaurants in town,” he said, standing a bit taller.

He’s trying to impress me.

“That's really nice. And I’m sure dinner will be amazing,” you assured him, hoping he didn’t beat himself up over having to change his plans. It wasn’t his fault it was going to rain. He could’ve taken you to a fast food place and it would’ve been fine because you were with him.

“Speaking of, I better get us there so we aren’t late,” he said, opening the door for you to get in. “Maybe if you agree to a second date, I can take you out on my bike and have that picnic.”

“I’d love that,” you smiled, carefully putting the flowers in your lap and trying not to appear too eager that he was already thinking of a second date. You glanced around the car when he got in and drove off, noticing it was cleaner than when he took you home days prior.

Did he clean it for me?

You grinned as he hummed along to the radio, watching as he drummed his fingers along the steering wheel. “You could’ve made it as a musician if you weren’t a tattoo artist.”

“Now you’re just flattering me, Sugar,” he said. “Believe it or not, if I wasn’t a tattoo artist, I would’ve liked to be a science teacher. I loved science and everything space related growing up.”

“Really?” you asked. He would’ve been a wonderful teacher, no matter what age group he taught. “Okay. That’s another date night.”

“What? Playing teacher?” he joked, taking his eyes off the road for a second to wink at you.

“No,” you giggled, carefully shoving his arm since he was driving. “We’re going to a science museum. That's our third date. I’m going to watch you happily geek out over everything.”

“Yeah?” he asked, glancing at you after he parked the car. “You’d do that?”

“Yeah, I would. I think it would be a blast.”

I just want to spend time with you.

A soft expression took over his features when he took your hand and brought it to his mouth. His lips lightly brushed your skin, heat pooling in your gut as he made eye contact with you. The look alone made you want to skip dinner and go right to dessert. Why not throw caution to the wind?

“I’ll make it worth your while,” he promised before he got out.

You exhaled slowly and mentally told your libido to calm down. At the very least, you had to get through dinner. He went through the trouble of getting a reservation at a nice place and you weren’t about to take that away from him.

“Oh, wow. I haven’t been here before,” you said once you got a look at the name. Richard used to brag about the place, but never actually took you. From what you remember, he said the food was supposed to be expensive. You didn’t want Bucky to splurge on you.

“I haven’t either,” Bucky admitted. A fancy place didn’t seem like his style. “But it looked romantic.”

You bit your lip as he opened the door, the flickering candlelight in the entryway alone providing an intimate ambience. The date may not have been what he planned, but he clearly did his research and put thought into doing something nice for you. When was the last time someone tried to do something nice for you? When did anyone go out of their way to make you feel special?

“Hello,” Bucky said as the hostess greeted you. “Reservation for two under James.”

James?

The hostess scanned her screen before she looked up. “I’m sorry. That name isn’t coming up.”

Bucky’s cheeks turned pink when you glanced at him. “It should be under James, miss. James Barnes. Reservation for two for 7pm. I spoke with Charles. He confirmed it.”

You moved closer to Bucky when the hostess searched through her screen again. As calm as he sounded, you sensed he was anything but inside. You hoped he wasn’t embarrassed. Maybe she skipped over his name. A simple mistake.

“Charles did make a reservation for you, but he entered it for 7pm next Friday,” she said as she looked between the two of you. “We’re fully booked tonight. I'm sorry, James.”

Oh, no.

There was a tick in Bucky’s jaw before he shook his head and you wanted nothing more than to hug him. “No, that’s… It’s for tonight.”

“I’m so sorry. I can see if we can squeeze a table in for you, but it’ll be at least an hour,” she said, shifting uncomfortably on her feet. She probably expected one or both of you to make a scene. "I can get my manager?"

Bucky swallowed when he looked at you, his cheeks still pink. The candlelight danced in his eyes, but all you saw was sadness. No. You wouldn't allow that. This was your first date and it was going to be amazing.

You put a hand on his arm, his muscles relaxing under your touch. "It's okay. I know this amazing place that’s right around the corner."

"Are you sure?" he asked, the hostess visibly relaxing when you nodded.

"You have a good evening," you said to the hostess and tugged Bucky back toward the door. "I'm sure. Trust me. We may even beat the rain if we walk now."

“Okay,” he said, avoiding your gaze as you left. “Fuck. This is the worst first date, isn’t it?”

Your heart broke for him. All he wanted was to give you a nice evening and everything he tried fell through. “Not even close. And you have nothing to apologize for. Charles messed up the reservation, Hottie, not you.”

“Yeah, he did,” he said, his lip tugging like he wanted to smile. “I just really wanted tonight to be special and since I couldn’t give you the date I planned, I wanted to at least give you something nice. I couldn't even do that.”

Hearing that made you stop, even when you felt the first raindrop. "Tonight is special because you're spending time with me. That's all I wanted," you promised, squeezing his hand for good measure.

"That's really all?" he asked as he squeezed your hand in return.

"Well, not completely," you teased as another raindrop landed on your shoulder. "Maybe a kiss at the end of our date."

A wide smile formed on his face as he leaned in, not quite kissing you. "Whatever you want, Sugar."

As romantic as it was to stand on the sidewalk with him, the rain began to come down harder and had you rushing with him around the corner. “If you're still disappointed, you’ll feel much better when we eat. Antonia’s has the best food,” you said, holding out your hand in a grand gesture as you arrived. “Tada!”

Antonia's was a bit of a hole-in-the-wall kind of place. Not extraordinary on the outside, but lively and bright on the inside. The food and service were top notch. It was one of your favorite places.

“Wait, Antonia's?” he asked, a twinkle in his eyes. “This is where you’re taking me?”

“Yeah,” you replied, suddenly nervous as you faced him. Did he not like it? “Is this okay?”

“This is one of my new favorite restaurants,” he said.

No way.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. I designed one of Antonia's tattoos. And I decided to check out the place."

He's full of surprises.

"Then you know you're in for a treat," you winked.

The hearty aroma of the restaurant filled the air as you went inside and wiped some of the rain off your dress. Antonia was speaking with the hostess as you went up to the stand. The owner was involved in virtually every part of her restaurant.

"Welcome to…" Antonia began as she looked at you, then at Bucky, then back at you. "Oh! You two… it's a date!"

Antonia looks so happy.

"Hi. And yes. We're on a date," you giggled when Bucky sheepishly smiled. It was sweet. "You wouldn't happen to have a table for two available, would you?"

Antonia put her hand over her heart and flagged down a waiter with the other. "Lover's special for these two. Go."

You exchanged a look with Bucky, who appeared just as confused as you were. "Lover's special?"

"Yes, yes. Come with me," she said, patting Bucky's cheek before she took you through the restaurant. You expected her to seat you at one of the few empty tables, but she passed them to take you to a door in the back. "Tonight is special and that means a special dinner."

Your eyes widened at the sight before you once she opened the door. There was a lone table in the middle of the room, flowers similar to the bouquet Bucky gave you sat in the center. Unlike the bright main room, the dimmed lights gave the room a romantic glow.

Perfect.

"Peter will serve you. And if you need anything, just ask, okay?" Antonia asked, putting her hand over her heart again. Were there tears in her eyes? "Two of my favorite customers. Together! Enjoy!"

You had to pause and swallow the lump in your throat once she left you alone. A restaurant owner showed more enthusiasm for your date than your mom did for anything that involved you. She likely never would.

"You okay?" Bucky asked, pulling out your chair.

"I'm fine," you replied, refusing to let the thought of your mom damper the evening. "A little chilly. I should've brought a sweater with me."

Bucky removed his blazer and put it around you, tenderness in his blue eyes as he rubbed your arms. "I can't wait to see you in my leather jacket," he said, helping you take your seat before he took his.

Oh, he's going to give me his jacket? Am I going to only wear his jacket? Fuck.

"Thank you," you said, inhaling as he rolled up one of his sleeves beneath the elbow and then the other. You reached across the table to lightly trace one of the tattoos on his right arm. "It was nice of Antonia to put us back here."

"Then why did you look so sad when she left?"

He caught that?

"She just looked so happy to see us together and I didn't expect that. It's nice that someone is rooting for us," you said, tracing your finger along his wrist before you stopped. "I'm sorry. I should've asked before I started touching."

"Don't apologize. I like your touch," he said in a low voice.

You lifted your gaze, seeing fire in his eyes that had nothing to do with the dim lighting. When he turned his hand over to hold yours, you made no move to pull away. You wished you could put your hands all over him.

"Hi! I'm Peter!" The waiter greeted as he brought water to the table. Bucky didn't let go of your hand. "I'll be taking care of you tonight."

"Only one taking care of my girl tonight is me," Bucky said. As much as you loved hearing that, you were glad he gave poor Peter a tiny smile so he could relax. "I'm kidding. It's good to see you, Peter."

"Y-You, too, Mr. Barnes. And you, Miss. You have the best cupcakes in town."

"Thanks," you smiled, quickly putting in your order before you gazed at Bucky. "So, James. Tell me more about you. How long have you been friends with Steve?"

"James is my first name. Everyone calls me Bucky," he chuckled before he shook his head. "And that punk."

You smiled softly as you listened to Bucky, not at all surprised by how easily the conversation went. Steve was his best friend since childhood and they served together before they went into business together. It was evident that he took pride in his shop and respected everyone who worked there. He carried the same affection in his tone when he spoke about his sister, Rebecca. He liked to frequent art galleries with Steve, but also enjoyed riding his bike, reading, and everything science in his spare time.

I could listen to him talk for hours.

"You know, you haven't said much about yourself," he pointed out as he set his napkin on his empty plate.

"I haven't?" You asked.

"No, you haven't and I don't want to monopolize the conversation," he said, leaning forward to give you his full attention. "I want to know more about you."

You tightened the blazer around you, unsure of what to say. "My life isn't exactly exciting," you said, wishing you could think of something clever or fun to discuss.

"Doesn't have to be exciting. I just want to know you," he said before Peter showed back up.

"Would you like to look at the desert menu?" he asked as he took your plates away.

"I think you can bring the check. We're going to skip dessert," you answered, giving Bucky an assuring smile when he frowned. "Let's go to my shop instead."

If Bucky wanted to really know you, you had to tell him more of your story. Your bakery was the only place to do it. And it would be the perfect way to end the evening.

After you left the restaurant, with Antonia asking you to come back again, Bucky drove as safely as he could to the bakery. The rain didn't let up at all. You shrieked as you struggled to get the keys out of your purse, Bucky's blazer now soaked the longer you stood there. "Why didn't I get these out when I was still in your car?!" You shouted over the downpour.

"Why didn't I bring an umbrella?!" He yelled back, putting his hands over your head as if they would protect you.

The two of you practically fell through the door once you unlocked it and shut off the alarm. "We made it," you laughed, careful not to slip on the floor. He had his arm around you just in case. Tess was right, He wouldn't let you fall. "I'll get us some towels and you have your pick of any dessert I have in the fridge."

"You have any cupcakes?" He asked.

Your breath caught in your throat when you stepped back and caught the outline of multiple tattoos through his soaked shirt. "Yeah."

"See something you like?" he smirked, running a hand through his wet hair.

Fuck me.

"I do," you said, glancing down at yourself. "But I'm freezing and I owe you dessert."

Tess might also have words if I let Bucky ravage me by the front door.

You took Bucky to the kitchen and grabbed a few towels. It wouldn't dry you off completely, but it would help. You also put on some soft music. Not to set the mood necessarily, but just in case.

"So, this is where the magic happens," Bucky said, running the towel along his exposed skin.

"It is," you said, placing your hand on the counter. "You said you wanted to know me. It starts here."

"In the kitchen?"

"In the kitchen," you repeated, going to the fridge to take a container of cupcakes out. "I used to visit my grandparents every weekend when I was growing up. My dad wasn't around and my mom said it was for family quality time, but she never stuck around. The reality was that I cramped her style and she passed me off to them because she knew they wouldn't say no."

Bucky's jaw clenched as you let him take a cupcake. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," you said, gripping the lid tightly before you closed the container. "I remember crying because I wanted to take dance classes and try and make friends. My mom said I would be a terrible dancer and that it would be a waste of time and money. A great thing for a kid to hear, right?"

"Jesus," he whispered.

It wasn't exactly the happiest conversation to have, but you wanted to show Bucky a part of you that you didn't show to most people. "My grandma wiped my tears away and brought me into her kitchen. Said she had the perfect cure for the blues. Baking. And that's what we did every weekend until I got old enough to look after myself."

"Your grandma sounds amazing," he said, carefully examining the cupcake in his hand. "And baking became your passion."

"It did. She taught me to pour love into every creation I make. And that's what Tess and I do for others. If someone is having a bad day, at least they can have a treat and feel a little better," you said, pride in your eyes as you looked around. "My grandma supported my dream, but my mom almost disowned me for wanting to run this place. It isn't good enough in her eyes."

I'm not good enough.

Bucky's nostrils flared as he set the dessert down. "Your business isn't good enough for her? What the hell? It's flourishing. I can barely find a lull to come in to get some undivided attention. And your customers love you. She should be proud of you."

His defense of you was heartwarming. "Doesn't matter how successful my business is. She wanted me to marry rich, probably so she could get money from me, but I didn't. She berated me when I broke up with Richard. No matter what I do, I'm never going to be good enough in her eyes," you told him, patting the counter with your hand. "But this makes me happy and that's enough."

"That's why you were sad that Antonia was so happy about our date, wasn't it? Because your mom either doesn't or wouldn't support it," he guessed, reaching for you and pulling you into his arms. "She'll probably hate me. I'm not rich. Covered in tattoos."

"I don't care what she thinks of you. I don't need a rich guy or fancy dates. I just want someone who can provide companionship and support. Someone who respects and cares for me," you said, wrapping your arms around him. "A good, hard-working guy like you deserves the same."

It was too soon to voice it, but Bucky was the kind of man you needed in your life. Someone you could share parts of yourself with and know he wouldn't judge. A man who made your heart race beyond lust.

A partnership.

He stared deeply into your eyes and you had no idea what was going through his head, but his gaze told you so much. How could a pair of eyes be so expressive? "You're perfect, Sugar, and more than enough. You hear me?"

Tears welled up in your eyes before you blinked them away. He sounded sincere and unashamed at his declaration. You hadn't done anything to deserve such praise. "No, I'm not," you whispered.

"You are to me. You took a chance and asked me out. Soothed me when tonight didn't go the way I thought it would," he said, gripping your chin to recapture your gaze. "And you trusted me enough to share something vulnerable with me when you didn't have to. It means everything."

"I feel like I can open up to you," you said as the two of you slowly swayed to the beat. You couldn't remember why you were nervous about your date to begin with.

"And I'll take care of you. I mean it."

I hope he knows I'll take care of him, too.

"You know," you began with a soft smile. "Our first kiss was in your shop."

"It was," he smiled.

"So I think it's only fair that we have our second kiss in my shop," you said.

"You did say you wanted a kiss to end our date," he said, bringing a hand to the back of your neck, but giving you a chance to stop him.

You didn't.

Even though you expected it, you still gasped when he molded his mouth against yours. Your heart pounded furiously in your chest, making you both eager and pliant as he licked his way across your lips. When he brushed his tongue against yours and took possession of your mouth, you mewled. Desire nearly blinded you from the taste of him.

I want more.

"I don't want our date to end," you breathed, clutching his arms to steady yourself.

"It doesn't have to," he said, resting a hand on your hip. His eyes were dark and full of want. To have him look at you that way, how could you possibly end the evening with one kiss? Why deny yourself what you both wanted?

"No, it doesn't," you agreed with a coy smile. "So. My place or yours?"

So. How do we think the evening will go? Love and thanks for reading! 💙

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

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a-spes · 6 months

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T H E D O G ' S F A L L - One shot.

Words count - 5,2k.

Tags & Warnings - mob boss!Natasha Romanoff x fem!Reader, angst, harm/comfort, manipulation, mentions of blood/past abuses, human trafficking.

Summary - Anyone that can beat her in a fight will earn her, and Natasha intends to be the one, working hard to get what she thinks is hers. A dog can't fight for eternity, can it?

Moodboard here.

N/A - It's the longest os I've wrote so far, took me a lot of time but it's enventually here so I really hope you'll enjoy it! If it's the case, don't hesitate to let me know by interacting with the post :)

It is at the back of that popular night club that everything is happening, where no one can see your distress except the one that enjoys it, where everyone is too busy having fun to pay attention to the veritable purpose of this building. On a dark corner that light never reaches, a man is guarding the most important secret of that place, and very few are the people he lets through; only rich and influential men and women get their ticket for this special spectacle that takes place here every night.

Down there, the loud music is replaced by the shouts of excited men that makes her sigh; why do they have to scream like animals? If she gets a few glances, no one dares to say anything as the infamous Black Widow is walking through the crowd to get to her place. She has blood on her back, people are whispering, some from admiration, others from fear, but no one stays indifferent - how could they? One of the most important mafia bosses of the city, but also one of the most discreet, is here. She has her reputation and, even if she is rarely seen, she is well-known, so none of the men dares to protest when she decides to take place in their lodge, chasing them out of the room.

From here, she has a perfect view of the cage and, most importantly, of the Dog.

It is obvious that there is no way out of the ring, that you are trapped in that cage until one of these men’s victory - or your last breath - but, somehow, you still believe that defeating them will lead you out of that basement. So, not caring about how many of them are daring to step in your cage, you beat them, one by one. You watch the man you just defeated being escorted out of the cage so the next one could take his place - it gives you a few seconds to catch your breath.

The world is spinning, you can’t even see the faces of your opponents, but you don’t give up. Even if the only thing you want is to curl up in the corner, crying for your mom, you can’t. You can’t because it will mean giving them your life. No, you need to be stronger than them, to pretend that you don’t feel the pain inflicted by their blows, to pretend that you are not bothered by the metallic taste of the blood in your mouth, they need to believe you could do that all night. But you are not foolish and you know damn well that you won’t last long.

It is hard to focus on anything, even on breathing, because you are overwhelmed by a crew you can't even see, blinded by the lights; you are the spectacle. They all came to see the Dog fighting, hoping to witness its fall. They are shouting, mostly insults in Russian, whistling and clapping everytime something exciting is happening during a fight, but it won’t be enough to save you from that place.

Oh, at first, they were cheering for you, but it slowly changed, people getting tired of seeing your pretty face every night. They thought you would be easy to break and hated to be proven wrong, and you perfectly know that the stakes have changed. It is no longer about giving them what they want, entertainment, it is purely about surviving and you noticed how the attitude of your opponents changed over the weeks, becoming more aggressive.

You were a champion, now you are just a little bitch they need to get rid of.

The organization that threw you in that rat hole understood that as much as you did and, tonight, they changed the rules. Tonight, it'll be only you against the world, until they are tired of it. No break, no help, everytime one leaves, the next one is already stepping in the ring, as an endless torture.

Tonight, she will be one of them. She has been looking at you hungrily since the first time she came here, and she knows that you will be hers by the end of the night, after all she came just for that, to take you home.

Even if she is here every night, you never had a chance to notice the woman. She was always sitting in the last row, observing you from her balcony, where she is hidden by the shadow, but she noticed you for sure. The time she came, it was only because of one of her associates that wanted to meet here specifically, she never left since. From the moment her eyes landed on you, she was unable to think about anything else, the way you were looking so innocent but so feroce at the same time got her heart.

She sent a few of her best men, knowing they would lose, as a test, waiting for the moment it would be her turn to enter the cage. She never expected them to win and she would have killed them if they had the audacity to: she is the one that is supposed to defeat you, the only one that has the right to own you. The urge to possess you only grew stronger over the weeks, being deeper every time she came here, she wants to see you as you are breaking under her effect, to control every aspect of your life.

So she patiently waited for the right time to come, she always liked a bit of challenge anyway, having a soft spot for things that are hard to get. She worked hard to get you, spending weeks observing every of your movements: she learned how you are fighting and your habits, she learned to read your body and face as if she was on your mind, and that’s the difference with the others: if you are a game for them, for her, you are a goal she must reach at all costs.

As soon as your eyes laid on her, you knew she wouldn’t back up, somehing in the way she stepped in the cage already made all the difference. It is her confidence. It is the smirk on her face, a cocky one. It is the way her hands are stuck in her pockets while she is observing you. It is the slight sigh as she gets rid of her leather jacket. It is all these details that give the impression that she is just here to settle a formality, already certain of her victory.

Even the way she is moving has something unrealist. Every step, every look, is calculated and almost imperceptible. Usually, you would step forward, ready to fight even before they entered the cage to show them you are not afraid, but this time? You can’t help but instinctively step back when she enters. The movement was slight, as you were already leaning the grid but she noticed it, the way her aura is pressuring you, and she loves it.

As soon as the door was closed, your fate was sealed.

It all happened really fast because she knew exactly what to do, she prepared for that moment. You quickly realized that you were right: the woman had nothing in common with the men you were fighting against earlier, you never stood a chance to win that fight. The realization is more painful than the blows she is currently throwing at you. Every punch you try to land, she knows exactly how to dodge it. As if she was on your mind, she knows exactly where to hit to get you weak, stealing your breath and your strenght, having you on your knees then laying on the floor in less than a few minutes.

At first, you tried to get up, to fight, but she is faster than you are, and wiser, and stronger, and more trained. She is being pretty much better in everything. Soon your vision is so blurry that you can’t see anything, you are feeling so weak that even moving your fingers or keeping your eyes open is just too much.

"Stay still,” she quietly ordered when she noticed you were struggling against her grip - she had you pinned down on the ground by pressing her foot on your back and grabbed your hair to lift a bit your head. "You're going to be mine no matter what, so don't make things harder for yourself, honey."

One.

Two.

Three.

You hear the countdown but, this time, it is not your victory that is announced, it is hers. As soon as her name is shouted by the crew, her grip releases your hair but you simply don't have the strength to move, the news leaves a void in your chest. The pain, but mostly this feeling of emptiness, is keeping you frozen in place. She owns you, and this simple idea is sending shivers through your whole body. You don't realize yet what is happening, thinking that, maybe, it is just a cruel joke on you, and it explains the lack of reaction when she asks you to get up; she needs to grab your arm and lift to get you on your feet.

You stumble, fighting the urge to vomit. Your brain can barely process what is happening, especially when you realize that your feet are not touching the ground anymore. In her arms, you are nothing more than a rag doll, silent and motionless, barely having the energy to keep your eyes open.

"She is not for sale,” she coldly said, her voice bringing you back to reality. As she was on her way to get out of the night club, some men were offering the woman outrageous amounts of money in the hope of getting you, they all backed up once she coldly glanced at them. "No one will ever take you away from me, do you hear that, love? You are safe as long as you’re with me," she then whispered in your ears.

You drift into unconsciousness as soon as the car starts, despite the woman that kept begging you to keep your eyes open, the way she was cadling you not helping. You just had enough time to notice the men sitting at the front of the black van, both armed and intimidating, before falling into darkness.

You opened your eyes again when the car stopped in an alley. It is late, the sun gave its throne to the moon a long time ago and, even if you can't tell what time it is, you know it is the middle of the night. How many hours did you spend down there, fighting for your life? The question makes you sick because the only answer is too many. All these hours for nothing because, no matter how hard you triee, you loose. You were never supposed to win their twisted game, you never got a chance and you slowly realize that the promised freedom was just a lure. For weeks you believed them, you played along their rules, thinking it was the only way to get your life back.

And here you are, in the arms of your new owner, a woman you know nothing about but that now has every rights on you, even if you will live depends exclusively on the redhead's choices. The fear twists your stomach, the humiliation clenches your throat and the exhaustion makes your eyes burning, tears threatening to roll down your cheeks.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, you repeat in your head, but you don't know for how long you will be able to keep your tears for yourself.

The woman is not looking at you at all, she is concentrating on not falling as she is walking to the house, barely seeing where her feet are landing. You, however, can't help but observe every detail of her face, noticing how serious her expression is. You are trying to guess how your life is going to be by her side, but you can't, she is a complete mystery and you hate that.

A part of you wants to go back in that basement. It may have been a living hell, but you had your habits, you knew how to survive, now you will have to learn everything again.

You notice that two armed persons are guarding the front door and, when you pass by them, they exchange a few words in Russian. You can't understand a word of what they are saying, but you guess they are greeting the woman, beside some insults, you don't know a lot and only because that's how they used to call you.

The inside of the penthouse is exactly as you imagined it: expensive, tidy and minimalist. You never felt comfortable in that kind of environment, it always reminded you that you will never have a place in that sphere, you are nothing more than their animal, a dog that does everything they want.

Once inside, you almost expected her to drop you on the floor but she didn't. Her grip is strong, as if she doesn't want to let you go, that's because she is scared too. She exchanged a few words in Russian with a woman before heading upstairs.

Your eyes closed because of the light, you don't see much more of the house, nor of where you are going. You can feel that she climbs the stairs, takes a few turns and walks through a door before she eventually lets you go. It is with care that she sits you on the floor of the bathroom.

"Here we are," she whispered, "you can open your eyes, love," she added when she noticed they were still closed. If you can't see her smile, you can feel her hand brushing your cheek.

For weeks you didn't see anything else than pitch darkness and the dimmed light of the basement where you were fighting, it is great to eventually be able to see something else. She even made sure to not turn the big light on, only a small one in the corner that diffuses a subdued light. Somehow, she knows exactly what to do to make you feel comfortable.

"Let me help you," she said, coming closer to kneel in front of you when she realized you couldn't take your bath alone.

On the way home, she sent a message for one of her maids to run a bath for you to enjoy when you arrived. The mirrors fog up and a scent of jasmine fills the room, but even if the idea of taking a bath sounds good, you don't move. You are curled at the exact place she left you in, your knees against your chest.

You are like a dog, but nothing like a fighting one, she thought when she saw how you tried to back up when she reached for your shirt.

"I am not going to do anything," she quietly said, trying to sooth you by using a gentle tone and caressing your cheek with her thumb. "I am going to help you to get rid of those rags so you can get a bath, okay? Then, we can clean your wounds and have a good meal, does this sound good?" she asked and you slowly nodded.

She helps you to get rid of your clothes that are closer to rags honestly as they have holes in them, the fabric being soaked in dirt, blood and sweat, sticking to your skin. You never felt so vulnerable than right now, under her serious gaze, what is she thinking about? It is impossible to guess but you can feel her eyes on your body as she looks you up and down. A quick glance which allows her to take a mental note about all your injuries.

"What are you doing?" she chuckled, when her eyes didn’t land on your chest but on your crossed arms - you were trying to hide, how cute. "How silly you are,” she whispered when noticing you didn't seem to understand what she was talking about, "thinking you can hide like that."

Her tone sounded too sweet for it to genuinely be and there is something behind her gentle tone that is rigging alarms in your head. You can't tell what it is exactly, but there is that weird feeling, your instinct screaming at you to be careful when your body just wants to give up and be in her arms, ‘cause what could go wrong?

She takes your hands to pull them away from your chest so you can’t hide from her anymore. Her grip is firm, just a little too strong so you understand that, despite her sweet smile, she won't hesitate to be harsh with you if you don’t behave. However, she still seems to be extra careful while moving you, as if you were a porcelain doll, because for nothing in the world she would hurt her fragile princess. She slowly takes your arms away so she can give a glance at all your injuries. What she sees makes her sigh, she seems about to say something but keeps her words for herself ; you should have been more careful.

She helped you to get in the bath and it was a nice moment, a few minutes you got for yourself because, surprisingly, she let you bathe yourself alone. Oh, she wasn’t far away, just at the other end of the room, keeping a close eye on you at every time, but dealing with something on her phone. She would occasionally comment on the way you were doing things, talking you throught it so you can shower the proper way, her way. Once you are done, she wraps you on a soft towel, bandages your wounds and gives you clothes that are hers, a hoodie and a short, and you can’t help but notice how good they are smelling, how comfortable you are feeling in these.

"Did you say something?" she genuinely asked, turning to you because she was sure she heard you mumbling a few words.

She was talking about your life here, talking almost alone as you weren’t really talkative, but thinking she would miss the words you whisepered was a mistake because she never misses anything.

"Nothing important," you replied, but this answer doesn't seem to please the woman, something twitching in her eyes, coming from soft to sharp.

"When I ask you a question, you reply to it, am I clear?” she said, immediately leaving what she was doing to come close to you and grab your chin. “You are not the one that gets to decide what’s important, your small brain can't handle big decisions and that's why I am here. I mean, see how it got you to be by yourself …" she continued, looking at you with disdain, as if she was thinking that it is only your fault if you ended up in that rat hole, caught in human trafficking. “I am here to give you a second chance and you better take it ‘cause it may be the last… so don't talk to me like that ever again, did I make myself clear enough?"

The only answer you are able to give her is a whining accompanied by a sniffle and she obviously doesn’t like that. Even if you tried your hardest to not let those tears rolling down your cheeks, you can’t help it, her harsh words only making things worse because you are already hating to disapoint the woman.

"If I knew you would cry, I would've sold you ..", she sighed in annoyance, her nails digging into your skin, "I hate cry-babies, understand?" she asked, but it wasn’t not a question: it was a warning. "The fighter I saw in that ring must be here when I am back," she coldly added before releasing the pressure she was exerting on your face.

She leaves, slamming the door shut so you easily understand that she is upset with you reacting that way. She has done everything she could in order to help you to be comfortable here : she gave you a bath and clothes, cleaned your wounds, promised you a meal and a bed, even gave you comfort but it still doesn't seem to be enough because you were crying as if she was some sort of monster, and she can't bear that vision. She tried to repeat to herself that you are just tired, that things are going to get better with time but it doesn’t calm her down. Whether you want it or not, she will make sure that, one way or another, you will accept her and she won't hesitate to use the hard way if she has to.

When she comes back, she notices that didn't move an inch, scared by what the woman could say and impressed by the bedroom. But it didn’t prevent your eyes from wandering around the room. It is really minimalist, there is nothing that could give you a hint about the person she is, everything is exactly where it should be, not a speck of dust and no personal objects. It feels like a hotel room more than hers.

When you hear the door, your gaze settles on the woman. Your knees are bent against your chest as if it could protect you from all the dangers of the world. She probably left you for only five minutes, but they felt like hours. Your thoughts had time to run while waiting for her : what about trying to escape? But it never worked, it’s always a dead end, a path to regrets because they always find you, making sure you won’t even think about doing it again and, if they do not find you, it's someone else. You learned that there is no escape and gave up on going back to your old life a long time ago. It is not even the fear of the armed men that is keeping you here, it's the void in you when you think about what you would do if you were free again, nothing. Nothing because you forgot how to live on your own. So you didn't move, not even a finger because she didn't ask you to do it, only being a dog that lives for its masters' will.

But what piques your curiosity is more the tray in her hands than anything else. As soon as she enters the room, closing the door behind her with her foot, a pleasant smell spreads through the room. You can see many things on the tray she brought back : a glass of water, some pills, a bowl of steaming soup with bread and a plate with rice, vegetables and chicken. When was the last time you ate a real meal? Long enough for you to not remember what it was.

"Eat." she said as she put the tray on your knees.

It smells good. That's the first thought that crossed your mind when you saw the plate. For a moment, you forget about the past hours; when was the last time you got a real meal? You can't remember, not even a fragment of a memory.

You would eat what your owners give you, eat quickly before they come back, never knowing what you are eating nor when the next meal would be; you learned to not ask too many questions. At first, it was difficult to accept such a fate: you would refuse to even taste the food they were giving to you, but it didn't last long. Eventually, you started to eat - inhale - anything you were given without thinking twice about it.

Tonight, for the first time in years, you are going to eat something else than the leftovers of someone you don't even know. Tonight, you won't have to be scared about your food being stolen. Tonight, you can even see the smoke, a sign that your meal is still hot, freshly cooked and maybe homemade.

"I-," you started, but she didn't let you finish your sentence, your lips barely had time to move that she already cut you, leaving no place for an argument.

I am not hungry, you were about to say, and she somehow knew it. She also knew it was a lie, your stomach has been painfully twisted because of that sick feeling for days, but the knot is also caused by your fears.

It all feels a bit too perfect. It feels like a trap, a way to encourage you to let your guard down only to break you after, making the fall harder. Some did that in the past, why not her? She doesn't look less cruel than the others. Yet, when she is talking, she seems more genuine, you could believe her when she says she only wants what's best for you, that she cares, she just has a twisted way to show it.

"Yes, you are, so eat, now," she ordered you with such a cold tone that you don't dare to argue. There are all these warnings she doesn't say out loud but you can read in her eyes: just do whatever I tell you, pretty girl, they say.

And, for sure, you don't want to face the consequences of your insubordination. So you slowly take the fork, not glancing away for one second, your eyes into hers. You are looking at every detail of her expression as if it would change, telling you that it is a trap, except it doesn't and her expression stays stern. It is impossible to read anything on her face, not even a hint of how she is feeling.

You take the first bit, carefully swallowing and… nothing happens. You don't feel weird, it doesn't taste bad and she doesn't snap at you for a small imaginary mistake you would have made. It is the complete opposite. The food is really good, melting on your tongue, and you start to eat quickly, not because you have to, but because you want to. For the first time in years, eating is a pleasure.

She sighed when she noticed that you were inhaling your food, but she didn't say anything; she will have all the time later to change that habit of you. So she just stood there for a few seconds, observing you in silence, with her arms crossed, before sitting next to you - that's when you broke eye contact, once she was sure you would eat everything.

As you are eating, she is barely paying attention to you, at least that's the impression she is giving. One of her arms wrapped around your shoulder, her hand is absently drawing circles on your skin while she is on her phone, dealing with something serious - you can hear her frustrated sighs from time to time.

Except she sees everything and your mistake was to not be careful enough around the woman. A little because of your clumsiness, mainly because of how fast you were eating, you dropped a bit of your food on the floor. You didn't think it was a big deal, picking it up to put it back on the plate. Three seconds rules, dropped on a clean floor, you don't have very high standards anyway - but she does. She turned to you the moment she felt you were moving, a curious, but disgusted, look on her face.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her hand grabbing your wrist before you could drop the bit of food on your plate. She moves your hand on the side of the tray, far from your plate, before you even get a chance to reply. "Drop it," she ordered to you, "that's gross, hope you weren't going to eat that."

You shake your head, too scared to do anything else, but she knows you are lying; of course you were about to eat it. You spent the past years living like a fighting dog, you would eat anything she would give you, you might even eat directly from the dirty floor if she asked you to. She winces in disgust, not letting your hand go.

"Give me that," she snarled and you can feel how her grip tightened on your wrist to force you to give the fork away.

She then takes the tray that was in front of you to put it on her side of the bed, you are looking at her, scared she would definitely take your meal away. You are about to protest when she notices it and glances at you, daring you to say a word, you don't.

"Come here," she said, gesturing you to come closer, she even grabbed your arm to guide you when she noticed you were hesitant to move.

She sits you between her legs and you are clearly uncomfortable, wiggling, but if she notices it, she doesn't seem to care. She is so close to you that you can feel her breath tickling your skin, but she keeps acting like nothing is weird here. When she leans to cut your food, you can feel her chest pressing against your back, the contact making your heart races. Too focused on how close you are to the woman, you barely noticed when she approached the fork from your mouth, waiting for you to open. It takes one more second for you to understand what she is waiting for and, when you do, you blush in embarrassment. She takes advantage of you opening your mouth to say something to feed you, and you don't dare to push her away.

"Can't even eat alone, hm?" she whispered in your ear while you were chewing the bit of food she just gave you, "but that's fine, I am here now," she added, and there is something in her tone that makes you shiver.

Once she made sure you ate everything, she wrapped her arms around you, laying a kiss on your temple. It is strange how safe you are feeling in her embrace: for a few seconds you forget she is the one that beat you earlier. Right now, she is just someone that cares for you, with whom you feel at peace. You can't remember the last time someone made you feel that way, you can barely remember your life before entering the human trafficking circuit.

You don’t really know when you fell asleep, but your eyes were quick to close under the effects of her fingers running on your hair and of her voice whispering sweet words in your ears. At some point, a maid came to take the empty tray away and the woman layed the both of you in the bed, under the covers, trying her best to not wake you up. This night, you slept in a comfy bed, feeling protected in the arms of the woman despite the things she did, not even thinking one second about pushing away her hands that found their way under your sweatshirt, resting on your stomach.

The Dog fell right into the Black Widow’s web.

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanov #natasha romanoff imagine #natasha romanoff fanfiction #natasha romanoff x reader #black widow x reader #mob boss natasha romanoff #reader insert #mcu women #mcu fanfiction #angst #angst with comfort

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beardedjoel · 12 days

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for the @swiftiscruff friendship exchange!

here's a moodboard of some of my all time favorite pedro pics - ones that consistently make me laugh, smile, or get h0rny for that old man for you all to enjoy the man that brought us all together!

it’s coming up on around a year when i started getting into fic writing and then finding my way back to tumblr, and sometimes i still can’t believe just how much fun we are all having together over one goofy guy and all his characters! i never would have thought watching an adaptation of my favorite video game last year would have brought me here to so many wonderful people with kind hearts and insane talent!

i have a hard time initiating contact especially in fandom where people sometimes seem to already be doing their thing and you feel like you’ve just arrived, BUT you guys! you all have made me feel so welcome - to everyone who ever reached out to me first bc i was too shy, commented, messaged, ANYTHING i just love and appreciate you so much. not to mention the sense of humor in this community is just…. so. good.

idk if it’s corny to out myself like this but this is such a huge part of my life. i think about my fics so often, i smile at my phone at work when i see a new comment or dm that just brightens my whole day, i look forward to my interactions with you all. and it’s just been such a blast sharing this space with everyone.

i wish i had time to make something for every friend and fic i've loved but life is life-ing and so busy rn - just know i love all of y'all.

here’s to all our friendships, making new ones, and strengthening the ones we have ❤️ thank you han and cat for setting up something so sweet and thoughtful!

tagging some amazing moots and people i'm a big fan of!

@swiftispunk @joelscruff @huffle-punk @jupiter-soups @burntheedges @janaispunk @beskarandblasters @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @dancingtotuyo @wannab-urs @tightjeansjavi @pastelnap @joelsgreys @covetyou @chronically-ghosted @sawymredfox @ilovepedro @joelsgreenflannel @whxtedreams @gasolinerainbowpuddles @pr0ximamidnight @justagalwhowrites @noxturnalpascal @joelsflannel @punkette1026 @toxicanonymity @honeyedmiller @mermaidgirl30 @ezrasbirdie-main @wintrwinchestr @mrsmando @5oh5 @kiwisbell @joelscurls @atticrissfinch @cavillscurls @perotovar @futuraa-free

and so SOOO many more people!!! if you've ever interacted with me in any way or i've read something of yours i've loved etc - I LOVE YOU!

#sappy as fuck on main but 🥺#PPCUGiftExchange2024

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hawtlineblingz · 5 months

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EREN's MOODBOARD pt. 2

MORE EREN BRAINROT = my take on eren's moodboard + modern headcanons paaaart 2!

(Would do pt.3 bc why not)

Thank you for 100 interactions on my first Eren's HC post OMG ♡♡♡♡ it means alot for my eren loving ass, So enjoy some more of my random eren thoughts below,

Link to pt.1 :

Hard to approach and to talk to at first (kinda canon)

Once you knew him, HES LOUD asf (also kinda canon lmao)

GODLY at platonic flirt, -3000 pts at romantic flirt (STILL also kinda canon)

Chants random internet reference / tiktok meme like "CAN I PET THAT DAWGGGGG????"

Is offended when u told him u don't know the reference

"What is that? WDYM WHAT IS THAT? It's not on your fyp??? U didnt see my repost?", "im not chronically online like u eren 🙄"

Randomly shows up at ur house, he just don't care, it'll be like 4° outside and he's still knocking on ur door, "eren it's litterally snowing outside, why are u here?", "why can't i visit u?"

The type that can talk out ur parents, can actually get along with the most random people, like janitors, or even ur uni librarian, but can barely make a convo with ur friend

Is into small spontaneous dates, doing small fun things, just the two of u <3 arcades, park dates, silly drawing dates, he's into it. Eren is a simple guy.

Smug. "Look i color that better than u, Im just better"

But got shy when u actually praised him. "NO NVM URS BETTER", "no like, actually don't say that, i'm not better..."

Happily feeds and eat with u, we love a foodie Eren

The type to sends pic of his sweatpants and texts "im bored", "let's get food", "wait im too lazy rn, give me 6 minutes", "ok im ready"

The type to smack ur helmet / visor just to make sure ur good to go. "OW, why u smacked me??", "welp, seems like we're good to go"

Lets you put stickers on his stuff, like his helmet, phone, laptop, etc.

Drags u to watch f1 races with him, yes u heard me, he's an F1 enthusiast bc obv he love his motorsports

Actually a sucker for domestic lazy cozy dates, like cuddling during grandprix livestreams

Sighs alot during race, "why is alonso going that way?", "do u think i'll do good if i were in F1?", "which scuderia i belong to if i were in F1?"

Song i listen to while doing pt.2 :

Honestly this is such a messy headcanons, OR maybe i just miss him a little bit too much?

#SoundCloud #attack on titan #eren jaeger #eren smut #eren x reader #eren hc #eren yeager #eren hcs #aot #aot x reader #eren headcanons

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bucky-barnes-diaries · 2 years

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Late Night Rides

Moodboard made by me

Pairing || Dilf!Neighbour!Bucky x Female!Reader

Summary || Having a secret affair with Bucky and needing to meet up secretly in his car for a chat and sex so you won’t get caught.

Text messages; Bucky || Reader

Word Count || 3987

Contents & Warnings || Smut, Fluff, Slight Angst — NSFW, 18+ Only, Minors DNI, explicit content/language, major age-gap (reader is early 20’s, Bucky is early/mid 40’s) infidelity, pet names (babe, baby, doll), unprotected vaginal sex, lots of kissing and touches, teasing, grinding, spanking, praise kink, creampie, mention of bodily fluids.

Authors Note || I’m so happy with this fic! I really put down extra love and care into this one and I’m so excited for people to read it <3 but also nervous

Disclaimer || English is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes or misunderstandings!

Dilf!Neighbour!Bucky Masterlist

I don’t do taglists anymore so please follow @bucky-barnes-diaries-library and turn on notifications to never miss out on my writing!

It’s Wednesday night, and you've been cooped up all afternoon inside your room to do some last-minute studying for an important exam tomorrow. You’re lying on your stomach on the bed with your comfy clothes on. Legs crossed in the air as you review some final notes to ensure you are 100% prepared for tomorrow.

You’ve created a pleasant atmosphere for studying—calming music is playing through your AirPods, and the healthy snacks and drinks you’ve made for yourself keep your brain fed so you can cram all the knowledge into your memory with no problem.

A ping of your phone, signalling a text, pulls you out of the concentration, making you groan in annoyance. But once you see who the message is from, you can't help but feel all giddy inside like a schoolgirl with a major crush.

It’s from Bucky, your hot next-door neighbour and the man you’ve been hooking up with behind everyone's back for a few months. It’s been a while now since you’ve talked or texted.

You’ve both been busy with your lives the past two weeks; you with school and him with his wonderful two kids and his bitter wife, so you haven’t been able to see each other in private.

The only contacts you’ve had were some quick hello’s and secret glances when you bump into him in the neighbourhood. Every time you saw him, you yearned for his delightful touch and attention—his soft lips on yours and his intoxicating hands worshipping your skin as he whispered how good you are for him. You shudder at the thought as your stomach fills with tingling butterflies.

For a few days now, you’d hoped you would meet up again soon, and it seemed like tonight might be it, although you should be studying…

Hey! You still up?

Hi! Yeah looking over some final notes for my exam tomorrow 🤓

Right yeah I forgot it's on Thursday. Good luck baby ❤️ Text me when you finish tomorrow

I will 😚 But was there something you wanted due to the late-night text?

Just wanted to see if you were up for a drive. Everyone’s asleep and I could use the company. But I don’t want to disturb you. Do some more studying baby. Get a good night's sleep! I know you will ace this exam tomorrow because you’re such a smart girl ❤️

You felt your stomach fluttering as he called you a smart girl. He was right. You would absolutely smash the exam tomorrow because you’ve been studying hard and you knew the topic like the back of your hand.

You needed a break; you deserved it. So you decided to take up his offer and have some much-needed fun with him (which would definitely lead to sex.)

I want to see you. I’ve studied enough now. Give me a sec. I just need to get dressed and I’ll be out ☺️

Really!? Ok I’ll wait at the usual spot

You put on some more appropriate and easily discardable clothes for your and Bucky’s “date”, if you could call it that. A short skirt, a cute top, and a cardigan to keep you warm on a chilly night.

Very quietly, you tip-toed downstairs and out the door, making sure not to wake your parents, who were sound asleep.

Although it's late and dark, you walk quickly past the neighbouring houses. Paranoia overwhelms you that someone may see and recognise you, despite all the houses being pitch black and not a single soul walking the streets.

You get into Bucky’s car that’s waiting for you a few houses down. You don’t even get to say hello before he’s cradling your face and pressing his lips firmly to yours—eagerly moving them against yours to familiarise himself with them again after the long absence. You melt into him and place your hands on top of his as you make out.

After a few moments, he pulls away, leaving you breathless and making you inhale a shaky breath. He smirks as he brushes his nose with yours while muttering a low “hi.” You feel heat rise to your cheeks as you also greet him with a trembling “hey”. Your mind still foggy from the kissing, and butterflies flutter in your stomach at being in his presence.

“I missed you so much, gorgeous.”

“I-I missed you too.”

He pressed his lips to yours again, wanting to continue where you left off and then some. He put his hands on your waist, wanting to pull you on top of him so you could progress this even further, but you stopped him before he could. It’s not that you didn't want to be pressed up against him; you just didn’t feel so comfortable going at it right in your neighbourhood.

“B-Bucky.” You placed your hands on his chest and lightly pushed him away. “I-I don’t feel comfortable doing this here. Can we drive somewhere a little more private, please?” You pouted.

If Bucky could choose, he would have you right here and now. Loving the rush of potentially getting caught by one of your neighbours that decided to go for an evening stroll, but he knew you weren’t comfortable with it, so he respected your boundaries.

“Of course, we can, baby.” He caressed your cheek while giving you a heartwarming smile, making his eyes crinkle. “I never want to do something you’re uncomfortable with.” “Thanks, babe.” He gave you a sweet peck before he put the car in drive, and off you were.

He turned up the radio a bit to have some pleasant background music and put the heating on to warm you up.

You removed your cardigan, which made him side-eye you and lick his lips as you revealed more of your tempting skin. He gripped the steering wheel hard to try and resist the urge to stop on the road and take your hard. He wanted to have you somewhere alone and secure before he started exploring you because there was no way to stop him when he began.

You glanced over at him as well. He was clad in jeans and a thin sweater, so you couldn’t see much of him. But you knew he was packing behind those pants and that his torso looked like a Greek statue. It made you ache between your legs and mouth water that you would soon have all the time to explore his naked body.

After a while of comfortable and sexually charged silence, you and he effortlessly slipped into a conversation as you talked about your weeks apart—catching up with each other’s lives. There wasn’t much to talk about from your side. It mostly revolved around school and studying for the exam.

Bucky had loads to talk about, especially with his two kids. He beamed with love and happiness as he spoke of them. Laughing and getting so enthusiastic as he shared the latest. It was so heartwarming to see and hear.

You missed them as well. You’d gotten a good connection with them the first time you ever went to babysit. That’s how you met Bucky, and you had fallen for him instantly.

Talking about his kids naturally moved the conversation over to his wife. That’s when the atmosphere switched to something more unpleasant and tense. You didn’t say much while he talked about her, just listening to him complain and letting him vent about how much he essentially hated her, although he never said it straight out.

It wasn’t really your place to say anything about her, although you had lots of input. You wanted to tell him to get a divorce because the constant arguing between them wasn’t leading to anything, and it was bound to be taken out on the kids negatively. You wanted to tell him that he deserved to be happy. If not with you, then with someone else who would give him the love and intimacy he deserved. You just wanted what’s best for him and his children.

After the rant and mention about his wife, it got a little awkward in the car. You knew what you were doing was essentially wrong even if their marriage was on the brink of collapsing and probably not savable, but still, you felt a little guilty about being with a married man. A homewrecker was something you never wanted to be, although his wife was doing that just fine herself.

“You know, the kids miss you. They're always asking when you’ll come over again to play.” Bucky said while looking over at you with a smile, trying to break the awkward tension he created between you two.

Your heart filled with warmth when he told you that they’d been asking for you. You missed them so incredibly much as well, and you couldn’t wait to see them again soon.

“How about this weekend? After my exam, I’ll have loads of free time to hang out with them.”

He placed his palm on your naked thigh, giving a squeeze, as he beamed with happiness once again. “They would love that, and so would I.” He looked over and smiled, which made you feel all fuzzy inside.

For the remaining few minutes of the car ride, until you got to your destination, you sat in now comfortable silence with each other.

Once you arrived at a more secluded area, Bucky turned off the car. You were all alone now. No one would be able to disturb the two of you.

You thought now, when you were for yourselves, he would toss himself over you like he usually did, but he retracted further from you as he furrowed his eyebrows, looking deep in thought as he tried to find the right words to tell you something.

“I’m sorry about the whole, you know….” He gestured with his hands, hoping you would understand his meaning without mentioning who or what he was talking about.

“Bucky, it’s okay. You can always talk to me about anything that’s bothering you, no matter what it is. I’m always here to listen.”

He let out a puff of relief that he hadn’t screwed up anything with you. “Thank you.” He tilted his head as he looked at you, a smile decorating his beautiful face. “That means a lot.”

“I just want you to be happy.” You took his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. It fit so perfectly in yours, like two puzzle pieces meant to be. You never wanted to let go. “I really care about you, Bucky.”

“I care about you also, so much.”

The words you said to each other felt like they held an entirely different meaning. A synonym for those three words that would absolutely change everything if you said it. But neither you nor Bucky were ready to take that next step yet, so for now, “I care” was enough to convey your feelings for one another.

You gazed into each other’s eyes for a few moments. An entirely new atmosphere was brewing around you—one of intimacy, love and neediness.

Bucky’s eyes were fixated on your lips before they flickered to your eyes and then back down again. Your heart beat fast in your chest, and your core fluttered as you leaned into one another. When your lips came in touch, there was no denying the sparks that exploded between you two. You and he were perfect for each other; there was no denying your intense chemistry together.

You kissed slowly and sweetly at first—expressing your love and care for one another through it. The kiss gradually built momentum when his hands grabbed your waist, digging his fingers into your skin, and yours snaked in the hairs at the back of his neck. Your lips now eagerly moved against each other as you were both impatient to feel one another to the fullest.

Bucky nips your bottom lip and growls against you as he tugs you towards him, conveying that he wants you on top. With a bit of awkward shuffling, resulting in a few “ops” and “sorry’s” and lots of giggling, you managed to find your place on top of him, resting your legs on each side. Due to the car being so crammed, your head hits the roof when you go to adjust yourself in his lap.

“OW!” You cry as you rub the top of your head while wincing in pain, which sends Bucky into a slight panic that you’d hurt yourself pretty bad.

“Oh my God, baby, are you okay?” He questioned nervously as he cradled your head while concern was written all over his face. He didn’t like seeing you in pain.

“Y-yeah.” You grit your teeth and suck in air as he touches the tender spot.

“You sure?” Bucky can’t help but chuckle a little, which you do as well.

“I’m sure. All is good now. I-I’m sorry, Bucky. That wasn’t very sexy of me.” You look down in shame, fiddling with your fingers, thinking you ruined the moment between you two with how clumsy you were.

“Hey.” He lifts your chin with two fingers, making you look at him. “You’re always so fucking sexy, even when you smack your head on the roof of my car.” He chuckles again. “You still want to keep going?” He runs his hands up and down your naked thighs, which makes you sink further into him, craving his closeness and intoxicating touch.

“I do.” You mumble against him as a smirk curves on your lips. You cup his cheeks, feeling his scruffy beard underneath your palms, and press your lips firmly to his, continuing where you left off a few moments ago. His tongue caresses yours as his hands reach under your skirt, palming your ass, kneading and squeezing the plump flesh in his grasp. With his hands holding a tight grip on your ass, he aids you in grinding on his covered bulge; your clothed core glides against the rough material, making you moan into his mouth.

With a slight change of angle, your clit brushes against his hardening cock, making you gasp while Bucky leaves open-mouth kisses underneath your jaw. His beard tickles and makes your skin feel tingly when he kisses down your neck.

“Hmm… that’s the spot, isn't it?”

“Y-yes.”

“Keep going, baby.” He mumbled against your collarbone while travelling his hands upwards, leaving you to take control of your hips as he danced his fingers on your waist. “Grind yourself on me, my pretty doll.”

You keep moving on him as he kisses and touches your flesh. Bubbling pleasure builds fast in the pit of your stomach, and you want to chase it, but you need his cock buried deep within you much more.

You stop and call his name, which makes him look up at you with a puzzling expression on his face.

“Why’d you stop?”

“I-I need you so bad.” You grab him through the jeans, making him groan as you palm and caress his cock through his pants. “I want your cock in me so bad.” You purr in his ear, grazing your lips on the shell of it, making him shiver against you while a growl vibrates in his throat.

Becoming impatient as well, he helps you with discarding your top, followed by swiftly unclasping your bra and letting it fall down your arms. His eyes widen when your breasts are exposed, muttering a curse as he takes in their beautiful curves. He’s quick to kiss down the centre, taking advantage of the newly bare skin. You moan and toss your head back as he licks each nipple and tugs at them, making you hiss at the dull pain and grip his dick firmly.

“I love how easy it is to get you so riled up, gorgeous.” His words tickled your skin as he kissed each breast before he got to work on removing this jumper while you undid his pants.

Once he was bare in front of your eyes, you took a minute to study his physique. Your eyes follow your finger as you trace every contour and dip of his chest and abs while he continues trailing his hands on your skin. You part your lips as your eyes fall on his cock, quickly taking him in your hand, making him groan. A glob of your spit falls on his tip, saliva coating his length as you stroke him in teasing motions.

Your lips find his again as he reaches under you and presses his fingers to your covered core, touching you through the soaked material. Yours and his groans and moans muffled into the kiss as you feel and tease each other.

He pulls your panties to the side and yanks your pelvis closer to him, desperate to feel you wrapped around him.

Once you’ve felt like you both had gotten enough of the teasing, you glide his tip through your messy and sticky folds before lining him up with your entrance. Slowly, inch by inch, you descend onto him, your walls hugging his length to perfection, making you and he sigh in satisfaction at finally being connected after so long.

Bucky was starting to become impatient, so he slammed you down the last few inches until you sat on him entirely, making you cry out at the force. He takes hold of your jaw tightly. “That’s it, baby. Right where you fucking belong on my cock and nowhere else.” He grunted against your lips as shivers ran down your spine at his assertion. “This is my little pussy, isn't it?” You nod yes as your eyes become heavy and your mind gets lightheaded with his whole cock sheathed inside you. “Be a good girl and ride me.”

Slowly, you start to rock back and forth on his cock, getting used to having him nestled deep within your walls. He grabs your ass in his hands, helping you move on him as he looks over every inch of your body, licking his lips at having you in such an intimate and personal way, looking so fucking gorgeous and sexy.

You wrap your arms around his neck for leverage as you move up and down on him in quick motions as sounds of pleasure escape your parted lips. “You feel so good inside me, baby.” You whimper against him as your lips brush. His tongue pokes out to swipe on your bottom one.

“You’re so fucking tight.” He gives your ass a harsh spank, making you yelp and jerk upwards till only his tip is inside you before he slams you right back down, your ass slapping his thighs. Continuing this movement rapidly till the only sound filling the car is skin on skin.

Due to your activities, it was starting to become hot and steamy in the car—the windows fogged up. Your glistening bodies moved effortlessly against each other due to the slickness.

All the sensations and stimulations of feeling every ridge of his cock and his tip brushing against your sweet spot, along with his fingers dancing and digging into your sensitive skin, has your face contour in pure pleasure as moans, groans, and whimpers from you both echo in the car.

After a short while, it was starting to become a bit difficult to move on him with the limited space, so Bucky reclined his seat backwards until he almost laid down flat, making it easier for you to ride him.

Placing your hands on his chest, you roll your hips on him, finding the perfect rhythm as your breasts dance along. Bucky trailed his hands all over your body, kneading and caressing your flesh, as his hungry, dark eyes took in your mesmerising form, licking his lips and muttering a curse. “Just like that, baby. God, you look amazing.” You were so appealing as you rode him, so sinful as you claimed his cock and soul for yourself.

His cock twitched against your fluttering walls as he produced a throaty groan when you ran your hands over your naked body. From your hips, up your waist, until they rest on your breasts, palming them in your grasp as you close your eyes and toss your head back. Your face presented pure pleasure as you got deeply lost in the sensations. “God, you’re so fucking sexy it’s unbelievable. That’s it, baby. Such a pretty girl for me.” The sound of his deep and husky voice praising you goes straight to your tingling clit, which Bucky finds a second later and circles with his thumb, making you convulse on top at the overstimulation.

All the sensations are so deliciously overwhelming that you find it hard to keep upright as your mind becomes foggy and your body becomes weak. You fall onto him and let him take charge.

He braces himself, holding your ass firmly in his grasp before he starts thrusting upwards in long and satisfying strokes, till his tip is inside and then forcing himself balls deep, having your cry against his lips as he keeps praising what a good girl you are for taking him all. Your orgasm builds rapidly, ready to snap and wreck you at any moment.

“Fuck, I’m gonna come, Bucky.” You bury your face in his neck, crying against him as you shut your eyes hard. With a few more quick thrusts, the coil in the pit of your stomach ruptures, sending you into a mind-blowing frenzy of nothing but overwhelming pleasure. You embrace the euphoric orgasm as it impacts every single nerve in your body, making you convulse against him as your pretty sounds runs free.

Bucky mumbles a low curse as his cock twitches, and his hips jerk unevenly. He wraps his strong arms around your torso as he holds you close. Not a second later, he spills his cum deep inside you, decorating your fluttering walls as he grunts and moans deeply.

You’ve never felt more satisfied and complete as he fills you up to the hilt with his cock and seed. While Bucky couldn’t imagine anything more remarkable than your tight and warm walls hugging his length.

Once he’s given a few more calm thrusts, ensuring you’ve both gotten everything out from your orgasm and you’re both fucked out and satisfied, he stills, nestling inside you where he belongs. You exhale a shaky breath as he cradles your face and makes you rest your forehead on his, your noses brushing. “You’re so good to me, baby.” He mumbles as he runs his hands up and down your clammy back, making you shiver at his electrifying touch.

His crystal blue eyes gazing into yours, displaying nothing but adoration for you, made you almost utter those three words you’ve been holding in. You even parted your mouth to say it, lips quivering, but instead, you crashed into him to stop yourself. You poured the love into the kiss instead, hoping he would understand as you moved your lips against his passionately. “I know, baby.” He whispered against you, knowing exactly what you were trying to say.

He caressed your cheek as he furrowed his eyebrows, looking intensely at you.

“You said earlier that you wanted me to be happy.” You nod your head yes. “Well, I am happy. When I’m here with you, I’ve never been happier.”

He smiled from ear to ear, eyes crinkling. It made you fall for him all over again. Your face beamed with happiness upon hearing that, making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “I’m happy too, Bucky.”

He gives you a final sweet peck before you nuzzle your face in his warm and comforting chest, sighing in delightfulness as he strokes your arm and back lovingly. You stayed for a while longer, holding and cuddling each other, appreciating the last moment of your private and intimate alone time before you had to return to your everyday lives where you had to keep your relationship secret.

Thank you for reading 🖤 Feedback through a comment is highly appreciated! Or let me know through an anonymous ask if that feels more comfortable. As well as a reblog to share my work with other people!

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of beskar and kyber {chapter 18}

Pairing: Din Djarin x Force Sensitive! Reader (the Mandalorian x Force Sensitive! Reader) ; brief Force Sensitive! Reader and M!OC

Summary: There are restrictions for entering the main city, some of them Din could agree to and one he absolutely could not. His helmet would need to be left behind, but isn't removing it what caused this entire situation to begin with? Meanwhile, you wake to a new environment, cautious of the things around you and the words of your mother.

Word Count: 10.5k

Warnings: canon typical violence, canon typical language, we meet readers betrothed and he needs his own warning, reader's mother also gets her own warning, kidnapping, reader is being kept against her will, hostage situation, use of narcotics, use of drugs, sedatives, self-depreciating thoughts, thoughts of self-harm, ptsd symptoms, medical trauma, past medical trauma, feelings of inadequacy, sexual themes, sexual content (not detailed), there are a few more but they will spoil the chapter!

A/N: more din pov! because it's so much fun and there are some things y'all need to see through his eyes before some explanations are given c;

all of you were right to think din is gonna need a disguise! but i don't want anyone to think that the desert environment and the choice of clothing is ignorant on my part in light of what is going on in palestine. i've had this original arc planned before the first chapter was even published. here are some resources for aiding those that need help. i've also provided a link to the moodboard for this particular arc, which does include a visual for din's new attire

ao3 link || series masterlist || main masterlist || ko-fi

Maker, your mother was really doing her best to keep you to herself. It was smart to warn the protection around you of him, to anticipate that he would make an attempt to take you back. But he loathed how much harder it was going to make even just getting into the city.

The weapons he could forgo, but his armor? She knew from her past experience with Akiz that it was a punishable offense for a Mandalorian to remove their helmet. And it was frustrating that she was using his religion, his Creed, his culture, his way of life to keep him at bay and to keep you under her control.

It was an injustice he couldn’t wrap his head around. It was just so conniving, and it was hard to believe how you had turned out so drastically different when being surrounded by someone capable of such extremes. He only hoped that your mother hadn’t done anything drastic to you, caused you to take matters into your own hands. He only hoped that you knew he had spent the last several weeks tearing through the galaxy in search for signs of what had happened to you. That he had rushed toward the planet you were taken to the second he had found it out.

Din needed you to know that he was trying, that he was searching for you, that he missed your presence by his side and aboard his ship. And not simply for the fact that you were a strong, capable fighter. But because the things he had whispered and promised you before he ruined it all were true. He did care for you. He had begun to care for you alarmingly fast after that first encounter.

And maybe it should’ve scared him, been a warning he heeded, the way his heart had lightened and opened up to you. Even despite the circumstances and the breaking of his contract with the Guild. He had been willing to change the circumstances, to do away with the contract he took on when his fingers closed around your offered tracking fob. Because it had felt right to do so, despite the inherent break of what he stood for in that moment. His willingness to do so, it only made him realize that this was real, because he had never felt like this with anyone before. Had never wanted to provide for anyone aside from those that made up his covert before. He had meant it when he had choked out those words back on Nevarro.

“I can’t wear that.” Din had been cautious as he looked out the cockpit viewpoint and down into the hangar space. The looming racetrack just beyond it, offset from the main city. Crowds and clusters of people swathed in billowing layers and a severe lack of weaponry was a worrisome observation. Upon her return from the markets, offset from the other side of the city, Cara had held out a bundle of clothing to him.

“I did enough recon to know the guards are the only people permitted into the palace without verification. That Sarad’s always surrounded by at least two of them when outside of the palace, though her mother never joins her outside the walls.”

“Because she knows I’d kill her on sight.” Din can’t help the growl of his words, knowing the truth behind them was all too real. Because he would, without hesitation, take out the threat that had presented itself after lying in wait. Striking at the most opportune moment even months after having first contracted your return to her when it seemed like it was fruitless.

“This the only way you’ll get close enough to her, by blending in.” Cara shimmied the bundle at him, wanting him to take it from her despite his trepidation.

“My face will be exposed.” He argued as he stepped away from her. His mind and thoughts at war with the notion of having to remove his armor and the one of doing it in order to save you. He picked up a grumbling ad’ika from where he had been settled in his pod. Taking a pack of dried jerky from the pouch attached to his belt and handed it to him. Happy coos filled the hull of the ship, Din helping to reach into the pouch for each piece the child devoured.

“They wear head coverings and cover their faces. More than a third of the people I saw. Both men and women. I know it’s not ideal, Din,” Cara risked using the man’s real name. Wanting him to hear her and believe that this was the best way, the only way to move about with having to worry about being stopped or appearing suspicious. Hoping to convince him it was the best scenario to avoid showing his whole face should he have to forgo his helmet. She didn’t seem too keen on having to don similar clothing that left little room to conceal a weapon. “Some have mesh over their eyes.”

Din reached out, taking the outfit from her. He would try it on, get a sense of how he felt in the clothing before making his decision. He had half a mind to fly the ship directly into the palace grounds and open fire until you were safely back in his arms. But realistically he knew that was a terrible plan. The man who you had been promised to was entrenched in the New Republic, someone of high standing and to attack him would bring on a whole new level of concerns into his life, into your life.

Setting ad’ika back down into the pod, Din tucked your cloak around him before making his way to the room.

What use was all his armor and weapons if he couldn’t keep you safe? The thought was sharp in his mind as he set about removing each plate, the clasps snapping in the silence of the ship. He stored them in a crate he had brought from his own ship. In it was the pair of pauldrons you had left behind. The armor settled together tugged at his heart, making his chest tights as he wished for you nestled beside him in his bed much like the beskar in the crate. Closing it and setting a lock on it, he already missed the feel of his vambraces, of the weapons hidden over his frame.

Despite being alone, he kept the cowl about his neck in place. The necklace of his people hidden beneath it and he wondered where the one he had gifted you ended up. The ship foreign to him, giving him pause in removing it as he looked over the robes Cara had collected for him. They were all black. Made of a light, flowing material that would cover his entire body. And he began to pull the wide legged pants over his legs.

The top was less a shirt and more of a tunic, cut shorter in the front to fall just below his waist. It offered coverage of his crotch, while the length billowed out down to his knees on either side. He wondered if he should chance donning the chainmail he had retrieved from your home on Tatooine underneath it. He felt exposed, too vulnerable even as he set about fastening the brown leather harness to cross over his chest from his shoulders and the belt that had an empty pouch fastened to it on his left.

Two arm braces made of bronze had been folded up in the clothing, and he slid those over his forearms, grateful for at least something similar.

Thankfully Cara had been able to find something that would allow him to cover his face- mostly. His eyes would be exposed, and he wouldn’t be entirely comfortable forgoing a visor or something similar to hide them behind.

But he set about containing his trimmed curls underneath the cover, wrapping it around twice before securing it with a black leather tie around his forehead, letting the rest of the fabric fall over the back of his neck and shoulders. The smaller black kerchief was secured over the cowl, adding another layer to hide his identity from the world, fastened behind his head and tucked into the leather keeping the head cover in place.

It would be harder for him to track you, to pick up on threats without the settings of the helmet, but he knew that it would immediately warrant attention. He had to leave it behind, depart from the ship without it. It was the only way he would be able to do his own reconnaissance.

Sighing, he turned to face the mirror set into the wall beside the door.

He didn’t recognize the man staring back at him. He was swathed in flowing black from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. His boots no longer weighed down with a hidden blade or the ring of bullet casings for his pulse rifle.

Sharp brown eyes set under thick, dark brows the only visible part.

Still far too much to be seen. To be witnessed so easily by those around him. By you.

Worry spiked in him, you wouldn’t know it was him. At least, not at first glance. He hoped you would feel a pull to him similar to the one he felt when around you. A comfort in the closeness of your body and presence. A familiarity and sense of connection, the things you had found in each other allowing you to recognize that it was him beneath the different clothing, what was always beneath the armor and helmet.

Self-consciousness, he realized, was the feeling making his stomach flutter and his nerves jittery. He hadn’t been outside of the ship and around people without his armor since he had been inducted into the training corps. He hadn’t been without his helmet since swearing the Creed. The thought of this breeching such a commitment crosses his mind. And while…yes, he had removed his helmet, his face was still concealed.

It was much like the unspoken loophole of removing it in the cover of darkness. The intention of which would have allowed him to give into your pleas for his lips on yours. That he had wanted to do, despite the skimming of lines that should not be crossed. The lines that defined his Creed.

He looked…like one of the natives of the planet. And that was the only consolation he could find in the need for the outfit.

They’re merely walking through the marketplace, when they see you among the stalls. Din’s instincts urging him to turn onto the street.

You’re right there.

You’re real.

You’re okay.

His heart skips a beat and then quickens, nearly vibrating it’s so fast a pitch. His breath stolen from his lungs as he sees you moving among the crowds. You…you’re so beautiful and luck seems to be on his side as you look unharmed. You seem to be at ease, moving from stall to stall with a pair of guards trailing behind you by a few yards. Black flowing robes much like his own, but the rapier style swords fastened to their sides acted as a silent threat. Weapons in the main part of the city were forbidden.

But you…you were so magnetizing, and Din’s feet were carrying him toward the stall you had stopped in front of. Distantly, he heard the hush of Cara warning him to be cautious. But it was as if the world had shrunk down to just you, his eyes tracking you as if you would vanish should he look away for the barest of seconds.

The fabric of your rather elegant dress a mix of soft white and pale cream. It highlighted the natural golden hue of your skin, though the only part visible was the length of your neck down to your chest with a rather low neckline. The supple skin of your breasts was accented by sparkling golden beading along the collar, creating a dip between them where it was concentrated. The bodice of the dress was cinched by an intricate belt made up of diamond jewels set into gold that created a floral shape right over your stomach before the skirt of the dress billowed out in flowing layers.

The sleeves were long, bishop in style, allowing for the fabric to be loose before cinching around your wrists. Allowing for you strong, capable hands to be exposed. Golden designs of lace woven into the fabric of them and the front of you below where the belt rested on your front. You were sparkling, from the bangles around your wrists to the delicate headpiece that kept your hair away from your face. He could see it as you moved about to take in the fruits of the stall, the way that thin netting was laid over the length of your hair, stones glittering in the sun as you did so. You were a vision bathed in white and gold, his brain short circuiting at the sight of you after so long apart.

But you didn’t look to be a captive, aside from the guards keeping close. No, you looked like you were free of worries, complicit in the life you had been stolen away to be a part of. It was as if this was just another day to run errands and take in the sights of the city, no undertones of eyes glancing around to look for an escape. No tension in your muscles as if poised to run at the first chance. And alarm bells sounded in Din’s mind, loud and harsh. Stirring unease in his middle, bubbling up to tighten in his chest.

He couldn’t help but approach you, even if he had no clue what words to breathe should he be able to find his voice. Even if he had no clue how you would react to seeing him after the emotional fallout from so many days ago. But when you turned to him with a smile, lips closed and eyes kind, they only flitted over his face before they moved down along his body toward where ad’ika had popped his head and chest over the top of the bag slung over his shoulder.

He certainly hadn’t expected you to recognize him, he was without his armor. And though you knew the shape of his body and the way it reacted to your touch; you didn’t know him as he stood beside you now. In flowing black robes and brown leather, a head cover secure over his curls and a flowing material hiding his face aside from his eyes. He realized you wouldn’t be able to recognize them, having never seen the brown of them before. And he greedily drunk in the sight of you without his helmet, delighting in the way the sun lit up the features he had come to admire.

But your attention wasn’t even on him, it was on the small form that had reached out for the bundle of berries in your grip. Plucking one and popping it in his mouth with a satisfied hum. But there was no recognition that flickered over your face upon seeing ad’ika either. It was as if you were seeing him for the first time, a polite curiosity in your gaze. And Din’s gut lurched.

It hadn’t been long enough for you to forget the child, forget him. Forget the life the three of you had carved out from circumstance. Unless you were playing along to not alert the guards of being reunited, not wanting them to suspect anything was amiss. But…but Din didn’t think you were pretending. There had been no fast glance back to him upon seeing the child crop up, there had been no hitch of your breath as realization of him standing beside you set in.

It was as if you didn’t know him at all, know the small form of the child holding your adoring attention.

“Well, hello there, little one.” Your voice was so smooth and calming, like silk against his ears after having not heard it in so many days. He watched as you tilted the bowl closer, making it easier for a tiny green claw to retrieve another berry. A laugh bubbled from you as the child smacked on the fruit, happy sounds flowing from him unbidden.

And then, with a simple question, Din’s heart shattered.

“He’s rather cute, is this your child?”

You had focused your attention back up to him, though you avoided his eyes again. Something he was beginning to think was just a part of every version of you. Because the one standing in front of him was not his own. It couldn’t be.

Words, so many of them, burst to life and died on his tongue in the silence between you two. None of them making it past his lips, his voice lost in injustice of finally being reunited with you and you having no clue as to who he was. Of how much you had been through together, the promises you had whispered to each other, the soft sighs of waking up together, the harsh grunts and desperate whimpers shared between yearning bodies. You had no clue what you meant to him. The only thing he was certain of, was that he was a stranger to you.

Clearing his throat, he managed to utter an affirmative to your gentle question.

“I’ve never seen any like him before, he seems like the sweetest thing.”

And he wanted to tell you that you allowed for him to be so, for the child to have the protection of your skills and caring heart to be just a child after being held a captive for so long. That he had stolen him away from those who wished him harm with your aid. But suddenly, you were being approached by the vendor, your attention splitting from them both beside you.

“Ma’am, you’ll have to pay for- oh, Princess Cala. I’m so sorry.” Strict words and steal façade falling as the man approaching realized who you were. Princess. Because that’s what you were, had been swiped from him to be another’s wife. All memories of your commitment to him forgotten in a cruel twist of fate that Din was determined to get to the bottom of. To rectify. Though he had no clue how to even begin such a daunting task as he was still struggling to accept that it was so. “I was unaware you were in the markets today. Please, take whatever you wish. I will send for payment from Sir Cala at the end of the day.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright.” You appeased gently, hands digging into a small pouch hidden among the layers of your dress. Credits clinked as you set them down atop the table, the jingling of your bracelets catching ad’ika’s attention and he reached for them. “It’s just a little snack today, nothing too crazy.”

As the vendor turned back to duck inside, away from the bright sun and the watching eyes of the guards, it happened.

Ad’ika’s skin connected with your own and you were buckling at the sudden energy that Din could feel flow between you both. Ripples of is cascading through the air. Body overwhelmed and knees weakening at the onslaught as a strangled gasp fell from your lips. Just as you had done back at the compound, history repeating itself in a way he hadn’t expected. He was quick to close the distance, to wrap his arms around you and hold you up. You allowed him to pull you close, your chest flush with his as heaving breaths matched his stuttering ones.

His body igniting at the feel of you against him once again. Of the way your hands gripped his arms to support yourself. The prick of your fingers digging into his muscles and the way your mouth had fallen open in surprise. It was all so normal, the reactions of your body against his. Natural, the magnetism between your bodies making everything feel alright even if it was just for the barest second.

“I’ve got you, mesh’la. Are you alright?” Voice low, he felt it robbed from him when your lashes fluttered, and your eyes met for the first time. They glinted with something and then –

“Unhand the princess, no one is to touch her!” Twin forms of the guards watching over you were suddenly closing in. It took every ounce of strength he possessed to not take all your weight securely into his arms and run. Hush of swords being pulled from their sheaths had you tearing your eyes away from him, had you shifting your footing to hold yourself up a little better though you didn’t let go of him. And he was grateful for the prolonged seconds of getting to feel you in his arms.

“It’s alright!” You assured the guards, halting them in their steps with a polite smile. “I just tripped is all!”

Loosening the hold he had on you, his hands remained steady as you stepped back from him to stand on your own once again. He was aware of the hard looks aimed at him, as distance bloomed between your bodies.

Endlessly considerate and caring toward the ad’ika, even if you didn’t know it, you carefully handed the bushel of berries into his small claws.

You were bidding him goodbye with an impersonal bow. And he wished to feel the unspoken greeting and departing habit of your forehead nudged against his own you two had established over the course of your time together.

He fell in line behind them, a safe distance away to not attract their attention or suspicions. His focus so completely on you, the captivation you held over him even now, especially now, spelling his feet forward through the last of the market and through the streets. He was silent as Cara fell into step beside him, questions flowing from her that fell on his straining ears. You were talking with the guards, though it seemed like you were merely confirming the rest of the plans for the day.

And they would know, they would be by your side every time you left the palace, he mused as he watched your trio wait outside of the large wooden doors that led into the place you now called home. It was surrounded by a large, easily fifteen-foot wall made up of decorative tiles and white stone. He caught a glimpse of large gardens, complete with bright blue ponds and lush plant life making a beautiful backdrop to your form. But his eyes snapped back to you, taking notice of how the guards had begun to walk away and toward a small building that must act as their command center. They were replaced by two young women, dressed in long pale blue layers that followed your every step.

As you began to move along the paths lined throughout the garden, a figure approached you. And the tension Din had been worried to not see in your shoulders seemed to slam into you. The figure moved from beneath the shade of a large palm, having been waiting on a bench. It was a woman, one who bore a strong resemblance to you from tone of skin to the color of your eyes. Your mother.

Arms were slung together and Din could see even with the distance how her touch made you uncomfortable. And it was all so confusing. You remembered your mother, memories of her intact but you had somehow forgotten who he was, who ad’ika was. Forgotten who you were enough to not make an attempt to escape, submitting yourself to the life your mother had created for you.

And then, a man in elaborate robes adorned with jewels and lace designs much like your own approached you both. He was dressed in colors that complimented your own clothing. His own jewelry fastened over his head cover much like yours, though decidedly heavier, more masculine to the dainty feminine of yours. Matching.

A hand came over his shoulder as he realized he was breathing harshly, no helmet to disguise the deep push and pull of it as he watched you disentangle from your mother and step into the man’s personal space. The front of your bodies touching together as his hands splayed wide on your shoulders, as your own wrapped around his neck. As you perked up to press your forehead to his, in the way that was Din’s.

His chest hurt, his hands clenched, body alight with the need to rush forward and tear the two of you apart from each other. His ears hurt with the silence pressing against them too firm to shake. To press his own forehead against your own and plead with you to see him, to remember him. Remember what you meant to each other.

It was a small blessing of the Maker that your back was to him, because he didn’t think he would be able to take the way your gaze had softened as you looked into the eyes of the man holding you. The same one he would find aimed at him throughout the day, mirth in your eyes as your lips pulled into a soft smile. Adoration and admiration soothing the concentrated look you normally held. Not when the man looking back at you held the same exact expression.

The one always hidden behind his visor.

The same face that was now hardened in a flurry of emotions, his jaw clenched tight, teeth grinding, and eyes ablaze as he watched the man dip his face and press his lips to yours in a kiss.

A kiss.

The very thing that had unraveled the entire life you two had created out of circumstance and connection, the very thing you now shared with another.

Your easy laughter was what brought his senses back, though it was cut off from him as quickly as it had been delivered as you began to walk hand in hand with the man down the path leading to the palace entrance.

Din’s mind was working, working, working. Trying to figure it out, trying to come up it a way to figure it out. To rectify it. To make it right. To make everything right.

And as if a chip was falling into place, he realized. They could fall into line as a guard and a handmaiden.

It was so obvious, so easy, the plan coming together in his mind as the wooden doors swung shut and stole you away from his watching gaze.

“Mando…” Cara’s voice was gentle, as if she was worried she would startle him. Spur him into movement toward you, tackling the obstacles that stood between you both despite the consequences. “I don’t know exactly what-“

“We’ll talk back at the ship.” His words were rough, voice rumbling as if he had just swallowed gravel. It felt thick in his throat, coating his tongue and making it hard to speak.

“It’s customary for visitors to stay in the tourism sector.”

“I’m…low on credits.” He admitted, aware that his words were carried on deep exhales, air hard and solid when breathed in. Aching, hurting, stinging in his throat as he closed his eyes to rid himself of the image of you embraced so intimately with that man, with your husband. But the image was burned into the backs of his eyelids, pressing on him even as he clenched them shut.

“Good thing I’m not. Let’s go, I have a feeling you’re going to tell me this isn’t going to be as simple as sneaking in at night and whisking her away.”

Din followed the woman’s lead through the city, through the gates and toward the collection of tourism amenities. The sounds of the ocean waves getting louder the further they moved away from the palace.

The suite was grand, decorated lavishly in soft earth tones. Bright jewel tones accenting it all around.

But Din’s eyes were unfocused, unseeing as they stared down at the carpet, his head in his hands as he sat rigidly on the couch. With a deep breath pulled in and then let out, he deflated. Chest tight like he was being retrained with ropes, his limbs tingling as if the blood was having trouble flowing through them. His nerves felt both numb and overwhelmed all at the same time.

Cara just paced around the room, searching for potential bugs while she ensured ad’ika was settled in a chair with the fruit you had bought for them in a bowl for him to occupy himself. Din’s voice returned to him when he felt the couch shift with her weight on the other side.

“She doesn’t know who I am.”

“I wouldn’t recognize you, Mando, it’s just the clothes. I’m sure she was just pretending to be clueless to avoid suspicion. She saw ad’ika and even got him those berries.”

“No. Cara.” He surged up, feeling the need to move. To be on his feet, his mind hurling endless self-depreciating thoughts. This was all his fault, you were in the arms of another man because of him, your mother had been able to snatch you away because of his carelessness. His lack of speed when chasing after you, his lack of ability to have tracked you down and bring you back to the Crest as quickly as possible. He had failed you, he had failed you beyond comprehension and you didn’t even remember it.

He meant nothing to you, he was a stranger to you. While you willingly lived alongside that man who had every intention of letting you know how much he wanted you, desired you, who kriffing kissed you.

Aware of her eyes on him, Din paced back and forth in front of the couch. Feeling the need to move, to run, to chase, to track, to fix. She was watching him, a conflicted look about her features as she thought over the things they witnessed. The blatant issues that they had to move around in order to get to you.

Maker, what if…what if you shared the man’s bed. That would add another layer of complication to breaking you free of your imprisonment. Was it even imprisonment anymore? Did it qualify if you didn’t know the people who surrounded you were the ones who had manipulated you so completely, so intricately that they had somehow wiped your memory and fed you a story of what they wanted their lives to be in order to make it a reality?

Even if he could manage to convince you that you weren’t meant to be a dank ferrick princess in a palace, how would he prove to you that you were meant to be with him? His ship was old, needed repairs too often, his way of life, it all paled in comparison to the residence you had now, the quality of life you had now. How was he supposed to make you understand that he cared about you and that you cared about him if you didn’t know who he was?

Your mother certainly knew what she was doing. From the wiping of your memory to make it harder for him to convince you that your life was a sham, a lie, a false thing made up by those around you to the warning posters of him plastered around the city. The version of you he knew was wary of strangers and he would bet everything in his name that you still held that reservation. That anything he or Cara had to say wouldn’t be taken lightly, most likely result in their immediate order of removal should you find them guilty of trying to manipulate you.

“She doesn’t remember me. Or ad’ika. Her mother must’ve done something to her. There was no recognition in her eyes.” Heart thudding hard in his aching chest, Din couldn’t stop the sob that wracked through him. “I’m nothing to her.”

Darkness and the pull of the cold feeling drumming through your veins lightening ever so slightly as you begin to rouse, body limp and not heeding your commands to move. Alone. You’re alone. Metal clinking and heavy around your wrists and ankles. Around your neck.

You’re shackled, restrained, drugged.

Like so many times before, like you had never wanted to be again.

It’s quiet, unnervingly so.

Opening your eyes doesn’t allow you more of the setting you’re in, only darkness of the room you’re hidden away in. Gravity lurches and you know, can sense it: that you’re aboard a ship that has just taken off into the air. Traveling and distance growing, taking you away from them. From him.

Had he even realized you were gone? That you had been seeking solace, a way to return to him without shame prickling your skin and guilt flooding you, body tight and mind remorseful.

Everything was a haze. Everything jumbled up into a messy recollection. The pleasure that had been igniting you, the feel of his fingers deep and hitting that spot just right, building you up and tearing down your inhibitions. Enough so that you had pleaded with him for the one thing you knew he wouldn’t give you. And then it was gone, shifting to rejection. The blank, emotionless helmet shielding the way he must’ve been so repulsed by your question, your desperation to have more of him when he had already given you so much. Needy, selfish, you had been so wrapped up in him that you had offended him beyond words. Warped the path you two had been traveling together, guiding him without realizing it, off the distinguished trail and into the unknown. To the forbidden. Toward sin.

You had tried to convince him to break his Creed.

Heart heavy and mind trying to piece everything back together, you convulsed. Shocks ripping through you at the sudden movement.

Whimpering, you felt it was more than deserved. This punishment, being forced to submit once again at the hands of your mother. All of it was because of the temptation you had dared to whisper to a man so devoted. He would’ve lost everything had he followed you into it. From the very identity of himself to the new standing of a clan he had just been granted. All gone.

And for what? A measly kiss with someone who didn’t even know how to want without asking for too much. A shared mingling of breath and teeth and tongue with someone who should’ve been long dead for their own sins.

Brightness burst into the room, assaulting your senses as footsteps shuffled close.

The prick of a needle sharp, the swoop of your nerves being calmed and then raised to tingling heights.

A gentle caress of a hand on your cheek and the last thought you had before you were pulled back into the darkness heart more than anything your mother could do to you:

He hadn’t come after you. He had let you walk away.

We can’t…I-I don’t...

Through the hull and off the ship, let you slip into the crowd where he hoped you would disappear from his sight. Vanish from his life and taking the sins you had tempted him with.

Compliant. You would be compliant this time around. Now knowing that there was nothing else for you, the entire galaxy making a mockery of your attempt at finding a life other than this. The blood of so many on your hands and cleaned off the hilt of your saber, the reason as to why you didn’t deserve happiness or comfortability. That you hadn’t deserved him.

And it hurt. More than the throbbing high spurred on by the drugs in your system. More than the memories of everything you had ever known being ripped from your desperate hands, not once but twice. The thought of him simply sat on that cot still, slowly dressing, gathering the things you had left behind and shoving them in a crate to never be opened again, hurt. The thought of him climbing toward the cockpit and bringing the ship to life, of guiding it up into the air and leaving the planet behind, leaving you behind, hurt. It was devastating.

Because you knew, you know he would’ve come to your aid if he had known what had happened. That you had been on your way back to the ship with an apology on your tongue when you had been ambushed. You know he would’ve protected you, even if he didn’t want you. Out of some sort of personal obligation, out of the empty commitment he had made to you that now felt like a ploy to get you into his bed.

He had known your past, seen the evidence of it in your words and nightmares. He had known to how use it to his advantage, to whisper sweet nothings and notions of care beyond what you could provide him with your body to get exactly that. He had known to not pressure you, to let you come to him and he would get what he wanted all along. The same as every man, only seeing you as a body to warm your bed.

But…he wasn’t. He couldn’t be.

Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum. I love you.

He had said it first, as he bled out on that dirty cantina floor as the building crumbled around you both.

Anything spoken by a man of few words had to mean something. Had to be genuine. Had to be real.

And that hurt far worse, that he cared and had still let you walk away. Disappear into the crowd of the planet, only to be taken hostage and away from him. That he had let it happen.

The confusing and painful thoughts circling around in your sluggish mind were cut short, turned to smoke that wafted away when the metallic clang of what had to the locking mechanism on the door to where you were being kept. Artificial light filtered into the room, blinding you as your eyes tried to adjust to the sudden shift from near blinding darkness. A soft voice was speaking to you, thought you couldn’t make out the words. Brain scrambled and too loaded up to understand.

It was astonishing, really, even through the haze, that your mother’s hands were gentle on you despite the things she subjected you to. Comforting caresses and fingers moving your hair and clothing in ways to avoid pinching or pain as she removed the shackles and began to untangle you from the chains that had wrapped around you. It felt like a loss, to no longer have them pressing into your skin, no longer holding you up as your head rolled on hard to hold up neck.

“Oh oh oh, it’s okay, sweetie, I’ve got you.” Your mother’s voice was syrupy sweet, coating you in its allure. The only thing you truly knew was real in this moment of time. Her hands helped you up on weak legs, arms going around your waist to hold you to her, support most of your weight. “We’re home, my darling. I think it’s gonna treat us well, this time around.”

Confusion colored your senses and prompted a warbled sound to fall from your lips as she led you to the fresher. She helped to disrobe you, carefully peeling the clothing from your scuffed and sweaty skin. The weight of your hair being let loose from its braided updo stirred the beginnings of a headache. Trying to establish itself even in the presence of the drugs thrumming through your veins.

She washed you free of the sweat and grime that had built up on your skin in the time it had taken to guide your sluggish and unaware form onto a ship for travel.

Hands that didn’t feel like her own filled your senses. Larger than hers, rougher than hers, more intentional than hers. The feeling being washed away along with the suds and bubbles down the drain as you felt the prick of something in your neck and everything became fuzzy.

Things slowly returned to you as you felt the hum weighted over you lighten. Gravity shifted and a feeling of foreboding bubbled up in your stomach, prickling the instincts compressed inside your mind until they could do nothing but trigger ever so slightly. The hush of the door opening had you shifting atop the bedding, looking toward it to see the shadow of your mother approaching you with a cloak.

But it wasn’t yours, because the one you had been gifted, the one with the beautiful floral clasps to keep it closed, had been left behind in your haste. Haste to run from the feelings of inadequacy and heartbreak that threatened to overwhelm you even if you couldn’t piece together the specifics. Too overcome with the things your mother pressed into your veins to have you sluggish and heeding her commands.

The flash of a shiny reflection of sunlight against the metal of a sword stirred something in you as you walked alongside her. She was supporting most of your weight, guiding you along down the ramp of the ship and you paused at the sight before you. Blinking, ensuring that the image wouldn’t melt away and that it was real, you couldn’t believe your eyes.

A garden. Lush and green, was stretched out before a grand palace of white and sandy stone. Pillars and domes accent the different parts of grand sight. It was magnificent and entirely too complicated for you to be able to find a way to escape once within the walls. Guards cloaked in black were stationed at the main entrance and along entryways within the halls. Women in rich jewel tones scattered about the palace as your mother guided you through it, being led herself by a man who held an air of authority about himself.

Your heart beating fast, dizzyingly fast and your breath becomes labored, pitchy. It garners the attention of your mother, the shift from quiet to increasing panic as your led further into the maze of halls and buildings. She holds the control to the shackles about your wrists and ankles in her hand, waving it at you to quell the twitching of your muscles as you tried to resist running, of harnessing the Force to send everyone around you flying through the wide hallway. The silent threat of the electricity sparking through your synapses paired with the way the world didn’t feel quite right, everything off kilter and slightly blurry, fuzzy all around you had you obeying her without a word.

She commanded the people around you both as you were ushered through a door into a sterile room, medical equipment and first aid supplies collected in a large cabinet. The medical center, you guessed through the haze and worry spiked through you. What was she going to have them do to you?

With soft words, she urged you to lay down atop one of the cots. Smoothing your hair away from your face with gentle hands as the prick of a needle startled you. An attendant, a man dressed in dark red billowing layers, had stuck you with a syringe.

Before you could form your lips around a question, a plea, the edges of your vision blurred. Within seconds, the room was spinning and your eyes fluttered shut. The last thing you thought of before being pulled under the influence of the sedative was a plea for Din and ad’ika to be safe, wherever they may be.

“Alright,” Your mother chirped once you had fallen unconscious. The man in red regarded her with a blank expression, knowing that he was here for one reason and one reason only. Being paid generously for the use of his skills and the machinery that he possessed. He was one of the few who had been sought out by the New Republic to recalibrate and repurpose something used by the Empire that would prove useful for them as well.

Rumors of such a machine were whispered across the galaxy, most believing them to have been destroyed. But they would be wrong, they were very prevalent in the reformation and reintroduction of the Empire’s countless forces back into the general population. To break the spell of indoctrination imposed on them with low force electric vibrations. The Six-O-Two Mitigator, otherwise known as a Mind Flayer. Curtesy of the royal families firm standing within the New Republic and their generous donations to help fund their endeavors.

“Is it ready?”

“Yes, it’s been calibrated to perform at a higher voltage to achieve what you’ve requested.” He spoke as he watched two attending medics wheel the cot you were laid upon toward the doorway that lead into another room. He followed them, with a wave of his arm to allow for your mother to proceed him. She did so with a dip of her head.

“I’m sure you know how to oblige what is being requested of you. From me and from the Prince. We will settle for nothing less.”

“I do, you want me to target the memory glands.”

“Yes, eradicate anything that sparks in response to the Mandalorians and the Jedi. Warp them if you have to.”

“I will do my best, it may take multiple sessions.”

“That’s quite alright, we are here now. We have the time.”

Something was wrong. Something was missing.

And your head was pounding, a dull pain throbbing at your crown and moving down, down, down to coat your entire body. Groaning, you realized you were laying in a large, plush bed. Pillows and soft blankets surrounding you, having allowed you the comfort to sleep deeply. Deep enough that you couldn’t recall the location of where you were.

The room is beautiful, all pale, soft tones that match the way you had always wanted to decorate your own home one day. But it was a lost thought, something that would never come to fruition. A personal home that you would never have, a home that you would never share, because the people that you love no longer exist to you, faded into blips you can��t recall. But there was one shadow that you could sense in the back of your mind. And it was making you worry about the way you couldn’t fill it. The underlying feeling of something wrong settling low in your gut.

The room is completely foreign as is the scene of a desert city surrounded by large, formidable walls of stone. You now stood on the balcony, having crossed the spacious interior decorated with tapestries and thin beaded curtains to take a look outside. Your body protested the movements, sluggish to respond to your need to figure out where you were.

The door creaked open, a pair of young women with a tray froze as they say you out on the balcony.

And then, a familiar figure shouldered past them with a wide smile.

“Mother?”

“Yes, my sweetheart, how are you feeling?” She was across the room, her arm over your shoulder as she guided you to take a seat in one of two chairs that surrounded a small, low table. Across from them, on the other side, a long, curved couch that looked to be velvet stretched out.

“I feel okay, I’m just a little confused. When did we move….here?” You felt like something was missing still, aside from the curiosity of the foreign environment. You were looking around the room, trying to nudge that vague shadow of whatever it was into a more concrete form. And then it did, the shadow took the form of a man and your heart skipped a beat. “Is he okay?”

“Who, honey?”

“Um…the man I’ve been traveling with. He- he was injured, his…his head!” You felt panic ripple over you, very real and so overwhelming. You had been traveling with someone, that much you knew. But the name, the specifics of him weren’t coming to you. But it felt so real, the phantom feel of the man who you had been with, you carried him with you, and you needed to know if he was okay.

“Honey, he wasn’t the one that fell. You were.”

“Where is he?” Her words didn’t shake the panic settling into your bones. A memory of kneeling in front of an injured man, cradling his face in your hands as he lay before you flashed in your mind’s eye. The feeling of heat washing over you, as if trying to consume you.

“He’s a very busy man, he was going to visit this afternoon.” You mother tried to console you, moving to sit on the arm of your chair and reaching out to cusp a hand over your shoulder.

“I need to see him now!” You stood, anger spiking. Lungs aching for air, for the vision of the man whose touch was ghosting over your skin, whispers of promises and comfort filling your ears. All coming back as the shadow in your mind grew larger and larger, taking space and becoming all consuming,

“Alright, honey, hold-“ She caught your hand as you walked past her, set on searching for him. Needing to see him, to ensure that he was okay. The feeling of warm blood thick on your hands.

“That’s quite alright, Lena.” A deep voice spoke from the open doorway and you felt your knees buckle as you looked over toward it. The tall figure of a broad man was standing there, dressed in orange and gold. He had dark, thick hair on the top of his head and decorating his face. He looked healthy and relief replaced the panic. The feeling of comfort at his few words urging you back up from where you had reached out for the couch. Memories of laughter and teasing, of time spent together coming back to you as if he had brought them into the room with him. “I had a spare moment today, is everything okay here?”

“I-I just…I needed to make sure you were okay.” The words left you in a shaky breath. His image filled the form of the shadow, pushing you toward him. He opened his arms and you moved into them, lifting up on your tip toes to press your forehead to his own and everything whirling around in your mind calmed.

“My heart, are you alright?” His breath fanned over your face and your eyes focused on his lips. Waiting for an answer to flow from them. For all the memories that had flooded back when you first looked at him, you couldn’t recall the feel of his lips on your own.

“I’ve got you, beautiful. Everything is going to be okay.”

Before the last word was uttered, you were surging up and pressing your lips to his.

Weeks go by, the days spent with your mother and the maidens assigned to look after you and ensure you had everything you needed. Prince Cala was accommodating, doting almost when he was free from the responsibilities that came with running a successful city. He was a prince, you learned. Set to inherit his royal standing of king and full control over the city once the marriage he had proposed to you in your murky past came to fruition. He was all soft, casual touches and kisses pressed to your temples. He hadn’t kissed you fully since that first day you had woken up and you could understand his hesitancy. You were still struggling with your memory, no exact recollection of your lives together.

Assurances spoke from both him and your mother that this was indeed your life, even if everything seemed so new and part of a routine you didn’t quite feel like you were a part of. You were…slightly uncomfortable in your mother’s presence, when alone. An almost fearful undertone as you watched her movements closely, feigning focused interest in the things she told you and shared with you to mask the way your eyes catalogued everything. There was a faint weight that pulled in your gut when she would touch you, her hands always gentle but it was as if… it was as if your body was waiting for the gentle to give way to something more sinister, more ill-intentioned.

You felt more at ease with the man who had filled the shadow in your mind, his presence calming and kind. You weren’t waiting for his touch to sour, though it didn’t spring forth any feelings of desire or yearning from you. A causal intimacy between you both. Slightly disjointed in the way that you had separate room when you could recall sleeping beside a warm body before your accident. In the way that he would press his forehead to yours in greeting each morning and departure each night, the warmth of his skin against yours feeling….wrong as you recalled a coolness in the memories of the practiced motion. In the way that your flowing gowns and light layers looked beautiful in every color provided to you helped to alleviate the heat of the planet but felt too…impractical when you could recall feeling different clothing against your skin, practical, durable.

But for all the things that felt slightly shifted, you also found familiarity.

The ever present heat and bright sunshine of the planet, so unlike your own world of K’ath and yet it was almost comforting in a way. The food you enjoyed at the words of your mother and fiancé to the kitchens to keep on hand. Fresh fruits, crispy vegetables, and warm bread slathered with salted butter fresh from the ovens. Plenty of soups served over rice and easy broths for you to sip from ornate china, never anything too heavy or slathered in rich sauces. Sweet treats in the form of artisan chocolate, decadent cakes with frosting covering them in intricate designs and an endless supply of fresh, strong caf.

But you took it all in stride, spending time in the gardens, memorizing the walkways that wound through them and around the cerulean ponds filled with colorful fish. Spending time in the library and reading through the history of the planet and the city. Spending time in the lush sunroom decorated with plush rugs, overstuffed seating, and a nice view of the grounds just beyond it. Spending time overlooking the beautiful sights of the city and the distant ocean from your balcony, unable to shake the feeling like you were supposed to be somewhere else.

You tried to ignore the guards hovering around you as you explored the streets of the market. You had earned the outing after your good behavior, showing restraint in the questions you had wanted to ask but didn’t want to repeat yet again the night before. Shaking those thoughts from your head, you reached up and adjusted the dainty crown atop your head. The beautiful netting sprinkled with jewels fanning the base of it cascading over your hair in quite a nice way and it would look beautiful if the piece weren’t a deadly threat. It was a little overkill, you thought. Even if you had been nothing but willing to play along to your mothers and husbands’ words despite feeling like something was wrong, missing, like this wasn’t your life. But they were all that you knew right now, the figure of your mother familiar from childhood and you heeded her words.

You were at a stall that had an array of colorful and fragrant fruits, the sweet perfume of them blending together too tempting for you to bypass without checking out. A creature of habit, your mother called you. A woman of expensive taste, teasingly aimed at you from your husband. They knew you

You paused to hold a bundle of sunset orange berries up to inspect. A small green hand with three fingers suddenly reached out for the bowl in your hand and you jumped only slightly at the sudden company you had as you perused the stalls offerings. You turned a cautious look over but a smile broke out on your face at the cute visage of a small, wonderous face peeking out from a canvas bag that seemed to be his safe space.

“Well, hello there, little one.” You lowered the bowl for the small creature to reach for a berry, the fruit stuffed into his mouth with a happy sound that had a laugh bubbling up from your chest unbidden. “He’s rather cute. Is this your child?”

You canted your attention up, at the broad man dressed in all black who was wearing the child’s bag over a shoulder. His clothing was nondescript, matching that of the priests who littered the town. Flowing cassock and wrap atop his head. His face was obscured, much like their own by black gauzy material draped from underneath it. His dark brown eyes were the only thing visible, and you smiled at him trying to come across as friendly. You didn’t want to anger anyone in town lest they had a connection to your new family.

The figure didn’t speak for a moment, seeming to take stock of you, gauging if you were a threat or not, something everyone seemed to be doing when interacting with you. A newcomer, an outsider, not one of the many tourists visiting the city for their own amusement, but someone brought in to be a part of the ruling family. Confirmation sounded through the fabric masking his face from you and you nodded to show you heard. “He is.”

“I’ve never seen any like him before, he seems like the sweetest thing.” The child let out small coos, as if knowing he was being talked about. He reached for another berry but held it out to you this time. You shook your head lightly and another laugh bubbled up even as you felt the heavy gaze of his father on you.

“Ma’am, you’ll have to pay for- Oh, Princess Cala, I’m so sorry. I was unaware you were in the markets today. Please, take whatever you wish, I will send for payment from Sir Cala at the end of the day.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright. It’s just a little snack today, nothing too crazy.” You smiled wide at him, hoping your behavior will be relayed back to your new family and they will lower their intensity. But you also genuinely appreciated this man, he treated you like a person while everyone else in the market kept a wide berth around you. Afraid of either you as a newcomer or the guards that tailed you, you hadn’t been able to work it out yet. You reached for the small pouch attached to your belt, the jingling of the bracelets on your wrists drawing the attention of the child.

You felt the tug of on them as you reached out to place a few credits for the bowl of berries on the stand, nodding your thanks as you turned to face the child again. He was gripping the bracelets tightly, his skin touching yours as he did so and a clash of emotions flooded you, causing you to gasp and your knees buckled. Before the guards could reach you, the tall man had stepped close and his arms were wrapped gently around your back, holding you to his chest to help steady you.

“I’ve got you, mesh’la. Are you alright?” His head was pitched so his voice was right beside your ear, and it sent a shiver through your body, the timbre of it so alluring. It was all you could hear though you were aware of the soft babbling of the child close to you and the harsh voices of the guards. You felt completely calm with him, like returning to your home after a long day. Comforted, safe, cared for. His touch was so familiar, the way he held you feeling like a faint memory though you had never met him in your life.

“Unhand the princess, no one is to touch her.” The guards closed in around you both, trapping you between their bodies and the stall.

“It’s alright! I just tripped is all!” You raised your voice even though it was rather hard to concentrate with the strong body pressed up against you and holding you. You felt the man loosen his hold and step away as you stood straighter. You weren’t quite sure what happened, but he had been quick to help you, even at the expense of drawing the guards’ attention. You smiled at him, something genuine. The feelings he had stirred in you were confusing but not unwelcome. You had no idea why. He was a stranger after all.

“We must return now, Princess Cala.”

When his touch retracted, the warmth that had blossomed in your chest and the quickening of your heart beating against the cage of your ribs didn’t wane.

You retrieved the bowl of berries and held a few out to the slightly dejected child, his large ears turned downward. “Here you go, little one. Make sure to share those with your papa, okay?”

Another glance roved over his face, a soft smile just for him, and you were bidding him a good day with a bow of your head. The urge to press your forehead against his strong, but you resisted, knowing that it felt too personal a thing for the stranger standing beside you. Your brow furrowed slightly, unsure of where the need to do so rose from. The comfortability and underlying feeling of complete and utter safety that the man stoked in you confusing you, he was a stranger, and yet it felt like there was a string wrapped around your heart that pulled taught and uncomfortable as you began to move away from him.

And with that you were turning and walking away from the stall, two guards leading you back to the palace and two behind you. You could feel the kind man’s brown eyes watching you as you did, daring to look over your shoulder to get one last look at him yourself.

Your breath hitched as your eyes met his even from the distance of the street and you felt the heat from his intimate touch and soft words encompass you completely. A dull pain throbbed in your temple, forcing you to turn away.

previous chapter || next chapter

dividers by the lovely @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune

taglist: @clevergirl74 @strawberri-blonde @js-favnanadoongi @littlemisspascal @moonknight-s-cumdump @bookloverkat @golden-mando @beskarandblasters @feral-ferrule @bearsbeetsbeskar @76bookworm76 @anoverwhelmingdin @sarap-77 @picassopedro @sawymredfox @jessthebaker @genetics4life @mosssbawls @vivian-pascal

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gahyeonszn · 7 months

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never again

genre : fluff

warning(s) : none

note : badly rushed and all over the place, i just wanted to get something out since it’s been so long also going to start using gifs since it’s easier than making a moodboard,,,

you had always wanted to be an idol, but your preexisting idol girlfriend, jiu, had advised you not to. she loved being an idol, don’t get her wrong, but she didn’t want you to go through the hardships, crazy diets, and uncomfortable fan interactions that she went through over the years.

you were very open with jiu when it came to your aspirations and interests, but when you talked to her about wanting to audition for a company, she was quick to shut you down.

“you’re an idol though, we could have cute idol interactions and our fans could make cute montages of us…” you whined to which jiu shook her head.

“being a trainee was just as hard as being an idol, i wouldn’t want you to stress or cry over any sort of conflict you may have.” jiu wanted to protect you at all costs since she knew you could be quite the crybaby when it came to harsh comments on your abilities, hell, even she cried rivers when she was given feedback that sounded a little too harsh for her own good.

“fine.” you say with a pout, crossing your arms and letting out a sigh. jiu pat your head before receiving a text from her manager, telling her that the van is waiting for her outside.

“i have to go now, my schedule starts soon.” jiu said, placing a kiss on the top of your head, whispering an ‘i love you’ before leaving your apartment. you were sorta glad jiu kind of convinced you to not become a trainee, you couldn’t imagine a life where you were too busy to have your girlfriend over just because you had to stay at whatever company to practice for your trainee evaluation.

you sighed once more, rolling off the couch with a gentle plop to the floor where you laid there, staring at the ceiling until you had an idea.

“if i can’t be an actual idol then i’ll just pretend to be one.” you said with a mischievous grin as you got up off the floor, making your way to your bedroom.

once you got in your bedroom, you shut the door behind you before turning on the tv you had on there. after that, you went to youtube and searched up nmixx’s roller coaster dance practice. you enjoyed bubbly and happy songs that had fun choreography, you had always wanted to attempt to dance to roller coaster, but since jiu was around most of the time and you were too embarrassed to dance around her, you never had the chance to until now.

the video had started and you were easily following along. you didn’t know who to follow so you just did a little bit of everything, letting yourself get fully immersed into the song. the choreography was pretty easy to follow, it was just the jumps and footwork that messed you up a little stamina wise, but other than that you had fun.

the song ended and you were feeling great. wanting to dance to more songs, you started falling down a spiral of dance practices. bubble by stayc was another one of your favorites that you had enjoyed, but you were getting tired of the bubbly choreographies so you decided to switch things up a bit by dancing to a dreamcatcher song.

“what’s the craziest choreography they’ve done..” you asked yourself out loud as you cycled through all their dance practices. when you saw the demian special clip, you knew you had to dance to it. you remember jiu talking about how exhausting the choreography is and you thought the same when you had originally watched the special clip, but what was the harm in trying it for yourself.

you pressed play and got into jius position since what type of partner would you be if you didn’t do your girlfriends part? as soon as the music played, you quickly started realizing why jiu thought the choreography was so exhausting.

demian needed high stamina and jello bones especially during the body roll that quickly killed you. you gave mental props to sua as you continued dancing, attempting to catch your breath during the parts that you didn’t need to dance to. as the song came to a close, you were glad that you survived, but you were so exhausted that you had to lay on the floor. you were relieved to feel the cold hardwood floor, it was just what you needed after dancing to songs that required tons of jumping and whatever demian was.

you were snapped out of your hardwood floor solitude by someone clapping behind you and when you rolled over to see who it was, you saw a smiley jiu clapping her hands.

“i didn't think you’d survive that.” she said, walking over to you and squatting.

“how long have you been standing there?” you asked, unsure of how you didn’t hear her come into your apartment and open your bedroom door.

“not long, but are you ok? do you need any water?” jiu asked, moving the little hairs that stuck to your face due to sweat. you shook your head, taking one last deep breath of air to regulate your breathing before sitting up and staring into jius eyes.

“tell sua that i’m never dancing to another song she makes the choreography for ever again, that almost killed me.” you said, causing jiu to burst into laughter.

“i’ll be sure to relay the message.”

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halfmoth-halfman · 2 months

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i got an ask about advice for writing when you're discouraged, so i thought i'd make a post addressing some of the points because i think this is something that everyone has gone through and can relate to. most of this is just what's helped me/what i'd tell myself in the past, but if anyone has advice to add on please feel free! i hope this helps at least a little bit, anon!

"I’m not good at (dialogue/atmosphere/prose/etc)."

write it anyways! one of the best ways to build a skill is to keep doing it. even if you don't ever post it, or only share it with a few friends, or just read it to your pets, or whatever you choose to do, it's better to write something "badly" than to not write at all. or even asking for help on how to improve from other writers. i struggle a lot with atmosphere and scenery, and something that helped me a lot was talking to other writers whose fics i really enjoy and inspire me. i know it may seem intimidating, but there are plenty of writers on tumblr that would love to talk about how they compose their scenes, their dialogue, anything and everything if someone asks.

"I can’t make moodboards/headers/aesthetic posts."

the good news is, you don't have to! fics don't have to have anything other than the fic itself. i can't speak for everyone, but while aesthetics may get my attention, it's the person behind the blog that i stay for. if you want your blog or your fics to have a pretty aesthetic, it shouldn't be because you feel forced to but because you want to do it. if you don't find making moodboards or headers or aesthetic posts fun, then you don't have to do them. and if you want to, but don't know how, there are a ton of resources, links, and blogs dedicated to helping on tumblr.

"I’m not at (insert someone else)’s writing level."

and you might never be, and that's okay! every writer is different - they have different styles, write at different paces, perceive their skill differently. basing your progress on someone else's isn't going to help because you're not them. you have your own time, energy, ability, and ideas, you'll grow and improve at your own pace, just like they did. don't force yourself to try and follow the same timeline of someone else, and don't put yourself down because you're getting better - and you are getting better - at your own pace.

"I can’t find the motivation to write."

honestly same. i think it's a pretty universal experience to lose motivation for something you were excited about at one point. sometimes the vibes aren't it and the story doesn't want to story, but that's alright. it can be hard to stay motivated, and what gets someone inspired again is different everyone. i can't give advice for anything outside of what's helped me, but a few ways i've re-motivated myself to write something are: making a fic playlist, stepping away from the fic for a day or two, giving it to a friend to read, re-watching/reading the source material, doodling fic ideas, and skipping to a different part of the story.

"I can’t write fast enough."

unless it's for something like work where you have a fixed deadline, there is no "fast enough" in writing. don't let anyone tell you otherwise. when i first started writing, in the very early days of ao3 and tumblr, fic updates could takes months or even more than a year and that was fine! one of my favorite fics took a six year hiatus, and that didn't diminish any of the enjoyment i had when it came back. you are not a machine, you're a human being with needs outside of writing. it's always okay if you need to take a break, if there's a long wait between chapters, or if you want to stop a project altogether and come back to it six years later. if someone gives you grief because you can't write within their time-frame then they're not worth having as a reader - do not overwork yourself for the sake of finishing a fic.

"It’s hard to stick to one idea at a time."

then don't! write all the ideas. write every single one. working on a project and you have a drabble that you just keep thinking about? write it. you get a sudden idea for a one-shot in a different fandom? write it. woke up in the mood to start a new five-chapter fic? write it. you can start or stop writing about anything at any time. there is no rule that you have to stick to one idea and finish it before you can write anything else, don't make yourself stick to something if it's not what you want to write, and don't punish yourself if you need to take a break from your current project.

"Maybe I’m not made for writing on tumblr."

tumblr is a shitposting website that barely works at the best of times. half of my drafts get deleted every other week for no reason - there is no way to be "made for writing on tumblr"! but tumblr is huge, there's a bajillion communities on here that would be so excited to have another writer, and a ton that are solely dedicated to helping writers and providing different resources. i guarantee there is someone on this website that will love and adore your writing.

"The things I read are better than anything I can write/comparing myself to other writers."

i don't have the cake picture saved, but we all know the gist of it: the audience (generally) isn't going to care about how decorated your cake is compared to another, they're just happy to get two cakes. and that's really all it is. your fic might not be the same preferred flavor as the audience of other writers, but there is someone out there who's going to enjoy it. i won't tell you to just not compare yourself to others, i know that's not how it works, but what has helped me is changing the way i view other fics. instead of thinking "i wish i could write like this person", i look at like "this inspires me to improve my writing". and don't get me wrong, i still have moments of doubt about my writing compared to some of the people i read, i don't think that will ever really stop, but the best thing you can do is not let yourself give in to that feeling. try and stop that train of thought before it leaves the station. no one else can write the way you can. no one else can tell your stories the way you can. no one else has the same voice as you do. if everyone wrote the same way, everything would be boring. the heart of a fic is seeing the author's personality shine through it. if you see someone write a good fic, that doesn't mean yours won't be. you have to give yourself a chance even when you feel like your writing won't be as good as someone else's. you have to bake your cake anyway.

"How do I find joy in something I know I’ll never be good at?"

you won't. full stop. if you keep telling yourself you'll never be good at something, you'll never improve, there's no point in trying, then you'll never enjoy it. i know it's easier said than done, but you have to have some level of confidence in yourself and in your writing. not only will you not enjoy it, other people will see the lack of enjoyment, the "i wrote this and it sucks" comments, the self-degradation, and they won't enjoy it either - no one feels good about a fic the author clearly didn't want to write. and, if you try everything you possibly can and still can't find any joy in writing, then maybe writing isn't the hobby for you. and that's perfectly okay! i tried quilting and glassblowing several times before i realized i just didn't like it the same way i liked writing. you owe it to yourself to find something that's fun, that makes you smile, that you're excited to do. there's a million hobbies out there, i promise you'll find something that brings you joy.

#moth talks #writing advice #long post

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lanaturnergetup · 24 days

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excerpt from my upcoming hinny quidditch au, heaven knows i've tried, below the read more!

(thanks to @solongdaisymayy, who made me this moodboard based off this scene and incentivized me to post an excerpt!!)

The Chudley Cannons to hold tryouts this Saturday

by Ginny Weasley

The Chudley Cannons will hold team tryouts this Saturday. The event, as all Quidditch League tryouts are, will be open to the press and to any hopeful witches and wizards hoping to end up with a spot on the team. Has the Golden Boy of Quidditch done the impossible and made a spot on the Chudley Cannons something to covet, instead of something to be whispered about in shame? Only time will tell! When asked for a comment, Ms Hermione Granger, owner of the Cannons, said, “We’re looking forward to seeing what everybody has to offer; I know Ron and Harry feel the same way.” When I asked Potter if Ms Granger’s words were true, he said, “I suppose.” Full details of the tryouts can be found on page 9.

***

Harry hates Saturdays.

Well. Not all Saturdays, but he hates this Saturday. He arrives at the Cannons pitch early, as directed to by Ron and Hermione. Ron’s waiting for him in the dressing room. “How did tryouts go at Puddlemere United?” he asks Harry. He seems to be attempting to inhale his coffee rather than drink it, but then again, it is just seven in the morning.

Harry shrugs, setting his rucksack down. “Intense,” he says. “But don’t worry,” he adds, seeing the look of what can only be called pure panic on Ron’s face, “we’ll be fine. Where’s Hermione?”

“She’ll be watching the tryouts,” Ron says. “Which is Hermione-speak for I’ll be doing paperwork in the sidelines, of course.”

“Of course,” Harry says, amused.

He’s written to a few of his old friends, but he’s not sure who’ll be there. Some of them have played for other teams previously, to be fair, so he’s got no idea which of them will be able to show up or not. The reserve team is… fine. They’ve had a few more days’ practice, as best as they can with a team that is still technically incomplete. Harry’s had a lot of practice holding in his temper, but it’s been hard. He’s desperately hoping for a good turnout today.

“Morning,” says a familiar voice, and Harry turns to see Ginny Weasley at the entrance of the dressing room. She’s wearing robes today, a set of well-pressed and official-looking robes, and has an official press pass around her neck. Her official press clothes, Harry surmises.

“You’re here early,” Ron says.

“Early bird gets the exclusive with the Golden Boy,” Ginny says cheerfully. “So, Harry, how are you feeling about the tryouts?”

“Oh, er. I dunno,” Harry says.

Ginny rolls her eyes. “That would make a fun exclusive, wouldn’t it? Harry Potter, the Golden Boy of Quidditch himself, says he ‘doesn’t know’ about the tryouts. Come on, you don’t have anything better than that?”

“I really hate the Golden Boy thing,” Harry says.

“I know,” Ginny says. “You get all frowny whenever anyone brings it up.”

“Frowny?” Harry repeats.

“Yeah,” Ginny says, unfazed. “So. What are you hoping for? I’ve heard that people have already started to show up.”

“Tryouts don’t start for an hour,” Ron says.

“Yes, but when you get the chance to play for the Golden Boy himself…” Ginny winks at Harry, and Harry feels a spasm in his chest. A spasm of irritation, he tells himself, but he doesn’t know if he manages to convince himself in the least. “If I were you,” she continues, “I’d be hoping for a strong Keeper. You’re a strong enough Seeker that you don’t have to worry too much about the quality of your Chasers. But if you get a Keeper who lets in all the goals, you’ve lost before you even start playing, you know?”

Harry blinks. As a matter of fact, that’d been his exact thought process. “Where are you going to watch from?” he asks Ginny.

“The stands,” Ginny says. “In the press area. Why, is this a trick question?”

“We’ve given the press a shit area,” Harry says.

Ron cracks a smile at that. “I knew you did that on purpose.”

Harry shrugs. “You should sit with Hermione,” he tells Ginny. “You’ll get a better view of everything.”

“Are you sure?” Ginny says.

In response, Harry gets his wand out and taps the pass Ginny’s wearing around her neck. “There.”

“Thanks,” Ginny says. There’s a mischievous smile on her face as she says, “that’s almost as good as you giving me an official comment.”

“Better luck next time,” Harry says. “You all set, Coach?”

“Feels weird whenever you call me that,” Ron grumbles, but gets to his feet. “Come on, then. I’m all set.”

---

[full fic coming soon, feel free to chat with me about it until then! <3]

#hkit #hinny quidditch au #***#my fic #snippets

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hwanghyunjinenthusiast · 5 months

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I want to start off by saying thank you all so much for being with me and supporting me through this entire year. 2023 sucked majorly for me but, writing and this blog have been a few of the bright spots in an otherwise horrible year. So, truly, thank you.

In the spirit of officially writing on here for a year, I'd like to celebrate with a sleepover event! So, put on your cutest pjs, grab some drinks (of the alcoholic variety or not, the choice is yours ;)) and some snacks!

This event will run from December 1st 2023 until December 3rd 2023!

Any asks sent after the 3rd will be deleted.

What's a sleepover without any games?

♡You can send in asks requesting an aesthetic/moodboard with any idol of your choice! I will limit it to 3 idols at most per board.

♡As always, hard hours are open. Send me whatever thoughts you have about an idol! Send me nsfw links! Is it even a sleepover if we don't talk about how badly we want to fuck these men and for them to fuck us? Come on now.

♡Also including a classic: fuck, marry, kill. Send me an ask with three idols asking who I'd do what with (rip my indecisiveness).

♡Ask me who I ship you with! I will say, this game works best with people I tend to be more familiar with on here but, even if we aren't mutuals, you're more than welcome to send me some info about yourself and I'll try my best!

♡Another classic (can you tell I love some sleepover classics?): would you rather. Ask me to pick between two scenarios and watch me suffer (once again acting like I'm not severely indecisive but anyways-).

♡Honestly, just any questions you might have. If you've been following me for a while, you know I typically don't like to talk too indepth about my wips, but this is your opportunity to ask me anything about them! Or the fics I've already posted. This one is a free for all, really.

On the more more admin side of things:

◇I reserve the right to delete any asks that make me uncomfortable or that go against my guidelines.

◇Please be patient. I will eventually answer your asks. Hounding me will just make it more likely that I'll delete it and not answer it. If I don't end up answering it, it likely broke a rule or I just didn't vibe with it.

◇You can block the tag firstanniversarysleepover if you don't want to see asks about it on your dash.

◇Lastly: have fun. I made this blog to primarily enjoy myself and have a good time and, this sleepover is no different.

Looking forward to building pillow forts with all of you!

All masterlists| Ko-Fi.

#firstanniversarysleepover #the time has come #I'm genuinely so excited #legit have my cutest (read: sluttiest) pajamas ready and everything #also alcohol because of course #can't wait to hang out with you all and happy anniversary to this blog

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navybrat817 · 1 year

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Book Boyfriend

Pairing: Roommate!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader Summary: Bucky is better than any book boyfriend. You'll prove it to him. Word Count: Over 1.9k Warnings: E.S.C., (o)ral (m. receiving), (d)irty talk, possible touch of insecurity, slight feels (it's me, okay), Bucky Barnes (he’s a warning, okay?). A/N: A Stud and Smartie "drabble" for Sinday thanks to a wonderful prompt provided by @drabblewithfrannybarnes . I hope I did this justice, my beautiful friend! ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone , so any and all mistakes are my own. Moodboard by yours truly, banner by the wonderful @sgt-seabass, and divider by the amazing @firefly-graphics . Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Please reblog or comment as it means the world!

It was supposed to be a harmless game night. Something fun for you, Bucky, and your friends to unwind. Between classes, work, and everything in between, you all deserve a break.

You didn't expect to be on your knees for Bucky while everyone hung out in the living room.

His. Fault. My fault? No, it's his fault that his perfect cock is sliding in and out of my mouth when I should be a good hostess.

You would remind him of that later once everyone left.

For now, you had to take care of him.

It began a few minutes prior when Clint started setting up the next game while you snuggled with Bucky on the couch. That was after you tried to make sure everyone had a drink or snack and he snaked a hand out to pull you down beside him. He firmly wrapped an arm around you to pin you to the spot when you attempted to get up.

“What does a guy have to do to get your attention?” he asked as you tucked your legs beneath you.

A strange look crossed your face as he pulled you closer. “You think you don’t have my attention?”

Bucky decided to wear a tight blue t-shirt and spritz himself in your favorite cologne before everyone showed up. You couldn’t even concentrate on the first game you played because the scent left you dizzy, along with his hand teasing your inner thigh. You told him you’d yank on his hair if he kept it up.

“That a promise?” was his retort.

Menace.

“I don’t know,” Bucky said in a singsong tone. “You didn’t pay much attention to me today.”

“We cleaned the apartment so it would look nice for everyone,” you reminded him.

“You had your headphones on for most of the day,” he pouted.

An actual pout, which you were tempted to kiss away.

“It helped the cleaning go by faster, that’s all,” you said, moving your body closer to lean against him. “You always have my attention, Stud.”

Always.

"Are you two going to be lovey-dovey all night?" Sam asked. “I guess that isn’t different from any other night with you two. No wonder Alpine’s hiding.”

"Give them a break,” Steve intervened, the corner of his lip lifting in a small smile. “It's sweet."

"Yeah,” you smiled. “Let me be lovey with my boyfriend."

"Aww, so you do wanna pay attention to me,” Bucky teased, placing his hand back on your thigh.

Like he had during the previous game.

“You wanna be lovey with me, Smartie?"

"Hold on, big boy,” you giggled, putting your hand over his. You didn’t push it away since, well, you liked having his attention, too. “Maybe not where they can see."

Bucky’s friends put up with the two of you flirting and dancing around each other before you started dating. Having to deal with the two of you once you got together was another level. And while Steve thought you two were sweet and Natasha planned to help you design a wedding dress, which you argued you weren’t engaged, you didn’t want to flaunt or make them uncomfortable.

Bucky’s lips brushed the shell of your ear before he whispered in a low voice, "You think I give a fuck if any of them see?"

You sat up straight as you attempted to process the words that came out of his mouth.

No. That has to be a coincidence. Act normal. Don't give anything away. Like we're playing poker.

"Get on your fucking knees for me,” he rasped, nipping your earlobe hard enough that you had to bite back a whimper. “Show me how much you love me."

Oh, fuck. Fuck. Fucking fuckity fuck.

"…You listened to my audio book?" you asked, closing your eyes because you were sure you’d combust if you looked at him.

And how would you explain that to the gang?

“Not on purpose. You left it running when you took a break to feed Al. I am, however, a little offended because why would you listen to that when you have me?” he asked, cupping your chin and turning your face toward his.

You kept your eyes shut. You weren't exactly embarrassed that he caught you. Not completely. Lots of people listened to naughty books.

“You know I love to read. You could’ve just picked a book for us to read together and act out. I can get my voice nice and deep, just like when my cock’s inside you.”

Brain does not compute. Smartie is going into reboot mode. I’m thinking of myself in the third person. Goodbye.

“Open your eyes, doll,” he urged, smiling when you obeyed. “There’s my beautiful girl. And I think you do wanna get on your knees for me,” he said, like it was just the two of you there.

Up close, you could see how blown his pupils were. The hand on your thigh didn’t inch higher, but his grip tightened like he was trying to stay in control. And all you could think about was how quickly you could suck him off before the next game.

“Be right back!” you announced, surprising yourself with your strength as you managed to stand up and pull your large boyfriend with you.

“Everything okay?” Steve asked as you dragged Bucky away.

“I think they’re gonna play ‘hide and seek’,” Natasha answered.

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Clint questioned. “I can think of a few other names for it.”

You drowned out the conversation as you pulled Bucky to your bedroom and shut the door. You didn't mean for the kiss to be so desperate, but hearing the rasp of his voice as he repeated the naughty audio back to you riled you up once the shock wore off. He didn't seem to mind as your lips parted to allow his tongue inside.

Hell, you could consider it a blessing that he heard since it sounded a million times hotter coming from him.

"No more audio books," he said as he leaned against your door, staring you down as you dropped to your knees.

You were glad the light was on so you could see the desire in his eyes.

A look that only you got to see.

"Why not?" you asked as you worked his jeans open, smiling as you gave him your best doe-eyed expression.

"Because I want my voice to be the only one you get off to," he said, brushing a hand along the top of your head as you froze. "Is that wrong of me?"

The adoring smile on his face was met with one of your own. "Is that why you've been wanting my attention tonight?” you asked, your smile falling a bit. “You think I prefer a book boyfriend over you?"

He didn't say anything, but his smile fell a bit, too.

Oh, hell no.

Your brilliant, hard working boyfriend, the gorgeous, solid wall of muscle, your rock, the man who worked his way into your heart and became your best friend. Was he actually jealous of some random man's voice reading filth to you? As if that guy would ever compare to the perfect man in front of you.

You refused to let him feel anything less than the confident man you fell for, especially when he made you feel like a goddess.

"Who do you think I'm thinking about when I read, or listen, to any romance novel? It's YOU, Bucky. And when the book ends, I actually have you," you promised, your mouth watering as you distracted him long enough to get his cock out. The adoring gaze is still on your face as you stroke him. "And I love being on my knees for you, just like you do for me. You taste so good and you're so big. Chokes me in the best way."

"Fuck," he whispered as you licked him from base to tip.

You weren't lying when you said you loved the taste of him. Musky, delectable, something so masculine, you'd always want more. Because it was Bucky’s taste and his dick and his everything.

"I want you to ruin my mouth the way you did outside of the shop," you challenged.

If he can fuck my throat in the car before going back to work, he can do it here.

You swirled your tongue around him before swallowing him down. You didn't stop until the tip hit the back of your throat. It didn't matter if you choked or gagged, or if your jaw ached from the girth of him, as long as he knew how much you loved him.

"My dirty girl sucking me off while our friends are here. Can't even go a day without my cock in one of your holes, can you?" he groaned, keeping his hand on the back of your head. "Look at me, please. Let me see those pretty eyes while you take me."

You hollowed your cheeks as you sucked a bit harder, your tongue teasing him just the way he liked it. You didn't want him to hold back and you hoped the warmth of your mouth would allow him to lose himself for a short time. The way his thigh trembled under your touch, it wouldn't take him long.

"So fucking beautiful like this," his strained voice made you moan. "Should keep you under the table so you can keep me warm before I fill you up later."

Drool sweeped around your swollen lips as your nose bumped the patch of coarse curls. The image of him playing cards while you kept your mouth around him made your panties damp. Maybe you could explore that one day.

"I'm close," he warned you, his head almost hitting the door. You refused to tear your gaze away as you glided your teeth ever so gently along him. "You gonna swallow it like a good girl? Take everything I give you?"

He was giving you an out in case you didn't want to.

Which only made you double your efforts.

Bucky came with a moan so deep it almost got you off. Warm on your tongue, you swallowed his release as much as you could before you began to lick him clean. Seeing him flushed and satisfied as he caught his breath made you smile once you finished and tucked him back in his underwear.

"I need to taste you now," he groaned, gripping your arms to help you to your feet.

And that’s another reason why you’re better than any book boyfriend.

“Wait,” you croaked when he kissed you, seemingly uncaring that the taste of him was still fresh in your mouth. “You know I adore you, right?" you asked, pausing to clear your throat again. "And you're the only one I want."

Whether he was actually jealous that you listened to a smutty audiobook or not, you needed to say that.

“I know, Smartie,” he whispered, kissing the tip of your nose. “I adore you, too. I'll take you over a book girlfriend any day of the week."

You better.

You could blame being on your knees for why you fell against him for support. “They’re probably waiting for us.”

And they'll be able to tell from my voice exactly what we were up to.

"I think they started without us,” he smirked. “Besides, we're not done playing 'hide and seek'.”

If anyone could convince you to hide in your room and play a bit longer, it was Stud.

Lucky for you, it was a game you’d both have the pleasure of winning.

Oh, these two. Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

#navybrat writes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #roommate!bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #roommate!bucky barnes #stud and smartie #beefy roommate au #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes au #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan x female reader #sebastian stan x you

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exouniverse · 5 months

Text

The Ultimate Party Planner/Partner

Pairing: chanyeol x gn reader

Genre: fluff, established relationship, shared birthday.

Warnings: none (but if you find anything, please let me know)

Summary: As you two share your birthday, Chanyeol and you make a playful bet—who can throw the best party for the other? With the help of the EXO crew, the competition is on. But as your care for one another makes your relationship reach new heights, you prove some bonds are stronger than any challenge.

Word count: 8,8K+

A/N: Ah it feels a tiny bit overwhelming to have posted this fic too late, but as I was saying… my life is a little chaotic right now with so many events and projects coming. I also couldn’t shorten the story so I had to keep writing until it felt right, and here it is now. But I’m so happy with the result, so yay! I had so much fun writing it. Happy (late) birthday Chanyeol!

Divider credit to @k1ssyoursister

MASTERLIST | MOODBOARD

Chanyeol was easily lost in thought whenever you laughed. Your smile and laugh only brighten his days, lifting his spirits like a sunny morning after days of unstoppable rain. He had tried to deduce why so many times now, but it was hard to define. All he knew was that he wanted to witness it and be the cause of it as much as possible.

A voice called his name, sadly breaking his daydreaming about you. The voice came from Baekhyun; he had that signature smirk that usually meant he would drag him into some sort of mischief. “Earth to Yeol, come in, Yeol!” Baekhyun chuckled, snapping his fingers in front of Chanyeol’s face. “You back? Back me up, please, huh?”

“No, don’t!” Your voice pulled him in, and he smiled back at you.

“What’s going on? Should I back you up?” he asked you, making Baekhyun groan.

“You’re lost, Chanyeol-ah! If you back Y/N up, you’ll lose.”

You laughed again, and he was almost hypnotized, but Baekhyun looped an arm around his shoulders. “It’s true!” he exclaimed at you. “Don’t be cheeky, Y/N! He planned the best party of the year, right, Chanyeol-ah? I know that ‘cause it was mine.”

Chanyeol blinked in confusion; your laughter was still ringing in his ears, the melodic sound echoing in his mind. “Best party this year?” He wondered what the two of you could be talking about.

“I’m just saying, Jongdae’s party was so good that people still talk about it. I get calls from your friends asking for the DJ’s number and where to get the cake I bought for the party, and the venue has had a boost in bookings.”

Baekhyun almost accepted his defeat as Chanyeol became lost in you; he rolled his eyes dramatically and groaned loudly beside him. “Please, Yeol, I know you’re hopeless when it comes to Y/N, but try to keep up.” He smacked Chanyeol’s back, making him huff in pain.

“As I was saying,” Baekhyun continued, shooting you a playful glare. “I was telling Y/N here that you are the best party planner I know, but then this cheeky one here is claiming the title.”

“I can do better; I have done better, as stated earlier,” you kept teasing.

Chanyeol’s brow furrowed as the pieces slowly came together. Baekhyun was right in advocating for him, but you were only challenging the both of them. His competitive spark ignited as the cheeky grin on your lovely lips heightened his devious mind.

“Is that so?” He addressed you directly now, his eyes full of amusement, matching your cheekiness. He shifted in his seat, already plotting the best bet for you. “Jongdae’s party was legendary; I give you that. You helped enhance it a lot, but if you think you can outdo me, you’ll have to prove it,” he taunted with a mischievous wink.

You offered a daring smile; this bet was on. You would never back down from a challenge, and it intrigued you to know what he was plotting in his mind.

“Whose birthday is next?” Chanyeol asked Baekhyun, still holding your gaze.

Baekhyun attempted to check his calendar, but he quickly deduced the answer. “Yours, both of you,” he revealed. Baekhyun was enjoying it too much; at least his friends weren’t too cheesy about their budding relationship, and he could have fun with them.

“Oh, what a coincidence!” Chanyeol exclaimed, tilting his head to the side.

A knowing smile spread across your lips as comprehension dawned. "Double coincidence," you agreed, breaking eye contact shyly. Chanyeol found the action unbearably cute and almost faltered along with you.

Before you could give everything away, you looked at Baekhyun. "You might end up calling me to plan your party next year after all," you teased, confidence undimmed.

Baekhyun laughed heartily at your bold statement. "This is going to be good,” he said as he started drumming his fingers on the table. "May the best party planner—and partner—win!"

Just then, the doorbell rang, making you all jump in surprise. All of you almost forgot you were expecting Jongdae to arrive. Baekhyun jumped from his seat. “Right, my house, I’ll go get that.” He strode off down the hall, leaving you two at the table amidst excited chatter over the party competition.

“Are you ready to lose, hotshot?” you exclaimed as you looked back into Chanyeol’s piercing look. “Wait till you see what I’ve got up my sleeve.”

“I know you better than anyone; prepare to have your mind blown away.” Chanyeol grinned, excitement buzzing through him at the challenge before them. But more than that, he has a chance to impress you—to see that beautiful smile light up for him. This was a challenge he fully intended to win.

A comfortable silence fell as you both speculated on each other's potential plans, sizing one another up. You'd always loved this competitive side of Chanyeol, this fiery spirit that refused to back down. It only made defeating him all the sweeter.

Soon enough, Baekhyun returned with Jongdae in tow, interrupting your stare-off. "Alright, lovebirds, break it up. Dae, you're just in time,” he playfully raised his eyebrows, creating anticipation.

“Why? What’s going on? Why are these two looking like they could set each other on fire?”

“They’re planning each other’s birthday party as a challenge.” As Baekhyun quickly filled Jongdae in, you shared a secret smile with Chanyeol, amused by the situation you got yourselves into because of both of your competitive natures.

“Another challenge?” Jongdae asked. “Weren’t you two challenging each other on Overwatch a couple of weeks ago?”

The two of you laughed, reminiscing about your late nights playing at his house. “I won!” Chanyeol exclaimed, punching the air.

“I’ll need a rematch soon, though,” you requested, smiling at Chanyeol and reaching for his hand.

“These two live for a challenge; just look at them. This is going to be epic.” Baekhyun nudged Jongdae.

“What is the prize?” Jongdae asked an interesting question, causing both of you to look at each other curiously.

Baekhyun was faster than you with his answer. “Bragging rights as the ultimate party mastermind?” he suggested.

Jongdae let out a low whistle. “High stakes. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.” He looked at Chanyeol. “You’d better bring your A-game. Y/N’s a fierce competitor.”

Chanyeol chuckled and squeezed your hand. “Oh, don’t you worry, I know this one like the back of my hand.” Turning to Jongdae and Baekhyun, he said, “alright, gentlemen, I’m gonna need all the help I can get if I want to truly wow our Y/N here. Who’s with me?”

“What?” You exclaimed. “Help?”

“Okay, fair play. I think we could raise the stakes even more. What do you say we open it up for the rest of the gang, have them choose sides?”

“Chanyeol,” you said too quickly before you comprehended his request. “Wait… I like how that sounds.”

Chanyeol chuckled at your flustered reaction, loving how easily he could rile you up without trying. Opening the competition up to the members was surely going to make it even more entertaining.

Leaning in close, Chanyeol dropped his voice into a playful whisper. “Don’t worry, jagiya, I’ll still go easy on you.”

You rolled your eyes, interlacing your fingers with his and squeezing tightly. “In your dreams. Just you wait, I’ll get the best on my team.”

Chanyeol only laughed at the lovely gleam in your eyes. “Guys, you’re with me, right?” He asked, looking back at his friends.

“You got it, Yeol!” Baekhyun shouted and went to encourage Chanyeol, massaging his shoulders a little too harshly and giving you an apologetic smile. You just giggled as you squinted at him, while Chanyeol frowned, trying to hide the pain from Baekhyun’s pressure on his shoulders.

Jongdae smiled sheepishly, hesitating. “We can assemble the teams tomorrow after our meeting,” he suggested, earning time to share his decision.

“Yah, Jongdae! How are you not joining me immediately?”

“Sorry Chanyeol-ah, I believe in Y/N’s fierceness,” Jongdae said as he offered a high-five your way.

Chanyeol chuckled good-naturedly as Jongdae sided with you, not surprised at his choice. Your competitive fire and passion for planning are unmatched, and you two have known each other long enough after all—it was no wonder he wanted to join your squad.

Still, it stung a little to lose one of his closest friends so early in the game. He turned on his best puppy-dog eyes, pouting playfully. “Dae, you wound me.”

You only grinned, giving Jongdae’s shoulder a proud pat. He chuckled and shrugged at Chanyeol. “I’ve always had a soft spot for this silly troublemaker here.”

You looked back at Jongdae, still not fully understanding his words. “I’m gonna try to take that as a compliment.”

Baekhyun smiled at his team leader with pride. “We’ve got this, Yeol. We’ll get the members on our side easily.”

Chuckling, he offered a thankful nod for the vote of confidence, but his focus remained on you. Your smile almost sent him into a trance again. This was sure to be epic, and somehow he knew that no matter who emerged victorious, the real win would be to keep on witnessing your happiness and celebrating one more milestone with you by his side—sharing his birthday date with you was so exciting.

You stared at the screen showing the floor numbers going up to Chanyeol’s apartment. The excitement built up with every change, and you almost jumped out of the elevator when the doors opened to his floor. Every step you took was even more confident and joyous as you walked down the hall, giddy with anticipation for the fun you will all have assigning the teams for the challenge.

Your heartbeats speeded up as you heard the door opening just after one press of the doorbell. Chanyeol must have been as eager as you to begin the selection and see you again.

His smile was so bright when his eyes met yours. You embraced him in a warm hug and searched for his gaze, planting a tender kiss on his lips.

“Aw the lovebirds are too cute.” You heard Jongin’s voice behind Chanyeol. He was carrying a bowl full of popcorn, stealing some before anyone could.

“Jongin!” You shouted, moving away from Chanyeol to wrap your arms around the loveliest of the members. You had missed him dearly and didn’t know he would come.

“Oh, careful, the popcorn!” Jongin exclaimed, chuckling. “Aw, it’s so nice to see you, Y/N,” he squeezed you back.

“I was replaced so quickly,” Chanyeol commented, looking at you with a pout, jokingly.

“No, just in time. Otherwise, I would call it all off, and I can’t let that happen; I need to win this,” you smiled mischievously.

Chanyeol recovered his smile and wrapped around you again, resting his head on your shoulder and offering Jongin a small cheeky grin.

“You two are also crazy,” Jongin giggled.

Minseok’s voice called you all to the living room. You grinned as you slipped into the soft slippers waiting by the door, always so thoughtful of Chanyeol. Interlacing your fingers with his, you pulled him eagerly into the living room—Jongin trailing behind you as he kept stealing popcorn.

The joyful chatter and laughter welcomed you, and your smile only grew at the familiar faces gathered there already.

You quickly made your rounds, greeting each member with a tight hug. It had been too long since you had seen them all together. The energy was soon filled with anticipation for whatever was coming their way.

Once you settled beside Chanyeol on the couch, you started, “well, I believe it’s time to announce the reason why we gathered you all here.”

“Yeah, I didn’t say much before our meeting,” Chanyeol continued. “Y/N and I are—“

“Getting married?” Baekhyun interrupted, throwing the obvious cheesy joke, but he still managed to surprise Junmyeon and Sehun. The former had a surprised yet alarmed look on his face, while the latter was pure confusion, possibly even hurt that his hyung didn’t tell him before everyone else.

Chanyeol shook his head, shooting Baekhyun a playful glare before continuing. “Not quite yet… though who knows what the future may hold…” He trailed off meaningfully, giving your hand a gentle squeeze.

You could feel the tips of your ears heating up at the implication; its meaning was not lost on you. You cleared your throat, regaining focus, as you recollected your thoughts to explain to the group the playful challenge that brought you all together that evening.

Gasps and cheers erupted at the revelation, drawing a small giggle from both of you. You knew you had chosen the right people for the task. Scanning their lively faces, you witnessed their spirited encouragement for you both. Your gaze then met Chanyeol's, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection as he squeezed your hand in support of addressing the lively crowd. Though nerves fluttered at the challenge before you, his encouraging smile steadied your resolve to see this joyful contest through.

Chanyeol pulled you closer to peck your cheek once the members awaited for you two to start the recruiting. His mischievous mind was already plotting ways to convince the members to join him. “The winning team gets bragging rights until the next get-together. Possibly some other goods and favors during the planning. So what do you say—who wants a spot on the champion squad?” Chanyeol rallied.

It almost seemed like cheating because of how he talked too convincingly, so you nudged him, trying to tickle him and throw him off his game. He did bring some arms up and laughter from the rest of the members.

“Not fair using gifts to get them on your side; you cheat!” You accused him playfully.

Chanyeol was still laughing on mute with your tickling. He managed to grab your wrists, struggling to catch his breath between giggles. “All’s fair in love and party planning, jagi.” Those dazzling eyes of his seemed to sparkle even brighter with amusement.

You couldn’t help but melt a little at his smile. Leaning in, you pressed a swift peck to his lips before pulling back with a shy smile as you heard the members’ whistles and teasing cheers. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Park,” you whispered.

Sehun made a weird, puking sound. “Ugh, you two, my eyes hurt! I might need some new sunglasses if you want me on your team.”

You flashed him a playful grin. “Aw, I think Sehunnie is only sour ‘cause no one’s showing him any love,” you teased, earning some laughs from the other members.

He scoffed, feigning his usual cool disinterest, but it was almost evident that suppressed laughter was hiding behind his irritated gaze. You were the only person in the world that Chanyeol knew that could withstand teasing Sehun and emerge unscathed. He took a little advantage of this fact and drew you closer, casually draping his arm around your shoulder. With a mischievous gesture, he pressed a smacking kiss on your cheek, causing you to squeal and playfully swat him away.

“You’ll always be our favorite maknae,” Chanyeol declared cheerfully.

Sehun simply rolled his eyes, fighting a smile. “Yeah yeah, just save the PDA for later, you saps. I really want my new pair of Ray Bans… and celebrate you two,” he mumbled the last words, but the slight quiver at the corner of his mouth betrayed the levity he was trying so hard to conceal.

The members erupted into renewed laughter and chatter once more. With your guidance, the debates over team selections began soon enough. Baekhyun, already on Team Chanyeol, was trying to win Kyungsoo over to their side.

You nudged Jongdae, your partner in crime, and he sat down next to Kyungsoo, offering a fist bump. Hesitating at first, he looked between Baekhyun and Jongdae with a flustered smile. Kyungsoo looked back at you and then at Chanyeol, a smirk forming in his mouth. It was a battle of looks, but an important one if any of you wanted to secure the Ace member you two seemed to have thought of. With his incredible knowledge and skills with food, he was surely the member you would fight over in the most passionate way. The rest of the members couldn’t help but notice the gazing battle before them, expectantly waiting for the outcome.

Kyungsoo seemed to find out in that moment that he could be the MVP you two were looking for. He held his gaze with Chanyeol, but his smirk didn’t fade away as he responded to Jongdae’s fist bump request. “This is the winning team,” he decided. “I’m with Y/N all the way,” he said, looking back at you with an honest smile yet offering a mischievous wink.

A collective gasp rose at Kyungsoo’s declaration. You caught Chanyeol’s gaze with a smug grin, already envisioning the victory feast you would have in your hands with Kyungsoo on your team.

However, Chanyeol wasn’t giving up that easily. “C’mon, Kyungsoo-ya, with those skills of yours, you’ll be our real MVP. We’ll have a whole spread just for you.”

Kyungsoo was not that convinced yet, but it seemed his resolve did waver when Baekhyun began pleading unashamedly. “Please, please, please. You’ll have whatever you want. I won’t bother you in the least; you’ll have all the calm you—“

Amused with Baekhyun, you had to intervene, sliding in on Kyungsoo’s other side and resting your arm on his shoulders. “Don’t listen to their lies, Soo. You know I’ll treat you like the king you are, right, Jongdae?”

Your right-hand man chimed in effortlessly. “Only the finest ingredients and treatment for our Soo.”

The members were more than entertained by Kyungsoo’s recruiting between you and Chanyeol. A wholehearted chuckle rumbled from Kyungsoo’s chest as he patted your hand. “Flattery will get you anywhere, I see. Alright, consider me recruited for Team Y/N!”

Chanyeol shot a playful pout at you, which you returned with a wink. “Thank you, Soo! I promise you a sweet victory over those two.”

“Traitor!” Baekhyun crossed his arms theatrically. “You’ll pay for your betrayal with mediocre snacks.”

Kyungsoo simply raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “If you’re that worried, maybe you picked the wrong team.”

Laughter rose up at the cheeky retort. You simply beamed, already buzzing with plans and partnerships. With Kyungsoo secured, you only had a couple of key members left to convince.

You scanned the circle, looking for Junmyeon, who stood on the other side, observing the exchanges with fond amusement. But in that moment, Jongin caught your attention as he raised his hand to speak up. Chanyeol encouraged with a nod of his head, and everyone turned their focus towards him. “How will you know which party planner truly wins if the other ends up having the best party either way?”

A collective murmur of agreement resonated through the group. Jongin had a valid point, prompting you to share a meaningful look with Chanyeol as you pondered over the dilemma. He grinned suddenly. “I’ve got it! We can’t plan and ask for each other’s input or interference, so until our day, we reveal the parties simultaneously without seeing each other’s plans in advance.”

You snapped your fingers, reading his mind. “And we nominate an impartial judge to decide which event was better planned and executed overall. No bias from us at all.”

“They are so in sync, these two.” Baekhyun seemed to be in a full-on teasing mood, beaming at the shared love in your gazes.

“Baekhyun-ah, you’re going to make Sehun puke for real,” Chanyeol said between giggles.

“You two could seriously stop with the PDA though,” Sehun snarked, rolling his eyes while he hid a smile.

“They are cute though,” Minseok commented.

You took a deep breath to stop your laughter, thanks to their chatter. “Anyways, great catch, Jonginie. You might be team captain material after all.”

He ducked his head shyly, but his eyes shone with pride. A hush fell as all eyes turned expectantly back to you and Chanyeol.

“Then what do you say, Nini? Care to join my team?” Chanyeol asked.

Jongin gave it a small thought, looking between you two. “Yeah! Peer pressure and all,” he chuckled at Baekhyun’s crazy look directed at him.

Chanyeol’s smile shined bright. You beamed at him, letting him win this one. “Sorry, Y/N, but I promise to make sure you love your party. Count me as some kind of ally on the other side full of clowns.” Jongin offered you an apologetic bowl of popcorn.

“This is some type of scheme; look, Chanyeol!” Sehun said after witnessing Jongin whispering at you. Jongin just walked towards Chanyeol as he giggled.

“I take it you’re joining Chanyeol,” you assumed, playfully squinting at him.

“Well, the decision is really simple… you have a cool and fun advantage, but I really want those Ray Ban sunglasses, so I’ll remain loyal to Chanyeol hyung.”

Chanyeol’s eyes widened, almost regretting his bribing, but he was securing himself a fun team for the party planning. You darted your eyes back to Junmyeon and Minseok; there had to be a way to get both of them on your team.

Junmyeon still watched on serenely, taking in all of the energy, while Minseok conversed quietly with Kyungsoo. You were so proud of your team, sneakily drawing the best members to side with you. You focused on Junmyeon, flashing a charming smile. “Leader-nim, you haven’t committed to a team yet. Care to lend your impeccable taste and wisdom to Team Y/N?”

Chanyeol cut in swiftly. “Hyung hyung! You know you want to be where the fun is; just come over here!”

Junmyeon chuckled. “Both sides make compelling cases…” His eyes twinkled playfully.

Minseok spoke up suddenly. “I’m team Y/N! I’m convinced by your amazing recruiting skills, that can only translate into great leadership.” He winked in your direction, accompanied by a bright smile. “Also, you might need some muscle,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows as he playfully showed his biceps, only to shy away with a giggle.

You pouted, moved by his encouragement. “Thank you so much, Minseok! You’re the obvious wildcard with all of your talents.”

Chanyeol could only beam at the entire interaction. He really wanted his hyung on his team, but seeing how you managed to convince him, he just let it be. Witnessing how his friends accepted you was worth more than anything; the respect that Minseok’s words had for you was quite moving.

“Are you not pitching in, jagi?” you asked, and he simply shook his head. “Well, Junmyeon. You’re a package deal, right? Minseok chose Team Y/N; are you in too?” You held on to Jongdae’s arm, expecting the leader’s answer.

“Don’t forget about me, hyung! We got this, but we need our fearless leader.”

Junmyeon’s smile was unbreakable. “You two are meant for each other, no doubt, huh?” He looked at his hand, pondering for a little while, until he met your hopeful gaze with his signature calm. “I believe in Team Y/N.”

His words sparked elation among your already lively squad. He approached cautiously, but you enveloped him in a tight hug, feeling his quiet laughter rumble through his chest.

Pulling back, you searched for Chanyeol’s eyes across from you. He was so pure, smiling like that, radiating pride and joy. Crossing over to him, you extended a hand, which he delicately grasped, tugging you in as he wrapped his arms around you. You felt the soft wool of his sweater against your cheek, and his heartbeat resonated in your ears louder than the cheers from the members around you two.

Chanyeol's bright eyes crinkled into crescents as he tapped your back gently. "You pulled a great team together, congrats!" He giggled softly into your embrace before reluctantly letting go.

You met his shining gaze, getting lost in the warmth and affection reflected there. Leaning in, you pressed a swift kiss to his awaiting lips, eliciting whoops and hollers from the members watching on. As you broke apart, grinning like fools, his hands lingered on your arms a moment more before dropping away all too soon.

"May the best team win, Yeollie. I'll see you at the finish line!" With one last grin, you turned to rejoin your squad, heart soaring.

This challenge lit a new fire within you. With the inspiration of your team and Chanyeol's love and support behind you, there was no way you could lose. The party was sure to be one for the ages.

You and Chanyeol sat side by side under the dark blue sky; your crocheted blanket that he gifted you once when you were just catching feelings for him was over the two of you. Winter felt nearer every single night because of how cold the evenings were becoming, yet it occurred to you both to go out and see the city view from the rooftop of your apartment’s building, with Namsan Tower in the distance perfectly adjusted in the landscape.

Comfortable silence embraced you as you reflected on everything that brought you to this specific moment in time together. The past couple of days were surely fun to spend with his dear members. You had missed each other though, so you decided to have a night in to distract you from all the planning and dedicate time to each other.

Noticing your boyfriend’s pensive smile, your heart grew curious, but it also swelled at seeing him so serene. You were sure this was what you wanted to see every single moment—the genuine purpose that had driven you all along. Yet pride lingered too in all of the plans already set in motion and the efforts of beloved souls. To call off the challenge now seemed unfair when the group had already rallied; you realized that harmony can rule where care guides the way.

Next to you, Chanyeol marveled at your radiant glow, shining brighter than any festivity ever could. He let out a soft sigh, quiet but content. He felt reassured that the thoughts occupying his mind lately were the right choice to make.

The chill night air nipped at his fingers as he gazed over the city, but his heart felt warm and cozy under the blanket with you. So much has changed since the days when a glance from you sent his pulse racing; now your mere presence at his side brings calm. Turning, he took your hand in his, rubbing gently to warm it.

You peered at his thoughtful face, exquisitely brightened by the moonlight and the city lights. There was a calmness in his eyes that you were just now discovering, but it filled you up with so much reassurance.

“So Yixing called me today,” Chanyeol started, whispering.

You stopped his hand with a squeeze and searched for his eyes with a small giggle. “We’re not supposed to share any insights, jagi.”

He chuckled, pulling you closer in a warm embrace. “I’m not, I’m not. He just wanted to say that he would come and be the judge.”

“Oh you couldn’t recruit the gentle heart of his,” you giggled.

He gasped and squeezed you tighter. “Don’t tease me, or I’ll look for payback.”

“Like I can’t take it,” you said daringly.

Chanyeol’s look was filled with mischief. Wrapping both arms snugly around your waist, he pulled you closer still until your faces were mere inches apart. “Oh, you think you’re so tough, hm?” he chuckled, low and rumbling.

Your entire body felt lighter somehow, and the smile forming at the corner of your lips was so genuine. You leaned and nuzzled his nose, getting a nervous giggle out of him. He was truly enchanted by this lighthearted side of yours.

Gathering back his courage, he tightened his grip on you, causing you to squirm and burst into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. Your laughter proved infectious, and he eventually found himself lying down, clutching his belly. Following suit, you allowed yourself to collapse at his side, resting your head on his chest and basking in the warmth of his body and the melodic sound of his laughter.

As you gazed up at him, your eyes locked for a brief moment before you leaned in, bringing your lips together in a passionate kiss and indulging in a fleeting moment of fiery connection.

Breaking up the kiss, Chanyeol chuckled softly. “I have to leave; I don’t want to.”

It was impossible to hold back your laughter, knowing the feeling all too well. Reluctantly pulling yourself from his embrace, you took his hand and gazed into his eyes, alight with care and tenderness even when you knew he had to leave.

“Then don’t,” you whispered, a playful smile teasing at your lips.

He giggled in return, interlacing his long fingers with yours. “As much as I’d love to stay right here with you always, duty calls pretty early tomorrow morning.” He placed a quick kiss on your forehead. “But I will be counting the moments until I can see you again.”

When he allowed himself to be affectionate and lighthearted, you couldn't resist falling even more deeply for him. Standing up, you extended a hand to help Chanyeol rise to his feet, both of you reluctant to break contact just yet. He retrieved the blanket and guided you back indoors, never once releasing your hand.

Still filled with reluctance, you shared one last lingering kiss before parting ways. Closing the door of your apartment slowly, you couldn’t help but hope that he might change his mind and decide to stay. However, you knew that his care for you would remain, even when he was not physically there. Climbing into bed, a sense of contentment washed over you as you treasured the precious and much-needed moments of intimacy that you two had shared.

The next afternoon, you reunited with your team for the last in-person party planning meeting since they were all pretty busy with their work schedules.

The previous night had given you so much clearance about what you really wanted to do. The members had the best ideas, and you all had pre-planned some of them, so it was time to decide which one would take flight for the challenge and win that precious title. But your heart joined you slowly and changed your perspective.

It was Jongdae who noticed your pensiveness. Approaching carefully, he smiled at you. “Someone on your mind?” He whispered, aware of the echo that the meeting room he managed to get for you all created.

You chuckled silently, taking a look at the rest of your team busy on their notebooks and cellphones. “You could say so,” you whispered back at your friend.

“You know, Minseok and I managed to get in contact with a drone show service. We still don’t know if they would take it to the yacht party,” he chuckled, conscious of how all those words together sounded. Your team had some crazy ideas for sure, all for the fun of past full-on competitive brainstorming sessions.

Junmyeon walked towards you with a solution in mind for the games/gaming theme party idea you had between your options. “Y/N! My friend from the set design department has some chess pieces we can use for the decoration. They’re giant, wanna see—“

He also noticed the difference in your smile. “Have you decided on the 1 Billion Views theme?” he asked.

“Y/N’s gotten distracted by a little—not little, someone,” Jongdae taunted, projecting his voice to fill the entire room. The sound made Kyungsoo and Minseok look your way, eliciting affectionate coos and chuckles from them.

“Guys, it’s not—what you think, I mean…” you trailed off, giggling. “Come, let’s have a little chat,” you requested.

Minseok and Kyungsoo approached, sitting in front of you at the table. They waited patiently for you to continue while you peeked at their notes and yours, happy to have had the best party planning team on your side. You sighed, realizing there was something bigger calling at you from deep inside.

“I know I’ve delayed the decision a bit. I’ve thought about it a lot, and I think… I think it would be best to keep it a little simpler.” The look on their faces didn’t change much; they were still paying attention. If there was any surprise in their eyes, they knew how to hide it pretty well.

“I have loved our interaction as a team; I couldn’t ask for a better one. There’s just a little something, a little voice that has been telling me to not go crazy with Chanyeol’s party.”

“What do you want to do then, Y/N?” Minseok wondered, showing you a caring smile. The rest of the guys had the same look, showing their care.

“We will probably not win this, but I don’t want all of those flashy things for his party. I want Yeollie's day to reflect all the love and joy he's brought to our lives simply by being himself. His generous spirit, his caring heart—that's what's most deserving of honor.”

“I’m in,” Kyungsoo encouraged.

You smiled at him, and the others agreed to the change wholeheartedly. “Yixing will be the judge; you can still win this,” Minseok commented, making all of you chuckle.

In another meeting room within the building, Team Chanyeol was enthusiastically planning your party, fueled by Chanyeol’s infectious energy. This fun team had all the chemistry needed for the best rave anyone could ask for, but they had been changing plans since two weeks ago.

More bribery had been required to get Sehun to agree to Chanyeol’s change of heart, but he eventually came around and eagerly joined his hyung in orchestrating the most endearing and romantic surprise for you.

As the meeting came to a close, Chanyeol felt his heart near-bursting with gratitude for his amazing team. They shed the initial rave plans, but their eyes still brimmed with enthusiasm, now transformed into a deeper purpose.

"Alright guys, I think that about does it for now," he announced, beaming around at their eager faces. "We've put together something truly special that I know Y/N will love."

Baekhyun slung an arm around Chanyeol’s shoulder, grinning mischievously. "And maybe if we play our cards right, a certain someone will finally work up the courage to—"

Chanyeol cut him off with a playful punch, feeling his cheeks flush at the implication. But maybe, just maybe, he had a point buried in his teasing. This night could be about new beginnings as well as celebrating what has already blossomed so beautifully between you and him.

Sehun must have sensed his distraction, clearing his throat loudly. “So, are we telling Y/N about this change or keeping it a surprise?”

Smiling softly, he shook his head. “No need to tell. I want it to be a complete surprise when Y/N sees what we’ve done. This isn’t about winning or losing anymore; I just want it to be special for Y/N.”

“I knew this was going to happen,” Jongin commented with a knowing smile on his face. “He can’t help it! He sometimes lets Y/N win at their challenges.”

“I don’t—“ He tried to object, but he knew that he had done it before. But you are unstoppable and a great competitor.

His friends couldn’t resist teasing him. "Alright, fine, you got me," he laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll admit Y/N is a tough opponent, and it's hard not to go soft sometimes with that gorgeous grin."

Baekhyun snickered gleefully while Sehun pretended to gag, earning a playful shove from Chanyeol in return. But beneath the humor, a warm fondness swelled in his chest at the thought of you—your smile, your spirit, the way you somehow always made him want to be better.

Sobering slightly, he continued. "Seriously though, guys, Y/N means the world to me. This is about showing Y/N how much I care."

Jongin shot him a knowing wink and a thumbs up. Chanyeol grinned sheepishly, nerves and excitement dancing hand in hand at the prospect. Then, shaking himself back to the present, he clapped his hands decisively.

He beamed at his teammates, his heart filled with gratitude and love. "Now come on, boys, we've got a party to prepare!"

A sense of excitement coursed through both of you as you walked hand in hand down the hallway. You heard how Chanyeol took a deep breath and felt his fingers tenderly squeezing yours.

His eyes had shined so brightly when he looked at you earlier. He stumbled, and his jaw nearly hit the floor. You were proud of yourself to be able to keep making him flustered. You couldn’t talk much either, because when you caught a glimpse of him across the room, your breath caught in your throat and your eyes widened as you smiled wider.

Part of you wanted to just linger in that intimate bubble you had created together in the hallway, but another part wanted to see what surprise lay behind the party room doors. Chanyeol had that look—the one where his smile could only form crescents on his eyes. You knew whatever awaited you inside would be magical.

Nothing could have prepared you two for the astonishing scene that greeted you as you entered. The love and warmth that flooded the room nearly swept you off your feet. You were overwhelmed with gratitude for each cherished friend and family member who came to celebrate this special day with the both of you.

Reluctantly letting go of Chanyeol's hand, you made your way through the crowd, embracing everyone with hugs and smiles. Their well-wishes and affection meant the world.

When you two finally reconnected in the center, you turned to Chanyeol with shining eyes. "So, ready for a tour of your birthday party?” You held his hand. “I really hope you like it; that’s all that matters to me now.”

The real reason for your words passed him by because of the excitement deep within him for his plans for your birthday party, but he nodded eagerly as he smiled warmly.

Yixing approached you both. “Is it okay if I accompany you two while you check the parties?” he asked a little bashful, knowing it would be awkward to have him around while you shared your feelings poured out in all of the planning choices for each of your birthday parties.

“It’s fine, Yixing! You’re the judge after all,” you accepted, offering him a kind smile.

As you guided them both, Chanyeol gasped in delight at each thoughtful detail in the decoration that your team came up with. The games he loved playing decorated the room, a star projector enhanced the mood, and food and drinks were inspired by the games he loved the most.

But it was the dance floor that truly left him speechless—an interactive mat where guests could join in the music. As he tested it out, his enjoyment enhanced as he heard songs from his favorite artists and games represented. The guests around him cheered at him, and he spread some high-fives.

“Y/N, this is too amazing! How did you manage to plan something so perfect?” He breathed, taking your hands in awe.

“Your friends were key factors in the planning. They had the craziest ideas.” Your smile radiated warmth, and Chanyeol wrapped you in a tight embrace. You saw your crew and mouthed a thank you towards them, in case you hadn’t said it enough.

You pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “There’s one last surprise,” you said, smiling back at Yixing.

Chanyeol’s eyes widened expectantly. “Show me!” he exclaimed excitedly, and you led him towards a red arcade-like machine decorated with musical notes, guitars, drums, and pianos.

Chanyeol had to hold on to you for balance because of the amount of joy that radiated from his face at seeing a familiar character on the screen—it was him, rendered lovingly in pixelated form.

“Y/N… is this for real? Does it work?”

“Yes, it does,” you answered, pressing the play button. “Minseok knew this game creator who helped us with this mini adventure game with you in it. I hope you like it.”

Heart swelling with affection, he couldn’t help but pull you into a tight hug, followed by a kiss on your forehead. “Are you kidding? This is the coolest thing anyone has ever done for me!”

You planted a kiss on his lips before your team approached to hear what Chanyeol thought about his gift. Chanyeol hugged each member, not being able to contain his euphoria.

It was his time to show you the party that he planned, but the game seemed too interesting not to play it right away. “Thank you all again. This is—this means the world to me,” he beamed, giving your hand a gentle squeeze. “Do you mind if I play through just a bit before we continue?”

You couldn’t help but laugh brightly. “Of course, take your time! I’ll be waiting when you’re ready.”

With that, he eagerly ventured into the pixelated quests alongside his virtual self, grinning wider with each level completed. From the corner of his eye, he saw you chatting happily with Yixing and Junmyeon, radiating warmth and care.

The game ended all too soon, but he came out victorious. He took another look at you. The game was fun, but his plans were more exciting. Chanyeol approached your group with a smile on his face and tenderly held your hand in his. “That was even better than I imagined,” he sighed happily.

He turned to Yixing. “I believe it’s my turn now.”

Yixing smiled knowingly. “Cool! Let’s go check what magic you’ve conjured for Y/N’s special day.”

Chanyeol winked at you and led you to the other side of the room. You had peeked a little when you arrived and while Chanyeol played with the video game, but it was even better to experience it fully.

Light beams danced upon the walls, matching the colorful LED light decorations; all of the food and drinks glowed in neon-like colors, but it was the photo booth that surprised you the most.

“Care to try it with me?” Chanyeol asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

You nodded eagerly and stepped into the cozy photo kiosk. Chanyeol grabbed two flashlights and offered you one before he dimmed the lights down.

He kissed your cheek on the way. “Do you remember the light painting exhibition we saw months ago? It gave me an idea.”

“No way this works for real,” you exclaimed.

“I know, let’s try!”

You doodled around with the flashlight, but Chanyeol seemed to have something in mind based on how precise his movements were. As you exited the booth, Yixing took the photo strip with a sweet smile directed towards you two.

“You two are something else; you should check this out, Y/N.” Yixing handed you the prints.

Tears of delight pooled in your eyes as you finally saw what Chanyeol was so focused on drawing with the flashlight: “You’re my light,” writing each word in each picture and a heart for the last one. Yixing found it endearing that you also drew a heart for the last picture, with an arrow on the side pointing towards Chanyeol.

“Chanyeol…” you breathed, gazing upon him with all the affection overflowing your soul. Words could not capture what he meant to you and the magical moment you found each other in. Smiling softly, emanating that same light he described you to be for him, he stopped the little tear about to fall down your cheek.

A chorus of “awwws” caught your attention as Team Chanyeol approached behind you. Even Sehun was cheering for you, but he didn’t let go of the opportunity to playfully roll his eyes at you when he caught your gaze.

Their care for you in that moment meant everything. You smiled and joyfully welcomed Baekhyun and Jongin’s embrace. But Chanyeol softly pulled you close once more, needing more of your moment together. His eyes shone just for you.

“This is lovely, but we’re still in a challenge that needs to crown a winner,” Baekhyun teased, giving you a small wink.

“I believe the true winner is obvious,” you teased back, mirroring his gesture.

“I-I’m not ready… was I supposed to decide now?” Yixing asked, making you all chuckle.

Chanyeol placed a hand on Yixing’s shoulder. “Not yet, man. Whenever you’re ready,” he clarified. “But for now, let’s have fun!”

With that, Chanyeol and you made your way to the dance floor, dancing under the lights. Your friends gathered close, sharing laughter and jokes wherever you were.

As the music flowed through you, all else fell softly away; only the joy of the moment shared with the one you dearly considered as your person remained. Chanyeol's smiling eyes held galaxies of warmth within which you were happy to lose yourself time and again.

Letting go of the challenge and only planning the party to make Chanyeol happy made you forget about the prize. Seeing him happy and having the most fun he could on his special day with the people he loved the most was the reward you didn’t know you were looking for. Although the competition brought you all there, it was the bond you all shared that made each moment sweet.

Chanyeol and you were lost in competition over Tekken when Jongin approached and whispered something in Chanyeol’s ear. Jongin flashed a warm smile in your direction before making his way back.

You looked at Chanyeol, wondering what was going on, but he grabbed your hand before you could speak up. “Come,” he said softly.

Intrigued, you followed him to the opposite side of the room. Near the photo booth, there was some sort of window that he seemed to have covered so the light from outside wouldn’t enter the room. It seemed completely reasonable because it could have made it difficult for the light painting in the photos to work. But when he moved the curtain and opened the door—not window—a balcony with a set of stairs decorated with fairy lights surprised you.

For starters, you didn’t even know that your venue had a balcony. Jongdae and Minseok had come to check it out with Chanyeol because you had been busy that day.

Your heart fluttered, filled with expectations. You glanced back at him with questioning eyes, and his shined brighter than any light decoration in the room. The warmth of his hand holding yours was calming; his thumb brushed the back of your hand, inviting you outside with a little squeeze.

You followed him up the spiral stairs until you reached the rooftop. The view of a cozy seating area and the gentle, chilly breeze enveloping you caused you to seek out Chanyeol’s comforting presence, yearning for his warmth.

Chanyeol's secret paradise took your breath away. With lights glowing softly all around, it was as if stardust itself had sprinkled down upon that rooftop nook just for the both of you. It seemed like his message on the light painting photos was not at all random.

His giggle caught your attention, and as you looked at him, you realized you both had played the same game all along, but he still continued to amaze you, heart and soul.

“I had one last surprise, for your eyes only,” he simply said as he led you to the cozy nest of beanbags, his guitar waiting alongside your private feast. Joy and gratitude swelled within your heart.

“One last surprise, you say?” Smiling softly, you traced his cheek. “Yeollie, being here with you is the greatest gift of all. You’ve given me magic where I least expected to find it.”

His signature simple, nervous smile never failed to melt your heart. As he leaned to steal a kiss, you couldn’t help but grin at his adorable, flustered ways. “I… have something,” he said as he grabbed his guitar and gestured for you to take the beanbag next to him. “I’ve been working on a song for you.”

You settled in with eager eyes fixed on his handsome face. As he strummed those first soft chords, he captured your gaze, making you feel as if nothing else existed in the world besides the music flowing between you two. And when he finally started singing, his velvety voice and heartfelt words engulfed you completely.

You leaned into him, tracing patterns along his back while grinning at the way he watched you from the corner of his eyes, full of care.

The song drifted softly away, leaving only the sounds of the city below and your mingled breaths in the cool night air. You turned then to find Chanyeol watching you still, a question in his eyes that held its own beauty.

Reaching up, you traced the curve of his lips, feeling his breath hitch. "Chanyeol... that was the most beautiful song I’ve heard, and it-it means so much that you wrote it just for me,” you whispered, struggling a little to speak between tears of joy. “You’re my genius songwriter."

He hurried to dry your tears, making you giggle. The emotions were becoming clearer within you, and your palm found its place over his beating heart. His hand closed over yours and intertwined your fingers. “You have no idea how happy I am to see how much my song moved you, jagiya."

He lowered his gaze for a second as he took a deep breath before he looked into your eyes once more. “You are my whole world. And I love you, Y/N."

Joy overflowed within you as your heart swelled almost to the point of bursting. Hearing those words from him for the first time since you met him compares to nothing else in the world. Your heart found solace, and your face radiated a brilliance that outshone all the lights around you. Raising his knuckles to your lips, you met his expectant smile. "I love you too, Yeollie. With all of me," you whispered.

A gentle smile spread across Chanyeol's face as he gazed lovingly into your eyes. He reached up to cradle your cheek, brushing away the remnants of your tears with his thumb.

Leaning in, he planted a gentle kiss on your forehead before slowly resting his own against it, relishing the intimate connection. Your hand continued to rest firmly over his racing heart, filling him with a comforting warmth and deep appreciation for the love you both cherished.

"I meant every word, you know," Chanyeol murmured. "You truly are my whole world. From the moment I met you, I was a goner. Your smile, your laugh, your beautiful soul—you stole my heart completely without even trying."

Reaching up to cup your cheeks in his hands, Chanyeol sealed his declaration with a lingering kiss, pouring all of his adoration and passion into the tender moment you shared under the moonlight. In the warmth of your embrace, you both uncovered the ultimate reward that lay at the heart of your spirited party planning endeavors—it all began and concluded with love.

Epilogue

“Alright guys! Are you ready for the real party planning showdown between Chanyeol and Y/N?” Chanyeol announced, looking at all of the faces of his friends before him.

“I hope you don’t end up proposing this time or anything,” Sehun commented, and you threw a marshmallow at him.

“Behave, Sehun. We already know you love us; no need for snarky comments, dork.” You shut him up, earning giggles from the rest of the members. You glanced at Chanyeol and stole a quick kiss from his lips.

“Yixing, hyung, are you ready to choose a team this time? These two are fierce!” Jongdae asked him, knowing that last time he had a difficult time choosing between you two and ended up declaring it a tie. Considering what went down on your birthday, everyone accepted it. Yixing himself suggested making the challenge all over again so your own feelings wouldn’t get in the way and leave him with a tough decision.

“I’m really not sure, but this seems more fun than judging,” Yixing replied.

“This time it is my birthday, so I will be the judge,” Kyungsoo said, giggling at Yixing’s expression. “Don’t worry, hyung, just choose Y/N’s team!”

“Oh, oh, this judge has some strong bias; should we truly trust him?” Baekhyun pointed out teasingly.

Jongin was pure laughter beside you, while Minseok tried to intervene. “Kyungsoo knows what he’s talking about, but it could be fun switching teams for this challenge.”

“I would love to be on Y/N’s side this time around,” Jongin commented.

Before more silly debates continued, Junmyeon raised his hand, trying to calm everyone. “Guys, let’s start with the recruiting! We have a chef to impress this time,” he said calmly, draping his arm around Kyungsoo.

“Are you ready?” Chanyeol looked at you with a warm smile.

“Oh, you bet, jagiya!” you exclaimed, offering a fist bump his way. He responded and sealed it with a kiss on your knuckles.

Baekhyun cleared his throat and signaled for everyone to join his chant. "May the best party planner—and partner—win!" You all exclaimed in unison.

#chanyeol #park chanyeol #chanyeol fanfic #chanyeol fic #chanyeol fluff #happy birthday chanyeol #chanyeol birthday #exo #exo fanfiction #exo fanfic #exo fluff #birthday fic #exouniverse

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i-am-autistic · 2 months

Text

It is funny to me that ST has 6 main woman protagonists and they refuse to or are uncomfortable sexualizing like 4 of them for different reasons so because of that Jancy has by default become the load bearing main couple you see most intimate or sexual moments of throughout the show, and also like Stancy is technically show wise the second most physically intimate we've ever seen main characters until Joyce joined the party in s4, but I mean also it was like 4 years late and it happens at the end of the penultimate season. it makes Nancy come off so much edgier in the show than every other female protagonist because of this. Even though canonically she's not really. it makes more sense to focus on the "innocent" aspects of the character because it provides a contrast to the exterior hard shell put up against the UD and other people that aren't Jonathan. It's just that there's no way to write this show and emphasize the more schoolgirly parts of Nancy's character. Like even when they do in S4 with the puppy dog scene or the high school scene it's not so much they don't attempt it's just it's actually hard for the writing to make Nancy come off as innocent and schoolgirly and young than she is just because the other women protags are a mom and 3 other schoolgirls. kinda sucks though hough I would say-visually at least-the funnest part of Nancy's character is the shotgun is hidden UNDERNEATH Tom Cruise posters,boyfriend's sweaters and mixtapes. It's like imagine Nancy's moodboard is just like tom cruise shirtless, bowie, Fall colors, Jonathan and then a bunch of glitter but also shotguns and a glock 19. It's definitely the contrast of this cute schoolgirl who has to be transformed into like a superhero overnight that makes her character fun from a visual POV I thought.

#jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #jancy #stranger things

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deputy-buck · 4 months

Note

Dom!Bill/Sub!Jay oral fixation kink for the moodboard WIP ask 👀👀

Thank you for sendin this!!!! Also sorry it's so late, I got caught up in a lot of shit and now I'm sick with god knows what lmao- HOPE YA LIKE IT!!

I Want To Feel You From The Inside

In the safety of Jay's home, they finally give in to their desires. The desire to touch and kiss and love another man. The need to feel that they're alive swells so large it makes it hard to breathe.

The dynamic comes naturally; Bill takes the lead with his brash personality and over-attentive eyes, and Jay follows each of Bill's words to a T with his naivety, the urge to serve and please too strong to hold back any longer. It's sweet. This is how they were meant to live, fully at each other's will.

"What's the easiest mess to clean?" Bill asks, a bit condescending but full of heat. He lets his hands wander along Jay's lithe arms and up to his neck, caressing the pale, delicate skin. He wonders how easy it would be to leave marks there: bites, bruises, signs that the boy is owned. Bill gently cups his boy's cheek, swiping his thumb over the soft, plush lips that have consumed his every waking thought since they met on that god-forsaken island.

"The one you don't make." Jay mumbles embarrassed and shy, he's pretty sure he knows what Bill is talking about. His tongue peeks past his lips, wetting them, anticipating Bill's thumb to slip past his teeth. And it does, same as it has many times before. The familiar tang of salt and skin floods his mouth as Bill rubs the pad of his thumb back and forth along Jay's tongue, pressing in til Jay's teeth scrape the meat of his hand, forcing saliva to pool and eventually spill, dripping down his wrist.

Despite being older than Bill, Jay clearly doesn't have the level of experience or confidence that Bill does. If he's being honest, he envies the younger man because of it. But that doesn't stop the surge of heat to Jay's belly at the thought of Bill doing as he pleases to him. Surrendering himself and allowing Bill to take and take and take; Jay wishes he was able to let go sooner, let Bill take control.

“That's right, doll. Will you make a mess when you suck my dick?” Maybe he could have phrased it a little lighter, but where's the fun in that when this makes Jay's cheeks flush a bright, petty pink. Bill slips his thumb from his boy's mouth, shining with spit.

“No… I don't think I will…”

#bill leyden #jay de l'eau #bill/jay #leyden/de l'eau #the pacific #moodboard #buck builds #buck backtalks

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bucky-barnes-diaries · 2 years

Text

Carnival

Moodboard made by me

Pairing || 1940s!Boyfriend!Bucky x Female!Reader

Summary || The travelling Carnival has arrived in town! You and Bucky are going on a double date with Steve and Peggy, but Bucky sneaks you away to fool around in The Hall of Mirrors.

Word Count || 2038

Contents & Warnings || Fluff, Smut & Light Angst — NSFW, 18+ Only, Minors DNI, set in 1940, Bucky and Reader are both 23, Steve and Peggy are around that same age, explicit content/language, pet names (doll, darling), jump scare, semi-public, heavy petting (kissing, touching), teasing, fingering, orgasm, mention of bodily fluids.

Authors Note || I was supposed to keep this short but I got a little carried away :) but I absolutely LOVE how this turned out! It’s one of my favs!

Disclaimer || English is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes or misunderstandings!

1940s!Bucky Masterlist

I don’t do taglists anymore so please follow @bucky-barnes-diaries-library and turn on notifications to never miss out on my writing!

For a week now, there's been brewing anticipation surrounding the travelling Carnival that was arriving in town. Everyone was talking about it, everyone was going to it, as were you. You had agreed with your boyfriend Bucky that you would go on a double date with his best friend Steve, and his girlfriend Peggy, who was also your best friend, to the Carnival once it arrived.

And that day was finally here!

You had your arm linked with Peggy as you walked through the arched welcome sign, giggling and talking about how excited you were to spend some time with your boyfriends. You were in awe at all the colourful and twinkling lights. All the attractions and food stands were so intriguing, and you wanted to explore them with your boyfriend and friends, but it looked like Bucky had some other plans to start with.

“Doll,” Bucky took your hand, pulling you away from Peggy and Steve, “I know where we can go!” He held a boyish and playful smile—he was up to something.

“Hey! I thought we were hanging out together!?” Steve yelled after you two.

“We’ll see you guys later!” Bucky yelled back.

“Have fun! Be safe!” Peggy shouted with a giggle.

“Bucky? Where are we going? We can’t just leave our friends.” He walked fast, pulling you with him to wherever he was going. You couldn't help but chuckle at Bucky’s absolute determination to have you all to himself for whatever mischievous reason.

“They’ll be fine, doll. I don’t think they would mind some time alone as well. Now come on! I know a perfect place for us to go.”

He stopped in front of something called, The Hall of Mirrors.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“A mirror maze! It’s supposed to be very fun… and a little spooooky.” Bucky tickled your sides, making you giggle, as he drew out the O’s.

“Oh, Bucky, I don’t know. I-I’m not sure I want to.” You looked down in hesitation as you kicked the dirt. You wanted to go, but it was embarrassing how easily scared you got at the minor things.

“Darling,” he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you to his side, “it will be alright, I promise.” He gave you a gentle kiss for comfort and encouragement. You knew you would be alright with your sweet and caring boyfriend by your side.

The maze of mirrors was dimply lit, making it hard to find the way forward through it. The mirrors were creepy but intriguing—warping your face and body into twisted shapes. Because you were so attentive to them, you don't notice Bucky loosening his grip on you and heading deeper into the maze. Only when you turn to the side to comment on something do you realise he's left your side—leaving you all alone and vulnerable.

Now you're definitely horrified. The eerie atmosphere makes uncomfortable chills run down your spine, and goosebumps erupt on your skin. Your scared and imaginative mind makes up sounds and illusions, having you believe that there’s something terrifying inside the mirrors. You wrap your arms around yourself, hoping it will bring some comfort, but no. You need him to make you feel safer.

You want Bucky! Where is he? Why did he leave!?

“B-Bucky! Where are you?”

“Come find me, doll….” You heard from a distance, echoing in the network of mirrors. There was a sinister tone in his voice as he was toying with you, knowing how much of a scardey-cat you were. Although inherently sweet, he could be a menacing jerk at times—as he was right now. You walk carefully around each corner while calling out his full name.

“James Buchanan Barnes! Y-you better not scare me.”

“BOO!” He jumps out of nowhere, coming face to face with you as he screams. You shriek bloody murder as you wail your arms like a maniac, tears springing in your eyes at the crippling fear.

Bucky howls with laughter, clutching his chest as he almost falls to the floor at how good he got you. “Oh my god, doll! You should have seen your face. Oh, you got so scared, hahaha!”

You’re trembling as you cross your arms over your chest and present a sulky pout—not finding the situation slightly funny at all, but it looked like he was enjoying his little successful mischievous mission. “I-it was not funny,” you choke out, “you jerk!” You hit his shoulder and stomp your foot.

When his laughter died down, he could see how genuine scared and sad you got, making him feel bad. That’s not how he wanted this to go. He didn’t want to scare you to that extent. “O-oh, doll. I-I’m really sorry. I-I didn’t think it would impact you in such a strong way.” He inched closer to you as he spoke with sweetness and tenderness in his voice, feeling genuinely sorry for his behaviour.

“You’re such a jerk; you know that, Buck?”

“I know, doll,” he cradled your face lovingly while his thumb stroked your cheek, “can I make it up to you in any way?” He licked his lips as he ghosted his thumb on your bottom lip, pulling it down and separating it from the top. He wanted to make it up to you in the way he knew best, if you were up for it.

“Hmmm…” You wrapped your arms around his neck, locking him in place as his ones held your waist. You stood on your tippy-toes, your face inches from him as you grinned from ear to ear, knowing well what he was getting on about “... I supposed there is.”

He pushed you up against a mirror as his lips collided with yours, moving them with such eagerness, passion and sincerity as he poured into the kiss how sorry he was and how much he cared for you. He left you breathless in a matter of seconds, leaving such a powerful impact on you. You whimpered into the kiss as his cold hands went underneath your shirt, dancing his fingers on your skin, making you shudder, and your knees buckle at the combination of the kissing and touching.

“Did you bring me here so you could have me all to yourself?” You giggled and fisted your fingers in his soft hair.

“Mmm…” His lips ran along your jaw, making you moan at the teasing tingle. “... maybe I did. Maybe that was my plan all along. To get you in here so I could scare you and kiss it all better.”

He advanced the kisses to your tender and sensitive neck, caressing the skin with his lips before he kissed and licked your sweet spot, not missing a single area, making you freely release your sweet sound that edged him on to go even further.

He groaned as he found your lips again, kissing you with such hunger and need as his hand palmed your clothed breast, the other snaked underneath your long skirt to find your leg and wrapped it around him. He felt up your thigh, massaging and caressing the skin as he inches higher and higher, having a bold idea in mind for how to make you feel all better.

You pull away for a second, remembering where you were. “D-do you think it's safe to do this h-here?”

“Don’t worry, doll. No one is here. Now,” his fingers find your covered core, making you gasp as he teased you over the material before he pulled your panties to the side, “let me make it up to you. Let me make you feel good.” You made out again as he ran his fingers over your wetness, through your folds and circling your sensitive clit. His actions made you whimper against his mouth, and the anticipation of his fingers entering you made you melt into him even more.

Once he was done teasing, he pushed a finger inside your tightness, stretching you out. You gasp against his lips while your tongues caress as his digit finds its place deep inside you. A second finger accompanies the first one, having you cry at the stinging stretch of your walls.

“You wrap so perfectly around me, doll.”

“Oh, p-please, Bucky. M-more.”

He moves his digits in and out of your velvet walls, curving them upwards; the tips brush against your sweet spot, making you writhe against the mirror and your breathing hitch with each thrust of his heavenly fingers. He was so good, so attentive, with every expert move of him. He’d done this so many times before that he knew all the ins and outs of having you come on his fingers in record time. His thumb teased your clit, lightly touching it as he hovered over the sensitive nerve. He waited until you pleaded more.

“P-please, I want to come,” you mewl against his lips as you buck into his hand, wanting and needing more—craving that sweet and euphoric release.

He pressed hard on your precious pearl, circling it in earth-shattering movements that had you whimper and moan against his lips. The combination of the kissing and his hand working magic had you almost collapse to the floor, but he held you up with his other arm while you clung to his neck with all your strength. The tingling pleasure bubbled up inside you. You were so close, almost there, and with Bucky’s affirmation, you finally came hard on his fingers.

“Let go for me, darling.”

His mouth on yours drowned out the cries of pleasure as your tight walls clenched around his fingers like a heartbeat. You rock into his movements, savouring every sensation and memory of his delightful digits igniting an earth-shattering orgasm in you like only he knew best. He doesn’t stop until he’s drawn out every last bit of pleasure in you.

“Good girl. Just like that.”

He pulls out his fingers covered in your arousal, making you whine at the loss as he brings them to his mouth—sucking them clean while moaning at your sweet taste.

“Did that make you feel better, doll?” He asks against your lips, brushing them with his own, making you part yours at his teasing gesture.

You nod while chewing on your swollen bottom lip. “I-I want more.” You arch into him—your core aching for the feeling of fullness again. “Hmm…” he hums against your neck while laying light kisses on your skin, teasing you, wanting to build you up once more before giving you what you want, “… greedy girl you are.”

Just as he's about to pick up the pace, you hear a group of people entering the maze, making their way through it. You both curse as you scramble to make yourselves presentable before getting the hell out of there.

“Crap! Come on, doll.” He takes your hand as he leads you through the maze, both of you giggling at your naughty antics in The Hall of Mirrors.

When you come out the other end, you almost burst out laughing as you cling to your lover while he kisses your head.

“God, we’re so bad, Bucky.”

“So bad,” he confirms as he grins big.

Just then, you see Steve and Peggy about to head inside as well.

“Well, you two look in great spirits,” Steve says.

“Yeah,” you giggle while looking up at Bucky, trying to contain his smile, “it’s amazing in there.” You both chuckle at your little naughty inside joke, making the two other love birds look at you with raised and intriguing eyebrows.

“Have fun in there,” you tell Peggy and wink as you and Bucky walk away to get up to some more adventures.

“So,” Bucky drapes his arm around your shoulder as a playful smirk is plastered on his pretty face, “anything else I can do to please my girl?”

“Hmm…” You tap your finger on your chin, thinking for a second. “Oh! Win me a stuffie, please?” You pout as you bat your eyelashes at him, peering up with big doe eyes. You knew Bucky could never resist your pure and innocent face.

“Request accepted! Come!” He took your hand and pulled you to the nearest game he could find, so willing and eager to win a prize for his best girl.

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