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honnelander · 8 months

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go fish!

so i fell in love with Sanji just like everyone else. i've never seen the one piece anime or read the manga so i'm solely going off of the live action. i had fun writing this and plan to make this a series of some sorts where it's a fem!reader x Sanji moments of awkwardness, fluff, and mutual pining because i love reading that stuff myself. if anyone has any suggestions or requests for this series please leave a comment or send me an ask!

WARNINGS: none

word count: 1.3k

pairing: opla!sanji x reader

summary: reader and Usopp are playing a card game when Sanji finds them. teasing ensues.

prequel part 2 part 3 part 4 masterlist

“Care for a refreshment, Madam?” a smooth, deep familiar voice asked to your left, breaking your concentration on the card game in front of you.

“Hm?” you looked up from the cards in your hand and saw the Going Merry’s own chef looking down at you with a crooked, charming smile as he held a chilled glass bottle of water in his hand. “Oh, hey Sanji,” you greeted quickly with your usual smile as you looked back down at your hand. “What’d you say? Go fish Usopp.”

Your opponent across the barrel from you grumbled as he took the top card off the deck sitting between you both.

“I was just asking if the lovely madam sitting here would like a nice, cold refreshment on this particularly hot day?” Sanji asked again with a hint of amusement, his crooked smile deepening as he watched you study your hand once again.

“’Lovely madam’?” Usopp repeated sarcastically, his eyebrows pulling together. “What about offering her super buff, brave, and heroic opponent an ice-cold beverage instead?”

“Nope,” Sanji corrected, popping the 'p'. “Ladies first Usopp. Always.”

Even after knowing Sanji for a couple of months now, his consistent chivalry always managed to make your heart flutter.

You laughed lightly and couldn’t help but smirk as you said with a matter-of-fact, teasing tone, “Just say you wish you were a girl, Usopp. No judgment here.” You paused for a moment before asking, “You got the five of spades?”

“Now even though I would make an extremely attractive, gorgeous woman, I am a man through and through.” A grin broke out on Usopp’s face as he glanced at his hand and triumphantly called out, “Go fish, y/n.”

“Fair enough,” you hummed as you reached for a card. “And yes Sanji, I would love a glass of cold water. Thank you.” You shot a quick look of gratitude the chef’s way as you took a card from the deck.

Sanji placed the two glasses onto your makeshift barrell-table top he was holding in his left hand and started filling up the glasses with water. “Of course. Anything for the missus.”

Missus. Ugh. It made your heart skip a beat to hear him call you that. But you knew he didn’t really mean anything by it. It was just how Sanji spoke, forever the gentleman.

“Oof. If you keep sweet talking like that Sanji, you’re going to even make me blush, just like y/n,” Usopp joked.

Your eyes widened as your eyes snapped to look at your dumbass crewmate and friend sitting across from you. “I- I am not blushing Usopp!” God, if you both were using a real table instead of a barrel right now you would’ve broken his shine with your foot. You really weren’t blushing before but Usopp’s stupid comment definitely made your cheeks heat up now. “It’s the heat,” you hissed.

“’Heat’,” he mocked with air quotes and snorted. “Right.”

“I-” before you could defend yourself, Sanji spoke up.

“Actually,” the blonde chef chimed in with a light laugh as he filled the second glass, “that’s why I came over in the first place. You were looking a little flushed y/n, so I thought you guys could use a cold drink.”

Sanji’s words caused both you and Usopp to look up from your cards simultaneously, making eye contact with each other. A mischievous grin started to form on Usopp’s face as he saw the blush deepen on your face. You quickly looked back to your hand, suddenly finding the eight of clovers card extremely interesting.

Sanji saw you looking flushed? He saw you? From across the deck? From inside the kitchen’s window? He was watching you play cards? The thought of Sanji watching you when you didn’t expect him to made your stomach erupt in butterflies, and it certainly didn’t make your stupid little crush on him go away. Just the opposite. In fact, it just fueled your delusional fantasy even more.

And it certainly didn’t help that the only person who knew about your crush on the head chef just so happened to have a big mouth and loved to tease you about it any chance he got. And that he was sitting right across from you right now, watching all of this unfold right in front of him.

“Oh? So you were watching y/n and I play cards out here?” Usopp innocently asked his blonde crewmate, but you knew better. There wasn’t an ounce of true curiosity in his tone whatsoever.

“Yeah, from the kitchen,” Sanji answered casually as he recapped the glass water bottle.

“Usopp,” you warned.

“And you said that she looked ‘flushed’?” Usopp asked, quirking a brow at the end of his question as he turned his gaze from you to Sanji.

Sanji blinked in confusion, his eyebrows knitting together for a second before looking down at his crewmate. “Yeah...” he said slowly before continuing, “Her cheeks looked a little pink so I figured-”

“Oh?” Usopp asked, his voice becoming louder. “You noticed the color of her cheeks, from that far away?”

“Usopp,” you hissed louder but it fell on deaf ears. Once your friend got on a roll, there was little anyone could do about it. Especially when it came to teasing you about your feelings for Sanji.

“Yeah,” Sanji replied to Usopp’s question with a confused smile. “What are you-”

“GO FISH!” you blurted out loudly, cutting Sanji off and having both men turn their eyes towards you.

“Huh?” Usopp blinked his eyes at you, suddenly remembering the game in front of him. “But I didn’t even ask you anything y/n. And you just drew a card, so it’s your turn to ask me.”

You let out a quiet sigh of relief at the fact that Usopp stopped grilling Sanji with all of those embarrassing questions right in front of you....even though you couldn’t help but perk up at the fact that Sanji in fact had been watching you from the kitchen, and that he was sweet enough to bring you (and Usopp) some water.

“Well, I tried,” you shrugged and lied, “but you just kept yapping so you didn’t hear me. Do you have the Queen of hearts?”

Usopp studied you for a brief moment before looking at his cards, smirking to himself. “You know y/n, it’s funny you asked about the Queen of hearts,” he said as he plucked the requested card from his hand and reached out to give it to you, “since you make heart eyes yourself whenever you look at-”

“GOOD game Usopp!” you practically yelled as you threw your cards down onto the barrel and stood up, hoping your outburst drowned out the name Usopp was about to so stupidly blurt out. You shook his free hand with both of yours as you said, “You totally win my friend.”

“What?” Sanji laughed slightly as he watched you and Usopp shake hands. The poor guy was as confused as ever. “But the game isn’t over.”

You looked Usopp dead in the eye as tightened your grip on his hand. “Oh no, it’s over. He definitely won.”

Yeah, he won alright. He won the game of making your life a living hell and embarrassing you in front of Sanji. He won the gold medal in that game.

“I sure did,” Usopp agreed triumphantly, putting his cards down.

You dropped his hand and took the glass of cold water that Sanji had so generously poured, the cold glass making you feel better already. “Thank you for this Sanji. I think I’ll go enjoy this on my hammock inside.”

You couldn’t bear to look at Sanji, feeling humiliated for no reason with your face on fire, you stepped away from the barrel sipping your water as you made your way across the deck towards the ship’s living quarters.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea y/n!” Usopp called, giddy from the high that could only come from successfully teasing a friend. “Maybe that’ll help calm down your flushed face!”

Before stepping inside, you flipped off a laughing Usopp, completely missing the brief look of disappointment in Sanji’s eyes as he watched you go.

#sanji x reader #sanji vinsmoke x reader #sanji #sanji vinsmoke #one piece #one piece live action #opla #one piece fanfiction #sanji fanfiction #fluff #opla fanfiction #i absolutely loved writing this and will write more #have this be a series of some sorts #bc who doesn't love idiots in love?#mutual pining #sanji x y/n #one piece x reader #go fish! au

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kvtie444 · 2 months

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˚｡⋆ SAY IT

a/n: this song and luv r on Chris's private playlist and im not over it.

warnings: NSFW, sex, oral, fingering, degrading, dom! chris, drinking, drugs

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I glance down at my drink, the ripples dancing to the beat of the heavy bass coming from the speakers near the back doors. My friends dragged me to this LA party, and as we stand by the pool, I spot a few influencers mingling around. Shifting my attention back to my friends, I smooth out my mini dress, just catching up and enjoying the conversation.

"He's such a fuckboy, I can bet you money he's gotten with at least half the girls here," my friend remarks, chuckling. I smile to myself before glancing over at the commotion. Drunk guys were playfully shoving each other into the pool, eliciting squeals from some girls who got splashed. The scene was chaotic, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of activity and the lack of people I actually knew here. I needed space.

"Yeah, he lied about a bunch of other shit too," one of my friends mentions, pulling me back from my thoughts. I zone out again, returning to people-watching until a familiar face catches my eye. Christopher Sturniolo. Obviously I knew who he was, even though he didn't follow me back on socials. Instead, he followed my friend, always liking her stories whenever I appeared in them.

As if feeling my gaze, he pivots away from his brothers, his icy blue eyes locking onto mine. My heart drops to my stomach as his gaze trails over my body. A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, as if he's just now realizing who I am. He runs his hand over his mouth briefly before lifting his red solo cup to his lips, all the while keeping his eyes locked with mine. I bite my lip nervously, feeling the tension thickening between us, before finally tearing my gaze away, breaking the connection first.

I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks, accompanied by the pounding of my heart against my ribs. With shaky hands, I take a final swig of my drink, the lingering taste of Hennessy and Coke swirling on my tongue. I try to calm myself down, reminding myself to relax. Why was I letting everything get to me like this? I needed to chill and just enjoy the party.

"I'm gonna go get another drink," I smile at my friends, excusing myself from the conversation. As I navigate through the tightly packed crowd, squeezing past bodies, I can't shake the feeling of eyes on me. Finally, I reach the doors, the music now blasting so loud in my ears that the lyrics are inaudible, and I can feel the bass vibrating through my bones. Pushing through more people, I finally make it to the kitchen.

I brought my own drink, not trusting any of the beverages here, so my stash was kept safely in my bag upstairs in one of the bedrooms. The only thing missing was a mixer. I grab a bottle of Diet Coke and pour it halfway into my cup, screwing the cap back on. As I do, I feel a chest brush up against my back, assuming it's just some random person due to the crowded space.

Turning around with my cup in hand, I freeze as I come face to face with Chris, towering above me. His eyes seem impossibly bluer up close, and I'm momentarily speechless.

I look up at him through my lashes, feeling the cool marble counter pressing against the small of my back. "Where have I seen you before?" he finally says, his voice smooth as honey. "I came with Mads," I reply, smiling up at him, my head tilting slightly to the side. He nods, a realization dawning on his face. "Y/N?" he asks, his voice turning my name into something sweet and melodic. He knew who I was. I nod in confirmation, offering him a shy smile.

"You look better in person, ma," he leans down closer to be heard over the loud music. The combination of his hot breath fanning over my neck and the endearing nickname sends a shiver down my spine. I feel myself clenching around nothing, my body reacting to his proximity in ways I can't control.

He pulls away, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes in my dumbfounded reaction. The tension between us is so palpable, you could cut it with a knife. Our eye contact is intense, locking us in a silent conversation that speaks volumes. The music that was once too loud to bear now fades into the background, practically inaudible as I lose myself in the depths of his piercing blue eyes.

His eyes break our intense gaze for a moment, flickering down to the drink I was holding, catching a glimpse of my cleavage before returning to meet my eyes. "Vodka coke?" he asks, making an assumption based on the empty bottles of Coke, Absolut and Ciroc scattered around the kitchen. I shake my head, correcting him, "Henny." He raises his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "Didn't know there was Henny here," he remarks with a smile, leaning in again. My nose brushes against his collar, and I catch a whiff of his cologne - Dior Sauvage. Fuck me.

"I brought my own, it's in my bag upstairs," I murmur into his ear, feeling a surge of confidence fueled by his energy. He shoots me another smirk, flashing his perfect teeth. In the dim lighting, I swear I catch a glimpse of a tooth gem on his canine, his big toothy smile making him look like a little kid on Christmas morning.

"You can have some if you want," I bat my lashes at him, now smiling myself. His broad chest rises and falls with a breath before he licks his lips. "I'd love that, mamas," he replies. What a fiend, but I don't mind. He's fine. Call me delusional, but right now, I seriously think I have a chance.

I move my hand to his bicep, feeling it slightly flex at the contact, before running my nails down his arm, eliciting a shiver from him. Reaching his elbow, I pull him gently, and he follows behind me as I navigate through the crowded room and out of the kitchen. His arm hairs raise against my warm touch as I lead him through the mass of people and towards the stairs.

When we reach the stairs, I slide my hand down his arm to his hand, which he eagerly intertwines with mine, locking our fingers together. I start to ascend the stairs, feeling his gaze on me as we climb. I catch him staring at my ass, my dress riding up slightly, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. As I turn back to him, his grin matches mine, and I continue up the final step.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I let go of his hand and lead him to the guest bedroom door. I push it open, flicking on the light as I step inside, followed by Chris who shuts the door behind him, the muffled sound of music now fading into the background.

I crouch down and retrieve my handbag from under the bed, pulling out the Hennessy bottle. Placing the cup down on the nightstand, I hear Chris walk beside me. He places one of his large, veiny hands on the small of my back, sending butterflies erupting through my body at the contact. He slides his hand to grip around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder as he watches me fill the remaining half of my drink with the cognac.

I take a sip from my cup as Chris leans over, his body craning over mine as he reaches for the bottle. I turn my head to look up at him, our eyes meeting as he takes a couple swigs before setting the bottle back down. With his hand still on my waist, he turns me around to face him, his touch now lingering just above my ass. I take another sip, holding his intense gaze before leaning back slightly to place the cup down, then stepping closer again.

Our chests are practically touching as he looks down at me with a predatory gleam in his eyes, as if I was his prey.

He licks his plump, pink lips before moving his hand up, his thumb grazing my lip. "Had my eye on you for a while," he mumbles, his voice now coarse with lust. I swallow nervously, eliciting a small, "Yeah?"

He hums in response, a low "mm" before tugging my bottom lip down with the pad of his thumb, watching it bounce back into place. His eyes shift up to meet mine for a brief moment before he leans in closer.

Like a magnet, I'm drawn to his movements, leaning in eagerly as our lips meet in a passionate kiss. I taste the Henny on his lips as our lips crash against eachother, his hand moving down to grab my ass, eliciting a gasp from me. He takes the opportunity to slide his tongue in, asserting his dominance without hesitation. His other hand stays on my jaw, his thumb caressing it gently before squeezing a bit tighter. Fuck, he was a good kisser.

As he pulls away from the kiss, a string of saliva connects our now bruised and swollen lips. The intensity of the moment leaves me breathless, my heart racing as I meet his gaze, the desire burning between us palpable.

He leans down, kissing my neck with a fervor that sends shivers down my spine. I feel him suck and slightly bite, causing my breath to hitch in anticipation. As he pulls away with a pop, I hear him admiring the mark before going back in to make it darker. His tongue soothes over the skin before he moves to another spot, eager to leave his mark.

My jaw goes slack as my left hand rests on his shoulder, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, while my other hand finds its way into his hair, gripping it tightly. He nibbles against my collarbone, causing me to gasp and instinctively tug at his hair, eliciting a groan against my skin that sends vibrations coursing through my body.

He peppers kisses up my neck to just below my ear, across my jawline, before crashing his lips to mine again. This time, the kiss is messier, full of teeth clashing and the sounds of our puckered lips smacking against each other, igniting a fiery passion that consumes us both.

His large hands reach below my thighs, giving them a firm squeeze as he effortlessly lifts me up as if I weighed nothing. I wrap my legs around his torso, maintaining the kiss as he carries me over to the bed. With a gentle drop, he lays me down on the mattress before crawling over my body, his chain dangling over me enticingly.

His lips trail down the exposed skin of my dress, his fists gripping the fabric against my hips as he sits back up on his knees, looming over my body for a moment. His eyes are dark and hooded as he grabs my left ankle, hooking it over his shoulder. He gives it a kiss before leaving a trail of kisses up my leg, sending shivers down my spine as he moves closer to where I need him the most.

My other leg instinctively goes over his left shoulder, causing him to smirk at my eagerness. "My girl's so needy," he teases, one hand rubbing up and down my thigh while his eyes roam hungrily over my body. His other hand pushes the bottom of my dress up, exposing my lower half, and my face flushes with heat.

He presses a kiss against my clit over my lace panties, eliciting a whine from me as my hips buck up, desperate for more. The sensation sends waves of pleasure coursing through me, and I arch my back, craving his touch.

He licks his lips before pulling my panties to the side, instantly in awe of the pooling mess between my legs. I feel his breath fanning over my heat, causing me to writhe, craving his touch. As if reading my mind, he finally reaches up, dragging his fingers up and down my folds, collecting my arousal on his fingers.

I whine against him as he pulls his fingers away and sucks them clean. "So sweet," he mumbles, looking up and holding eye contact with me as I bite my lip, desperate to relieve the tension building inside me.

Finally, he drags his thumb up to circle my clit, and my head instantly throws back, my mouth agape. The tension is finally cut, and it feels so fucking good.

He slaps my thigh, eliciting a moan from my swollen lips. "Look at me," he orders, his voice commanding. I squeeze my eyes shut as he speeds up his movements, the pleasure overwhelming me. With a shaky breath, I crane my head down to look at him.

As I do, he moves behind me, circling around my center with his pointer finger teasingly. His once blue eyes are now blown out with desire, sending a shiver down my spine. I grip the sheets beneath me tightly, my knuckles turning white as I succumb to the intense pleasure coursing through my body.

Suddenly, he dips his finger into me, curling it towards and thrusting instantly. "Fuck, Chris," I whine out, the words slipping from my lips like a porn star. He smirks to himself before adding another finger and speeding up his movements.

My jaw falls slack as I watch the concentration in his eyes, the sound of my wetness music to his ears. The sensation is overwhelming, pleasure coursing through me as he expertly works his fingers inside me. Every thrust sends waves of ecstasy crashing over me, and I can't help but moan louder, lost in the bliss of the moment.

I whine in protest as he pulls his hand away, but he uses his grip on my thighs to pull my heat closer to his face. Without hesitation, he dives his face between my folds, shaking his head from side to side. A loud, almost scream escapes my lips as his tongue flicks against my clit at an intense speed, causing me to squirm.

Chris doesn't like my attempt to wriggle away. He lets out an almost animalistic growl, vibrations echoing against me as he grips my hips and pins them down against the bed with a bruising, tight grip. My hands claw at his scalp, tugging at the roots as I'm lost in the overwhelming pleasure.

He moves his tongue down, sloppily making out with my pussy before dipping his tongue into my hole. "Chris," I whine out again, the sensations driving me wild. He repeats the motion, this time going deeper, and I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the knot in my stomach tightening with each delicious lick.

"Say my name, sounds so good coming out of your pretty mouth. Say it louder, baby," he smirks against me, his voice husky with desire. He moves his thumb up to my clit and starts to press against it, circling it with precision while simultaneously tongue-fucking me.

My grip on his hair tightens in response, causing him to groan against me, the vibrations sending waves of pleasure through my body. "Chris! Fuck, I'm gonna cum," I cry out, tears threatening to spill from the overwhelming sensation of pleasure coursing through me.

"Cum on my face, baby," he mumbles against me, his eyes flicking up to meet mine, eager to watch me come undone. As soon as the words leave his lips, the tension in my belly snaps.

I let out a high-pitched, pornographic moan as I cum around his face, waves of ecstasy crashing over me. The sensitivity becomes too much to bear as he continues to lick me clean, driving me to the brink of insanity with pleasure.

Finally, he pulls away, leaving me breathless and utterly satisfied, my body still buzzing with the aftershocks of pleasure. His chin and lips glisten with my arousal as my chest rapidly rises up and down, trying to catch my breath. Sweat causes my baby hairs to stick to my forehead, a testament to the intensity of our encounter.

He slightly smacks my thigh, bringing me back to the present moment. "You taste so fucking sweet, ma,"

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a/n: this was LOOONNGG but i was so close to using seeet sweet by travis scott for this omg. but lmk if u want a pt 2 u nasty freaks 😏

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tag list !!

@iloveneilperry @bernardenjoyer @daddyslilchickenfingers @mbbsgf @sturnvilmed @s1urnioloslvr @mattsbratt @mangoposts @christinarowie332 @recklesssturniolo @bluesturniolo333 @flowerxbunnie @kenzieiskoolaid @pepsiskiess @poopydroopt @byechristopher @solarsturniolo @m6ttsturniolo @lustfulslxt @stardustmf444 @thankyounextt @glossyfx @bellasturniolo @justurniolos @cl0esblogg @strumbolisworld @strniolosworld @chrisloyalgf @aliyahsbody @spideylovin @justangelheree @sturnioloenthusiast @nickmillersn1gf @soursturniolo@bernardenjoyer@stuniolobbg @luv4kozume@luvmxtt@urmommysbathroom@lexisecretaccx

#chris sturniolo #sturniolo triplets #matt sturniolo #nick sturniolo #matt sturniolo x reader #chris sturniolo x reader #angst #fluff #smut #imagine

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stvrni0lo · 9 months

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𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬

matt sturniolo x reader (fluff)

summary: you accidentally reveal to matt’s stream that you’re his s/o

warnings/notes: none (?)

requested?: yes

> > >

Matt had been huddled up in his room all day playing games with Nick and Chris. After being cooped up inside for the first half of the day, the boys had nothing to eat - so you kindly offered to bring them some takeout on your way there.

Chris eventually fled to the living room, bidding goodbye to the stream they began, and leaving Nick and Matt to continue playing in their respective rooms.

Unlocking the door to their apartment you were met with Chris’ excited yelps as he runs towards you. He practically steals the food from your arms and sprints to the kitchen.

“So much for a ‘hello, thank you for feeding me!’” you joke as you hold onto the drinks you bought them. Placing the cans onto the counter, you split the food and give Chris his share.

“Thank you for feeding me!” he yells behind him as he ran to sit on the couch. Rolling your eyes, you divided Nick, yours, and Matt’s food also. You take your shoes off and leave them in the hallway before walking to Chris and plopping onto the couch next to him. He was watching some American version of ‘Love Island’ that Nick recommended him.

Since it wasn’t of much interest to you, you get up to let him to eat his dinner in peace.

“I’m gonna go bring Matt’s food up - do you mind letting Nick know his is on the counter?” you said.

All you got was a mumble of agreement from him. Deciding that’s as good as you’re gonna get, you take the brown bag of food upstairs. What Chris had forgotten to mention was that Matt was on stream currently. With his camera on.

It’s not that the viewers didn’t know who you were, or that you hated being on camera. However, your relationship with Matt was kept away from the public eye - and you both wanted to keep it that way.

You knock on his door and wait for his response before walking in. He has his headphones on, clicking random buttons and yelling at Nick to heal him.

“I brought you food,” you say as you placed it on his bed, throwing his can of root beer next to it.

“You’re a Godsend, thank you,” he says, turning away from his computer to look at you.

“Hey,” he mumbles upon seeing you, cheeks tinted pink.

You were out of shot, but the viewers recognize your voice in an instant. The chat fills with people speculating why Matt was blushing so hard, and people commenting how cute it was that you bought him dinner.

All of this was completely unbeknownst to you, as you still thought he was just playing with his brother on call.

Matt rolls his chair over to grab his beverage and the bag of takeout. Walking away from him, you look around the room.

“If you’re not too busy can you help me look for my sweater? I think I left it here last night,” you say absentmindedly as you opened his closet.

At this, the comments went crazy.

Matt’s eyes widened. He looks at the screen, and then at you, and then at the chat. The comments were flying in at 120mph, with people typing in all caps.

Various messages were sent from: ‘I knew it!’ to ‘WHAT’ to complete and utter shock and chaos. Matt bursts out laughing as one in particular caught his eye - ‘MOM AND DAD’.

“What’s so funny?” you quip, raising your eyebrow, “you want your girlfriend to freeze to death?”

At this point there was no going back. No way in hell was there a way to cover that up.

Matt guilty looks up at you, gesturing to the screen.

“I’m live,” he says plainly.

“Oh.”

He holds his hand out to you and you take it, moving into the camera’s view. You wave.

“Hi guys!”

You look over at the chat and you’re surprised to see many supportive comments. ‘This is so cute’ - ‘Dying rn’ - ‘We knew’. Your face turns hot as you look down at your boyfriend, completely bewildered.

“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you,” Matt whispers.

You shake your head, kissing the top of his hair. “It’s okay, they were bound to find out soon enough.”

And with that, you say goodbye to the stream and sneak back downstairs to bring Nick his food; you knew Chris would forget to.

The rest of the stream was filled with Nick telling the comments to get over themselves, and Matt blushing each time your name was mentioned.

Maybe being public wouldn’t be so bad.

- - -

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭:

@lollibumblebee

@dwntwn-strnlo

@gracietaylorsversions

@20nugs

@thetriplets3

@stxrniqlo

@sunshinewwx

@gwenlore

@gabbylovesreading

@ssturniolo

@opheliaofficial07

#matthew sturniolo #matt sturniolo imagine #matt sturniolo x reader #matt sturniolo #sturniolo triplets #sturniolo triplets x reader #chris sturniolo #nick sturniolo #christopher sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo #chris sturniolo imagine #matthew sturniolo x reader #matt sturniolo x you

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diarioculto · 4 months

Text

KEEP IT COOL ( sebastian vettel x reader )

notes : hey everyone! it’s been a while since i’ve posted something & honestly, it’s good to be back! have this little seb drabble as i’m working on my bigger piece hehe let me know what you think of this since it was written by a very sleepy me!

this wasn’t your first time accompanying your boyfriend to the paddock. still, you weren’t completely used to the change of weathers yet.

it was a particularly hot day at the malaysian grand prix and being in the garage, surrounded by formula one cars, who tend to get extremely hot, probably wasn’t the best idea.

you tried your best to cool down your body temperature, to fanning your face with your hands and magazines to drinking the refreshing beverages that the hospitality offered you, but nothing seemed to work.

with no jacket or socks on and several drinks later, the only thing left to do was to put your hair up, but considering your poor luck, you obviously had forgotten to bring a hair tie.

“ shit. ”

you look around, searching for your dream and savior. at the end of the garage, cheerly talking to the mechanics before the session start, you see britta, who very conveniently, had her hair up. she surely had some spare hair ties you could borrow.

as you prepare to storm off after her, a familiar voice makes you turn your head.

“ there’s my pretty girl. ”

you smile at the sight of your boyfriend, sebastian, who approaches you. you greet him softly as he snakes one arm around your waist, mischievous blue eyes locking on yours.

“ a kiss for your thoughts? ” he whispers, tenderly kissing your cheek. he quickly pulls away, lips stinging at the warmth. “ woah, you’re really warm. ”

you throw him a sheepish look. bringing an hand to your cheeks, you press them softly, nodding at him. “ yeah, the weather is really taking a toll on me. ”

sebastian looks at you with soft eyes, admiring your rosy face. “ have you tried having something from the hospitality’s bar? they surely must have something refreshing. ”

“ yeah, i don’t think i’ll be going near that stand anytime soon. i’ll probably cause a drink shortage. ” you chuckle and sebastian follows along. “ i wanted to put my hair up but i obviously forgot to bring my own hair ties with me, so i was going to see if britta had any spare ones. ”

sebastian looks at britta, who still stands at the end of the garage, now working on her computer. he then looks back at you with a cheeky grin, eyes glinting as he comes up with a solution. “ no need for that. ”

you throw him a confused look as he swiftly moves behind you. suddenly, a sense of relief washes over you as your boyfriend picks up all your hair with one hand, improvising a hair tie with his bare hand. you feel a refreshing breeze all over you neck, you boyfriend blowing some cold hair onto your neck and you sigh in contentment as your body temperature finally comes down.

“ better? ” he asks, not letting go of your hair. you know he got closer to you by the trail of kisses he leaves around the back of your neck and shoulders, holding you near by your waist. you quickly feel yourself warming up again, blush all over your cheeks.

“ yeah. thank you, love. ” you turn to him with a shy smile on your lips, scared that someone else might’ve caught on your little moment. he smiles sweetly at you, fingers pulling your head up by your chin.

“ anything for you, schatz. ” he gives you a quick peck before pulling away, not something that you particularly wanted. you pull him in again, now giving him a proper thank you kiss that leaves the both of you dizzy.

“ after that, i might be the one needing a cool down. ”

#sebastian vettel x reader #sebastian vettel fluff #sebastian vettel imagine #f1 #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #formula 1 #formula one

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iovetecchou · 11 months

Text

unintentionally turning them on / part 1

Pairings... Jouno Saigiku x Reader and Tecchou Suehiro x Reader

Contains..! oral m!receiving, kissing, marking, handjob, slight!manhandling

GN Reader.

1,698 words.

Tecchou couldn’t help himself. Everything you did turned him on, and tonight was no exception. One minute, he was mindlessly enjoying his drink as you two sat on the couch. Side by side, watching a movie you both had seen countless times by now. When suddenly, you asked him for a ‘sip’. Leaning in closer, your hand wrapped around his own that still grasped the cool beverage.

You guided the drink to your lips, tipping it forward to get a taste. As you did so, some of it slipped past your lips. Rolling down your chin and further down your neck. Tecchou just watched in awe, feeling his cock twitch to life from within his slacks. With his free hand, he swiftly grabbed a throw pillow that rested on the other side of him. Placing it over his crotch to hide his half-hard cock. “Ah sorry, Hiro! I accidentally made a mess.”

Your eyes darted down. To where the pillow now rested atop Tecchou’s lap. Seemingly puzzled by it. “What’s the matter? Are you cold, Hiro? Here, I’ll go grab you a blanket!” You exclaimed. Placing your hand atop the pillow for leverage as you stood up. Completely unaware that your hand was pressing down against his erection. Offering him some well-needed friction, but it still wasn’t enough.

You froze in your tracks the second you heard him let out a desperate whine. Tecchou’s cheeks flushed wildly as he gaped up at you. “Y/n I-I…” Before he could finish his sentence, you were already reaching for the pillow. You tugged it away swiftly. Eyes immediately honing in on his lap from where you stood in front of him.

A tent formed in his grey sweats and you didn’t fail to notice the prominent wet spot left behind from his precum either. “Tecchou… what’s all this about, hm?” Your eyes never once left his lap, which just caused the poor dark-haired man to flush even deeper. “Y/n I’m truly sorry… I can’t seem to control myself around you. Please, excuse me-.” He made an attempt to get up from the couch. Which you didn’t allow.

Your hands came up to push on his shoulders, allowing him to sink back into the sofa. He stared up at you quizzically, tilting his head slightly in confusion. When suddenly, you sunk down to your knees before him. Your hands found purchase on the tops of his thick thighs. You trailed them higher up the expanse of his legs before your fingertips met his waistband.

You wasted no time tugging on them, wordlessly asking him for permission to continue. Tecchou stared down at you with half-lidded eyes. He was compelled by you. He didn’t even process that his hips were lifting on their own. Allowing you to slip his sweats and boxers off his legs with one swift tug. “If I was the one who caused this… problem, then I might as well help you out. Would you like that, Hiro?”

His breath hitched, cock twitching wildly against his lower tummy from your words. “Yes, p-please!” He whined out. His teeth scored his trembling bottom lip in an attempt to stay composed. But his efforts went right out the window the second your lips wrapped around the tip of his cock. Tecchou let out a sharp hiss as you began bobbing up and down his length. One of your hands came down to wrap around the base of his dick. Jerking off what couldn’t fit in your mouth.

“Hah… oh s-shit, angel… feels so hot and w-wet, ah!” His hands clutched the couch cushions on either side of himself severely. It took everything in him not to fuck up into your pretty little mouth right now. His eyes were glued to your face. The sight of you taking his cock like this was driving him wild. Needy whines and whimpers escaped past his parted lips as he watched the drool roll down your chin and neck.

The same way his drink did earlier; the whole reason you’re in this position, to begin with. You could feel Tecchou throbbing in your mouth. You knew he wouldn’t last long with the way your movements began to pick up in pace. You pulled back to suckle his tip, eyes locking onto his chestnut ones. That was the last straw for Tecchou. Seeing your teary eyes peeking up at him, with your mouth stuffed full of his cock and drool smeared all over your chin, was too much to endure.

“Fuck, y/n… cumming- I’m cumming-!” One of his hands tangled in your hair in an instant. Forcing you all the way down his length. Tears spilled past your lashline as you struggled to take him entirely. Your glassy eyes widened in shock as the first ropes of his cum shot down your throat. Causing you to gag around his twitching cock. Tecchou couldn’t help but groan at the feeling of your throat convulsing around his cock as the last of his load spilled down your throat.

A moment later, his hand untangled from your hair. Allowing you to pull off of his spent cock. You coughed slightly as you tried to regain your breath. Some of his cum seeped out past your lips. You took your thumb to swipe it off the corner of your mouth, pushing it past your lips. You suckled on the digit, savoring his taste with a small hum of approval.

Tecchou never once took his eyes off of you. Your actions caused his dick to twitch back to life. Which… didn’t go unnoticed by you. “Hiro… you’re still…?” He leaned forward, capturing your lips. Getting a taste of his own release the moment his tongue swiped along your bottom lip. “I… want to try something else this time. Why don’t we switch places?”

Jouno could hardly focus on his work. You were in the living room, making the most obscene noises. And it was becoming increasingly distracting. The second he would pick up where he left off on his audio report from today's mission, he would be rudely interrupted by your sultry sounds. He wasn’t ticked off because he despised your noises.

No… it was quite the opposite. Jouno has been sitting at his desk with a raging hard-on for the past fifteen minutes. That’s what pissed him off. “Y/n! Cut it out, this instant!” You jolted upward at Jouno barging through your shared space. Stopping in your tracks. “What? What’s the matter?” You huffed out, getting up from your spot on the floor to meet him halfway.

“You’re distracting. I’m trying to get my work done. Can’t you go to a gym like a normal person?” You gave him a pointed look, not that he could see it anyway. But he could sense your confusion. However, that didn’t last long. The second your eyes traveled lower… Jouno heard your heart rate pick up. Heat rushed to your cheeks at the sight of his erection straining against his slacks. Jouno couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle at your physical reaction.

“I need you to make this quick, princess. Some of us are still working, you know.” He quipped out. Walking over to the couch, making himself comfortable before he began unzipping his pants. Jouno lazily pushed his slacks and boxers down his thighs just enough to let his cock spring free. You watched this unfold right in front of you. Taking slow steps in his direction before making yourself comfortable beside him on the couch.

You instinctively wrapped your hand around the base of his leaky cock. Pulling a low grunt from the blind king himself. “Tick-tock, princess. I must submit my report by five o’clock.” He huffed out, offering you a sly smirk in the process. You clicked your tongue, too unbothered to banter back and forth with him… right now. Instead, you settled for pumping his needy cock at a vigorous pace.

Jouno threw his head back from the mind-numbing pleasure you were granting him. “Fuck… just like that, princess.” He grunted out. Lifting his hips lazily to fuck up into your hand. Your lips found their way to his exposed neck, kissing and nipping up the expanse of his throat as you pleased. Pulling a needy moan from his lips. Your free hand traveled up under his shirt, cold digits exploring his lean tummy.

The second your fingers grazed over his sensitive nipple, he gasped. Jouno’s cock throbbed within your hand at the sudden stimulation. “Keep going… don’t fucking stop.” He whined out, head still tipped back; reeling from the way you worked his cock. You twisted his nipple with ease, flicking over it as you so pleased. Your movements against his dick became rougher. At each upward stroke, you would swirl your palm along the tip of his sensitive cock.

Jouno couldn’t take this for much longer. He was mere moments from letting go. You could sense this, pulling away from his neck; admiring the little love bites you left behind. “Jouno…” You panted out, snapping him out of his daze. His head whipped forward and just as he was about to respond, your lips were on his. You kissed him passionately, hand never once faltering in their movements.

Before you knew it, Jouno was moaning against your lips desperately. The coil within him snapped, and his thighs trembled as he came all over himself and your hand. Moments later his hips rested back down atop the couch and your hand came to a slow stop. A string of saliva connected your lips as you pulled away from the heated kiss. “And you still have five minutes to spare. Go clean yourself up, and let me finish my workout in peace!”

Jouno let out a low chuckle as he tried to regain his composure. He swatted your hand away, suddenly feeling extremely hyper-sensitive. After he tucked himself back in his slacks, one of his hands came up to grip your chin. He pulled you in close, breath fanning over your lips as he whispered out, “Don’t get smart with me now, y/n. You won’t be feeling so mouthy when I’m finished with you later.”

; special tag @win-writes <3

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hayatheauthor · 6 months

Text

Everything You Need to Know About Writing Burns

Burn injuries are a common wound type explored throughout various aspects of literature. Unlike stab wounds burns come in various different forms. Every burn cannot be the same. The substance, intensity, and contact level all play pivotal roles in determining the nature of the burn your character must endure.

I previously did a blog about everything you need to know about stab wounds, which you can find here, and decided to continue this series with burns. So, here's my guide on everything you need to know when writing burns.

Understanding Burn Types

Burn injuries are as diverse as the situations that create them. To depict burns realistically, it's essential to understand the different types, each with its own unique characteristics and narrative significance.

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are superficial injuries, often caused by brief contact with a hot surface, a mild sunburn, or scalding steam. These burns primarily affect the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. While painful, they typically don't result in blisters. First-degree burns can serve as plot devices, adding realistic touches to scenes involving minor accidents or unexpected contact with hot objects.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns are more complex and can be painful and blistering. These burns affect both the epidermis and the layer beneath, the dermis. They can result from scalds, flames, or chemical exposure. In literature, second-degree burns are ideal for portraying characters' struggles with painful healing and the potential for scarring.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are the most severe and life-altering. They extend deep into the skin, damaging or destroying not only the epidermis and dermis but also the subcutaneous tissues. These burns can result from prolonged exposure to flames, chemicals, or electricity.

Third-degree burns can be used to introduce profound challenges and transformations in characters' lives. The road to recovery is long and arduous, often with permanent physical and emotional scars, which can be used for character development.

Intricately depicting these burn types in your writing adds layers of realism and authenticity to your characters' experiences.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns result from contact with corrosive substances, including strong acids or alkalis. They are typically more complex to portray in literature due to the need for specific knowledge about the chemicals involved. The narrative implications can vary widely, from accidents in laboratories to criminal acts of violence involving acid attacks or other harmful substances.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns occur when the body comes into contact with electric currents, leading to tissue damage. These burns are unique in that they may not manifest external signs immediately. They can be used in stories involving electrical accidents, lightning strikes, or even superhuman abilities.

Radiation Burns

Radiation burns, often linked to exposure to ionizing radiation, are less common but offer a distinctive narrative dimension. These burns can result from nuclear events, medical treatments, or even futuristic scenarios involving radiation-based technology.

The Burn Substance And The Impact It Plays

When it comes to depicting burns in your writing, understanding the substance involved can significantly impact the narrative. Different substances, from scalding liquids to caustic chemicals, introduce unique challenges and effects on the characters experiencing them.

Scalding Liquids (Hot Water, Coffee, etc.): Scalds are common in everyday life, often resulting from accidental spills or moments of carelessness. These burns are typically first-degree, affecting the outer layer of skin. In your narratives, scalding liquids can add a touch of realism to scenes involving kitchen mishaps, hot beverage spills, or even cruel pranks.

Flames (Fire, Gasoline, etc.): Flames lead to more severe burns, ranging from second to third-degree injuries. Whether it's a house fire or an encounter with a fiery adversary, burns from flames introduce high-stakes situations and profound character development.

Chemical Substances (Acids, Alkalis, etc.): Chemical burns, caused by contact with corrosive acids or alkalis, offer a myriad of storytelling opportunities. These burns are often disfiguring and can result from accidents in labs, criminal acts, or acts of revenge.

Electrical Current: Electrical burns may not manifest external signs immediately, making them unique in burn descriptions. These can result from electrical accidents, lightning strikes, or even futuristic scenarios involving advanced technology.

Radiation Exposure: Radiation burns, linked to exposure to ionizing radiation, are less common but provide a distinctive narrative dimension. They can result from nuclear events, medical treatments, or futuristic scenarios involving radiation-based technology.

Understanding the substance involved allows you to accurately portray the type and severity of a burn, making your narrative more authentic and engaging.

Sensory Descriptions and Variations

When it comes to writing about burns, it's crucial to engage your readers' senses. Burns evoke a range of sensory experiences and effectively describing these sensations can immerse your audience in the narrative. Here are some factors you should take into consideration:

Pain: Burns are notoriously painful. Depending on the degree of the burn, the pain can range from mild discomfort to excruciating agony. Describing the character's pain, its intensity, and how it evolves over time can create a deep emotional connection with your readers.

Heat: Burns often generate intense heat at the injury site. Describe the searing heat or scorching sensation as it radiates from the burn. This adds realism to your portrayal of the immediate aftermath of the injury.

Smell: Burns can produce a distinct odour. The smell of burnt flesh or singed hair can be nauseating or evoke feelings of dread. Including sensory details related to smell can enhance the reader's immersion in the scene.

Texture: The texture of a burn can vary. First-degree burns might feel raw or tender, while second and third-degree burns can result in blistering, peeling, or even charring. Explore how the character perceives the texture of the burn and its impact on their daily life.

Sound: The sound associated with burns can be subtle or pronounced. The sizzle or hiss when a burn comes into contact with hot metal, or the muffled cries of a character in pain, can amplify the emotional impact of a burn scene.

Numbness: In some cases, particularly with severe burns, the area surrounding the burn might feel numb due to nerve damage. This contrast in sensation can be a powerful narrative element in a character's journey to recovery.

By using sensory descriptions and variations, you can transport your readers into the world of your characters and make the experience of burns more vivid and memorable.

Anatomy of a Burn Wound

To depict burns convincingly in your writing, it's essential to understand the anatomical aspects of a burn wound. Burns affect different layers of skin and underlying tissues, and the depth of the burn significantly influences the healing process and long-term consequences. Here's a closer look at the anatomy of burn wounds:

Epidermis: The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin and is primarily responsible for protecting the body from the environment. First-degree burns affect the epidermis and are characterized by redness, pain, and mild swelling.

Dermis: The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and is thicker. Second-degree burns extend into the dermis and result in the formation of blisters, intense pain, and possible scarring. These burns can be particularly challenging for characters due to the pain and extended healing process.

Subcutaneous Tissues: Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, penetrate the dermis and affect the subcutaneous tissues. These burns often result in charring, loss of sensation, and long-term scarring. Characters with third-degree burns may face life-altering challenges and lengthy recoveries.

Muscle and Bone: In severe cases, burns can extend beyond the subcutaneous tissues, affecting muscles and even bones. These deep burns are catastrophic, leading to a range of complications and necessitating complex medical treatment.

Understanding the anatomical layers affected by a burn allows you to provide accurate descriptions of the injury, its consequences, and the challenges faced by characters on their journey to recovery.

How Do You Treat A Burn Wound?

In your writing, portraying the accurate medical assessment and treatment of burn injuries can add depth and authenticity to your narrative. Characters' survival and recovery often depend on prompt and effective medical care. Here's what you need to know about medical assessment and treatment for burn injuries:

First Aid: Immediate first aid is crucial when a character sustains a burn. This includes cooling the burn with cold running water, covering it with a clean, non-stick cloth, and seeking medical attention. Accurate descriptions of the first-aid process can create a realistic sense of urgency in your story.

Medical Assessment: Medical professionals categorize burns based on their depth and extent. The "Rule of Nines" is a common method to estimate the percentage of the body affected by a burn. Accurately describing how healthcare providers assess and categorize the burn can enhance the realism of your narrative.

Wound Care: The treatment of burn wounds involves cleaning, debriding, and dressing the affected area. This can be painful, especially for deeper burns. Your characters' reactions to this aspect of treatment can add emotional depth to your story.

Surgery and Skin Grafts: Severe burns often require surgery and skin grafts to promote healing and minimize scarring. Detailed descriptions of these procedures and their impact on your characters can provide insight into the challenges they face.

Rehabilitation: Characters recovering from severe burns may require extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy and psychological support. These aspects can significantly influence their character arcs and the overall narrative.

By accurately depicting the medical assessment and treatment of burn injuries, you can make your characters' journeys to recovery more authentic and compelling.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

While writing about burn injuries, it's essential to avoid common mistakes and misconceptions. Authors may inadvertently perpetuate inaccuracies in burn treatment. Here are a few common misconceptions to be aware of:

Applying Ice: Contrary to common belief, applying ice directly to a burn can damage the skin further. It's essential to emphasize the use of cold running water for cooling.

Popping Blisters: Characters might be tempted to pop blisters, but this can increase the risk of infection. Describing the correct care for blisters can improve the accuracy of your narrative.

Neglecting Long-Term Effects: Burns can have lasting physical and psychological effects. Ensure your characters' struggles and recoveries reflect the long-term consequences of burn injuries.

By addressing common mistakes and misconceptions, you can create a more accurate and engaging portrayal of burn treatment in your writing.

What About The Psychological Impact?

Burn injuries don't just affect the physical well-being of characters; they also have a profound psychological impact. Understanding the emotional and mental challenges your characters face can add depth to your storytelling.

Post-Traumatic Stress: Characters who have survived burn injuries may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Vivid flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety can be depicted to illustrate their emotional struggles.

Body Image and Self-Esteem: Severe burns can alter a character's appearance, leading to body image issues and reduced self-esteem. Describing how characters come to terms with these changes can be a central aspect of their character arcs.

Fear and Anxiety: Characters may develop a heightened fear of fire, stoves, or any situation that could cause burns. Depicting these anxieties and how they impact daily life can create a compelling narrative.

Depression and Isolation: The emotional toll of burn injuries can lead to depression and isolation. Characters may withdraw from social interactions or grapple with feelings of hopelessness.

Coping Mechanisms: Characters often develop unique coping mechanisms to deal with the psychological aftermath of burns. Some may seek therapy, while others may find solace in creative pursuits or support groups.

By exploring the psychological impact of burns, you can delve into the complex emotional journey of your characters and illustrate their resilience and growth.

Looking At The Forensic Considerations

In crime fiction and mysteries, burn injuries can play a crucial role in forensic investigations. Authors should be aware of the forensic aspects of burns to accurately depict legal and investigative processes. Here are some essential forensic considerations when writing about burns:

Fire Investigation: In cases of suspicious fires or arson, investigators must determine the cause and origin of the fire. Understanding fire investigation techniques and terminology can help create a realistic portrayal of crime scenes involving burns.

Identifying the Victim: Severe burns can complicate the identification of victims. Dental records, DNA analysis, and other forensic methods may be required. Your characters can collaborate with forensic experts to solve such cases.

Evidence Preservation: When writing about burn-related crimes, emphasize the importance of preserving evidence at the scene. The mishandling of evidence can significantly impact the investigation's outcome.

Legal Implications: Explore the legal aspects of cases involving burns. Characters may need to navigate the legal system, testify in court, or seek justice for burn-related crimes.

Historical Cases: Referencing real historical cases involving burns or fires can add authenticity to your narrative. Research well-documented cases for inspiration or incorporate them into your story's background.

Understanding the forensic considerations related to burn injuries can make your crime fiction or mystery more compelling but it also helps ensure you don’t accidentally offend any readers by inaccurately representing real issues.

I hope this blog on Everything You Need to Know About Writing Burns will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!

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averageallogene · 9 months

Note

Resubmitting because my WiFi weirded out when I was posting.

Jean convinces Diluc to dump you for her, because you are, in her own words, 'Not noble enough'.

With nothing holding you back in Mondstadt, you return to Inazuma to take up your Clan duties.

Less than a year later, you receive Diluc and Jean's wedding invite and you attend with Ayato as your plus-one.

At the reception, Eula instantly recognizes your Clan crest on your obi belt.

Jean proceeds to mock you as she makes her rounds to greet her wedding guest and Eula defends you, stating that your Clan is the overseer of the Tri-Commission *and* the First Clan of Inazuma, out-ranked only by the Raidan Shogun and Yae Miko. And you are its Clan Head.

Diluc ♡⊹˚ Not Enough (SFW)

fem. reader (3rd person) ; angst. cw for jealousy, heartbreak. Implied Ayato x reader.

4k words.

notes. Alright I am back with a bag of piping hot telenovela drama! I had a lot of fun writing this, even if I fear my Jean and my Diluc turned out a little ooc? Oh and Ayato is a petty menace. Well, suffice to say I took some liberty with this one- I hope we can just slide past through it and I’ll get better at their portrayals eventually <3. Enjoy!✧˖°

The tranquility of Mondstadt, accompanied by the welcomed breezes it brought daily, was enough for anyone to fall in love with the country. The land of the Anemo Archon was blessed with peace, as well as a beauty to behold as its people were one of the most welcoming [F/N] had ever come across. It had been enough to compel her to stay a little longer when she’d begun traveling around Teyvat, with it bringing something more that urged her to remain there.

Diluc Ragnvindr, an otherwise very well known bachelor of Mondstadt, had certainly caught her eye. The feeling seemed to have been mutual, for [F/N]’s appearance and Inazuman style of clothing definitely stood out amongst the usual crowd. It had begun friendly enough, the winery tycoon seeking information regarding the Inazuman palette when it came to alcoholic beverages. Of course, as a businessman Diluc had plans of expanding to other nations, with or without vision hunt decrees meddling in the middle. During that time, [F/N] had remained in Mondstadt, visibly stressed with the fate of her country. Thankfully, she had a friendly shoulder to rely on on the same wealthy bachelor. It turned out Diluc wasn’t all appearances, his very being burning with a gentleness that was enough to swoon the young woman off her feet.

[F/N] was far from her family during said time, and exchanging letters was difficult. She’d never been exactly too open when it came to them, yet no one wished to pry. With the borders closed, she had next to no possibility of returning without possibly being detained, regardless of status. War reeked with personal vendettas after all, and to someone of high status as herself, many would indeed covet to take what was hers amidst the chaos. Unbeknownst to her, it had been these early signs of trouble that had helped her in convincing her father of letting her seek out the world whilst she could, sending his only daughter off to the land of the free before she too were to be caged down by duties and unfortunate circumstances.

Homesickness was terrible, but thankfully she had Diluc to aid her. Together they’d spend time together, whether that was in Angel’s Share as the bustling tavern closed its doors for the night, or whenever he offered her to have a tranquil walk through the Dawn Winery. His estate had quickly become one of her favorites, the scenery and the sound of the rustling leaves bringing an inner peace strong enough to temporarily wash away her worries. With the more time they spent together, they found more in common that they had, including dreams, plans for the future, even hobbies. It wouldn’t be difficult to find the pair reading by the fireplace, or even discussing various topics while enjoying a game of chess, hence many murmurs of Diluc’s sweetheart beginning to circle throughout Mondstadt.

Still, he was a traditional man when it came to such affairs. Diluc was one to take things slowly, yet it was more than noticeable the way he held her hand gently, the way he’d open doors whenever they arrived somewhere, the way his hand would linger on her lower back as they walked through the streets. It wasn’t as though they were official yet, but to [F/N], it was more than apparent she was being courted. And truth be told, her heart couldn’t leap any higher. Sadly, her expectations would come crashing to the ground, coincidentally just as the climax of the vision hunt decree took place miles away in Inazuma.

Diluc had grown hesitant, a little distant even. He was a man to remain firm in his beliefs, yet with the right approach and from the right people, even the most determined man could falter. He’d told [F/N] of stories of his childhood, of happier times when his father was around, of times he and Kaeya got along well. Of times he had friends over at the winery, when his mind would only be preoccupied with fantasies he’d construct with his friends at the height of their innocence. [F/N] had listened to him happily, content with the idea of him having a good childhood, of having good friends. Good friends such as Jean Gunnhildr. [F/N] had noticed the way her glance would sparkle at him, yet they were only friends he’d reassured her, and it would’ve definitely seemed as such before it no longer did. The young lady wasn’t ignorant; the way Jean eyed Diluc paralleled the way she did as well, yet she had confidence in the chance she had with him until he’d taken the first step backwards.

He’d been calm, gentle with her upon shooting her down. His heart was murky, he had too many responsibilities. He had a lot to take care of between his tavern and his winery, as well as other responsibilities she wasn’t aware of. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to commit, and he was most sorry for leading her on. [F/N]’s heart broke with the way she was shot down, yet she gracefully smiled still, thanking him for his honesty. Even though she was the one being rejected, the woman placed a friendly hand on his arm, ensuring there were no harsh feelings, as well as wishing him the very best. Wishing that he soon find himself, reassuring that she would always support him. The urge to cry was strong, more so with the way his often gentle gaze shifted away from her. Yet, [F/N] persevered, pushing back any theories her mind crafted as the man she’d grown to love was swept away from her fingers.

A gut feeling whispered to her that Jean had been the instigator, yet with no concrete proof, [F/N] was left out in the rain as Mondstadt grew less and less picturesque. The winery didn’t feel welcoming anymore, the once bustling streets of the main city were now noisy instead of charming. The mere sight of the crest of the knights of Favonius irked her, for it reminded her of the woman she knew was the reason Diluc had grown distant. In all her years of education back in Inazuma, [F/N] had grown to know when a rival struck through the shadows. She’d grown to realize the subtle signs, yet she’d held on faith for her beloved’s friend. It had proved futile, and now, bitterness replaced the fondness she’d held for the city of freedom.

[F/N] held a letter that had finally reached her from her home country, bags being packed by the few escorts that had arrived to retrieve her. She’d arranged for them to only move at night, lest she wished to have unwanted attention on her as well as the Inazuman samurai her bedridden father had sent for her. Her duties ripped her out of her wishes to remain in Mondstadt, reality beckoning her back as her dreams were left behind with a broken heart, swept by the breeze.

Ironically enough, Kaeya, of all people, had been the only one to notice her that night. There was the faint scent of wine on him, yet he was still sober enough to have a coherent speech. He’d waited for her by the city walls, a small expression of regret as he inquired if she really had to go. The relationship between the brothers was brittle to say the least, yet Kaeya would’ve been a fool to deny how Diluc seemed happy with her. How he liked seeing his brother happy. The Cavalry Captain voiced his wish for her to stay, explaining how he enjoyed her company, how Mondstadt did. It stung [F/N], yet with a sad smile, she told him she couldn’t stay even if she wished to. And without explaining further as to why she had to leave, Kaeya suddenly let out with a bitter chuckle.

“Is it because Jean sees you as not noble enough? I can assure you [F/N], no one here really cares for such superficial reasoning.”

It had struck a chord in her, for her suspicions were confirmed. All of this heartbreak had stemmed because [F/N], no matter how hard she tried, would never be one of them, the children of the wind. She was from the land of lightning, and apparently to some, appreciating and learning of their history wasn’t as good enough as being directly related to it. Her hands grasped her coat tightly, and with a curt response of how it was due to other things, she’d thanked Kaeya for everything before leaving the city in the middle of the darkness.

The voyage back to Inazuma had been long, but even more so bittersweet. She’d just arrived in time to say a final goodbye to her father, too sick to even get up from his bed as he held her hand one last time. He could see the heartbreak in her eyes, yet he was too weak to inquire on who was the monster to hurt his beloved daughter. All he could say was that the future of their clan lay now on her hands, the pressure nearly suffocating her. Amidst the conflict with the vision hunt decree, her eldest brother, who’d sided with the rebellion in secret, had been murdered, his drink poisoned. And even as justice had been served, life needed to move on, leaving the seat of Clan Head now to her.

Days in Inazuma were vinegary. Her homecoming had been filled with heartache, having lost her brother, and soon after her father as well. Days, weeks, months, they all passed in a blur, [F/N] focusing on the heavy task of overseeing the tri-commissions as she donned her clan’s crest with pride.

Not noble enough, it kept repeating inside her head every day, every time she put her obi on. The young woman hated to admit it, but the pettiness of it all had become her drive, fueling her as she surpassed her father in more aspects than one. In a short amount of time, she’d proved herself as a worthy ruler of her clan, an iron fist masked with elegance and grace as her name grew more and more respected by all the other clans.

Despite her secluded life filled with responsibility, as well as her still distrusting heart, [F/N] allowed very few people in. She could count her friendly acquaintances with solely one hand, but amongst them were the Kamisato siblings. Businesses aside, they were able to lay down their crests for an afternoon every once in a while, enjoying each other’s company over finely brewed tea as they watched the sunset together, recounting stories to one another as time flew by during such leisure moments.

It had been during one such rare occasion, that [F/N] found herself enjoying tea with Kamisato Ayato, his sister busy with her own set of duties whilst the Commissioner took a much needed break. His trained eye could see how she was tense, eyes lowered as they remained narrowed with a bitterness he’d known all too well. Gently, he’d inquired if all was well, and with a quick glance, [F/N] debated if she should burden the already busy head of the Yashiro Commission with her petty bickering.

“You should know by now that I’m not one to ask things out of courtesy, [F/N].” Ayato had calmly stated, an enigmatic smile dancing on his lips as she took a sip of her tea. “I’m genuinely inquiring about your well-being, for I do in fact care. So please, if something is troubling you, do not hesitate to say.”

And with a heavy sigh, the woman placed her cup down, before finally coming clean. From her large sleeve she revealed to him a sealed letter, one with a wax stamp of nothing more than the Ragnvindr clan displayed on it.

“It seems one of my acquaintances back in Mondstadt is about to get married, and has decided to invite me to his wedding.” Ayato hid his grin of amusement with the way she spat the word acquaintance with such distaste. It was enough for him to have an inkling of what could’ve transpired during her stay in the land of the Anemo Archon. “I suppose it’s his way of voicing his wish of letting bygones be bygones, but I cannot help but taste the sweet irony of it all.”

“Oh? Has he, perchance, hurt you deeply?” He’d inquired, watching as she lowly nodded her head.

“I was under the assumption he’d been courting me,” [F/N] revealed to her friend, remembering the way her heart clenched upon first reading its contents. The fact he was marrying after such little time apart, and to Jean no less, still filled her broken heart with such indescribable bitterness. “But then… Nevermind. I was needed to return, regardless. One way or another, it would’ve ended in tragedy.”

“My deepest condolences.” Ayato spoke softly, his hand gently resting atop hers before holding it cordially. “Do you intend on skipping the wedding? Just know there is no shame in doing what’s best for you.”

“I’ve thought about it.” She sighed, holding his hand back with a thankful squeeze. “Yet, I can’t bring myself to shut him off entirely either. He was, after all, someone who had helped me a lot during my stay in Mondstadt.”

“Ah yes, the heart is a most complex little thing…” Ayato breathed out, a faint smile on his face as he offered her an understanding glance. “When is it taking place?”

“In about three months.” [F/N] had nearly sulked, still glaring at the letter as if her sheer glance could burn the whole thing. Ayato had simply nodded, before insisting she take a little longer to reflect on what would be best for her.

In truth, Ayato decided to free up his schedule for three months into the future. Not only could he be a little petty when it came to his own allies, he truly did care for the well-being of his friend. In all honesty, perhaps it was best he didn’t know the full details of how she’d been shot down, lest he make an even bigger, yet still elegant, ruckus. In the end, he’d offered his company were she to decide on going to the celebration, and against all odds, [F/N] had accepted. With Ayato by her side, the young woman felt a sudden surge of confidence. Perhaps it was the idea of her being accompanied by a kind, and well accomplished man, that had her feeling that way.

And with her confirmation letter being sent with the intent on bringing a plus one, time was the only thing between [F/N] and her return to Mondstadt. Diluc was surprised she’d accepted, but he couldn’t deny he was happy. In all honesty, he truly wished for them to start over, for her friendship was deeply valued to the man. Jean on the other hand, was a little flabbergasted she’d accepted. To her, it had solely been a courtesy to send an invite, yet she’d be lying if she hadn’t predicted her decline of attending their wedding. Despite the slight disappointment, the Lionfang Knight was already stressed as it was; perhaps it would be best to just ignore it, and prepare for their big day as best as she could.

The day for their voyage had arrived, and true to his word, Ayato accompanied her on their ship. Everything had been prepared, their duties being fulfilled by others for the duration of their trip. It was a much needed breath of fresh air, a small vacation he’d joked, smiling with eloquence even when he wasn’t one to enjoy large group gatherings. He’d insisted that he and [F/N] both dress in their finest clothing, for they were representing their Clans on foreign lands, and by extension, representing Her Excellency as well. Their crests displayed proudly on their clothing, made of the finest silks and brightest tones, arms linking together as [F/N] held her fan to her lips as they finally disembarked at the docks.

Ayato had surely made a statement with the entire entourage he’d organized for the two of them, it almost seemed as though he indeed knew of what had been the reason given for their breakup. Then again, [F/N] thought, perhaps he did know. Ayato was a man of many means after all, who was to say he hadn’t read her bitterness like an open book? The way [F/N] looked at him smiling in that knowing way of his didn’t help her case, either… Well, it was too late to go back, anyway.

The way they’d arrived on Mondstadt had certainly caused an uproar, citizens watching in curiosity as the samurai escorted them to the hotel where they would stay until the day of the festivities. Most of the Knights of Favonius were busy as per usual, away from their arrival save for the guards stationed at the city gates who had warmly welcomed them upon confirming their identities and the purpose of their visit. Gossip was quick to follow, yet Ayato paid no mind, calmly chatting away with [F/N] as they were led to their rooms.

News of wealthy guests from the east reached the couple’s ears, yet neither Diluc nor Jean paid much mind. After all, Diluc had many wealthy acquaintances, most of them stemming from his businesses within the wine industry. All he cared for was to ensure all their confirmed guests had indeed arrived, including [F/N]. And upon being told she had in fact, he only nodded his head, not inquiring any further. Him and his bride were much too busy making the final preparations after all, and unbeknownst to him, Kaeya only watched in the background, an amused grin on his face as he patiently waited for the big show.

The bells rang with vigor on the big day, [F/N] jolting inside her room as she wasn’t exactly used to the way their Church would announce anything so loudly. Ayato had already finished preparing, smiling her way before offering his help in adjusting her obi.

“You look positively beautiful.” He’d stated in a matter-of-fact tone, watching as she smiled at him with an honest, thankful gleam. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” She had sighed, nodding her head as she inwardly psyched herself up to go forth with the day. And without much issue, the pair left their hotel and made haste for the sight of the ceremony.

Amidst the sea of guests, their presence had gone mostly unnoticed. It was best as such, [F/N] gazing ahead as she watched the man who she’d once thought would be the one marry another woman. Her heart still clenched slightly at the reality, yet Ayato’s presence helped her in grounding herself as she took a deeper breath. Her arm remained around his, admiring how beautiful they looked, how happy they gazed at one another. Even if Jean forever held a deep stain in her eyes, she couldn’t deny how radiant and gorgeous she looked in her wedding gown. The warm glow of the church veiled around them in a romantic manner, the union finally being tied as the main ceremony came to a close. For the first time in a while, [F/N] found herself smiling at the sight of Diluc with another. Perhaps, she thought, she would eventually get through this. Even if it still hurt, even if she still thought back on how she hadn’t been enough.

Customs between Mondstadt’s weddings and Inazuma’s weddings differed, yet she and Ayato found themselves easily following along as everyone moved on to the reception. It was during this time that the guests began conversing more freely with one another, finally having a look around as they noted who had come to support the happy couple, who had come with whom. It was during this time that [F/N] could feel eyes on her, glances of surprise to herself and her partner being shared as she commented on how the food was delightful with Ayato.

“Is that… [F/N]?” Eula had commented with Kaeya, who had nodded his head with an amused grin on his face. Despite the elaborate way she dressed when in comparison with the way she did when she had stayed in Mondstadt, nothing could escape her eye as a noble herself. “She looks radiant. And the man beside her…”

[F/N]’s voice could be heard not far, Ayato relishing in the way his comment had brought a laugh out of her. He patted himself on his back for having gotten the willpower to deal with such a packed event, for the way his friend seemed more relaxed had been more than worth it in his eyes. They kept on chatting together, a select few female acquaintances of [F/N]’s joining them as they soon found more company to converse with.

“[F/N]! It’s been so long… How have you been?”

“You look amazing, [F/N]! I heard you’ve returned to Inazuma suddenly, is everything alright?”

“Who’s your friend there, [F/N]?” Followed with a knowing wink, causing the woman to blush before denying their accusations any further.

Despite everything, the attention directed to a corner of their reception definitely wasn’t unnoticed by the happy couple, more so by the bride as her violet eyes gazed around. Jean found herself surprised upon landing her eyes on [F/N]’s face, recognizing her rather quickly despite the intricate ornaments she wore on her hair and the delicate makeup. She looked stunning, she thought, before stopping herself and clearing her throat.

Her wandering gaze hadn’t gone unnoticed by Diluc, whose eyes followed before landing on [F/N] as well. It took him a moment to register who it was, and when it did, his shifting expression caused a stir of emotions deep within his bride.

“[F/N]?...” He’d muttered, Jean squeezing his hand lightly to return his attention to her.

“Come Diluc, we have to thank everyone for coming.” She’d hastily led him to the table where the rest of the Knights dined, all raising glasses of champagne and wine as the couple approached them.

“Ah, Diluc, Jean! The ceremony was wonderful,” Lisa had smiled their way, a giggle following. “I nearly teared up at the vows. Goodness, weddings always make me so emotional.”

“The food is also delectable.” Kaeya grinned, his glass rising slightly above the others as he gave his brother a nod. “Congratulations to the both of you.”

“Congratulations! May your years be blessed with happiness and good fortune!” Amber smiled brightly.

“Yes, congratulations.” Eula complemented, smiling softly as Diluc held Jean close.

“Thank you everyone for coming. It is an honor to share such an important day with you all.” Diluc said with the utmost sincerity, smiling softly as Jean rested her hand on his chest.

“It’s a great pleasure.” Eula’s gaze narrowed as she could sense an unnecessary comment bubbling within Kaeya’s chest. The way he grinned spelled trouble, and just as she predicted so, the man swirled his glass of wine before he continued. “Of course, we wouldn’t miss your wedding for nothing! But perhaps it’s to those who’ve come from the furthest you should extend your greatest gratitudes.”

“Of course, we intend on thanking everyone as we go around every table.” Jean huffed with a small smile, still not following where he was headed. She rested a hand on her hip as she raised an eyebrow softly, Diluc too eyeing his brother as if expecting more.

“Oh, that’s great! I was beginning to think you were rounding around [F/N]’s table on purpose. But then again, you must still be thinking about how to properly thank her, no?”

“Kaeya!” Amber sighed, shaking her head as the mood slightly shifted around the table. The man simply shrugged, sipping on his wine before sighing with content over the wonderful undertones, as he explained.

“Ah, Diluc! Congratulations, you lucky bastard!” Varka’s voice roared across the reception hall, hands plopping down on his shoulders as he laughed loudly. Diluc could only remain awkward as he quietly thanked him, the Grand Master practically whisking him away as he further congratulated him and gave him lessons on how to ensure his wife’s happiness.

“Honestly, I was surprised to know she’d be coming.” Jean watched her husband not stray too far, finally letting out a small sigh and folding her arms across her chest. “I’m still not quite sure how we’re going to address this, as her presence seems… Rather ill-intended.”

“Oh?” Kaeya’s gaze turned to her from the corner of his eyes, finding her choice of words amusing as he let her ramble on.

“Diluc had voiced his wish of inviting her, and thinking it was just a formality I decided to agree with it. But for her to actually accept and show up seems bitter.” It was clear the stress was racing to her head, the table listening awkwardly as she rambled on. “While I understand it still must hurt given the circumstances, we would’ve hoped she would’ve let bygones be bygones. I simply find her actions to lack in-”

“Nobility?” Eula scoffed quietly, eyebrow raising quietly before watching Jean hesitate if she agreed with her or not. It was her turn to cross her arms, speaking directly to her. “I find it quite the opposite. I think that accepting and coming by to show her support shows just how noble she is. After all, for the head of her clan to not show up would’ve been scandalous. Do you know what kind of rumors that would start up, Jean?”

“Wait- Did you just say head of her clan?” Amber repeated, her eyes widening as Eula nodded her head.

“Yes. Haven’t you all realized? Look, notice [F/N]’s obi.” The group found themselves rather indiscreetly gazing towards [F/N]’s table, the crest displayed with pride as she enjoyed Ayato’s company. “It’s the crest of the first clan of Inazuma, otherwise known as the overseer of the Tri-Commissions of the nation. Basically, it’s the oldest still standing clan of the nation, only surpassed by the Archon herself and their Guji.”

The table slowly digested the information, Eula proving yet again just how well educated she was not only to what concerned Mondstadt, but aristocracy of other nations as well. Her legs remained crossed as she finished explaining herself, leg bouncing lightly as she battled with herself to remain cordial despite not having quite liked her friend’s statement. Even if Jean was overly stressed, or their situation with [F/N] hadn’t been ideal, it had most definitely been an unnecessary comment.

“Besides, the man next to her is none other than the head of the Yashiro Commission. Their Commission has many duties, including overseeing ceremonies and rituals that do include weddings. So, her choice of companion can most definitely be seen as yet another layer to her virtuous acceptance of your invitation.”

Kaeya found himself grinning unabashedly at the way Jean glanced away, clearly embarrassed with the outcome of the situation. She still held her arms crossed around her chest in a defensive manner, the Cavalry Captain thinking it would just be best if she left to avoid any further hits to her pride. For the first time in a while, he found himself agreeing fully with Eula, letting her take the reins of the situation as Jean’s ego was put in place. Sure, Kaeya liked Jean. Yet still, he couldn’t deny he thought [F/N] would’ve been a better match for Diluc. Call him petty, but he was enjoying the situation.

“Sorry about that,” Diluc sighed as he returned to their side, his hand resting on Jean’s waist as he gazed around the table. “Erhm, everything alright? You all look, how should I put it…”

“Nothing to worry about.” His brother grinned, waving his hand dismissively as everyone began eating their food. “You go and thank everyone for coming by, yeah? Enjoy yourselves, after all it’s your wedding day!”

Despite the confusion with his sudden upbeat tone, Diluc simply nodded, leading his bride to continue on going through table to table. Needless to say, now that it was he who took the lead, they soon found themselves at [F/N]’s table, the man surprised to see her so intricately dressed and in the presence of someone of such stature.

Nonetheless, and despite the sudden lump of awkwardness that lodged itself in his throat, Diluc took his time to properly thank them for coming, [F/N] simply gazing at them and replying it was their pleasure. Ayato was the one to take charge in their response, smiling cordially as he basked in the way his bride seemed to avert her gaze from them. If looks could diminish someone’s presence, Jean would’ve been long gone, reduced to atoms. And Ayato would’ve been lying if he said he wasn’t enjoying it, holding [F/N]’s hand with such delicacy as if they were more than friends.

And as they left, he carefully leaned over her ear, watching as she met him halfway to hear what he had to say.

“Well, that was amusing. Perhaps next year we should invite them to our wedding. A fun retaliation, no?”

“W-What?”

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #genshin diluc x reader #genshin impact diluc x reader #genshin impact x reader #diluc ragnivindr x reader #genshin angst #genshin impact angst #yoko drabbles

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 1 month

Text

Steal Your Heart (Part 1)

When the calling card of the infamous Knave of Hearts arrives, he’ll rob his victims blind of their most treasured items on the appointed date. Enter ace detective Yuu accompanied by rookie cop Deuce Spade, both seeking to apprehend the Knave and bring him to justice.

Will they succeed, or will the phantom thief steal their valuables--and their hearts--first?

This was originally meant to be one fic, but it was getting to be WAY too long. I decided to split it in half and release this part now and the second part (which I am still working on!) later. This first part focuses more on Yuu and Deuce; the second part will be more Yuu and Ace.

(Please note: there are slight romantic implications in the form of an Ace/Yuu/Deuce love triangle, but those elements could also be interpreted as platonic or as just playful teasing with no additional meaning. It’s all in the eyes of the reader!)

Imagine this...

The police station’s waiting room was a familiar sight.

With time, the shiny checkered floor had grown matte, marred with scratches and scuffs from the boots that crossed it on a daily basis. Someone had taken to attempt to pretty up the otherwise dull space by hanging out abstract paintings on the cream-colored walls, and a vase of white roses dripping with red paint at the check-in desk. There was as even a glass tank which housed a small family of colorful hedgehogs.

Maybe they were meant to be welcoming—but really, they were more clashing than anything. Certainly not a fit for the stiff atmosphere of the station.

Still the fluorescent lightbulbs buzzed faintly, flickering in and out on occasion. The sound distracted from the old television mounted in a corner to entertain guests. It seemed to play commercials on a loop more often than it played actual shows. Currently, an Olympus Corp. branded tablet was being toted as the next big technological marvel—though the TV’s audio was fuzzy at best, and the image half static.

A coffee table pushed to the wall, stacked with a new stash of magazines. Whoever updated the reading materials—most likely the friendly senior officer with orange waves for hair—was into the latest trends, often selecting fashion magazines with high gloss finishes. A dangerously beautiful man graced the covers of many of them, dressed in the hottest summertime styles while looking the part of an untouchable ice queen.

As usual, the station was scented with coffee and tea, the beverages of choice for many officers burning the midnight oil or working overtime. The chief demanded it at times to meet deadlines and goals—he was such a stickler for them—and the caffeine helped those under him stay sane as they went about their duties.

In the afternoons, most were either out on lunch or on patrol, lessening the foot traffic at HQ. There was only one man in uniform, seated behind the desk and filing some papers.

Yuu shifted in their own chair, adjusting the rim of the baseball cap upon their head. They were suited in an inconspicuous jacket and sneakers, fingers toying with a badge in a pocket, hidden out of view. To the common man, they were a jogger--but one flash of their lilac gemstone bound to a black and white striped ribbon, and there would be no doubt as to what their true identity was.

The smell of coffee and tea grew stronger, and Yuu glanced up from behind the bill of their hat.

The bespectacled man from behind the fro

nt desk had approached. He had a sheepish smile, bearing a paper cup filled with hot brown liquid and a napkin with a donut laid upon it. Bright pink icing dusted with sugared violet petals crowned the golden fried pastry.

“Detective.”

“Mr. Clover.” Yuu nodded—a terse, polite greeting. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Please, just ‘Trey’ is fine.” He offered the treats, which they readily accepted. “Sorry for calling you in on such short notice. I’m sure you’re busy juggling your other cases—but I think I speak for the entire department when I say we’re thankful that you were able to make it.”

“No worries, I’m used to it in this line of work,” Yuu replied. “It must be something pretty urgent this time around. The Chief sounded frantic over the phone.”

Trey rubbed at his chin, grasping for the right words. “Let’s just say he’s not in the best of moods right now. You’ll need that sugar to get through this in one piece.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.”

“Just trying to avoid any trouble. You’d better finish them before you step into his office. You know how he hates it when there are crumbs or spills in there.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” Yuu gave a joking salute before starting to pack away at their snack. The drink was the instant kind, and practically scalding, but it was easy to tell that the donut was homemade. The pastry, flaky on the outside and fluffy on the inside, dusted with sugar granules and sweet icing. “Wouldn’t want the Chief to be blowing a fuse again.”

“No, definitely not. He’s done too much of that lately.” Trey carefully eyed Yuu’s donut, now only half of it left. “Oh, but be sure to brush your teeth a thorough cleaning tonight, or I might have some problems with you. Cavities and staining are real dangers, you know.”

“Are you Assistant Chief of Police or my dental hygienist?” Yuu took a generous swig, then a bite just as big. “You worry too much about everything.”

“Ahahah… Do I? It’s a habit, I guess. Comes with the job.”

“That stressful, huh?”

“Well, I do what I can to smooth things over. Hopefully you can too. It’s been difficult on our department with the Chief all rattled up about the… situation.” He stopped himself. “I’m sure you’ll hear all about it from him.”

So the case is top-secret, Yuu concluded with the last of their donut. Not to be discussed in the public.

They ran their tongue across the length of their mouth, lapping up the remains of sugary residue. “I understand. The details are not to leave his office.”

“You catch on quickly. No wonder why the Chief thinks so highly of your abilities.”

“Flattery’s a part of your tool kit as well, Trey?”

He raised his eyebrows. “… You’ve worked long enough with us to figure these things out. Nothing gets by you, it seems.”

“UGIGIGIGIGGGGHHHH!!”

The remainder of Yuu’s drink sloshed around in its cup, set into motion by the bloodcurdling scream.

A familiar man with orange waves erupted from the chief’s office, hurriedly slamming the door shut behind him. His typically relaxed features were arranged in panic, his hair frazzled.

“How did trying to calm him work out, Cater?” Trey inquired half-heartedly. It was a courtesy more than genuine curiosity.

“What do you think?” the senior officer groaned, sinking where he stood.

Yuu quickly finished their drink, tossing their trash—the evidence they had been there—away and then stood, adjusting their jacket. “That sounds like it’s my cue.”

“Yeah, it is.” Trey sighed, frowning. “He’s in a tough spot right. Be kind to him, will you? That’s all I ask.”

“You got it.” Yuu tipped their baseball cap as they passed the officer. “Thank you for the pick-me-up. I’ll be seeing you, then. Officer Diamond—get some rest.”

“Good luck.”

“You’ll need it, Yuu-chan! Brace yourself.”

The Police Chief was a small but serious man.

His character came through in his office space: books on law and order neatly arranged on shelves, papers and files alphabetically organized in their cabinets, and pens evenly spaced apart and arranged in rows. A crystal vase with deep red roses was poised beside his writing implements. A plate polished to a fine shine was propped up at his desk, reading: Riddle Rosehearts, Chief of Police.

Perched imposingly despite his short stature in his seat, he impatiently tapped a finger on an arm. Riddle’s face was a telltale red and veiny, proof of his earlier outburst, but was beginning to cool into a faint, smooth pink.

There was already another man in the office, sitting across from the Police Chief. He was pale and jittery in a suit the color of the night and sewn with blue sequins and glitter. A top hat rested upon his raven locks, the brim of it shading his hauntingly golden eyes.

Yuu removed their hat and, keeping it to their chest, gave a shallow bow as they entered. “Sir.”

One move out of line, one hair out of place, and they suspected he, in his volatile and vulnerable state, would explode anew.

“Welcome, Detective. I’m glad you could join us today.” Every word was a gruff puff of air, a leash with which to wrest control of his rage. Riddle gestured to the empty chair beside the nervous man. “Sit.”

Yuu obeyed, sinking into the seat offered. They casted a glance at the stranger adjacent to them, who was fiddling with his velvet-lined gloves.

“Mr. Crowley, this is the independent detective from Stray Cat Investigations that I had previously mentioned to you. The force has collaborated with them for a number of difficult cases in the past. Their wit and strategic skills have made them an invaluable asset. I thought it prudent to have them return to join us for your case as well.

“Yuu, meet Dire Crowley. He is the esteemed director and curator for the Sage’s Island Museum, and he’s come to us with his woes.”

“Hello, Mr. Crowley,” Yuu said politely. “It’s nice to meet you.”

He responded with a tired attempt at a smile. “Yes, you too.”

“Now that we’re all acquainted with one another...” Riddle produced a file from beneath his desk and placed it before himself. “Do you care to explain, or shall I?”

“I-I’ll elaborate!” Crowley crowed. He picked at a collection of keys belted to his waist, glistening gold under artificial lights. “The Sage’s Island Museum is planning a new exhibition on the Great Seven. As part of the exhibit, we are having many priceless artifacts flown in from all over Twisted Wonderland. We have donations from even Briar Valley’s royal family!!

“There will also be a great number of important VIP guests present for the grand opening of the exhibit. Royalty, wealthy benefactors, important diplomats, businessmen, celebrities... All individuals who wish to see their history on display! This is very important, you see!! M-My reputation--er, I mean, the museum’s reputation--is on the line here!!”

“Right.” Yuu nodded as they parsed through the information. “I’m following what you’re putting down. And where does your problem arise, Mr. Crowley?”

“Ah, now that,” Riddle smirked, “is the question of the hour.”

He opened his file, pulling out...

A single playing card, its back facing Yuu.

“I trust you’ve been keeping up with the news?”

“As any good detective would. There have been several robberies lately. Terrible, really.” Yuu’s expression clouded with concentration. “Hmm... but if it’s a potential robbery that you’re concerned about, Mr. Crowley... Doesn’t the Sage’s Island Museum boast a state-of-the-art security system from Olympus Corp.? I doubt the average thief would be able to bypass it.”

“That’s just the trouble,” Crowley loudly lamented.

“We are dealing with no ordinary thief,” Riddle clarified.

“It’s not?”

“No. Far from it.” The Police Chief exhaled sharply. “The string of robberies from before--they’re connected by a single thread, perpetuated by the same lone culprit. And now that scoundrel intends to continue his crime spree.”

“I’ve never heard of this before.”

“You shouldn’t have. It was a top-secret operation within my force since the first of its kind.”

“Why am I being told of it now?”

“Because, loathe as I am to admit it, the culprit has managed to outwit us and elude capture each and every time, He employs a bag of cheap parlor tricks and smoke and mirrors like the coward he is,” Riddle confessed begrudgingly. The blue-grey of his eyes were steely and stubborn. “A case as important as this needs the additional man—and brain—power, Detective.”

He placed the playing card down and slid it toward the detective. “This arrived in the morning at Mr. Crowley’s desk, the same as all the prior robberies. It gave him quite the fright. He rushed all the way to the station to beg for our assistance.”

“This is...” Yuu gingerly turned the card over, revealing a message scrawled on the other side in bright red gel ink. Each letter was big and bubbly, bursting with cheek and pomp.

Their heart jumped.

To the Old Crow that safeguards the Museum,

Heyo~

Your pockets look a lil’ heavy there, so I’ll help you out. (Aren’t I so kind?) Three days from now, I’ll claim one of your most prized treasures at the stroke of midnight.

Stand back and watch as I perform the greatest magic trick you’ll ever see... and make the portrait of the Queen of Hearts vanish before your very eyes. It’ll be a show-stopper!!

Until then,

Phantom Thief Knave of Hearts <3

P.S. Send the cops my regards, they can’t catch me lol (especially when their teapot tyrant’s patience is in SHORT supply geddit)

“They’re just flat-out announcing what their intentions are,” Yuu realized. They were half impressed, half shocked at the gall. “You said all of the victims received messages like this?”

“Calling cards, yes.” The fury had returned to Riddle’s features, causing his voice to spike and strain. “It’s infuriating!! What does he get off on, misappropriating magic as cheap parlor tricks for crime, writing notes in such a cocksure manner, taunting us to pursue him?!

“Not only is he poking fun at my height and committing a crime, but for mere SPORT?! For the THRILL of it?! He’s making a mockery of the good people of this island and of my men and our efforts to secure the peace!!”

The Police Chief slammed a fist down on his desk, rattling his glass vase and setting his perfectly straight pens askew. Crowley shrunk back in fear. “That Knave of Hearts...!! He must be stopped at all costs!!”

“Y-Yes, absolutely!!” Crowley chimed in. “For my--er, I mean, for the museum’s sake, this criminal must be put behind bars!! That’s why I’ve come to you, my good people!

“My taxpayer dollars help fund the police force, so I’ve come to collect on what its promise to protect and to serve the community!! Well, here’s the community at your doorstep asking you to protect and to serve!!”

“That’s why you want to put me on this case,” Yuu concluded, clasping the calling card to their racing heart. “To prevent this from going down tonight.”

“And furthermore,” Riddle added, “to investigate the identity of this so-called phantom thief once the museum is safely secured.”

“That’s a tall order, sir.”

“You’ll have access to our force’s resources, and to my officers. You will assist in overseeing this operation, with maps and outlines of the museum’s security detail from Mr. Crowley. We’ll cooperate to create a plan of attack to apprehend the Knave.”

“You misunderstand me. I never said I wouldn’t take the job,” Yuu coolly informed the Chief. Their mouth cocked upwards with confidence. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

“Oh, blessed day!! From the very bottom of my oh-so-generous heart, thank you very much!!” Crowley cried tearfully.

For the first time the entire briefing, Riddle smiled back at Yuu. “Hmph. That’s what I like to hear. Happy to be working with you again, Detective.”

“Likewise, Chief.”

The sun had already set when Yuu exited the station, the stars blinking into existence. Several hours had been spent picking the museum curator’s brain with a fine-toothed comb, looking over layouts, and memorizing security detail. The information had been well-stocked, and now came the time to let it marinate and bloom into plans.

Stuffing their hands in their pockets, Yuu shuffled down the sidewalk and past rows of parked vehicles. Ahead, neon lights flashed in and out, and the trains rattled on their well-worn tracks, buses and cars honking at each other, the chatter of street vendors filling the air.

And something different than the usual tonight.

The city never slept, always buzzed with energy. Yuu had become accustomed to its sights and sounds, finding them even comforting. Their best ideas were conceived against the hum of the cityscape. It was just soft enough to not fully distract, but just noticeable enough to tug at their thoughts for long enough to stray into new territories and concepts.

Light from lonely streetlamps created tears in the darkness, illuminating the path to their favorite downtown thinking spot: the Mostro Lounge. A good (albeit overpriced) drink would chase away their tiredness.

Yuu continued with that promise in mind, every step catlike. First quick, next slow, then quick, moderate, slow, quick, slow, quick, moderate. Their speed, ever alternating.

Their ears strained against the sounds of the city, slowly parsing through the individual elements.

Trains, buses, cars, chatter… and the soft footsteps masked by them. Footsteps which matched Yuu’s pace.

There was no mistaking it now.

I’m being followed.

They didn’t look to see who it was—the first rule of tailing a target was to never alert them to your awareness. Yuu would know (as oftentimes they were the one in the position of tailer).

They cast their eyes across the street, which was busy with bodies. Once Yuu merged with the crowd, they could easily shake off their stalker.

Their feet picked up their pace again, hurrying to the crosswalk. It was a glaring red, advising pedestrians to stop.

Shoot, Yuu cursed.

They felt a presence step up beside them. From the corner of their eye, they could make out a dark form--clothes. Yuu pretended to check the time on their phone, and glimpsed him in the reflection.

He was in a hoodie, with the hood pulled up and head down to conceal his features. His hands, too, were out of sight, a sea of baggy fabric hiding identifying features, save for his frame. Lanky, but reasonably packed with muscle to keep up with Yuu.

The man shifted, and his sight grazed theirs. His eyes were hard and icy, a silent threat.

Yuu quickly focused on the crosswalk light. Their heartbeat became as loud as the surrounding sounds. Screeching above the vehicles, shouting from the rooftops. THA-THUMP, THA-THUMP, THA-THUMP.

At last, the light turned from red to white.

Walk.

They started--and so did he.

“Excuse me.” A hand came upon their shoulder. The other pulled at something with a sinister glint. “Do you have a second?”

No walking, Yuu corrected themselves. Run!!

They sprinted down the crosswalk, jostling pedestrians with a hasty “sorry!” thrown back at them. As Yuu weaved through the crowd as fast as they could, they could not completely shunt out the man after them.

“Hey, please wait!! Where are you going?! C-Come back, I need to talk to you!”

His voice carried above the others. People jolted back, the crowd parting to make way for the man to charge forth. His volume swelled louder and louder as he gained on them.

Towering apartments seemed to bear down on Yuu. Their windows, glaring.

A shop. Find a shop and get inside!!

Yuu pumped their arms, pleaded for their legs to move more efficiently.

Again, a weight fell upon their shoulder. It was a clamp, fingers biting Yuu’s skin through their jacket as they dug in and held firm.

The other hand wielded the same shining object that it had before. Yuu looked more closely this time, and the unease in them dissipated. It was not the pointed tip of a knife, but the glint of a familiar officer’s badge wreathed in golden roses.

The man tore off his hood with a sigh--though Yuu noticed that he wasn’t one bit out of breath. Navy bangs fell across his forehead, his eyes a peacock green-blue, much friendlier under the streetlamps than the crosswalk signs.

He smiled at Yuu as though he were greeting an old friend. His grip turned into a tender squeeze. “I finally caught up with you!”

The detective awkwardly pulled away, confusion scrawled on their face. “Um... Sorry, who are you? I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

“Oh! Uh...” The man jumped, retracting his hand. “That’s because we haven’t! Er, not officially anyway, but I’ve heard a lot about you!!”

Yuu pointed to his badge. “That. You’re an officer?”

“Yessir!” The man offered the proof of his identity and stiffly saluted. “Officer Deuce Spade, sir!! I’m a new recruit...!! I just joined the force a few weeks ago!”

Yuu mustered a faint smile. The darned fool was going to give them away. “... Am I in trouble, officer?”

“Nossir! Not at all!” His entire face shone with eagerness, earnest, and a slightly nervous energy. Maybe Yuu would have found it adorable (in the same way that a child trying hard was adorable), were he not blasting your occupation to the public. “Why would you be in trouble, sir?! You’re working with...”

“Okaaay, that’s enough out of you!” Yuu slapped a hand over Deuce’s mouth, silencing him.

Curious onlookers murmured amongst themselves. Some had taken to halt and full-on gawk. Children pointed, adult narrowing their eyes with suspicion.

Yuu frowned, removing their hand to shoo pedestrians away. “Nothing to see here, folks. Just a misunderstanding. Move along, Wonder Boy and I can settle this ourselves.”

“Wonder Boy?” Deuce, in a daze, pointed to himself. “Is that... me?”

“Who else would I be talking about?” Yuu folded their arms. “I assume you’re free now?”

“I am, sir! I was just let off my shift a little while ago, sir!”

“First, drop the ‘sir’. It’s giving me a headache,” Yuu instructed. “Second, if you’re free, then you’ll be joining me for a drink and a chat. We have things to discuss--chief among them being why you were following me.”

Ring-a-ling!

A bell sounded as the door to the Mostro Lounge swung open. Deuce stepped into a new world, Yuu at his side.

The interior itself was dim, but glass lights fastened in the shape of jellyfish projected swimming incandescent lights in purple, blue, and pink. Velvet booths lined one half of the eatery, the other, a glossy bar with tall, narrow stools, the shelves behind it healthily stocked with bottles in jeweled tones. Strangers poised with drink took residence in most of the seats.

The entire back wall had been repurposed into a massive aquarium teeming with aquatic plants and exotic creatures. Seaweed and coral gently swayed to the rhythm of the smooth jazz floating through the lounge, fish frolicking among them.

“Whoooa,” Deuce gasped, craning his head to drink in every detail. “I’ve never been to a place as classy as this. It looks so expensive. You think my salary’s enough to cover at least an appetizer?”

“Hang on tight to your wallet,” Yuu warned. “This place will squeeze you for every thaumark you’re worth and then some—and they won’t feel a bit of remorse about it.”

The detective raised an arm, flagging a nearby waiter.

Their uniform was simple yet sleek: dark dress pants, a white bow tie, spotless gloves, and a cummerbund and suspenders over a lavender button-up shirt. It allowed for slight variation—one waiter skidded by with his shirt buttoned as low as food safety regulations deemed safe. Another jotted down orders with a jacket thrown over his shoulders and a pair of glasses tucked into the crevice of his buttons.

The waiter Yuu called out to approached like a shark fin cutting through still water, neatly bowing to greet their waiting customers. He was prim and proper compared to the other servers, not a button out of place.

When he raised his head, Deuce marveled at his mismatched olive and gold irises, the teal of his hair marred by a stripe of black. Three diamond-shaped scales dangled from his left ear, as sharp as his eyes.

“I bid you welcome to the Mostro Lounge, honored guests,” the waiter said smoothly. He gaze immediately cut to Deuce. “I see you’ve brought a friend with you, today, Yuu-san. How delightfully rare.”

“Acquaintance. We just met outside under… less than ideal circumstances.”

“Oya, how quick you were to seize on that chance encounter. I may even deem you a bigger opportunist than our dear manager.”

“… Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Deuce inquired.

“Perhaps you will find the answer to your question, should you act as a patron at our establishment for long enough.”

“Quit toying with him, Jade. You know what we’re here for,” Yuu grumbled. “My usual.”

“If that is what you wish. And for this gentleman acquaintance of yours?”

“Just ice water is fine, sir!”

Jade maintained his polite smile. “Very well. One glass of ice cold water for you. I will bring you a menu as well, in case you begin to feel peckish late into the night.”

“Oh, thanks!”

“Right this way then.” Jade gestured for the two to follow him.

“He’s upselling you, you know,” Yuu pointed out under their breath. “Hoping that you’ll buy something when presented with the opportunity to spend.”

“E-Eh, he is?! I didn’t even realize…”

“Fufufu. Please, do not let your worries consume you. You have come to relax, correct? We at the Mostro Lounge ask that you put your fins and your feet up and enjoy yourself while the night is still young.”

They were escorted to two empty stools in a (relatively) quiet corner of the bar. The glass jellyfish lights were clustered in the center of the main dining area, leaving the corner like a slice of dark, uncharted waters. Jass music and conversation filtered into a muffled melody.

Yuu plopped down with relief, followed by an apprehensive Deuce. He slowly sank into the cushy seat.

“I will be right back with your drinks. If you will excuse me.” With another bow, Jade rounded the bar and rolled up his sleeves—the transition from waiter to bartender. Presenting his back to the duo, he set to plucking bottles off of the shelves.

Deuce blinked. He still hadn’t taken to fully processing his new surroundings. “Are we really going kick back and have drinks when there’s a serial thief on the loose?”

“We can’t talk about that in public, or risk blowing my cover. It’s safe to talk here,” Yuu reassured him. “What happens in the Mostro Lounge stays in the Mostro Lounge. Say what you want about the slimy staff, but they know how to keep their patrons’ secrets. Client confidentiality and all.”

The young officer brightened. “Ooooh, I get it!”

“… You’re not the sharpest tool in the shed,” Yuu remarked bluntly. They slipped off their baseball cap, letting loose their hair. “So? Let’s have it.”

“Have what?”

“Your reason for following me.”

“Oh!! That.” Deuce nervously scratched at the back of his neck. “That’s kind of…”

The detective drummed their fingers on the polished counter. Methodical, deliberate. “You mentioned that you recently joined the force. However, only senior officials in the police department and myself were privy to this operation. How did you come to learn about it?”

Deuce stiffened, thrown off his beat (if he had any to begin with). “Th-That’s…!”

“I’m asking you a question, Mr. Spade. Please answer me truthfully.”

“I… um… Truth is, I…” Deuce stared at his lap, unable to meet the detective’s eyes. “I might have eavesdropped when I returned from my patrol shift…”

“Go on,” Yuu coaxed.

“There was a report I had to submit to the Chief, but it sounded like he was busy in his office. It’s hard to not notice him when he raises his voice, sir. I decided to wait outside until he was done, and… well, I got curious.”

“Wasn’t Assistant Chief Clover also present? He just let you do that without a single protest?”

“Assistant Chief Clover was very nice to me! He laughed a little and said ‘make sure you don’t get caught with your hand in the cookie jar’!”

Darn it, Trey!! You could’ve been a LITTLE stricter with this guy…! Yuu groaned, massaging the bridge of their nose. “Okay, I think I’m starting to get a better picture of what went down. You followed me wanting to learn more about the operation.”

Like a curious child chasing after a white rabbit. Still immature, still wondering, and still way over their head.

“Yes, but that’s not all!” Deuce insisted. He abruptly stood from the table. “There’s an even more important reason than just satisfying my curiosity, sir!”

Yuu quirked an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

“I had to talk to you—without the Chief around. I had to. That’s why I followed you in secret.” The officer nibbled his lower lip, as if biting back something harsh and bitter from coming up.

“Out with it, Mr. Spade.”

“Pardon the intrusion,” Jade coolly interjected. His tone was nonchalant but his bemused smile was a telltale sign that he was relishing in every second of the hot gossip. “Your beverages.”

He slid two glasses between Yuu and Deuce before departing. One was tall and slim—a highball—loaded with carbonated water and fruity gummies. Yellow for jeweled pineapples, red for ruby berries, green for frozen mint, black for floral cacao, and blue from pure azure salt. It was Yuu’s usual, the famed Mystery Drink. The other glass was, by comparison, an ordinary drink of water, a single large, clear cube of ice floating in it.

A bead of sweat ran down Deuce’s jawline. Condensation forming and racing on his glass of water.

Suddenly, the officer slapped both hands on the counter, slamming his face down upon its surface. His navy hair splayed, forehead touching the table in a display of humility.

Yuu almost spilled their drink. “What are you doing?”

“I’m begging you, sir!! P-Please put me on the mission!!” Deuce pleaded, his voice shaky but resolute. “I… I want to help catch the Knave of Hearts too!!”

“If that’s all you wanted, why ask me? Go through the proper channels to…”

“I can’t!! The Chief would never allow it.” His expression creased with shame. “He says rookies need to work their way up from meter maid to working on cases.”

“He’s right. You need to grow into these things, not rush in head-first in a burst of passion.” Yuu made to take a sip of their drink—but the officer’s fist collided with the counter, the liquid inside the glass sloshing overboard. Seltzer water splashed onto their pant leg, leaving a sticky wet spot on a thigh.

“P-Please reconsider! I know how to handle myself in a fight! I’m fast, I could easily catch up with him if it’s a race on foot!”

“Look,” the detective said irritably, “I don’t know what you’re hoping to accomplish here. Fact is, no matter how much you ask, I wouldn’t want to take you on for this case. You’re too green behind the ears—and sorry, but I just don’t see you as an asset.

“You may be strong and quick on your feet, but it’ll take more than strength and speed to catch the Knave of Hearts. There’s a reason he hasn’t been caught yet.” Yuu tapped at their temple. “It’s this. He’s got smarts, and we need to combat that with smarts of our own.”

“I-I can be smart!! I can try to, at least! Please, just let me try…!!”

Frustrated, Yuu scrutinized the young man again. Their eyes roaming, searching, for detail wrong, a hair out of place.

Years of sleuthing had built up a great amount of cynicism and distrust in the detective. How many times had they pulled back the curtain, revealing the ugly truths hidden out of plain sight? How many bruised egos--both clients and coworkers--had they encountered? People seeking status or to feed their own pride.

Yet when they looked at Deuce, none of that ugliness or ego came through. Here was someone who stubbornly stared right back at Yuu, unwilling to back down, even when his dignity lay in tatters on the floor the instant he prostrated himself.

Another selfish bid for recognition? They ventured, toying with the idea. Maybe personal ambition, looking to climb up in the world.

“... One reason,” Yuu said, holding up an index finger. “Give me one good reason why I should take you on. Convince me.”

Deuce recoiled--as though even he hadn’t expected to have made it this far, or to be taken seriously at all. His brows creased with effort as he racked the recesses of his mind to find the right phrasing.

A second later, he let out a piercing shout.

“GAAAAAAAAH!!”

With a grunt, Deuce grasped his cup of ice water and lifted it to his lips. He hammered the drink in a single swig, releasing a satisfied hoot. The liquid courage had revived the man, returning the spark to him.

In a voice as clear as the drink he had just downed, Deuce said, “It’s for my mom. She’s just about the sweetest, most hard-working person I know.”

He hung his head and slammed his empty cup down, shaking the entire table.

“She raised me as a single parent. Mom never once complained, only wanted the best life for me.” Deuce glared into his glass, speaking with scorn and anger--not at others, but for himself. “And how did I repay her? I... turned to delinquency.

“I acted out because I wasn’t man enough to do the mature thing and work on myself!! She blamed herself for my stupid decisions! I made mom worry for me so, so much...”

Plip, plip.

Deuce faltered, letting quiet tears dribble down his cheeks and landing on the cube of ice left in his glass. Once they made contact with the frozen block, it was impossible to tell what was water and what was salt.

“I swore to myself that I would turn my life around... to show mom that it’s not her fault, that she did all she could to raised someone who could contribute to society!! So I studied really hard at the police academy, and even though my grades were crappy, I managed to graduate...!!”

He choked up, a concoction of fiery passion infused in his stuttering words. “I can finally be that model officer and make a change in the community! But I haven’t done a damn thing...! I just play meter maid while bad guys are out there running free, when I could be out there making this city a safer place for mom and everyone that lives here...!!”

The noises of the lounge seemed to fade into a stoic silence around Deuce. His declaration reverberated loudly. “I have to do this. I need to do this.”

He bowed again, his forehead pressed hard against the surface of the table. The single word he uttered was hoarse, desperate.

“Please.”

Deuce pried himself up almost painfully. The eyes were aquamarine, wet with hot tears. Something shone through them in shades of blue and green, priceless as any treasure: an honesty that burned like an eternal flame.

Yuu startled, striken by a single, haunting revelation: He’s telling the truth.

“... I don’t think I’ve met someone like you before,” they said cryptically. “I don’t doubt your story—but as touching as it is, I don’t know if...”

Hesitation reared its head, and Yuu forced themselves to look away. Couldn’t bear to see him, that wide-eyed sincerity.

Emotion clashing with their sound logic. Two things that shouldn’t have belonged together colliding.

Wait... things that don’t belong together? Things I didn’t expect, surprises and twists to the tale...

A ex-delinquent turned into a policeman. A selfishness turned selfless. An anticipated lie turned into a truth. Something there that hadn’t been before.

The detective’s mind raced, quickly outpacing the words leaving their mouth. A solution which subverted expectations, a trap laced with honey for a man with sticky fingers.

That’s it. We’ll pull a trick of our own.

“Okay, I’ve changed my mind,” Yuu abruptly announced. “You’re in on this operation, Mr. Spade.”

“R-Really?!” Deuce’s face nearly tore in half, his volume revving up like a motorcycle engine. “You mean it?!”

“I do.”

Yuu took a cool sip of their Mystery Drink. Flavors from all over Twisted Wonderland cascaded over their tongue—a triumphant, fleeting pleasure.

They set their glass down and bent over, gripping Deuce by the strings of his hoodie. Yuu tugged, bringing the policeman lurching forward.

His clammy forehead against theirs. Centimeters away, his eyes widened. A flushed heat climbed to his cheeks, his voice set in a stammer.

“S-Sir, what are we...”

“You’ll have to follow my instructions very carefully,” Yuu replied with a devious grin. “Listen up, rookie: cuz you’re going to be the star of this show. Here’s the plan...”

The ambience of the lounge drowned out Yuu’s whispers. From afar, their words could only be read through the shapes of their mouth, the increasingly confused and alarmed expressions that Deuce pulled.

Jade observed them patiently, chuckling to himself. “My, my, it seems like our genius detective has found yet another solution.”

CLATTER, CLATTER!!

A tray piled high with empty plates and dishes was slammed down. Jade’s twin peered around the stack, leaning lazily against the bar.

“Eeeh, but I bet against them this time.”

“Playing the contrarian runs its risks.” Jade picked up a glass, staring at his brother through it. The golden orb called his left eye was clear as a topaz. “As for myself, I’m excited to see how this plays out.”

PLAP.

A notepad came down on the table as a third waiter joined them.

“Both of you need to stop gossiping and get back to work,” their manager chided, sliding the notepad—scrawled with fresh orders—to Jade. “Leave the customers to tend to their own business. We’ll soon know the outcome.”

[To be continued...]

196 notes · View notes

tonkatsubowl · 7 months

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rain.

what would the xianzhou boys do with you on rainy days?

it's about to storm over here and i wanted to write something

dan heng would want to cuddle with you during rainy days. during storms or rain, all he wishes to do is to stay inside with you, read a book as you lay on his lap scrolling through your social media, or even talk his ears out (which he loves. he loves listening to you) about gossip or whatnot. sometimes you would fall asleep listening to the quiet splats of rain hitting the window, and it is almost hypnotizing to listen to. it doesn't help that dan heng was incredibly warm whenever you both cuddled with each other...and it would just put you to sleep each time. almost every time it rains, dan heng would always ask you if you wanted something warm to drink. whether it was a hot beverage or a cold one, he would go out his way to buy one for you, order one and have it delivered, or even make it.

blade was nostalgic when it came to rain. every time it had rained, he would always remember his old life. his friends...and sometimes he would get too lost in his own thought. fortunately for you, you were there for him, whether it was comfort or not. because of this, you two would almost end up snuggling and cuddling with one another. his arm would be wrapped around you as you leaned against him. he would nap against the wall, listening to you giggle as you looked through the latest trends on social media, or even watch them with you as you sat on him. you would show him all these silly videos and...man, it was HARD to get this mf to laugh. but even if he didn't find the videos or memes you show him to be funny, he did enjoy spending every moment with you.

jing yuan would want to relax with you, snuggle with you and have some warm tea that he would offer to make for you. during rainy days like these, he would take the time to stop doing his paperwork and other military-related things to spend the day with you. sure, he had some meetings to attend to, but he would rather spend a rare rainy day with you than be slapped in the face with some paperwork that he despised doing. the two of you would snuggle in his room, or even sit outside on the patio sharing some stories, secrets and some warm tea that would be served to the both of you. he would listen to you talk, and admired how much you felt so comfortable sharing everything with him. after all, you trust each other immensely, and there's nothing that could ruin that.

#honkai star rail #hsr #hsr x reader #honkai star rail blade #hsr blade #hsr dan heng #blade x reader #jing yuan #jing yuan x reader #hsr jing yuan x reader #honkai star rail dan heng #honkai star rail blade x reader #honkai star rail jing yuan #hsr dan heng x reader #honkai star rail dan heng x reader #hsr blade x reader #dan heng x reader

477 notes · View notes

yuujisuku · 3 months

Text

SUKUNA X READER ROOMMATE AU

decided to write this on a whim and i think it came out pretty great! part 2 is here

part 3 will be a prequel to 1 and 2!! I hope you guys like this one hehe

tags: energetic cutesie bubbly reader, fluff, college roommate au, reader and sukuna have a little study date, fem reader but could be read however you want hehe!!

“Hey princess! Get back here and finish your laundry. Also, don't put all your damn clothes on the kitchen table.” Sukuna shouts from the kitchen. You immediately tell Nobara you'd call her back later and go back to take care of the chores you forgot momentarily.

“I'm sorry ‘Kuna. I got distracted!” You rush to the kitchen and when you see your big grumpy roommate, you get on your tiptoes and give him a kiss on his tatted cheek. You quickly grap the remaining clothes you've folded and rush back to your room.

When you get back to the kitchen, you make Sukuna's favorite beverage as an apology. He loves black coffee with just one Splenda at the bottom, completely different from your favorite. Which is sweet matcha or a strawberry boba drink. You love sweet things, but Sukuna doesn't. You do, though, appreciate each other's differences.

You knew he would also need a few cups of coffee to study for the finals you both had to get through. Sukuna would tell you that you don't need to take care of him to get him through these stupid exams, but you wanted to. You have a massive amount of energy that gets you through these exams. You don't even need coffee to get through an all-nighter, Sukuna however does.

“Hey, ‘Kuna!” You head over to his room and knock on the door that's already a bit ajar. Sukuna grunts signaling for you to come in. You see him with a few textbooks on one side of his desk and a few pens and papers on the other.

“I made you something!” You set the coffee on the far end of his desk, being careful not to spill it.

“Let me know if you need anything else, ‘Kuna! Love you!” You begin walking to the door when Sukuna grabs your arm to stop you.

“You forgot something.”

You gasp, running through your mind again to catch anything you forgot to do during the day, but you couldn't. Oh no! Is he mad at you? You really couldn't handle it if Sukuna got mad at you.

“My kiss, dummy.”

Oh! So that's what he was talking about. You always give Sukuna a kiss on the cheek, when you greet him, during the day, and just basically whenever you feel like it. You giggle and quickly press a kiss against his tatted cheek.

When night time came, you weren't even that sleepy. You wanted to check on Sukuna. You didn't want to pull an all-nighter this time. Besides, you ace your exams best when you study for them right before.

You head to Sukuna's room to see if he was there, but your roommate was nowhere to be found. You thought he went out to get some snacks, so you waited for him in the living room.

He comes back not only a few minutes later, with some energy drinks for him and some hot chocolate powder and chips for you.

“Oooh, what do we have here!” You reach for the chips but Sukuna slaps your hand away.

“Don't touch.” You pout, but he quickly grabs a large bowl and dumps the chips in.

“Do you want me to help you while you study? We can do some practice questions together.” You offer while you grab a few doritos and shove them down.

“I don't need help.” Of course he would say that. That's your Sukuna, so deep set in his ways. (That he doesn't even feel the need to work through.)

“Pleaaaase!!” You beg with chips still in your mouth and it comes out muffled.

“Princess, I'd love it if you were to help me but you'd just get me distracted. You know how that ends.” Sukuna smirks at your pouty face.

“Noooo!!” You shove more doritos down your throat. “I will witerally be so sewious!!”

Sukuna chuckles at you. You're way too cute for him. Since you're so insistent, he decides that he'd be your study partner. What's the harm in it anyway?

“Fine. Try not to get chip crumbs on my papers.”

“Yay!!”

“I didn't take you for someone to be good at English instead of Maths.” You tell Sukuna.

“It just comes easier for me, princess. I love reading poetry.”

“Oooh that's so sweet! That makes you look more handsome to me than you already are.”

Sukuna chuckles at your bold flirting. “If you keep talking to me like that, I'm going to make you give me more than just a cheek kiss.”

Your stomach flutters at how sexy his voice sounds at times. You imagine him saying something like that to you in bed. But more dirtier and filled with desire. You hope you aren't blushing, but you definitely were. You didn't realize you were just blankly staring at Sukuna until you caught him smirking.

“Let's just get back to the material.” You let out a pathetic whine. Sukuna's laugh is rich and throaty. You hated it when he teased you because you couldn't resist it. You clench your thighs that are glued to your chair. This moment is even worse than when you first saw Sukuna shirtless.

Hours pass by, and you fall asleep on your study papers, lightly snoring. Sukuna tries to pick you up without waking you, carrying you back to your room.

You look so beautiful when you're asleep, Sukuna thinks. He could watch you just doing absolutely nothing for hours if you look so at peace.

Sukuna remembers when you two were in high school, you were a timid, shy thing. He wanted to take you away from that place and protect you. You were treated like trash. People would bully and torment you to no end, but he taught them a lesson. No one would touch what was his.

He's happy you are safe now.

He tucks you in bed and pulls a stray piece of hair behind your ear. He presses a kiss to your head and walks out the door.

He fell for you the moment your eyes met his on that afternoon school day. His cute little roommate.

#ryomen sukuna x reader #sukuna x reader #sukuna x reader fanfic #ryomen sukuna x y/n #sukuna x you #ryomen sukuna x you #sukuna x y/n #sukuna fluff fic #sukuna fluff #sukuna fluff fanfic

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lovings4turn · 2 months

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୧ ‧₊˚ ☕️ ⋅ ☆ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭…

— in desperate need of caffeine, logan stumbles into the first cafe he comes across. little does he know, this will be the start of something great.

+ the first part of my whole latte love series , aka my child , so i hope you all enjoy <3 this is set in the uk , but reader isn't specified to be any particular nationality !

+ dividers from benkeibear !!

there were many sacrifices logan sargeant was willing to make in his life.

flying halfway across the world aged only eleven to pursue his dream of racing, for one. on a smaller scale, always allowing his brother dalton to ride shotgun on family trips, despite the fact that the backseat caused his legs to cramp up after a few hours.

but, no matter how late he was running, logan had promised himself he would never, ever deprive his body of a hot, caffeinated beverage before a meeting.

on this particular morning, though, logan was running especially late. normally, the jarring sound of the iphone alarm would snap him from his deep sleep within seconds, the noise sparking an instant feeling of dread within him even when it wasn't coming from his phone.

he’d learned that alex had a habit of setting alarms for various things throughout the day, before promptly forgetting what he’d set it for, leaving logan to go through the five stages of grief at least four times a weekend.

but it seemed today the universe had been a little bored, and so decided to find entertainment in burdening a poor, unsuspecting american race car driver with one minor inconvenience after another.

firstly, his alarm hadn't woken him up. correction: it had woken him up, just thirty minutes after it was supposed to.

secondly, his pride in managing to get dressed with an impressive five minutes to spare was quickly dissipated when he couldn't find his keys or wallet. the hunt had set him back another ten minutes (because why on earth would he think to check the cutlery drawer until he had run out of other possible options?).

and, for good measure, he'd tripped over his own welcome mat in his mad dash out of his apartment. so, yeah, it had been a morning, to put it lightly.

logan cursed to himself as he all but jogged down the busy street, eyes desperately scanning every building he passed in search of a cafe. he was too frantic to read any shop signs, but when he witnessed two girls walking out of a doorway clutching two paper cups, he knew he'd struck gold.

fucking finally.

logan offered the pair a tight lipped smile as he slipped past them and into the cafe, letting a sigh of relief escape his lips as the familiar smell of strong, freshly brewed coffee hit him.

this was more than worth being late for, he decided. he'd pick up a few extra coffees, as an apology, a courtesy of some kind. who could be mad with a cup of coffee in their hand? though logan figured he was allowed to be a little lax in his timings anyways, since he was no longer in his rookie year at williams. the team would forgive him quick enough.

trainer-clad feet led him towards the back of the fairly short queue leading up to the counter, and logan took the opportunity to slip his phone out from his coat pocket and shoot a quick text to alex. he hoped his teammate wouldn’t mind bearing the responsibility of updating the rest of the team on his whereabouts.

‘sorry, overslept. omw now though, bringing coffee as an apology and effort to keep my head’.

three laughing emojis quickly flared up onto logan’s lockscreen, and he took that as a positive sign.

it was only when logan placed his phone back into his pocket that he realised just how close he was to the front of the line, and immediately began rehearsing his order. sure, he ordered the same thing practically every single time he got coffee, but with the day he was having, he’d probably find a way to absolutely butcher the simple order.

all he needed was his oat milk latte, a black coffee for james, and some sort of sugary, overly sweet concoction for alex. he doubted this place sold the pumpkin spiced lattes that he loved to tease alex about ordering, so he’d just have to find the next best thing.

only, when he finally stepped up to the counter and opened his mouth to order, his mind went blank.

standing only a few feet in front of him was the most gorgeous person logan had ever seen, and considering he’d travelled the world and met countless different women and men over the years, that was an impressive achievement.

you, luckily, hadn’t noticed the internal reboot logan was experiencing, and focused instead on offering him a warm smile and greeting.

“morning! what can i get for you today?” you asked, finger poised and ready to input his order into the till in front of you.

logan barely managed to stop himself from physically shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, before pasting a crooked grin of his own onto his lips.

“good morning,” he returned, voice a little quiet before he cleared his throat and spoke up again. “can i just get a large black americano, large oat milk latte, and uh,” logan paused, eyes quickly scanning the board in front of him as he weighed up all of the different syrups available.

vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, and oh, thank god, cinnamon. that was close enough to pumpkin spice, right?

“and a large cinnamon latte, please. oh, to take out.” he finished, finally returning his eyes to you as you skillfully rang through his order.

“ah, great choice,” you commented, your smile still never having left your lips.

from the moment he’d opened his mouth, you’d quickly registered the accent, though opted not to comment on it despite how pleasing it was to your ears. of course there were no shortage of americans stepping into the cafe everyday, but there was something about his in particular that caused your ears to perk up a little more. maybe it was down to the person it was attached to, instead.

“and is that everything for you today?” you continued, snapping back into following what you’d aptly dubbed your ‘service speech’, a routine that ensured you didn't stumble over your words to every customer you served.

“that’s all, yeah.” logan responded with another small smile.

“perfect. that’ll be nine eighty there.”

"great, thank you."

logan quickly pulled out his phone to pay, though as his eyes caught the small jar sat on the counter, ‘tips’ scrawled onto a label in nice handwriting, he wished he was paying by cash. a flash of hope ran through him as he dug his hand into his jean pocket, and he had never been more relieved to feel some spare change brush against his fingertips.

barely even bothering to count how much was there – it looked to be about three pounds, but he could have been wrong - logan dropped it into the jar, offering you a sheepish smile. he felt a little foolish, paying by card and fumbling around for some cash, but the look on your face was more than worth it.

“thank you,” you repeated with a soft laugh. “should be ready for you in two minutes.”

logan couldn’t bring himself to speak again, so simply nodded and moved to walk to the point he would collect his drinks from. before that, though, he would grant himself one, small privilege.

his eyes quickly found your name badge, and he scanned it as subtly as he could before he walked away, the name replaying over and over in his mind like a broken record. but, no. broken records were annoying, an inconvenience, something to fix or throw out. your name was anything but.

not even five minutes after he’d placed his order were his drinks placed onto the counter, each labelled appropriately to save for any confusion. a cupholder had also been provided, which logan was eternally grateful for. he didn’t think the three drinks would survive the short journey otherwise. as a treat to himself, he took a small sip from his latte and almost swore. logan didn’t believe in magic, but he was sure that this coffee was somehow laced with it. never had a simple oat latte tasted so good to him.

and, he thought, a little embarrassingly, never had someone looked so good making one, either.

“see you later!” you called from behind the till, lifting your hand in a gesture that could be perceived as a wave, but also an attempt to smooth your hair a little.

logan nodded and gave you a smile. you would definitely see him later. he had just found his new favourite coffee shop, and he wasn’t going to give it up any time soon.

☕️ . . . there it is , the first instalment !! i loved writing this so much - and actually did so with a cinnamon iced latte of my own , as alex and i are actually one and the same ! hope you all enjoyed , and thank you for reading <3

#.° ༘🗝️⋆₊ becca’s drabbles #₊ ⊹ barista!reader #logan sargeant #logan sargeant x reader #logan sargeant x you #logan sargeant blurb #logan sargeant drabble #formula one x reader #formula one x you #f1 x reader #f1 x you

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writers-block246 · 1 year

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What a Lazy Day in With Jason Todd Would include (x reader)

• Reading together - sometimes reading your favorite quotes to one another

• He WILL get excited about parts of his books and will eagerly explain any hidden meanings to you

• It’s super cute because he unthinkingly gesticulates to express himself and his pretty eyes start to twinkle

• (I 100% believe he has little post-it notes in his books to document his thoughts and I think it’s so adorable)

• He will make you your favorite drink before indulging in this activity, and it’s so peaceful lying cuddled up together sipping on your beverage, letting your eyes take in the words on the pages

• Legit can’t imagine anything better than laying across his broad chest, feeling his warmth seeping through his clothes and his large hand cupping the back of your neck

• He will cook for you - I hc that he’s a pretty good cook, probably the best of the brothers tbh

• Sets you on the counter (HOT)

• Steps in between your legs to nuzzle into your neck

• Let’s you move his hair out of his eyes when his hands are busy

• Playfully nudges you as he cooks

• Keeps a hand on your thigh as much as possible

• Let’s you taste test

• He will watch you and make sure you like his food - will take it personally if you don’t

• He provides for you, even on days where he’s relaxing he has to offer his help - plus, it makes him feel good knowing he’s taking care of you

• I really think that, while Jason does love excitement and adventure, he prefers to stay in on his days off, relaxing with you

• I feel like he’d complain about movie adaptations of his favorite novels, but would watch them with you just to make snarky comments about them

• You can’t help but giggle at him, even though you try not to encourage his melodrama

• Lazy kisses interspersed throughout the movie coupled with featherlight kisses across your shoulders

• Just an all-around nice relaxing day with your man

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neoarchipelago · 1 year

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And they were Roommates (part 5)

A/N: MY OH MY. This tag list has grown so much it makes me so happy! Thanks to the anonymous ask, i indulged myself and added a little self care on reader being sick. It honestly comforted me.

Again you are all entirely welcome to send some heacanons, tropes or ideas to add to this.

and yes. You'll have the slowest burn ever.

YOU WANTED TO BE FLUSTERED? HERE YOU GO MWAHAHA

Warnings: some 18+ inuendos, swearing.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

You were exhausted. It had been an awfully long week. To your demise, sickness had entered your ranks. Sergeant McTavish was first. Whaling like a wounded soldier every time he felt a cough erupting. The drama queen had soon infected the others.

"We should have taken him out when I said to."

You had rolled your eyes at Ghost's remark.

Colonel Vargas was second. It had been slightly less complicated. He seemed to handle the flu much better. Gaz, he, had sung the song of his people with Soap, acting as if they've been shot. Though as per Price's comment, they complained far less when they had actually been shot.

Of course they had all nested in the apartment, Ghost highly irritated, asking them to go die somewhere else where they wouldn't bother him.

Being a medic had never been your dream. Yet you had to improvise yourself as a nurse for the week, giving medication and hot beverages to the wounded soldiers, or as you affectionately called them, pussies.

Price had followed, he had acted as if nothing was wrong, the obvious raspiness of his voice betraying him. He had kindly refused your offer to take care of him, but gave in at the warm soup for dinner. Your best patient so far.

Now to your worst patient. Ghost. He had entirely avoided any care package thrown his way, resulting in a lot of bickering to the amusement of the rest of the healing squad.

"Take your fucking meds." You said annoyed.

"Fucking make me." He dared.

You threw him your most annoyed glance.

"I will punch you." You threatened.

"Sure thing gremlin, reach my face first." He answered in the same tone.

You had kindly thrown every pillow in the living room at him, taking the one underneath soap's head, earning a 'hey!' from the agonizing man.

He had still accepted warm beverages, and after a very long fight and a threat to get drunk again, he had taken his meds.

It was finally over. Everyone was on the path of healing. Your duty was done.

Unfortunately for you, on this fine Sunday morning, you woke up with a raging headache and a sore throat.

You had been infected by the zombies. The game was over. You sighed. You had hoped very very strongly that you might escape the plague but the fight had been lost. You groaned as you sat up in bed. The warmth radiating from your body couldn't betray the obvious. You had a fever. You closed your eyes, cursing every baby man in the apartment because, OF COURSE, they were still camping around. Price was the only one who went back home for the night and came back in the morning to babysit his men.

You tried to stand, grabbing the black hoodie laying on your desk chair. You'd be fucking damned if you gave him back his hoodie. And he'd have to deal with you stealing the others too. Throwing it on, you tried to walk out of your room, the men complaining in the living room were being way too noisy for your pounding head. Finally appearing in the doorway the men turned to you.

"Oh god… you got sick." Price said.

The look of annoyance on your face couldn't betray it. You walked to the counter where Ghost was eyeing you carefully. You stared into his eyes.

"Johnny, make some tea." Ghost ordered, not dropping his gaze.

"Copy." Soap said jumping from the couch and jogging to the kitchen.

"Gaz go get some meds" he ordered again. "Copy" Gaz spoke out loud, walking to the front door. You felt your cheeks color.

"I'll go buy some snacks." Alejandro said, walking behind Gaz.

"You should get her to bed." Price said, walking next to soap probably to stop him from burning the kitchen down.

Ghost stood, extending his hand. You sighed before grabbing it, letting him walk you back to your room.

"Get in bed." He ordered.

"Like that? Not even a date first?" You teased dropping to your knees on the mattress.

"Stop taking your fantasies for reality." He snickered.

You let yourself slip under the covers again. He turned on the TV in your room, putting Netflix on.

"Ghost…" you asked, unsure of what you're going to say next.

He turned to you.

"Can… you stay…?" You asked.

"Can you give me back my hoodie?"

"No "

"Fuckin hell…"

So here you were. Cup of warm tea in hand, various snacks dropped around the bed, chocolate, candy, chips, sliced fruit and other things. Ghost laid next to you, slightly sitting against the headboard. Community was playing on the wide screen. It was peaceful. You, laying in bed, with your scary dog of a roommate next to you on the bed, his teammates half laying at the feet of the bed and around the room.

You sighed of content. Price had to run off to get some things done, but he promised to drop by in the evening again. Your eyelids felt heavy, the sickness getting you tired. A large hand came to slowly grab the half empty mug from your hands, putting it down on your night stand. You tried keeping track of the show on TV or the boys commenting or snickering at the jokes, but your eyes were fighting against your will.

It felt comfy. Warm. The man next to you seemed to radiate so much warmth. Your head had slightly fallen to the side, resting on his shoulder. You convinced yourself you'd close your eyes just for a minute. Just… a little… minute…

It felt… good… comfy… against his chest… his arm… around you… maybe… you could… sleep… for a bit…

"Sleep little bunny… we're here." He whispered, finally letting you completely give in to your exhaustion.

You groaned at the sound of someone repeatedly knocking and ringing at the front door. You peeked at the clock on your phone. 6:20 am. Who ? What?

It couldn't be Ghost. He did go for his morning runs, but… maybe he had forgotten his keys?

You got up, finally giving in. The knocking was non stop.

"I'm coming! God! Just a minute!" You yelled.

The pijamas you were wearing didn't help the cold hair from making you shiver as you walked to the front door.

You opened it, trying to focus your brain on what was happening.

"Oh darling! I'm soooo sorry to wake you up but I really need you!"

You stared at the woman in front of you. Sergeant Melisa Gallegos stood there. You had met her in one of the previous missions, you had gotten friendly with her. She was kind and sweet. You sometimes get coffee and gossip with her. That's how you had gotten to know each other. You had learned that she was a single mother of a 3 years old little girl named Amy.

Which was sitting in her mother's arms, eyes fighting to stay open at the obvious early rise she had to go through.

"I need you to babysit."

"What?"

"I am SO sorry to ask you this. I have a big emergency at the base, and her babysitter is on vacation… " she explained.

"But… I… I haven't taken care of a kid in a long time!" You debated.

"You know Amy! She loves you, you did this before." She tried smiling at you.

You stood before her, looking at her shift from one foot to another, and at Amy just begging to fall asleep.

You sighed.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!!" She said, handing the little girl into your arms.

"Wait!- I-" you tried.

Unfortunately she had already dropped the two little bags in front of the door and ran off.

You looked at the little girl in your arms, not bothered by the change of person. She did know you after all, you had already babysat for her a few times.

"Alright little monkey. Let's go back to bed. It's way too early." You said, pushing the bags inside with your feet and closing the front door.

When Amy had woken up again, it was around 9 am. You were fine by it as it was the normal time you'd wake up. You two had played a bit on the bed, tickling her, and creating stories with the little plushie she dragged around everywhere with her.

After a good laugh you had decided to get up, peeking at your phone. One notification.

"I'm bringing breakfast, just got to pass at the base first. Be there at 10."

Alright. Gave you time to get dressed with Amy and make her a hot chocolate, with the usual tea for you and him. You had walked into the living room, dropping her on the couch softly turning on some cartoons, leaving you to start on the beverages. You heard the front door unlock, Ghost walking in with the usual breakfast.

"I got-"

He glanced at the couch. Freezing on the spot. The staring match in between the toddler and the man in a skull balaclava was almost comical if you weren't so anxious of Amy's reaction at the masked man. You hadn't thought that she might be scared of Ghost.

"Awe you a supew hewo?" She asked, eyes shining with happiness.

Your heart melted on the spot. You smiled at Ghost who suddenly turned to you.

"How the fuck did a kid spawn here?" He asked, confusion clearly visible in his eyes.

You gasped ready to reprimand him from cursing in front of the child.

"Fwuck!"

You both turned to the toddler who had a wide smile on her face.

"No. No. Nonononoo… Amy sweety no.." you freaked out a bit. God Melisa was going to kill you.

You walked to the toddler kneeling in front of her.

"Darling, that's a bad word… only grown ups can use it… alright?" You tried to explain. Throwing a dark look at the man still standing at the doorstep.

"Ok!" She happily conceded.

You smiled.

"Perfect! Do you want to meet the big man?" You asked. She frantically nodded. You picked her up, walking around the couch to stand in front of Ghost who looked almost terrified.

"Amy, this is Lieutenant Riley. You can call him Ghost. He's my roommate… hum, my friend!" You explained.

You turned to ghost who's eyes shifted from the child to you.

"Ghost. This is Amy. She's my friend's kid, and I had to babysit at the last minute. She'll be spending the day with me."

He nodded.

"Why you wwear a mask?" She asked.

He frowned for a second.

"Hmm… it's for my job." He answered.

"Can I touwch it?" She asked, extending her little hand.

Ghost stared at it for a few seconds before looking back at you.

"Hum, sweety, maybe-" you started trying to defuse the situation.

To your shock he stopped closer, lowering his face, letting the little girl touch his mask. His eyes were on you, and yours were glued to his.

What was that funny feeling spreading through you? The burning sensation coursing through you? God..

The little girl giggled. Before letting her hand drop.

She then turned to you.

"Can I watch SpongewBob?" She asked.

You cleared your throat. Looking away embarrassed.

"Of course darling. We'll prepare breakfast."

You turned away, walking back to the couch and sitting her down, leaving her to watch 'SpongewBob' on tv.

You walked to the kitchen Ghost closely following you.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting -" you began in a low voice.

"It's… ok. It was surprising." He whispered back..

God, why was he so close to you? Why were you so HOT?!

"I'm not used to kids." He admitted.

"It's alright. I'm the babysitter. You don't have to stay." You smiled.

"Didn't we have to go grocery shopping?" He reminded you.

You closed your eyes at the sudden realization.

"Oh… fu-.. I mean… yeah… I forgot." You said.

"We can take her. It'll be ok, right?" He asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" You questioned back.

"I don't know. It's not too cold for her?" He asked.

God can he stop being so FUCKIN cute?! You bit your lip, keeping the wide smile from being too visible and failing miserably.

"She'll be fine."

Breakfast had been, calm. You were thankful that Amy was one of the calmest kid's you knew. She was well behaved, calm, and sweet. She was, unfortunately for Ghost, extremely curious. And again, to his dismay, she had taken a liking to him. She had been fascinated at the way he raised his mask to his nose to eat.

His lips were one of the things you were used to.

To SEE. USED TO SEE.

On another hand, Ghost had seemed very thoughtful during the morning.

He had eclipsed himself for half an hour while you battled with the toddler to get both of you ready to go grocery shopping. She kept questioning everything, sometimes wondering about things that never ever crossed your mind. You found it funny. It was incredibly adorable.

Zipping her little coat, making sure she had her scarf, you received a text from Ghost.

"I'm here."

You walked out of the door, the little girl holding your hand as you were walking down. You made sure to walk down the stairs at her pace, eyes never leaving her, too scared she might fall even though her tiny hand was secured in yours.

You pushed the building's door to the underground parking lot where you immediately saw Ghost, arms crossed over his chest, all dressed in black leaning against his black jeep. Amy squealed as she saw him. Jumping.

You smiled. You walked to him.

"Where did you go?" You asked.

"We were missing something." He said.

"Really? What?" You inquired, confused.

He moved, opening the back door. You blinked. A FUCKING CAR SEAT. You closed your eyes, sighing.

"Thank you… it had completely escaped my mind…" you apologized.

Amy had let go of your hand, skipping her way to Ghost, hands up in the air for him to pick her up and sit her in the back.

Ghost froze. You were quick to make a move but you stopped as he slowly bent forward. You stood there in shock, watching him pick up the child. She was so small in his arms.

Fuck… was this awakening something in you?

He sat her very softly in the car seat, being extremely careful to make sure she wouldn't hit her head. He moved as if Amy was a little porcelain doll. You saw him fidget to buckle her up, again surprising you. The little 'click' was heard, and he pulled a little on the belts, making sure it was safe. Amy was holding her little plushie babbling about whatever new thing she had learned this morning to the soft thing.

Ghost looked back at you, leaning on his arm against the car. As if taking your opinion on his handy work. You bit your lip. And his eyes fell on the movement, forearms flexing.

"Thanks…" you whispered.

"You're welcome." He answered voice deeper than usual. You finally moved, opening the passenger door, he closed the back door making sure Amy didn't have her leg or arm in the way. You sat in the front, Ghost closing your door behind you.

You took a deep breath. Amy seemed to be enjoying herself, not at all weary of her new environment. Ghost took place in the driver's seat, buckling his seatbelt as well. You watched his movements as turned on the vehicle.

"Ghost…" you called.

He looked at you.

"Did you… buy a car seat?" You asked.

"Yes." Was all he said, attention turning back to his task.

You pushed the Shopping cart where Amy had taken place. Ghost followed you as you tried to remember what you needed. The grocery store on the base was a good thing. It avoided having civilians staring at Ghost. At least here, everyone knew who he was. The fact he was with a woman and a child though, that, caused many to stare.

The fact that Amy was a little blond, curly haired girl, that was incredibly close in color to Ghost's eyelashes also made everyone stare.

You tried to focus on the task at hand, Amy and Ghost not caring at all about the rest of the people in the store.

She kept pointing at things, asking Ghost to explain what It was. It made you smile. The way he was willingly letting himself be questioned by the little girl.

"Oh, i forgot…" you mentally cursed yourself.

Ghost looked at you.

"Can.. you stay with her for a few minutes? I'm sorry… I forgot to grab something." You asked with a sorry look..he nodded.

You smiled at him before turning around and walking out of the aisle, hurrying up. As you scanned the new aisle your phone rang. Rummaging through your pocket you grabbed it. It was Amy's mother.

" Hey! How's everything going?" She asked.

"Everything's fine. Your daughter met Liteutenant Ghost Riley." You teased.

"...what?" She asked.

"Yeah, he's my roommate." You spoke, still searching for the damn thing.

"... And… is everything going ok?" She asked with a little worry in her voice.

"Everything is fine…" you sighed " she likes him more than me, and he acts as if she's made of glass." You said.

"Oh! Thank god! I was worried she might be a bit much for him." She chuckled.

"Well he's not used to it, but he's extremely patient with her." You reassured.

"Alright, I might pick her up late… I'm really sorry…"

"It's ok. You owe me though." You teased.

"Ok, fair." She laughed.

You bid your goodbyes, her having to rush back to work, and you worrying about leaving Ghost and Amy alone too long.

You walked back to the aisle you had left him, finding them nowhere. You frowned. You walked around the aisle, suddenly feeling the anxiety coursing through you. What happened? Why aren't they here? You stopped as you turned left into the biscuits section.

You let out a sigh of relief.

"Ghost!" You walked to him. He turned to you not bothered at all by the situation.

"I've been looking for-"

You interrupted yourself as you looked at Amy.

"Ghost. Why does she have a doll?" You asked.

"She asked for it." He replied.

You looked at the cart.

"She also asked for the plush, the Legos and the ponies?" You glared at him.

"Yes." He replied again, as if the situation was completely fine.

"Ghost. You can't buy her that."

"Yes I can."

"No! You can't give her everything she asks for!"

"Yes I can. She asked nicely. She said please." He explained turning back to lean on the cart.

"That's not an excuse!" You scolded.

"It's my money." He concluded.

Amy smiled widely, hugging the box the doll was in.

You stood there mouth slightly open, shocked from the situation.

She had him wrapped around her finger! You rolled your eyes. This was a fight you wouldn't win. You headed for the cashier's, ready to ring up everything. Amy was thrilled with her new toys. Walking back to the car, you dropped the groceries in the trunk, Amy already had her doll out of the box as she had 'asked nicely', and ghost had ripped the box apart to give it to her.

He had let you buckle her up this time. You headed back home. Stopping at MacDonalds on the way home because, once again, 'she had asked nicely'.

"Stop spoiling her Ghost!"

"No."

Ghost parked in the parking lot. You both got out of the car. You opened the back door, looking at the little girl. She had fallen asleep on the way home. She hadn't liked waking up early, and it was almost time for her nap. You stood there for a little while watching her sleep. She was so cute. You didn't want to wake her up.

The breath on your neck made your hair stand, as he whispered in your ear.

"Do you want me to pick her up…"

You held your breath. He was in your back, cornering you, arms on each side, leaning down.

You slowly looked to your left, planting your eyes into his. Time froze. You were so close. You could feel his breath though his balaclava on your lips. He frowned. Eyes shifting to said lips.

"You're always biting your lip…" he noted in a low voice.

Were you? You didn't even realize you were doing it now.

"Does it bother you?" You hushed back.

"It makes them… red." He stated awkwardly.

"Does it?" You asked. Of course it did. You could see his brows furrowing.

"Makes me…want-" he started, almost growling.

You were hanging on to his every word. Heat pouling dangerously deep in your stomach.

"Why does it make whem red?" The little voice made you both separate instantly. Ghost taking a step back.

You cleared your throat, looking at Amy.

"Hum… well… hum… it's… complicated. I'll explain another time, ok?" You tried, clearly blushing.

"Ok!" She smiled.

God. Keeping children was hard.

The day had gone by pretty fast. You ate lunch, Amy napped leaving you and Ghost time to work a bit. You two were acting as if nothing happened. On your part at least you were obviously embarrassed.

After she had woken up, she insisted on playing with her new Legos. You had moved the coffee table to the side so you could play on the carpet with her. Ghost was sitting on the couch, legs spread, reading a report, occasionally looking at you playing with Amy. Once in a while Amy turned to him proudly showing off her constructions.

Each time he praised her with a little, 'that's really nice, you did good', it made your heart flutter.

He was so kind, so gentle with her.

You could feel his gaze on you when you weren't looking. It burnt through you.

After a while you had dinner, and put on a Disney movie for her. You sat on the couch with her on your lap cuddling her new teddy and her old plushie. She rested against you. Ghost joined after finishing his report.

"Move." He asked.

You frowned. He sat next to you, making you lean on him. You blushed.

"Are you really gonna watch Encanto?" You teased.

"You'd rather I go away?" He asked, looking down at you intensely.

You didn't say anything at all.

The more the movie played the more Amy seemed to close her eyes. It was getting pretty late. Around half of the movie she was sound asleep in your arms. You smiled down at her, brushing a little strand of blond hair away from her face.

"Fuck…"

You looked at Ghost meeting his gaze.

"Is everything alright?" You whispered.

He stayed silent.

"Ghost..?" You asked frowning.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"What.. Do you mean?" You whispered.

"To me…" he finished furrowing his brows in confusion.

You sucked in a breath, but before you could say anything, a knock on the door made you separate. It took a little moment for him to gather himself and get up to open the door. You took a deep breath, trying to calm your racing heart. A few seconds later, Melisa walked in.

"Hey!" She whispered to you, walking to where you sat.

"Hi, how was work? " You hushed back.

"Hell… but we made it… I'm so sorry to have dropped her off like that…" she said, the sincerest sorry look on her face.

"It's alright Melisa. I understand, and I don't mind helping you out. Amy is adorable." You reassured.

She smiled at you, feeling slightly emotional by the look on her face. With the utmost care, you gave her the sleeping toddler.

"I'll help you with the bags." You told her, getting up the couch with her. Looking around at the toys scattered around and then to the new plush she furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Did you buy her all of this?" She asked.

"No. He did." You said pointing at the man leaning behind the kitchen counter.

It was absolutely ridiculous to say that the man, in all black, with a mask made of a human skull, with the most terrifying glance you could fall on, had bought so many toys for a toddler after she had simply said 'please'.

You both walked to the doorstep as she stopped in front of Ghost.

"I'm sorry lieutenant.. I hope she didn't make a fuss. I'm very thankful to you both for keeping her… and for the toys." She said.

"No problem. She's a nice kid." He said.

You smiled at him, he noticed. You grabbed the two little bags and followed Melisa out, walking down the stairs to her car.

"He's pretty nice actually, for a cold blooded killer he is reputed for." She remarked.

"He's still a terrifying man, who sticks up to his reputation by the reports of missions I've seen. He's just… calmer, here." You said.

She had put Amy into her car seat.

"He bought her… a car seat." You said. It sounded more like a thought coming out of your mouth, as if for yourself, it was still something your brain was trying to process.

"He did? Just… for today?" She asked.

"Yeah. We went to the store, and I guess he was worried for her safety, and immediately went out and bought her the car seat." You explained.

Now you remembered how he seemed deep in thoughts during breakfast. He had been thinking about it.

"Well. He seems like a good man." She said softly, closing the back door.

"Yeah.. you're right." You smiled at her. "I trust that this stays in between us." You asked.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't say anything that involves my daughter to anyone. This situation stays knowledge for us only." She assured. You knew that she was extremely worried to have her child on the line. Unfortunately, it's part of the job to earn enemies, and everyone wants to keep their loved one away from it.

Melisa thanked you again as you handed her the bags. You offered to take care of Amy if she ever needed again. After hugging her goodbye, you headed back up to the apartment.

Locking the front door behind you, you walked into the living room where you saw Ghost, holding what now seemed to be his favorite mug, standing behind the counter.

"You look tired. You should head to sleep." He remarked.

He was right. You were tired. Taking care of a child wasn't easy, you were glad for his help. You walked up to him, you saw him stiffen.

"Thank you Ghost. Your help was really appreciated. And I had an amazing day. Amy adored it. So… again, thank you Gh-"

"Simon." He interrupted.

You blinked.

"Wh-what..?" You whispered.

He stepped closer, barely inches away.

"My name. It's Simon." He clarified.

Your mouth opened. Then shut itself again.

Simon.

"(Y/N)." You blurted out.

His eyes flashed something unknown.

"(Y/N).." he whispered, sending a delightful shiver down your spine. Your name, on his lips. Fuck…

"Simon…" you whispered too.

You felt his fingertips rush to your hip, hovering there, too close yet so far. After a second he lowered his hand back to his body.

"You're welcome. It was a good day." He added.

You nodded, smiling at him, trying to hide the obvious way your heart was racing. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you watched him step back, gaining some composure.

"Goodnight (Y/N)." He said.

"Goodnight Simon."

----

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writingpastmybedtime · 3 months

Text

You've Never Done This Before?

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x f!Reader

Summary: You really want to go ice-skating with someone and when Bucky agrees to go with you, you feel ecstatic. What you don't know, however, is that Bucky has never gone skating before.

Word Count: 1.8k, short but sweet

Warnings: None

Request: Yes.

A/N: I just love skating and the idea of Bucky never having tried out ice-skating made me write this small one-shot.

The team had been completely ecstatic when Tony announced that he’d booked a cabin for the whole crew for a long weekend. And not just any cabin - a cabin in Alaska, in mid-January, which meant that everyone gathered their snow gear to take with them with enthusiastic grins.

The cabin itself was beautiful with three floors, seven bedrooms with separate bathrooms, a huge living room, a smaller library, and a gorgeous kitchen conjoined to a dining room. The night of the arrival was spent celebrating the previous year and all of the accomplished missions. Some drinks were had, some laughs were shared and by the start of the new day, half of the team had semi-serious hangovers.

You walked into the kitchen in the morning, to grab a cup of coffee as you took a look outside. The sun was shining, which made the snow sparkle. And there was snow everywhere, in fact, you’d never seen so much snow before. Smiling to yourself, you took a sip of the hot beverage as you enjoyed the view outside.

“How in the hell are you looking so good?” Natasha asked, her hair all dishevelled and a grimace on her face. A headache probably.

You just shrugged, before grinning at her. “A wise man once told me to remember to drink water while drinking alcohol.”

Natasha groaned at that, as she opened a drawer to search for painkillers. You looked back outside when you finally saw a sight that made your heart rate speed up in enthusiasm.

There was a pond a few metres away from the cabin, it wasn’t very huge, but it would be perfect for what you had planned.

“Did you remember to bring your ice-skates?” You asked Natasha, as she finally finished drinking her cup of water and looked at you as she furrowed her brows. “You want me to go skating with you?” She placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder before giving you a thoughtful smile. “I’m sorry, honey, but I’m honestly just regretting every single drink I had last night. It wouldn't be wise.”

“But you should ask one of the Super Soldiers to come with you, you know, seeing as their tolerance to alcohol is much better than mine.” You laughed with her at the comment before you heard footsteps nearing the kitchen.

“Ask us what?” Steve asked as he headed straight for the coffee machine. Your eyes trailed from him to the doorway, on which Bucky was currently leaning, his arms crossed. He gave you a small smile, which you returned.

“Y/N wants someone to go skating with her,” Natasha said as she pointed at the ice-covered pond through the window. “I’d love to go, but my headache is killing me.”

Steve looked at you and was about to agree when Bucky spoke up. “I can go with you,” he spoke with a smile on his face.

“Really?” You asked, a small blush gracing your cheeks at his offer. Going with Bucky would be a dream since you’d been harbouring a small crush on him for a few months. The grin on your face grew when you saw him nod and you squealed, clapping your hands together.

“Perfect, I’ll just go change into something warmer and find my skates.” You said before you left the kitchen with a skip in your step.

Steve looked at Bucky with an amused grin and a raised eyebrow. “What?” Bucky muttered as he took a sip of his coffee.

“Since when do you know how to skate?” Steve asked the man in front of him, making Bucky shrug.

“How hard can it be?” Bucky smiled as Natasha snorted and wished him ‘good luck’. Steve finished his coffee before nodding his head at Bucky. “Come on, man, I’ll lend you my skates seeing as you probably don’t even own a pair.” Natasha just grinned at the two men, excited that there was a window overlooking the pond.

She was about to be entertained.

You had walked silently to the ice-covered pond with Bucky, just enjoying each other's company. What you didn’t know, however, was that Bucky had never been ice-skating. It just seemed so obvious to you, that everyone had gotten a chance to try it out once in their life, not considering the fact that for most of Bucky’s life, he wasn’t in charge of his decisions.

“The ice looks so smooth,” You said eagerly as you looked at the frozen pond and began to put on your skates. Bucky nodded, trying to hide his nervousness as he watched you tie your skates and tried to do the same. Fortunately for him, he had great balance, so he hoped it would all work out in his favour.

Taking a first step on the ice, your legs shook, before balancing yourself. You laughed as you looked at Bucky. “Careful with the first step, it's always unusual at first.” Gaining your confidence, you started gliding on the ice, your face beaming with joy.

Bucky just watched as you skated, mesmerised by your movements and skill. The sun made your eyes glisten and the blush on your nose and cheeks from the cold was making you look extremely adorable.

“Are you coming?” You had now stopped in front of him with a grin. He nodded and you watched him take the first step onto the ice. He was a bit shaky but tried to stand up straight and make the first glide. Suddenly, as he was trying to understand how to move, he lost his footing and fell on his butt. You looked at him in shock, before you started laughing.

Bucky just looked at himself on the ice, before looking at you and scratching the back of his head. A blush was starting to form on his cheeks, which you found very cute, and then the realisation dawned on you.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?” Bucky smiled at you sheepishly before he shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I thought I could figure it out on the spot, but it seems to be just a tad bit harder than I imagined it would.” You grinned at him, before skating over to him and offering him your hands to pull him up.

He shook slightly when he stood again and you placed your hands on his arms, trying to keep him balanced. “Okay, it’s no big deal, honestly. I’ll teach you. It’s really easy once you get the hang of it.”

Bucky just looked at you as if you were the most enticing thing in the whole world. He thought you’d be mad at him for not knowing how to skate, but you just smiled and offered to teach him, like it's the least you could do.

“Just place your hands on my arms and I’ll start gliding whilst pulling you with me, okay?” You asked him and gave him a reassuring smile. Bucky nodded, and he did as you said while keeping his eyes on his skate-covered feet. You began to move backward, pulling Bucky with you. Bucky wondered how you even knew how to skate backwards since moving forward was already complicated enough.

“Okay, you're doing wonderful. Now just start moving your feel like so,” You began to show him how to move his feet and Bucky tried his damn hardest to follow your lead. After a few unsuccessful tries, he finally started getting the hang of it and he gave you a wide grin.

“Just like this?” He asked and you reciprocated his smile and nodded. You moved like that for a few minutes before you began to let go of his arms. His eyes widened when he realised your intent and he grabbed onto you, making you laugh as he gave you a pout. Seeing a 106-year-old, 6” tall Super Soldier pout was a sight that not everyone would believe.

“Come on, big guy, you can do this.” You pushed yourself away from him, making him lose his grip on you. Bucky tried to keep his balance with his hands before he tried to make his first glide all on his own.

As a surprise to him, he didn’t fall this time. He was doing quite well, considering this was his first time. He grinned at you and you began to skate in front of him, still facing each other.

“Are you gonna teach me how to skate backwards next?” Bucky asked as you just shook your head with a laugh. “I’m afraid we have to leave that to our next lesson. We need to get you comfortable with skating the right way first.”

“Oh, so there’ll be more lessons?” He quipped as he smirked and started skating faster. You realised that he was becoming more confident and you started adding speed as well. “Maybe,” you smirked before you turned around and began to skate away from him at a speed that left him stunned for a second.

He admired you for a while before a mischievous glint appeared in his gaze and he began to follow you. It was now a game of whether or not he could catch you.

You skated in circles for a while, your laughter joyous and loud, before Bucky suddenly turned around and changed his path. Now instead of being behind you, he was in front of you and coming closer at a very fast pace. Before you could react, he stumbled into you, which made you both twirl as you gripped him. You closed your eyes, waiting for the impact.

He fell with a thud, with you on top of him.

You both stayed quiet for a second before you broke the silence and began to laugh heartily. “I should’ve taught you how to stop before we began to chase each other.” He laughed alongside you and nodded. “Yeah, that probably should’ve been wise.”

You grinned at each other before Bucky suddenly grew serious. He raised his hand to brush a strand of hair behind your ear, that had fallen from your braid during the small accident. He didn’t remove his hand from your face, but let it linger on your cheek, caressing the skin underneath his thumb. You blushed at the contact, not being able to look away from his beautiful blue eyes.

“You’re absolutely stunning, doll.” He told you in a whisper and the nickname made your heart flutter. Bucky started to pull you closer to himself and you could already feel his breath on your face before a mischievous glint appeared in your eyes and you pushed yourself up to stand.

“You’re gonna have to catch me first,” you told him teasingly and began to skate away from him. He laughed before he sat up and looked at you, shaking his head but accepting the challenge.

He stood up and started to glide after you before he realised.

“You still didn’t teach me how to stop properly.”

Safe to say that the next time you collided, you weren’t able to leave his embrace.

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes fanfiction #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan x you #bucky imagine

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