#mafia princess! ellie

[mariefilms]

╰───► Summer in Europe - e. williams

uno.

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Pairing- mafia princess and assassin!ellie williams x assassin!black fem reader

Warnings- 18+ MDNI!!!!! angst, smut, references/allusions to murder, dirty talk, pet names ( ma, baby), fingering (r! receiving), squirting, use of strap on, multiple orgasms (2), uhhhh i think that’s it.

Synopsis- you and ellie found love when you were both at your lowest, a summer in rome was one of your best ideas until you got a call telling you to kill the love of your life.

a/n- this is my first time writing smut so don’t be too harsh🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 (nsfw under the cut) this was originally supposed to be a oneshot but it was getting long so i decided to split it up into to 2-3 parts, i hope you guys like it !!

it was the summer of 2027 when you fell in love with her. you were only supposed to stay in Italy for two weeks before you met her. ellie was captivating, nothing like anybody you’d ever seen before. she was so hooked on you she followed you around like a puppy not knowing what dangers being in your presence would entail. The lavish dates and time you and ellie spent together only progressed your love for each other. unfortunately, you were needed back home. you had to take care of a client even if you wanted to stay in your little fantasy bubble with ellie. the trip wasn't supposed to last this long and sadly, your work was calling you. you’d never abandoned it for this long of a time period. Therefore, it was time to get back to the real world and out of this lovesick haze. ellie decided it was best to treat you to one last dinner before you had to leave even though she never knew if you were coming back. It was one of the best dates you had ever been on since you’d come to rome. ellie made sure your every need was met and she couldn't help but fall into the pit of love deeper and deeper, not knowing how you would crush her heart and she would crush yours.

on your way back home you got a call from your handler, he was seething at your radio silence for the past three months and didn’t want to have to report it to the higher-ups. that would start a worldwide manhunt neither of you wanted to deal with. “seth, it’s fine ok. i just needed a break.and you of all people should know the importance of that.” sighing, you grabbed a glass of champagne that was offered to you by a waiter.

to your luck, he relented on his incessant nagging (it was all in worry for your well-being, he was getting old and he couldn’t keep saving your ass anymore now) and told you about your next job that needed to be done asap. your assignment was to seduce and kill the notorious mob princess and best assassin the world had seen since julio santana, ellie williams. adoptive daughter of joel miller and tess miller.

your heart dropped in familiarity with her name. everything around you became muddled when you realized. you couldn’t believe your luck. it would only be you who’d have to kill the one and the only person who you loved. “ i-i can’t do this one seth.”

“what- why can’t you do it? you’ve never been opposed to taking a job before. what’s wrong about this one!?”

“its a conflict of interest seth! i can’t fulfill an assignment on someone i know very fucking intimately!” you yelled into the phone and throwing your hands up in the air. this was easily becoming one of the worst days of your life, and you’ve had more of those than you could count.

“what a load of bullshit! you know all of your victims intimately that is the whole point of your job y/n!” he yelled back and you tried not to snap at him because he did take very good care of you but you were tired of his shit.” it’s fucking different seth! this isn’t some one night stand type of thing! i fell for her! i cant and wont fucking do it!” you were seething in your seat in the plane trying not to disturb the other passengers.

“i don’t give a shit about that y/n! you will do what needs to be done, you KNOW, the damn rules!” you tuned him out after that. you didn’t want to hear the truth and tried not to think about the inevitable.

seth was rambling in your ear, still going on and on about how you have no choice and the threat of the higher-ups still lingering because of your long absence, and how you fucked up falling in love with someone from the mob. you tried to argue you didn’t know she was from the mob, just rich but he wouldn’t hear it. you could honestly give less of a fuck about the higher ups but you remembered why you were even in this business in the first place, making your decision a pretty easy one. deciding you had enough of his incessant whining you took the job with a broken heart.

it was october when you finally made your way back to italy. you took a month at home of getting your affairs in order to successfully complete this assignment. you cried so much throughout the downtime to the point where you had nothing left in you but deep despair. the urge of going MIA and not completing the mission was strong, but you couldn’t do that, you made a promise and had a job to do. you couldn’t let a measly love affair stop you even if she meant the world to you. you had to keep up your end of the bargain or shit would get messy.

after you landed at the airport you went through baggage claim and made your way to the lobby before you spotted ellie waiting for you. your heart warmed and filled with dread all at once when you saw her. you rolled your suitcase up to her and smiled when she turned to look at you. ellie looked so pretty standing in front of you. she looked at you like you hung the stars. her piercing green eyes were shining with love while she dragged her gaze on you up and down smiling brightly.

“hi baby” she greeted you breathlessly and wrapped her arms around your waist while going in for a deep kiss. you reciprocated instantly, never getting used to the way she made you feel. you broke the kiss and smiled back up at her. “i missed you so much” you whispered into her lips. “me too, ma” she whispered back before kissing you again but this time it was more vigorous. she ran her hands up and down your sides feeling all your curves and committing them to memory. she'd missed this so much, she'd missed you so much. despite the timing of your relationship, she felt a deep connection to you. ellie couldn’t fathom you leaving her anymore after you came back and decided to stay with her. she squeezed you tighter not wanting to let you go (in more ways than one) but knew y’all had to get back so she could help you unpack and finally fuck you like she’d been wanting to.

“let’s get back, wanna show you much i missed you” she whispered in your ear while her hands drifted down to your ass and cupped it through your jeans. you gasped and pushed her off of you while laughing. “have some decency, we're in public ellie!” she rolled her eyes at you before smacking your ass and grabbing your bags. “you wasn’t saying that while i was tonging you down” your face went warm at her words, forgetting how bold she tended to be, not being afraid to speak anything that was on her mind. “ok but that’s completely different than you groping me!” you smacked her arm and she just laughed at your response, pulling you into her while you both walked out the airport and into her car. her driver was waiting outside of it and took your bags from her. he then opened the door so you both could get in.

during the ride back to ellie’s place, your mind couldn’t stop racing. you felt so wrong for lying to ellie like this. acting like you were here in rome to continue your relationship with her but actually on an assignment to kill her. it was weighing so heavy on you that ellie noticed the shift in your demeanor. she didn’t know why you started to feel upset but she had a feeling it was about you being back in rome away from home and familiarity. she had no clue what your real intentions were, she was still under the impression that you were here for her and trying to commit to a serious relationship, not just a fling. ellie didn’t know that you knew what she did for a living and who she was connected to. she prayed you’d never have to see or experience that side of her. when she was handling her business she was a different person. her anger issues peaking and making her seem borderline psychotic. she wasn’t proud of what she did for a living but it’s what she grew up around ever since joel picked her up off the streets, saving her from a piece of shit who didn’t know how to keep his hands off of little girls.

ever since then she vowed to ruthlessly murder anybody who thought it was ok to do anything remotely close to that.

when ellie’s driver finally pulled up to her house your mood had brightened significantly. ellie was trying her hardest to cheer you up during the long drive the best she could and it worked for the most part. you still had a heavy weight on your shoulders from the responsibility of taking ellie’s life but you decided to not let it bother you for the rest of the day. you needed to appreciate all the time you had left with ellie.

ellie’s driver, who you later learned was named jesse, opened the door for you both to get out of the car and go inside.

“hey love, wait inside for me. i need to take an important call real quick.” ellie kissed your cheek before rounding to the other side of the black g-wagon.

you sighed before agreeing to her demand and walked into ellie’s home. it was a black interior and exterior modernesque house that was ducked off from the bustling city of rome. you’d been here many times in the 3 months you first visited but it never failed to take your breath away. jesse brought your bags in while you got settled in. since ellie was outside taking a call you felt this was the perfect time to hide your weapons to lower any levels of suspicion— not that ellie suspected you, you were just paranoid and had a lot of guilt.

luckily you managed to hide them in very obscure places and avoided being seen by jesse and just in time before ellie ended her phone call, dismissed jesse and finally came inside to spend time with you.

she found you in the kitchen and you were praying she didn’t notice how wound up you were. just seconds before she made her way into the kitchen you had hidden a pistol in a compartment behind the oven. you felt like you were sweating bullets and tried to act as normal as possible when she came up behind you wrapping her arms around your waist and giving your neck little pecks. “what are you doing in here baby?” she mumbled into the kisses she was giving your neck, stirring up a sizzling heat in your lower regions.

“nothin’, i just decided that i wanted to cook something today instead of us going out again.” you giggle at her kisses turning ticklish and feeling her smile against your neck while she sways with you in her arms to a random beat in her head.

you turned around in her arms ready to tell her you needed to start gathering the ingredients before she cut you off with a toe-curling kiss.

“i missed you so much baby. that was the worst month of my life” you laughed at her dramaticness. “i know el, it was hard for me too but i’m here now and i won’t be leaving anytime soon.” you were lying to her and it hurt so much but you had to keep up appearances and not alert ellie to anything being wrong with you.

she pulled you into another deep kiss, tongues sliding together and you both moaning into it before you tried to pull back so you could actually start cooking. ellie on the other hand didn’t want to let you go. she could stay kissing you forever but she knew you had to start on the dish you wanted to make and finally broke the kiss not before grabbing your ass and rubbing on it. she had a panty-dropping smirk on her face as she looked at you. she knew the power she had over you and your body and wasn’t afraid to use it.

“ellie, no. move. i’m trying to cook and you tryna fuck me” you were laughing as you kept trying to remove her hands from your ass while she started back kissing on your neck, implementing teeth and sucking your skin, trying to leave her mark on you.

“you can still cook like this” she smirked against your skin at your scandalized gasp.

“ellie you know damn fucking well, move your ass !” you smacked her forearm so she could take you seriously and move.

she gave you one last peck on your lips before letting you get back to cooking, “ok ok fine, but i hope you didn’t forget about what i said at the airport” she whispered breathily in your ear before, once again, smacking your ass and walking out of the kitchen with a proud smile on her face.

“ooh i can’t stand her fine ass !” you bit your lip before whispering to yourself and turning to start cooking one of your favorite dishes from back home that you had a feeling ellie would love.

once you finally got done cooking the jambalaya, you called ellie down while you were making hers and your plate. she kissed your cheek before going to sit at the table, you walking behind her and sitting right across from her at the table. the dinner reminded you of every date ellie took you on at a expensive restaurant, except more intimate and intoxicating.

before digging in you asked ellie to try it and tell you if she liked it. you know she’s never had something like this before so you really hoped she would.

when she took a bite she literally moaned out loud. you busted out laughing at her response, your efforts to conceal it were futile and it came out anyway, “i take it i did good huh?” she nodded her head fervently and started to scarf her plate down.

“wait- el slow down! it’s not going anywhere” you tried to stop her from eating too fast and too much and later having a stomach cramp. “ i can’t stop it’s so good baby. i don’t know how i’ve never gotten to eat this good in my life.” she heaved after a particularly big bite. you covered your mouth trying not to laugh at her appearance after tearing her plate up. the bottom half of her face was covered in the sauce from the jambalaya with little rice pieces, and she was leaning back in her seat trying to catch her breath.

“ellie you have so much shit on your face” you couldn’t hold your laugh in anymore and it finally busted out.

“what? where?” she started wiping everywhere but where she had smudges of sauce on her. “girl- you know what let me get it!” you stood up and walked to ellie’s side of the table before bending down and using your hands to wipe the remnants of sauce and rice crumbs on her face. as you wiped some crumbs off of her lip ellie licks your thumb in while staring deeply into your eyes and giving it a hard suck. “thank you for the meal baby” she smirks against your thumb still resting on your lip.

“fuck it.” you crashed your lips against ellie’s, taking her by surprise. she moaned into your lips before pulling you into her lap so she could kiss you properly. she sucked on your bottom lip and intertwined her tongue with yours, completely tonguefucking your face in an agonizingly rough pace making you grow so wet in her lap. you were a moaning mess and couldn’t control your hips, rutting down against ellie and adding slight stimulation to hers and your clit.

“mm fuck” ellie groaned into your mouth when she felt you start grinding against her. she dragged her hands down your sides, up and down your back, through your braids, and finally landed on your ass. she loves your ass so much it was crazy. she smacked one cheek before making you grind down harder after hearing you whine and whimper into her. you started bucking your hips uncontrollably when she kissed you particularly hard that sent shiver through your body and had you dampening your panties even more.

“fuckkk ellie” you were so needy for her. she’s the only one that’s made you fell this good out of the many nameless and faceless one night stands you’d had in the past. you needed her to do something about the ache in your pussy and you needed it now.

“ellie cmonnnnn, i’m ready” you whined into her mouth trying to move her hand where you wanted her as she started trailing her kisses lower and lower down your neck. suckling on your collarbone and making a dark hickey appear. “i know, baby i know.”

ellie picked you up while you were still situated in her lap. she made her way to her bedroom while she kissed you deeply managing to not hit too many walls on the way. when she entered her room she threw you on the bed before going into one of her drawers and grabbing some lube, her harness and the black long and girthy dildo that was usually attached to it.

you couldn’t believe how fine she was and how lucky you were able to spend time with her, not wanting to sour your mood with the burden you still carried heavily on your shoulders, you pulled ellie by her tattooed arm on top of you so you could kiss her again but she turned down your advances of trying to deepen the kiss, only giving you a couple pecks before she started making her way down your body, the body she was so in love with.

she trailed kisses down your neck and stopped at your boobs, pressing little pecks between them before taking your right nipple into her mouth and trailing her right hand down to the wetness in between your thighs. rubbing your clit through your panties and making you moan lowly out loud. she used her left hand to knead your left nipple before she plopped off your right to give some attention to the left.

you were out of it. face blissed out with no thoughts behind your eyes. all you could think about was ellie and how much you wanted her mouth and fingers all over you. “ellie please. stop teasing and fuck me!” you whined at the stimulation you were receiving. she chuckled at your impatience and ended up giving in to you, she could never say no to your pretty pouty face.

“ok pretty girl, i’ll give you what you want '' ellie gave you one more toe-curling kiss while removing your soaked underwear before dropping down to your gushing pussy and circling her tongue around your clit. you moaned out so loud and it made ellie so wet, grinding down into the mattress while she hooked her hands under your thighs and pushed them into your chest. ellie licked a long stripe up and down your slit before going back to sucking your clit into her mouth.

you were a moaning mess. everything she did to you felt so good to the point of insanity. she was making you feel so fucking good you didn’t know what to do with your hands. deciding on gripping her hair and messing up her sloppily put-up bun, grinding hard into her face. she groaned into your pussy and sunk two fingers into you before curling them and abusing that sweet spot she knew would have you seeing stars. your eyes rolled back as you felt her attack your g-spot. you couldn’t control your sounds at all. she could hear all the little noises your mouth made and loved it. she lifted her head out of your juices to use her other hand to rub on your clit roughly making you jerk in her hold before she held you down. “yeaaaa let me hear you baby. pussys so wet f’ me”

she was easily becoming pussydrunk. the way your cunt gushed out your wetness and started creating a white ring around her fingers that were fucking into you hard and deep. she couldnt get enough.

“fuck- fucking love this pussy baby” she drawled out breathlessly before diving back in and attacking your clit with her tongue.

“tell me whos pussy this is?” she rubbed on your clit hard.

“yours ellie! it’s your pussy, shit!”

you were bucking and spasming as you felt your orgasm crashing down on you. “ellie- mm- fuck fuck, m’ gonna cum, m’ gonna cum ellie!” you screamed out as you felt the knot that had been building in your stomach since she kissed you in that airport lobby burst, your eyes rolled back from the intensity and her refusal to stop rubbing your clit.

“mm- fucking love this pussy. cum on my face baby, fuck- i want it all” she pistoned her fingers into you faster and doubled downed on your clit drawing your orgasm out and making you cry out from overstimulation. “shittttt- that’s it baby” ellie pulled her fingers out of you and sucked on them savoring the taste of you and moaning wantonly around them. she kissed your clit again before sitting up to put her strap on and lube it up.

you were still overstimulated when she slapped it on your clit twice. “mm’ no more el” you tried to run from her but she pulled you back and flipped you on your stomach. “uh uh baby you know i’m not done with you.” she rubbed her fingers in your juices again before lining up and pushing inside of you.

“fuckkkkk—“ she groaned as she sunk her dick into you like she could feel you open up for her and squeeze down when she hit your g-spot again.

you cried out when she was all the way in. you felt so full and good. “fuck ellie!” you whimpered into the pillow as she started thrusting into you.

“mm’ look at you. fuck— pretty pussy wrapping around me so good” she groaned and punctuated her words with a hard thrust spreading your cheeks so she could get a good look at your pussy opening up for her. her thrusts were sending you up the bed and making you almost hit the headboard. she was fucking you sooo good and deep keeping you pinned down to the point where you couldn’t move, all you could do was take her brutal thrusts. “ellieellieellie, i can’t- i cant- fuck!” you felt her brush against your cervix and sobbed into her pillows. you couldn’t think, she was making you feel so good, you pushed your hand back on her stomach to get her to let up but she slapped your hand away and ground deeply into you in response making her feel immense stimulation on her clit from the harness and you felt her deep in your guts your eyes crossed so hard you saw stars.

“nah you can take it shit—baby, stop. fucking. running.” she thrust into you hard following it with a deep grind making you lose your mind. you were a whimpering mess and couldn’t hold your orgasm anymore, only this time it felt more intense and powerful.

“ellie mm’ fuck! m’ gonna cum!” trying to run away from the powerful sensation again. ellie slapped your ass as a reprimand. “stop fucking moving and take it.” she was holding your hips in place and fucking the shit out of you. you couldn’t speak anymore, the only noises coming out of your mouth were little renditions of ellie ellie please! and loud moans and whimpers before your orgasm crashed out of you with a strong liquid. “fuuuckk baby” ellie moaned hard above you, throwing her head back, when she felt your wetness hit her. she ground into you even harder until she was cumming from the friction.

you were spent and didn’t have another orgasm in you. you slumped down into the bed as ellie pulled out of you, discarding the harness and laying down wrapping her arms around you and pulling you close.

she kissed you all over your face and neck whispering sweet nothings. you smiled in her embrace and hugged her tightly. “i missed you so much,” she whispered into your lips before giving you a deep kiss. it was passionate and conveyed her love for you that she was too scared to confess yet. you returned it with the same passion and with a hint of despair. you started to remember the reason you were here in the first place and pulled away from her, not wanting her to take notice in your steadily dropping mood.

unfortunately she did feel your mood change and she looked at you with a question in her eyes, you just shook your head before giving her a peck on the lips and dragging her to the bathroom on your wobbly legs so y’all could clean up. “i fucked the shit outta you huh?” she mocked your words from earlier and grabbed your ass (for the 2726366th time) you swatted her hand out of the way and pulled her into the shower with you.

ellie smiled at you as you began washing eachother. you were in complete bliss and didn’t want this illusion to end but unfortunately time wasn’t on your side and you needed to complete your mission soon or you’d have to deal with so many consequences worse than death.

#ellie williams #mariefilms #ellie x fem reader #ellie williams tlou #ellie tlou #ellie williams x black!reader #the last of us #the last of us ellie #ellie williams x female reader #tlou2 #ellie x blk!reader #assassin!ellie #assassin!reader #attempted murder #forbidden love #mafia au #mafia princess! ellie #ellie williams smut #light angst #SoundCloud

[nikethestatue]

Princess Tea Party (Part 2)

A Walk in the Park

Elain Archeron Week 'Free Day' @elainarcheronweek

Warning: Explicit

Part 1 Azriel and Darius Night

Elain Archeron, Nesta Archeron, Feyre Archeron

“He said that?” Nesta’s normally cool, composed voice was sounding semi-hysterical.

“Yep,” Elain popped the ‘P’.

“He literally said ‘I am gonna fuck all your holes’?” Nesta demanded. “Just like that?”

“Yep.”

“That’s some next level dirty talk right out of the gate,” Nesta muttered, sighing with what Elain had assumed was admiration. “Do you even understand what that means?”

“What does it mean?” Elain asked weakly, throwing her legs up on the back of the sofa.

Once she was able to process what had transpired–and that was a bit of an exaggeration that she ‘processed’ it, because truthfully, she sure as fuck didn’t process anything that Azriel had said to her–she went to call her sister. She had to share this crazy ass day with someone. She needed to share Azriel with someone! 

“And what did you say?” Nesta inquired like they were discussing what to get for lunch.

“Ummm, I certainly didn’t tell me ‘please fuck all my holes, Darius’s dad, whose last name I don’t know!”

“You don’t need a last name to have a guy all up in your business,” Nesta noted. 

“Your moral compass is all skewed,” Elain replied, wondering how they were even sisters.

“What does he look like again?” Suddenly Feyre’s voice popped on the line and Elain groaned, having not noticed that Nesta got their younger sister on the three-way call. 

“Apparently, he is an Armani-model-biker-gang-leader-mafia-pornstar,” Nesta reported unhelpfully.

“He is not a pornstar!” Elain objected nervously.

“He talks like one,” Feyre argued reasonably.

“He told her he is gonna fuck her ass,” Nesta piped in, and Elain begged, “ohmagod, please stop!”

“Wow, first convo butt sex…the gentleman does not believe in wasting time,” Feyre laughed obnoxiously, adding a low whistle to the mix.

“Oh and he told her he was gonna finger her too,” Nesta added, while Elain was glad that she wasn’t facetiming with them, because her face was burning up.

“Is that before or after the butt stuff?” Feyre inquired.

“That was a whole separate conversation,”

“Ellie, you sure you are still a virgin?” Feyre teased. “After this much dirty talk, you might have naturally de-virginised yourself! Or he,”

“Screw you both!” Elain hissed. “I am not a virgin. I got a kid!”

“Still kind of a virgin,” Nesta said decisively. “And imagine his skills in the bedroom if he can dirty talk you up like that? He can probably hammer your pussy to the point where you don’t know which way is up or down,”

“Are you kidding me now?” 

“Not at all. This is one confident man!”

“So,” Feyre interrupted, “do we have a pic of this studly dirty-mouthed baby daddy?”

Elain sighed dramatically and then said prissily,

“Okay. I took a pic. Before the party started.”

“Ahhh you did!”

“I want it. I need it!” Feyre begged like a needy teenager.

“Oh god. I’ll send it, but I don’t want you to make a fuss,” Elain warned, but Nesta immediately shot that down.

“If he is worth making a fuss over, we’ll make a fuss!”

Wincing, Elain sent the photo to her nutty sisters.

It was a really cute photo–seven girls, all dressed up as princesses and holding plaques with their names on them–Isabella, Tay, Karo, Nell, Tee, Caroline, Cassie and then, there was Darius, who held a sign that said ‘Dari’ because when Elain made it, she didn’t know he was a boy. She and Azriel stood in the background. 

“Sweet baby Moses,” Feyre gushed breathlessly.

“Let him do the butt stuff with you!” Nesta encouraged immediately.

“I knew this was gonna happen,” Elain moaned.

“And Oh. My. God. His kid!” Feyre’s voice became screechy on the other side. 

“He looks like a cartoon character,” Nesta laughed. “This is the cutest darn kid in history. He looks like a little paperboy from ‘Peaky Blinders’,”

“He is wearing suspenders,” Feyre cooed softly. “I wanna pinch him and his fat cheeks!!!”

“But look at this prime piece of male real estate,” Nesta commented. “Oh-la-la. I’d ride him up and down the highway of all this very black, and very expensive clothing,”

“You are sick,” Elain muttered.

“No sweetheart,” Nesta interrupted, “this is a hella hot man.”

“He looks like a Pinterest model,” Feyre agreed. “All broody and tattoo-ty.”

There was a pause, and Nesta added, her tone more serious than before, “As I look at this, I can say that you two honestly look really good together.”

“What?” Elain wasn’t sure if her sister was joking, but it didn’t sound like it.

“Yes, I agree,” Feyre said. “You look like you…belong. Even though it’s obviously ridiculous because he is this tattooed hunk of burnin’ love and you are a fairy tale princess,”

“I am not!”

“You are. And yet, you two look really good together.”

After her sisters were done ogling the photo, Elain asked,

“What do I do with him?”

“You go for it!” Feyre said immediately.

“Surprisingly, I agree with her,” Nesta added. “This is a not-to-be missed experience. Besides, he is hot for you. You don’t need to work for it. I mean, you could be sitting on Tinder, swiping up and down, right and left, but you got this gorgeous man primed and ready for you–pop quiz, what do you do?”

“I take it I should go for it?” Elain asked quietly.

“That’s a resounding ‘yes!’,” Feyre boomed. 

“But like…he is so big…”

“That’s your excuse? He is ‘big’?” Nesta challenged.

“But he is! He is like 9 feet tall!”

“Okay, well then, you know he is hung. At least you’ve got that going for you,”

“I don’t want hung,” Elain muttered feebly.

“No, you definitely do want hung. Trust me,” Feyre assured her. “You don’t want a guy like that rocking a decapitated mushroom down there. You pray he is hung.”

Groaning loudly, Elain didn’t answer.

“Pray tell, what does the young gent do for a living?” Nesta asked. “Considering the state of his wardrobe and the fact that he puts his son in Burberry pants, I’d say he is pretty well off.”

“I think he is a photographer,” Elain answered lamely.

“A photographer?!” Feyre was laughing. “I think he is a drug dealer,”

“What does he drive?” Nesta piped in.

“He is not a drug dealer,” Elain snapped. “A Maybach.”

“I am sorry. WHAT? A Maybach??”

“Yeah, I was surprised as well.”

“Where does he live?”

“I don’t know, but they brought cookies from the Cherry Creek Whole Foods and they walk around Wash park, so I guess somewhere around there?”

“Shit,” Feyre whistled again. “The dude is loaded! Forget what I said about the decapitated mushroom for a penis. Even if he has that, that’s okay. At least you can cry about it in your Maybach.”

“You are so gross,” Elain was shaking her head. 

“Practical, babe, I am practical. Not gross,” Feyre insisted. “Also, I vote for ‘drug dealer’. Or, or–maybe he is in the mafia?!?! That would be cool!”

“Yeah. So cool.”

“Final question,” Nesta interrupted them.

“Thank the lord,” Elain muttered.

“Does he have a brother?”

“In fact he does. His name is Cass.”

“Feel free to hook me up with this Cass character,” Nesta suggested.

“What happened to Tomas?” Elain asked in confusion, though her older sister wasn’t exactly known for high rates of fidelity. She went from man to man like it was her god-given right.

“Keeping my options open,” Nesta said breezily.

“Well, y’all have fun with your hookups. I am 20,” Feyre announced. “I am going to Barcelona. That’s what I care about.”

“Oh, Ellie,” Nesta cooed. “Make sure to wax everything. Most guys are not into…forestation.”

“I don’t have any forestation!” Elain screamed. 

“Good for you, girl. Keep it that way.”

-

Azriel and Darius Night

When Darius was in the bathtub, it resembled a baby elephant splashing in a kiddie pool. Messy, wet and hilarious. 

Azriel was absolutely drenched by now, as he tried to wrestle Darius into the towel and dry him. 

“Go potty before bed,” Azriel ordered him, while he went to get Darius’s PJs, which he’d have to lasso onto him the moment his son was off the toilet. 

Darius didn’t know how to pee standing up yet, so he sat on the toilet, kicking his legs, pontificating.

“Dada.”

“Yeah,” Azriel returned to the bathroom and pulled off his soaking wet t-shirt, before putting Darius’s pyjama top on him. 

“Why you don’t talk to me today, da?” 

“What do you mean? Of course I am talking to you,”

“No,” Darius shook his head. “We talk a lot. Today after party, we don’t talk so much.”

Azriel couldn't argue. He was surprised that Darius noticed it, but his boy was correct.

Azriel’s head was filled with something else–namely, Elain Archeron. 

That woman took him completely by surprise–it’s not that he even had a type, but he certainly didn’t think that she would be his type. And yet, here he was. He found her blindingly beautiful, but there was more to it than just basic sexual attraction. There was a warmth about her, and something so genuine that she seemed tailor made for him, for his needs and wants. The fact that she seemed to really like his son didn’t hurt either. She was inviting, and had an incredible combination of steely strength and delicate fragility in her, which made the inner Neanderthal in him roar with protective urges, and the man in him wanted to dominate and take her as his. He equally hated and liked that Elain kind of blew him off. That she was innocent was obvious, but she also stood her ground, despite the onslaught of him. Normally, he wasn’t that pushy and mouthy, but fuck if she didn’t make him lose his cool. The need in him for her was rabid. Yet his girl was all ‘nope. You ain’t getting a piece of this any time soon’. And as frustrating as that was, he respected her and her wishes. Though he also very much hoped that she’d change her mind.

“Sorry, Dari,” Azriel helped him into his pyjama pants and then Darius climbed into his bed. 

He yawned and admitted, “I tired, dada. This party was fun, but I tired.”

“It was a fun party,” Azriel agreed. “You don’t want me to read you a book?”

Darius shook his head and said, “no, no book today. I wanna sleep.”

He clutched his stuffed bat Brute to his chest–Brute the Bat was Cassian’s present, obviously, because it was totally normal to give babies toy bats–and reached to turn off the light on his nightstand.

Azriel stooped and kissed his son’s forehead. 

“Good night then, Dar. Sleep well.”

Just before Azriel exited the bedroom, Darius said quietly,

“Dada, you know I don’t have mama.”

At that, Azriel turned abruptly and stared at the tiny mound under the blanket. Darius had never mentioned not having a mother before. He always just kind of accepted that it was him and his dad. And now, it was he, his dad and his uncle. But he never complained about not having a mother, or even acknowledged the fact.

“You have me,” Azriel said firmly.

“Yes. I know. I love you, da,” Darius nodded calmly. “But if Lain wanna be mama, then I am happy.”

“What?” Azriel murmured, his palms suddenly feeling clammy. This wasn't what he was expecting his son to tell him.

“Yeah, I like Lain,” Darius decided. “She is pretty and nice. And if she wanna be family with me, then this is good and I want it.”

“Okay,” was all Azriel managed. It wasn’t much, but he was literally lost for words.

“If you want to ask her, dada, you do it. I can ask too. And then Isa is gonna be family too.”

“I’ll try, Dari. I promise. But I don’t know…”

Darius yawned again and muttered, “she like me, dada. And she like you too much.”

At that, Azriel gawked at his strange child and asked, feeling both foolish and hopeful, “why do you think so?”

“She wanted to give you hugs and kisses,” Darius told him with utmost confidence. 

Azriel chuckled, “nah, big guy, I don’t think so.”

“Yeah, she did,” Darius nodded. “You just don’t know it.”

Sunday.

Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

On Wednesday, at 5:30pm Azriel perked up, when he saw a woman in shorts and with a ponytail appear near the start of the trail at the pond. She was holding a little girl’s hand too. 

But it wasn’t Elain.

And that realisation smacked him in the chest like a ton of bricks.

He wanted it to be Elain.

Thursday.

Friday.

He didn’t have her phone number.

He considered accosting her at the preschool, but he also promised her that he wouldn’t bother her. That the next steps would be up to her. And he wanted to keep his promise. But he was also desperately depressed by now. A whole week passed and Azriel still thought of Elain. Craved Elain. Wanted Elain. Fantasised about Elain. Spoke to Elain in his head. He relieved all the small details of their afternoon together. The jokes. The confessions. The stories. He recalled her sweet blushes and how she got so flustered with his come-ons. He just loved the way that she was–her beautiful golden skin, her freckles which clung stubbornly only to her cute nose, her absolutely lush brown hair and the dark brown eyes the colour of chocolate. Those soft rosy lips that resembled a tulip and her small, scarred hands, with neat square nails, which he dreamt of and wished to feel on his skin. She wore simple leather sandals with her white dress, and she had the prettiest toes, her nails varnished with the same pale pearl colour as is on her hands. He loved everything–he loved her thick lashes, her toes, the birthmark on her neck, the tiny tattoo on her wrist with an ‘I’ and a marigold flower wrapped around the letter, the simple gold chain around her throat, the way her plump breasts created the most tempting cleavage in the cut of her dress. 

He imagined what it would be like to wake next to her in the morning–to watch her sleepy and satiated and not on her guard, because she was comfortable with him and trusted him. He imagined her padding barefoot to wake the kids and then he’d make breakfast for everyone and she’d kiss his neck when she finally came to the kitchen, wearing only his t-shirt. 

He imagined many things. 

Only none would come to pass. Because it was Friday. 

And Elain certainly hasn’t been thinking about him.

Until…

This wasn’t his proudest moment, but he’d spent hours searching for Elain’s Instagram page. Who knew that there were like 300 million cooking pages out there? But he was determined to find hers, so he spent hours every evening typing everything from ‘Elain Archeron’ to ‘healthy cooking’ to ‘salad recipe’ to ‘Denver cooking’ and on and on. Nothing. Yes, he’s gotten a 1000 more salad recipes, but no Elain.

That was the frustrating failure on his part, until last night, when something struck him–the marigold flower on her wrist. So he typed ‘Marigold Catering Denver’ and lo and behold, there she was. He found her cooking blog page, and there, a link to her Insta. And then he proceeded to watch videos of her cooking, moving, smiling, dicing, slicing, expertly flipping pancakes and steaks and omelettes and looking luscious and gorgeous in the manner of Nigella Lawson. She had a similar aura–unpretentious, unfussy, attractive, effortlessly trustworthy and watchable. It was a bit of a con, of course–no one was that polished, while looking beguiling, yet adorably inept. It was a front that seduced the audience into thinking that they could also do this–look like a slightly dishevelled model with a messy braid, sumptuous breasts and a tiny waist, preparing healthy, yet delicious looking dishes, while assuring everyone that it was ‘simple and easy’. 

The last two videos were recent–one from last week, the other, from Tuesday.

He clicked on the one from last week which was called…The Princess Tea Party. There, Elain was giving the blow-by-blow of how to make a ‘healthy’ afternoon tea. All those cakes and pastries that the toddlers were gorging on were apparently sugarless, mostly gluten free and full of healthy ingredients. Could’ve fooled him!

And then finally, he clicked on the most recent video.

It felt voyeuristic. He was observing something private, which was of course ridiculous, but at the same time, this was the only video where they’d already been acquainted. He already knew her and wanted her. She shot it after he’d touched her and for whatever reason, it felt intimate. He held those small delicate fingers in his hand, and the pearly nail polish was the same as at the tea party. 

I made a new friend over the weekend, Elain was saying into the camera. She was smiling, her hair artfully tossed over her shoulder, her voluptuous figure cinched into a silk cobalt-blue blouse with fluttering sleeves. And on her wrist, a silver bracelet. Azriel’s heart jolted in his chest when he saw it–she didn’t take it off and it dangled over her wrist like his own personal brand. She continued saying and he made us this incredible salad! I should’ve been paying more attention to what he was doing and what he put into it, but we were having a good time and there was white wine involved…

A cute, but sexy giggle escaped her pink lips, while she began listing out the ingredients.

He was a miracle worker with this salad. So I hope that I can recreate it and do him justice.

So…maybe she was thinking about him after all?

He watched the video four times, back to back. 

He studied every smile, every flirtatious movement of her shoulders, the innocent expression of her big brown doe eyes. He watched her chomp on lettuce, pop tomatoes into her mouth, crunch on a cucumber slice. It was perfect.

“You forgot the radishes, baby,” he whispered in the end. Smiling at last.

-

“Dada, let’s go already!” Darius demanded, loitering by the door, being super dramatic about waiting for five minutes.

“The park is not going to go anywhere,” Azriel told him, looking at his phone.

Darius pouted and muttered, “you be mean, dada.”

“I am not being mean,” Azriel argued. He wasn’t. But he was in a foul mood. 

He couldn’t believe that a week later, Elain didn’t show up, and he was still absolutely desperate for her. He was not a desperate guy. He could probably have most if not all women that he wanted. The problem was that he didn’t want any women. Not until he’d met Elain. For the past year, back in NYC, he hardly even got laid, mostly because he didn’t want to leave Darius with a sitter and because it all just seemed like a tedious production. He couldn't take a woman to his house, not with his baby son there, so it either had to be her place or a hotel, and then it all seemed too complicated somehow, and he just lost interest. 

Elain was different though. She already saw him with Darius, she knew who he was and what mattered to him. Nothing with her would be a production. It would be natural and organic.

“Alright, let’s go,” Azriel took Darius’s puffy hand in his and they left the penthouse. 

“Is Lain and Isa gonna come?” Darius asked hopefully.

It came harsher than he intended to, but Azriel all but barked ‘no’.

Darius gave him an accusing look, pursing his lips. 

In the elevator, he pressed the button and then said, “I think maybe they gonna come, da.”

“I doubt it. They have their own lives, Darius. They are busy.”

“Hmmm,” Darius only offered a doubtful hum and didn’t say anything further. 

In the vast lobby of the building, the three concierge guys waved to them. 

“Hey Darius!” they greeted him.

He was a popular staple around here, and he immediately veered off and went to the reception desk.

“Hi!” he said. “You have good day?”

“We are having a pretty good day. You going on your daily walk, buddy?”

“Yeah, with dada,” he nodded.

“You want a sticker?” one of them offered.

“Your shoes are cool!” said another. 

“When I die and come back in another life, I want to be Darius,” muttered the third.

“Can I have two stickers?” Darius requested.

“Dari, you don't need two,” Azriel scolded him lightly, nodding to the guys in greeting.

“Yeah I need it, dada,” Darius insisted. “If Isa come, I have to give her one.”

“She is not coming,” Azriel said abruptly, but Darius ignored him and extended his hand for the stickers.

“Who is Isa, Dari? Your girlfriend?” the concierge asked, as he gave up two stickers.

“Yeah, she is my good friend,” Darius confirmed, taking the stickers and then politely thanking everyone. 

“Whatever you did with this kid, man, you did it right,” one of the guys said to Azriel.

And Azriel smiled. Because if nothing else, he had an amazing son.

It was a decent half a mile walk to the park, so Azriel usually carried Darius, so he didn’t get too tired and could still run in the park. Darius was clutching his two stickers in his hand, loudly contemplating which one he wanted more. 

Suddenly, he yelled ‘dada, see! Lain and Isa! Lain! And Isa!’

And then he nearly fell out of Azriel’s arms, startling him to a near heart attack.

“Darius!”

But Darius was running at full speed, waving and yelling ‘Isa! Lain! I come!’

That’s when Azriel saw them.

His girls.

Elain glowed like the sun at dawn, her hair lit up with streaks of bronze and gold. She was wearing a maxi skirt, flat sandals and a form fitting white shirt which reminded Azriel of a corset or something. Whatever it was, it did wonders to her breasts. 

Darius and Isabella were hugging like they hadn’t seen each other in months, when it’s only been a few hours since they parted in school.

Azriel approached slowly, taking his time and taking in Elain’s beauty.

At last, he reached her and said, keeping his voice oh-so-casual, “Well, took you long enough.”

She huffed a shy laugh, and he watched her blush prettily under his scrutiny.

“Maybe I missed you,” she said at last.

“Maybe you did.”

“Did you miss me?” she asked softly.

“Desperately,” he confessed heatedly, all teasing and joking leaving his tone.

There was a moment when they stood there, looking at each other. And then Azriel asked, his voice quiet, and somehow broken,

“Why did you come, Elain?”

“You told me to come…” she reminded him breathlessly.

He put his heavy hands on her shoulders and then threaded his fingers behind her neck, keeping her in place.

“What if I didn’t tell you? Would you have come otherwise?”

She licked her lips and murmured in response,

“I’ve been dreaming of you every night since we’ve met. And last night, I dreamt that I was happy. With you. You made me so happy. So I figured, why not try it outside of the dreams? I want to try to be happy with you, Azriel.”

“Okay then. You will come to my home and I will feed you and your daughter.”

She smirked.

“That’s a thing with you. Feeding.”

“What can I say,” he shrugged. 

“Also, I missed Darius,” she admitted. “A lot. He is someone who leaves an impression.”

“He certainly does.”

Releasing her neck, Azriel took her hand firmly in his, and tugged her alongside him.

The sun was barely beginning to set and the park was full of joggers, people with their dogs and with their babies, families and couples. 

“How do we do this?” Elain asked, her voice timid and uncertain.

“Together,” he answered. “We do it together. I make you fall in love with me and then you are mine.”

She barked a laugh.

“Is that the plan then?”

“That’s it.”

-

Elain Archeron

The building where Azriel lived was one of the best in Denver. Elain had passed by it a few times before, but it was exclusive and tucked back behind a vast courtyard. She never really paid attention to it, seeing as that she was never going to step foot into it. How wrong she was. 

The lobby was huge, with plush couches, a grand piano!, armchairs, two reception desks, lots of glass and steel and wood and artwork. There was even a coffee station that made all kinds of drinks, and Darius demanded ‘I want hot chocolate!’ to which Azriel told him that he’d get it after dinner. Unsurprisingly, Isabella also asked for hot chocolate immediately after.

“Is that Captain Sandy from ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’?” Elain whisper-shouted and Azriel smiled at her and nodded. 

“Yeah, she lives here. A bunch of football and basketball players too. From the Broncos and the Nuggets.”

“That’s wild! I’ve never even seen a celebrity,” she confessed. 

“You are in the right place to spot them.”

They took the elevator to the top floor, while Darius pressed the button with one finger, and grabbed Elain’s hand with his other hand, holding onto her. Azriel noticed it, but didn’t comment. 

To get inside Azriel’s apartment, you needed fobs and codes and passes of all kinds and when they entered, Elain understood why.

It was massive. A glass cube, perched on top of the building, with a wrap around terrace and 365 degree views from every side.

She just stood there, gawking, while Darius grabbed Isa’s hand and said, ‘wanna see my room?’

They disappeared at once, talking loudly, laughing and saying stuff only they understood, while Elain just stood there and took it all in. One side of the apartment overlooked downtown Denver, the other, Wash Park, the third looked out at the mountains in the distance, and the fourth had a sprawling view of the city.

“Are you a drug dealer?” she asked quietly.

At that, Azriel burst out laughing, as he shook his head, and moved towards the incredible kitchen which was far beyond anything seen on HGTV or Insta. This was something else–with expensive appliances, stunning cabinetry, designer lighting, chrome and marble–this was an Architectural Digest kind of a kitchen.

“No. Not a drug dealer. I am a photographer,” he reminded her.

“Yeah, it’s like saying that Martha Stewart is a ‘caterer’. What do you photograph, exactly?”

She did notice really impressive black and white photos scattered strategically on the walls. They were artsy and sharp, some completely abstract, others of cityscapes, and even faceless people. 

“I used to be a fashion photographer,” he explained, as he tied an apron around his slim waist. It only emphasised the breadth of her massive shoulders and Elain swallowed discreetly, very taken with the very presence of him. She was reminded yet again of how truly devastatingly handsome he was.

“Like models?” Elain inquired, as she made a slow circle around the vast open space that was the apartment. Azriel watched her, while he washed his hands, before nodding.

“Yes. Editorials for various magazines–Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire. It was a fluke really. When I was in the Marines, I liked to take photos of just random things.”

“You are a Marine?” she whirled and looked at him in shock.

“I am. So is my brother Cassian. But we are retired. Anyway, I took some nice photos, and my buddies put on a little exhibition. From there, word spread and the next thing I know, I am being invited to photograph barely dressed girls. It was a strange transition, but I spent about 7 years doing shoots all over the world. Not a bad job.”

“Apparently,” Elain frowned at him, and then asked, “and Darius’s mother? Was she one of the models?”

“She was,” he confirmed, as he began pulling things out of the refrigerator. “You probably know her,”

“She is famous?”

“She is. She goes by The Morrigan. I always told her that the ‘the’ is dumb,” he rolled his eyes, but Elain was gawking at him. The Morrigan was one of the biggest models in the world–even those who didn’t know anything about fashion, knew who she was. She was equally famous for her unruly behaviour, as she was for her bombshell beauty. And Azriel was in a relationship with her. 

Elain didn’t respond, but only continued her slow perusal of the apartment. The bedrooms were in the back, and she heard the kids’ voices coming from a corridor.

She didn’t want to think about the fucking Morrigan, or was it the fucking The Morrigan? She wasn’t sure, but she didn't want to imagine Azriel with her. Didn’t want to imagine him with any models, frankly.

Suddenly, while her brain was working in overdrive, conjuring wild images of passionate embraces between Azriel and faceless naked models,  Azriel’s muscular arm slipped around her shoulders from behind, and he rested his chin on top of her head, whispering ‘come here’. Elain wrapped her hands over his thick forearm and he kissed her temple.

“Don’t think about them, beautiful. I am not a player like that, and truthfully, that part of my life is over. Seven years was enough. I am not a drug dealer or a coke head. I’ve made a name for myself and a shit ton of money and that’s all that matters.”

“And now?” 

“And now, I still photograph, but I specialise in celebs now–their private photos, or their editorials. That’s what pays the bills–the money is very good.”

“I can see that,” she noted dryly and he laughed.

“I like action photography–sports, nature, cities. That’s what I do for myself and for sales. That’s where my heart is at. Not celebrities and their weirdly named babies like Lucky Charms, and Huggie Lovie, or Baby Mr. T, and Antarctica.”

Elain was shaking in his arms with laughter. 

“Rich coming from a man who named his son Darius!”

Pretending outrage, he cried out, “Excuse me?! What the hell is wrong with Darius?”

“It’s a hella name for a baby.”

“He is fine. He carries it well.”

“I love Darius, actually,” she admitted.

He said nothing, but only nosed into her head, holding her against his massive chest, the steel bands of his arms wrapped tightly around her chest.

“I am scared, Azriel,” Elain breathed.

“Of what, baby?”

“Of not doing this right. Of losing you before I even got you,”

“You got me, beautiful,” he insisted. “Don't worry.”

“But what if I am just not good enough? You dated The Morrigan,”

“You mean the chick who got pregnant, dumped her newborn with a guy who fucked her a couple of times, and then walked away never to even inquire about her son again? Yeah, she is a real prize!”

Elain chewed on her lower lip, thinking.

When he put it like that…

-

…”Stay with me,” Azriel murmured, his voice pleading, verging on desperate. 

“I have to go home,” Elain argued feebly.

It was just the two of them.

They had dinner, and it felt like a family, the four of them seated around the table, not at the counter, like usual, but a proper table. They ate amazing lobster ravioli, which Azriel had admitted he didn’t make, but got freshly made from his favourite Italian place. He did cook an incredible fresh tomato and light cream sauce, which was truly mouthwatering. Elain had helped him, by making a simple salad, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil–he had the good, expensive Italian stuff, which wasn’t exactly a surprise. The kids drank mineral water and Azriel had opened a bottle of Chablis, which went surprisingly well with the ravioli. He had cloth napkins and nice, white dishes. And as she ate, Elain thought that truly, they were a different kind of pair. They were not…usual. Neither she nor Azriel liked to rush. They enjoyed the nicer things in life. She had less money than he did, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t strive for the best for herself and for her daughter. They liked conversation. They liked involving their children in everything, and they treated them with respect and understanding. There were no phones at the table, nothing to disturb the connection. And not for the first time this week, Elain thought that perhaps she could build something with this strange man. They matched. Maybe too much, which was both a little scary, but also extremely exciting. 

“No, you don’t,” he insisted. 

His big palms cupped her face and he looked down at her.

“You don’t have to go,” he repeated. “It’s Friday night. There is no school or work tomorrow. I am sure both Isa and Darius would love to have a sleepover.”

Elain’s throat bobbed. 

He smelled good. He felt even better. His massive hands felt heavenly on her skin. His eyes were warm and his voice urgent.

“I would say that I’d be a gentleman and not try anything,” he continued, “but that would be a lie. Because all I want is to make love to you. Let me. Let me make love to you and be your first.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” she whispered, her heart beating wildly in her chest and she was considering whether he should call 911, because she might be suffering from some kind of cardiac emergency. Was it normal to be so hot? Was 25 too early for hot flashes? Because that’s how it felt–she was engulfed in heat.

He huffed an indignant huff.

“Come on, we both know that that one time was just to make Isa. He was just a sperm donor, nothing else. The only reason for him to have existed in your life is to make your gorgeous daughter, and she eventually brought us together. You and I, beautiful, were written in the stars. There is no denying it. You know this in your gut. Everything led us here, and it’s up to you to take the bull by the horns.

“It’s all pipes,” he concluded.

“All pipes?” she laughed a nervous laugh.

“Yeah, the universe is working really hard to bring the two of us together.  All pipes.”

“What happens after?” she managed to ask, doubt still rearing its ugly head inside of her.

“After? After we live,” he pressed his lips to her brow. “We do our best, the way we always have. Only we do it together.”

“You are relentless.”

“You have no idea.”

She nervously fingered the hem of her shirt and then whispered, “will you stop…if I don’t want it?”

“Well, I am not going to rape you, if that’s what you are asking.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” she argued instantly, blushing profusely. 

He didn’t answer, but instead, called ‘Darius, Isa! Come here!”

They ran into the room a few minutes later and stopped, watching him expectantly. 

“Mama and I wanted to see if you guys wanted to have a sleepover?” Azriel asked, his arm casually draped over Elain’s shoulders. When he said ‘mama and I’ it did something to her–something warm and amazing and needy in her belly. 

“Yes!” Darius declared immediately. Then asked, “what this be sleepover?”

Elain attempted to hide her smile, and buried her face in Azriel’s shoulder.

Azriel handled it perfectly, simply explaining, “you and Isa are going to sleep in your room.”

“Oh, that’s fun!” Isa exclaimed. 

“Yes, I want it so much!” Darius agreed, bouncing on his toes.

And just like that, it was all decided and settled. 

Isa was dressed in Darius’s PJs which were in fact big on her. There was a convertible armchair in Darius’s bedroom, which they made into Isa’s bed, and she was thrilled to be sleeping in a new place. 

“I love sleepover!” Darius concluded, as soon as he was in bed and tucked in, Brute the Bat next to him. As any good host he offered Brute to Isa, who politely declined, and instead, opted for a stuffed rabbit. 

“Good night you two,” Elain told them and then went to kiss them both.

“Night, ma! You gonna have a sleepover too?” Isa asked.

“I think that I will,” Elain admitted. 

“You have fun Lain!” Darius recommended and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’ll take care of her,” Azriel wrapped his arm possessively around Elain’s waist and tugged her to him. 

“Dada is nice,” Darius informed Elain seriously. “You can have sleepover with him, Lain.”

The moment the door was closed behind them and they took two steps into the hallway, Azriel turned to face Elain. His face was beautiful, but intense. He watched her without blinking, and then stated, ‘you are nervous'.

“I am,” she confirmed, her voice hoarse and weird.

God, she was sweating again. Her back was dripping with nervous sweat and she felt like she was about to faint.

“Don’t be,” he whispered. 

Suddenly, his big hand threaded into her bun and he wrapped her hair around his hand, pulling her face back for a moment and looking down at her from his massive height.

“Tell me to kiss you,” he urged her, his voice even rougher than hers.

She loved the gesture of dominance, him holding her like that, but she also loved that he was asking her so politely. 

“Kiss me then,” she said at last and without missing a beat, he crushed his lips to hers.

His was a hungry, needy kiss, the kind Elain always wanted to experience, but never had the chance. The kiss no one ever offered her before.

Azriel’s lips were soft, and there was gentleness about them, about how he enveloped her mouth with his, but at the same time, he took what he wanted from her. Her lips parted for his tongue without any prompting and she leaned into him, momentarily forgetting her nervousness. It didn’t matter somehow–it felt too good. The nearness of him, the hold of his warm hands on her body, the way he clasped the back of her head so he could keep her the way he wanted her–it felt incredible. 

“So beautiful,” he whispered into her mouth, holding her close, while she wrapped her arms around his torso, unwilling to let him go. Now, if he wanted to stop this, she probably wouldn’t let him.

“Ahhh, now you want it, my beautiful girl,” he teased, his hot, wet tongue swiping over her lips, her teeth, learning of her and her taste. “But if you want me to stop,”

“Okay, don’t stop,” she panted, kissing him endlessly, feverishly. Azriel barked a laugh at her words and returned to kissing her. 

Good god it felt good. So good to be wanted, to be genuinely liked. Under her shirt, Elain’s breasts felt achy, swollen, and her nipples were so hard, they’d probably rip right through her bra. However, she and Azriel haven't even made it to the bedroom yet!

As if reading her mind, Azriel’s hand fell down the small of her back and he grabbed a handful of her ass, squeezing it appreciatively. 

“God I can’t wait to be inside of you,” he moaned. “You are so incredibly delicious…Every bit of you is just so fine.”

Half-dragging her next to him, they stumbled down the corridor, ambling towards the bedroom. Thankfully, it was at the end of the hallway, quite removed from Darius’s room. 

If she were being entirely honest with herself, Elain didn’t care right now. He could probably fuck her right on the floor here, and she wouldn’t bat an eye. They bumped into walls as they pawed at each other, kissing and biting and licking. He kissed her neck hungirly, tasting her skin, his warm lips gliding up and down, from her clavicle to her jaw. Elain whimpered when he dragged his tongue over the pulsating vein of her neck and he chuckled, “My eager girl,” as he returned to her mouth, kissing her savagely and deeply.

Shouldering the bedroom door he opened it swiftly, and then kicked it back to close it behind them. 

He dropped Elain on the bed and then stepped back. 

“On your knees, sweetheart. Hands on your lap,” he instructed, and Elain followed his command at once. She could barely even understand what he was telling her, and moved to the sound of his voice instinctively, as opposed to actually listening to his commands. But she liked it–innately, she liked it when he told her what to do and she didn’t know why.

“Beautiful,” he approved, as he stroked her cheek and moved surprisingly slowly towards her, watching her with endless fascination. No one’s ever looked at her like that and saw her. She wasn’t just a pretty girl, or someone he wanted to fuck–she was desirable to him. The emotional connection was unsettling, crossing into intimacy, but perhaps that’s what Elain craved deep down. Her hands were shaking on her lap. But she wanted him to continue looking at her like that. It was a combination of possessiveness, need, curiosity, and some strange protectiveness, as if in the end, he wanted to keep her safe and whole. 

“Do you trust me, baby?” he asked, his tone soft.

Elain nodded. She did. Again, instinctively. She trusted him to do right by her–whatever that looked like for the two of them.

With one hand, he pulled his shirt over his head, throwing it on the floor without ever taking his eyes off Elain. Seeing his body made her jaw go slack. His muscles were lean and perfectly defined, his skin decorated with tattoos, his arms scarred to the elbow, the V leading into his jeans so prominent, it was almost indecent. Elain’s never seen such definition on any actual human (Olympic athletes notwithstanding). 

“Lie down, pretty girl,” he told her and she did, her heart beating like a hummingbird’s wings. She couldn’t concentrate on anything, other than Azriel’s stunning body and his face, and she was only vaguely aware that his bed was huge and that the city was twinkling with lights somewhere outside the enormous windows. “Spread your legs for me, baby,” he requested and Elain slowly did as she was told, her long silk skirt falling down her thighs and pooling on her stomach. She was barefoot already, having taken her sandals off after dinner, when they played with the kids. 

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he said, and sat on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on her belly and quickly unbuttoning the two buttons at the waist. He pulled the skirt off her hips then, and flung it on the floor, where it joined his shirt. Elain could feel herself soaking through her cotton panties–she didn’t have the fancy kind, so she went with her usual plain cotton and lace ones. Now, she was getting so hot and bothered that she felt herself leaking for him. And he saw it. He looked right between her thighs and smiled, running her thumb straight down the centre of her. Elain jerked on the bed, a jittery, pathetic moan escaping her parted lips. Azriel leaned over her, and kissed her again, his tongue gently sweeping inside her mouth, sucking her own, making her delirious with his kisses, while he gingerly worked her panties down her legs. 

“That’s my pretty girl,” he murmured, once she was laying half naked in front of him. “So gorgeous and all mine,” he added, lightly, but firmly pushing her thighs further apart, spreading her widely. 

“Az,” she groaned loudly,

“Yeah, beautiful?”

“I need more.”

“And you will get more,” he kissed her bare knees, “I just want to look at your pretty pink pussy right now…Remember what I told you I wanted to do to you?”

She licked her lips, feeling exposed, but also so, so sexy, lying like that in front of him. No man’s ever seen her like this, certainly not in such explicit detail, but she liked it. So she opened her thighs even wider, eliciting a muffled groan of appreciation from him.

“Finger me,” she recalled, blushing from the words, which made it real somehow. The words were crude, but her position didn’t bother her–she was tense as fuck, but from arousal, and not fear or discomfort.

“What else?” he pressed, and then carefully pinched her folds and pulled them apart, while she moaned and arched her back for him, grabbing the bed covers violently and wrenching them in her hands.

“You wanted to eat my pussy,” she choked out, closing her eyes and feeling like she was losing her mind. 

“Is your pussy sweet?” he asked rhetorically, kissing the inside of her thigh.

“I don’t know,”

“Well, let’s find out, shall we?” With that, he dropped to his knees in front of her by the bed and pulled her roughly forward, pressing her feet into his shoulders. He leaned forward, pushing her legs to her chest, his massive shoulders immobilising her, while he picked up her ass in his large palms and brought her closer to his mouth.

Elain stilled. She really hoped that she wouldn’t have a massive coronary right then and there. This was a man she hardly knew, who was not just staring at her bare pussy, but who was…oh lordy lord…yep, he licked it.

Her pained inhale was so loud, it sounded like a moan.

“Azriel…” she wept. He kissed her. Kissed her slit, the way he kissed her mouth. He kissed her opening. He kissed her folds. He kissed her firmly, deeply over her clit, making her buckle and wail, while he held her down and close to his mouth. He was unperturbed by how she strained against him, but only stroked her legs up from her feet all the way to her upper thighs, as he gently, but insistently sucked on her swollen bud. 

“Az, Az,” she whimpered desperately, but he only swirled his tongue around the clit, and sucked on it insistently, his mouth so warm, and so wonderful that it was turning her inside out. He licked and he sucked, steadily, with rhythmic slurping around her dripping slit, caressing her body as he went at it with a blissed out expression on his face. 

She hardly dared to look down between her legs, for seeing his hazel eyes watching her and her reactions was almost painfully intimate. But the noises of satisfaction, and his grunts of pleasure told her everything that she needed to know–Azriel was enjoying tasting her just as much as she enjoyed being sucked and licked. It was wet and sensual and she loved it when his tongue swirled inside her hole, but she never ever imagined that this could feel as good as he was making it. 

Her legs were shaking, but he kept stroking them soothingly, as if knew that she was experiencing things that she’d never felt before, and she needed extra support from him. But he wasn’t gentle. He bit the wet folds of her pussy with little nips, before clamping his teeth over her clit and holding it hostage, while he licked on it fervently with the flat pad of his tongue. Her toes curled on his shoulders and she tried to hold back the scream that was building inside her chest from the delicious, sublime pleasure-pain that he was offering her so willingly. 

“Ohmygod, ohmygod,” she chanted brokenly and he gave her a stern look over her heaving belly, though he didn’t interrupt his sucking of her clit, and shook his head. 

“Azriel,” she corrected herself, and he smiled into her pussy, nodding his approval.

Pressing his teeth tighter over her swollen, painfully engorged clit, which felt like it was buzzing from the inside, he slowly eased one finger into her, pushing bluntly inside her hole. 

“Oh fuuuuck,” she cried pitifully, because he slipped a second finger, and then a third, in quick succession. It hurt. She was sloppily wet, but she was tight and his long, thick fingers stretched her to a painful point. But a cry of ‘more, more, please,’ tore from her, as she pushed her slit into his face. What if she killed him? Suffocated him with her pussy? But considering how hard his hand was working inside of her, fingering her with brutal, stunning determination, she figured that he was far from death. His hand battered into her, merciless and wonderful, and she moaned loudly and endlessly. 

It was too much. All of it was too much.

She should’ve taken him on his offer a week ago and let him finger her in the kitchen. Because this…

This was insane. Astounding. 

His hot, harsh-skinned hand snaked up her stomach and he pulled her bra cup down without any preliminaries, baring her aching tit to the cool air. He squeezed it roughly, and Elain loved it–how he was able to hold her whole breast in his hand, and how he pinched her nipple in his fingers. This man was like a damn octopus–he had 40 hands and 20 suction cups in his mouth, because he managed to overstimulate every part of her body. 

And the fingering…oh god…the fingering was beyond fantastic. It was beyond anything Elain ever dreamed of. The feeling of that massive penetrating hand, how he pushed the walls of her pussy apart, how he stretched and moulded her over his hand was so pornographically erotic that she’d lost all inhibitions. There were no inhibitions for her to even think about. He’d stripped her down to her core and forced her to let go and enjoy every moment of this. 

When he removed his hand from her breast, she whined from the loss, but also watched him unbutton the top two buttons of his jeans, exposing the most delicious-looking trail of hair, which she yearned to lick. She could see the huge bulge in his jeans and the size of him made her feverishly excited, and nervous. She understood why he was fingering her so hard–he needed to prepare her for his massive-looking dick. 

“More…” she begged desperately, her body arcing so hard off the bed, she was almost sitting up by now. And then he bit her. He bit her clit hard, and rammed his fingers deeper, which made her lose her mind and she screamed a loud, trembling cry, which filled the space between them. Hot and sweaty and shaking uncontrollably, Elain came and came and came. She orgasmed so hard, her ears popped. 

Azriel tore his face from her pussy, giving her clit one parting lick and then she watched him, almost in slow motion, release his cock from his jeans. 

The moment of clarity made her gasp and hiss ‘Jesus fuck’ at the sight of him. 

That’s what happened when you dated a guy who was over 6”5. He had an ‘over 6”5’ dick. 

He looked at her and then cupped her flushed cheek in his hand.

“You want me inside, baby?” he asked hoarsely, and Elain reared upwards and licked his wet face, tasting herself on his skin.

“Yes,” she breathed. “More than anything,”

He gave himself a few hearty rugs, which Elain found mesmerising.

“Funny how this happened,” he chuckled.

“What?”

“Well, I wanted to taste you, finger you and watch you come–and just like that, I’ve accomplished it all!”

Before she could respond, he grunted, 

“Take that dick then, beautiful,” hefting her back up on the bed and then propping himself on his hands and knees above her. Elain knew that she looked a mess, with her shirt still on, falling off one shoulder and hastily unbuttoned, her breast bare, her bra askew, but he also looked dishevelled, still wearing his jeans, his thick, perfect cock bobbing at his navel. Yes, his cock was perfect–straight, thick, long, smooth. He propped her legs on his forearms and then slowly, but steadily eased the thick head of his dick inside of her.

The push of his shaft was unwaveringly firm, solid and the thickness of him made Elain’s eyes roll back in her head. She didn’t even know if it was pleasure or pain–some unholy combination of both–but she convulsed wildly around him and the heft of his burning hot dick. 

“Laney, my baby, you feel like melted butter,” he smiled at her, while the progression of his shaft continued inside of her. “How does it feel?”

“Please never stop,” she begged, as tears slipped from her eyes. She wasn’t even sure why she was crying. Because it felt incredibly good? Because he cared about her? Because she was falling in love? She didn’t know, but she was being honest–she never wanted it to stop.

And then he was thrusting into her, deep and hard, his hips steady and powerful, as he filled and emptied her again and again. Elain couldn’t keep her eyes open, and she panted heavily, unconcerned about the crazed sounds that she emitted. She was just feeling him. She felt overstuffed, wet, hot, exhausted, pumped up, desperately horny, and massively overstimulated. Her clit rubbed into that fabulous patch of hair and against his stomach, and with every pump of his hips, Elain rose higher and higher, crying like a madwoman, shaking and thrashing beneath him. His rough hands roamed about her body, feeling her, stroking her, squeezing her, while he pounded into her savagely, building her up with every shove of his dick. 

“Azriel, it’s…how…what is…what is this?” she babbled mindlessly.

“That’s your dick, beautiful. Use it and come all over it.” he ordered her, and increased the speed of his thrusts.

“It feels too good,” she whispered weakly. “I can’t…”

“It feels just right,” he insisted, kissing her voraciously, and licking her tongue with impatient swipes of his tongue.

She ran her hands over his tattooed skin, burning with warmth and misted with sweat beneath her palms. And then she was orgasming again, over and over, all around his relentless cock. He watched her from his position, smiling at her and whispering words of encouragement and praise, while she screamed his name into his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. In some feat of astonishing athleticism, he held her up, as she hung onto him like a needy koala, his cock still firmly buried in her, moving rapidly inside.

Elain was so beyond understanding what was going on, she didn’t even comprehend their ridiculous position. But Azriel held her up, as she clenched around him, her ankles wrapped tightly around his back, her mouth starved for his tongue.

“Come for me,” he murmured, “let me have this perfect pussy…”

“It’s yours,” she wept breathlessly.

She was floating somewhere in her head, her body still rocked by the aftershocks of the earth shattering orgasms that he offered her so easily and freely. Her core was stretch to the limit, and yet he still rode her, his arms tense, his powerful body coiled from strain of fucking her and holding her up. 

“Let me come in you, my beautiful girl,” he muttered, kissing her head, her face, her lips.

“I want it, Az. It’s yours,” she panted, her pussy pulsing and milking him, “it’s for you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he kissed her and gently laid her back on the mattress, holding her knees apart, as he pumped hard and fast into her. 

He came deeply and voluptuously, the hot seed painting her womb, a guttural moan of pure pleasure tearing from his throat. 

It felt…magical. Everything about him was raw and hard and passionate, and Elain took all of it. Everything that he gave her. 

He tweaked her nipple in his fingers, and then stroked her face with his knuckles, looking down at her with complete adoration. 

“You are perfect,” he whispered. “And mine.”

“I think that I am,” she nodded, chasing his fingertips with her lips. He let her kiss them and pushed hard into her, keeping his cock and his cum deep inside of her. 

“Do you want to taste me, baby?” 

Elain licked her lips, looking him up and down, his stunning torso and his pleasure-tinted expression.

Before she could answer, he pulled her up and said, “open up” as he withdrew his cock from her and then thrust it firmly in her mouth, easing between her lips.

“Good girl,” he approved and patted her head, while she looked at him, trying to acquaint herself with the girth and heaviness of him in her mouth. He was covered in her wetness and his cum, but for some reason, it didn’t bother her. 

“Have you ever sucked dick before?” he asked, massaging the back of her neck slowly, wiping her sweaty brow with his knuckles.

She was barely able to move her head, but she shook it ‘no’.

He smiled and ordered, “you’ll suck me off, pretty girl.”

Elain was nervous because she’s never done this before, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t want to. He placed his hand on her head, keeping her in place and his cock nudged forward, sliding in carefully, but firmly. The head of him bumped into the back of her throat and she gasped, but seeing the tremble that her involuntary suck caused, she held onto him, opening wider. His eyes closed and he began slowly, pushing in and out of her wet mouth, allowing her to acclimate to the feel of him. But he was firm as always, holding her head motionless and thrusting slightly deeper with each push. 

“That’s my good girl,” he approved. “Take me deeper, sweetheart.”

He gained speed and set a brisk pace, using her for his pleasure, just like she used him before. 

She cleaned him completely with her tongue and now just used it to swirl over the head and the underside of his shaft, sucking noisily, breathing through her nose. He gagged her a few times, but she didn’t mind it and he didn’t change his rhythm.

“I want to come in your mouth,” he grunted, his breathing heavier, and his movements becoming jerkier. “Shake your head if you don’t want me to.”

Elain looked up at him with her tear-stained eyes, and didn’t move her head.

“Oh thank god,” he panted, holding her head between his palms and pushing his cock harder into her mouth. “Choke on it,” he muttered, when she did. “You are so beautiful.”

Elain dug her fingers into his iron-hard ass, slipping them beneath his jeans, while he fucked her mouth hard. Maybe she was beautiful to him? By the look of his deeply pleased expression, it seemed like he was thoroughly enjoying himself. 

“Swallow everything, baby,” he trembled with exertion and exploded in her throat. Elain swallowed greedily, wanting every drop of him. He was hot and salty and heady, and maybe it was strange, but she found him absolutely delicious. 

He came long and hard, and she swallowed everything, stroking his thighs, his hands, watching him. His breathing was shallow, and when he finally took his cock out of her mouth, he dipped down and kissed her.

“You are everything I’ve ever wanted, Ellie,” he admitted, finally pulling his jeans off and sliding next to her on the bed. Elain rolled on her side and watched him, while he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Maybe he was everything that she wanted as well.

…It was later in the night, when she was sleeping in his arms, both of them naked and comfortable, that she wondered if history was about to repeat itself.

Epilogue

9 months later

Azriel opened the door and entered the lounge. It was like the Sleeping Kingdom from Sleeping Beauty.

Darius and Isabella were asleep next to each other on the love seat, a pink blanket draped over them. In an armchair opposite of them, Feyre was curled into a ball, dead to the world, snoring lightly. Finally, on the larger couch, Cassian sat with his head thrown back, his posture relaxed, his legs spread comfortably. Nesta’s head rested on his thigh, which she was using as a pillow. It didn’t escape Azriel that even in their sleep, their hands were clasped and fingers threaded together. 

Gone was his brother the Mountain Man. Cassian Night cleaned up his act for his woman.

On the floor, there was an array of toys–dragons, princesses, finger puppets, books and whatever else Cassian chose to entertain his niece and nephew with. He always went overboard and the kids loved it.

Cassian’s eyes fluttered and then opened, as he straightened immediately and peered at Azriel.

“You were supposed to be babysitting,” Azriel chuckled, shaking his head.

“We technically are!”

“Yeah, three adults in the room and everyone is asleep.”

‘I am not asleep. I am just resting my eyes.”

Then, Cassian paused and finally asked, a smile on his face.

“So, what do I owe you, brother? A bottle of Glenfiddich or a bottle of Cristal?”

“Glenfiddich,” Azriel whispered, smiling broadly, his eyes moist with tears. And then he clapped his hands and announced, “we have a boy! My gorgeous stunner of a wife just gave us a son. Our baby Lance was born at 3:14 am. He is 10 lb 4 oz. and 23 inches.”

“A boy?” they heard Nesta’s awed whisper, as she raised her head from Cassian’s lap.

“Congrats to us, Nessie. We are an aunt and an uncle. AGAIN. Which means we are next, Nes!” Cassian announced jovially.

She gave him ‘the look’ and muttered, “Excuse me?”

“Yep. We should have a little girl. We’ll name her Sutton,”

“EXCUSE ME?”

“Yeah, Sutton Night.”

“I am not having Sutton!” Nesta protested.

Cassian cupped the back of her head in his enormous hand and planted a hearty kiss on her lips.

“Yeah, you are,” he insisted. “They,” he jerked his shoulder at Azriel, “have three! We have none. It’s time, sweetheart.”

“Okay, but we are not naming her Sutton,”

He kissed her again and said,

“Whatever my lady prefers is fine by me.”

“Let’s go look at that baby,” Nesta decided. 

-

Lance Night was born exactly nine months and a week after the Princess Tea Party where his parents met, and started a new family. 

#elriel #elainarcheronweek2023 #elainarcheronweek #princess tea party #elain archeron #azriel #azriel and elain #elain #pro elriel #elain x azriel #Elriel fanfiction #my writing #my fanfiction

[mistresswriter19]

His Prize Possession

Striker X Oc ( Requested By @scarlattobrightstar )

Author's Note: This is a very long delayed request I am so sorry about this one taking forever but I hope you enjoy. I'll definitely try not to keep others waiting like this. Really appreciate the support ^^

Mistresswriter19 X

Ellie eyes flutter with a blur using her claw to rub so she can see clearly she looks up

Ellie: Uhh I need a boyfriend…

Getting out of bed, Ellie went skip breakfast, taking a shower, putting her lovely dress on and tira with her dark green fluffy coat around her elegant Cinderella color blue dress top along with her white skirt that sparkles as she twirls with glee then opens the door heading out of the royal area because she was in a mood for a hotdog but of course if she says it in her area they would laugh and mock. Ellie had to go a different route: the area where the best hot dogs were was in " Not Mafia Town". She knew it was the worst idea to go alone so she called Blitzo to help her out.

Blitzo: Hey girl! How's it going didn't get any cock yet?

Ellie: Uhhh no…. I just wanted a hot dog and I knew going by myself would be dangerous.

Blitzo: Well you came to the right bodyguard girl I can grant ya full protection like this rifle, pistol, handgun, arrow, chainsaw, needles, and silencer really does work smoothly.

Ellie: I think I'll be happy whatever doesn't get me shot.

Blitzo: I got ya back babe~

The two imps enter "Not Mafia Town" one of the most dangerous places to enter in the ring of wrath. Everywhere you would go someone would be either shot, building would be burn into flames, deadly car chases, and torture. It made Ellie's skin crawl as Blitzo would cuss out a storm or shoot anyone that got near him or Ellie. For that Ellie kind of questioned Blitzo and his weird ways but she was grateful to trust him as a friend. Finally a nearby hotdog stand.

Blitzo: You think you can add cheese and hot sauce on that dog Senior ~

Hot Dog Imp: Sure I guess gonna cost ya more

Blitzo: Fuck it lay it on me

Ellie: One hotdog with extra mustard please

( BANG, BANG, BANG)

Blitzo: Are you fucking kidding me!?

Ellie look back to see a gang of sharks shooting there guns as one of them grabbed Ellie by the waist taking her in the car using rope and ducktape. Blitzo was fighting and shooting more of the Mafia sharks as he turns back to see Ellie kidnapped

Blitzo: ELLIE!!!!!! ( CLANK)

Crimson: That's for fucking shooting most of my men prick!

The head boss of the Mafia known as Moxie's father used a loaded gun to knock Blitzo out as he was dragged but in a sack being taken away like Ellie. In the car a good looking around as she sees a very attractive imp that wasn't like any others in the car who was looking the other side but Ellie kept her gaze on him he then look back as she turned away fast with her face turning into pink which made this rattlesnake imp chuckle. Ellie was already drawn to him but it seems strange how a cowboy like him can be involved with the Mafia gang.

Crimson: Alright cowboy show me what you got!

Striker: First of all I'm kinda rusty haven't kidnapped anyone for a while so this bastsrd I had to fucking deal with from the harvest moon festival and my lair of the ring of wrath!

Blitzo: OH YOU'RE THE SEXY ASS COWBOY!

Striker: And this pretty little thing is a royal which I despise but I think I wanna keep her for a while. She sparks my interest ( Place his claw caressed her neck)

Crimson: Good start cowboy, need more fuckers like you around come with me to the officer we have some discussing to do

Striker: Right boss, I'll be back with you later princess ~

Ellie: Uhhh…

In the office Crimson discuss the situation between why he wanted a royal because most of the royals are powerful compared to the mafia industry so what Crimson wants vengeance and goes out selecting a royal to experimented with no mercy this is when he calls on Striker and cowboy rattlesnake who would kill a royal in a heartbeat. However the Mafia crew is going to have a get together party once the party is finished at midnight Striker must exterminate the royal.

Striker: Some of your ways when it comes to dealing with royals makes me sick to my stomach

Crimson: I get my profit those bitches and fuckers stole millions from my industry and I want all of them to pay even for ones who don't know who the fuck I am

Striker: I always hated royals from all my years. I see some cry, some beg and some fight which makes me lose my temper to do the bidding and get paid .

Crimson: And this is why you're one of my most valuable clients who's a cowboy~

Striker: I'll kill the royal at midnight

Crimson: Good choice you can do whatever you want with her but when midnight comes it's off with her head.

Striker: Yes boss…

In the distance Ellie can hear Blitzo cursing once again a storm using anything to break but he keeps getting zapped causing him to knock out. Ellie was shaken and felt like a caged animal looking around seeing powerful shark gangsters with their guns, cigarettes, playing pool and drinking and talking as Ellie couldn't help but cry as she remembered she never liked being alone. She tried to calm herself down as she healed and exhaled while curled up in a ball. Suddenly Ellie hears the cage open and she looks up to see the cowboy that held her captive earlier in the car.

Striker: I brought you something to eat and some water. You're going to need it

Ellie didn't know what to do either if she should trust this rattlesnake imp or not but she had no choice maybe she can gain his trust. Ellie grabbed the water bottle off his claw and had the food he brought for her. She finished her white gloved hands tugged on her dress.

Striker: Please stop crying it makes my job harder…

Ellie: Why are you doing this?

Striker: Princess you do not want to interfere with someone like me.

Ellie: I can see in your eyes that you hate it… I just know

Striker: We had to make sacrifices and for me I made a ton didn't get me anymore but it get me some drinks or something to eat once in a wild I just can't think just do the thing.

Ellie: What if you don't want to

Striker: Have to suck it out like I always done

Ellie: You were flirty with me earlier but seems like you hate me to guts

Striker: It's just for show but truth be told you are a beautiful princess I laid my eyes on. I can't get attached to you

Ellie: What if you change, leave here and have a better life without the Mafia? They play really dirty and they're going after the royals like me.

Striker: There's nothing you can change princess about me

Ellie: I understand you just let me

Striker: NO!

Ellie try not to show fear when Striker tugged on her white glove hand. Ellie just stood still with the tears down her eyes Striker kept yelling at her to stop that because he will lose it. Ellie turned away but she felt her lips place into Striker's who gracefully kissed her full of passion. He laid her down as Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck. The bodied were close to each other Striker knows what he's doing is wrong especially to the royals. Ellie then also hugged him in between there passionate kiss. Striker let's her go but Ellie didn't want him to leave her.

Striker: I'll be back for you Ellie

Ellie: H…H…how did you know my name?

Striker: I know alot of royals but you the good ones.

Placing his finger around her face to hold Ellie's tear he gives her another kiss and he closes the cage and hops down to join Crimson. Ellie placed her gloved hand on her cheek still feeling warmth from Striker's touch.

Ellie: Striker…

In the party, the Mafia gang was using Blitzo as a pintia. Making Crimson laugh off a storm as Blitzo pretends to enjoys himself since he always gets into situations like this. However for some reason he's suppose to be torture but the Mafia gang seem to like him especially how he made drinks and this made Crimson piss more since he knows Blitzo is his son's boss he can be crazy but he's there for his crew. Something that Crimson never did for Moxxie as a father figure. Striker comes in drinking bottles of whiskey when he see Blitzo his blood boiled .

Blitzo: So came to talk dirty sex me

Striker: What the fuck are you saying?

Blitzo: ( Hiccups) I meant to say "saaaaaay you came to talk dirty about my suit.

Striker: I'm not gonna either bother

Blitzo: Alright fuck you then but listen cowboy your on my one night stand list!

Striker rolled his eyes he dropped his glass when he say the clock struck midnight with Crimson lighting a cigar and he went up to Striker.

Crimson: It's time cowboy go get the princess.

Striker sighs as he goes back to the wearhouse where he stares at the captive Princess for a long time she was singing and Striker thought it was beautiful. He felt like she was a true Cinderella or Belle. Striker opens the cage as Ellie looks back frighten which crushed Striker's heart.

Ellie: NO….NOOO NOOO AAHHH!!!! ( Covers mouth )

Striker: Just follow my lead darling. Your not going to die.

Ellie look back at him as she nods her head Striker then ties her with rope around her arms carrying her like a princess going up to Crimson and the Mafia Gang as they watched Striker carrying Ellie in his arms.

Striker: She wouldn't stop squirming so I held her to calm her down but doesn't know that she'll die.

Crimson: What a devious way of making her think. I love it!

Striker gives Ellie to Crimson as she's placed on a old beat up mattress. He takes the rope out of her arms and replaced it with rusty chains that go on bed post. Crimson lifted up Ellie's dress and threw her green fluffy coat aside she knew what was going to happen and wanted to scream but can she trust Striker.

Crimson: Since you been good with capturing many royals I decide this you can fuck her then kill her

Striker: My pleasure Crimson.

Crimson: If the bitch gives you any problems just shoot her.

Striker attends to walks to Ellie as she tugged on the rusty chains which lead to nothing her legs attend to shake. Striker's body went up against hers as she gasps he then kisses her with passion as she does the same with him behind his back Striker pulls out his pistol to shoot a Mafia shark down.

Crimson: THE FUCK GET HIM!

The Mafia sharks drawn there weapons and start to shoot. Striker shoot in between while protecting Ellie in his arms. Then out of nowhere Blitzo breaks free as he starts to fight and shoot up a rampage while chugging down leftover booze at the same time. Striker then breaks the rusty chains with his kicks and grabs Ellie managing to escape.

Ellie: What about Blitzo

Striker: Ehh I was going to kill him but maybe another time.

Ellie: Blitzo is my friend

Striker: Princess your making it really hard for me but I can't stand you being sad and not wanted.

Ellie: I'm no longer sad Striker, because I have you.

Blitzo had explosive as he plans to burn the place as he jumped out of the window as Striker dives down running from the flame as Ellie holds onto him, never letting go. They made it as they both panted as he then goes to bombproof pulling out his poncho wrapping it around Ellie to keep her warm and showing a way of comfort.

Striker: It will keep you warm

Ellie: Thank you

Striker: Your my prize possession Ellie

Ellie looked back and couldn't help but cry but this time she smiled and embraced her body close to Striker to two of them once again kissing showing their love and connection together. The two ride on Striker's horse as Ellie fell asleep into Striker's arm he rubbed her soft smooth magenta purple shade hair as they made it to the royal where Striker holds Ellie in place carrying her upstairs and putting her back to bed. He looks back at the sky where the colors purple and green form reminded of himself and Ellie. He attends to get up but Ellie tugged on his coat

Ellie: Please stay…

Striker: I'll stay for you my princess.

The two laid in bed together cuddling under the sheets slowly falling asleep together what a day it was almost being killed and shot but Striker knows for him he has to face it however someone like Ellie he didn't want her to face that danger side of anywhere she would go.

Striker: Blitzo made it because I like you so much your lucky I spared him .

Ellie turns to see a photo Blitzo posted on his Sinstagram he in the hospital with his crew and daughter with get well flowers and cheese and hot sauce on the table

Blitzo: I LIVED BITCH XO

Ellie giggle and was glad that her friend Blitzo was alive she then heard her stomach growl she forgot to eat anything.

Striker got out of bed to step out as Ellie lay there exhausted to do anything. She was happy to have someone like Striker she'll definitely help him change and be more loving and understanding Ellie has a good sense of that because compare to anyone in the royals she was always a devoted and kind princess. Striker return as be gives the bag to Ellie her eyes sparkle when she saw it was a hot dog with extra mustard that's all she ever wanted but maybe it was good because sure she got kidnapped but she finally went home with a cowboy who doesn't seen not so bad after all.

Ellie: Thank you Striker for everything

Striker: Don't need to thank me Ellie your life means more anything to me

Ellie: Your life matters too

Striker: I'll be by your side

~End~

#striker x oc #helluvaboss #helluva striker #helluva boss striker #striker helluva boss #oc #fanfics #writing requests #femalewriter #mistresswriter19

[sadgurls-blog]

My Story Animated

Full YouTube Playlist

I Made My Billionaire BF Go Bankrupt

I Fell In Love With BF’s Bodyguard

5 Heartthrobs Fight Over Me

I Was Raised By 5 Monks From China

I Lost My Memory & I Have NO Idea Who I Am

I Played Genshin Impact

A Billionaire Mafia Boy is Obsessed with Me

I’m Isolated from Everyone. Literally

My Brothers won't let me date until 18!

The Devilish Angels (pt1, pt2, pt3, pt4, full movie s1)

The One Wins the Fight, Will Date Me

My Boyfriend Never Runs Out Of Money

The Bully Loves ME Too Much

Im in Love with an ex-prisoner

An FBI Agent Mission is to Protect me

I Fell In Love With a Boy That I Can Never Have

My best friend stole my boyfriend

2 Boys And 1 Heart (pt1, pt2, pt3)

I Fell And Now I Can Only Speak In A Funny Way

The Richest Family In My Town Claim I'm Their Daughter

A Korean Billionaire Is Obsessed With Me

I followed My Crush To The Basement, instantly regrets it

My Dad Is Overprotective But I Do Whatever I Want

My Sister Had 2 Plastic Surgeries To Look Like Me

a party changed my life forever

I Removed My Birthmark & Didn't Recognize Myself

My Life With 200 Bodyguards

I'm Better Than Cruella

My Dad Hired A Bodyguard For Me

He Had No Idea I Was A Secret Agent

My "Perfect Life" When My Sister Was Born

My Bestie’s Boyfriend Fell In Love With Me

The School Bully Treats Me Like A Princess

I got 20 million followers in Tiktok, and now my parents abandoned me

Girls are Jealous of Me Despite of ALL MY Conditions

Paparazzi Chase Me Since I Was A Baby

I turned a homeless into a billionaire then he left me

Mom Isn't Happy That I'm a Successful Singer

My Dad Have A Bank: My Incredible Story (pt1, pt2)

I Got The Worst Fake BF To Make My Crush Jealous

I Dated 10 Guys! The Last One Is Going To Change Everything

The Beautiful Olivia

The President Hired Me

I Found A Way To Time Travel (pt1, pt2, full mini movie)

I Dated My E’s Billionaire Friend As Revenge

I'm The Top In Everything

Me And My Dad Traveling The World Together

Someone Gave Me A 1 Million Dollar Tip

i am too awkward

They Kidnapped Me

I'm Too Shy

My Brother Tricked All My Gf’s To Breakup With Me

I have two personalities. I can’t choose.

I Can’t Tell Anyone My Name

I Had Amnesia And Woke Up Married To A Billionaire

Oops! Hired an Actor as My Bodyguard

i found out why i am pretty

I Was Raised to Be a Criminal

The good and bad of Popularity

People Think I'm Innocent, But I'm Not

I Met MrBeast

I spent all my dad money in 33 days

how a real life princess goes to school

I Started Living Alone at 15

My drama is Worse than Selena Gomez& Hailey Bieber

My Bestie's Ex Likes Me

Switched At Birth

I’m the Tallest Girl Dating the Tallest Boy. We’re Giants

Enjoy life like there is no tomorrow

I Changed My Face To Take Revenge

i have to tell the truth

I’m A Famous Teen Actress, I Do What I Want

Ellie The Hacker

I'm Being Bullied By The People Who Adopted Me, What Happens Next Is Shocking

The Story I Wrote Became My Life

I'm Salish Matter And This Is My Story

My Sister Has The Only Thing I Want In Life

I Paid My Best Friend GF To Fake Date Me

I Lost All My Money So My Bestie Made Me Her Maid

My Stepdaughter Hates Me

We’re a Celebrity Family & We Have NO Privacy

I ruined my $1,000 Louis Vuitton Shirt

I Moved in with my boyfriend at 16

I Bet I Can Make A guy Fall In Love With Me In 14 Days

Billionaire Girls Fight Over Me. I'm a Poor Guy

I made the 3 school billionaire heartthrobs fight over me

i'm Too TALL

#msa #my story animated #fake stories #my story animated stories #youtube stories

[allthingsfangirl101]

CE Chapter 19: Move-in Day

Masterlist

Ellie watched as George's men easily moved what little furniture she had in her office around to make room for the new furniture. She tightened her arms around herself, struggling to control her antsiness to work.

"It's killing you, isn't it?"

She turned around to see George walking up the stairs with two cans of soda.

"What's killing me?" She smiled as she took the soda he was holding out for her. He didn't let it go until after he kissed her.

"Not being able to help the men move things around your old/my new office," he smirked.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she cleared her throat as she opened her soda and looked around.

"Hey," he whispered. Her face burned when he wrapped his arm around her waist. She looked up at him to see George's soft eyes. "I know you look around and see not being able to help. But I look around seeing ways you could get hurt."

"George. . ."

"I can't help it," he shrugged, with a teasing smirk. He grabbed her soda and placed both of their drinks on the nearest table. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest.

"Turns out I'm a protective soulmate," he whispered. Ellie gasped in surprise as he pressed his lips to hers. The two got completely lost in the kiss. She broke the kiss, leaning her forehead against his.

"It keeps surprising me," she whispered.

"What?"

"How it feels to kiss my soulmate."

George smirked as he pulled her in closer. He pressed his lips to hers in the kind of kiss that Ellie's only ever dreamed about. He broke the kiss, not able to push down the pride he felt when he saw how flushed his soulmate was.

"You're going to have to get used to it," he said under his breath, causing goosebumps to spread up and down Ellie's arms.

"I think I could."

                                * * * * *

Ellie sat on the desk, slightly kicking her feet as she watched George direct his men where to put things. She smiled, quickly looking away when he caught her. She chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to calm the butterflies flying around her stomach. She felt like a teenager.

She gasped when the desk under her was suddenly picked up. She looked around to see Jacobs and Owen carrying the desk she was sitting on. They were smiling, struggling to hold back their laughs as they carried her across the room. She passed George and gave him a princess wave. He bowed as she passed. Ellie giggled as Jacobs and Owen put the desk down.

"How does this look, sir?" Jacobs asked, crossing his arms.

"Perfect," George chuckled.

"I wasn't talking about Ms. Ellie," he smirked. The men laughed as they playfully teased George.

Jacobs walked over and held out his hand for Ellie. She smiled as she took it and he carefully helped her off the desk. She turned around and tilted her head, glancing at the desk.

"The desk looks great here," she started," but. . ."

"Please speak your mind, Ms. Ellie," Jacobs gently pushed.

"I'm not sure, and maybe I'm a little paranoid, but do you want George's back facing the only entrance to the office?" She asked. "What if, heaven forbid, someone breaks into the shop to come after him? He should be able to see them coming."

She stopped talking when she saw the way George and Jacobs were looking at her. "What?" She asked.

"That's a great point," Jacobs said. "Talking like a true mafia man's wife."

"I'm learning," she shrugged.

"You heard the boss, gentleman," Jacobs called out to the guys around them. "Turn the desk around."

"I'm not the boss," she said under her breath as two guys turned the table as Ellie suggested.

"Of course you are," Jacobs chuckled. "George is in charge of the organization, but you're the boss, Ms. Ellie."

"How?"

Jacobs stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. "Well, we listen to George but you're the only one who George has to listen to. Therefore, you call the shots."

Ellie laughed as she playfully pushed him. He bowed to her with a smirk before going back to telling the other men what to do and where to put things. She gasped when someone wrapped their arms around her waist and leaned their chin on her shoulder.

"That better be you, George, or you're going to lose every body part touching me."

"Damn," George mumbled. "Why did that turn me on?"

Ellie turned around a wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling them closer together.

"Because you, Mr. Mafia Boss, are a demented little man."

"There is nothing little about me, sweetheart."

She looked down at their toes, her face on fire. For the first time in a while, George got nervous.

"Hey," he whispered, making her look up at him. "I just want to make sure that you're okay with this."

"With what?" Ellie asked, nerves building up.

"With me moving part of my business above your store," he sighed. "I don't want to take over, Ellie. I am extremely proud of the business you built and kept going. I don't want to overstep and risk something happening to that business."

"George," she said, cutting him off. "I was the one who offered the office above my shop, remember?"

"I know but. . ." He sighed and leaned his forehead against hers.

"Plus," she whispered, "it might be nice, you know. Us working close. We could go on coffee dates and lunch dates. Might be fun."

George leaned back and smiled at her. He reached up and moved a piece of her hair out of her face.

"That does sound amazing," he chuckled.

"Besides," Ellie shrugged, "if I'm going to be in this world, your world, I might as well know how it runs."

George slowly pulled Ellie closer to his chest. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers. When he broke the kiss, he smiled down at her.

"Thank you," he whispered. He smirked before adding, "My beautiful soulmate."

"You know?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"What?"

"I love when you call me that."

"Then I guess I'll have to continue," he whispered as he slowly leaned in. She giggled as he pressed his lips to hers. The two slowly got into the kiss as they got comfortable with each other.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jacob said, slightly clearing his throat.

"And so it begins," George whispered for Ellie to hear. He sent her a teasing smile before turning towards his man with his arms still wrapped around her waist.

"What is it, Jacobs?"

"Actually, I've come to talk to Ms. Ellie. We need her approval before we move some furniture."

"Of course," George asked, gesturing for Ellie to follow Jacobs. Ellie started following him but turned around and sent her soulmate a flirtatious wink.

"So it begins."

#joe keery #joe keery x reader #joe keery fanfiction #mob #mob boss #mob fanfic #original content #Choice Encounter

[grandhotelabyss]

I am burned out on politics and hot weather—burned to the socket, as the poet said—so on my regular walks I have been desultorily listening to the Bennington College podcast from the end of last year. If it’s good enough for Goop—image above borrowed from Lili Anolik’s ’gram—it’s good enough for me. Undoubtedly seductive. This must be that mimetic desire the Catholic reactionaries are always warning us about: I half-listen and half-daydream, wanting to be such a famous writer that Anolik breathily rehearses my high-school romances. 

But, Lili will admonish me, it’s too late: her subtext is that these Gen-X luminaries—Ellis, Tartt, and Lethem—were, generationally speaking, the last serious American writers to command celebrity-level audiences before the final 21st-century onset of civilizational illiteracy. I never really got into the Gen-X writers anyway, though. I’ve ignored Ellis and Lethem all these years, though the pod is spectacular publicity for the former, and I wasn’t able to take Tartt with entire seriousness when I finally read The Secret History a couple of years ago, much as I viscerally enjoyed the novel. (I had the same reaction back around 2013, incidentally, to the book Anolik holds up as Tartt’s inspiration and precursor: Brideshead Revisited.) As I wrote:

In theory, Tartt means to morally indict the classics-obsessed mentality, the way pornographers used to preface their works with an assurance that all the fornication to follow was offered merely as a cautionary tale. In practice, just as Mario Puzo succeeded only in glamorizing the mafia, Norman Lear inadvertently turned Archie Bunker into a folk hero, and even Nabokov inspired some number of young girls to don heart-shaped glasses in a misunderstanding of his fable’s import, Tartt has only created a cult around her classicists’ cultus. She bears some responsibility for this ostensible misprision, it must be said.

[...]

With these unconvincing feints, popular fiction tries to morally launder the iniquitous and inequitable fantasy of freedom it proffers to readers. Despite poptimists’ charge that critics of Tartt are “elitist” when they point out her melodramatic plotting, evidenced by this weighty novel’s many empty calories of ersatz suspense, or her often overwrought prose (“His eyes were magnified and wicked behind his pince-nez”), the source of this novel’s popularity is nevertheless its daydream fantasy about joining the elite. Then again, maybe this moral duplicity is not entirely Tartt’s fault. Truffaut’s famous if apocryphal adage on the limits of cinema—he is supposed to have said, “There is no such thing as an anti-war film,” since movies glamorize everything—might hold true for all the arts and any subject matter. To create an effective work of art about [X] is to fashion [X] into the artifice of eternity, and what could be more glamorous than that? Another temptation is to say that great literature shouldn’t imaginatively fulfill the audience’s wishes, but too many readers want to marry Messrs. Darcy and Rochester or to join the conversation in Joyce’s Dublin and on Mann’s mountain for this to be true. To the endless despair of spartan socialists and other preachers of grayly Mao-jacketed justice, accession to the exceptionality of art is what common readers—and here I count myself among them—have always wanted. We are all Richard Papen.

For my money, the peak of American literature after the tradition’s Romantic founders—those seven dwarves and a princess, as an old professor of mine once called them: Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, Dickinson—was scaled not by the modernists or by the postwar masters but rather by the Silent Generation who commanded the 20th century’s final quarter. I wrote about this in an essay on Speedboat:

Almost every member of American literature’s last unambiguously major generation, the giants passing from the scene, was born in the 1930s: Carver (b. 1938), DeLillo (b. 1936), Didion (b. 1934), McCarthy (b. 1933), Morrison (b. 1931), Oates (b. 1938), Pynchon (b. 1937), Roth (b. 1933), Sontag (b. 1933), Updike (b. 1932), Wolfe (b. 1930)—and we can add some that are only a few years off in either direction for good measure, like Le Guin (b. 1929) or Ozick (b. 1928) or Irving (b. 1942). We might even take a cue from the Swedish Academy and adduce Bob Dylan (b. 1941).

This fact should be surprising since the Silent Generation, born from around 1925 to 1945, is so called because it came between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers and seemed to leave less of an obvious historical mark than either. But perhaps its greatest effect was on American letters. I came across an explanation for why this might be so in a 2015 profile of the renascent journalist and novelist Renata Adler (b. 1937):

In an essay from 1970 (“Introduction, Toward A Radical Middle”), Adler argues that her generation “grew up separately, without a rhetoric.” They, the Silent Generation, are small, caught between two Americas: too young to have been involved in World War II or to fully absorb its traumas, but too old to have been wholly included in the cultural upheaval of the 1960s. “In a way, in culture and in politics,” Adler writes, “we are the last custodians of language—because of the books we read, and because history, in our time, has wrung so many changes on the meaning of terms, and we, having never generationally perpetrated anything, have no commitment to any distortion of them.”

Precisely the sociological in-betweenness that made this generation less interesting for demographers than stereotyped GIs or hippies also made its members ideal, because somewhat detached, observers of the mid-to-late 20th century.

(By the way, I should admit I take a self-serving interest in this dubious topic of generational analysis because I wonder if those of us born around 1980 might not form a similarly well-positioned cultural cohort. We were also reared on a historical fulcrum: our childhood and adolescent sensibilities were shaped by the print/analog world of the lingering postwar liberal order even as we grew to adulthood after 9/11 and on the Internet. Like the Silent Generation before us, we have a foot on each side of our time’s major socio-historical divides.)

I don’t know how that last prophecy is holding up. Probably not as well as I’d like. A casualty, perhaps, of the in-person communal effects the Bennington pod so compellingly narrates, effects increasingly absent from our 21st-century lives in the metaverse. 

Relatedly, I was intrigued to see Nicholas Delbanco figure so heavily in the Bennington narrative. I fear he’s been somewhat forgotten as a novelist, but I once discovered a very good nonfiction book of his, one he would have been writing around the time he had Ellis in his fiction class. It’s called Group Portrait and makes the case that writers need to exist in community by dwelling on a period at the turn of the last century when Stephen Crane, Joseph Conrad, Ford Madox Ford, Henry James, and H. G. Wells all lived near one another in the English countryside. It’s a curious example of needful community, though, because it’s hard to say what exactly came of this grouping, aside, maybe, from Conrad’s revivification by his young collaborator Ford. As I wrote in my essay on Group Portrait:

In conclusion, we might ask: why is the Kentish convocation of the turn-of-the-century’s major Anglophone writers less heralded than later modernist enclaves? Delbanco allows for one that this was a male preserve; as I’ve already discussed here, the period from roughly 1880-1910 in English letters was highly and willfully masculinist, more so than the periods that preceded and succeeded it. Kent and East Sussex did not have the presiding female geniuses of Bloomsbury or expat Paris—no Woolfs or Steins, only the wives and domestic servants that made the men’s writing possible (though Woolf and Stein, it should be said, relied on similar support).

Another reason is the ambiguity of the achievement resulting from these writers’ neighborhood co-habitation. Crane did his best work before he arrived; if you don’t count Nostromo, Conrad’s and Ford’s collaboration didn’t issue in a masterwork; and James and Wells produced a quarrel, not an opus. Add to that the lack of sexual tension and soap opera—this despite Wells’s complicated love life and the homoeroticism that, in different ways, adheres to the lives and/or works of Crane, Conrad, and James—and you have a less immediately exciting story than Hemingway sparring in cafés or Lytton Strachey pointing out the spot of semen on Vanessa Bell’s dress.

The irony or coincidence or synchronicity is that Delbanco does for the turn-of-the-century novelists in his book what Anolik does for the Gen-Xers in her podcast. And yet a podcast is not a book, and Donna Tartt is not Joseph Conrad, and I am not (yet) a famous writer; and in the high summer heat, all that is solid melts into air.

#lili anolik #bennington college #donna tartt #nicholas delbanco #american literature #literature #literary criticism

[homebody-nobody]

WIP game!

tagged by @largedenominationsplease

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips. I have deemed that this isn’t just for writing either. Sketch titles? Comics? DnD campaigns? If you have an unfinished project, it counts!!

okay so here's the thing. I've been using my google drive to write original fic and fanfiction since I was fifteen, so. This is gonna be lawwwwng.

FANFICTION

outer banks

Engineering School AU notes home(where your heart is set in stone) home outline Jiara AUs Jiara week JJ's Lesbian Older Sister Meta katie's bday smut sincerity is scary outline the Parcels of Tannyhill

bellarke

"I got a dog" (She Returned) More Broken than Before All These Words I've Heard Before An Unexpected Guest Begginings of wicken fic (YOIKES) Bellarke fwp Bits and Pieces and To Be Used Clarke's Greek Pantheon Photography project Dancing in the dark devil's backbone - the civil wars domestic!bellarke bc im trash fire and stone (and a swingin trombone) Hot Boys and Indie Music (Make for a Pretty Great Summer) I have to tell you these flowers are for a dead person I'm Hers and She is Mine Library AU Library crush - bellarke fic more 30 minute fictions with the best friend Museum!Bellamy Rebel!Clarke hs au Silent Warrior, Screaming Youth SingleDad!Bellamy so go ahead and make your mark on me so go ahead and make your mark on me (REWRITE) Soulmate Words sweeter than sugar (colder than ice) the Bellamy Thing when the door sings closed you held my hand (and called me darling)

fleeting hyperfixations

beth x benny bones OC jatp college au jerin shoni fic ideas WayHaught Z nation

Percy Jackson

PJO lesbian Athena thing Solangelo??

Star Wars

Jyndor Lex and Gage

Voltron

klance high school AU shallura dancer au cause i have no self control Voltron Voltron AU#1 Young - The Chainsmokers

ORIGINAL WRITING

DnD

Cadogan Druhaven

other

A writer in venice throws his typewriter out the window one day Ace and Arthur Apparently sleep hates me Ari and Mel Band story Blacksmith Boy Brett and Nia Calliope and Wren long Castor and Pollux Chance and Ezra Denim and leather; Fire and ice Draconic Novice Draconic Novice Notes Dystopian society Elias and Charlie Ellie and Aaron Escape For Ryn's Birthday happy lesbians Henry, Tial, and Ellia Honos et Veritas I don't know what this was supposed to be but it was gay Isabelle the Ghost Whisperer Kira and Nell Kisae Dwellden Kyto and Petr Mark and Joanna start Men of the Moors Modern Magick modern magick Development Journey Modern Magick Trilogy Plot Outline Modern Magick Worldbuilding Modern Magick: Fire Modern Magick: Water Morgan and the Witch's son Nell doesn't look like a mafia princess Notes-Draconic Novice Paige and Katie Parker and Rae pirates story quarantine podcast Reece tells Kai that Jason is alive and he starts to cry Richard and Gabrielle? Runaway Mage Sign language zombie killers Some of Us Alive Stub The first thing he notices about her is her left hand The Four Suits the hill that grew the lindstrom sisters (bank robbers) the Rider General this is sad This wasn't where he wanted to be vegas motorcycle gang Vyvinuly wars beyond men wars beyond men rewrite (? third person ?) When War Comes white-Collar Trash wolves

so yeah there's a lot lol

tagging: @jojameswinter @a92vm @jiaraisinthegoodplace @smileymikey and whoever else wants to!!

#wip game #ask game #long post

[musemuseum]

Muses | D

Dakota Peters | 35 | Julianne Hough | Baker | Extra Info | Verses

Damien Cavanaugh | 49 | Misha Collins | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Darcy Paige | 32 | Malese Jow | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Darius Ray | 55 | Sam Rockwell | Assassin | Extra Info | Verses

Davina Chamberlain | 41 | Anne Hathaway | Princess | Extra Info | Verses

Dawn Espenoza | 31 | Kiana Madeira | Comic Book Store Owner | Extra Info | Verses

Dean Major | 40 | Nathaniel Buzolic | Jack Of All Trades | Extra Info | Verses

Declan Nichols | 39 | Tom Ellis | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Diego Martinez | 30 | Taylor Zakhar Perez | Mafia Heir | Extra Info | Verses

Dinah Crombie | 29 | Saoirse Ronan | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Dominic Hall | 27 | Bill Skarsgård | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Donovan Kole | 40 | Tom Hardy | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Dorian Carrow | 40 | Tom Hopper | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

Doyle Lockhart | 31 | Barry Keoghan | Occupation | Extra Info | Verses

#muses; d

[sandythereadingcafe]

REVIEW TOUR

TWISTED PRINCESS (Bratva Mafia Twins Duet 2) by Claire C  Riley & Ellie Meadows at The Reading Cafe:

‘provocative and edgy’

http://www.thereadingcafe.com/twisted-princess-by-claire-c-riley-ellie-meadows-review-tour/

#books #reviews #book tour #Twisted Princess #Bratva Mafia Twins Duet #Claire C Riley #Ellie Meadows #the Reading Cafe

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

#claire c riley #ellie meadows #twisted princess #release blitz #the bratva mafia twins duet

[flamingredanon]

Immortal copperright that have been together since the medieval ages when reginald proposed despite being only a court sorcerer and right was still regarded as a visiting princess. Over the centuries they've stayed together doing the best they can to not make it too obvious that neither is aging.

But triple threat has just found their cache of hidden history and galeforce has gotten quite curious of those old magic books of reginald's.

Right had caught Triple Threat in their cache, but Ellie, Henry and Charles promised Right that they wouldn't tell a soul about their secret, with Henry getting the weirdest sense of deja vu.

Right showed off their long history, Right was once a princess and Reginald a humble sorcerer, before they eventually hid from the public eye, moving to another country before starting a new life with Reg being a painter and Right being a poet.

And eventually they hid again, before they were a carpenter and soldier, a mafia boss and his right hand, a music producer and singer and for now, Toppat leader and second in command.

Charles and Ellie were amazed, a love that lasted through centuries and will last centuries more. Meanwhile Henry asked Right an odd question, particular about their time in the mafia, particularly a little boy and his father finding a book of sorts.

Right asks why Henry wants to know such a strange thing, with Henry continuing on that the father had "found" the book and after a lengthy spell that made the father and son glow pink for a bit, the father ripped the page from the book and destroyed it, before they put the book back where they found it.

Charles and Ellie were confused but Right's eyes widen in realization as Henry finished, that he was that child back then and his father, Terrence Suave, was that father. And Henry and Terrence was just like them now, though Henry hasn't seen Terrence in years and Henry has just been, somehow dealing with the fact that he stopped aging at thirty for quite awhile now.

Charles and Ellie were in shock while Right just hummed in a slight amusement. He had a feeling he had seen Terrence before the Toppat clan but Henry confirmed his suspicions.

Right asked Henry if he had anywhere once his friends started getting old and Henry said that he didn't, that he just had to fend for himself. Right then stood and declared that he wasn't alone now, that at any time he could seek Reg and him out, they all being kindred souls now. Henry felt tears escaping as he thanked Right, that he wouldn't be alone in a changing world.

---

Meanwhile Galeforce had started dabbling in magic, starting small with finding spells to clear imperfections and regrow his hair, before trying to talk with animals and learning how to wield fire.

But power corrupts and soon Galeforce found himself looking for spells that would let him be immortal, healing all his wounds and just allowing himself to enact justice by his own hands.

Reginald however was tired of Galeforce misusing magic and decided to face the greedy General himself. Galeforce demanded Reginald to show him the missing page in a particular spell book, knowing that clearly it was a magic for immortality.

Reginald told Galeforce that he did know a spell for immortality, that he would show him as long as he left him and Right alone. Galeforce agreed, just wanting more. So Reginald said a few words and moved his fingers around before Galeforce felt a glowing light bask him.

And just like that, the General was now a statue, one that Reginald swiftly shattered. Reginald got his spell books back and soon returned to Right, casually having tea with Triple Threat. Right just explains they all know and Henry is just like them. Reginald just rolls with it, returning his books back to where they belong.

---

Years passed and Henry watched Charles and Ellie getting older. They were all good friends still, but eventually Henry decided to leave them, finding it would be too painful to watch them grow older and weaker.

Henry found Right and with Reginald the three of them decided to go into hiding for awhile, getting to know Henry while time moved forward. Soon the three of them would start whole new lives in a new place, getting to experience new things and just being together for each other.

#lizzyask #reginald copperbottom #right hand man #henry stickmin #terrence suave #hubert galeforce #charles calvin #ellie rose #immortality #magic #being corrupted by magic and power #turned into a statue and destroyed

[crazy4myself]

No Harm List | Pt. 5

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Word Count: 9,494

Summary: You live in a city where crime runs rampant. One day, you save a young boy's life, not knowing that he is one of the most powerful crime lord's heir. And you have just been put on the no harm list. 

Warnings: cussing, mentions of drugs

Genre: Gang/mafia AU, romance, angst, violence, fluff

Rating: 17 N/C

Banner Credit: @mindays​ 

A/n: So it’s been a whole month since I’ve updated and I’m so sorry. Between work and the baby, it’s been impossible to find time to write. I know the chapter is a little shorter than promised, but that’s because it got soo freaking long that I had no choice but to split it into two. But as a result, you got a bit more Jungkook and Ella fluff, so you’re welcome. I hope you enjoy this chapter! As always please let me know your thoughts because it really does help me write!

Also thanks again so much @mindays​ for this rockin banner!!!!

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You sighed as you took another bite of your cookie, it was delicious, but it wasn't perfect. Something about the texture felt off too you. The cookie felt homemade in the unprofessional way, not the 'grandma's classic' way Sugar Daddy always delivered. 

"Jimin," you whined as you set the half-eaten dessert next to you on the counter, frowning at the cooling batch. Jimin made his way over to you, smiling as he reached for the other half.

"What is it, princess?" he asked, taking a bite and raising his eyebrows in delight. 

"Don't humor me, you know I did something wrong," you grumbled. While you have overcome most of the baking learning curve your past two weeks in the kitchen, most of your baked goods being tasty enough to sell upfront (when Jimin decorated them), they were not perfect. 

You were still learning your way around the chemistry it takes to make the 'perfect' cookie. 

"You did, but we'll figure it out" he confessed as he shoved the rest of the baked good in his mouth before clapping his hands, "C'mon walk me through it," he ordered and you turned back to your work station with a sigh, 

You both loved and hated Jimin's guidance. Loved because he was brilliant in the kitchen and caught your mistakes in a heartbeat, he was eager to teach you and rarely judged you for your incompetence. You hated it because you felt embarrassed, you were hired to do a job you weren't excelling at, and it took a hit on your ego.

Not to mention Jimin dropping everything he was doing to help you get it right was also slowing him down when opening up the bakery. 

"Are you sure you have time?" you asked peeping at the clock, it was 7:45 you still had a few minutes before the bakery opens at 8. Enough to prepare one more batch of cookies to put in the oven.  

"Yeah I'm good, Jungkook had a hard open this morning, I just came in a little earlier than you did so the kid could take a nap," he says with a shrug. 

The bakery had two opening shifts; the 'hard open' has a report time of 4:30 am where the bakers have to prepare all the bread, breakfast pastries, and any custom orders for the day. And the soft open starts at 7 am. 

Lucky for you, you hadn't proven valuable enough to qualify for the hard open just yet, and you were clinging to your mornings of sleeping in as you slowly passed through your 'new girl' phase at the bakery. 

"Jungkook? Really I didn't even see him," you said surprised, certain the two of you would have crossed paths on his walk home.

But when you turned and looked at the apron hooks at by door, you saw his apron, which simply stated, Let's get this bread, was hanging front and center, confirming he had come by today.

 Jimin smiled a knowing smile, "That's because he went to nap in the apartment upstairs," Jimin teased. "Now come on we have cookies to make." 

You reached for the ingredients, and you and Jimin carefully measured out before turning to the mixture, "So the apartment upstairs, is that one of your safe houses?" you asked tentatively. 

You were slowly, but surely introducing yourself into BTS's world the past two weeks of working here, asking Jin and Jimin and any of the other members who came by to visit tentative questions about the gang's inner workings. 

Jimin grinned, amused, "Kind of, it's definitely a safe place for our members to use, but we don't put anyone up there if they're on the run. Can't risk having the place raided- it's bad for business." he added as an afterthought as you looked at him with a raised brow. 

"Why else would they need a safe place?" you asked, confused on what dilemma the men you were slowly getting to know could worm their way into and not out. 

"Well, Army comes from all parts of life," Jimin started with a shrug. "A lot of them join because they don't have anywhere to go, or they need a place to getaway. The apartment upstairs is for people like them, people who need to escape their homes." Jimin explained. 

That was one thing you could never see to make yourself forget about BTS as much as you want to write them off as criminals and be upset with Hoseok about what he has done. 

They honestly were trying to make Alcorn a better place for the forgotten. The kids who can't help but have the circumstances dictate their outcomes. Who has no way to better their resources on their own? 

When Army takes the tattoo, an inversion of the inner circle's symbol, they traditionally get it placed on their forearms, but some can choose to have it on their upper arm or chest. They can also choose its size.

 You met a member who had the small shape in the fleshy crook between their thumb and pointer finger, Getting the tattoo in a small place ensured that it was easy to cover or remove if they chose to leave BTS. A concept you were still trying to wrap your head around because of the series of dizzying rules that follow it. 

"Well, that's your problem," Jimin laughed as he watched you distractedly sift your dry ingredients into the mixer.

"What am I using the wrong sized sifter?" you asked, confused as you looked for another tool nearby to check if there even was a size difference. 

He laughed, "No, but you put your sugar in as a dry ingredient, have you been doing that this whole time?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes, why wouldn't I sugar is dry" you sad dumbfounded

"No, the sugar counts as a wet ingredient," he chided

"But it's dry its-" you couldn't form words as you tried to process what he was telling you, looking between him and the bag of sweet crystals in outrage. 

He giggled at your expression, "It's treated like a wet ingredient because it's soluble it dissolves better in the liquid, making the texture softer and less gritty." You growled at his explanation, it made perfect scientific sense, but you were still infuriated by sugar being identified as the wrong physical property. 

"Well what about salt is it property fluid as well?" you snapped accusingly, 

Jimin couldn't help but giggle at your frustration, "No salt can go in as dry, because the cookies rely on the chemical reaction of the salt to control the rate the dough releases carbon dioxide," he explained simply.

You blinked at him expression vacant as you processed what he was saying, Jimin sighed; clearly, you didn't pay much attention in your college chemistry class. "It keeps from making giant air bubbles," he dumbed down, and your eyes lit up in understanding. 

You grunted in frustration as you watched Jimin dump your dry batter out of the mixer. Before you could think to stop yourself, you reached for a handful of sugar out of the back and threw it in his face in frustration. 

"Hey, what are you doing!" Jimin demanded as you pelted him with another hit 

"I'm splashing you; what else would you call it" you teased as you threw another handful showering his apron, which proudly had Hot Buns embroidered across it, in the sweet crystals. 

"Look at how WET you are. You're absolutely soaked," you continued as you berated him much to his distress.

"What's going on?" 

You turned at the gravelly sound of Jungkook's morning voice, seeing the boy squinting in the bright light of the kitchen. 

"Koo, thank goodness this insane woman was attacking me." Jimin hissed at you.

You threw one more pinch of sugar before you smiled sheepishly as you were caught in your childish antics, thankful it was Jungkook and not Jin who walked in on you blatantly making a mess of his kitchen. You looked down as you remembered your place. 

"I'll grab the broom," you murmured as you moved to clean up your mess. 

"I'm sure you deserved it," Jungkook told his brother as he put up a hand to stop you. Grabbing the broom from the wall himself, "I got it you go open up front Ellie" he mumbled tiredly as he began sweeping. 

You smiled at him in gratitude and reached to ruffle his hair endearingly, before sticking your tongue out at Jimin, who just muttered "Unbelievable" under his breath as he turned back to his work station. 

You had already started the coffee and filled up the display area when you were waiting for your cookies to bake. So you only needed to unlock the front door and add today's specials to the chalkboard menu on the counter before Sugar Daddy was in business for the day. 

"Mornin' princess," you heard a tired voice mumble, and you looked up from the curling S in the word 'chicken salad' to see Yoongi in front of the counter swaying where he stood like he was at risk of falling asleep right there.

 You set down the chalk as you greeted him, quickly rinsing your hands off and fixing a large iced Americano before he could even make the order himself.

 "Anything for breakfast?" you asked as you handed him the cup, watching with a satisfied smile as he slipped the reusable straw you had given him a week prior. Yoogi simply grunted before taking a long sip of his drink. 

"I'm good," he said with a satisfied smile, already looking more alert as the caffeine instantly revived him, there was even more color to his cheeks. 

"Okay, that will be $2.75," you chirped in your best customer service voice, but your hands didn't move for the iPad that made up your register. 

"Cute," Yoongi laughed before turning away with a smirk, "You got jokes, Ella, keep it up, and I might tip you one day," he called over his shoulder before letting himself out of the store. You gritted your teeth.

 Your first day of handling the register by yourself, Min Yoongi came in and ordered an Americano, when you rang him up he gave you a dismissive, 'put it on my tab,' before stepping out of the growing line of the morning rush behind him. You were frantic as you searched for the setting where you could open tabs, watching in distress as Jimin quickly handed his elder the drink, and he made his way out the store, all while impatient customers tapped their foot in front of you.  

"I don't know how to open a tab," you finally called to Jimin after he came to check on what the hold up was. Jimin let out a loud belly laugh amused by your distress as he closed out Yoongi's order with a simple, "He never pays." 

You never got an explanation as to why or how that happened, but you do know Yoongi drinks at least 10 ten iced americanos a day. While the diluted espresso wasn't a huge financial strain, you wondered how many disposable cups Jin lost to Min Yoongi each week. 

You were always a bit of an environmentalist and had taken personal responsibility to try and reduce Yoongi's waste output. He accepted your gift of a reusable compact straw he could attach to his keychain, noting it made his drink taste cooler when he sipped through it. 

But you were still working on how to get him to reuse his cups. The man was unwilling to carry around a reusable one all day, claiming it was a hassle and didn't want to wash it. 

Environment and economics aside, there was the whole other concern that you were fairly certain Yoongi drank more coffee than water. And you were worried his little heart was going to give out from the caffeinated strain one day. 

"Cute handwriting," Jungkook whispered over your shoulder, making you startle and causing you to mess up the flower you were doodling next to the lunch special. 

You pouted, sending him a small glare as he smiled sheepishly, "I'm going to get you a bell to wear around your neck, so you don't sneak up on me like that," you threatened as you smudged the haywire petal. 

Jungkook smirked as he took the chalk from you, "You going to have to ask a bit more nicely if you wanna see me in a collar," he teased as he drew a perfect flower over yours. You flushed at his comments as you turned away. 

You and Jungkook had gotten closer in the few weeks you had been working at the bakery. Apparently, he was grounded by his gang dad's for a situation you still didn't understand, and part of his punishment involved working opening shifts at the bakery before class. 

He was starting to get more comfortable around you, and the shy bashful Jungkook you had been acquainted with two weeks prior had faded in your shared mornings kneading dough in the kitchen. 

To your dismay, he had grown bold and cocky, and a never-ending pain in your ass as he wasn't afraid to joke and tease you anymore. And if you thought bashful Jungkook was dangerous, you had nothing to prepare you for his confident persona.

"I wouldn't need a bell if you stayed aware of your surroundings," he pointed out as he continued to sketch a cute kitten on the bottom of the menu. 

You sighed, "It's too damn early for this Jeon," you murmured as you made your way to the coffee station, grabbing your personal mug and pouring your coffee and cream into it. Before reaching for Jungkook's to-go cup to fix his drink. 

"It's always too early or too late when are we going to talk about this?" he asked, turning to face you. "I'm not going to be able to walk you home every night, ya know." 

"Not even if I ask nicely," you asked over the rim of your cup, batting your eyelashes at him innocently. He scoffed, but you could see the blush creeping up his neck as you wormed your way under your skin. 

"Jungkook, I've lived in Alcorn for four years now, not once has anyone got the best of me," you gave him a look that clearly said unlike you, "I'm pretty sure I'm fine," you finished as you turned back to steaming the caramel syrup into his milk.

"Things are different now," he argued.

"No, they're not, Kook I can handle my own," you sighed, growing tired of the back and forth, asking yourself why you were even making this ungrateful brats coffee. 

"Ooh, are we talking about how Ella can or can not kick ass?" Jimin asked as he made his way from the kitchen with a tray full of muffins. 

Your concentration broke as his outburst, and a large portion of milk plopped into Jungkook's mug, ruining the heart you were practicing in the drink. "No," you hissed in frustration, grabbing the caramel sauce to doodle a smiley face over your mistake. Jungkook smirked as he watched you work more willing to hold his tongue when his coffee was on the line. 

And to your relief, the bell chimed as customers made their way in the bakery. You brushed past Jungkook, handing him his drink as you took your place at the register, effectively ending the conversation as you greeted the customer. He sighed but surrendered for now. 

Jungkook has been pushing to give you self defense lessons since your first day at the bakery. While BTS made sure to keep an eye on you while investigating the Black Tips incident.

 Jin got word that the men who ambushed Jungkook, were there for him in advance. And while they could assume the leek came from one of Sylvia's men if not the trafficker himself, no one has found out why Jungkook would be a target—not finding any leads from the Black Tips themselves. 

Jungkook was nervous, he was used to their being a target on his back, but no one had ever had the guts to aim for it before. And while he got away that night, he hated knowing he dragged you into this mess. He couldn't stand the thought of you being in danger of helping him. He needed to know you could protect yourself if you somehow ended up on your own. 

Jungkook took a quick sip of his coffee, trying to keep his face neutral despite the incense sweetness that attacked his tongue. While it was true, he favored a sweeter drink like a caramel macchiato in the afternoons; he preferred something stronger like a plain coffee with one cream and two sugars in the morning. 

Not to mention the amount of syrup you used to decorate his drinks when you failed at latte art was enough to give him a cavity. Jungkook couldn't bring himself to complain, though.

 He liked the gesture of you taking the effort to make him a cup every morning too much. He smiled to himself as he grabbed his backpack and headed to his morning classes. 

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The bakery had a steady flow of customers that morning, and the constant work kept you busy enough to keep your mind from wandering during your shift. But as you got off that afternoon to head to your classes, you couldn't help but dwell on the thoughts you tried your hardest to avoid. 

It has been two weeks since you talked to Hobi. 

Well really talked to him, he still sent you text every evening to check-in that you were safe, and you were guilty of doing the same if you ever heard too many police sirens or gunshots in the night. 

But check in's aside this was the longest you had gone without seeing him since your friendship started. 

You missed his unannounced arrivals at night where the two of you would eat junk food and put on movies only to talk over them, or when he would call you to come downstairs to help him test drive a car, and you would beg for mercy on your life as he sped down winding, back roads blasting the music so loud you felt the bass dance in your bones. 

You struggled to focus on your lectures through the afternoon, before finally settling for mindlessly taking notes and hoping you could piece together the information on your own later. 

You had a test in one of your classes two days from now and planned on grabbing lunch on campus and staying at the library late into the evening to prepare, but you couldn't see yourself focusing by then either. 

You decided to go to the gym after your last lecture. 

Your university had a free gym for students on campus, and while you frequented the cardio exercise classes like Zumba, there was nothing quite like running till you can't think anymore on the treadmill or lifting weights to clear your head. You figured getting your frustration out with your workout would help you think more clearly with how you should approach the Hoseok situation.

After your lecture let out you made your trek across campus to head to the gym; it was around 4 pm that weird hour that wasn't quite afternoon but wasn't quite evening, where students that weren't in classes didn't know what to do with themselves and usually found themselves submitting the hour to Tick Tock in the Student Union, so the gym was relatively empty. 

You were a frequent rule breaker and left your gym bag in your locker between visits, despite what the signs in the locker room ask, so you always had a change of clothes for when sparattically decided to workout. 

You were quickly reminded why that was a rule when you opened the door to the musty scent of your dirty work out clothes. You were obviously in need of a fresh set.

You made a mental note to bring your gym bag home and bring back a fresh set next time you came to campus as you moved for the changing areas. 

You scrunched your nose at the musty smell. Before reminding yourself, you were going to stink no matter what after your workout and forced yourself into the smelly electric blue compression leggings and sports bra it was one of your favorite sets the color made it look bold despite its minimalist design. Not to mention the leggings made your ass look great. 

You weren't an athlete by any means growing up, but you took advantage of the resources provided to you when you started college determined to fight off the dreaded freshman 15. 

You attended several workout classes with Daewon, and outside of classes, the two of you explored a majority of the equipment in the gym, watching a number of Youtube videos for guidance, and slowly the two of you formed a baseline work out routine that you still clung to today.

You weren't a regular at the gym, there was a time in your life where you attended Zumba weekly, between your afternoon classes, but the chaos of the last month of your life robbed you of that habit too. Other than Zumba, you mostly turned to the gym when you needed a sweaty distraction or when you were avoiding your schoolwork. 

Your mind viewed working out as it did cleaning; it was productive enough to excuse you from doing your work without feeling like the quitter you were. It also meant you did it the most when you had a ton of studying to do.

You secured your hair into a quick but effective braid down your back, not bothering to check how nice it looked in the mirror before heading out on the gym floor.

 You stretched quickly before hopping on a treadmill telling yourself you would put in a quick mile as a warm-up, putting your headphones in and allowing your mind to surrender to the music as you got your heart rate up a little. 

Nine minutes later, you were walking out your cool down as you scanned the weights area, determining what looked the least crowded so you could get started without having to interact with anyone. 

You settled for taking the vacant pulley machine and worked through your usual weight routine, focusing first on your biceps and then your chest. When your arms felt like they were equal parts on fire and made of jelly, and your mind fell into that pleasant, empty haze, you had mercy on yourself and moved to wipe the machine down. 

You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror as you cooled down, and saw your face, chest, and upper arms were a splotchy red from the strain, and a layer of sweat coated your entire body. 

You knew you weren't attractive when you worked out, but you always admired yourself a bit anyways.

You were flushed, your hair was frizzing along the edge, and strands of hair escaped from your braid and stuck out wildly in all directions.

 All and all, you looked like the definition of a hot mess. 

But you were proud of your body for serving you well. You were more aware of the strength in the muscle under your skin, the way they swelled or bulged from your arms wasn't feminine or delicate, but you found it beautiful nonetheless.  

Taking a minute to rest, you mindlessly unlocked your phone and immediately found yourself opening your messages to Hoseok out of habit. 

You hadn't checked in on him in two days, and you didn't respond to his text from this afternoon. Your thumb hovered over the screen hesitantly before you finally shut it off and tucked it back in your pocket.

 You still didn't know if you wanted to avoid Hoseok or hug him and makeup. 

You decided you weren't tired enough if you could still think about this. 

You turned the music up on your headphones in an attempt to blast out the thoughts swirling in your mind and headed for the leg press machine. You did a quick circuit targeting your quads and inner thighs on a few of the machines before making your way to the Smith machine for assisted barbell squats.  

You embraced the burn in your glutes as you locked the bar back in its holder after your first rep, rolling the stiffness out of your shoulders as you counted down from thirty. 

You were never good at making yourself wait or rest between reps, and because of that, you were prone to fatigue yourself faster. 

You took a moment to stretch your arms across yourself and roll your neck, focusing on how the tension left your body before you moved to settle the barbell once again across your shoulders. 

You spread your legs abd centered your weight, and with a quick flick of your wrist, you released the bar from its holder, dropping the full weight onto your shoulders. You let your breath sizzle through your teeth as you squatted down, taking care to keep your knees from going out past your toes, so you targeted the right muscle group. 

You stared at yourself in the mirror you were facing making sure you kept the correct form when a sudden movement from behind you caught your attention. 

Your eyes flicked across the mirror to lock in on the reflection of no other than Jeon Jungkook. 

You let your lips turn into a slight smirk through your panting as you watched his arm come to a stuttering stop mid hammer curl as you continued your squats. You watched his eyes observe the motion of your body, ignoring the warmth in your stomach as you took him in return.

 Jungkook usually wore oversized clothes on a daily basis. You couldn't understand why now that you took him in in his muscle shirt that exposed the entirety of his beautiful arms. 

For the first time, you took in the full extent of the artwork that decorated his right arm. The tattoo's dark ink dotted their way up to his arm and his back shoulder. The placments were spread out enough that it wasn’t quite a full sleeve, but you were certian it would be within a few years. 

You always knew Jungkook was big, you could tell by his broad shoulders and a hint of muscle you saw when he tied his apron around his tiny waist, but you didn't realize the extent of his strength. 

You drank in the sight of him now, the defined lines of the his triceps and bicepts. And his toned obliques you could peek slightly from the low cut of the arm hole of his shirt.  

The guy could probably bench press you if he wanted to. 

You smiled to yourself as you reached 10, and pushed to lock the barbell back in its holder. You hope Jungkook didn't notice how your knees shook slightly or that you locked the bar in the clamp lower than the one you were initially using. Your trembling legs were too weak to fully extend to the one level with your shoulders.

You bide your time rolling out your shoulders as you watch him through the mirror. The punk hadn't taken his eyes off your ass yet, and you smirked as you turned to face him. 

"Something catch your eye, Kook?" You called him with a saccharine smile.

 He blinked in his daze before clearing his throat and stammering, "Ella, oh nothing at all. I was just checking your form."

You raised an eyebrow, trying to hide your smile as you watched the blush crawl up his cheeks.

You tried not to let the thought of Jungkook checking you out in the gym get to you head. But it totally did, and you couldn't help but tease him more, "I hope you were pleased with what you saw." 

His mouth curled into a smirk as he recovered and remembered himself, "I must say I was very impressed," he offered, and you smacked his arm as you sat on the other end of the bench, watching as he resumed his rep. 

"I didn't know you came here," you started, he looked at you with a raised eyebrow as if asking, have you looked at me?

You scoffed, "I meant this gym stupid. I assumed your fancy mansion had its own gym in it. Jimin told me you guys trained there." 

Trained for what? You didn't know.  

Jungkook placed his weight on the ground before straightening, "Oh well, I come between classes to pass the time, beats traveling across town," he explained as he rolled out his shoulders. 

Right, you remember him saying something about having evening lectures on Tuesday and Thursdays.

"How long until your class?" 

He smiled, "Long enough to take you upstairs and teach you a thing or two," the shock must have been apparent on your face because he quickly amended, "Self defense! There's a bunch of mats upstairs for the kickboxing classes they have; I could show you a few things." 

You sucked your teeth as you considered.

 You had no reason to be hostile and say no, there was nothing wrong with being able to defend yourself. 

At first, you were defensive because it made it all too real. You were worried knowing how to protect yourself would somehow drag you deeper into Jungkook's world, but you now realize you were in it, whether you were ready to be or not. It was best, safest, to be able to protect yourself. 

"Alright, Jeon, but don't pull anything stupid," you warned as you got up and headed for the second level of the gym. 

"Alright, we'll start simple," Jungkook started as he approached you, you were standing on the center of the mat in one of the boxing practice rooms. He was slowly pacing around you reminding you of a preditor looking at you as if you were his prey, you weren't going to lie it made you want to wrap your arms around yourself self contiously, but you held your ground and kept your hands at your side. 

“I’m going to show you a handful of moves that you can use to get out of someoe grip if they try attacking you or grabbing you. Everything will be strictly offense.” he explained settling to stand infront of you. 

You nodded along to confirm you understood. 

“An important part of these moves is to get the guy down and then disengage no beat his ass. I think they’ll be super useful and be a bit more effective than throwing a shoe at someone.” He said with a smirk. 

You smiled cheekily at him, “Hey don’t hate. You’re just jealous because you could never be as resourcful as I am.”

He rolled his eyes with a scoff before clapping his hands together and changing his stance, "I'll start by showing you how to get out of someone's grip if they grab you by your hair," he said, approaching you. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," you said quickly, putting your hands up in defense, "We don't play dirty, no hair pulling," you warned as you backed away. 

Jungkook flashed a bunny smile in amusement, "Unfortunately, a lot of guys do. If I remember correctly that's exactly how they got you down the night you saved me” he teased, but hesitated as he saw your discomfort. 

"Don't worry I'll be gentle I promise." he said softly as he approached you again raising his arm as if reaching for your braid. 

You shook your head furiously, "Aren't we supposed to practice on you first?" you argued. "Ya know so that you can explain it better." you pushed trying to delay the inevitable. What have you gotten yourself into?

"Ella, I don't have a ponytail," he started, but your hand quickly shot for the back of his head, entangling your fingers in the soft waves and gripping them lightly. Jungkook let a sigh escape his lips as you tugged his head back slightly, and he had to blink to remember himself before he continued. 

"Okay," he said breathlessly as he centered his weight, "A lot of people have the instinct to pull away or try to run, that won't work," he started. 

"What you do is you swing your arm around up and over theirs, and pinch their elbow into the crook of yours and push down," he gently acted out his explanation. 

You stumbled quickly, releasing your grasp on his hair as you felt pressure pushing your elbow opposite of how the joint naturally bends. 

You promptly found yourself on your knees, your arm still trapped in his hold.

"Once you have them here, you can punch them and run," he said, throwing a mock punch at your face. You tried, and failed not to flinch. 

"These moves don't require strength. You have to use surprise to your advantage and, most importantly, disengage and get away as soon as possible." He explained as he released you and helped you up. 

"Now your turn," he reached for your braid, grabbing the part closest to the base of your skull and tugging slightly, but not enough to hurt. 

You resisted the urge to try and pull out his grasp and swung your arm into an arch like he showed you tucking his elbow between yours before pushing down. 

It was a little clumsy, and he didn't go down at first, but as you increased the pressure and shoved down a little harder, Jungkook released his grip on your hair and fell to his knees with a thud.

 "Now punch me," he ordered through his teeth. 

"I'm not-" he looked up at you defiantly, and you settled with a mocking air punch making a quite "Bam" as a sound effect before pulling away. 

"I'm not comfortable hitting you," you said, twiddling your thumbs together. 

Jungkook looked like he wanted to argue, but this was your first session, and he didn't want to get you too far out of your comfort zone. 

He hoped you would be willing to show him what kind of punches you were packing later on down the road, maybe with boxing gloves so you would be more comfortable.  

"Fine, but let's do it again to make sure you have the hang of it," he offered. 

You ran the exercise again, each time Jungkook was careful not to pull your hair too hard, but he did start resisting a bit more to encourage you to move and fight more quickly. And while it should have taken you a little longer to get him to the ground each time you attacked with new vigor, making sure you moved fast enough that he couldn't resist too much. 

Jungkook smiled at you as you hovered your fist in front of his face menisenly, your face stelled and set in concentration. After a few more rounds of grabbing your hair at various angles, the defensive move came naturally to you, and you got him on the ground successfully each time. 

"Good, good, okay, let's move on," he said breathlessly as you helped him up from the ground. 

"I'm going to teach you an easy one; it's what you do if a man grabs you around the wrist." He explained, walking closer. 

"Grab my wrist, and grip it tight," he ordered. 

You did as he instructed, although your fingers couldn't fully wrap around it. 

If he moved to pull out of your grip, he could do it easily, but to your surprise, he didn't yank downwards like your dad always told you to do to get out of a man's grasp. 

"You can yank and pull all you want, and that may get you out, but some guys will be able to just grip harder, and you're more at risk of injuring yourself," he explained, giving a light tug in your grasp. 

"Instead, place your other hand on top of his to hold it down. Use the hand in their grasp to grip their wrist for a more secure hold. Then swing your arm in a large circle, grab their wrist, and push down." 

You stumbled with a gunt as he followed through with his actions, using his free hand to hold yours against his wrist, and wrapping his captured hand around your wrist as he swung his arm in a large arc, effectively taking your arm and positioning at an awkward angle behind you before shoving you forward and onto your knees.

 Jungkook was careful not to push too hard to hurt you, but the discomfort was inevitable. 

"Alright, then you push him down and disengage, do not try to keep hold of a man that's bigger than you. Safety always comes first run if you can," he explained before releasing your hand and helping you up. 

"This move is a good one because it doesn't require strength. You're stronger than I thought you were, but guys still have weight and height to their advantage." Jungkook explained as he reached for your wrist, effectively circling his fingers around it to the point where his thumb and middle finger overlapped. 

You tried not to smile to yourself at the thought of Jungkook recognizing your strength. You never liked to be considered delicate. 

Jungkook once again explained the maneuver walking you through each step and critiquing your hand placement before you were ready to try it in real-time. 

You tried the maneuver on him swinging his arm before pushing him to the ground, and while he resisted the pressure, you smiled in victory as he fell to his knees. 

"That was good, but a bit quicker, the surprise is a contributing factor, anyone who's expecting it can get out of it," he offered. He drilled you on the process a few more times, making sure you moved in one fluid motion instead of initiating it step by the step before ordering you to try with your non-dominant hand. 

It was your third try with your non-dominant hand when things went wrong. 

You grew a little vicious moving faster so you could get him down before he had time to react or resist, and you shoved a bit harder. He fell to his knees with a harsh thud, but it was the way that he desperately yanked his wrist out of your grip with a sharp cry that set off red flags in your head. 

"Jungkook," you cried, falling on your knees next to him to see him cradling his arm to his chest. 

"It's fine," he said through his teeth. You glared as you reached for his hand, remembering that it was the same wrist he injured three weeks prior when he got jumped. 

"Oh, you idiot, where is your brace?" you demanded as you inspected the swollen appendage. 

He didn't respond, only smiled at you sheepishly. "Have you been lifting weights without it? Have you let it rest at all?" you demanded as you got up, pulling him up with you and dragging him out the boxing area, you had claimed. 

You continued to lecture him and gripe under your breath as you dragged him, by the good wrist, down the stairs, and through the gym to the ice machine where you wrapped a few cubes of ice into a wad of paper towels. 

"Here idiot," you offered grumpily.

"Is this how you talk to all your patients, Doctor?" he asked mockingly as he took the makeshift ice pack.

Bedside manner was something you were going to have to work on in med school. 

You get easily frustrated when people blatantly ignore doctors' orders and further jeopardize their health. If you have liver problems, stop drinking. If you have lung problems, don't smoke. If you have an injured wrist, put it in a damn brace and don't lift weights or pick fights with people. 

You told him as much as you watched him ice it for a few minutes though the action did little to help the swelling go down. 

"Are you mad at me?" Jungkook asked softly, not quite looking at you.

He peeked up to see your eyes soften a bit at the question, "I'm not mad, just a little frustrated. You're my friend, and I don't want to see you hurt. Especially since I was the one that hurt you," you explained, reaching to brush his sweaty bangs behind his ears.  

Jungkook tried to ignore how his chest tightened at the simple action, "It was my fault, you were only doing what I told you to do." he offered, not wanting you to feel responsible for his stupidity. 

You didn't look up at him, instead focusing down on his wrist, turning and angling it in a way that you could better check the swelling. 

"I have supplies at home, I could wrap it if you like?" you offered

"I'm really fine. It doesn't even- yah! Okay," he hissed as you applied light pressure to it. You smiled in victory, and the two of you parted ways briefly to grab your bags before meeting back up. Jungkook drove to school, so you didn't have to worry about catching the bus. 

It was a quick drive from campus to your apartment, Jungkook nimbly avoided the traffic of main roads by cutting through neighborhoods you didn't even know connected. 

"You know this city like the back of your hand, don't you?" you asked, surprised by how quickly you were pulling into your apartment complex. 

"It comes with the job," he said with a shrug. 

You didn't know what 'the job' was. If it was driving a getaway car or dealing drugs, or... you couldn't even think up other possibilities. 

You couldn't muster up the courage to ask him as you made your way up the stairs to your door. A brown and black cat with bright green eyes waited outside your door, meowing impatiently as you approached. 

"That's Jeremy," you introduced as you bent down to give him pets. Jungkook smiled at the ridiculously human name for a cat. 

"He's a stray, but I leave food out for him.  Hoseok won't let me bring him in the apartment. ‘Says he'd trash the place," you explained as you grabbed the little bowl you left outside your door and unlocked your apartment. 

"But he's so cute, how can you resist?" he questioned giving the cat some pets himself.

"I know!" you whined, setting the now filled bowl of cat food back on the ground. "I'm thinking about getting him a collar, though, just to make sure animal control doesn't come to scoop him up," you said offhandedly. 

"I say you just let him move in, fuck Hoseok. We're mad at him anyway, right?" Jungkook said jokingly. 

You laughed along as you made your way to the living room area, "Take a seat," you ordered, gently pointing to the couch, "I'll go grab my first aid kit."

Jungkook sat down immediately, sinking into the worn brown couch as he inspected the apartment. It wasn't quite a studio, the entire front area was open to what was the kitchen, dining room, and living room, but there was a door that gave the bedroom some privacy, and another door that leads to what he assumed was the bathroom. 

The apartment wasn't dirty, but it was well lived in. 

The front was slightly crowded, the entertainment center and the coffee table in front of the couch were nearly touching. You had two bean bags stacked in the corner next to the sofa, probably for when you had more guests. And there was an array of fuzzy blankets draped over the couches and piled next to the bean bag chairs. 

The one window next to the door had various potted plants scatted in front of it and a few were hanging from ropes in the ceiling.

 Most of them looked the be herbs and cacti. Jungkook could tell by the way sprouts were missing their leaves that you most likely cooked with them. 

The natural smell of the plants scented the air with a mild and refreshing spice scent of mint, basil, and rosemary. But the strongest scent came from the pot of wild lavender that was placed next to the couch. The floral scent put him at ease naturally and reminded him of the time Jin put lavender drops in his diffuser when he complained about having a hard time sleeping. 

The kitchen was small, the cabinet doors were on crooked hinges, and perhaps had chipped paint, but you had taped little slivers of miss-matched scrapbook paper over the worst spots. And the look was pleasantly charming. There was no counter space, but he saw a small card table in the corner with a knife block and cutting board on it that you must use for your prep station when your cooking. 

 The dining room table had three miss-matched chairs, but the little cushions on them somehow tied the whole look together and made it seem like a matching set.

 Everything looked thrifted and worn, but the little touches you added, the cushions and pillows on the couch, the small tapestry of cacti Jungkook was pretty sure every college girl ordered for her dorm room, and the fairy lights that lined the living room walls made the place feel cozy and homey. 

He could see a little part of you in every piece of the apartment, and because of that he immediately felt at ease, and at home in it. He imagined you and Hoseok must spend many nights in the cozy room, cooking dinner together, or having long movie nights. 

He couldn’t help but slip himself into the fantasy and wondered if there would ever be a day where this apartment would be a familiar comfort. If he would know the story of how you got those chairs or where the photos pinned to the refrigerator door were taken.

You were thankful that the front of your apartment was at least presentable with the surprise company. Your room was a train wreck you planned to keep hidden. After digging through your closet for your first aid kit, you cleared your coffee table of its mess of textbooks and flashcards and set your first aid kit on top. Jungkook's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he took in the size of the kit. It looked fit for an EMT. 

You detoured to the kitchen, first grabbing an ice pack out the freezer and handing it to him. 

"You might have strained it a little while you were driving, I want as much swelling as possible to go down before I wrap it," you explained.

 Before you ruffled through the kit, moving several tools, Jungkook didn't quite know the purpose for, until you grabbed a bottle of ibuprofen. "Take this for the swelling," you ordered, handing him a cup of water. 

"Thanks, I'm sorry to put you through the trouble," he said sheepishly. 

"No, I don't mind." you amended. And it was true, helping people like this, easing their pain and making them more comfortable was something you took pride in doing. 

You could feel the approaching awkward silence, and you took the chance to ask the question that was nagging at the back of your head. 

"So earlier you said knowing the city 'comes with the job' what do you do? Ya know, for BTS?" you asked hesitantly as you pushed back at the cuticle of your thumb. You were lucky not to have a nail-biting habit, but you did have a habit of pushing back your cuticles when you got fidgety. 

"Oh umm, it kinda changes over time, the inner circle has responsibilities and such, but our duties are pretty ambiguous. We don't have assigned jobs like Armys do.." Jungkook said hesitantly. 

You looked at him expectantly, and he continued, "Like Suga Hyung is head of surveillance, but he also does investigations and fieldwork and such. And Jin Hyung is head of intelligence, but he also does a lot of the business for BulletProof, and he completely runs Sugar Daddy. Jimin is our arsonist, but he can fight, and deal, and do a lot of things really," he said, rambling. 

"I'm sorry, did you just say Jimin is an arsonist?" you asked in disbelief. Jungkook looked at you, shocked but nodded. 

"He's really good at science stuff, that's why he bakes so good." Jungkook offered as an explanation. 

You think back to the chemistry lectures you had to sit through every time Jimin taught you a new recipe. It made sense, but you were still surprised. You would expect something like arson to be more in V's field with the crazy look in his eyes. 

"Okay, but you still haven't told me what you do," you pushed. 

At this point, Jungkook's ice pack was starting to drip, and you were probably good to wrap his wrist, but you were too caught up in better understanding BTS and everything that they do. 

Jungkook huffed out a nervous laugh, "I do lots of stuff. When I first started, I was dealing. I worked my way up to more of the pharmaceuticals and medical-grade stuff. I mostly sold insulin or other simple medicines like that. The pharmacy industry is way corrupt, and poor people need meds too, ya know?" he rambled.

 You nodded in agreement. Pharmaceuticals and health care expenses were something you were continually challenging your teachers on in your ethics class. You hated becoming a doctor knowing health care was a business people monopolized in Alcorn. 

"I've helped Suga with surveillance some I really like that. I'm studying software engineering to get better at it. I think I'm faster at hacking than Suga is at this point, but don't tell him I said that. I've also just kind of been the muscle for the inner circle. When RM and Jin have meetings, I always go as back up. I lead training sessions and help teach new recruits how to fight, too." he went on.

Jungkook didn't want to tell you the other reason why he went to meetings.

For some reason, he felt like telling you he's the heir of BTS wouldn't sit with you well. To know that he was training to be a crime lord and was minoring in business so he could perfect the art of embezzlement and make network connections while taking classes with the next generation of Alcorn's businessmen and investors. 

He didn’t want to talk about how BTS had a timeline of working its way out the gang scene of the Westside and worm their way into the upper East. RM runs BTS more like a mafia, a family with limitless assets and connections, depending more on his and Jin's charm and connections than violence and brute force to make business deals. 

Jungkook also didn't know how to tell you or any of his hyungs that he didn't want to be rich.

 He knows he's in no position to complain, he's been living a life of luxury since he was 15, but he knows that money isn't being distributed equitably to Army and other lower ranks of BTS. 

RM always reminds Jungkook, it's not their responsibility to share evenly with all of BTS. There would be no assets, no way to recruit more members, no comfort for everyone if they did.

 There is nothing to keep Army from climbing their way up the ranks in BTS. RM has the baseline standard of ensuring everyone's needs are met; they have a home and a job. What they chose to do with their potential after that is up to them. You get out of BTS, what you give.

 And Jungkook understands that, but he still can't shake the feeling of unease from his chest. That BTS could be using their power and influence, not to invade the markets of the upper East, but instead to make the Westside a better place. 

He knew he was stupid for having dreams of non-profits and housing reforms, but he can't keep those feelings from nagging at him from the back of his mind. 

Jungkook's rambling fell quiet, and you could see the conflict on his face. Maybe you were pushing for too much too soon. Maybe BTS expected things from Jungkook that he was ashamed of like Hoseok was ashamed. 

"I shouldn't have asked," you said, reaching for his hands. 

"No, it's okay. It's just more complicated then I realized," he explained as he watched you wipe the water from the ice pack off his arm. 

You dug through the first aid kit for some gauze and butterfly strips, "I'm sorry if it's a little tight. I'm a low on gauze, "you said as you started wrapping the bandage, taking care to make sure his hand was set in the proper position. 

The two of you fell into small talk as you started to work. 

You talked about your classes, what your favorite pastry was at Sugar Daddy. He asked you about where you were from and whether or not you missed your home.

And it was an answer you always struggled to give, because while a piece of you always yearned to be home, to talk in your native tongue, and see your family. You know you could never bring yourself to return home. Alcorn has rooted itself so firmly in you; you don't think you'll ever leave. 

You found yourself losing track of time, as you told him stories of the funny cultural differences between your home and Kros. And too soon you noticed the sun had set in your window. 

"Jungkook, you missed your class," you exclaimed as you remembered he was only at the gym for a short break. 

He flashed his bunny smile as he chuckled, "I missed both of them, but I don’t mind. But I probably should head home soon. I have a ton of homework, and you mentioned you have a test in two days." he said with a sigh. Being such a responsible adult was such a burden sometimes. 

He wanted nothing more, but to talk with you more for hours into the night and morning.

"Of course, sorry for keeping you so late, and sorry for the shitty bandage job. I really need to go get more gauze." you rambled nervously as you got up to accompany him on the three-foot walk it takes to get from the couch to your door. 

You barely had enough gauze to properly wrap around his wrist, you had to get creative and use tape and butterfly bandaids to stretch across the bits of fabric that doesn’t meet to secure it together. 

"It's fine, it's fine," he amended as he laughed nervously, "besides, I have my brace in the car," he admitted nervously—his uninjured hand traveling to rub the back of his neck.

You stared at him in fake outrage, "You had your brace this whole time? Why did you-"

"I wanted to hang out with you," he said, shyly effectively putting your overdramatic reaction to a halt as you flushed. 

"Well then ask to grab a coffee or watch a movie, don't waste my precious medical supplies." you teased as you opened the door for him. 

His eyes lit up in response as he turned back to face you. 

"So would you? Want to hang out again sometime?" he asked his doe eyes shining so bright you swear it was an ability he actively abused. 

"I'll have to check my calendar, but I think I can manage to squeeze it in, but first, we should both get through test week," you said, trying to keep a cool tone. 

Jungkook’s nose scrunched slightly as he flashed you a bunny toothed smile, and you couldn’t contain your own as he wished you a good night and heading home. 

You watch from your door as he made his way down the stairs and to his car. Jungkook turned and looked at you over his shoulder three times as he made the descent, flashing you a small smile and wave each time he did. 

Finally, he made it to his car giving one final wave before he buckles in his pulled out of sight. You moved to close the door sighing as you added Jeon Jungkook to the list of confusing emotions spiraling through your life. 

You felt a soft nudge and looked down to see Jeremy meowing at you, demanding more food as if he didn't have a full bowl next to him. 

You should be scoffing at the audacity of this cat, but instead, Jeon Jungkook has you smiling softly over the memory of how he bent down and gave the kitty some pets while still in his workout clothes from before. The juxtaposition of his tone tattooed arm petting Jeremy’s soft fur would haunt you in the back of your mind for a while. 

Jeremy meowed at you again, and you sighed, reaching for his bowl. "Get in here," you called and watched as Jeremy happily trotted into the house. 

And you smiled proudly to yourself as you watched the kitty explore his new home, sniffing at your lavender plant with piqued interest.

Fuck Hoseok's rules, You have a pet cat now. 

Next >>

#bts fic #jungkook x reader #bts gang au #btsghostie #bangtanhq #bangtanscenery #btsbookclub #btsguild #bts mafia au #gangster jungkook #gangster yoongi #gangster hoseok #ganagster jimin #no harm list

[thelovelyghostwriter]

(via https://open.spotify.com/playlist/52aFxZiF6IhgLaj8Zzj3hU?si=2HFVzdSQT0WZ_fxe4gNniQ)

1. Million Dollar Man by Lana del Ray

You're screwed up and brilliant Look like a million dollar man So why is my heart broke?

We all know Kurapika is now the Nostrade Family Young Boss. He provides the money for Neon now by revamping their business model. He literally saved her family from financial crisis, he can provide her anything, she likes him a lot no matter how messed up he is - but why is she still “broke”.

2. National Anthem by Lana del Ray

Money is the reason we exist Everybody knows it, it's a fact (Kiss, kiss)

This song talks about the excess of materials, drugs, drinking, wealth and sex. A girl having a rich handsome man that gives her everything and he can’t keep her hands off of her. Sounds like Kurapika being in the mafia underworld and making tons of money; Neon bathing materialism as both gets drunk in love and sex? Heck yeah.

3. Young and Beautiful by Lana del Ray

Will you still love me when I'm no longer Young and beautiful? Will you still love me when I got nothing But my achin' soul?

This is the theme song for movie The Great Gatsby. @anotherworldash​ always paralleled the relationships between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan with Kurapika and Neon. Gatsby desired Daisy because she represents the old money wealth that Gatsby longed for as a child. He became rich through illegal activities. Kurapika desired adventure and for their eyes to be appreciated (and not called a demon for it), which Neon appreciates their eyes as beautiful (even though now it’s in a twisted way. Daisy and Neon are very similar characters who bathes in materialism because they are despondent.

4. Dress by Taylor Swift

Only bought this dress so you could take it off.

Her wedding dress on their wedding night when they finally consummate their marriage. Duh.

5. Daddy Issues by Demi Lovato

Addicted to love with the wrong one Lucky for you, I got all these daddy issues

100% Neon and her daddy issues. She’s always with insane messed up men like Kurapika and also Chrollo because she never had a good upbringing to begin with.

6. Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding and Earned It by The Weekend

Are we going to put more saucy 50 Shades of Grey OSTs for this hot pairing? Heck yeah we are.

7. A Little Death by The Neighbourhood

I want you to touch me there Make me feel like I am breathing Feel like I am human.

She sought death on a queen-sized bed And he had said, "Darling, your looks can kill, So now you're dead."

This one’s interesting. So the title is based on the French phrase La petite mort  to describe post-orgasm. The song describes two people having sex, finding solace in one another and “experiencing death”. Kurapika and Neon are two wounded souls - Kurapika’s tragic past and Neon’s lack of love from her father.

Also, Nostrade is from Nostradamus - a French astrologer, physician and reputed seer. I can totally see Neon speaking to Kurapika in French. OOF sexy.

T’as d’beaux yeux, tu sais? (You have beautiful eyes, you know?)

8. Requiem Arena, The Phantom Elegy and Kurapika’s Theme aka Hiiro no Hitom (Hunter x Hunter OST)

I know the first two are the Phantom Troupe theme songs, but this also reminds me of YorkNew City arc and Kurapika so yes it’s gonna be here.

9. Afterglow by Taylor Swift

I lived like an island, punished you with silence Went off like sirens, just crying Why'd I have to break what I love so much?

This gives me imagination if Kurapika and Neon ever gets into quarrels, and Neon feels guilty about her petty tantrums because she doesn’t want to lose him.

10. Run To You by Whitney Houston

OMFG. This song is 100% KuraNeon bodyguard-boss situation. So this song was actually from this movie called The Bodyguard (1992). It’s a story about a celebrity in danger, so she hired a bodyguard to protect her. Both don’t really like each other at first, but they eventually fall in love. Sounds like Kurapika and Neon? YES! This was actually the movie that made me think KuraNeon is possible.

The first verse describes Neon:

I know that when you look at me There's so much that you just don't see But if you would only take the time I know in my heart you'd find A girl who's scared sometimes Who isn't always strong Can't you see the hurt in me? I feel so all alone

Neon is actually a really lonely girl and locked up in the bubble. She may be smiling, but deep down she’s not okay.

The second verse describes Kurapika:

Each day, each day I play the role Of someone always in control But at night I come home and turn the key There's nobody there, no one cares for me What's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams Without someone to share it with Tell me what does it mean?

Kurapika always appear calm and stoic, but really, he has a sad past. His sole purpose now is to collect his brethren’s Eyes, and to take revenge. But does that make him happy? No, he’s lonely too. Don’t worry Pika you can collect the Scarlet Eyes with Neon.

11. Love Theme and Apollonia (The Godfather movie OST)

What’s a KuraNeon song without a mafia-themed love song?

12. California King Bed by Rihanna

So confused wanna ask you if you love me But I don't wanna seem so weak

I always have this headcanon (and also some other shippers) that their relationship will start off as something physical attraction first? Then it grows from there when both of them starts blurring the lines. 

13. Pavane for A Dead Princess 

Okay, this is classical music is just... we don’t really know if Neon is dead in the current arc (although I believe that she’s not dead and Chrollo’s speculation is only a false narrative). 

But if Togashi does decide to kill her off, I think this song is so fitting for her. Given that she has Princess Syndrome. 

Even if Neon’s alive, I don’t think she is living the best life. Personally, I think she’s a princess-sy girl with a dead soul. She collects dead body parts because she has no sympathy for the dead, partly because of her upbringing. Very interesting. 

This classical music is actually my inspiration for Melody’s music box gift for Neon in Chapter 4 of my KuraNeon fanfic https://archiveofourown.org/works/27963668/chapters/70030809

14. All Too Well by Taylor Swift 

Okay, this is the one song I always think of if I’m going to write about Kurapika leaving Neon for the Dark Continent. 

Maybe we got lost in translation Maybe I asked for too much But maybe this thing was a masterpiece Till you tore it all up

This is a very powerful breakup song, and one of Taylor Swift’s best! (I’m a Tay fan actually). 

15. King of My Heart by Taylor Swift 

Is the end of all the endings? My broken bones are mending With all these nights we're spending Up on the roof with a school girl crush Drinking beer out of plastic cups Say you fancy me, not fancy stuff

We all know Kurapika is the King of Neon’s heart. <3 

16. Lucky by Britney Spears

If there’s nothing missing in her life, then why do tears come at night? 

Not really a KuraNeon song, but more for Neon. She seems like a rich girl, but she’s lonely and incomplete deep down. Her father is using her as a cash cow, much like how Britney Spear’s situation is right now. 

17. For the Love of A Daughter by Demi Lovato

Don't you remember, I'm your baby girl? How could you throw me right out of your world? So young when the pain had begun Now forever afraid of being loved

This song... gets me so sad. Not really a KuraNeon song but I think it describes Neon’s situation with her father a bit, particularly this verse. 

Okay, I will continue explaining the rest soon. 

#kuraneon #kuraneo

[bluebird-in-a-cagedrawing]

You've been visited by the random OC question fairy! :D ~☆

Does your character listen more to their head or heart? Do their emotions control them, or do they control their emotions? Has there been a time when they've regretted following their emotions or head?

Bella the cat:Her head, she has control over her emotions, yes, only two times.

Alvirey the white shadow:Her head, her emotions controls her, no.

Clarisa:Her heart, she is in control, everytime.

Dandelion the white flower: Her head, she controls her emotions, no.

Melinoë the princess of nightmares:Her heart, emotions controls her, yes, that one time.

Lumboo the light ghost:Their heart, they have control over them, no.

Bumpkin:Her heart, her emotions controls her, yes.

Bunten:His head, he controls his emotions, no.

Elly the snow cat:Her head, she controls her emotions, no.

Muffy:Her heart, emotions controls her, no.

Milky way:Her heart,emotions controls her, yes.

Domie Ray:His head, emotions controls him, no.

Vulpinio the mafia cat:His head,he controls his emotions, yes.

Thank you for the ask! 🌹

#ask and answer

[lottiepumpkinofficial]

Rosewood characters as out of context things I’ve said:

Lola: I mean unless drinking maple syrup makes us drop dead I don’t think Canadians are the plague

Raphael: slibber you dingle

Percy: he’s looking at me while he eats pork crackling

Micky: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Ani: Stuart est très méchant :(

Saskia: don’t worry, I’m not planning on killing you ;)

Jamie: why were you in possession of a mannequin?

Lottie: actually it’s Saskia’s fault for killing me with coronavirus in mafia

Ellie: my mum has decided we’re making a shrine for you and princess Diana

Binah: are you talking about eating children again?

[kira-fluff]

could you do a request with MC having tons of beautiful tattoos all over her (like her stomach, arms, thighs, and hands) with RFA?

Sorry this is such a looooong wait!! I’ve been meaning to get back into writing. Anyways here you go anon! P.S. I also added a little surprise at the end ;) 

Yoosung 

-Yoosung would be very surprised at first

 -Like

-“WHOAA that’s SuPeR CooL”

-You’d grin as you show him the tattoos coating almost every inch of your body

-Won’t stop talking about how you like one of his favorite video game characters

-Often asks you to cosplay

-And if you’re up for it, then you’d go quite often to Cons and LARPs with Yoosung

-And get lots of compliments

-But not just about your tattoos ;)

-You laugh it off and thank them with a smile

-Until you turn and see a little pout on Yoosung’s face

-You bite back a smile

-“What’s wrong, Yoosung?”

-He’d continue to pout until you pester him a bit longer

-He finally gives in eventually, despite his stubborn personality

-Because you’re you.

-And Yoosung can never say no to you

-He’d slowly make out the words to tell you

-“…I just don’t like all those guys looking at you…”

-You bit you lip to keep you from laughing

-“Yoosung…I’m cosplaying..they’re supposed to look at me”

-“WELL NOT LIKE THAT!!”

-“Like what?”

-“Like you’re some,,,some sNaCK!”

-Oh?

-You have failed, you’re bursting out laughing

-“Y/N it’s not funny! Seriously!!” he’d cry out in frustration

-But you’re laughing at his jealousy

-Because…

-Does he not realize you’re already his?

Zen

-So as you all know

-Zen used to be the “baddest boy”

-…..sure Zen….

-When he meets you and sees all the tattoos decorating your arms as well as you neck and legs

-“..You know, Y/N, I used to have a friend that had a ton of tattoos too”

-Thinks it makes you the edgiest thing ever

-Brags about you ALL THE TIME in the RFA chat rooms

-“JUST LOOK AT HOW GORGEOUS SHE IS”

-“Zen. Its 3am. Go to sleep.”

-“Shut up trust fund”

-Lowkey thinks you have a dark past

-“Zen stop i’m not that edgy”

-Always begging you to wear his leather jackets

-The Edgiest Couple?™

-Nope

-Smooth rides on his motorcycle

-“Zen were you in a gang”

-“WHAT NO WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?!”

-“A mafia boss”

-“….really?”

-Despite all your tattoos he still treats you like a princess

-As he should

-In fact, he calls you a princess all the time

-“Princess, wanna go on a ride?”

-CONSTANTLY COMPLIMENTING YOUR TATTOOS

-As well as your face, hair, body, etc.

-Ok pretty much all aspects of …you

-Sometimes he’ll trace the designs of your tattoos

-He’s just in awe at the beautiful art that is you

Jaehee

-Not judgemental at all

-Jaehee is the type to believe that the choices you make in life are your own decisions and shouldn’t be judged

-She finds many of the tattoos to be really pretty!

-Scolds those who try to embarass you in public that say your tattoos are “too much”

-Honestly in general she’s very respectful of people’s lifestyles as long as it’s not affecting their health

-At first she may be a little surprised

-But she knows it doesn’t matter :)

-Jaehee is also very supportive of you (really about anything in life)

-Somewhat similar to Zen she’d compliment the artistry of the tattoos

-Jaehee likes to appreciate the small things as well

-So she’d give very heartfelt compliments about you as well

-And when you come to her crying one day because, yet again, your relatives all went off on their rants of how you are “going to regret your foolish decisions later”

-Jaehee consoles you telling you that their opinions have no value

-That you shouldn’t listen to them as they obviously don’t understand that this is your decision and therefore your choice

-Obviously she’s also the mom friend so she’s always checking up on you when you aren’t with her

-Because she loves you

-And nothing will change that

Jumin

-If I’m being honest he might be a bit less supportive :/

-“Y/N I do not see why this would be ethical nor why it is necessary”

-“Jumin, I didn’t do this because it was necessary, I decorated my body because I wanted to. You have your way and I have my way.”

-That shut him up

-But he’d also be worried because “how are you going to be able to get an MRI if you get hurt”

-That’s mainly his concern

-He’s not really one to say that you “will regret your decision later” because he believes that you can do whatever you want

-He just doesn’t understand the reason why

-And as I said earlier, his concern for you.

-But after a short time of convincing, he’d give into you.

-He always does.

-But also because you got pretty upset

-And he of course felt horrible

-He’d try to apologise with gifts but after seeing you reject them all he’d realize that all you ever wanted was his acceptance

-And so with no hesitation he would run up to you and hug you whispering of how he was wrong, as well as the beauty that you are

—And then it’s all in the past

-Eventually he’ll probably get a tattoo of Elizabeth III because CatDads.com said it is the utmost display of love to your cat

-(You’ll find out later this website was made by Seven as a payback prank for all the trouble Jumin caused you)

-Also he would of course get a tattoo of your name in Chinese

-Reporters would go crazy with outlandish headlines

-“IS JUMIN HAN GOING THROUGH A PHASE?!”

-“JUMIN HAN SEEN GOING ROGUE AFTER DATING NEW GIRL”

-“WHAT IS THIS PHENOMENON?!”

-All you and Jumin did was laugh at the headlines, going about your lives

-Unless someone publicly offended you

-Then Jumin would definitely bite back

-Almost arrested someone

-“Jumin stop”

-“Mr. Kim. Send support to coordinates…”

-“JUMIN OH MY GOD”

-“Y/N i’m not making the same mistake again”

-He still feels bad about it..

-“Jumin it’s ok. All is forgiven”

-You still find it endearing that he cares this much for you though

Saeyoung/Seven

-Lots of laughter

-He’d known for a while but when he first saw you in person he was still laughing

-Not at you but at the parallel from the way you talk in the chat rooms compared to real life

-Calls you the edgelord

-Also lowkey wants to get matching tattoos with you

-Sometimes he’d mess around with you kissing your neck but saying “I was just kissing your tattoos lolol”

-Lots of tattoo memes?? Like where did he even find these??

-Turns out he made them himself

-Also since he’s such a considerate person he’d look for clothes that compliment your tattoos

-Well….anything looks beautiful on you so…

-He also really likes when you wear a swimsuit because he gets to see (almost) every inch of your body, and all the art displayed on it

-Sometimes he’ll draw little designs or cats on unmarked parts of your skin

-Calls you his “work of art”

-Among other things

-He also spams the chat room with cute pictures of you and your tattoos

-Like Zen, a LOT of bragging to the other RFA members  

-“Seven we’ve heard enoughh stop hogging the chat”

-Uses the “is this allowed” meme/vine unironically whenever you get another tattoo

-He’s only joking tho

-Sees anyone with a tattoo and asks if its your sibling or long-lost cousin

-“No seven no”

-knows you’re a bad bitch

-Yet he still likes to be you Defender 707!

BONUS!

Saeran/Unknown

-“You’re just like me”

-Really likes your tattoos

-People in public are a little intimidated by this PowEr CouPle

-All the swirls and designs don’t go unnoticed by others either

-He kinda glares at them if he seems anyone checking you out

-Lets just say they go away with their tail in between their legs

-He always compliments your tattoos as well

-I mean seriously

-“Y/N. You’re so beautiful.”

-Just like Seven he’d want to get a matching tattoo

-He’d always blush when he’d wonder where else you might have tattoos

-He’s a bean ok

-But also he can’t stop thinking about it

-He’d bite his lip

-When you finally ask and he tells you, you’d laugh

-You lift up your shirt to show your stomach is also completely decorated with tattoos as well

-He’d blush an even deeper red cuz the boy is too pure

-But he’d grab your arm, pulling you toward him before kissing you softly

-Because you’re a masterpiece

Wowww ok so I’m really sorry for our inactivity but I’m baack ! I love you guys! Keep sending requests in! 

-Elly 

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