#since some of you were asking and apparently you like to schedule your tears

[wonlvkay]

― Enhypen reaction to you not being able to fall asleep

Warnings : fluff, insomnia, stress, depression, nightmares, trauma, family issues.

Comments, likes and reblogs are highly appreciated

Heeseung ★

he would be fast asleep before he heard a soft sob and would immediately get up. "what's wrong love?" he would ask with concern reaching out for you as you seek comfort in his arms. he knew you had nightmares due to you having a toxic family and traumatic experiences. he would sing to you rubbing your back softly. he would go to sleep only after making sure that your ok and soundly sleeping.

Jay ★

he felt you rolling around for a couple of minutes and called you up for a talk. "baby, come here". apparently you were so nervous about your finals coming up. you even insisted staying up the whole night to study more and was about to get out of bed when his arms wrap around your torso and bring you into his embrace and gave you talks building your courage.

Jake ★

you dealt with mild insomnia but you were improving your health in a constant pace but sometimes you just can't sleep. you felt guilty to wake jake up so you slipped out of the covers and went to the living room and was patting layla. he felt a warm empty spot when he reached out to you and woke up. he frantically searched for you and was relieved to find you curled up on the coach with layla. boy, he was jealous but still assured you that you can always talk to him when your facing difficulties. "stop cuddling with layla. your my princess, not her's" he whined.

Sunghoon ★

you had drunk a lot of caffeine since the morning despite his warnings and now you can't sleep. "but sunghoon, i craved for coffee" you whined with a pout. so you two just chose a film and settled down on the coach to enjoy it. unfortunately, the film was ignored and you both fell asleep in five minutes, tangled up in each others arms.

Sunoo ★

you visited your family today and came home feeling down and depressed. he didn't press on you to open up but he knew how toxic your family was and the bad affect they had on you. later that night you laid awake staring at the ceiling, trying to hold your tears. he would wrap his arms around you, letting you nuzzle into him as he comforted you. "you're so brave for facing all of that love. let out the tears". he would stroke your hair softly, planting kisses on the crown of your head.

Jungwon ★

you had returned from a trip to another continent and was jetlagged. your whole body clock was messed up and you laid awake tossing and turning. jungwon lit up some candles for you and you both talked about your day. luckily, the talk took your energy away. "maeumi did a trick you know-" he stopped talking as he realized you dozed off. he tucked you up and went to sleep but not before gushing over how cute you looked when you sleep.

Niki ★

you both were used to sleeping very late at night so you suggested you guys try to have a healthy sleep schedule and he agreed. things did not go easily as you two planned so now you two laid not feeling even a bit sleepy. niki had a solution for this. pillow fight! you both mucked around giggling like crazy. this activity drained out your energy and you both fell asleep in a mess of feathers. cleaning like on top of your list in the morning.

#kayla writes!!! #enhypen #heeseung #park jongseong #sim jaeyun #sunghoon #kim sunoo #jungwon #niki #enhypen x reader #enhypen fluff #enhypen fanfic #enhypen reactions

[cheriladycl01]

When at work - Lando Norris x UniStudent! Reader Part 2

Plot: Lando has known you since you were born, literally childhood friends. You went to every karting weekend with him until he started to travel more. As childhood lovers who have been dating for 8 years what happens when the general public find out about you?

Credit to landooscurls for the GIF

You'd been taken home by an officer in his car. He'd attempted to calm you down offering to stop at a petrol forecourt and get you a snack to help you blood sugars come back up.

Apparently you looked ghostly pale.

After a Wispa chocolate bar and a Lucozade was brought for you, and you sat in the car just chatting they pulled out and went back onto driving you home.

Once you'd been dropped at the door of your place that you shared with Lando the officers asked you a final few questions. Just if you had good security systems, or someone to stay with you tonight so you weren't alone.

They also explained that you would no longer be safe working there, and even a transfer wouldn't be safe. They asked about your income and whether you'd be able to afford the loss.

Obviously you and Lando would have to talk to each other once he came back to the UK to see what you'd both do and if there was anyway Red Bull or McLaren would take you early as a work from home sort of offer until you graduated and could commit to the seasonal travel.

You shut the door after the officers left, making sure to lock it with the bolt. You sloppily chucked your keys into the dish that was on the cabinet in the entry way before hanging your coat up in the cupboard and kicking your shoes off.

You run straight up into the bedroom, the ensuite door was open and you trudged through staring at yourself in the mirror for a few seconds. Your mascara and eyeliner had run, and you resembled a Panda right now.

You jump into the shower, wanting to wash the days grot and smell of coffee beans and marzipan away. You make sure to wash of the makeup from your face before getting out the shower and wrapping a towel around your hair and body.

You start to go through your skincare routine, making sure to add your little yellow star pimple patch on at the end. You walk back down to the main room where you and Lando spent most of you time in the house.

You grabbed a large blanket from the hamper wrapping it around yourself before curling up on the sofa into yourself.

You sat there silently for a little while before the hot tears started to roll down your face.

You couldn't tell why you were getting so emotional over it. It was scary yes, but it was over now and the police had been very quick getting to the scene.

After 20 minutes of your own mind and a large nap, you woke around 2am. You felt awful knowing that you'd slept on the sofa and had missed dinner. You decided to make yourself a 'breakfast dinner' as you and Lando would sometimes call it depending on his sleep schedule.

You did some chores around the house, like the laundry from before Lando had gone to Australia and washed up the dishes you'd just used and changed the bed sheets. And finished off with some studying for some upcoming exams you had.

As the clock hit 5.30am you started to prepare yourself. You knew seeing Lando race would make you feel much better. You caught yourself up on positions using the F1 app to find out where Lando and Oscar would be starting. You made yourself a tea and got some of you favorite snacks before seating yourself up all comfy on the sofa.

Once you hear the 'It's lights out and away we go' all your worries seem to just melt. You keep your eyes on both the Papaya coloured cars. Only breaking away to message Lily, you had actually met her somehow before you met Oscar which was very strange but you hit it off immediately and would no stop text each other throughout races if you weren't together.

Lando ended up coming 6th, Oscar only a car between them in 8th. The Mclaren didn't have pace this year and you could really tell but both the boys were pushing it as hard as they could without breaking it and messing up their races.

And just like that, 2 days later, Lando was on his flight home. You'd prepared everything for him. Got food that you knew his trainer would approve of, but he would as well. You made sure that everything was perfect.

You drove to the airport in his car, you wanted to see him as soon as possible so picking him up seemed like the best option.

You got through security easily, Lando had phone ahead telling them to let you into the private part of the airport, not wanting to risk crowds around you again.

You waited for him, as he came through the door you couldn't help but run up to him, flinging your arms around him. He knew you well enough that he braced himself for your launching hug, being able to catch you and hold you up as you wrapped around him like a koala does to a tree.

"Baby i missed you so much" you sob, pushing your face into his hoodie covered neck as you cry into him. You hold him so tightly and he squeezes you back, whispering little things to you to get you to calm down.

You hear people walking around, you know its his team, taking his bags away so you didn't knock them over and just to help him in general.

"Okay baby, lets go home" he smiles and he keeps a hold of you sighing as you look at him with a pouty frown and a shake of you head.

"You don't want to go home? Then we cant cuddle on the sofa and have food" he smiles down at you. You let out a small huff before untangling your legs from around his waist before placing a dainty peck on his lips.

"Do you need help?" you politely ask the Mclaren worker, offering to take some of Lando's bags to which she thanks you shaking her head explaining that you didn't have to help.

"I parked the car not far. report security were very helpful!" you smiled taking his hand while dragging his suitcase in the other.

"Yeah I asked for them to come meet you. I didn't want a repeat of the other day" he frowns, and looks at you in the eyes. You knew what this meant, he'd want to talk about it the minute you got home.

The drive home was quiet but comfortable. He left a hand on your thigh as you concentrated on the driver back home.

"So, we should talk about why you felt in necessary to get a job" he says squeezing you leg lightly as he looks over at you.

"I- I didn't want to give the fans another reason to assume I'm leeching off of you. And i feel bad asking my mum and dad, like I'm supposed to be an independent adult ... I'm 22" you say sadly and you hear him sigh.

"Baby, 22 is still so so young and you shouldn't have all that pressure on yourself ... please" he begs.

"I've been talking to Zac and Christian about opportunity i could do from home with them. Even Suzie reached out to me about F1 Academy" you explain, knowing you had options that didn't involve Lando and his finances.

"Baby, I know you don't want to be seen using me for my money, but holy shit you've got so much pressure on yourself right now. You don't need to add to it. I dont know how you did it for as long as you have been... how long did you work there?" he asks, having no clue how long you'd not told him you had a job for.

"About 3 months" you say, checking the wing mirrors before turning left down your road.

"3 MONTHS?" he asks in shock, you were nearly finished with university, surely you could have held out until graduation.

"Baby, you've only got like a month until you've finished all your exams and you'll join me!" he frowns, you pull up into the driveway with a sigh and a nod of acknowledgement.

"I know, i know! And I'm sorry i didn't ask for help and I'm sorry I didn't tell you I'd got a job" you say tears brimming your eyes before he pulls you into a hug over the gear stick.

"Oh, my sweet sweet girl. It's okay, I understand but please never ever feel like you cant ask for me to help you. That comes in the job description of boyfriend" he smiles at you, kissing your forehead making you melt at his touch.

This is what it felt like to be loved and cared for by Lando Norris.

Taglist:

@littlesatanicassholebitch @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @stupidandunnecessary @clayra-g @daemyratwst @honey-belden @moonypixel @lauralarsen @vader-is-hot @ironcowboycopnickel @itsjustkhaos @the-untamed-soul @beebo86 @happylittlereader @ziejustme @lou-larcher5 @thewulf @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @chillyleclerc @chanthereader @annoyingmoonballoon @summissss @evieepepi08 @havaneseoger08 @celesteblack08 @gulphulp @fandom1ruined2me @celebstories @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhh @georgeparisole @dakotatankbig @youcannotcancelquidditch @zzonsbeek @tallbrownhairsarcastic @mellowarcadefun @ourteenagetragedy @otako5811 @countingstacksandpanicattacks @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @hopexcroc @mirrorball-6 @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @bigsimperika @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @lilypadlover @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @the-fem1n1ne-urge @21stcenturytaegi @dark-night-sky-99 @spideybv28 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @kapsylia @laneyspaulding19 @lazybot @malynn @cassielikereading @viennakarma @teamnovalak @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @jlb20416

#f1 imagine #f1 x reader #formula 1 x you #formula 1 #formula one #formula one fanfiction #lando norris #lando norris imagine #lando imagine #lando x reader #lando #lando norris fluff #lando norris fanfic #lando norris x reader #ln4 imagine #ln4 fic #ln4 x reader #ln4 fluff

[apomaro-mellow]

Hot for Teacher(s) 3

Part 2 / AO3 Link

After school practices for the Thanksgiving performance was only for the students who wanted to put a little more time into it. Apparently a bulk of the rehearsal happened during their music class and that made sense. Still, Steve was glad to put a face to some of the kids his son mentioned. The first night there had been a girl who's lip trembled at the slightest upset and Steve knew that had to be Yasmin.

"She's a crybaby who cries over everything", Shawn had said one time.

"Hm, need I remind you of all the times you've cried? Why I remember just last week-"

"We don't need to talk about that", Shawn said, properly chastised.

Even so, Steve could see how it could get a little frustrating to be in a class with someone as sensitive as that. And yet, Mr. Munson never let on that he was frustrated or anything like that. Every time the tears came, he talked her down. Which was quite the feat since he had probably been doing it for eight hours at this point.

"You're really good with the kids", Steve complimented when Mr. Munson took a seat near them to rest.

Third grade was working on their performance piece on the stage now while the smaller kids got a break. Mr. Munson smiled a bit as he scratched at his head.

"Yeah, well, patience is key, as I'm sure you know. Actually, how old are the kids you teach?", he asked.

"Middle school", Steve answered, laughing a little when he saw the other teacher's eyes get wide in fear.

"Braver than any marine, I swear. I will take spilt milk tears over the raging hormones going on over there."

Steve's brain decided to highlight the word 'hormones' which made him delayed in his response. He cleared his throat to try and cover it up. "It's not as bad as all that. I've got the babies of middle school, the sixth graders, but don't tell them I said that. And I'm lucky I've got a group there that's absolutely obsessed with science."

He met Mr. Munson's eyes and was met with a million watt smile. One that he knew was on his own face too.

"That's the best feeling, ain't it? When they wanna soak up as much as you can give?"

"The best", Steve agreed. It wasn't always candy and roses but it was all worth it for those days when everything just clicked. "Speaking of passions, did you get that approval for your ideas for the show?"

"They said I could play guitar, but they vetoed my pyrotechnics idea."

That night, Mr. Munson walked him and Shawn back to their car. And as such, became a routine for two days out of the week. Through it all, Steve commended himself for only drooling a little over him and only when he was alone.

At home, one Saturday, Shawn was humming his class' song while Steve made them lunch. He looked to the calendar and realized the show would be that coming Monday. Well, he knew that but it hit him that in less than a week, Thanksgiving break would start and then there wouldn't be much of a reason for him to see Mr. Munson anymore.

Just as the thought came to him, he looked at the school events calendar he had put in his phone and saw that there would be a Winter Dance but that it was for 4th and 5th grade only. He held back a sigh. Oh well, maybe if he got particularly antsy, he could schedule a confere-no, nononono.

He wasn't going to waste a teacher's time over nothing. Just because, what? He wanted to see him?

He said as much when he talked to Robin the next day. They were sitting in his living room, Shawn was up in his room, reading on this lazy Sunday.

"So, you're just going to avoid him?"

"It's not avoiding. I'm just not going to go out of my way to seek him out", Steve clarified. "And maybe this little crush", he whispered the word 'crush' like tiny ears were listening, "will die down."

"Mhm", Robin nodded, unconvinced. "You know they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?"

Steve leaned back against the couch. "There's at least one absence I'm not missing."

"...Don't tell me this is all because of him?"

"It's not because of him but...", Steve's eyes traveled to where Shawn's baby book sat on a bookshelf. Inside were the only pictures of Shawn's sire. And honestly, Steve wouldn't even have those if it were up to him. But he wanted to leave the door open just for when Shawn got older and could decide how much he wanted that man in his life.

"I don't think Mr. Munson is anything like him. Of course I don't. But I can't make a mistake like that again. If Shawn got hurt, I could never forgive myself."

Robin gave him a pat on the leg. "If you really think it's for the best."

It was. Steve knew that what was on the surface could be hiding something ugly underneath. He wasn't going to expose him or his pup to anything like that again. Mr. Munson was nice but these feelings weren't deep enough to swim in. Steve was barely getting his toes wet. He would stay high and dry and then Shawn would go on to second grade and then he would only see Mr. Munson in passing, if that.

Steve had all these affirmations in mind as he settled in to see Shawn's performance Monday. Planning ahead, Steve had told his school a couple weeks ago that he had a doctor appointment and wouldn't be coming in until later. Just long enough to pop in and see Shawn sing. As he had planned and rehearsed, Mr. Munson sat on a stool to one side of the stage, acoustic guitar in his lap.

It was all the school would allow and seeing as the kids' singing voices weren't super strong, it was for the best. Steve recorded the act, phone focused on Shawn while every once in a while, his eyes drifted to Mr. Munson.

After the song, Steve waved to Shawn, who waved back. He had told him ahead of time that he'd have to go back to work after seeing him, so that his son wouldn't be disappointed. When they saw each other at home later, Shawn's adrenaline from the day hadn't waned.

"So a lot of the other kids' parents took them home, so Mr. Munson let some of us play with his guitar!"

"Did he now?", Steve smiled.

"Uh-huh. He even taught us how to play. Do you think he teaches guitar?"

"Would you like some lessons?", Steve asked.

"Only if Mr. Munson is teaching it. He makes everything so cool."

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

Steve watched as Shawn ran ahead to go into the corn maze. Most of the corn was gone, so he wasn't worried about him getting lost as Robin went to get them hot ciders. Shawn scurried through the maze when he found someone familiar.

Robin had come back with two ciders that she and Steve sipped on while Shawn made his way through the maze.

"Dad! Look who's here!"

Steve looked up, expecting to see one of his little friends. Not Mr. Munson.

Not Mr. Munson in ripped jeans and a leather jacket.

Not Mr. Munson in ripped jeans and a leather jacket with chunky rings and his hair let loose, spilling over his shoulders.

"Dad look! It's Mr. Munson! Dad?"

"Mr. Munson! What a surprise!", Robin came in for the save while Steve was speechless. She gave him a subtle nudge that really wasn't all that subtle but that was okay because Mr. Munson was having his own crisis.

Because here was Mr. Harrington, enjoying a harvest festival, shoulder to shoulder with a beautiful alpha woman.

"H-hey, didn't expect to run into you here", Mr. Munson stuttered.

"Me neither", Steve said, voice a little breathless. He cleared it and remembered himself. "This is Robin, she's my neighbor. Robin, this is Shawn's teacher."

"Heard so much about you", Robin grinned.

Steve wanted to kick her in the shin.

"Hey, Shawn, how's about we go and pick out a pumpkin or something?", Robin suggested, grabbing his hand and pulling him away from the other two, leaving them alone.

Mr. Munson looked like a deer caught in headlights and Steve couldn't blame him.

"Jesus, she couldn't be anymore obvious."

"Did you want to talk to me about something, Mr. Harrington?"

"No, I didn't. But, I think...I think we should have this conversation anyway." Steve ran a hand through his hair.

They went to a little sitting area the farm had set up near the food booths so that they could talk. Eddie's mind ran a mile a minute, thinking of what this could be about. Both good and bad. He'd gotten a hot chocolate both to keep his hands warm and to give him something to do with said hands. Hands that Mr. Harrington was staring at right now.

"I um", he shook his head and pushed a lock of hair behind his ear. "I just wanted to-god this is hard."

"Well, let's make it easier", Eddie said. "Is it about Shawn? Is he having problems in school?"

"No, it's not about that. It's about us-I mean, there is no us but I-goddammit", Steve hissed, cheeks getting red in embarrassment. He let out a breath. "Mr. Munson, I'm having..." don't say feelings don't say feelings don't say feelings "-sensations, that aren't entirely professional. About you."

"Oh."

"And I know nothing can come of it, but I just want you to know that, to know that I'm aware of them and if I ever come on, I guess too strong, please just let me know."

"Um, for how long?", Eddie asked, hoping he wasn't vibrating in his seat because it sure did feel that way.

"Uhh, pretty much since I first met you", Mr. Harrington admitted. "And I don't know if it's because you've been looking after me and Shawn when we walk back to the car, or if it's something else but you just smell...you feel safe. And it's hard for me not too....", he trailed off, voice getting soft.

He didn't know how much that meant to Eddie. His first year of teaching, Eddie had gone on scent blockers, not wanting to overwhelm the little noses in his room. But one day he'd forgotten and things just seemed to run more smoothly when they could get a whiff of him. For Mr. Harrington to say his scent made him feel safe...

"It hasn't exactly been easy for me either", Eddie finally said. "Me too, since that first day I... But you already said nothing can come from it."

There was a hesitant look in Mr. Harrington's eyes. "Well, you know, why not?"

"Why...not?", Eddie echoed.

"I have my personal reasons for not pursuing this, but they mostly involve Shawn. If he doesn't know about it, I mean if we can hide it from most people, you won't get in trouble with the school. And we won't, you know get Shawn's hopes up if it doesn't become serious."

"Why, Mr. Harrington, are you propositioning me?" Honestly, Eddie didn't give a flying fuck what this principal thought about his private life. At the end of the day, it really was just Shawn he was worried about. He didn't know what happened to the other half of his DNA, but he knew that kids with only one parent sometimes longed for a second. He couldn't make Shawn think that was him unless this was the real deal. And he wouldn't know that for sure if he didn't give this a try.

"For starters, when we're not on school grounds, you can call me Steve."

"Eddie."

"Eddie, would you like to go out with me sometime?"

Steve's face was a mix of hopeful and confident that Eddie wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon. "I'd love to."

Part 4

There is absolutely some angst with Steve's baby daddy comin down the line. I came up with it where I come up with all my best ideas, half asleep when I wake up in the morning.

Tag Team

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @aol19 @lololol-1234 @hippieg1rl420 @gregre369 @attic-cat-blog

#apo writes #stranger things #steddie #omegaverse #a/b/o

[slytherinshua]

[ 11:27pm ]

“You missed our date. Again.” You muttered, placing your bag down and discarding your shoes. He didn’t respond for a couple seconds, only making it harder for you to not get mad at him. 

It wasn’t even his fault. He didn’t have much control over his schedule, so who were you to get mad that it got changed last minute? You should be mad at his manager if anyone. Still, if there was a little more communication, then maybe you wouldn’t feel as though you were being left in the dark so often.

“Sorry… I’m sure you’re disappointed.” He sighed, voice sounding a bit rough. You wondered if he had lost his voice again from straining it too much.

“It gets a little more than just disappointing after the 4th time.” He didn’t respond and you glanced at him only to see him typing some message.

“You might as well be dating your manager. You spend more time texting them than you do texting me.” You said icily, already foreseeing you saying some things which you would regret later. But your brain was too clouded to worry about that. All you could feel was the disappointment, betrayal, frustration, and sadness that you felt after waiting for hours for him to just show up— but apparently even that was too much to ask.

“I don’t do it on purpose.” Seungmin mumbled. He was tired, you could tell.

“Are you sure about that? Cause it seems like you do.” Your words were getting more heated by the second, and you only got more agitated from another text lighting up Seungmin’s phone.

“Go on. Answer the text. Prove my point.” You challenged, your eyes burning with anger and tears, waiting for what he would do.

“Not tonight, Y/n, please not tonight. This is important.” He said, reaching for his phone to answer the text as if those words were enough to shut you up. They probably should’ve been.

“It’s more important than your girlfriend who you haven’t seen all day?” You asked, a sarcastic laugh escaping your mouth. It at least made him pause, leaving the text unread for an extra five seconds. Record time.

“I hate fighting with you. You know I hate it.”

“Then why do you never show up!?”

He retracted his hand, slow and scared. Scared that he had messed up too badly this time.

“I’m always the one waiting! Waiting for your texts and calls. Waiting for you to show up. You’d think that after all this time I’d stop being so naive about it…” The first tear slipped past your waterline, making its slow descent down your cheek. Seungmin was staring at you, soft eyes still managing to show that he cared. Despite his tiredness, despite your anger, he still cared.

“I keep thinking this date is the one that’ll be successful. But it never is. I always manage to get hurt and disappointed. Every. Time.” Your shoulders shook and you looked down, anger subsiding and being replaced with sadness.

He stood up, hesitantly reaching out to touch your shoulder, making sure you didn’t shrink away from him. He wouldn’t blame you if you did. He pulled you to his chest, heart aching from seeing you cry, especially since he was the reason for it. He hated it the most in the world.

“I’ll show up. I promise I’ll show up…” He whispered as one of his hands gently rubbed circles on your back. 

He wasn’t going to break his promise this time.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ skz taglist: @kangtaehyunzzz,, @yeonjuns-bluehair,, @syrxiee2,, @ddeonudepressions,, @justhyunhoer

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ a/n: forgive me for this angst idek how this happened, it's 1 am 💀

#slytherinshua fics 🍰 #seungmin #kim seungmin #stray kids #skz #stray kids seungmin #skz seungmin #stray kids seungmin angst #skz seungmin angst #stray kids seungmin fluff #skz seungmin fluff #seungmin angst #seungmin fluff #kim seungmin fluff #kim seungmin angst #stray kids fluff #skz fluff #skz angst #stray kids angst #stray kids timestamps #skz timestamps #timestamps #kpop timestamps #angst #seungmin fic #stray kids fic #skz fic #skz seungmin fic #stray kids seungmin fic

[mynameismckenziemae]

She’s a Fire-Chapter III

Bradley ��Rooster’ Bradshaw x OFC/Reader (no use of y/n)

So hot there’s smoke

(previous chapter here, next chapter here)

Warnings: fluff, masturbation, oral (m receiving), dirty talk

You give Bradley your number after you make a tentative plan to hang out on Friday since you’re not sure what your schedule will be yet. You send him down to Penny’s with a kiss and a butt squeeze when he turns.

You and fall into bed shortly after.

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

A loud back-up beeper jolts you awake. You look at your phone; 6:47 AM. What on earth?

You look out the window and see your movers have backed into Penny’s driveway, and started throwing items out. You cringe at how roughly they’re handling your stuff. You pull a sweatshirt on and head down the stairs just as you see them drop your bed frame, cracking it.

You sigh heavily before asking, “Weren’t you guys supposed to come tomorrow? Preferably after 8:00 AM?”

“Sorry about your bed frame, that’ll be comped. There was a change of plans, we gotta be back to Denver before tomorrow.” One of the movers replies.

“Okay, I guess? Let me just move some stuff around upstairs first.”

“Go ahead, the stuff will be here when you get down back.” He replies.

“Excuse me? I have to bring it all up myself? That’s not what I paid for.” Now you’re getting irritated.

“Yeah, the boss man said we gotta be back tonight, so you’ll have to figure it out. Call tomorrow morning and they’ll comp ya for that too.”

What the fuck. “Uh no, that’s not—“

“What’s going on out here?” Bradley asks as he comes out of Penny’s sliding door, yawning while he pulls his tank on. Holy biceps.

You walk over to him as he eyes your bare legs. “They were supposed to be here tomorrow and bring everything upstairs. But they apparently need to be back in Denver by tonight so I’m on my own. They also broke my bedframe” you sigh.

“I’ll help ya. I’ve got nothing to do today and it’s that much stuff. My buddy owns a furniture store across town, he’ll hook ya up with a bedframe and I can bring it over with the Bronco, get it set up for ya if you’d want?”

“Seriously? You’d do all that?”

“‘Course. I’d be happy to, plus it’s supposed to rain later, I don’t want your stuff to get wet.”

“That would be great, thank you so much.”

“No problem, where do we start?”

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

20 minutes later you’ve got the furniture out of the way so you can get the mattress and boxes in. The moving truck is already gone. They’re getting a one-star review on Yelp. Assholes.

Pete and Penny see the pile of stuff in the driveway and come out to help too. The hardest part is squeezing the mattress through the doorframe, but it’s easy sailing after that, and within an hour it’s all out of the driveway.

They ask if you need help unpacking but you politely decline as you’re not sure where everything is going yet.

“I’m going to the bar to do payroll, did you want a ride?” Penny asks Bradley.

“Yeah, thanks.” He turns to you. “I’ll run home and shower and then I’ll be back to pick you up?”

“That’d be great.” You smile, ignoring the knowing looks you’re getting from Pete and Penny.

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

You put a few necessary things away and get your stuff ready for tomorrow before showering yourself, throwing on a pair of jean shorts and an oversized white tee.

A clean vintage Bronco pulls in and you meet Bradley in the driveway, he looks good enough to eat in another tight pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt as he holds the passenger door open for you.

“I ran through Starbucks, got you a vanilla latte and a breakfast sandwich, the bag is on the floor in the back,” he says as he climbs in the driver's side.

Unexpected tears spring to your eyes, but you quickly blink them away. You clear the lump from your throat. “That’s so thoughtful, thank you. Sunny give you my order?”

“No problem, I like coffee too.” He holds up his cup, “And yeah she did, there’s too many options for me to try and guess.”

“Well, I’m impressed. My dad is the only other man who’s ever bought me coffee.”

“Really? It’s such a simple thing.”

“It is. But I’m not used to guys taking initiative or putting in the effort. Another reason I decided to take a break from dating.”

“Yeah, I can see that. It helps that I was raised by a single mom.”

“Sounds like she was quite the woman, to raise a man as amazing as you.”

He blushes at your words and squeezes your knee. “Thanks, Row”.

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

Bradley pulls into a furniture store and leaves you at the door before parking.

He leads you inside and helps you look. You eventually pick out a wrought iron one but aren’t sure on what color/finish.

“Do you think this finish will scratch?” You ask, gesturing to the black one.

“Scratch? From what?”

“Handcuffs, of course” you deadpan.

He flushes but laughs. “Nah, should be fine. These are good quality.”

“I hope so. I’d hate to have to punish you for scratching it” you tell him before turning away to find an associate as he gapes after you.

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

Your luck is changing, they have the frame you want in store so you’re able to bring it home today, unassembled of course.

The clouds are starting to spit as he pulls into the driveway, and it starts coming down harder when you’re halfway up the stairs, helping him carry the box. You both laugh as you get it inside and set it down. Your top-halves took the brunt of it, soaking both your shirts.

He looks at your chest and swallows heavily before meeting your eyes again. You look down and your tee and bralette are now see-through, nipples at attention from the cold rain. You turn and strip the wet material off, teasing him with a view of your bare back while you walk to the bathroom for some towels.

You hang the wet items over the shower rod and cover yourself with a towel, before grabbing one for him too.

“Do you want to hang up your shirt?”

“Sure, thanks,” he says with gravel in his voice. You look down while he’s pulling his shirt off and can see the thick line of his erection pressing against his jeans.

He hands you the shirt and he dries off with the towel quickly before handing it over too. You hang it all up in the bathroom and walk back out, topless.

He inhales sharply and watches as you pull out a box of clothes, digging through for a shirt and bra.

He comes up behind you and reaches around you to cup your breasts. His rough, calloused fingers rub across your nipples and you sigh, head dropping back against his chest.

“You like to tease me, don’t you?” He murmurs by your ear.

“Mmm, yeah. I do. I like it when you blush and get all flustered. Especially since I think this is new for you, you’re used to being the one in control, aren’t you?” You say as you turn in his arms, bare chests now together.

“Yeah, you’re definitely throwing me for a loop. I don’t know what to expect from you, and I like it.” He replies before leaning down to kiss you.

You return it, licking the seam of his lips as your hands go to his nipples. “Anyone ever play with these?” You murmur against his lips.

“Not really, not like you-fuckkk” he pulls back from your lips to groan as you pinch lightly.

“That’s a shame,” you kiss the scar on his jaw, then neck, and down below his collarbone. “cause you’re so responsive. Do you like it?”

He sighs and nods as you suck his nipple into your mouth. “Yeah”.

“Good.” You reply as you kiss your way to the other side. You suck that one into your mouth next and gently bite while pinching the other. His cock twitches against your stomach.

You kiss your way lower, settling on your knees. You pull him out and trace the head on your lips as you look up at him under your lashes before you draw him into your mouth. You moan around him and he shudders, hands clenching at his sides, “Fuck, Rowan. That, ah…feels fucking amazing.”

“Mmm,” you agree around him and take his hands to guide them in your hair.

He grips your hair and gently thrusts before pulling back and repeating the motion. He’s watching you under half-lidded eyes and his chest is heaving. Each thrust draws a delicious gasp out of him, driving you crazy. Your hand goes in the front of your shorts, to rub tight circles on your clit. “Oh God, are you touching yourself?

You moan around him again and nod, eyes falling closed from the pleasure.

“Fuck, that’s hot.”

Your free hand reaches between his legs, rolling his balls in your fingers, and his hips thrust deeper on their own accord.

You feel that familiar tightening and pull him deeper into your mouth, too far gone to notice your gag reflex as your nose brushes the neatly trimmed hair below his navel. Your orgasm hits you, moaning and whining around his cock, drool dripping down your chin.

“Jesus, you’re so pretty when you cum. Fuckfuckfuck I’m close. Where do you want me to-?”

Your hands fly to his ass and pull him deeper into your mouth, swallowing around him.

His hands tighten the grip on your hair as he cums with a broken moan and you swallow his salty spend.

He helps you to your feet and kisses you deeply, his chest rumbles as he tastes himself in your mouth. “Rowan, you are…” he trails off with a chuckle, “just, uh…wow”.

You smile and tuck him back in his pants. “I can get it myself, but do you want to help me put the frame together? It’s probably easier with 2 people. I can order some food?”

“Yeah, sounds great. I wouldn’t make you put it together yourself.”

“Thanks! Now where do you suggest I order from?” You say stepping around him to find your phone, landing a sharp swat to his right butt cheek. You smirk to yourself as he sucks in a breath.

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

You slip a shirt on, forgoing a bra, and order the food while Bradley starts on the frame. You help him after, and are almost done with it when the food arrives.

You take a break to eat on your bedroom floor and laugh as he tells you stories about growing up with Sunny.

“… and that’s how I broke my arm the second time. The worst part was that I was the one who got in trouble, even though she pushed me. She cried though, and admitted to it…after my mom got through with me, of course. She used to be like the little sister I never wanted, but I’m so glad to have her now.”

“I think you were just a naughty little boy” you wink, “but yes, she really is the best. I feel so bad we drifted apart when she was dating her ex. I didn’t realize at the time how awful he was treating her, I wish I would’ve known. I could’ve helped her” you say, poking at your food. You’ll always feel bad for missing the signs was she was being mistreated.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. She was good at hiding it, and by the time we-Jake, Nat, and I, realized how bad it was, we ended up deployed for 4 months with little to no phone privileges. Thankfully she kicked him to the curb, and Pete was home when she found him cheating. It’s sure been something to watch her come back alive being with Bobby-boy though.”

“Agreed. They’re perfect together. How long ‘til he pops the question you think?”

“Less than a year, guaranteed.” He replies, his lip quirking.

“That long? I was thinking 6 months.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. He’s crazy about her.”

“That he is. I wonder what that’s like, being so head over heels for someone, knowing them as well as you know yourself, unable to imagine life without them? I hope I have that someday. I didn’t really believe it was possible until my dad met my stepmom. I was so angry and jealous at the time that I didn’t see how beautiful it was to watch them fall in love. I don’t know how she ever forgave me for how awful I was.” You sigh, still embarrassed years later at your behavior.

“You were just a kid, who had her dad to herself for years. It’s understandable. I probably would’ve been the same way if my mom would’ve dated.”

You hum in agreement and finish eating. He finishes the frame and you can hear things moving as you as you wash the dishes you used.

You walk back into the bedroom to find him pulling on the last pillowcase. He’d finished the frame, pulled the mattress onto it, and made your bed.

Those unexpected tears are back and you try to blink them back as you walk over to hug him from behind, but a few escape your eyes.

He can hear them in your voice as you thank him for everything he helped you with today and he turns to lift your chin. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you laugh wetly. “I just-I’m used to doing everything on my own, no one’s taken care of me in years. We just met and you spent your entire day off helping me, without being asked. Sorry, I’m not usually a crier, I don’t-“

“It’s okay. I was just afraid I overstepped.” He kisses you so tenderly that more tears start. “I’d love it if you’d let me take care of you, any way you’ll let me.”

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

A/N: Ew, so fluffy at the end there 😂 kidding, kidding.

Taglist:

@its-the-pilot

@dizzybee03

@sweetwhispersofchaos

#bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x you #bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster top gun #top gun maverick #she’s a fire

[linkemon]

Valentine's Day 2023 headcanons 1

Friendly reminder that English is not my first language. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here.

Consider supporting me on Ko-fi.

Other headcanons from this series can be found here.

Vil Schoenheit

• Valentine's Day with Vil was planned long before anyone else thought about it. At least on his part. That's why you were surprised how far in advance he discussed them with you. An actor's job requires him to anticipate many things in advance to be able to create a schedule.

• You were very excited about your trip to the spa. You were counting down the days until it arrived. That's why when Vil's manager announced over the phone that he had to show up to record a commercial on the day of his departure, you felt tears gathering in the corners of your eyes. Schoenheit just announced loudly that he had more important things to worry about and took your suitcase. You didn't think he'd leave his favourite potato alone, did you? You don't believe in him enough...

• Of course, a round after all beauty treatments was mandatory. Masks, massages and much more.

• Photos, photos and more photos. He has to make sure that his Magicam account doesn't die during your weekend trip. If you don't feel like being there, he will understand but he will still take a selfie with you and save it in his private gallery.

• You weren't entirely sure if he would like your gift. You bought a new tiara for him because the old one was very damaged and worn. You spent almost all of your savings at Sam's on it. One look at Vil was enough to let you know you'd found the right thing. He hasn't been separated from it since then.

Riddle Rosehearts

• Rule 958 of the Queen of Hearts says that if you have a significant other, you should spend Valentine's Day with them. Riddle, of course, has read all of them and also intends to adapt to this particular one. But know that if it wasn't a rule, he would still spend the day with you.

• You knew perfectly well that you would spend Valentine's Day together, so you asked Trey in advance to teach you how to make a strawberry tart. On Valentine's Day, Riddle received a handmade and freshly baked cake from you.

• The picnic took up most of the day. You had to admit that the place by the small river was nice. You were even more happy that the boy took care of Grim during this time. Under the watchful eye of the people of Heartslabyul, there was no way he could make any mischief while you were gone.

• During the picnic, you found some hedgehogs that Ace was supposed to take care of. Apparently they escaped him. Riddle promised to refrain from using his special spell for your sake for the time being.

• He found the sight of you with the hedgehogs extremely cute. Especially your smile as you stroked them gently. This is his favourite memory from that day.

Idia Shroud

• It would be bold to assume that Idia even remembers such a holiday. It's the first year of your relationship and everything was still new and fresh to him. The fact that he has a a significant other doesn't quite get to him.

• The fact that Cater accosted him when he had to leave the dormitory sent him into absolute panic. One of the most talkative people on campus making a survey? Double tragedy! The question was what he would do on Valentine's Day. He froze, trying to say anything. Luckily, you were nearby and saved him from trouble. He always knew his other half was the main character but now you showed off your best skills.

• When you left Cater, you said that if he wanted, you could have a game night at Ignihyde. He agreed to the proposal. At the same time, however, while eating dinner, he thought that he would like this night to be at least a little more special than usual.

• Shroud suppressed the overwhelming urge to send his brother to the school store for decorations. He went there himself. He kept telling himself the whole way that he was doing this for you. He ended up decorating his corner with hearts and laying out a ton of food. For a moment he had the urge to take it all off because it looked strangely out of place and actually in his head this idea was better. That's when you walked in, so he had no choice but to stand embarrassed in the middle of the room.

• You were really impressed that Idia managed to make such a gesture because you know he doesn't like such sweet things. Especially when you got it out of him that he had to go outside and did it for you. You were very happy and played until the morning, which made you late for class.

#twisted wonderland x reader #vil shoenheit x reader #idia x reader #riddle rosehearts x reader #idia shroud #vil schoenheit #riddle rosehearts #headcanons

[angelst4re]

hi sweetie! i have been dying for a teacher x student type of story trope with jamie ;) with some smut if your comfortable <3

i dont think i've ever written for teacher!jamie before so i could not just let this request sit in my inbox for another 4 months... i also combined it with a jealous jamie smut request but i'm thinking of making a part 2 to this which has more jealous jamie... which i may even be writing right now!!! <3

Sugar- Teacher!Jamie x Reader

♡ warnings: NSFW!!! contains smut!!! please don't read if you're not comfortable love! NEITHER AGES ARE SPECIFIED BUT READER IS 18+ <3 it’s only ever mentioned that theres a 15 year age gap

♡ notes: i attempted to keep this as gender neutral as possible but reader is afab! also i kinda rushed this because i just needed to post something!! but there's going to be a part 2 I PROMISE!!!

“...Oh, and don’t forget, y/l/n, we have a one to one scheduled for 3:30 to discuss your exam results. I’ll be in my office.” Mr Bower, who insisted you call him Jamie, reminded you with a smile as you left the classroom. 

“I haven’t forgotten, sir.” You say as you turn back around to smile at him, and give him a little wave before you leave the room. 

You had two hours to spare before your meeting with the music teacher, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t spend the majority of the time in the bathroom making sure you looked perfect. You had been waiting for a moment like this, a moment alone with the teacher that has plagued your mind since the beginning of the school year. You and your friends, and most likely the entire class, had been captivated by not only his looks but his personality. Having learnt that he had recently become single after a three year long relationship, you felt like you stood a chance, but then you were quickly reminded of the 15 year age gap. 

However, his behaviour around you didn’t go unnoticed. You’d catch him eyeing you up when you would come in wearing a new outfit that evidently boosted your confidence, or you would catch him looking over at you whilst you were in the middle of a written exam, and he would quickly divert his eyes when they met yours. 

Despite the clear indication he may be into you the way you’re into him, you both had a very positive, friendly relationship. He would give you the best tips and advice, and be more than willing to help you progress in the ways you wished to, as he would with anybody in the class, but there was one particular encounter that you couldn’t stop thinking about. 

You and your boyfriend, Andy, had a fight the night before and you had missed your class in the morning. Jamie got in contact with you to ask about the absence, and you felt comfortable enough to explain the situation to him. He told you that even if you didn’t attend your classes that day, to at least come in to talk about how you’re feeling. He assured you that although he didn’t qualify as a therapist, it would be good to talk to someone. And so you did. 

You came in with unbrushed hair, wearing yesterday's clothes and threw yourself onto the chair in his office as you broke down in tears. You don’t remember much of that day, besides the pet names he would casually drop into his sentences. 

Sweetheart, love, darling.

He definitely knew how to charm. 

You also had a memory of staining his white shirt with tears as he let you cry into his chest, telling him how your boyfriend was a dick. How he was caught in bed with a random girl (to which there was proof) but he tried to convince you it never happened. 

You remember Jamie telling you something along the lines of, “every failed relationship should be thought of as a blessing. It might be upsetting to see it come to an end, but it means you’re still yet to find the one out there who’s for you, and it's giving the chance to find them. The one that will treat you right, even on their bad days. You’ll never know where this person may be, but they’re definitely out there.”

It was apparent through a quick google search that Jamie was definitely experienced when it came to relationships, so you knew to trust him on this one. 

You kept checking the time on your phone, waiting and waiting and waiting for it to hit 3:25 so you could begin walking towards Jamie’s office, but the time seemed to pass so slow. 

It was only 3pm. 

You sighed, placing your phone back down on the table you were sat at in the library. All your friends had gone home as you finish early on a Wednesday, yet you agreed to meet Jamie today as it was the only afternoon he had free this week. 

Only seconds after placing your phone down on the table, the screen lights up as it begins to ring, the noise causing everyone to turn around, some even sending dirty looks your way as you pick up your bag and leave, answering the phone as you begin to walk towards the building where Jamie’s office was. 

“What do you want, Andy?” You sighed, holding the phone up to your ear. 

“I miss you,” he said, a feeble attempt to guilt trip you, “I was just looking at some old pictures and-”

“It was your idea for us to take a break in the first place. I’m not just going to drop everything and come running back to you because you ‘miss me’.” 

“I’m sorry, okay. I realised what I did was wrong and…” 

You stopped listening to what Andy was saying as Jamie passed you in the hallway, sensing your distressed state he stopped quickly to mouth an ‘is everything okay?’, to which you nodded your head. 

“I don’t care, okay. Whatever you have to say I’m sure I’ve heard it all before. When I’m ready to talk to you I will, until then just please give me some space.” You say before ending the call, and you jump as you realise Jamie was waiting by your side. 

You were blocking the door to his office. 

“I’m so sorry!” You apologise, stepping to the side. 

“Don’t apologise!” Jamie gasped, as if you had offended him, before opening the door for you, “we can start early if that’s okay with you, I have nothing else planned this afternoon.” 

Nodding your head, you entered his office. 

“So he’s still giving you grief- Andy?” 

“How did you guess?” You scoff as you sit down on the chair opposite his desk. 

“I don’t know how a someone like you can stay with someone like him-”

“We’re on a break, actually.” You interrupted. “Although he seems to care about me more now than he did in the 8 months we were together.” 

“You need to leave him for good, sweetheart.” He told you, as he rummaged through the cabinet beside his desk, pulling out your exam papers and setting them in front of you. “So, let’s begin!”

Only twenty minutes into the session, your phone began to ring again, and you apologised to Jamie, getting ready to leave the room to take the call before realising it was Andy again. Jamie didn't look best impressed as you ran a hand through your hair stressfully. 

“Give me your phone.” Jamie sighed. 

“No, it’s okay, really. I’ll just switch it off-”

“Y/n. Phone.”

The sternness in his voice sent chills through your body, yet a warmth grew in your lower stomach. 

By the time you handed your phone over to him, Andy had stopped calling. Hopefully, he had given up, but you knew he would keep going until he got his way, like always. 

“You know, sweetheart, the look on your face when you saw it was him calling you told me everything.” Jamie said, leaning back in his chair. 

“What do you mean?” You scoffed. 

“You know what I mean, darling. Please stop trying to convince yourself he’s a good guy, not when he treats you like shit and expects you to drop everything for him. You deserve better.”

“And how do you know that? Sure, me and Andy might have our moments, but when he can be nice… he’s somebody completely different. Deep down, he’s a really good guy, Jamie.” You explain, feeling tears of frustration begin to gloss your eyes. 

“I’m not buying it, love.” He said, shaking his head in disbelief. 

And that was all it took to push you over the edge, shoving your phone into your bag as you pushed your exam papers towards him and stood up. 

“That’s it, I’m not taking this anymore.” You frown, turning around to leave. 

“There we go, that’s what you should say next time Andy’s on the phone-”

“Oh, Jamie, won’t you just shut up!” You shout, throwing your arms in the air. “What is your fucking problem today?”

“Well, technically your ‘boyfriend’ isn’t my problem, so…”

“Why do you care so much?” You finally say after a moment's silence, your hands placed on the back of the chair you were previously sitting on. 

“You’re my student. It’s my job to care.” He answers, simply. 

“But there’s more to it than that. Isn’t there?” You swallow, bracing yourself for his reply, “c’mon Jamie, I’m not stupid.” 

“What are you trying to imply, darling?” He chuckles, standing up from his chair and making his way towards you, “are you talking about the way I catch you staring at me in class when everyone else is working, or how about when I hear you gossiping with your friends about my love life, or about how you could tell I had used a different aftershave one day…” 

The smirk on his face was devilish, but you had no time to process that with your recent revelation. 

“You’re jealous.” You stated, turning to look up at him. “You’re jealous of Andy.” 

“Darling, I have no need to be jealous of him. Not when I know you’re leaving him.” 

“You don’t know whether I’m-”

You never got to finish that sentence as you were met with his lips on yours. His hand came up to cup your cheek, his thumb wiping away a tear which had fallen in your moment of frustration. As he pulled back from the kiss, he pressed his forehead against yours before whispering,

“What if I prove you- show to you why you should leave him, hm?” He asked, although it wasn’t much of a question as he could tell by the way you were looking at him what the answer was going to be. “I need words, baby.” 

“Yes.” You managed to say, after catching your breath. 

A smile spread across Jamie’s lips briefly before you pulled him back in, missing the feeling of his soft lips against yours. With one hand on your waist, holding you against him, the other was placed on your cheek again, whilst your arms wrapped around his neck. You had dreamt and fantasised about this moment for months, but you never expected it to ever happen. It was always more of a scenario to help you fall asleep rather than something that would actually come true. 

“Does he fuck you good, hm? The way you want?” He asks, breathlessly, as he lifts you up onto his desk, shoving everything out of the way. 

You shake your head, using the slight space between you to reach for his belt, but he seemed to have other plans. 

“Has he ever gone down on you?” He asked bluntly, his fingers dipping into the waistband of your shorts, easing them down your legs along with your underwear. 

You once again shake your head, you have only received head once, and that was during a drunk fling at your friends birthday party- and even then you didn’t get to finish. 

Jamie simply chuckled, as if to say he wasn’t surprised. 

“Poor thing,” he frowns, lowering himself to his knees in front of you as he holds your legs open for him, placing kisses on your inner thighs, trailing down to your knees before going back up again, stopping where you needed him the most. “You ever cum when he fucks you?” 

And as if on command, you shook your head again.

“Only when I’m alone.” You confess. 

“Oh yeah, and who do you think about whilst you touch yourself?” He teases, his thumb gently stroking your clit as you fight the urge to close your legs. He looks up at you, stopping all movement as he waits on your answer. 

“You, I think about you, Jamie.” You whine.

“Oh, honey, I know.” He says before you feel his lips on your skin, his tongue circling your clit as his fingers move a little lower, finding your opening and teasing circles around it before gently pushing one in. 

His fingers were a favourite in your fantasies, thinking about what they could do, and he certainly did not disappoint. 

A second finger followed the first and they began curling inside you, searching for a spot Jamie was sure your ex would never have been able to find, and when you let out a choked moan he smirked against you, knowing he’d found it. 

Hif fingers rubbed against this spot inside you as his tongue licked, sucked and nibbled on the sensitive nub, and you were frighteningly close to the edge. You had never reached your high so quickly before, but as his hot breath fanned over your clit you tumbled off the edge, your orgasm washing over you. Your release began to drip down his hand as he continued at the pace he started, and your legs shook as you panted, your fingers pulling at his hair. 

“Jesus,” you whispered breathlessly. 

“Just me, darling.” He smirked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before coming back up to place a kiss on your forehead. 

You couldn’t believe the timing as there was a knock at the door to Jamie’s office. The two of you both froze for a moment, before Jamie handed you your clothes and rushed to the door. 

“Mr Bower, I know you usually go home early today but Margaret told me you were here so I was just wondering if I could-” 

“I’m in a meeting right now, Sasha, can you wait just two minutes?” He put on his best grin as he his behind the slightly open door to disguise his hard on. 

“Oh, of course! Sorry to interrupt!” The girl apologised before Jamie shut the door. 

“Sorry, sweetheart, we have to cut it short today. But you’re sure to be back in here later this week, or should I say let's reschedule?” He tried to hide his smirk when your legs wobbled as you got off his desk.

“I’m available all week, unless I decide to see Andy-”

“Honey, if I have to hear about him once more-”

“You’ll get all heated and fuck me senseless over your desk?” You grinned, feeling slightly giddy after the mind blowing orgasm he had given you, “why on earth would I want that?”

#jamie campbell bower x reader #jamie campbell bower smut #jamie bower x reader #jamie bower smut #jcb

[lovehaoms]

윤정한 𖧧 no time wasted 

you and jeonghan keep on making eye contact at your university’s cafeteria, he also asks for your number in the end.

pairing 〰 jeonghan x fem!reader

genres 〰 fluff, humor, university au, jeonghan chases after you, he also gets a lil bit flustered ‘cause of you

warnings 〰 none

summary 〰 you can’t help but keep making eye contact with your classmate’s friend ‘cause it’s just so hard to not look at him.

word count 〰 1.4k

a/n 〰 this is a scheduled post and i’m scared ... pls be nice !! posting my very first drabble in celebration of our angel’s birthday. belated happy birthday, yoon jeonghan ♡

Cafeterias are oddly comforting spaces. Some might even like them more than libraries, only because they can eat while they study and not be judged and possibly chew as loudly as they can—not that these people obnoxiously make noise, they just don’t have to be consciously watching the way they eat.

There’s so much happening in a single space too, especially at a college cafeteria. Friend groups having lunch together and chatting—being loud, others are on their laptops, rushing to finish a paper before they pass it on their next class. In your case, you decided to waste your time watching Netflix while waiting for your next class to start.

Your gaze is fixated on the screen of your laptop as you eat from a bowl of chow mein with some grilled teriyaki.

You scanned around the school cafeteria, seeing every person do their own thing. A little careful when looking around because you wouldn’t want to make other people uncomfortable by making it seem like you were staring.

The doors of the cafeteria open and you see one of your classmates—Joshua, enter with his friend walking alongside him searching for an empty table to settle in.

Joshua notices you and waves at you with a small smile, his friend noticing your interaction making him divert his gaze to you, politely greeting you with a smile. They ended up sitting at a table not too far from yours—Joshua’s back facing you, while his friend sat opposite of him,

You tear away your gaze from the two as you reach for your phone that had just vibrated, replying to a text from your best friend that’s apparently bored in class. After being on your phone for a while, you lean back on your seat and your gaze wanders around the cafeteria once again when they accidentally meet the eyes of Joshua’s friend, he was in the middle of putting a piece of beef in his mouth.

You were surprised to see his eyes already on you when this was the first time you’re noticing his gaze. 

He blatantly stares at you with a small smile on his face while he chews on his food. You blink a few times at him and smile slightly—out of politeness, and shyly look down on your phone again, trying to avoid his gaze. 

When you think it’s been probably over 30 seconds since your eyes met, you sneak a glance back at him to thankfully find his gaze not focused on you anymore but on Joshua who’s talking.

You take a moment to observe him, he was wearing a muted brown sweatshirt, a fluffy looking one. Healthy looking, dark hair slightly parted in the middle, bangs just ending right above his eyes.

He looked heavenly.

You tore your gaze away before he could catch you staring, and went back to your laptop—shaking that little moment off and continued watching your show.

You successfully direct your focus on your show for a couple minutes, until you see Joshua’s friend stand up. You unconsciously looked up at him and watched as he took his and Joshua’s emptied food containers to toss at the nearby trash bin.

You didn’t realize you were staring again when he turns around to head back to the table they were occupying and your eyes meet again for the second time in the span of thirty minutes.

Shit. Look away.

You immediately turn your gaze to the screen of your laptop and feel your cheeks flush from embarrassment. You try to lower your head down, attempting to cover your face through your hair and close your eyes shut. Cursing yourself for being so careless once again and looking like a creep for blatantly staring at your classmate’s friend.

You’ve been too preoccupied because of the stupidly good looking guy that was seated a few tables away from you, when you realized you had a class to get to. You hurriedly check your phone for the time and see that you only had 5 minutes left to walk to the building where your class was being held at.

You quickly shut your laptop and rush to pack all your belongings into your bag, taking your emptied coffee cup and bowl to throw away. 

You rush out of the cafeteria and make your way to the Social Sciences building, then you feel someone rush up to your  side—making you halt your quick steps.

It's Joshua’s friend that you may or may not have been calling your man in your head.

He’s taller than you had expected—at least a lot taller than you are. Yourself stopping just right where his shoulders are.

“Hey uh,” he starts, releasing a breath, “you left this at your table.”

In his hands was your folder that had the course readings from your previous class, you must have left it at the chair where your bag sat, completely forgetting it was there in the first place.

You turn down the volume of the music playing through your AirPods, “oh my goodness, wow, that was—um,” you ramble while taking the folder from his hands, “thank you so much.” You look up at him—squinting lightly because of the sun, but not accidentally this time.

“I would’ve hated to highlight and annotate these again,” you laugh lightly, smiling up at him. He waves you off, “it’s no problem really—I’m glad I caught you.”

You realized you needed to start walking again if you wanted to make it in time for your next class, “Sorry, uh—I actually have to get going. My class is starting soon.” You regretfully smile at him, creating some distance between yourselves as you start walking.

He immediately matches your pace as you start walking, “do you mind if I walk you to your class?”

“Aren’t you already doing that though?” You laughed at him lightly.

“Ha, still doesn’t hurt to ask,” he chuckles, “my name’s Jeonghan by the way.” You smile at him, “Y/N.”

He puts his hands in his pockets as you walk together, “so what class am I walking you to?” He asks. “My political sociology class—my classroom’s at Henry Hall,” you turned to him briefly, hugging your laptop and folder to your chest.

“So,” you start, “do you walk every girl that accidentally forgets their stuff in the cafeteria to their class—or?”

He laughs lightly, “only the ones that rush out before I could approach them.” You blush, keeping your line of vision straight ahead to see that you’re approaching your building.

“What about you? Did you always have a habit of staring at people?” He continues, making you even more flustered before turning to him directly with a scoff. “I was not staring! I was looking at…Joshua!” He raises his eyebrows at you, a teasing smile on his lips. “Hm okay, well, maybe I was—but how long are we going to make small talk before you ask for my number?” 

“You see, I was getting there—“ he quickly reaches into his pocket, taking his phone out and hands it to you. “What time do you get out of this class?”

You stop in front of Henry Hall, “you don’t waste any time, do you?” Teasing him, but still put your number on his phone and hand it back to him,

“Yeah well, seeing as I almost lost my chance when we were at the cafeteria I figured I shouldn’t waste any more time now.” 

You laugh, “My class ends at 5, but I may or may not have a date afterwards—“ you start walking to the entrance, “you let me know, okay?” You smile at him one last time before turning around and pushing the building doors open.

Jeonghan stares at the back of your head, phone in his hand. He flushes in embarrassment a little because of how you left him speechless. Staying true to his word about not wasting any time, he sends you a text, not even being shy about it.

Hey it’s Jeonghan. Before you have any more time to think about this and rush out again, will you have dinner with me tonight?

I’ve just barely entered my classroom, Jeonghan.

Stop teasing! I told you I won’t waste any time now.

Kidding. I’d love to, what time?

lovehaoms. 2022. please do not repost.

#seventeen #jeonghan #yoonjeonghan #seventeen imagines #seventeen x reader #jeonghan x reader #seventeen drabbles #jeonghan oneshot #jeonghan drabbles #seventeen fluff #seventeen au

[vex91]

Hwang Yeji - Things you can't unspoke

Pairing: Hwang Yeji x Female Reader

Fandom: Itzy

Summary: During an intense argument Yeji says things that she will regret not long after and will have to face consequences of them.

A/N: Not me getting ideas when I try to sleep😣✋

3rd's POV

"I can't believe that you're really acting like that" your scream could be heard in the house. Both you and Yeji were standing in front of each other while yelling, none of you ready to apologize. Especially you since you felt like you had a reason to be angry at Yeji.

Yeji forgot about your date night. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal for you, you understood that Yeji had responsibilities as an idol and that her schedule was busy. The fact that made you so mad was that it wasn't the first time, Yeji forgot about another date that SHE planned for you and you were really hurt after you waited for her only to met with nothing again.

"Okay I forgot, I'm busy Y/N. It's not that big of a deal, you know that I'll make it up to you" Yeji defended herself but it only made you even more mad.

"Make it up to me? Just like you were supposed to make up for the last time? And time before that? And before that? Jesus Yeji you always say the same thing but never do it. All these dates were your idea if you forgot about it too. I'm getting tired of this, I just want one calm evening with my girlfriend, that's all" you looked at Yeji with a tired and pleading look and normally Yeji would soften at that and end the argument to comfort you but the stress and tiredness that she felt, stopped her from rational thinking at that moment.

"I can't believe that I date someone so annoying as you" Yeji spatted out but quickly regretted it when she saw the extremely hurt look on your face. When she saw tears that were forming in your eyes she wanted to pull you into her arms and apologize to you the whole night but she was scared. Scared that you will push her away after what she said.

Not believing what she said you wiped away your tears and turned around to get to the door. When Yeji saw that she ran after you, trying to stop you from going away, fearing that if you walk out then you'll never come back.

"W-Wait! No please just don't walk out... Y-You can scream, punch, everything you can do everything just don't walk out" Yeji desperately pleaded, tears already started forming in her eyes at the thought of you walking out of her life.

You pushed her hands away from you and yelled "Don't touch me Yeji, just leave me alone" You walked out of the house leaving crying and broken Yeji who fell to her knees.

Hours later Yeji layed on the couch, tears streamed down her face. She was looking at the door since you left, wishing for them to open, wanting to see you standing there. It wouldn't even matter for her if you were mad or not, she just wanted to see you.

She was getting more and more worried with every hour that passed, not knowing where you are or if you were safe was killing her.

Yeji took her phone from the table in front of her and started dialing her members one by one and asking if you came to them. The only news that made her sigh in relief were from Ryujin who confirmed that you came to her house and that she took care of you and that you were already asleep. Ryujin was clearly upset with Yeji about what happened. She could understand that Yeji was tired because all of them were but that wasn't an excuse for her to treat her own girlfriend like that.

Yeji thanked her for taking care of you and ended the call. She sighed and tried to get some sleep before the next day but life apparently wasn't on her side since she couldn't sleep all night.

The next morning Yeji quickly changed into some clothes and went to Ryujin's house, hoping that she will still catch you there and that she will not be too late. She will not let herself be too late.

She had to fix this.

After getting there, she ranged the doorbell a few times, every second felt like forever to her.

Her head snapped from looking at the ground to the door and she saw Ryujin looking at her with an irritated look while she rubbed her eyes, clearly just being woke up.

"Unnie? Do you have any idea what time it is. We aren't supposed to be at the studio for the next few hours" She grumbled at her unnie but she already knew that Yeji came to see the girl that was at her house right now. "She's still here right?" Yeji asked and Ryujin just nodded.

"She's still sleeping. I don't know if she will want to talk to you though" The younger girl said. Yeji tried to protest but Ryujin cutted her before she could say anything "We may be friends but she's my friend too and she already told me that she doesn't want to talk with you so I'm sorry but I can't let you in"

Yeji's heart fell even more at the thought of you avoiding her. Knowing that you deserved a space, Yeji nodded before she walked away.

Instead of going home, she decided to go on a walk. She just walked and walked and walked for hours not caring that she was supposed to go to studio that day, she could go tomorrow.

Right now the only thing Yeji could think about was the girl that she hurted so much. She regretted everything that she did last night but knows that there's no going back, she'll just have to live with the consequences.

Yeji knows that she can't unspoke the words that left her mouth and the only thing that she can do now is to try and make everything right. Because she can't imagine her life without you in it.

#vex writes #itzy x reader #itzy reactions #hwang yeji x reader #hwang yeji

[ellephlox]

hey elle i was wondering if you can do a oneshot of matt and fem! reader and age takes matt shopping with her and she tries on some new clothes and matt is just being very handsy. thank you❤️

Yes omg this is so cute and also makes my heart race??

Pairing: Matt x fem!reader

Warnings: Mostly fluff + intimate touching

Summary: You go shopping for a new dress, and... Matt decides to join. 

“What even is a summer solstice party?” you demanded, tearing through the bottom drawer of your dresser to no avail. “And why don’t I have any fancy summer dresses?”

“Don’t you have that nice silky one?” Matt said, leaning against the doorframe and listening to the ruckus as you emptied your entire closet onto the bedroom floor. “You know, the one that hangs low in the back?”

“It’s midnight blue. More wintry looking, you know?” You paused and gave him a look. “You just like it because the back dips low.”

“Does it matter? I don’t think anyone is going to care if you’re not wearing vibrant yellow.”

“‘Does it matter?’” you repeated. “Yes, Matthew, it matters! I have a reputation at stake! The entire office is going to be there and I promise you that every single one of my coworkers will be expecting me to fit the summer theme because they’re all absolutely insane. Remember last Christmas? They practically had a laughing fit because I apparently had the audacity to show up in a normal sweater instead of one of those dumb ugly sweaters.”

“I think I have an orange tie somewhere in the back of my closet. At least, according to Foggy, it’s a ‘Lorax-as-shit-tie’.” He lifted his fingers in air quotes. “You could sling it over your shoulder and call it a summer sash.”

“Brilliant, Matt. You really missed your calling in fashion design,” you said dryly. “Yeah. This isn’t working. I’m going to have to make a run before the mall closes. What time is it?”

Matt’s hand ran over his watch. “Almost five.”

“Perfect. I’ll head to Columbus Circle.” You spun around, looking for your keys. “What’re you going to be up to this evening? Will you still be here when I get back?”

“I’m not going out tonight.”

“You’re not?” You appraised him suspiciously. “Why? You didn’t get injured last night, did you?”

“No. I just have a scheduling conflict.”

“A scheduling conflict with your deviling.” You crossed your arms. “I don’t buy it.”

He caught your arm and pulled you in closely. “I was thinking of going shopping tonight. Columbus Circle seems like a good place to go.”

Your mouth drifted open slightly. “You want to join me?”

“Well, it’s just a coincidence that you were planning on shopping tonight, but I suppose we could go together, if that’s what you want,” he said, giving you a teasing peck on the cheek. “It’s been awhile since I’ve gone out with you.”

“It’ll be boring, I’m warning you. There’s a reason every mall has a couple couches in the center where there’s always a few stray men on their phones.”

“I want to come with you. I miss you.”

“I’m right here.”

“I miss being out in the city with you,” he amended.

“I mean, I’d love to have you,” you said, bemused. “As long as you’re sure you want to come.”

Thirty minutes later, you had a better idea of why Matt had wanted to join you. You emerged from the changing room in a pastel orange slip dress, twirling for him as though he could see it. 

“Is this one okay?” you asked, ruffling the material for added effect. 

“How would I know?”

You gave him an indignant look. “Well, I assumed you were paying close attention to the wavelengths propagating from my twirl.”

The corners of Matt’s lips were lifted upwards in a smirk. Before you could blink, he was suddenly behind you and slipping his hands around your waist. 

“Feels good,” he said, and then he slid his hands down lower. “I approve. And as for the wavelengths, they’re... wavy.”

“Wavy? That’s all I get for a compliment?”

“Mm. I like the material. It’s soft, smooth.” He squeezed you and you gasped, glancing around surreptitiously. 

“No one’s around,” he assured you. “You should try on that other dress. The one with the lace trim.”

“It doesn’t exactly look appropriate for a work party.”

“Exactly." 

You rolled your eyes and returned to the changing room, giving him one last look before closing the door. He was seated on the bench, completely at ease and relaxed despite the atrocious pop music playing in the background and the baby wailing in its mother’s arms not fifty feet away. Surely the mall had to be painful for him. How could it not? You couldn’t imagine what it must sound and smell like; the constant cacophony of everyday life, all condensed within one building. 

Well. Doubtlessly he could use something else to listen to other than that crying child. 

“This goes way, way too low,” you said under your breath, grinning in spite of yourself at the way Matt was almost undoubtedly cocking his head to listen to you. “Definitely not appropriate for work.” You played with the strings on the dress, then smoothed out the fabric over your hips. It was almost painful not being able to see Matt’s reaction. You repeated the motion, drawing your hands out slowly as you passed them over every part of the dress, shaping it over your body. “Shit, did they mean for the dip in the back to go all the way—”

“Need some help?” Matt’s voice came from the other side of the door. Like a moth to light. 

“No,” you said, sighing dramatically. “It’s just taking me longer than expected. The dress has a thin, loopy back, and it’s all exposed, so I’m trying to tie the knot, but I keep slipping.” You actually had quite a firm handle on the knot and had already tied it. Whether Matt could tell was unknown. 

“Unlock the door and I’ll help.”

“Thank you, but I’m all set,” you said, holding back your laughter as you saw the shadow of his feet pace slightly on the other side. “I’ll just... I’ll try on the more work-appropriate dress. Besides, it must be boring for you to have to endure me coming out after each change, since you can’t actually see each dress, so I’ll spare you the trouble and just take this off now—”

His voice was a growl, guttural and low. “Let me in, sweetheart, before I kick down the door.”

There’s my devil. You popped open the lock, smiling weakly. “Ta-da.”

The door closed behind Matt as he entered, dropping the cane against the wall immediately and pushing your back into the mirror. He braced himself on either side of you, hands against the wall. You took a couple of shallow breaths; there was something about the way his jaw was tense, and the way the muscles in his lower arms were taut, that made your heart skip. 

“Enjoying yourself?” he murmured, moving his hands from the wall to gently push you down onto the seat. “Mind if I... feel your dress?”

He never fails to check in first. You smiled at him, warm love for everything about Matt Murdock palpitating in your chest. 

“Well, I wouldn’t want to buy it if I wasn’t sure it felt nice, right?” you said, your voice coming out in a squeak; your composure was completely shattered by the strong and blazing aura rippling off of him. 

His hands traced the back of the dress and then up your shoulders again, feeling every bit of the fabric and where the dress clung to your body; then they moved to your breasts, lightly assessing the cowl fold of the neckline at the end as though that had been his intention all along. 

“I think you should buy it,” he decided. 

“Oh, really? And what am I supposed to wear to the work party?”

“This one.” Without turning his body he plucked the third dress from the hook behind him, feeling the shape of the dress. “It’ll fit.”

“Show-off.”

“Only for you.” He brushed his hand against your arm again. “I’ll be waiting out here.” 

Sure enough, you came out from the changing room one last time to see him sitting placidly on the bench, rolling the cane back and forth in his fingers. He was the image of innocence as he stood up and inclined his head towards you. “Ready?”

“Unfortunately for my wallet, yes.”

He kept up the charade until you were in line, with people watching. You lifted up both dresses, admiring them — both were, you had to admit, very beautiful — when Matt’s hand suddenly slipped up your shirt and grabbed at your hips. 

“Matt!” You fought back a laugh and swatted his hand away. “People are watching!”

“Good. They’ll know you’re mine.”

“And there are children around. We’re going to traumatize them if you keep that up.” 

He lifted both hands, a mocking smirk on his face. “Alright.” And then he leaned in to whisper in your ear, his hand curving around the back of your neck. Goosebumps ran up your arms. “But I have something planned for when we get home.”

#matt murdock x reader #matt murdock #daredevil #daredevil x reader #reader insert #marvel

[lucy90712]

Road to recovery- Part 1

Masterlist

Lola's POV

Do you ever think why me? That's exactly what I'm thinking right now. I don't know what I did to deserve this I think I'm a good person I try to be nice to everyone I meet but now I'm starting to wonder why I even bothered. 

 My day started off exactly the same as it always does my alarm goes off at 7 and I get myself ready to go on a run. I'm usually gone for about an hour and half before I come back and shower and eat breakfast. Then I get on with some uni work for most of the day as I do my school work remotely to help fit it into my schedule. The like always training starts at 5 so I make sure to arrive at 4 as I like to get warmed up properly and work on some of my skills on my own. 

As its competition season I have been spending a lot more of my time in the gym practicing my routines time and time again until they are perfect. My coaches are also trying to push my level so I also tirelessly work on new skills in hopes that they can be included in my routine at the next competition so my difficulty is increased. It’s hard work but I love it. Gymnastics has always been part of my life, I started when I was two in a class for babies but apparently I was always better than the rest so my parents were told to put me into a more advanced class. They did exactly that and ever since I've always been the youngest one in each class I was put in and then when I made a team for the first time I was still the youngest. I was called up to the youth Spanish team as soon as I was old enough and now I'm working towards my first olympics. 

Today happened to be my last training session before my next competition which happens to be a pretty major one. Everything was going exactly to plan and like it always does I had managed to get a new skill on the bars and we worked it into my routine so now I have a bit more of an edge on my competition. After bars it was time for vault as that is my weakest rotation and my coaches want me to work on it before the Olympics as you can't have a weakness if you want to be competitive at the Olympics. 

I did my usual vault a few times before trying a new variation with more twists. My a first attempt was a fail as I chickened out and didn't even do a proper vault. My second attempt was better but not great. My third attempt it went all wrong and I under rotated and came landing down really hard on one leg which twisted my knee awkwardly. I've had bad landings before but when I realised that I was in complete agony and my knee just felt off I knew it wasn't good. My coaches also knew straight away that something wasn't right as I alway get up right after a fall but instead I just laid there with an arm over my eyes to try and stop myself crying. 

Everything after that happened so quickly I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where they ran so many tests. CTs, MRIs, ultrasounds you name it I'm sure they did it. That was the worst part as each time a new test was done I saw the doctors looking more and more concerned and no one would tell me anything no matter how much I begged. There's nothing worse than being cold, in pain and scared as you don't have a clue what's going on. Eventually someone came to tell me what was wrong and weirdly I kind of wish they hadn't as it wasn't what I wanted to hear at all.

"I'm afraid that you have a complete tear in your acl and a further injury in your meniscus which we can't know the extent of until we perform surgery" the doctor explained 

"Wait that's bad isn't it how long will I be out for?" I asked 

"I’m afraid you are looking at up to 9 months out" the doctor said 

"No no I'm supposed to be going to the Olympics I can't be out for that long" I cried 

"I'm afraid you will miss the olympics this injury has a long recovery time your surgery will be next Tuesday the 28th we will see you then" the doctor said before getting my discharge papers sorted and leaving 

What did I do to deserve this. 

Gavi's POV

The pain was instant. Straight away I knew something was wrong especially when I couldn't walk properly without being in complete agony. I didn't want to believe it so I tried to keep going but I just couldn't there was something seriously wrong. I'm not sure whether it was the pain or the possibility that I might not play again for a long time but I couldn't stop tears flowing down my face. The team and the coaches did their best to comfort me but it was no use it just felt like my world was crashing and burning around me. 

Of course they sent me straight off to the hospital for tests as the physios at the stadium knew my injury was beyond their capabilities which didn't fill me with any hope whatsoever. No one wanted to talk to me as we traveled to the hospital so it was completely silent as I was thinking about how long I'll be away from football and how awful that will be. Even once we got to the hospital the doctors were just doing tests and not saying anything. Everyone was treating me like a child who wouldn't understand anything they said when really I'm not stupid they could just tell me what they are doing and what they think is wrong and I'd understand just fine. 

"It looks like you have torn your acl we can't tell the full extent of the injury at the moment so you will have it have further tests back in Barcelona" the doctor explained 

"It can't be it can't be I have to play what about the euros and the champions league" I sobbed 

"I'm afraid you are going to have to miss those" the doctor said 

~~~~~~~~~~

Since getting back home I haven't slept at all as my knee is still in a lot of pain and I can't stop thinking about how I won't play again this season. My agent came to drive me to my second set of tests and unlike yesterday when I just wanted someone to tell me what was up and that it would all be fine I didn't want to talk to anyone. They ran all of the same tests on me again presumably hoping to find a different outcome but let's be real it's never going to get better is it. Unlike yesterday everyone was fussing over me and making sure I was feeling ok which was just quite overwhelming when I wanted to just be left alone with my thoughts. 

Yet again all of the results were discussed in the next room over without me but I could still see what was going on. Everyone in the room didn't look hopeful and there was a few people on the phone and writing things down which didn't seem like a good thing. At this point I've come to accept that I'm not going to be playing for a long time so I just want to get on with my recovery as I need something to do all of this sitting around and waiting is driving me crazy. 

"So Gavi we are sorry to say that along with your acl tear you also have an associated injury to the meniscus which extends the recovery time so you are likely to be out for 7-9 months and you will need surgery which we have scheduled for next week on the 28th" the doctor told me 

No one else had anything to say to me and I just wanted to go home so my agent drove me home then left me so I could think about why this had to happen to me. 

#gavi imagine #gavi imagines #pablo gavi imagine #pablo gavi imagines #gavi #gavi oneshots #gavi x reader #pablo gavi #football imagine

[alwayslurkinginthebackground]

Meant to Happen - A "Kissing You" Drabble

Pairing: Frankie Morales x f!reader Warnings: Mostly just fluff, brief mention of drug use, Santiago is kind of an asshole (sorry, Santi, I love you), mentions of mental illness, nothing too crazy on this one friends Word Count: 2k Prompt #68: A tender kiss on your lover's chest a/n: My schedule has been nothing short of pure insanity, and my brain is doing that thing tonight where I’m convinced I’m not good for anything, so here’s a Drabble I’ve had in edits for ages about Frankie feeling kind of the same way. Mostly it’s just exposition with a tiny bit of fluff but sometimes the brain writes what it wants to write.

Masterlist | Previous Drabble | Next Drabble

It was never really meant to happen. 

Frankie had been Santi’s best friend since their days in special ops, but you’d been friends with him even longer. As kids, you and Santi had raced around the block on your bikes, and as teenagers he’d taken you to every dance with the very clear stipulation that you were not dating. Not that you thought you were; things had never been like that with him, and up until several months ago, they hadn’t been that way with Frankie either. 

When Santiago returned from service, a whole handful of new friends came along with him, and you fit into their little group with ease. You knew they’d seen some shit, every one of them, but it was Santiago’s behavior upon their return that was the hardest to ignore. It was clear that where Benny found his focus in the ring and Frankie found his in little white lines on the kitchen table, Santiago liked to drown out his demons by focusing all his energy on one particular task. 

Finding you a date. 

It was all in good fun, although you’d punched him more than a few times after he’d texted you about meeting up only to never show, leaving you alone with some sleazeball he’d met at the gym. He’d introduce you to every eligible single at parties like you were on an episode of the Bachelorette, and he’d purposefully make sure that there weren’t enough seats in the living room at game night whenever he brought someone new for you to meet. You always sat in Benny’s lap instead, just to spite him. 

He had your best interests at heart, you knew that, so it didn’t bother you too much when it became an ongoing joke, one that was only encouraged by Will and Benny, who were quick to point out that they were single too. Tom usually took your side, coming to your defense when you reminded them that you weren’t really looking for anything. And Frankie…well, Frankie was usually quiet. He’d watch from the sidelines as Santi went on about how you’d never want to date the likes of them anyway. 

But then they left. All five of them, heading to South America for a mission that they didn’t want to talk about. You knew Santi was behind it, and that the others weren’t keen on going, but it was apparent that everything changed while they were gone. 

You only knew what happened in general terms - hard not to when Tom didn’t come home - but no one would tell you the full story. Santiago ignored your texts, and then he left for months without telling you where he was headed. Will and Benny came around to check on you, kept up with weekly get-togethers, but deflected whenever you asked how they were doing. 

Frankie was the only one to confide in you. You weren’t quite sure how the conversation started, but you do remember the way he let you pull him into your arms and the way he cried against your chest. His nose had been tucked into your neck, tears wetting the collar of the old t-shirt you wore that night as he finally purged the emotion pent up inside him. 

Later, when you settled him in your bed, you held him as he slept the whole night through, for what you suspected was the first time in months. It was like a switch flipped, and while you’d spent years telling yourself that Santiago was right, that Frankie wasn’t your type, you had to admit that it was much harder to deny your feelings once he was laying in your arms. 

What followed was a hurricane of secrets and stolen moments. You suspected that Benny figured it out after a couple of weeks, when you’d chosen Frankie’s lap over his at game night. Santiago hadn’t been there, still off in God knows where, and you’d naturally gravitated toward the man you tiptoed on calling your boyfriend. But if he did notice, Benny said nothing. Neither did Will. 

Frankie had practically moved in within the span of a few weeks, and you relished in the little life you were building together. Mornings filled with blueberry pancakes and quick kisses on the way out the door. Afternoon rendezvous in the cab of his truck that left you both on the brink of quitting your jobs, just so you could stay a bit longer. Evenings spent together, lounging on the couch as you introduce each other to your favorite shows and movies. All leading to late nights that felt too easy, even amongst the horrors you both struggled to cope with.

His struck often, and you had your own too, things from your past that you shared with him in the comfortable darkness of night, blankets wrapped tightly around you both. And as one night turned into another, and then into weeks, followed by months, you wound yourself tighter around each other until you were nearly inseparable. 

And then Santiago returned. 

For all the guilt and shame that weighed on the shoulders of Will, Benny, and Frankie, you were certain that Santiago felt it all and then some, but he acted as though the past eight months hadn’t happened. But you knew him, and you knew that the dark circles under his eyes, overgrown hair, and half-hazardly trimmed beard were all signs that he was still struggling to deal with the loss of one of his best friends. The rest of your boys had each other, had you, but he’d been dealing with it all on his own.

And you just had to go and make everything that much harder.

It took Santi all of five minutes to figure out what was going on. You thought you’d been subtle with your stolen glances, waiting for the right time to tell him, but he’d picked up on the way you easily maneuvered around one another in the kitchen, as though you’d done it hundreds of times. And he’d been right - you had. 

You’d discussed on occasion how you thought Santiago would react, and while Frankie had been hesitant, you’d been steadfast in your opinion that your friend would be happy for you both. Happy that Frankie was showing you exactly what it means to be loved, and happy for him that you were quieting his nightmares - the ones that came in the dead of night and the ones that haunted his waking hours too.

But as it turns out, Frankie was right to be skeptical.

Whatever insecurities Santiago was facing, they came out disguised as warnings about Frankie. Mostly things you knew already, about his drug use and the loss of his pilot’s license, failed relationships and Frankie’s lack of a secure financial situation. For every rebuttal, he had another argument lined up, and at some point, you’d stepped in between him and Frankie, certain that even if he lashed out at his friend, he’d never take a swing at you. 

But that didn’t stop your knuckle from making film contact with his jaw the second he told you that Frankie would never amount to anything. Frankie was pulling you back immediately, arms secure around your waist as Will pulled Santiago outside and forced him into his truck to drive him home. Benny quietly made his way to the kitchen to clean up so you wouldn’t have to, and Frankie followed him after encouraging you to retreat to your bedroom.

You’re wearing a hole in the floor when Frankie joins you a few minutes later. Your hand hurts, but anger is still coursing through your veins, so you barely feel it. In fact, you’re barely paying attention as your boyfriend slips through the door, slowly closing it behind him.

“I can’t believe him,” you shout as you pace away from Frankie, your feet carrying you toward the bed and then back toward the door. “Some best friend he is if he can’t even be happy for us.” You continue your routine. “He’s one to talk, after all, disappearing from the face of the Earth, leaving us all here without a clue as to where he is, or if he’s even alive, only to come back and pretend that he knows what’s best for us.” 

When you turn back toward Frankie again, you realize that he’s still standing at the door, his forehead resting against the wood, and your anger is quickly replaced with concern. 

“Hey, you okay?” you ask, the gentle whisper of your voice a stark contrast to just moments before. He flinches lightly when your hand runs up his back, and you instinctively pull away. “Frankie?” 

When he turns, you know he’s the furthest thing from okay. His eyes, which you now know to be so full of life and love, look cold and distant. He’s frowning, the creases in his skin more apparent than usual, and you itch to smooth them with your fingers. He reaches for you this time, and suddenly you’re in his arms, his body melting into your embrace. 

“I’m worried about him.” 

His voice seems small when he speaks, but you know that the depth of his emotion is anything but. Your brow furrows and you sigh, running a hand down his arm to tangle your fingers with his, pulling him toward the bed. Frankie follows without protest, allowing you to settle him between your legs so his body rests on top of yours, head tucked into your neck the same way it had been that first night. 

“He’s going to be okay,” you reassure him, although there’s a significant part of you that doubts your own words. He doesn’t respond, and you press kiss after kiss to his skin, whatever you can reach. When his tears start to dampen your shirt, his quiet sobs shaking his body, you only thank whatever gods might be out there that he trusts you enough to be this open. 

Time ticks by, the evidence of such reading on the clock next to the bed, but you pay it no mind. Your fingers have been locked in his hair for ages now, tangling in his curls and tugging in what you hope is a comforting motion. And it must be, because neither of you move until his breathing has evened out, the only remnants of his tears the occasional sniffle. 

“What if he’s right?” 

You barely hear his whisper, but anger flares in your chest nonetheless. You hate that Santiago did this. “He’s wrong,” you state firmly, hoping that he’ll believe you, even though you know he won’t. Not at first, at least. 

Frankie, predictably, shifts away, rolling off of you and to your side as he runs a hand over his face. “Everything Pope said is true, though.” 

Your body follows his, seeking out his warmth as you ease a leg over his thigh to tangle your limbs back together. 

“Like what? Tell me exactly what he said that’s true, because I don’t believe a word of it.” You accentuate your words by kissing away the remains of his fallen tears. 

It takes a bit for him to respond, but his thoughts are so loud you can nearly hear them. Still, you wait, and when he speaks his voice is quiet. “He said that this was never supposed to happen.” 

You know he’s referring to you, to whatever this between you might already be and what it might still become, and you make a mental note to kill Santiago later for putting doubt into Frankie’s mind. Doubt about himself, mostly, but also about you. 

You reassure him that you love him, because you do, and you’re pretty sure you always have. For every date that Santiago set you up on, for every new suitor he brought home, your happy ending had been there all long. And as you press a soft kiss to your lover’s chest, right above his heart, to prove to him that you’re here, you remind him of the one thing you’re more certain of than anything else. 

“That’s where he’s wrong. I think this was always supposed to happen.”

Masterlist | Previous Drabble | Next Drabble

#frankie morales x you #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fic #pedro pascal fanfiction #kissing you #lurking and writing

[songsofadelaide]

Asleep Among Endives

Chapter 3 — Ordinary Days

In 2006, you entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College as a first-year student, the only healer in your class of three. You did not witness the devastation that forced Satoru to unlock his untapped potential when he was on the brink of death, the little god from your childhood now revered as the strongest sorcerer of your generation. 

[A Gojo Satoru x Reader fic, ongoing]

cw/tw: implied/referenced childhood trauma, everyone just having a great time until they weren't, character death wc: 15.8k. ✾ Fic Masterlist ✾ Chapter 1 ✾ Chapter 2 ✾ ~Interlude~ — In the Quiet

— Ordinary Days.

~ 2006.

It became a well-known fact that the heir of the Koganei Clan could be a brute if the situation called for it. Your reputation as the so-called heir striker followed you wherever you went after the incident with the heir apparent of the Zenin Clan, and while it was an amusing anecdote for some of the older people in jujutsu society, younger sorcerers grew to know for certain that you weren't someone to be trifled with. 

Satoru wasn't there when the incident occurred because he just started high school at Tokyo Jujutsu High. When he first heard of it from Kazuya during one of his now fewer visits to the Koganei Estate, you could have sworn his uncontrollable laughter rumbled throughout the whole family dojo. Acts of violence rarely impressed him unless it was only for showmanship, but there he was in the Koganei dojo, rolling in laughter, tears, and pure amusement, but part of you knew he was also a bit proud of you for pulling that stunt. 

Naoya was surprisingly gracious about the whole thing, but only because he uses it as leverage against you, claiming he remains hurt by your actions. Contrary to the popular belief that he's a goody-two-shoes and always listened to his father and uncles, he was actually incredibly conceited and was a stickler for tradition. When he found that he couldn't get you to come to Kyoto, he decided to come to you like you initially asked even though you thought he never would. He made a lot of visits to the Koganei Estate following that misencounter in 2004— a lot— that your family had a hard time balancing and dividing the days between him and Gojo Satoru and ensuring the two heirs would never be under your roof at the same time.   

But eventually, the inevitable happened. 

Satoru and Naoya, now aged sixteen and fifteen respectively, found themselves at the Koganei Estate at the very same hour on the very same day. How this came to be, you'll never know for sure. The boys knew each other longer than they've known you, having been introduced when they were only three and two respectively and have met in passing afterwards. Satoru always got a rise out of teasing Naoya regardless of whether he truly was joking about something or not. 

They were completely aware of your visitation arrangements with each other and it wasn't at all a huge deal for Satoru since he was mostly there by Kazuya's invitation to train and spar. The courtship aspect of his visitations was only secondary (for now, he reminds you). For Naoya, however, he was definitely there to impress you and win you over again. Not that any of his attempts have worked. 

There was an extra serving of chaos in what was supposed to be a peaceful lunch with whoever was scheduled to be there with you. Even the servants were whispering about this incredulous occurrence as they entered the dining hall with food for three in tow. 

—what an odd sight seeing both the young masters of the Gojo and Zenin Clans here—

—but surely Otome ojou-sama knows what to do—

—how could our Mistress commit such a mishap?—

How indeed, you thought to yourself. Your mother was usually cautious about these things. Could her age finally be getting to her? 

The meal was one you loved a lot— gyudon with a runny egg topped with scallions and beni shoga, miso soup, steamed vegetables in butter— broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and the like. For dessert, there was your family's special custard pudding, which became one of Satoru's many favourite sweets. 

The two boys sat across from you, knees and elbows brushing as they helped themselves to lunch. It was mostly the same scene— Satoru in his cobalt blue yukata and Naoya in his emerald green haori and hakama — and some bristling at how close they had to sit together. There were certain changes to their appearances that you took note of— Satoru and his pair of dark sunglasses that didn't seem to fit his look today, and Naoya's shocking blonde hair, part of his tips missing out on the colour and somewhat made him look like a pudding cup.  

Your tsukumogami Marin happened to be present as well, undoubtedly amused at the sight of two nearly grown boys trying their best to stay on their best behaviour. She sat quietly outside the room, soaking up the afternoon sun while keeping a watchful eye on her charge and her guests, who would be strictly apprehended if they tried to do anything strange. You were obviously baffled at what was happening at the moment. You will definitely ask your mother how she bungled this day by forgetting who exactly was supposed to be there.

"Here you go, Otome. Don't mind Naoya and just eat up like normal," the silver-haired boy stated with a smile as he picked a piece of steamed broccoli and placed it on top of your bowl. 

"Oh, uh, th-thank you, Satoru. You know, I—"

The dark-haired boy quirked an eyebrow at what he heard. "Since when were you two on a first-name basis?"

"Since forever," Satoru said, bringing a piece of cauliflower to his mouth. He didn't like vegetables that much, but he'd stomach the serving for the opportunity to spend time with you. And perhaps annoy his unbearable little rival while he's at it. 

Now that he's thinking about it, Naoya wasn't initially so insufferable. One could even call him friendly back then. As fellow promised children, they were expected to get along with each other to ensure the fragile peace between the two families was maintained. Satoru and his wily, mischief-making nature clashed with Naoya's more strict and straightforward attitude, even more so as they grew older and increasingly more powerful. Whether or not they were friends didn't exactly matter to him, but their lives were so intricately entwined that it was impossible not to mention him whenever the subject of heirs was discussed.

Something warped Naoya's mind during their period of discovery that propelled his growth to the point where his arrogance thrived as well. What, or who that could be… No one will ever really know. But seeing him like this— agreeable but still rather curt— reminds Satoru of that time when they weren't pitted against each other like mad dogs being bet on. 

"You can call me by my first name, too, Otome," Naoya stated, finally dropping the honorific from your name. "Satoru and I are the same. I see no need to use honorifics with him since we've always been on equal standing, aren't we, Satoru?"

"I don't know, Naoya. Are we?" The blue-eyed boy shrugged at him in response, a Cheshire Cat grin on his face meant to tease the other. "I mean, I ascend as soon as I graduate from high school, no brothers or uncles to contend with or anything…"

Naoya wanted to clamour, but he held his tongue. Satoru was right, after all. "Gh— That's beside the point!"

"Naoya-sama—" You started, only for him to cut you off. 

"You can call me by my first name!" 

Satoru elbowed him. "Whoa! No need to shout at her, man!"

"I wasn't shouting!"

And so forth. You may as well be watching the whole place burn down.

After your meal, the boys shared hushed murmurs between them, with Satoru disappearing from the garden not long after losing their single round of janken, but not without knowing full well that he'll have his time with you once Naoya leaves for the Zenin Estate in Kyoto. 

For all of his supposed prickliness, Naoya was always warm and cordial to you during his visits. He speaks to you kindly, as though you've never heard the stories of his curtness and rather measured kindness towards the daughters of other sorcerer clans. In the Koganei Estate, he was nothing at all like how his family vividly described him— spoiled and insufferable— perhaps boys like him always want their good side to shine. You can tell by the way he looks at you that he remains terribly enamoured by your person, never mind the fact that you punched him in the face before. 

He is just as touchy-feely as always, but he is more careful now whenever he wishes to make any physical contact with you. He would take your hand from time to time, grasping it as if you'd leave him to wander off on your own rather than keep him company. 

"Can I ask you something?" 

He paused in his tracks and turned to face you, taking in your features as though he hadn't done it earlier. "What is it?" 

"We've known each other for quite some time now, Naoya. When did you, um… start liking me? If it's all right with you, of course." 

It was a question he often wondered why you hadn't asked yet. A question he always had the answer to but never got around to answering. 

It was a well-known fact that women who were part of the Zenin Clan were classified as second-rate citizens, their specialness only defined by the men they were bound to. For a woman to rise to the rank of clan leader was uncommon but not completely unheard of, especially when Koganei Suzuna took the helm of her clan from her own father. She was an only child who possessed Kin'iro no Shishu— Golden Embroidery, a tamer version of her family's inherited technique and a kind of reverse cursed technique meant to heal more surface wounds and minor injuries but not exactly to the point where they can restore a person to their state before becoming injured. While she fell short in possessing the more potent Kin'iro no Namida, she proved herself a worthy heir and did an excellent job at managing her family's affairs when leadership was passed on to her. 

And Suzuna expected you to follow suit ever since she named you her heir, even more so since you inherited your family's prized Golden Tears.  

Naoya first learned about you after receiving an invitation to your seventh birthday. He was fairly acquainted with Kazuya but had no idea he even had a younger sister. It was only when the other boy explained their family dynamic that he came to understand. You fascinated him with your mere presence— a daughter born from the more solitary branch family, exalted as your clan's heir, defying all the expectations placed upon the women in his family and most of the other sorcerer families. 

And when he saw you sitting in the middle of your audience hall on your seventh birthday, an air of regality about you that seemed otherworldly to him, it was pretty much love at first sight for him. Not that he'd ever say. 

"Do you remember your seventh birthday?"

"That long ago?!" You exclaimed in complete surprise.

"…And when you arrived on my ninth birthday wearing the kimono my family gifted to you… It was almost like you were asking to be…"

It was a memorable present, after all, something you thought would be fitting for the occasion that was the birthday of the heir to the Zenin Clan leadership. 

"I was…?"

"Asking to be part of my family," he stated with a soft sigh. "But I suppose that was just my imagination."

Oh. So that explains why he circled you like a planet around the sun back then. And why his family was surprisingly kind to you.

"Anything else you'd like to know? Or tell me, perhaps." 

"I remember your ninth birthday very well. Jinichi-ojisama gave me a jar of konpeito back then!"

"What?! That dirty old man really—!"

"And… Wait, why exactly did you dye your hair that colour?"

Naoya made most of the time granted to him, basking in your undivided attention and savouring the sound of your laughter whenever he made an occasional joke. When it was time for him to leave, you sent him off with a smile, admittedly enjoying his company that afternoon. 

"May I hold you?" He asked you with expectant eyes, even though you know he's not one to do so. Whatever pride he has is thrown out the window when it comes to you. His pride nearly cost him his relationship with you, after all, and a black eye he couldn't possibly be upset about. It is only when you nod at him that he slowly wraps his arms around you, the scent of his woody and spiced cologne rising to your nose. 

He must dislike it, you thought to yourself. —Having to seek my permission just to hold me. If he does, he is doing a fine job of hiding his disdain. You gently return his embrace, prompting him to hold you even closer. And when he takes your hands in his, you don't see anything, just him and his same sharp gaze and a smile that doesn't really reach his eyes. 

"As I thought, seeing you certainly lifts my spirits. Holding you even more," he said. "I'll see you again soon, Otome. I…"

He pauses, and you can't help but ask him, "Naoya?" 

His ears turn bright red, and you assume he was embarrassed by the way you said his name, his preferred honorific forgotten this time as he asked earlier. 

"I don't know what I'd do with myself if you eventually turn me down," he chuckled. "The old man is always telling me to listen to reason and my intuition because they are rarely wrong and not to put all of my eggs in one basket but I can't help it…"

Naoya's grip on your hand tenses ever so slightly, but he eventually releases you. "I like you a lot. But we don't… see visions when we touch and I know that for certain because we would have spoken about it already."

"Oh…" Came your only response to his statement. Somehow you couldn't help but think what if you did see colours when you first made contact with him? Would it change how you feel about it? Would it make you just as giddy? Would it trap you? You'll never really know for certain anymore. 

"This day hasn't done anything for my reputation here, I think. I understand your family must think I'm still a brat like always and I don't blame them," he told you, bringing your knuckles to his lips. "However, I would like to continue seeing you until it's time for me to begin… considering other options." 

"Of course," you replied with the same warm smile. "Take care on your way home, Naoya."

He could tell by your smile and the look in your eyes that you preferred him this way— kind and affable. Not that he really was, but it made him feel good that the way you saw him improved over time. You made him feel good.

Naoya stilled on his spot, still holding your hands in his own. He looks back to his father's words to him— devotion to anything other than power will lead to your downfall. Yet it bothered him to no end how Naobito still managed to maintain the balance and momentum of being a top clan leader, an excellent sorcerer, and a father at the same time if the old man was so devoted to solely one thing. 

Naobito's power was built upon the enduring strength of tradition. So long as men like him are in charge, jujutsu society is still far from changing, and Naoya himself will have no need to change, either. The absurdity of your family's history and direction glides through his thoughts once more— you should be his bride, his wife— and it should be a pleasure for you to shower your sweetness and diligence upon him graciously and gratuitously. Yet you have made it perfectly clear to him that you have no intention of being like bamboo and bowing even to the storm that was the heir apparent of the Zenin Clan.  

Moreover, he knows well enough that you only continue to see him out of courtesy. He is well aware of what this one-sided affection means and the turmoil it wrought in his heart— and it clouds his judgement so. 

He looks up at your face, any trace of your disdain and resentment gone. It annoys him a little, for it only means you no longer see him as a threat, only as his equal, a truth he still can't wrap his head around. He decides he may not be so kind the next time. 

"Thank you. I'll be off, then." 

The Zenin servants left with their young master in tow with little to no fanfare. It surely won't be the last time you'll see them. 

Meanwhile, Satoru thought your goodbyes were too drawn out. While he lost their game of janken on purpose in order to have the rest of the day with you, he had to admit that he wasn't exactly the best at waiting. He had grown peevish having to play second fiddle to the Zenin brat today of all days, one of his very precious rest days from school. 

"Your impatience shows in your countenance, little godling."

Satoru, who was lounging back at the dining hall when you disappeared into the garden with Naoya, turned to the only other being in the room, Marin, in the same royal blue kimono she has always worn. 

"Aren't you worried that Naoya might try something, Marin?" 

"The Zenin child holds much affection for my mistress, as do you. I personally think he learned his lesson from last time," she replied. "Though I suppose you're only asking me this because you're bored yourself and you're not exactly one who shares."

He thought it was odd that your so-called spirit guardian didn't follow you out. 

"My mistress insisted I stay behind," she told the boy as though she read his mind. "The Zenin child behaved, after all. And neither do I accompany her when she is with you."

Point taken, he thought. Though he knew he was undoubtedly more well-behaved than Naoya. 

"Say, Marin, were you around when the battle between the last users of the Six Eyes and Ten Shadows happened?" 

"Unfortunately not, little godling. Though I've heard tales of it. 'Twas a devastating fight that ended in both their deaths," she answered him, a curious smile on her face now. 

It was a silly thought that Satoru tried not to entertain. Surely he and Naoya wouldn't have to come to blows when it came to—

"They fought for dominance, that much is certain. But for a girl? I think not," said the spirit guardian, a glint of mischief in her eyes. 

"What? I-I wasn't—" He stammered all of a sudden. "Be honest, Marin! You can actually read minds, can't you?" 

"I'm afraid not, little godling. But I suppose if you've lived as long as I have, you grow to have a better grasp of people and their emotions."  

"So you're what they call an empath…"

From the garden once more came measured footsteps carefully ascending to the redwood engawa. You looked into the dining hall and found Satoru sitting across from Marin. "I'm back! Were you guys talking about something?" 

"Welcome back, aruji-sama."

You nodded at Marin, signalling her to rest now. "Thank you, Marin. I'll see you again tomorrow."

"Have a good night's rest now, aruji-sama, and the little godling as well," Marin bade you farewell, condensing her cursed energy once more until she had completely taken the form of your hairpin. You placed it atop your head again before turning to your other guest. 

"Sorry about that again, Satoru…"

"Don't sweat it, sweetheart," he responded with a smile. "I just thought that it was too bad I had to share your time with Naoya, of all people." 

"I have all the time in the world right now, if that's what you're worried about," you smiled right back at him, gesturing for him to walk with you. 

"Not everyone has that luxury, I'm afraid," he rose from his seat on the tatami and followed you out of the dining hall. "You know how I've been busy with school last year? It's gonna be pretty much the same thing this year."

"Ah, yes. You and your missions with  Suguru-san and Shoko-san, am I correct? No need to worry about me, Satoru. Your pursuit of education is admirable, though I know you're just looking for a reason to leave your home."

No shit, he thought. One thing he remains entirely grateful for is the opportunity to study at Jujutsu High. What should have been his home, his safe haven, slowly evolved into his prison, a ball and chain shackled to him— his family's growing expectations of him— 

"Okaa-sama said I should go to Serinuma Suiren Private Academy with Kazu-nii and Chiemi-chan. It's a private non-sectarian school and there are other sorcerer children there as well," you said, slicing through his innermost thoughts. "If I remember right, the children and heirs to the Amamiya, Sasoriza and Sakashita Clans are studying there." 

"You know a lot of people, huh?" 

"Okaa-sama said that familiarity helps foster good relations," you replied, a thoughtful hand on your chin. "If I remember right, Ryuu-kun and his sister Risa-chan are studying there—"

"Who's Ryuu-kun?" Came Satoru's question, his face saying I'm curious but also kind of annoyed.

"He's the Amamiya Clan's heir and one of Kazu-nii's close friends. I think he got the idea to study at Serinuma Suiren from—"

"Otome, you do know that our utmost duty as sorcerers is to prevent calamities brought about by jujutsu, right? That and all the other bureaucratic bullshit the higher-ups feed us. You should know that private schools won't provide you with the proper education for sorcerers. And if the headquarters decide to assign missions for them? How will they be equipped for it? English and arithmetic won't help exorcise curses," he stated matter-of-factly. "I'm assuming the other families will compensate for their children's lack of sorcery knowledge through home studies instead. However, if they're doing this to get out of the system, that's where they're wrong. Not even clan leaders are exempt from having missions assigned to them." 

"O-Oh! I never thought of that…"

Ah. It was an epiphany being stated to you. Most of the responsibilities your mother imparted to you pertained to your house of sorcery, but perhaps she was only about to get to that point of your duties… But no, that wasn't exactly an excuse for your ignorance of what should be a sorcerer's most important commitment. 

And then there's that other thing about you and Satoru… 

"Suzuna-san still receives summons and assignments from the headquarters, as far as I know," he said, the same thoughtful hand on his chin as well. "Though I understand your family's inclination to forego the traditional jujutsu education since you guys are mostly for support… Ah! But Kazuya's Lightning Rod and Raiden can be classified as offensive combat techniques. And even your brat sister's Golden Embroidery will be useful—"

"But okaa-sama sai—"

Satoru furrowed his brows at your remark before gently elbowing you. "It's always your mother this, your mother that. Come on, Otome. What do you want to do?"

"It's… not that simple for me, Satoru…" You stated with a soft sigh. Something your mother told you earlier this year rang at the back of your head. "There's a reason why I'm not studying at Jujutsu High."

"I'm pretty sure we're burdened by the same responsibilities and expectations."

He was right, and yet he wasn't, either. Despite sharing the same responsibilities and expectations as heirs to your age-old sorcerer families, there was a fine line that separated you from him— a line your mother warned you well enough not to cross. 

"Okaa-sama told me that some of the elders warned her about something. It was about us," you told him, holding his curious gaze. "You and me, Satoru. They say we're dangerous together." 

Oh. Satoru was easily able to put two and two together now that he heard it from you. His family gave him a similar strong word of caution that should have dissuaded him from continuing to see you. 

"I don't see anything particularly dangerous about two kids in love if you ask me," he said with a shrug. "And all of this secrecy just makes me want to annoy those old farts even more. Now come on, Otome! Don't you want to study at Jujutsu Tech? I'm certain you'll learn—"

He was surprised you paused in your tracks, suddenly burying your face in your hands. "Otome? Hey, you—"

You look up at him with the heat of embarrassment spread across your face. "D-Did you just say we're in l-love?!" 

"A-Aren't we?!" He sputtered back, a blush creeping up from his neck to his face now. "Come on! I know I mostly come here to train with Kazuya, but it's always my time with you that I look forward to more!" 

"I—" 

Satoru didn't think twice anymore before leaning down to meet your nervous breath with his mouth, a strong hand on the small of your back as he steadied you on your feet. His hold on you was warm even over the layers of your yukata, his lips even warmer. You felt him smile against your kiss as you tenderly and unwittingly coiled your hands around his neck.

"You're so cute," was the only thing he said when you finally let go of each other, your vision shining as you gazed into the endless blue that was his eyes. 

"…You're cuter," you murmur right back at him before hurriedly looking away from him. "Th-This is definitely not good for my heart, Satoru…"

He chuckled at your reaction. "Oh? Wait 'til we start doing—"

"AAH! NO! Don't say it, please!" You exclaimed, gathering your sleeves to cover your ears from any more of his jokes and inappropriate talk.

His laugh was low, hearty, and absolutely mirthful. "What are you, some pure-hearted maiden?!" 

For the normal onlooker, there was no denying that this was merely the banter of two kids in love indeed, but the elders of jujutsu society impressed a vision upon your mother and other clan leaders. It was a sight so surreal and mystifying yet terrifying to anyone who might lay eyes upon it. 

The ominous figure of the vengeful spirit Michizane Sugawara. And perched atop his shoulders was the flaming phoenix Suzaku, its wings akin to plumes of fire spread menacingly over its onlookers.  

Upon Satoru's departure that evening, you found your way back to your mother's den, where she was preoccupied with the documents on her ornate walnut chabudai. It was an assortment of readings that included letters to the clan leader, mission briefs, and invitations to celebrations. 

"Satoru has left, okaa-sama," you told her, taking a seat across from her as she paid no mind to your presence so far.

"And was the afternoon pleasant, daughter?" Suzuna asked, not at all glancing at you as she continued her reading.

"I-It was odd, okaa-sama! Both Satoru and Naoya were here at the same time! Did you perhaps…"

"No, I did not make any mistake, Otome," she replied, eventually meeting your shocked gaze. There was a hint of… mischief in the older woman's eyes. "Everything that occurred today was all according to plan."

"O-Okaa-sama?! You… You did that on purpose?!"

"It was bound to happen one of these days, daughter. More importantly, that shows just how difficult a position our family will be backed into if those… boys continue this strange pursuit," she stated with an exasperated sigh, dropping the document she was reading on her table. "Honestly… As far as I'm aware, other families have daughters your age yet they seem so fixated on you. Most especially Satoru-kun. Though I suppose he's not easily impressed by just anyone."

Suzuna flipped through more sheets, the sheen of her moss-green yukata illuminated only by the candle on her table. "Ah, here it is. Your requirements for the new term. The academy was kind enough to send this over to us since we have at least three family members enrolling." 

She handed you a crisp sheet with the school's emblem printed on its letterhead— Serinuma Suiren Private Academy Yokohama. It was an ostentatious display of the school's supposed long history, but it was truly just a normal school that catered to normal students, mostly those from the middle to high socioeconomic status. Where your family stood didn't really matter to you right now…

English and arithmetic won't help exorcise curses. You recall Satoru's words from earlier. Not that you had the right technique for it, but if you truly wished to be better equipped for such instances, you have to learn everything from the right place. A school for jujutsu sorcerers run by jujutsu sorcerers.

"Okaa-sama," you started, swallowing the lump in your throat. There was no use being so nervous now. "I would like to study at Jujutsu High." 

Suzuna quirked an eyebrow at you, slowly taking back the letter you ignored. "Otome, we already spoke about this and you already agreed to study at Sesui with your siblings. Where did you get this absurd idea? From Satoru-kun, I can only presume?"

"But sorcerers have a duty to prevent disasters brought about by jujutsu! How can you expect me to do that if I'm not prepared for it?!" You shot back at her, but not before realising you raised your voice ever so slightly. You lowered your head to the tatami. "I apologise, okaa-sama."

The older woman dropped the letter with the rest of her documents. "Since when did this interest you, Otome? You're still years away from even receiving your own missions and yet…"   

"This is our most basic duty as sorcerers, okaa-sama. It's not… just an interest," you replied, still unable to meet her eyes after your little outburst. Your relationship and communication with Suzuna slowly improved as time passed by. As her named heir, she did her best to mould you into her example, one which you diligently tried to follow as you grew older, especially after being given the cool yet distressing nickname heir striker. There was no helping those impulses, though— and the quirks in your character that made you unique from your mother's personage. 

"Raise your head, daughter. I take no offence to what you said. You're right, after all. Sorcerers indeed have a duty to prevent disasters brought about by jujutsu," she stated, eyeing your graceful movement with a look of satisfaction. "If you ask me, I see no reason to separate you and Satoru-kun. However, I can't just ignore the elders' warning. If they're baulking right now, imagine the clamour they'll make if he actually decides to propose to you."  

Yes, Suzuna remembers their warnings well enough. They don't want a dangerous stockpiling of power to occur that may give the Gojo Clan even more leverage than what it already has. That will only happen if a user of the Six Eyes comes into possession of one who cries Golden Tears. Then again, the same will apply to someone with the Zenin's Ten Shadows or the Kamo's Blood Manipulation. Right now, it just so happened to be Gojo Satoru. 

"I…" You started, only to lose your voice in resignation. "I… understand, okaa-sama. I wouldn't want to put our family in a precarious position."

Yet we already are, Suzuna thought to herself. The fact that your fates are woven so intricately has already spelled the doom of our family. Though you've always been one to defy gravity.

— A Time of Romance… ~ July 2006.

There were whispers about a new student enrolling in the middle of the school year— A first-year with such a prized cursed technique that their family had reservations about sending them there in the first place. While Gojo Satoru was never easily impressed, he was still rather curious about this miracle child joining their ranks, especially since their background sounded oddly familiar. He and the rest of his three-man class already threw a welcoming ceremony that was more of a party for their adorable kouhai when the school year started earlier in the year.

He passed by the first years' classroom to sate his curiosity and found a girl standing before her classmates, a hastily-prepared welcoming sash around her upper body and a smile he's seen somewhere before. Never in his wildest dreams was he this thoroughly impressed. 

It was you, the equally miraculous and equally troublesome child from the Koganei Clan, being introduced to your two classmates, the stoic Nanami Kento and the upbeat Haibara Yu. You were in the standard jet-black school uniform, and pinned to your left breast was the school's emblem, the symbol of your allegiance to its cause. Satoru knew for a fact that the Koganei Clan would never let you out of their sight, seeing as you were their promised child, the only one who could cry healing tears in your family. How you managed to convince them and slip through their fingers, he'll never know for sure…

Haibara saw him standing outside their classroom with a bewildered look on his face and beckoned him to come inside. "Gojo-san! Come and say hi to our new classmate! The new student!" 

A smile graced his face as he accepted his kouhai's invitation, stepping into the classroom with his hands in his pockets. When your eyes meet once again, he swears he feels like he's riding on a cloud now, the soft rays of the early morning sun beating on his face.

"Been a while. How are you, ohime-sama?" 

"Satoru!"

"Huh? You two already know each other?" Came Haibara's confused question as he held the opened party popper in his hands. 

"Oh, we go way back," the silver-haired boy said with a chuckle. "Say, you three aren't doing anything particular today, right? Wanna go grab some food to celebrate your arrival?" 

"Um, sure? If it's all right with Yu and Kento, of course."

Haibara was all smiles as well as he followed you and Satoru out of your classroom, Nanami trailing with a look on his face that said, oh, how troublesome. 

Following the college's assessment of your technique and skills, they deemed you another valuable resource— a reverse cursed technique user— a boon upon the scourge of curses and cursed spirits roaming the land at large. The school would make use of your technique, raw as it is at present. You would have to develop it yourself, though, to a more efficient way to utilise your cursed energy rather than just crying all the time. 

Upon your introduction to everyone, though, the school left out one minor detail that caught everyone by surprise.

Cafe Lilico was a tiny, rustic red brick cafe mostly hidden between Shibuya's high-rise buildings. The little place was owned by a retired sorcerer who sought to keep a place open for people and kids like you— sorcerers, both young and old, were welcomed and offered a reprieve from their taxing work of exorcism and execution. The shopfront had a lot of flower pots in full bloom, concealing most of the cafe's inside to the curious passersby.

On your shared table laid an assortment of snacks and drinks— black coffee, sweet teas, creamy frappes and cream sodas, berry tarts, classic New York-style cheesecake, salt and pepper fish and chips, and sweet potato fries— and floral-printed porcelain plates and saucers atop the plaid red tablecloth. 

From across the table, you could perfectly see the astonished reactions of your classmates as you concluded your long, long story of how you first met Gojo Satoru when you were children. You didn't go into any of the finer details of your relationship anymore since everything was confusing as it was already. "…And that's how Satoru and I met. We aren't exactly together, together. It's, um… a work in progress." 

"Wait, wait, wait! You mean to say that you," said Shoko, Satoru's only female classmate and a reverse cursed technique user just like you. She pointed a finger at you and another one at the boy wearing sunglasses, trying to make sense of the facts laid out to them. "…And Gojo are childhood friends? And that you guys are kind of engaged?"

"I think the more correct term is childhood sweethearts. And betrothals are still pretty much a practice for old sorcerer families like ours," Satoru stated with a wide grin as he gently corrected his friend. "So many people are against us getting together, though. Some of the old farts are calling it a dangerous accumulation of power or some other bullshit."

"So Haibara had no chance from the start!" Shoko said teasingly, nudging the wide-eyed boy sitting beside her. 

"Ah, it doesn't matter!" Haibara said with a hearty laugh. "Cute girls will always be cute and I think I'm lucky enough to be able to see another cute girl like Otome every day."

The other girl brought her arm to the table and rested her chin on her hand, a curious look on her face. "What do you like about Gojo, Otome?"

"The real question is if she actually likes him," the other dark-haired boy, Suguru, teased his friend. "Are you sure you aren't being tricked, Otome?" 

"O-Oh! I actually like Satoru a lot…" You started sheepishly. "He's always been very considerate of me ever since we were children."

"How straightforward of you," Suguru stated with a smile. "I find it hard to believe we're talking about the same Satoru here, Otome."

"Totally. You know no one's buying this kind big brother act you're putting up now that she's here, Gojo," Shoko nodded in agreement. "Otome, did you know that Gojo is terribly spoiled and self-centred—"

"Okay, okay! I get the message, you guys. Geez!" Satoru exclaimed in disbelief that his friends had just thrown him under the bus in your presence. "But you heard her loud and clear, yeah? She likes me, and no tricks, too!" 

"Satoru's been spoiled ever since we were children, so I'm not exactly surprised," you reply with a small laugh. "But I suppose it's only because he has people like Suguru-san and Shoko-san keeping him in check that he hasn't gotten into any trouble so far."

"Gojo-san has been a good senpai to us, too, Otome. I'm pretty sure he's bound to pay more attention to us now that you're part of our class," Haibara grinned at you. "Ah! Now that you mentioned it, you'll probably be joining us on some missions."

"That's right, though mostly for assistance and backup," you replied before taking a sip of your cream soda. "Shoko-san and I will have rotating shifts in the infirmary and morgue, too." 

"It's too bad you missed the Goodwill Event a few weeks back. I would have appreciated the extra hands to help with healing," the other girl said before helping herself to her iced frappe. 

"That and more. I would have loved it if you saw me wipe the floor with Naoya," Satoru chuckled. "The dork was so arrogant, too. I felt so bad for his classmates and upperclassmen." 

"The Zenin kid, right? He didn't really strike me as a heavyweight," Haibara said before stuffing himself with the sweet potato fries. "He was fast, though! Even faster than Nanami, I think."

Nanami didn't speak, though his brows crinkled at the sound of his name as he sipped his black coffee. 

"Goodwill Event?" You inquired curiously.

"It's a yearly event and competition between Tokyo and Kyoto Jujutsu High students," Satoru answered you, a finger absentmindedly playing with your hair. "Oh, man. You could have just punched him again and called it a day, huh?" 

"S-Satoru!" You exclaimed, obviously embarrassed at his remark. 

"What?! You punched the Zenin kid before, Otome?!" Haibara asked rather excitedly, his eyes sparkling in utter admiration. "So you do know how to defend yourself, then!"

"I-It was a—" You raised your hands in defence, the heat rising to your face as you tried to explain the infamous incident from 2004.

"She even got a nickname," the silver-haired boy said, the same Cheshire Cat smile on his face. "Isn't that right, heir striker?"

"Satoru, stop! D-Don't make me live up to that nickname!"

Your first school days at Jujutsu High were nothing like the languorous moments you spent at home with your mother and governess. Yaga-sensei always put you through your paces regardless of whether there was not much to do or there was actual work to be done. Much like Shoko, you were never given any dangerous missions and mostly helped with patching up your schoolmates and other sorcerers who came through the school doors. 

It was Haibara who regaled you with stories about their missions, while Nanami was not at all entertained by the thought of having to exert so much effort into everything they had to do. On the very rare occasions you were required to accompany them, you always kept a safe distance away from the conflict with at least one of them safeguarding you. 

Before you knew it, a month had passed. With Satoru often busy with his own missions with Suguru and Shoko, it was no surprise that he'd jump at the opportunity to come and see you and spend a considerable amount of time with you whenever permitted. 

On your way back from Shibuya after having lunch with Satoru, you were greeted by a familiar face on the school grounds, his Western-style school uniform rather out of place in the more traditional tranquil atmosphere of Jujutsu High. "Oh, it's Kazu-nii!" 

"Hello, Otome. I see you've already adjusted to your life here. Your uniform suits you!" Kazuya greeted you with a smile. Still in his own school uniform— a mauve blazer and black trousers, he waved as you made your approach, a brown document envelope in his hands. "And Satoru! Good afternoon."

"Hello, Kazuya," came Satoru's rather curt greeting, taking his place behind you. "What brings you here?"

"I came here with more of my sister's documents. And to remind you again that you are obligated to return home once a month, Otome. Learn to keep track of your priorities if you're to become the clan leader. Yaga-sensei was made well aware of this arrangement, too."

How irritating— was the very first thing that popped into the silver-haired boy's head as he eyed your interaction with your older brother. They might be friends, but something about the other boy just rubs him the wrong way. And now that he's thinking about it, he and Kazuya are around the same age now, though the other boy could be a bit older. Boys like them— ones born into sorcerer clans— start sifting through potential bride candidates when they turn eighteen. Surely Kazuya wasn't so depraved to even consider you, his adoptive sister as—

His line of thought was broken when you cut off your brother's monologue. 

"Yes, yes, I'll keep all of that in mind, Kazu-nii," You nodded at the older boy and waved a hand at his concerns . When Kazuya reached for it, you were immediately pulled back against Satoru's broad chest, colliding with him with a small thump.

"I have an even better suggestion. Why don't you become the leader of your clan instead, Kazuya? That role should have been yours from the start, right?" Satoru stated all of a sudden. Your eyes widened in surprise as you whipped your head back to look at him. 

He had a smirk on his face, one laced with so much pettiness and arrogance that made your brother flinch in his spot. 

"That's… impossible, Satoru. Otome was raised by our mother for this very purpose. For me to replace her would mean the family's efforts have gone to waste. Besides, there is no reason for—"

"I have one. A reason, I mean," Satoru carried on, not at all missing a beat. His confidence was off the roof right now with you standing right before him, not even an arm's length away from him. He is claiming you now, as though saying it would make it any easier. "Otome and I are going to marry."

Kazuya's brows furrowed in confusion. "Wh-What?!"

"Our marriage would be equally beneficial to our families, wouldn't you agree, Otome? Kazuya will retain his birthright and become the leader of your clan," The taller boy clamped his hands on your shoulders, steadying your footing and pulling you slightly further away from your brother's reach. "But as the leader of the Gojo Clan of the Great Three Sorcerer Clans, the family of my bride will fall under my protection. That would make the Koganei untouchable . Your family will be free to continue their work in assisting sorcerers and non-sorcerers and more! No one will dare bar you from doing anything!"

"Satoru—" Kazuya tried to interject, only for him to be further silenced by the other boy's 

"Think about it. Think of all the things I can do for your family," Satoru said with a shrug. "Or won't."

Hearing his proposal made your blood run cold all of a sudden, your pulse ringing in your ears that you couldn't even make out what he and your brother were arguing about. Part of you always thought he saw you as an equal, or at least acknowledged you as someone skilled and trustworthy enough to stand right behind him, if not beside him. 

"Otome? You're shivering. What's—" Satoru asked, his hands gentle as he tried to turn you in his direction. Though you tried your best to calm the quake that slowly climbed up your spine, something inside you snapped.  

"Is that all I am to you? Some conquest?! Does this mean you never really saw me as the heir to my clan?!" 

"What? No! That's not what I—" 

"I heard what you said! You clearly stated that Kazu-nii should inherit instead of me, so I could be your wife! Like I can't be both," you angrily stated, hastily shrugging away his hold on you. "Y-You're unbelievable! You're no different from Naoya if that's how you think!"

And Satoru, who was normally calm and collected, felt a sense of panic rise in him all of a sudden. He hurriedly reached out for you before you could stomp away from him any further. "Otome! You know I—" 

Thunk.  

However, you were insanely quick on your feet, your fist even faster as it landed a hit to his jaw, with just enough strength to knock him away from you. "I don't appreciate you deciding my fate for me! In case you've forgotten, I am an heir just like you! I am the pride of the Koganei Clan, the vessel of Suzaku, the only one in this world who can cry its most precious, golden tears!"

It was a title you loathed all your life, yet it defined your very existence. 

So cry you did, even as you ran back to your room in the dormitories. When Nanami caught you sobbing by your door, he was taken aback by how your tears were imbued with so much of your cursed energy that it seemed entirely wasteful to him. 

It was Shoko who came to see you the very next morning after hearing what happened from Satoru. She didn't find you in your dorm room, but in Nanami's room instead, still fast asleep and bundled up in his camel beige blankets. From the looks of things, your eyes were puffy from all your crying yesterday, and your classmates were kind enough to harbour you in Nanami's room rather than just leaving you on your own. Haibara was also still fast asleep on the floor beside a plastic bag filled with snack wrappers and empty canned drinks.

"Long night?" Came the older girl's question to the only first year that was awake. 

"She was done crying when Haibara came over with sweets. It was only a matter of keeping her distracted afterwards," Nanami replied with a small sigh. "Her tears are… fascinating, but also terrifying, especially if they fall into the wrong hands."

"You don't say?" Shoko said, a small smile on her face as she clamped a hand on the blonde boy's shoulder. "Good job, Nanami."

"I think… it was a silly thing to cry over," Nanami stated, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned on his doorframe. 

"Don't say that," she replied, the same easygoing smile on her face. "I think any person would cry if their entire reason for being was put into question and carelessly disregarded. You did well to cheer her up, but this is really on Gojo for being insensitive." 

"His lack of delicacy is nothing new." 

"What are your assignments for today, Nanami?"

"A simple search and exorcise. Some third-grade cursed spirits have been terrorising a private school in Yokohama."

"Easily handled, then. Take Otome with you," Shoko stated. "Keep her busy."

"If that means intentionally getting in the way of trouble just so she can cry over us, then I'll have to disagree with you there."

It didn't take long for you to put two and two together to realise that Shoko planned for you to join Nanami and Haibara on their mission to Yokohama. When Nanami told you that you were tasked to come along with them as support, you knew that your senpai wanted you to return to the infirmary with a clearer and cooler head. Shoko wanted you to exhaust whatever negativity you harboured in your chest before being permitted to return to your real tasks at hand.

Fortunately, Satoru and Suguru were out on a mission of their own and you were somehow glad you didn't have to play an awkward game of evade and avoid on the campus with the older boys— you simply weren't in the right headspace for another conversation with Satoru. 

The train ride to Yokohama was uneventful as it was, with Haibara trying his best not to doze off and Nanami keeping a watchful eye on your surroundings. Since you weren't included in the mission brief, the blonde boy did his best to explain the task at hand as simply as possible. Your classmates' mission for that day was to exorcise the multitude of third-grade cursed spirits hounding a certain student from Serinuma Suiren Private Academy. 

You did not expect that certain student to be your younger sister. 

"Oh my. To think I'd see you so soon again after you had just left home, onee-sama."

The one who welcomed your classmates to the prestigious campus was none other than Koganei Chiemi, who was now a first-year student at Sesui. The Western-style school uniform suited her more exotic, foreign appearance, her wavy blonde hair pulled up to a high ponytail. 

"Hello, Chiemi-chan," you greeted her courteously, not at all rattled by the sharp and snide expression on her face. "Have you been well?"

"Well enough," the younger girl replied with a measured smile. "I assume you're part of the group tasked with handling the cursed spirits infesting our school. If they needed a healer, they didn't have to look far because I, too, am skilled in utilising reverse cursed techniques."

"We appreciate your enthusiasm, Koganei-san," Haibara replied with his usual cheer. "However, you're designated as a civilian in the mission brief, so you can't practice your sorcery unless absolutely necessary."

…To which Chiemi replied with a small hmph!

"Otome," Nanami stated, placing a reassuring hand on your shoulder before eventually unpacking his carefully maintained weapon from his usual carry-on bag. "Haibara will stay with you. I'll handle things from here."

"Call us if anything unusual comes up, Kento!" You called out to him as he followed Chiemi into the school building. "…Though it's probably nothing he can't handle…"

"So she's your sister, huh? The bratty girl Gojo-san spoke of the last time, Otome?" Haibara started, taking his place beside you as you entered the school gates. 

"Yeah, but not really. We're only distantly related, after all. We don't share parents, just certain blood ties," you replied. "She was born a year after I was. She and Kazuya share the same mother, but her father's an unknown quantity."

"Your brother must hear a lot of weird stuff when they're at school."

"Definitely. Though Kazuya has been nothing but patient with her," you said. "If I'm being honest, I'm certain no one in our family would have minded him inheriting the leadership even if he did not inherit Golden Tears. He received the same formidable Lightning Rod Technique from his father, and I'm sure he'll only grow stronger once he masters Raiden." 

"Oh, he sounds like a big deal, all right," Haibara replied, a hand on his chin as though in deep thought. 

"Kazuya didn't resent me at all when I was brought into their home. He could have easily hated me too just like Chiemi, but he didn't. Instead, he poured all of his efforts into training to become my shield in the future. Lady Suzuna did well on her promise to beat the anger and resistance out of me. She said things would be easier for me if I just accepted my destiny, so I did. I tried my best to follow her example and didn't let anyone talk shit about my family—" You paused all of a sudden, feeling yourself tear up. "All my life I've been told I was special because I could cry tears of gold that could help people. I accepted my fate, so what am I exactly if not that?" 

What am I? It was almost haunting having to hear that question from yourself. You were everything your family asked you to be now, but the prospect of your entire identity being taken away from you didn't sit right with you—

"What do you mean what are you if not that? You'd still be an incredible sorcerer in your own right, of course! The fact that you chose to remain kind and true to your purpose despite your stern upbringing is proof of your strong character and your integrity. You're giving yourself way too little credit," the brunette smiled at you, bringing a hand to your head before eventually fishing out a handkerchief from his pocket. "Here. Don't go crying on me now because I'll get an earful from Nanami." 

"Thanks, Yu. I appreciate it," You smiled at him, taking the plaid handkerchief from his hand. 

"You know, I'm sure Gojo-san didn't mean to put it that way. When he said your brother should inherit your family's leadership instead. He doesn't talk about his family much, so I can assume he's not exactly a fan of how they run things," he said. "I'm sure he meant to say that he sees you as your own person and he wants you to be with him as your own person."

"O-Oh. I never really thought of it that way…" 

"But I totally get how you felt back then, too!"

"For a musclehead, you're surprisingly perceptive, Yu."

"Hey! I can be smart if necessary!" Haibara playfully elbowed you, only for the two of you to jolt in surprise at his phone's ringtone. He picked up the call with his same warmth and cheer. "Nanami! Yeah? …Ah, all right. We got it. We'll be there, then!"

"I-Is something wrong?" You nervously asked. 

"Nanami's fine, Otome! He said we can finish faster if we work on things all together," he pocketed his phone. "We can clear out a bunch of low-grade curses, yeah? Remember to stick close to me!"

"Sure!" You eagerly nodded at him, trailing his steps into the school building. 

The mission indeed concluded much sooner than expected when you swept through several floors with Haibara. Strangely, Nanami seemed to be in a hurry to leave Sesui and did not even bother to say goodbye to Chiemi, though he had no particular task at hand or no place to be afterwards. After a little bit of chiding, the blonde boy agreed to have brunch at Cafe Lilico, drawn by the allure of the place and the delicious food he last had there. 

Haibara ordered a katsudon lunch box set and green tea for himself, while Nanami had a Spaghetti Alle Vongole and the cafe's famous garden pizza, along with a cup of black coffee. Meanwhile, you helped yourself to an Aglio e Olio and another cream soda.

"Your sister asked for my contact information," Nanami cooly stated as he took a sip of his still piping hot black coffee, slicing through the agreed silence while you had your meal. 

"I-Is that so?" You asked, only partly surprised because this is probably the first time Chiemi met another person like her. A hafu? Or a quarter foreigner, at least…

"I refused," he replied flatly. "She is pretty, but not exactly the kindest, I can only assume. The curses…"

"What about the curses?" Haibara inquired midway through a bite of his katsu. 

"Your sister has a lot of enemies at her school. Does she relish the thought of people disliking her? It's such a dangerous mindset that can cause harm to others."

"I'm… sorry, Kento. I have no answers for you, to be honest. Chiemi has been like that for as long as I can remember and the people at home are quick to sweep her actions under the rug…" You tell him. "I can talk to our brother if that'll help."

"Don't worry. Your family will find out about it soon enough when they receive a mission debrief anyway," Nanami replied, his movements measured and graceful as he spun his fork around his pasta. "It must have been rather difficult for you to live with a girl like her."

"I got used to it pretty quickly if I'm being honest. Chiemi pushed me off the engawa on my seventh birthday and I learned soon after that I really can't be too careful around her," you said with a small laugh as you poked at your pasta. 

"Don't laugh at her attitude. She won't get too far in life with that," he concluded. "Stuck-up girls like her will have a hard time fitting in with the rest of her school." 

"Sorry, sorry!" You replied. "I actually thought Chiemi would mellow out once she started high school, but I suppose that's not the case and she ostracised herself bad enough that no one wants to be friends with her. No cafe dates after school, no one to talk to about boys, no one to take those cute little pictures with—"

"Purikura! It's all the rage with the girls today, if I remember right! My sister and her friends are crazy about it," Haibara interjected. "Aaand if I remember right again, there's one across the street from the cafe!"

"Really?!" You exclaimed rather excitedly. "Oh…"

Nanami feigned a cough. "We need to file our report as soon as possible, so…" 

But there was really nothing he could do when you and Haibara looked up at him with matching puppy dog eyes that screamed, pleaseee! 

"…Fine. But please make it quick."

There was nothing quick about the way the rest of your morning passed. After having brunch, the three of you crammed yourselves into a tiny purikura photo booth which produced copies upon copies of your and Haibara's silly expressions and Nanami's stony-faced resistance, only putting up a peace sign after your insistence. There was little he could do except follow the trail of excitement you left as you walked ahead after being outnumbered two to one.  

Haibara entertained you by playing solo games at the nearest arcade, winning rolls and rolls of tickets to get you a prize of your choice— a little plush chick purse.  

"Thank you!" Was all you could exclaim after being handed the prize. It was soft and cute and could easily fit all the coins in your current purse. More importantly, it was from a friend.

"So this is what you scallywags have been up to!" A familiar voice cut through your merriment, followed by three figures in the same jet-black Jujutsu High School uniform. 

"Gojo-san! Geto-san! And Ieiri-san, too!" Haibara exclaimed as well, still all smiles after being caught playing hooky by your upperclassmen.

"Having fun, you three?" Came Shoko's easygoing laugh. "Are you feeling better now, Otome?"

"Y-Yes! Yes, I am. Thank you, Shoko-san," you sheepishly replied. "You can delegate tasks for me today, too…"

"Let's worry about that tomorrow," the older girl smiled at you. "Playing hooky sounds like a great idea, wouldn't you agree, Gojo? Geto?"

"No missions today, so I see nothing wrong," Suguru replied with a shrug. "And it seems like our kouhai are becoming experts at it, too."

Neither you nor Satoru moved from your spots, seemingly frozen still as your respective classmates argued and agreed on what else your group of lazy kids could do today. 

"What do you say to that, Satoru?" Suguru turned to his friend, who looked up from his absentminded daze after being called by his name. 

"Uh, yeah, sure. Let's do that," the silver-haired boy replied, though not quite sure what he agreed to. 

And maybe he should have asked. 

The rest of the afternoon passed by like a gentle haze. Satoru didn't think much about their walk to a different venue, only that he wanted to walk right behind you, right beside you, taking the more dangerous side when crossing the road, steering you away from any roadblocks without you knowing at all, and watching you— because there was no way he could start a conversation with you after seeing you cry yesterday. 

Even as children, you rarely cried, even less so in front of him. Whatever hurt you felt was mostly kept to yourself, so many praised you for having such an excellently grasp on your emotions. (Except, of course, for those times you forget— and find yourself with a bruised fist.) For you to cry in front of him could only mean that whatever he said was indeed hurtful.  

One minute you were at the arcade, and now you were in a karaoke booth listening to Haibara's most enthusiastic rendition of UVERworld's Colors of the Heart, the lights seemingly moving around to the song's tempo. 

"The stronger the light, the deeper the darkness. Even if you realise it, there's nothing to fear— The colours of everything are born deep in your heart. I can open my eyes and gaze at them again!"

"Yu's energy is unparalleled," you told Shoko, who was choosing a drink from the establishment's menu with her usual relaxed smile. "Luckily it's not infectious!"

You didn't know when this started to get easier for you— losing yourself in fleeting moments of bliss. Your responsibilities weighed very little at the moment, seemingly forgotten in the high and happiness that bounced off the karaoke box's four walls. 

I shouldn't get used to this, you remind yourself. Yaga-sensei made it clear to you that day, too. Danger will follow you wherever you head, regardless of what you do— 

But I can't help it—

Amidst the shining lights, you could make out Haibara happily pushing the microphone towards Nanami, who was vehemently opposed to singing anything. You couldn't help but clap to yourself when Shoko asked for the mic herself, singing an older song from Hamasaki Ayumi. 

Rainbow. How unexpected, you thought. You were so caught up in the cheeriness that you didn't notice Satoru sitting right next to you. And now that you know, you couldn't help but feel entirely self-conscious now. 

"If there's a pain you feel you can't get over, then shall we walk, sharing it together? If you brought more joy than you can hold, then shall we walk, sharing it together?"

Satoru slowly rested his head against yours, long arms crossed over his chest. So many sounds filled your ears— the lively music, the rush of blood to your head, the beat of your pulse— yet you heard his murmuring loud and clear. 

"I'm sorry."

And you turn to him, prompting him to lift his head from its rest. "Are you really?"

His blue eyes gazed at you through his dark sunglasses. "I am."

"Remind me again tomorrow," you told him with a grin. "I'm way too happy today to be angry, after all."

"Satoru! Sing something!" Suguru was laughing as he handed the mic to his friend. "No takebacks!"

"Fine, fine," Satoru stated, punching his chosen song into the touchscreen device. "But don't say I didn't warn you guys!"

"You didn't!" Shoko jeered at him. Everyone in the box was surprised to hear a rather popular foreign song playing. 

"Am I more than you bargained for yet? I've been dying to tell you anything you wanna hear 'cause that's just who I am this week—"

"What?!" You couldn't help but laugh. Since when was Satoru so good at singing? No, he wasn't exactly good, but his enthusiasm makes up for his terrible crooning. Haibara was doing air guitar movements behind the singer, carefully headbanging to the beat of the song. 

"We're going down, down in an earlier round— And sugar, we're going down swinging! I'll be your number one with a bullet. A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it!"

I shouldn't get used to this, you reminded yourself once more even as you clapped your hands in cheer and excitement. But I can't help myself—

—I'm having so much fun!

Yesterday's merriment was like a fever dream you had a hard time shaking off. The entire day was an anomaly, after all, with all six of you free from the burdens of school and responsibilities… Until a new mission brief came for your classmates and you had infirmary duty the very next day, as though it were retribution for being bad influences to your upperclassmen, who clearly had just as much a great time as you did. 

The second years were luckier today, with no missions coming their way as of yet. Regardless, Satoru and Suguru were on their way to the training grounds to remain on top of their game in case they did get called for anything. 

And Shoko just handed you a number of tasks to complete while she was on morgue duty. 

"Now let me get this straight. You threatened her brother, of all people, then you proceeded to propose to her in the most humiliating way possible— by disregarding all the effort she put into becoming her family's heir. You did all of that because…? Did Otome's brother seem like some sick fuck who wanted to marry her himself? You are absolutely deranged. Deranged and whipped, Satoru," said Suguru as he walked a few paces behind his closest friend. Only he noticed the upbeat approach of a certain kouhai as they phased through the school halls like aimless ghosts. 

"You shut up, Suguru. Who the hell are you callin' whipped? I'd never—" Satoru blasted back at his best friend, only to be cut off just as soon as he started.

Suguru raised a hand in greeting. "Otome!" 

That one name caused the silver-haired teenager to freeze on his spot, evident only to his friend, who tried to suppress the smile on his lips.

"Oh, it's Satoru and Suguru-san! Just the guys I was looking for," you happily stated as you came up to the pair. "Hear me out a bit. Kento and Yu are still on their way back from a mission, so I was wondering if you could—"

"Sure we'll help out!" Exclaimed Satoru, not even letting you finish. "Suguru and I h-have time today, so—!"

You were taken aback by his enthusiasm. "A-Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose…" 

"We do have time, indeed," the dark-haired boy said with an amused smile. He clamped a hand on the other young man's shoulder that seemed to bring him back to earth. "Right, Satoru?" 

"Just Gojo, actually," came Shoko's voice from behind you, prompting you to turn back. "I need your help with something, too, Geto."

"Sure thing," Suguru replied. "Can you two manage on your own?" 

"Um, yeah! I suppose Satoru will be enough. Thank you, Suguru-san!" You stated with the same warm smile and intention as you waved see you later to the other two retreating figures. "I guess Shoko-san needs help at the morgue, too. I'm stuck with you, then." 

"Otome! Since when were you capable of saying stuff like that?" Satoru placed a hand on his chest, feigning hurt as he hung his head in defeat. 

"Oh, please, Satoru!" You replied with a laugh before starting your walk back to the infirmary. 

"But what is it? What do you need help with?" He asked, trailing behind you a few paces back. It made more sense to him once you reached the infirmary on the other side of the maze-like campus and found unopened boxes upon unopened boxes lining the hallway of the otherwise sterilised room. 

"Just some hard labour," you finally tell him. "I need some help moving these here and there and some have to be brought to the morgue." 

"All right, easily done!" He replied with the same enthusiasm he had earlier. Shedding his school jacket, he rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt and took note of everything you pointed at.

"It's actually pretty hot today, isn't it?" You remarked as you watched the taller boy effortlessly move box after box into the cream white room. 

"I thought you guys used your reverse cursed techniques to heal people. Why's there so much medicine?" 

"Well, we do use our techniques, but that doesn't mean there's no more use for practical medicine at all. There are injuries that don't require us to use our reverse cursed techniques, but just good old bandages and antiseptic," you replied, scanning through the list of supplies on the clipboard. "Whew. I can see why Shoko-san has such a hard time keeping track of things here. There's so much stuff to take note of."

Even as a child, he always thought your straightforwardness was charming. You were nothing like the other mild-mannered daughters of sorcerer families who had to accept everything being handed to them with grace. Your ferocity was something that took other boys aback, but it didn't scare him away. You punched a boy and nearly lost your heirship because of it— and he found it absolutely endearing.  

"Don't you think I deserve a reward for helping you out, nurse-san?" He said teasingly as he sat himself on one of the pristine white infirmary beds. 

"Not until I've worked you to the bone, Satoru," you laughed at his remark, arms crossed over your chest now. "You're obviously not used to being bossed around and you always get what you want, so it's a little strange hearing Gojo Satoru asking for rewards, of all things…"

"How cruel," came his defeated reply, his shoulders dropping all of a sudden. "Well, if you put it that way, I suppose I should put in some more work…"

"Well, I have this. It's melon-flavoured, though. Kento didn't want it, so…" You said, fishing out a single piece of hard candy from your skirt pocket. You placed the sweet into his bigger hand and watched as he happily unwrapped it, popping it in his mouth like a child tasting candy for the first time. 

"Mm. Good enough for now," Satoru said before eventually reaching for your hand. He gently pulled you down into his lap and you cautiously lowered yourself into his hold. 

"Satoru…?"

"I'm sorry," he stated plainly. "I'm sorry I said all of that to you and to Kazuya. I wasn't thinking straight. I was just… so jealous."

"You were… jealous? Of Kazu-nii?"

He buried his face in the crook of your neck, obviously embarrassed at having to reveal the pettiness of his heart. "It's not just him. It's all so irritating. Your brother being so entitled to you, that idiot Naoya still trying to get ahold of you, and Haibara… Ugh, why does that kid have to look at you that way? I hate it all so much…"

The softest of laughs left your lips as you allowed yourself to be held by him, his long arms possessively coiling around your waist. You managed to slip off his ridiculous sunglasses and place it on top of the nearest pillow. "You're so silly, you know. Didn't I already tell you that it's always been you? I saw the colours— the visions— with you and I—"

You're right, he couldn't help but think to himself. Nothing else could ever come close to shattering the otherworldly bond you shared with each other— he, the snowy sky, and you, the shining sun.  

Satoru brushed his nose against your warm cheek before moving to kiss you tenderly. He was ready to let go all too soon until you eventually reciprocated, wrapping your arms around his neck to anchor yourself to him. His lips were sticky sweet on yours, leaving the lingering taste of the melon candy he ground to dust with his teeth. 

"It's just the two of us here," he whispered, his voice low and his heart hammering against your own chest. 

"I-I know…"

And he kissed you again softly, reverently— a current running up your spine as he gently caged you in his embrace. It's been a while since you were last alone with each other and it made you contemplate his affection. He's always been very affectionate, you thought as you rested your cheek on his shoulder, the heat of the day making its presence known through the sweat that made your uniform cling to your figure. You sat there utterly dazed for a moment, allowing Satoru to pepper your jaw with the softest of kisses. 

"You know, Otome, I did mean every word I said back then. I want to marry you," Satoru started, his voice reverberating in your chest. "You'll still consider it, right? You'll consider me first before anyone else…"

"I-I…" You stammered at him, unable to tell which one of you was burning up blazing, or if it was both of you. "Oh…!"

You were jolted right back to reality when you felt one of his hands on your thigh, the tips of his fingers grazing dangerously near the hem of your skirt. He hoisted you up on his lap so that you were straddling him, giving him the most perfect view of your adorable love-drunk expression.

"You'll consider me first, right?" He asked again, his hands still warm on your thighs. Why was it suddenly so hard to think at that moment? 

"Of… Of course," was all you could say. 

A twinkle of elation lit up his eyes as he looked up at you expectantly. "Can you kiss me again?"

Ah… Your mind went blank as you easily caved into his request, your hands resting on his broad and rigid shoulders while he steadied your quivering torso. He smiled to himself as he felt your lips move against his own, as though coaxing him to relax even though you were tense yourself. 

Something gurgled soundlessly at the pit of your stomach, only making itself known to you and you alone. And you knew exactly what it was— 

Desire.  

Ugh. It was both pleasant and bothersome to you— feeling Satoru melt like putty in your hold. But more importantly, it was absolutely improper. You were at school, too, of all places. You could feel your common sense slowly exit the room and you had yet to stop it from doing so. But how? Kissing felt so good, and kissing him—

"Eek! Wh-What was that?!" You squeaked as you felt something squirm between your legs. "S-Satoru! Was that—!"

"Whoops! That's mine, sorry," Satoru replied with a laugh. He lifted you off his lap and sat you down beside him. "We kissed a bit longer than I expected, so there's that."

"I—" You started, only to be cut off when he ruffled your hair, making sure it fell over your eyes. "S-Sat—"

"Please don't look at me right now. I feel so uncool," he stated before eventually standing up. Oh, how he wanted to jump out of the window at that very moment. He may as well. "I'll catch you later, Otome."

"H-Hey! Satoru!" You hurriedly brushed up your messy hair before giving chase, only to find him gone from your presence. "That idiot…!"

The infirmary door rattled open, followed by the recognisable cheer in Haibara's voice. "Otome! We hurried back here after we got your text! What did you need help with?" 

The presence of your classmates startled you even further, but you didn't want them to notice. Please don't notice. Please— "O-Oh! I, uh, just finished, actually!" 

The brunette slightly tilted his head as he gazed at you. "Are you okay? You look a bit—" 

"I-I'm okay!" You squeaked at the two boys before they could get a better look at you. "I-I'll catch you guys at the canteen later! F-For dinner!" 

You ran off and out of the infirmary without a second thought anymore. The place was more organised now that you managed the inventory, but you left in such a hurry that you left your friends with even more questions than they initially had. 

"What's up with her?" Nanami wondered out loud. 

"I don't know, but Otome had a pretty erotic expression on her face just now," Haibara chuckled, a hint of a blush on his own face as he made his way out of the infirmary. "It must be this heat."

And Nanami simply shook his head as he caught a glimpse of their most annoying upperclassman's easily recognisable sunglasses left on one of the beds. "That and something else." 

— …and a Time of Heartache.  ~ August 2006.

When two upperclassmen vanished from the radar for two days, the second years were tasked to search for them and back them up, only for the trio to botch the mission after failing to put up a curtain. The chaos of "unknown" origin made headlines all over Tokyo, and Satoru received the castigation of a lifetime from Yaga-sensei. Regardless of that, he and Suguru were off on a mission once more, one of certain importance that deemed even the help of your own classmates absolutely vital.  

But that didn't mean they wouldn't see you with the very precious free time they had in their hands. Before being driven off to the airport to be on their way to Okinawa, Haibara and Nanami popped into the infirmary with a chilled can of your favourite cola in hand. 

"Yo, Otome! We're off to our mission," the dark-haired boy poked his head into the room with the same infectious smile on his face.

You looked up from your clipboard and happily greeted them back. "Take care, you two. Please be careful! And be sure to come to see us for an assessment when you're finished with the mission debriefing."

"Will do, ma'am!" He said with a salute. "We're still on for lunch in the city on the weekend, yeah?" 

"As long as Kento's in the mood for it," you chuckled. 

"As long as I get my coffee," was Nanami's only reply. The pair bade you farewell in the meantime with only a promise of reunion soon enough. 

"Better make myself useful, too," you said aloud, as though giving yourself a little pep talk. 

A steady stream of sorcerers with minor injuries and sometimes something more serious often came to you and Shoko for medical assistance, which gave you the opportunity to practise your existing technique— and mould a new one. It wasn't the easiest thing to do given your background. Kin'iro no Namida was the epitome of reverse cursed techniques in your clan and anything unorthodox didn't exactly sit well with them. 

To think that crying healing tears was the best your family could come up with. 

Fortunately, Shoko was around to help you with the basics, such as recalibrating and refocusing the flow of your cursed energy to allow you to heal without the use of your tears, therefore not having to cry all the time. 

In between your spells and training was worrying about the eerie radio silence from the others in Okinawa, and the scent of your upperclassman's cigarettes filling the morgue. 

"They're fine," she said with a little flick to your forehead as you eventually pocketed your phone. "Let's grab some food." 

For all her supposed detachment, Shoko had a lot of faith in her friends. Satoru's big talk about being the strongest was kind of annoying at first, but she came to realise that it was indeed a truth of the matter. 

Until it wasn't.  

You only heard from Shoko that something went terribly, terribly wrong with the mission and that she needed help— And how desperate was she that she needed help from you?  

You did not witness the devastation that forced Satoru to unlock his untapped potential when he was on the brink of death, the little god from your childhood now revered as the strongest sorcerer of your generation. He came home to you broken and not quite like himself, but there was a certain clarity in his eyes you hadn't seen before. He asked to be held and you did so, though he did not dare to unload the woefully dense illusory weight on his shoulders. 

"I'm kinda exhausted, but I can't stop—" He said cryptically, like he was working on a puzzle in his head. 

"Then rest for a while," you told him. "Please, Satoru." 

He slept for a whole day. Shoko told you that Satoru and Suguru failed their mission, that Satoru died— or nearly did— and came back to life by sheer will, and that something was keeping Suguru up at night but he couldn't tell. 

It was a tragedy, you concluded. And everything has changed.  

The year passed by astonishingly fast. There was no stopping your heart from racing in both fear and anticipation of every assignment tasked to you and your classmates, each one with the potential to destroy you or draw out the best of your capabilities. 

Something propelled Satoru to take his training even more seriously now. If he truly wanted to be the strongest like he claims to be, he knew deep inside that there was still so much work that had to be done.

You weren't there on the day Gojo Satoru tasted his first drink of defeat, but to hell with the consequences if it were to happen again. No, it won't happen again. You were determined not to let anyone else die, at least not on your watch. 

Shoko observed carefully as you treated one of the older sorcerers in the force with nothing more than your own hands, just like her, a testament of your own training now coming to fruition. 

"Good job," she said with a small smile. 

"Thanks, Shoko-san. I really appreciate all your help and support," you stated, bowing down before the older girl in gratitude. 

"Don't thank me. I'm glad to have someone to share my work with," she replied with a laugh. "You and your Holy Grail have your work cut out for you, so no growing complacent."

Complacency was the last thing on your mind at that moment. All you wanted right now was to remain consistent and steadfast and true to your purpose and actions. That, and I need to keep up everyone's exponential growth.

~ 2007.

Satoru had started taking solo missions, evidence of his exponential growth over the last year following the failed mission to escort the Star Plasma Vessel to Master Tengen. What happened to the young Star Plasma Vessel was something that deeply hurt both Satoru and Suguru and inexplicably drove a wedge between the two of them, one that thrust the young heir of the Gojo clan to further hone his already god-given skills and into the spotlight as the world's strongest jujutsu sorcerer— and eventually alienated him from the only person who could ever claim to understand him. 

There was something about the dead-eyed look on Suguru's face— the sombre expression and how it seems like he wants to say something but doesn't — that unnerves you. He never really gave you any straight answers when you asked him if he was all right. 

How could he be? You thought to yourself. This isn't just about failing to protect the Star Plasma Vessel. It was evident that he was deeply disturbed by something, his psyche so shaken that he hardly looks like himself anymore. 

When you found him at the canteen later that evening, you decided to step up and offer him an extra of your favourite comfort food. He looked like he was nursing a headache as he quietly sat on one of the many empty tables in the room.    

"Suguru-san, I had extra cup noodles. I thought you might be hungry," you said, placing one of the cup noodles before him. "Shoko-san says you've hardly been eating anything lately."

"Thanks," he managed a small smile. "And sorry for making you worry, Otome."

"There's no need to apologise for anything, though… Please, help yourself. If you want more, I can always grab some from my room."

Silence. He hasn't moved from his spot though you heartily slurped your still-half-cooked noodles, partly hoping to encourage him to eat up. The cup was still piping hot, and when he helped himself to a mouthful of noodles, he felt something inside him spin around. 

Suguru placed a hand over his mouth, some spit-up slipping through his fingers before he got up from his seat and hurriedly ran to the nearest sink he could reach. 

"Suguru-san!" 

He couldn't hold anything in his stomach, not even a measly serving of cup noodles that should have warmed his gut enough to make him hungrier for something more nutritious. You ran a hand over his hunched back as he hurled whatever contents his stomach still had. 

"I'm sorry, Suguru-san. I should have offered you water…" You told him with a quivering voice. "I-I… P-Please, if there's anything we can do for y—"

"Don't," he rasped at you, his hand as cold as ice as it gripped your wrist. Could he tell that you were about to cry at that moment? "You save your tears… save them until we actually need them."

It didn't feel like a premonition at first, just a simple warning from an upperclassman to be prepared for anything. You didn't expect to need your tears so soon.

You weren't there the day Nanami returned from their mission to exorcise what should have been a second-grade cursed spirit. Only one of them made it back alive and he was lucky enough to have been able to recover his comrade's corpse. Some aren't as fortunate.  

Your supply run was cut short when you heard the news from your senpai Suguru, the adrenaline pumping through your body making you forget all about your transportation to the city and back to the school. You ran, ran, ran as fast as your feet could possibly take you and you still had so much energy left to burn when you reached the school. You felt like clawing your heart out of your chest when you finally arrived at the morgue. And while Shoko may have wanted to spare you the pain of having to clean up after your own classmate, seeing Haibara's lifeless body still shook you to the core so immensely that you couldn't even hear yourself crying.  

"N-No…! Yu— Yu!" 

Yet no amount of crying or weeping or wailing could bring him back anymore, and you would have wrung yourself dry if Suguru hadn't implored you to cease your tears. Nanami was more resentful than exhausted and you couldn't blame him for snapping at you for wasting your cursed energy over someone whose pulse was long gone. 

The words you wanted to say were all caught and stuck in your throat, everything you wanted to say all strung into a single scream of agony that melted into smaller and smaller sobs. 

Jujutsu sorcerers live short lives— at least that's how you and everyone else have been warned. It just so happened that this one ended far too soon. This was the first time Haibara ever broke a promise to you. He and Nanami promised lunch in the weekend, like always. Like always.  

You couldn't breathe.  

"Yu… I'm sorry…"

Your senpai's hand was cold on your back as he soothed you from your crying, much like how Nanami's hand was freezing in yours.

~ September 2007.

[—In accordance to Article 9 of the Jujutsu Regulations, he is now considered a curse user and subject to execution.]

You were not privy to the downward spiral that resulted in Suguru's upheaval, though the signs have made themselves known. When the word broke out about his defection from Jujutsu High, you weren't entirely startled anymore. The most unfortunate thing would have to be that you understood him in a certain twisted way. Sorcery was a tiresome, thankless job. And people like you, who could see these… things in the first place, always only had one road to take— It was always sorcery.  

Satoru was heartbroken, to say the least. The only reason he was ever allowed to be so spoiled was because Suguru was there to pick up after him. Suguru served as his moral compass, the other half of the 'strongest' of your generation, but now he was a shadow— a curse user, unfortunately misguided but at the same time enlightened by his choice of principles to follow. 

What he wanted wasn't so bad when you first thought about it. A world only for people like you? Would sorcerers actually be safe? Young sorcerers, more importantly. They'd no longer be cannon fodder.

There was something terribly disturbing about how jujutsu society relentlessly pursued and collected young sorcerers in the making— or even those with an aptitude for seeing cursed spirits— only for their deaths to be swept under the rug in order to maintain the peace and order of society in general. If only they took better care of their sorcerers, then maybe… 

No, you couldn't help but think. A misprint about the disparity between their mission's level of danger and their current level of skill cost Haibara his life. His death was reported and most likely neatly filed into an archive for everyone else to forget. He would be a statistic, a warning, a cautionary tale for future sorcerers who become far too complacent—

Haibara's death was a catalyst for Suguru's descent to madness. Only, it wasn't madness to you. Or to Nanami.  

Later in the year, you and Nanami received a letter of gratitude from Haibara's younger sister, mostly for being there for her brother when their family was unable to come as soon as they could— and you both nearly lost your shit when she expressed the slightest interest in following her older brother's footsteps even after he dissuaded her from doing so right from the start. She called sorcery a noble profession, and that her brother died a hero, a defender of the defenseless. 

You wanted to scream. It felt like an itching scab from a still-fresh wound, something you wanted so badly to scratch but couldn't because it will leave a scar. Yet it doesn't matter. Haibara was gone and the wound remains— flaming, puckered, demanding for the hurt to be felt. It was way too deep, and the deeper the wound went, the darker the scar surfaces. 

The wound still burns for you and Nanami. How dark it'll be once it heals, you'll never really know for sure.

In the end, you wrote back to her, once again insisting on choosing a normal life like her brother initially implored her to do, saying it would surely please him to see her grow old with her own family. You didn't write about how he would never forgive you if something were to happen to her. 

When your family finally caught wind of Geto Suguru's actions and defection from Jujutsu High, they wanted you to quit school and return home out of fear of reprisal from the curse user, but you stood your ground and reiterated that you will finish what you started and no phantom can terrorise you into hiding.  

It took you a few days to recover from the shocking revelation, but you and Satoru came to a similar conclusion— you could never hate Geto Suguru, but you couldn't let that feeling cloud your judgement when the time comes to see him again. The road your senpai painstakingly carved in order to follow his ideals was just as true as your own conviction: that sorcerers have a duty to prevent disasters brought about by jujutsu, even if it meant protecting the 'monkeys' he so despised now. 

"Satoru," you called out to the boy in black standing right outside your childhood bedroom at the Koganei Estate. It was a time of peace— for now. A time of quiet. A time of rest. He lifted his gaze from the perennial ginkgo tree that rained, rained, rained its golden leaves all over the place. 

It was during one of your most treasured rest days from school that you realised one thing. 

Uesugi Karui stated before that she did not pass on any curse to you, yet you feel like she burdened you with a heart incapable of hating anyone or anything even if it already hurts so much. 

"Can I stay here instead? With you?" He asked absentmindedly, though you could tell that he was still in deep thought about something. 

"Of course," you replied to him with a smile, one that anchored him back to a glowing reality: you were still there with him. "I can ask one of the servants to fetch your yukata."

"Thanks."

You decided not to pry anymore and instead extended your arms to him, beckoning him to come closer. He did so slowly, his figure far too heavy for you but you steadied him still, running a calming hand over his nape.

"…Must be awfully lonely up there," you murmured against his neck.

His strong arms gently coiled around your waist. "Otome."

"Hmm?"

"This may sound stupid, but if I lose another one, I don't think I'd know what to do."

"Losing people will always be an inevitability for us, but I know for certain that you'll always know what to do," you told him, tenderly nuzzling your nose against his wind-chilled cheek. "Aren't you the brightest, the greatest, the strongest— "

He chuckled at the ticklish motion and buried his face into the crook of your neck, basking in your warmth like that of the afternoon sun.  

"You're right. I'll never lose my way." 

"Never," you repeat after him. "And in the unlikely event that you do, remember that I'll drag you back here kicking and screaming if I have to."

"Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart." 

Author's notes: — This is probably my favourite chapter so far. But I suppose those ordinary days are not so ordinary after all… — Yu, Shoko, and Gojo sang the following songs during their karaoke afternoon: Colors of the Heart by UVERworld, Rainbow by Ayumi Hamasaki, and Sugar We're Goin' Down by Fall Out Boy. All three were staples from my own teenhood. (It's been 84 years… lol.) — Cafe Lilico is a recurring theme in most of the stories I write. It's based on a real place from where I live, but you can think of it as your local old rustic cafe in your neighbourhood. The little cafe is one of my favourite plot devices and the reader is often seen interacting with other characters there. The cafe is a red brick building concealed between the city's skyscrapers and is surrounded by bright flowers like Bougainvilleas. According to the internet, Bougainvilleas symbolise welcoming visitors and beauty, and it also stands as a symbol of peace and an encourager of free trade between two entities. It's not really relevant to the story, either. I just like bright-coloured flowers. This is a work in progress, one which I am very happy to be writing! You can get in touch with me on Twitter or Tumblr @SongsOfAdelaide if you wanna drop me a line or something! ~ Mari / SongsOfAdelaide ♡ ♡ tag list: @woozzz @lilacdreams-00

✦ Asleep Among Endives Masterlist ✦

#songsofadelaidewrites💛 #reader insert #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen x you #jjk x reader #jjk x y/n #jjk x you #gojo satoru #gojo satoru x reader #gojo satoru x y/n #gojo satoru x you

[scoops-aboy86]

This is a fun one, in spite of Steve’s parents. 😜

🔞 Seven Christmases pt. 4

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

The Harringtons (1294 words)

rated: T | cw: none | tags: chubby eddie, established relationship, weight gain, belly kink, stuffing, steve has a praise kink, fluff, they’re in love

Steve’s parents have apparently never heard the one about giving family a break on the holidays. They know that Eddie isn’t just a roommate, a fact which they’ve accepted with quiet sourness only because Steve is discreet about it in public and no longer asks them for money. 

Maybe it doesn’t help that he walks into the house holding Eddie’s hand, but fuck it, he needs the support. 

“How are you these days, Steven?” his mother asks with a picture perfect plastic smile. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen you.”

Steve takes a deep breath, consciously unclenching his jaw before he gives himself a tension headache. Beside him, Eddie squeezes the hand he’s holding and absently reaches for the small dish of mixed nuts on the coffee table—one of only two concessions his parents have made to having guests in their home. 

The second is a glass each of some spiced, expensive booze that all four of them are nursing through the stilted conversation, and since Steve is driving he can’t even enjoy much of it. He can feel his father’s judgemental eyes on him every time he takes a sip, as if Richard Harrington hadn’t been the one to pour it himself, completely unprompted.

“Fine,” Steve says, leaning forward to set his glass down on the coffee table and nudge the bowl of nuts closer to Eddie. He watches his parents eyes track its movement with laser-accurate focus. “I’m still an EMT. It’s hectic, but I’ve got a pretty good schedule worked out.”

His father raises an eyebrow. “Imagine if you were a doctor, you’d be able to set your own hours. If you’d had the grades for it, the pay alone would be—”

“The pay’s not an issue,” Steve cuts in with a tight smile. “Eddie makes more than enough for the both of us, dad. Especially with the latest book out.”

“Oh,” his mother says politely, looking up from the nuts to Steve as though Eddie weren’t sitting right next to him. “What’s it about?”

They do this every time. He’ll give a brief summary, or Eddie will, and his parents will nod and smile in a way that doesn’t reach their eyes and retain none of it. Fantasy is the absolute last genre they’d voluntarily read anyway. 

So this time Steve just shrugs and says “Fairies.” Beside him, Eddie gives the snort of smothered laughter he’d been hoping for. 

As the conversation drags on through the most awkward small talk known to man, Eddie is suffering. Not as much as Steve is, he knows that, but he’s trying so hard not to fidget that it’s driving him a little bit insane. It’s an old problem, one that he would ordinarily snack his way through because that’s calming. The nuts are… well, they’re pretty bland actually but the texture of them against his teeth as he chews does help, a little. He has to ration them, though, because the bowl isn’t that big. 

What’s also driving him to distraction is the judgment. Patricia Harrington, in her prim, proper, slim white dress, keeps eyeing him like she wants to slap his hand away from the food and tell him he does not need any more. 

And look, Eddie’s always been contrary. Deep down, that look makes him want to eat until his gut feels all tingly and he can’t move for fear that he might pop, every breath coming shallow and labored and riding on the wings of half-swallowed moans while he still forces more down. It hits him like a wave every time he notices her doing it, so when ol’ Dick launches into a tear about how it’s a young man’s folly to rent an apartment instead of buying a house (“It’s an investment, Steven. I know financial savvy has never been in your wheelhouse, but you should listen when I tell you—”), Eddie thinks to hell with this and rides it. 

He stops sucking in. 

Not that there was much he could do to look smaller than he is, but it’s enough to feel where his pants are starting to cut into his belly. See where his body pushes out against the confines of his sweater, which isn’t quite tight but can no longer be described as loose. He shifts his legs the way he had at the Wheelers, only this time it’s purely for comfort. Spreads out a little, relaxes back into the cushions a little more to take the pressure off. 

The best part isn’t even the almost imperceptible double take Mrs. Harrington does the next time she deigns to glance at him. No, the best part is that Steve, distracted as he is, does on autopilot what he always does at home when Eddie sits back like this. 

Steve picks up the nut bowl—which no one else present has so much as touched, otherwise—and plops it down on Eddie’s thigh so it’s still within easy reach. 

Oh, Eddie is definitely going to have to think of some extra treat for his good, sweet boyfriend, who thinks of him even when stressed beyond all reason by his stupid, stuck-up parents. 

Now both of the older Harringtons are zeroed in on the bowl, and on Eddie, and he fights hard to contain his smirk as he finishes off the last of the paltry snack. He can feel Steve gravitating towards him as he catches up with what’s happening, snaking an arm around Eddie’s shoulders. No matter how much the Harringtons think he’s a slob with no self-control and their son could do better, they are a united front against the straight, upper middle class agenda. 

“Well,” Eddie says, popping the last few cashews and peanuts into his mouth and washing it down with the last of his drink, “this is great, really. You have a lovely home. But I gotta go drop the kids off at the pool, if you know what I mean.” He rocks forward and hefts himself up, then turns back to his boyfriend with a bright smile. “Stevie, would you mind showing me where the bathroom is?”

“Uh,” Steve says, hurrying to follow. “Yeah, sure, it’s… It’s this way.”

“I should check that the soup is ready,” Mrs. Harrington announces behind them, voice tight with disapproval. 

“You maniac,” Steve hisses as Eddie hustles him through the bathroom door and clicks the lock. “You practically lived here for an entire summer, you know where all the bathrooms are.”

“They don’t know that,” Eddie points out, and pulls Steve into a heated kiss by the front of his forest green button-down, spinning to push him against the door. “Had to get you outta there before I ended up needing to throw down the gauntlet and defend your honor in combat, sweetheart. Even with the new gloves, I’m not totally confident I could beat another murder charge.” 

Steve starts to retort, but the words die on his tongue as Eddie leans his weight against him. Not all of it, just enough to get his point across and Steve’s eyes to widen subtly like that, mouth dropping open, cheeks going a sweet pink. 

“Yeah, that’s better,” Eddie cooes, reaching down to start undoing Steve’s belt one-handed. “It’s my happy fate to release you, the handsome prince, from the thrall of the evil king and queen with my manly wiles.”

“I thought we, we weren’t—” 

Eddie kisses him again, getting into Steve’s pants and stroking his suddenly very interested cock through his underwear, swallowing the resulting moan. “You don’t get to unwrap your present yet. But baby?” He nips hard at Steve’s bottom lip and gives him a wolfish grin. “You’re a treat, and I’m famished.” And he slides down to kneel at Steve’s feet. 

“Fam…? Wha-aaaah-ha-haaa, Eddieohfuck—”

Part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8

#scoops words #wg steddie #chubby eddie munson #feedee eddie munson #chaser steve harrington #feeder steve harrington #steve harrington has bad parents #scoops - do not unwrap fic

[sleepdeprivedsimp234]

I did it :D I tortured Yorkie with my bullsh*t again :’)

~Yorkie isn’t having a great time in this~

⚠️TW⚠️mentions of war and 9/11, mentioned abuse and SA, possible inaccurately described mental disorders/illnesses, and the characters might possibly be OOC

=======================================================================

Around 8pm:

To say that New York was having a rough day would be an understatement. First reason, he had gotten no sleep the night before (not that he ever did sleep in the first place), because he was awake all night dealing flashbacks of war, past domestic violence regarding Britain, and 9/11. He hated that he could still hear the screams and gunshots and the other various sounds of war. He hated that he could still hear his father’s harsh words and feel his harsh grip on his body. He hated that he could still hear the sounds of the planes crashing into the towers, and the screams of his people was almost deafening, and he could feel the phantom pain of the large gaping wound that had spread across his back that day.

Second reason, whilst it wasn’t that bad, yet still a bit annoying, he was having one of those days where certain texture were a big ol’ nope. Unfortunately, the textures of his usual favorite shirt and jacket were a BIG nope, and anytime he tried putting them on, he took them off almost immediately. So he decided to settle for something new-ish, and grabbed one of his soft cropped sweaters and black sweatpants. That wasn’t a big deal, until he went to the store later that day since it was his turn to do the shopping.

And that’s a near perfect transition into reason número tres. When he had went to the store, he kept getting followed around by this jacka$$ that kept trying to ask him out, ask for his number, flirt with him, and even TOUCHED him inappropriately once. When York confronted the guy about touching him and harassing him, the guy responded with saying stuff like "Oh c’mon, you were basically asking for it with the way you’re dressed", and "Well it’s not my fault your dressed like that and have such a small waist", and other creepy sh*t that made New York incredibly uncomfortable. Luckily Mass had came with York to the store and told the guy off with a "few" "small" threats when he found them.

Reason number four, due to the air quality in his state, York was having a bit of a rough time breathing at some parts of the day (his asthma didn’t make it any better), and had moments where he would feel incredibly dizzy and nearly black out. He was coughing a bit every now and then, and once he even dissolved into a coughing fit in his room, and he ended up coughing up blood on one of the rugs he had, which was he//a fun to clean.

And final reason is the fact that he was currently at a meeting that Gov had scheduled at 8-F*CKING-PM. Who in their right mind does that?! Gov, apparently, but York highly doubted that the government personification was ever in his right mind to be honest.

Oklahoma and Texas were fighting again, Florida was busy messing with Gov, Loui looked like he was trying his hardest to not sentence Alabama to eternal damnation cuz Bama’ wouldn’t shut his d*mn mouth about Mardi Gras, Pennsylvania and New Jersey were fist fighting, and New York was getting anxious because of noise and chaos.

York could feel his chest tightening and could feel himself slowly losing control of his breathing. He started snapping his fingers against his thigh and tried to calm himself down, but his vision started getting blurred with tears and he could feel the dizziness making itself known. He decided to just slide out from his chair and under the table where he could hopefully calm himself down before he had a full blown panic attack in front of the others. That would be he//a embarrassing. He quietly tried doing some of the breathing exercises he learned so that the others wouldn’t hear him, but it appears that today was not aligning in his favor, seeing as he dissolved into a coughing fit and started hyperventilating a bit. He could just barely hear the room fall nearly slightly quiet.

New Jersey heard something that sounded like choking and crying and paused his fighting to look around. That unfortunately (or in this case, fortunately) distracted him long enough that Penn had the opportunity to trip and throw him down on the ground, temporarily shocking him for a few moments. But those few moments were all he needed to look under the table and see what seemed to be New York under the table curled in a ball. He then saw Penn getting ready to kick him, and quickly scrambled to sit up and stop Penn from kicking him.

"Penn wait wait-WAIT!!" Shouted the Garden State, putting his arm up to block his face if Penn did follow through with the kick. But he didn’t, thankfully, and just gave the smaller a confused look. Jersey looked back under the table at his younger brother and crawled over slightly. "Ay Yorkie?! Are ya dyin’ or some sh*t?"

The only response he got was a slight cough and a choked cry. Ok- well that was bit concerning…. He got a bit closer to York and saw how violently he was shaking and hyperventilating. "York? You good??" Jersey slid a bit closer to his brother and went to put a hand on his shoulder, but instantly pulled his hand away when the younger let out a small whimper and backed away slightly.

York didn’t even know what was happening, he only knew that he was panicked, couldn’t breathe, overstimulated, and needed to get out of there as soon as possible. He looked up slightly and saw an opening where Texas’s, Oklahoma’s and Jersey’s chairs had moved, and tried to make a run for it, but he only made it halfway to the door before his knees gave out on him. He braved for the fall, but instead of feeling the cold hard ground (OH, OH, TROUBLE TROUBLE 😩✨), he felt two arms wrap around his bare waist (remember, he was wearing a cropped sweater), holding him securely. But of course, he didn’t know who it was, and he felt the weird scratching feeling of arm hair on his waist, so he let out a smallish scream and scratched one of the arms of whoever grabbed him, but they didn’t let go.

Jersey held his younger brother in tight grip, only nearly letting go when York had scratched his arm. He was able to hold on to York pretty easily, seeing as he actually had some muscle on him and York didn’t seem to. He struggled to keep a hold of the younger when he tried sliding out of his arms, and decided to gently guide the slightly taller panicked state into a sitting position on the floor in the corner. Jersey could the stares of some of the other states, but chose to ignore them, seeing as this was more important. He silently cursed when he saw York bury his head in his knees, meaning he wasn’t getting any fresh air and breathing wouldn’t be easier. He grabbed the slightly taller’s shoulder gently and said "York?"

York slowly looked up at his older brother. He had multiple tears running down his face and was hyperventilating. And let’s not even talk about how much he was shaking. "Y-y-yea..?" He asked quietly, his voice shaking.

"I’m gonna need ya to breathe. Like this, copy after me kiddo." Said the Garden State. He took a slow deep inhale, and then exhaled, York following his actions. Slowly but surely, the Empire State regained control of his breathing, but he was still crying a bit and shaking.

"Can I hug ya?" Jersey asked. He waited until York gave a small nod and then grabbed him and set him in his lap, where York wrapped his legs around the older’s torso and buried his face in his shoulder. Jersey wrapped his arms around his brother and buried his face in the crook of York’s neck. The two brother’s sat like that for a while until York had near fully calmed down. The older of the two lightly poked York in the side, making him flinch and turn his attention to his brother.

"Do ya wanna talk about it? You don’t have to speak, tap my arm if yes, hug me tighter if no." whispered the Garden State. He mumbled an okay when he felt York hug him tighter.

"Is New York alright?" Gov asked as he walked over to the two states.

Jersey stood up with York wrapped around him. "Yea he’ll be aight. I’m gonna bring im’ to his room and let im’ rest."

"Alright then. Good night, New Jersey." said the Fed. He smiled and walked back over to the table to make a sad attempt at regaining control of things.

Jersey teleported to York’s room and gently set the near fully-asleep York on his bed. He was about to teleport when he felt someone grab his hand and heard a small, near-silent whine. He sighed quietly and got into the bed with the younger. He couldn’t help the small smile crept onto his face when his younger brother cuddled close to him and buried his face in his chest. Jersey felt the bed sink a bit on the other side, indicating that Nico (York’s golden retriever) and Kodi (York’s border collie) had jumped on the bed to join them in a cuddle session. He gently patted each dog on the head when they started sniffing the two of them, and smiled fondly when York sleepily giggled when Kodi nuzzled into his ear and neck.

Eventually, the four of them fell asleep peacefully, and once again, Rhode Island got some new blackmail :)

#welcome to the table #welcome to the statehouse #ben brainard #wttt louisiana #wttt new york #wttt texas #wttt florida #wttt gov #wttt new jersey #wttt pennsylvania #I love torturing my favorite characters 🙂✨

[thatfreshi]

Strangers (markiplier x reader)

This is more of an angst to comfort to oooooooo (not smut but before smut LMAO). Mark and his partner have been busy with work, and apparently way too busy for each other. Neither one of them breaks the tension for a long time, until y/n has had enough of the silence.

You can’t even remember when things started to become this way. Eventually, life just fell into this exhausting, anxious pattern. Schedules shifted, the distance was made, and neither of you attempted to fix anything. Why? Did you both not care anymore? That can’t be true. You’ve always loved Mark. Ever since you laid eyes on him, you adored his smile and his, well, his everything. Even his damn work ethic, something you sadly shared.

Now you don’t share anything anymore. Dinner is eaten alone, you’re never in bed at the same time, and there isn’t any time for cuddles or tv binges. Your house might as well have become a hellscape, stepping on eggshells around each other to make sure you don’t interrupt anything. 

Occasionally are guilty glances when you see each other. You’ve been calling your friends, wondering if Mark hates you, if you hate him, if this will ever be right again.

“I’m telling you y/n, just talk to him. I think you guys are both making yourselves miserable over nothing.”

Ethan was probably right, but you’d never admit it. Maybe it was too hard to face that fact that you were also apart of this divide. You’ve been working vigorously on your book, and Mark has some other new project that he’s been keeping quiet about.

“I’m sure he’d tell you about it if you asked, you just have to try.”

It’s not that simple. Nothing is that simple right now. There’s so much stress in the air waves, no sound to break up the tension, static in the hallways, nothing in sight and yet everything at once.

‘This is crazy.’

You think to yourself as you’re drifting off for yet another cat nap. The caffeine wasn’t doing it for you this time.

Thoughts gather. Was there some fight you aren’t remembering? Did you do something? Did he do something? You can’t take anything back from the void of memories that is your brain. You can’t even remember the last time both of you spoke to yourselves, let alone each other. You do remember one thing, the other night, you were going to bed and Mark was in the doorway, and when he realized you were there, he left to sleep elsewhere. You begin to sob into the pillows that don’t even smell like him anymore.

‘This has to end, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live with a stranger anymore.’

You wipe your tears and push up off the bed, taking a look out the window. There’s a bird, all alone. It picks at something on the ground and flies away.

It’s to the point where you don’t even know where in the house he is, this stupidly large house. You used to love having so many rooms but now it’s a fucking maze. No trace of a sound bounces off any of the walls, so you have to go around and open almost every door looking for him. Eventually you get to his office. It seems obvious, but maybe you avoided it on purpose. The tears are back, flooding your face. You attempt to knock, but you hand gets shaky. Eventually you just open the door.

Mark seems shocked to see you, flinching as the door opens, taking off his headphones. Of course he’s busy editing something. You haven’t even looked at the things he’s uploaded recently, but you have seen the comments on social media.

‘Haven’t seen a lot of y/n recently. Do you think they broke up?’

Why do people think they get the right to speculate just because you’re both on the internet? It makes it so much worse, watching people doubt you when you have no faith in the love you once held. 

“Mark, I-”

You choke, catching unknown words in your throat. What could you possibly say right now? He clearly doesn’t know what to say either. He’s still shocked that you’re even in his office.

“Hey.”

That’s all he manages to utter. What do you even say to that? After weeks and weeks of ignoring each other that’s it? That’s all either of you have? In that moment, you gather the strength to admit it.

“I can’t, do this anymore.”

And you start sobbing all over again. He’s immediately out of his haze.

“I can’t live in this house and pretend like you don’t exist. Like, what happened? Where are we right now? We don’t talk, we don’t even look at each other.”

He’s silent, processing the words.

“I know you almost came to bed the other night. You saw me, and you left.”

You barely spit out the last couple of words. Some more manage to tumble out.

“What happened to us?”

You’ve been looking him in the eyes this entire time, and he starts quivering, holding back tears.

“I, I don’t know.”

Neither of you move. You’re both in this emotional standstill.

“Okay, well, do you hate me or something?”

He immediately perks up.

“No! No, of course not.”

“Then what are we doing.”

Silence ensues. He doesn’t seem to have an answer. You sigh, and turn to walk away. All of a sudden he grabs your hand. You pull away a little, shocked by the sudden physical touch.

“I’m sorry y/n.”

You pause, slightly turning back.

“What, what are you sorry for?”

“Sorry I didn’t say anything first. Sorry I got so busy. Sorry I was feeling too guilty and sorry for myself to even look you in the eyes. I don’t know what happened, I just got so wrapped up with this project and calls and editing and more and more videos and before I knew it I thought you resented me, for all of this.”

That’s the most he’s said in a month. You finally meet his gaze again.

“But, this isn’t your fault. I should’ve done something sooner. I should’ve given the book a rest instead of hiding behind work. I should’ve asked you why you didn’t come to bed, I-” 

You run out of breath from heaving and crying with what feels like your entire soul.

“Why did we ever let work matter this much?”

You don’t know how to answer him. You don’t even know what’s happening right now. 

“Wait, what did you mean when you said ‘I can’t do this anymore’? Are you breaking up with me?”

You snap back to reality.

“No! I, don’t know what I meant. I just, I just can’t do whatever this is anymore. I need us again. I just, I miss you.”

The silence sets in again. You’re worried maybe he doesn’t feel the same, that maybe he was done with this. And then he embraces you.

“I just want to fix this.”

His hand is in your hair, tears on your shoulder.

“I know baby, I know.” 

There’s a moment of understanding, where you both realize that maybe it was nobody’s fault at all, or that maybe both of you were equally to blame. The point is that it doesn’t matter anymore. He lets go of the embrace and wipes his tears away, something that seems to be a theme of the afternoon.

“No, I mean I want to fix this, I need to fix this. I’m so incredibly in love with you and I just can’t believe I let something get in the way of that.”

“Me too. I just thought maybe things were going to be horrible forever and I got into this fucked up thought pattern. I wish I said something sooner.”

He turns away and walks back to his desk, checking something on his computer. Your stomach drops for a second, thinking that maybe he’s distracted from the problem yet again. Instead he’s typing something furiously. After a minute or so he hits enter and walks back to you.

“I’m taking a month off. I just let my editor and all the people working on this new project know.”

You breathe out in relief. 

“Y/n, nothing is more important to me than you are, and I’m sorry I ever made you feel like you weren’t my priority. I want to get back to us, just us. None of the work, none of the responsibility, well, except feeding Chica and stuff obviously.”

You snort in laughter through heavy breaths.

“Yeah, yeah you’re right. I can take off some time from the book.”

He smiles and cups your face.

“I love you y/n. And I am going to tell you that every day for the rest of my life.”

“I love you too, and you’re never going to forget it.” 

You kiss, nervous at first, lips stumbling through the unknown, quickly relearned. It’s electric, a candle relit, a new beginning. One turns into two turns into four, and eventually you’re walking down the hallway to something much better than the work that awaits in that office.

#markiplier #markiplier x reader #gender neutral reader #angst #comfort