#well shit got too dark and way too swayed from the point. going back to the point; i doubt he would try to change

[malkaviian]

for some reason i am thinking that, if my ocs had a fandom, chase would be the character who mostly gets "i can fix him" type of x reader fanfics

#i get the appeal of wanting to fix the guy who thinks hes unfixable and a lost cause but i think its kinda funny too #he doesnt make a single effort to change due to his non-existent self-esteem. not even for the people whom he values the most #so finnley in the past and caspian in the present. he just tries to minimize the effects his actions have on them (specially caspian) #because when it comes to himself and his own well-being; he legit doesnt care a single bit. #tbf he would probably be dead by now if he didnt clung to finnley (and lowkey dalila) in the past and now to caspian ngl. #not even by suicide; although thats a possibility. he just probably picked a fight with the wrong person (or people) and got overpowered #or even getting a std that; if not treated; could be fatal. you can guess he isnt going to the doctor before it is too late #well shit got too dark and way too swayed from the point. going back to the point; i doubt he would try to change #regardless of how much he loves the reader; as i said he would try to make his actions affect them as less as possible though #and only if he truly loves them; which ig is the point of the fic lol. so; a 'i can fix him' type of fic would be at least a little bit ooc #but hey; i cant judge people getting ooc when being self-indulgent lmao im also guilty of that (mostly when it comes to fhs) #anyway thats it thats the post #oc talk

[steddielations]

Steve acts on instinct.

There’s this guy in all black walking in front of him, he’s too busy looking down at his phone to notice, but Steve doesn’t trust that lamppost. He’s been going for daily runs, he likes to keep it simple during the off-season, and that post has been getting more rickety every day. Now it’s swaying dangerously in the wind and he knows it’s about to tumble.

There’s no time to call out to the guy, so Steve just plows forward and tackles him out of the way.

They fall in a messy heap and Steve unfortunately lands heavily on top.

“Holy shit! What the— ugh!” The guy heaves in pain and Steve hurries to scramble off of him.

“Sorry, that post was about to fall on you, man. You alright?”

Pieces of grass stick to the guy’s long hair as he takes stock of Steve and what happened. With a labored breath, he surprisingly jokes, “Guess I’m lucky the best football tackler alive happened to be right behind me.”

It’s sarcastic as shit but Steve smiles with a tug of amusement as he offers his hand. “Baseball, actually.”

“You’re in the wrong league, man,” he lets Steve pull him to his feet and groans on the way up. “Well, nice to meet you, Baseball, you pack a hell of a first impression. I’m Eddie.”

Steve would appreciate his ability to joke so soon after taking a hit, but people are starting to gather around. There’s already phones pointed at them that probably caught the whole thing on camera. Steve’s used to public attention by now, knows the press is going to have a field day with this and he hates causing a scene, but he wants to make sure Eddie is okay.

“Just Steve is good. You wanna…? This way,” he gestures toward the sidewalk and thankfully, Eddie seems just as eager to get out of there too, shuffling next to Steve as they round the corner.

He’s wearing so much metal jewelry, it’s like a costume, the jingle jangle of his every step accentuating how shaken up he seems. They get far enough behind a building and Steve stops to have a real look at him and… well he’s interesting to look at.

It’s like he hopped off the album cover of an 80s rock band, or one of Steve’s Bon Jovi posters that he hid under his bed in high school. Way too much leather and way too much hair for the California sun, all disheveled with grass and dirt.

“You sure you’re okay? Here, you got a little…” Steve’s hand hovers until Eddie nods that it’s okay from him to pluck the grass from his hair and lightly brush the dust from his shoulders. Eddie watches him the whole time, his eyes big and dark, an intensity in them that Steve can’t quite read but he can feel. “Didn’t hit your head or anything, did you?”

Steve lowers his hands, stepping back a little when he realizes how close they are. Eddie’s eyes follow him, a slight quirk to his lips that makes Steve feel the heat of the sun a little warmer on his face.

“I’m touched by your concern, sweetheart, but my brain has been through worse damage than a little bump.”

Steve frowns at the ladder, but the first bit definitely makes him feel the heat. He’s admittedly a bit out of practice but he can still recognize a come on. One that he definitely invited with all the touching and indulgent looks.

Then Eddie starts profusely thanking him for the whole ordeal, asking to treat him somewhere nearby for lunch. It’s not that Steve doesn’t want to, he’s very interested actually, and thankful that out of all the jewelry Eddie’s sporting, there’s no wedding ring. That’s why he’s reluctant because he’s all sweaty at the moment. Not to mention, he didn’t finish his run yet.

“Surely saving my life was enough cardio,” Eddie jokes lightly and Steve snorts.

“I saved you from a minor concussion, maybe,” and okay he’s gotta accept now.

The place is small and unassuming, burgers and sodas type joint. Steve’s likely to be recognized there, which he doesn’t mind meeting fans in public just preferably not now, it might be jarring for Eddie.

He heads for the booth tucked in the back corner, the most private looking spot that Steve had his eyes on too. They get a round of sodas from the waitress and right away, Eddie starts thanking him again.

“I noticed that lamppost wobbling days ago,” Steve sparks a conversation instead of accepting any more thanks, “I was planning to let it fall on me so I could sue the shit out of the city.”

He’s pleasantly startled by the big cackle that gets out of Eddie, “Any chance to stick it to the man. I admire that.”

“‘Course I would’ve really stuck it to ‘em and donated it back to the community,” Steve adds.

“Giving the people’s money back to the people, imagine Big Brother’s horror. Noble guy.”

Eddie seems to bubble with contagious delight that doesn’t match his whole leather and chains thing at all, but it fits into the somewhat magic of him. It's a wonder to Steve.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” Eddie ventures, a glint of recognition in his eyes that Steve’s seen a thousand times. He doesn’t ping Eddie as much of a sports guy and he’s not vain enough to assume everyone knows who he is. Eddie’s probably seen him while flipping the channel past ESPN or something. Or maybe an ad for that Netflix thing he did documenting last year’s season.

“I think I’d definitely remember you.”

Steve didn’t mean it as a come-on, just that Eddie’s appearance really isn’t forgettable, but he can tell by the wicked little grin Eddie sports that it was taken as one. Steve likes that even better.

“Have you ever modeled, or anything? You’ve got the looks for it.”

Biting back a smile of his own, Steve shakes his head. “I bet you say that to everyone who saves your life.”

“None of them were half as good looking." That sounds concerning but Steve’s distracted by Eddie swirling his straw in his drink, regarding him with a long look. “Really though, I just feel like I’ve seen you before.”

Steve’s done a few covers of Sports Illustrated, but he doubts Eddie has ever picked up a copy of that, so he shrugs. “Must’ve been in your dreams.”

Eddie laughs softer this time. “You trying to sweep me off my feet or something?”

“Already did.” Steve leans back, enjoying the way Eddie’s eyes follow him.

Conversation sparks and it never really dies out. Eddie just grabs topics out of thin air, talking about the city and what they like to do and movies and his amazement that Steve knows all about D&D because he’s a nerd magnet. Eddie’s personality spills through everything he says like it can’t be contained. He’s talkative in a good way, not to a point where Steve can’t get a word in. He listens intently, has a way of putting all his attention onto Steve like he’s the most interesting person he’s ever spoken to.

It’s surprisingly easy to relax. Not because Eddie has a super calming presence or anything, his energy is just all-encompassing, it’s hard for Steve not to get sucked in and hang on to every word he says. It’s one of the rare times in public that he’s not hyper-aware of everyone around him and too paranoid of having a photo snapped and taken out of context to even enjoy himself.

That happens a lot, being one of the only professional athletes who’s open about his sexuality. The media is extremely invasive with his private life. If he’s seen with any guy friend, there’s a whole press storm about Steve Harrington’s “secret beau” within the hour. It’s ridiculous and he tries so hard to keep his lovelife under wraps that maybe he’s been neglecting it entirely, at least that’s what Robin says.

Of course, that’s when his phone lights up with a message from her. His heart sinks a little when he sees the title of the article she sent to him. He quickly shoots her a text and locks his phone without reading it.

“Everything alright?” Eddie notices the shift in Steve’s mood right away.

“Yeah just,” he sighs, bracing for the inevitable part when Eddie realizes Steve isn’t worth the hassle of all this, “Someone filmed us earlier and now it’s all over the press. I’m really sorry, I totally get it if—”

“Nah, don’t worry about it, it’s fine. I figured that would happen,” Eddie brushes it off, but Steve shakes his head.

“I don’t think you understand, it’s—”

“Wanna bet?” Eddie smirks for some reason, “I’m fine with it, I promise.”

He tosses a chip into his mouth and picks right back up with the story he was telling.

Steve is stunned for a moment, wary that maybe Eddie doesn’t fully grasp how deep this goes. But he stays there with Steve, seemingly thrilled to keep talking with him even when a family comes in and keeps staring their way, obviously building up the courage to come over and ask for a picture. Eddie’s acting like Steve’s the only person in the room and that’s enough to assure Steve that he’s really fine with it.

He’s so locked into Eddie, he barely registers when the older son from the family’s table finally wanders over and asks for a picture.

Steve is in the middle of wiping his face with a napkin, about to greet him when suddenly, Eddie pops up and asks Steve to excuse him for a minute.

“C’mon little man, let’s do it,” he says and much to Steve’s confusion, the teen excitedly goes with Eddie to his family’s table.

Steve watches, utterly baffled, as they start snapping photos and expressing what big fans they are and Eddie takes it with such bravado, laughing and chatting like he’s with a group of friends.

What the— Steve grabs his phone, opening the article Robin sent him at lightning speed.

At first, he wonders how the press was able to find out Eddie’s full name so quickly, then he sees the words "troubled rockstar" and "recovering star" so many times, it becomes abundantly clear.

Oh.

He’s not so worried about the troubled part, everyone has their shit and he doesn’t read into any of it. Those are Eddie’s stories to tell Steve if he chooses, not some tabloid. But the rockstar part connects a lot of dots that have come up in the last couple of hours since meeting Eddie and—

Yeah, just. Oh.

Part 2

#what if they’re both secretly famous and clueless about each other #this is called ‘Upstaged’ #part two soon #steddie #eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie fic #stranger things #steddie ficlet #rockstar eddie munson #baseball player steve harrington #famous steve harrington #meet cute #saved your life trope #famous eddie munson #rueswriting

[blondeboyfriend]

𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐒 (𝟏𝟖+)

𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐃𝐍𝐈

[ PAIRING ] Vash the Stampede x f!reader x Millions Knives [ AUTHOR'S NOTE ] This is like an unholy mix of the manga and Stampede because I could not stick to one continuity. I took a big old shit on the timeline and decided to have Vash and Knives wander around No Man's Land together well into adulthood. Oh, and Vash still has his arm. [ SYNOPSIS ] After years of isolation two weary vagabonds turn your life upside down. [ WORD COUNT ] 8k [ CONTENT ] DARK CONTENT, canon AU, threesome (mmf), plantcest/incest, handjob, biting, nipple play, jealousy, dubcon, facesitting, oral sex (m + f receiving), degradation, humiliation, snowballing, everyone is emotionally damaged, everyone is HELLA dramatic, angst, voyeurism, exhibitionism, teasing, creampie, bittersweet ending.

It was the tail end of a blisteringly hot day. You sat in a rickety wooden dining chair, its straight back forcing you to remain upright. It was impossible to relax, the chair causing moderate discomfort. Granted it beat sitting in the sweltering hell that was your home. Your porch always came in handy on hellacious days like this, ones where it felt time was moving slower than usual.

It was rare you ever saw another soul around these parts. You lived on the outskirts of a well off town with three plants. Your home was a comfortable distance from the feral hostility everyone seemed to exude there. You could go days without seeing someone. Occasionally a drunk would get lost and end up banging at your door, an issue you remedied with a rifle, but other than you led a rather lonesome existence.

That’s why it was such a shock to see two figures on the horizon. Initially you thought your eyes were playing a trick on you, that maybe your brain was so desperate for company that it conjured up these humanoid mirages. As they got closer you noticed they weren’t a trick of the eye.

You sprung out of your chair to get your rifle and a few rounds. The heat inside was oppressive; you felt like you were going to collapse under the weight of it. You grabbed what you needed and practically threw yourself out the door.

The figures were in plain view now. It was two men, their features mostly obscured by tattered cloaks. You loaded your rifle and pointed it at them, not wanting to take any chances. The likelihood of them being harbingers of devastation was too high. 

Once they were within earshot you called out, “Stay back! I don’t want any trouble!”

They stopped dead in their tracks. One of the men swayed and struggled to find his balance. The other quickly reached out, grabbing him by the waist. He continued making his way over to you, dragging the other man along with him.

You cleared your throat. “I’ll shoot if I have to!”

This didn’t seem to deter the conscious one. Your hands were clammy and starting to tremble. Usually threats were enough to ward strangers off. You’d never actually had to shoot anyone before.

“I—I mean it!” you shouted, trying to convince yourself.

You finally got a view of his face. He was pale, eyes a striking blue-green with long blonde lashes. They seemed to bore holes into your very being. It was an intensity that was frightening yet intriguing. In any other situation you would run inside and hope he wouldn’t breach the door, but you were stuck. Transfixed by his unflinching determination.

“I’m serious!”

You backed up, nearly tripping over yourself. Your rifle was loose in your grip. You felt small, vulnerable. You could picture your demise, your blood spilling and turning the sand around you a hideous red.

“Stop!” you shrieked.

The man winced.

“Stop screaming,” he replied gruffly.

“Stop coming closer then!”

The unconscious man was roused by your lively discussion.

“We don’t mean you any harm,” he said, slowly lifting his head.

His cloak no longer obscured his face. He looked exactly like the other one, but warmer. His skin was sun-kissed. His fluffy hair was golden blonde and cut close at the sides. His eyebrows were dark and his eyes a soft blue. He lacked the otherworldly nature of the other man. His presence was disarming, more human.

“We need he—”

“Don’t waste your energy,” the other replied.

“Then ask if we can stay already,” he laughed.

“Vash!”

“What? I’m tired. I’m hungry. My feet hurt. All I wanna do is sit down,” he whined.

You held your rifle by your side. The whiny one wasn’t looking too good. For all his warmness, he looked like he was being trailed by death.

“My brother… He needs help,” one said through gritted teeth.

“There’s a town not too far off from here. They got a doctor. I bet she could help your brother.”

“He might not make it,” he replied, tone growing more frustrated.

“That sounds like a personal problem.”

He stepped forward, dragging Vash along with him. Your feet were locked in place. The urge to run was strong, but where the fuck would even go? Running out into the dunes would be a death sentence. And quite frankly that sounded unappealing.

When he came to the front of  your porch he laid down his brother in the shade. He had lost consciousness again. He looked so frail on the ground, a pitiful existence. You made eye contact with the desperate man standing in front of you. He didn’t seem as intimidating up close, the worry in his eyes settling your nerves.

“Look at him.”

Vash’s breathing was labored, each inhale getting caught in his lungs. He did look terrible, but you weren’t sure what you could do other than give them a little water and send them on their way.

“Please,” he said, removing his cloak from his head. His hair was a pale ashy blonde, it almost seemed iridescent under the suns’ dying rays.

Vash snickered. “Di—did you just say please,” he said weakly.

“I’m doing this for you!”

The three of you went silent. The sky slowly turned from orange and pink to a muted purple.

“You guys can come in. It’s pretty stuffy inside though,” you said, gesturing towards your home. “I gotta open the windows… There should be a breeze coming through about now.”

“Thank you,” Vash said. He tried to stand, but couldn’t get up, his body too heavy for him to bear.

You hated to see anyone struggle and went to assist him. As you held out your hand, the other one slapped away your hand.

“Don’t touch him.”

“Nai, it’s alright,” Vash replied, taking your hand.

For someone looking so fragile, he was pretty heavy. You led him inside with Nai close behind.

“Sit here,” you said, guiding him to your plush sofa. It was the most luxurious thing you owned, a comfort you fought for at an illegal auction.

You went to open the windows, letting the cool breeze blow through the house. You lit your lanterns, filling your living room with a soft, yellow light.

“You can sit down too, y’know.”

Nai stood uncomfortably by the door.

“I’d rather not.”

“Suit yourself,” you said. You stood in front of him, wondering if he’d take a hint and move. “I need to get something from outside.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“Beyond the door. The thing you’re blocking.”

He blushed and moved out of the way.

“Thank you,” you said, brushing past him.

There was nothing from outside you needed but they didn’t know that. Both suns had set below the horizon. The heat had tempered itself, now only a pleasant warmth paired with the cool breeze you longed for all day.

When you returned you found that Nai had finally made himself comfortable on the couch with Vash’s head in his lap. He was stroking his hair, a look of pure worry on his face. It contorted into disdain the second he registered your presence.

You passed by them briskly, pretending you had grabbed something. While in the kitchen you filled two glasses with water.

“Here,” you said, handing Vash a glass.

He eagerly took it and drank it all in one gulp. He let out a sigh of relief, one that softened your heart. You attempted to hand one to Nai but he recoiled.

“You sure?”

“I don’t need it.”

Vash grabbed the second glass from your hand without any hesitation and slammed the contents. His relieved smile had awakened something in you, a need to baby him, to take care of him.

“Do you have any food?” he asked, eyes sparkling.

You nodded and fetched some bread and dried worm meat. It was the only food you were willing to part with. Vash didn’t seem to mind, his face a pinnacle of gratefulness. It was refreshing. Such softness was hard to come by in No Man’s Land.

“Thank you,” he said with a mouthful of food.

You took a seat on the floor, keeping a safe distance from them. Vash seemed sweet, but Nai’s hostility remained. It kept you on edge.

“There’s a hotel in town. You could probably get a ro—”

“No. I’d like to avoid other humans as much as possible.”

Humans. The way Nai said it made it seem like he was spitting out poison.

“You two on the run or something?”

“No,” Vash yawned. “Just lazy.”

“You’re not lazy. You’re weak,” Nai muttered.

Vash sighed and rested his head on Nai’s shoulder. “Would you mind if we stayed?”

Nai flared his nostrils and stared out one of the windows. It was probably against your better judgment to house them, but you felt compelled. It wasn’t as if you didn’t have space. You had a spare room, one with a small but comfortable bed. And it wasn’t as if you ever used it.

“No. There’s a room upstairs you can stay in. Only one bed though. Hope that’s not a problem.”

Nai got up, hoisting Vash to his feet.

“Uh, it’s the one on the left. It gets a lot of sun in the morning so you might wake up sweaty. The blankets aren’t that heavy though.”

Nai led Vash up the stairs. Vash turned his head, making eye contact with you. His eyes were kind and beautiful, like the midday sky. He gave you a smile.

“Thank you,” he said as he disappeared.

You sighed, wondering what you got yourself into. Maybe they would leave in the morning before you woke up, their presence a mere fever dream. There’d be no complaints from you. They were rather odd, their actions unpredictable. You did feel a twinge of affection for the pitiful one, but you told yourself it would fade as fast as it came.

You woke up just before daybreak, stretching your arms above your head. Despite the circumstances you managed to sleep well. You assumed it was a good omen. It was rare you slept through the night without tossing and turning.

You made your way down the hall and heard muted voices coming from the spare room. Vash and Nai had stayed. Though maybe they were planning to leave once the suns breached the horizon.

The door was open enough for you to take a peek and maybe hear more of their conversation. You crept closer and shielded yourself behind it. You looked inside.

They were facing one another, wrapped up in each other’s arms. Their clothes were in little piles on the floor. Listening in on their conversation was the last thing on your mind. You couldn’t stop watching them. You assumed they were brothers because they looked nearly identical, but maybe that was a coincidence. Maybe they were lovers. You couldn’t think of any families that would lie in bed together completely nude. Let alone as tangled up as Vash and Nai were.

Just as you were about to sneak downstairs, your body betrayed you and you let out a bellowing sneeze.

“Shit,” you said, hauling ass downstairs.

You hoped neither had caught you spying. You usually weren’t that kind of person and you wished you could show them that. But pleading your case wouldn’t do you any good, and if you had any semblance of luck on your side, they would’ve thought you were just passing by innocently.

You paced around the kitchen. Your brain felt like it was on fire. They must have known you were there. They seemed perceptive enough. If they were wandering around the dunes, they must have sharpened instincts, better senses. How else would they have survived out there?

A distraction. That was what you needed. You open your cupboards and pulled out some of your more prized foods. A jar of fruit preserves, cinnamon bread, coffee, smoked meat from an animal you couldn’t remember, and a few peaches. It hurt to part with those. You had to talk to three different merchants before they’d even admit to having them. The townspeople were stingy when it came to anything that was fresh.

You set the table for three people even though you suspected Nai wouldn’t eat. You boiled some water, brewing some coffee once it reached the right temperature.

In the midst of your cooking you didn’t hear Vash and Nai come down the stairs. You were too caught up in licking peach juice off your knife.

“G’morning,” Vash said, yawning.

You looked over at them, your tongue still touching the blade. Nai looked at you wide-eyed, a blush blossoming on the apples of his cheeks. It was strange and endearing.

“Uh… hey,” you said, putting the knife down. “Food’s on the table.”

The two men took a seat. You set a plate down of sliced peaches and poured coffee into the mugs. When you went to serve Nai, he quickly covered the mug with his hand, letting a trickle of hot coffee coat his skin. His eye twitched briefly.

“Oops. My bad,” you said, using your sleeve to clean up the mess. It was an automatic response, one you immediately regretted.

Vash laughed with a mouthful of peaches. “Don’t apologize to him.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Nai hissed.

You didn’t like the tension that was building. When you went to change the subject Vash gave you a swift, hard kick to the leg.

“Ow! What is wrong with you?!”

Vash leaned across the table and grabbed your hand. “I’m sorry! I meant to kick him!”

You tried to ignore the throbbing pain in your leg by spreading preserves on a piece of bread, tears flooding your eyes. You shoved it in your mouth, hoping it would stop you from crying.

“I can’t believe you’d kick a poor, defenseless human,” Nai said with an impish smile.

“It wasn’t on purpose,” Vash said, glancing at Nai.

You swallowed and pulled your hand from his grasp.

“It’s fine,” you choked out. “I’m sturdy.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“Nai!” Vash chastised while he ate a spoonful of preserves. You wondered if he realized that was for the bread, or if he simply didn’t care.

The air in the room was thick, oppressively so.

“So how are you feeling?” you asked in an attempt to remedy that weight.

Vash plucked a peach slice off the plate. “Better, but I’m still pretty tired.” He shoved the peach slice into his mouth, muffling his voice. “If you need us to leave though, I get it.”

When you woke up this morning you hoped they would have disappeared into the night, but now you couldn’t bear sending them back out into the desert. It would be one thing if Vash was in good shape, but he still looked worn out.

“I don’t mind as long as you don’t kick me again.”

“Hm,” he said, stroking his chin as if deep in thought. “I don’t know if I can promise that.”

You pointed at the door. “Get out. Go die in the desert.”

“Make me.” He took a sip of coffee.

Nai stood up abruptly.

“I’ll be outside.”

“There’s not much to do out there… Actually there isn’t jackshit to do out there,” you said.

“I’ll figure something out,” he said gruffly.

He slammed the door as he made his dramatic exit.

“Don’t take it personally,” Vash said, eyeing the smoked meat you had put out.

“He’s your brother, right?” you asked.

He nodded.

“Ah, so you’re used to it then.”

“Yeah…” He looked outside the window. “He wasn’t always like that though.”

You didn’t know what to say so you opted to stay silent. You and Vash ate the rest of the food, not uttering a single word.

The brothers ended up staying for another day, and another after that… and another after that. Nai would disappear into the desert during the day while Vash was essentially up your ass. He followed you around the house like a puppy. He would always offer to help when you’d be cleaning or doing maintenance. Initially you rebuked him, telling him he needed to rest. But after a while you opted to take him up on it. You couldn’t deny that it was nice to have an extra pair of hands, and someone to talk to. It wasn’t until you had company that you realized how much you hated being completely alone all the time.

“How often do you go into town?” Vash asked, sweeping your bedroom floor.

You tucked your sheets under your mattress. “I try to avoid it as much as possible… I only ever go there when I need food.”

“Like those peaches?” he asked, voice full of longing.

You laughed. “Yeah, like those peaches.”

As you were smoothing out your blanket, he came up behind you. His body was pressed up against your back.

“Do you have any more?”

His tone seemed flirtatious but you didn’t want to assume anything. Plus maybe he realized that peaches weren’t cheap and thought he needed to butter you up to score another.

“Hmm?” he asked, his face practically buried in your neck.

You sighed. “You’re lucky I like you. C’mon.”

You brushed him off and led him downstairs. The second you handed him a peach took a bite out of it. You had never noticed how sharp some of his teeth were. You watched him intently, unable to stop yourself. 

“I wonder what your brother is up to.” You didn’t actually care, but you needed to distract yourself.

Peach juice made it way down his hand all the way to his forearm. Without any hesitation, he lapped it up, staring deep into your eyes.

“He’s probably just wandering around,” he said before taking another bite.

“Really? I feel like that’d get old after a couple days,” you replied, trying to ignore the throbbing sensation between your legs.

He shrugged and licked the part of the peach he had just bit. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was doing it on purpose. You tried to act as unaffected as possible.

Thankfully Nai walked through the door, covered in sand and tracking it in the house. You groaned and contemplated why you even bothered cleaning.

“What happened to you?” Vash asked.

“Did you almost get swallowed by the sand pit?”

“... I might have.”

“Been there,” you said. “Want to eat a peach about it?”

“No.”

He looked less intimidating coated in rust-colored sand, more boyish. It was kind of cute.

“I’ll be upstairs,” he muttered.

He turned away, posture rounded, and made his way up the stairs. Vash frowned and followed him, leaving his half-eaten peach on the table. You snatched it and bit into it, savoring the juices. You thought about how it would feel to lick it off his chest. You felt feral as you devoured it.

Holding the peach pit in your hand was humiliating. You hated yourself for eating it. You wanted to stay in control and not lose yourself to your carnal urges. But Vash was making that increasingly difficult. You decided to sleep it off on the couch. A nap would do you some good.

When you woke up it was nighttime. Darkness had settled in your house. You carefully got up and lit a lantern. You had no concept of what time it was. All you knew was that you were still tired and you still couldn’t stop thinking about Vash eating that fucking peach. It haunted you. He must have known what he was doing. He could not be that naive, that innocent.

Your plan was to go straight to your bedroom, but the awful morning breath that had settled in your mouth was too much. Brushing your teeth was of the utmost importance. You hip checked the bathroom door only to find it occupied.

“Oh fuck!” you said, quickly shutting the door.

“Did you need something?” Vash asked.

You pressed your forehead against the door.

“I wanted to brush my teeth.”

“Well don’t be a stranger,” he laughed.

You let out a muted groan and opened the door. You kept your eyes on your sink, careful not to look over at Vash and Nai. You put your lantern down and brushed your teeth.

“Did you have a good nap?” Vash asked.

You spat into the sink. “I don’t know. I hate napping that long. Not seeing the suns set is—” You made the mistake of looking over at them and lost your train of thought. “... disorienting.”

They were in your tub. Vash sat on one side hugging his knees to his chest, taking up as little space as possible. Nai was on the other fully reclined with his brother in between his toned legs.

“That’s understandable. Hopefully you can sleep tonight,” he replied.

“I’ll be fucking miserable if I don’t.”

“Worst comes to worst you can always come hang out with us.”

Nai looked like someone stabbed him in the heart. He went to say something but shut his mouth, opting to toss his head back with his eyes closed. For once he decided to ignore the two of you instead of saying something hostile.

You felt like you were going crazy. You briefly looked at Nai’s cock. It was of average length, but definitely on the thicker side. It was framed by a patch of pale blonde pubic hair.

“Uh… Nai,” you said, trying to think of a reason to speak to him. “You okay after falling in the, uh, sand pit?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good…”

“Yeah,” he said. He opened his eyes and got out of the tub. Droplets of water traveled down his body, leaving a puddle on the floor. “Hand me a towel.”

“Say please at least,” Vash quipped, sinking deeper into the tub.

“It’s fine,” you laughed.

You grabbed a towel and tried to pass it off to Nai. The only problem was your hand refused to loosen its grip. Perhaps it was an unconscious effort to have an excuse to be so close to him. His impatience got the best of him and he pulled it away from you. He wrapped it around his waist and stomped away.

“Sorry about him,” Vash sighed.

“It’s fine,” you repeated.

“Why are you so far away? I don’t bite.” He sat back up. “Unless you want me to.”

“What?!”

“I’m kidding.”

You were incapable of speech.

“... Unless.”

Nothing but silence on your part.

He sighed. “You gotta gimme something to work with.”

You decided to give in, to embrace hedonism just once. “Okay. Sure.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah,” you said, pulling your pants off. “Fuck it.”

You took your shirt off and unhooked your bra letting it fall to your feet.

“Um. I didn't think you’d actually—” You took off your underwear. “—oh wow—I mean, shit. I’m ruining the moment,” he whined, holding his hand to his forehead like he had a headache.

You stepped into the tub and crawled on top of Vash, pressing your chest up against his. You were eternally thankful that the water was still warm. He ran his hands down your back, stopping at the small of it. Everything about the situation felt surreal. He was a stranger that you couldn’t get a full read on. Vash was friendly but still rather opaque, especially in regards to his brother. Anytime you asked about him Vash gave you bullshit answers that created more questions.

“Why doesn’t he ever eat?”

Vash nervously scratched the base of his skull. “He does! He, uh, eats bugs while he's out there.”

You knew damn well Nai wasn’t out in the desert, skulking around and eating bugs like a little creature.

But that didn’t matter. What mattered was how Vash’s lips felt brushing up against yours, how it felt when he held your bottom lip between his teeth. The world around you meant nothing. You were consumed by your lust, driven by your oppressive loneliness.

His kiss was hungry and needy. He kissed you like you could disappear at any moment. He held onto you tight, his fingers digging into your back. You cradled his face in your hands. His skin was so soft which was unusual. Most men that wandered the desert had leathery faces.

He broke the kiss, leaving a trail of them from your jaw bone down to your neck. You tangled your fingers in his damp blonde hair. He smelled like your soap with a strange musky, floral undercurrent.

You were feeling bold so you started stroking his semi-hard cock. He bit down on your neck, driving his teeth into your skin. You winced, but the pain was intoxicating. You gave his cock a squeeze before rubbing your thumb around his sensitive tip.

“You like that?” you purred.

“Uh-huh,” he said, planting a kiss on your chest.

He held one of your nipples between his teeth and began sucking on it. You kept stroking his cock which was now fully erect in your hand. The sensation of his tongue against your nipple felt incredible.  All the moans you had been holding back sprung forth. You tried to lock your jaw shut as he went back to toying with your nipples, pinching one between his fingers and the other between his lips.

You squeezed the length of his cock again. This and your moaning seemed to inspire something in him. The most heavenly moans erupted out of him. Your touch was becoming too distracting for him to do anything except buck his hips against your fist.

“What are you doing to him?”

Nai had returned and he looked absolutely disgusted.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know,” you chanted like a prayer.

“It’s fine,” Vash said nervously. “I wanted it.”

You jumped out of the tub and grabbed a towel as fast as you could. You pushed past Nai and sprinted to your bedroom, slamming the door behind you.

You paced around your room, trying to process what had happened and what the potential consequences would be. But it’s a fruitless task. You were too frazzled and still in the throes of arousal. You took a deep breath and dried your body off. As you crawled into bed you thought about how it felt when Vash buried his teeth in your neck. You ran your fingers down your folds, coating them with your fluids. You rubbed your clit, desperate to come. You covered your mouth to quiet your moans as your body writhed in pleasure. Once your body had calmed itself you drifted off to sleep.

The next morning you were startled awake by a series of knocks on your door. You stumbled out of bed and threw on a nightgown. You opened the door only to be greeted by Nai’s overwhelming presence.

“We need to talk.”

“We—we actually don't, which is the great thing.”

He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. He was gradually invading your space, leaving almost no room between the two of you.

“Was that the first time you defiled my brother?”

“What?”

He grabbed you by the chin. “I said, was that the first time you de—”

“Yes!”

He gritted his teeth. “The last thing he needs is one you clinging to him.”

You were like an animal with its foot caught in a trap, too scared to do anything. He seemed so incensed. You didn’t know what he was capable of, how far his anger would go. He could kill you with his bare hands with ease, a fact that was equally terrifying and riveting.

“I’m sorry.”

He got closer to your face. “You’re sorry?”

“I shouldn’t…” You were at a loss for words. You weren’t sorry at all.

“Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

“What do you want me to say?!”

“That you will leave him alone.”

“You’re in my fucking house. How am I supposed to even—”

“Oh? I didn’t realize that gave you free reign to humiliate him. I heard the way you were making him sound last night.”

“If you’re that bothered, you can leave.”

“I’ve been trying to, but he won’t come with me. Because of you.”

“I—”

“Did you think I wanted to be here this entire time? Every second has been torture.”

“Then just go. Leave him behind if he wants to stay that bad.”

“I won’t let you take him away from me!”

Your hair was standing on end. A single drop of arousal made its way down your thigh. Nai seemed to take pride in frightening you. He stroked your jaw with his fingers before forcing them into mouth. You didn’t even bother fighting back. He pushed them in deeper, savoring the sound of you gagging. Tears welled up in your eyes and trickled down your cheeks.

He pulled them out and smirked. You looked so pathetic, so pliable. His eyes darkened and he leaned in to kiss you. For all his threatening demeanor, his kiss was timid and uncertain. You decided to take initiative and slipped your tongue into his mouth.

This seemed to anger him, or turn him on, you weren’t sure. He shoved you onto the bed, the force of his hands leaving an ache in their wake. He still needed your guidance though. You rolled your tongue up against his. His sloppiness was undeniable, but he was eager which was enough for you.

You reached down and grabbed his cock, cradling it in your palm. He broke the kiss and groaned. You gave it long, languid strokes. He rutted against your hand just like Vash had. The room was overflowing with his moans. You kissed his neck, pressing your lips against his soft skin.

“You sound so cute,” you cooed in between kisses.

He froze, muscles suspended in tension. You rubbed his back, hoping to quell whatever was torturing him.

“Are you alright?”

“Don’t touch me,” he said, pushing himself off of you. His cheeks were flushed and his cock was fighting against his pants. “Ju—just leave me alone.”

There was no hint of forcefulness in his voice, just dismay. And you were flooded with guilt.

That night, Vash sneaked into your room with a blanket wrapped around him. He dropped it, revealing he wasn’t wearing anything underneath. It hardly phased you. He got into your bed and snuggled up next to you. You tried your best to ignore his presence, but his arms were wrapped around you.

You were still caught up in what had happened earlier in the day between you and Nai. Having Vash so close put you on edge. He’d never given you any reason to fear him, but you wondered if a similar darkness resided in him. Maybe he was just better at hiding it. You couldn’t stop your thoughts, each one painting Vash in a more insidious light.

“Is everything okay? I feel like you were avoiding us.”

“I usually try to avoid your brother.”

“But why meeeee?” he asked.

You turned to face him. His eyes were wide and innocent, like a blue-eyed baby deer. His face turned you into putty. It wasn’t right to effectively punish him for his brother’s actions.

“I don’t have a good answer.”

He pouted. “You can be honest with me.”

“I barely know you,” you said, staring at his lips.

“That didn’t stop you from getting in the tub with me.”

That was a completely different situation under extremely different circumstances. Fucking someone was nowhere near as intimate or taxing as opening yourself up to them. That was like pulling teeth. You never talked to anyone about your feelings, granted you never had an opportunity to. Even in the presence of others, you compulsively closed yourself off. It was second nature.

You chewed on the inside of your cheek. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to feel close to him. You just didn’t know where to begin. You struggled to believe it would spill forth from you naturally once you started. You couldn’t even articulate the hopeless isolation you immersed yourself in.

He looked a little sad, an expression that tortured you to no end. You needed to show him that you wanted to be close to him. Being honest about your feelings was out of the question so you’d have to do it the only way you seemingly knew how.

You held his face in your hands and kissed him. Your passion was steeped in anguish. You hoped he felt your affinity for him, your desire to tell him everything eventually. Your desperation made you sloppy, drool dribbling from your mouth.

Vash pulled away. “Wait.”

He guided you onto your back and tossed your sheet to the side before getting on top of you. He helped you pull your nightgown up and over your head. He rubbed your cunt through your underwear, his fingers pressing against your clit.

“I wanna know what you taste like.”

Your body was practically vibrating. You gently pushed down on his shoulders, an act he was more than happy to comply with.

He positioned himself between your legs and peeled off your underwear. He kissed the inside of your thighs before biting them, sending his pointy teeth into your tender flesh. He used his tongue to spread apart your folds. He rolled it against your clit and waves of pleasure washed over you. Your breathing became increasingly more audible, each exhale sounding more and more like a moan.

“Tell me I’m good,” he growled.

“You’re such a good boy,” you whimpered.

He let out a pleased hum and arched his back, sending his ass into the air. He was relentless, focusing all of his attention on your aching clit. Both of you were incapable of being quiet.

The sound of the door being flung open swiftly annihilated the lusty haze you had been lost in. It was Nai. His eyes were half-lidded, sleep still clinging to them. He was half-dressed, his pants sloppily pulled on. They weren’t even buttoned.

“Why do you keep doing this to me?”

You tried to push Vash away, but kept eating your cunt, disregarding Nai’s presence. Your cheeks felt like they were on fire. You folded your arms across your chest, a hopeless attempt at  shielding yourself from Nai’s gaze.

Vash stared up at you. “Call me a good boy again,” he demanded.

“Yo—you’re such a good boy,” you whimpered once more.

“I can’t believe you keep degrading yourself like this.”

Vash relaxed his back and began to drive his cock into the mattress. His neediness had you reeling. You covered your mouth, trying to hold back your moans. It was bad enough that Nai could see you like this; you didn’t need him hearing you as well.

Your stomach dropped as he approached the bed.

“I’ll help you shut up,” Nai growled.

He got on the bed and gave you a forceful kiss as you came. Once you had settled he pulled away and sat on the edge of your bed with his back towards you.

You tapped on Vash’s head. “Want me to suck your cock?”

“Yes,” he exhaled. “Please.”

Vash sat up only for Nai to grab him by the shoulders.

“I should do it.”

“What? Why?”

“I know your body better than anyone else. Better than she ever could,” he pleaded. Nai sounded so softhearted. You wondered if this was the tone of voice he used when you weren’t around. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

Vash sighed and ultimately agreed. He pushed Nai’s head down, guiding his brother’s mouth onto his erect cock. You watched in shock. You weren’t surprised in the least, but you never thought you’d see it. Your clit felt like it had a heartbeat.

You slipped two of your fingers into your slick cunt. The longer you watched them, the less you cared about the moral implications. You stopped letting your brain do the thinking. You gleefully watched as Vash laced his fingers through Nai’s hair, giving him better leverage as he forced his cock in deeper.

Every so often Nai would gag, but it didn’t deter him. If anything he seemed to enjoy it. He was furiously fucking his fist. You wished it was yours. You practically drooled at the thought. You kept fingering yourself, not taking your eyes off of him.

Vash bucked his hips against his brother’s face. He held his brother’s head close to his body. Nai struggled to keep it together, the sound of his gagging overtaking the room. You let out a dreamy sigh, grabbing Vash’s attention

“What?” you asked breathily.

“I need to fuck you,” he whined.

Vash pulled Nai off of his cock by his hair. His brother erupted into a series of violent coughs as he tried to compose himself. He had a bewildered look in his now dull eyes. You felt a little bad for him, but your pity melted away as Vash hoisted you onto his cock. He laid back, resting his head on your pillow.

You rolled your hips against his, sending his cock deeper inside. You couldn’t deny how good it felt.

“Na—Nai,” you stuttered. “Come here.”

Nai seemed to ignore you at first, but soon enough he was by your side, sitting on his knees.

“What do you want?”

“I want you to suck on my tits.”

He scoffed but still leaned in and started to suck. He swirled his tongue around your nipple. You rubbed the tip of his cock and started to stroke it.

“You’re lucky I’m letting something as inferior as you touch me,” Nai murmured before flicking his tongue against your nipple.

You tried to ignore him, but he continued.

“I still don’t see what he sees in you,” he hissed.

You squeezed his cock. “I bet you wish that was your brother’s hand, huh? Or maybe his mouth?”

Nai was briefly stunned, but recovered in record time. “It would be more satisfying than whatever it is you’re doing to me right now.”

“Your cock seems to like it,” you taunted. Precum had been leaking from his cocktip the entire time you were jerking him off.

“Can you pl—please stop? I’m trying to focus,” Vash whimpered.

“Tell her to behave herself then!”

Vash groaned. “Nai, just come here. You can use my mouth.”

Nai’s eyes lit up and he pulled his pants off. He crawled over to his brother and straddled his face. He started rutting against it. You missed your view of Vash’s angelic face. Nai’s muscled back while beautiful wasn’t nearly as interesting. You felt excluded.

Vash’s thrusts gradually grew uninspired. His focus seemed to be on his brother. You leaned forward and draped your arms over Nai’s shoulders.

“St—stop,” he sighed. “You’re ruining it.”

You ran your hands down his arms and snaked them around his waist. You stroked his abs before moving up to his chest. You pinched his nipple, relishing in the small yelp he let out.

“Am I humiliating you?”

Nai ignored you. You kept rubbing his nipples, taking in his pained whimpers.

“Aw, are you gonna come?”

“Yes,” he said in between his panting.

Nai’s body tensed up as he came in Vash’s mouth. He caught his breath and laid down beside his brother.

You slid Vash’s cock back inside you. He beckoned you near and you leaned forward. His body felt so warm underneath you. His chest was dappled with sweat. He held the back of your head and kissed you, passing Nai’s cum into your mouth. You swallowed it, savoring the sweet taste. Nai exhaled sharply, clearly offended. Neither of you paid him any mind.

Vash held onto your hips as you rode him. As he dug his fingers into your flesh your body was consumed by ecstasy. You felt like you were ascending to a higher plane of existence. You saw white and you could have sworn you were getting blessed by gods.

He continued to thrust until his cock released a deluge of cum inside your cunt. You loved how he sounded whining beneath you. You needed to hear him moan again and again. He couldn’t leave. You wouldn’t let him. You’d even put up with Nai’s hostility.

“That was amazing,” Vash said. There was nothing going behind his eyes; he was utterly fucked out.

You draped yourself on top of him, burying your face in his neck. “It really was.”

You felt around, trying to find Nai’s body next to you on the mattress. Before you even had the chance to touch him, he grabbed your wrist.

“Don’t.”

“Sorry,” you said somberly. “Uh… I had fun… with you.” You hated how hard it was to talk to Nai. Unless you were taunting him sexually you were at a loss for words.

“That’s nice,” he said softly. It lacked the venom he usually infused his words with.

For a while the only sound was the three of you breathing. The reality of what happened sinking into your pores. You didn’t know what to say and it seemed like the brothers were on the same page.

Nai was the one to break the silence. “We really have drifted apart… Haven’t we?”

“Don’t say stuff like that,” Vash mumbled.

“It’s true though.”

“Nai—”

“I was… hoping I would feel closer to you. But I don’t.” He got up and headed towards your door. “I don’t understand you at all.”

Vash gently rolled you off of him and he got up.

“Let’s go to bed.” He grabbed Nai’s pants off the floor. “You’ll feel better by tomorrow.” He rubbed the space between Nai’s shoulder blades and kissed the side of his head. “I’m sure of it.”

You could tell Vash was smiling when he said the last part. The brothers left, leaving you alone in your bed. You gathered your sheet and blanket and wrapped yourself up in them. You held yourself tight and hoped sleep would envelope you.

Instead you tossed and turned. You had been lying in bed for a few hours with your eyes shut and nothing more. Your thoughts wouldn’t stop racing; your actions were on loop in your head. Every moan, every touch, every overwhelming emotion weighed you down.

Vash calling out your name was enough to pull you out of this sleepless daze. You threw on a nightgown and rushed into the hall. Your eyes darted around, trying to figure out where he was. He called your name again. He was downstairs. You tore down the staircase and saw a very distressed Vash pulling his boots on.

“He’s gone. I gotta go after him.”

“He’s gone?”

“We fell asleep right by each other. I don’t know how I didn’t feel him getting up.”

He ran outside, yelling Nai’s name. You stumbled after him barefoot. The sand was unforgiving. Little, sharp rocks wedged themselves between your toes. You struggled to keep up. He was practically sprinting. There was no way you’d reach him.

“Fuck. He’s so fast. What the fuck,” you said in between wheezing. “Vash! Wait—”

Before you could even register it, your ankle gave out and sent you crashing into the sand.

“Shit,” you seethed, body writhing into a fetal position.

The pain was immense. You wanted to fight through it, to keep chasing after Vash. But you’d never catch up. He was as good as gone. Tears welled up in your eyes. You kicked yourself for getting so attached to them so fast. You hated that despite it all you still cared about Nai and wanted to win him over. You had let yourself get carried away by delusions. It wasn’t as if the three of you could live out your days in blissful harmony, no matter how badly you wanted it.

You stared up at the night sky. The moons loomed over you painting the desert in their ethereal light. You felt hopeless and dreaded having to drag yourself back home.

Luckily you heard Vash running back towards you.

“Are you alright?” he said, tripping as his foot got stuck in the sand.

“No… Are you alright?”

He popped up like he never fell in the first place. “Yeah.”

He walked over to you and squatted by your dejected form.

“Why are you crying?” he asked.

You looked up at him. His red rimmed eyes made them look intensely blue.

“I hurt my ankle.”

He held out his hand and hoisted you up.

“Let’s go home,” you said, grabbing onto his shoulder to steady yourself.

“I can’t. I have to find him. I… I promised I’d take care of him.”

“Maybe he went into town,” you suggested.

Vash’s face fell.

“All those people…” he muttered to himself. “I have to go after him, but I can take you back at least.”

He had you hop on his back for a piggyback ride. All you could do was whimper as your tears kept falling. You didn’t even bother speaking. Vash’s mind was elsewhere, unavailable to you. Once you reached home, he put you down and hugged you tightly.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” you lied. “I’ll be alright.”

You turned away and walked into your house. You refused to watch him leave. It would’ve made everything feel a hundred times worse.

You awoke the next morning feeling hungover. You stretched your arms over your head and got up out of bed. You tried not to think about Vash and Nai, but everything reminded you of them. They had only been around for a short while, but they left their mark everywhere. When you opened your cupboard for coffee, you nearly started sobbing when you saw your last peach.

“Ugh. What’s wrong with me?” you wailed.

You boiled water for coffee and spread some preserves on a piece of cinnamon bread. It tasted ambrosial. At least one thing in your life remained sweet and unproblematic. Once your coffee was done, you poured yourself a cup and made your way to your front door. Sitting on your porch before the suns scorched the earth would do you some good.

As you went to open your door, you hit something on the other side of it.

“Oof.”

You would recognize that pained voice anywhere.

“Vash?”

He moved away from the front of your door and stood up. He looked exhausted.

“I didn’t… I didn’t think you’d come back.”

“Aw. I was hoping you’d think more highly of me.”

You laughed. “I take it you didn’t find him.”

He cast his gaze to the side, staring at the ground.

“Yeah. I even went to town. A group of drunks said they saw a ‘weird guy that looked just like me’ but that was all they said. I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

You wondered why he would be concerned about people getting hurt in regards to his brother, but you didn’t want to pry.

“How’s your ankle?”

“It’s sore, but I can walk on it. Serves me right for running around barefoot.”

He smiled and it warmed your soul. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah! I just made coffee. You should have some. You look like shit.”

He ran his fingers through his windblown hair. “I can’t look that bad.”

“You do. And you’re stinky.”

“What are you gonna do? Give me a bath?”

“I might.”

You led him inside and had him sit at your kitchen table. You poured him a cup of coffee and beamed while he took a sip and burned his tongue.

“You’re so mean to me,” he whined.

“What can I do to make it up to you?”

“Do you have any more of those peaches?”

“I have one left.”

He gazed at you, eyes sparkling. He was like a cheerful vampire glamoring you. You grabbed him a peach and handed it to him. He held it and looked down lovingly at it, like it was a newborn baby.

“How long will you be staying?” you asked, expecting him to give you a short time frame. One that would be wholly unsatisfying.

He looked up from his peach. “Indefinitely assuming you can keep giving me these.”

“I think I can manage that.”

#vash the stampede x reader #millions knives x reader #nai x reader #vash x reader #trigun smut #trigun x reader #vash the stampede smut #millions knives smut #.fics #.trigun #.vash #.knives #reader insert #x reader

[laurenairay]

When the time is right - R. Graves

Summary: the start of the relationship between Ryan Graves and the woman who stole his heart, Soren.

Words: 2k

Warnings: spicy implications, mentions of a bet, Ryan has not been traded.

A/N: Happy early birthday @tippedbykreider! 🎉🎉🎉 I wanted to write you a little something, so here’s an ode to our love of the Prettiest Vampire – it’s just short fic from the much longer story I’ve been writing forever, for Ryan Graves and my OC Soren. I hope you enjoy this and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Title from; Afterlife, by Avenged Sevenfold

~~~

“Are you ever going to make a move?”

Ryan choked on his drink, turning to look at Dougie, who was snickering at his reaction.

“What?” he asked, wiping his mouth dry with the back of his hand.

“Are you ever going to make a move on her? You two have been flirting non-stop since Bratter’s girl introduced her to the group, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed,” Dougie mused.

Ryan’s breath hitched in his throat at his friend’s words, loud enough that Dougie’s amused expression shifted into a smirk, to which Ryan just groaned. His eyes shifted across the room to land on the girl in question. Soren. The day that Nicole had brought her along with them to a team gathering, Ryan had been lost. It was cheesy really, almost feeling like a romcom doomed to fail, but every time he looked at her he got butterflies, and all he wanted to do was make her smile. Ryan wasn’t going to lie to himself – he knew exactly how he felt about Soren in all her gothic witchy beauty. He thought he’d been low-key enough to keep his composure, but if Dougie was saying he hadn’t?

“You’re not the only one who’s noticed?” Ryan sighed.

“Well at least you’re not lying in protest,” Dougie grinned, “and no, I’m not the only one. There’s even a bet going on whether or not you’ll actually man up and tell her how you feel.”

Of course there was a bet. Of course. He could only imagine how high the pot money was, if Dougie of all people was pushing this.

“Let me guess, your betting time is coming to an end and you want your winnings?” Ryan said dryly.

“Aww you do know me,” Dougie grinned, unashamed, making Ryan snort, “But seriously, talk to her. It’s dumb that you haven’t already, and if you wait around, someone else will snap her up. She likes you, you like her, you’ll make cute gothic babies.”

One step at a time.

But maybe Dougie had a point. The last thing he wanted was for someone else to sweep Soren off her feet. She deserved to get treated like the queen she was, and if he didn’t step up to the plate, ruining any chance he had with her? No, he couldn’t bear the thought. Maybe Dougie was right – he needed to say something, before it was too late.

“Oh I know that look. You’re planning. What are you planning?” Dougie teased.

“You’re the worst, go away,” Ryan muttered, pale cheeks flushing.

“Nuh uh, I need to make sure you actually go through with this so I can get the $5k I’m owed,” Dougie shrugged, smirk returning slightly.

5000 dollars. Holy shit. That’s ridiculous.

“You guys have way too much time on your hands,” Ryan groaned.

“Yes we do,” Dougie said seriously, before breaking the façade with a snort, “Go and talk to her, Gravy, really. I’ll even throw a couple of bottles of Sangiovese in as congratulations.”

So not fair dangling his favourite wine out like a carrot on a stick.

“How generous,” Ryan said dryly.

But as his gaze drifted back across the room to where Soren stood, he found himself locked on her as she threw her head back laughing, her long dark wavy hair swaying, the girls around her all laughing just as hard. She was perfect. Perfect for him. Could it really be that easy to just go over and talk to her?

“All jokes aside, I know that you’re serious about her. And anyone with eyes can see she’s the same with you. Take the risk, Gravy. You won’t regret it,” Dougie said, expression losing all humour to be replaced with the warmth that Ryan had grown to appreciate.

“Yeah. You’re right. What have I got to lose, right?” Ryan said, huffing out a laugh.

Other than, ooh, his dignity?

“Atta boy,” Dougie grinned, slapping Ryan hard enough on the shoulder for him to stumble slightly.

How had he managed to get himself in such a ridiculous situation?

Never let it be said that Ryan Graves was a quitter. He finished the last mouthful of his beer, placing the empty glass down with a thump, earning a whoop from Dougie. Ridiculous. Here goes nothing.

~~~

“Well Dougie looks hyped up about something.”

Soren startled slightly at Nicole’s words, hand coming up to rest over her heart as her friend cackled, before her eyes flickered over in Dougie’s direction. Well, it wasn’t like she was going to lie about knowing exactly where Dougie was, because he was standing right next to Ryan – and any of the girls with half a brain knew that she had a ridiculous crush on him.

How could she not?

Ryan was sweet, and kind, and charming, and endearing in all his awkwardness, and so damn hot with all his flirting. He was the most complex layered person she had ever met, but damn it she was enjoying slowly peeling back each layer to learn more. She’d been nervous, all those months ago, when Nicole had invited her along to a team gathering, but the moment she’d met Ryan? She felt like she was home. There was just such an instant spark, an intense attraction that she had never bothered to deny, but the longer that she spent in his company that he didn’t make a move on her, the harder it was to keep those butterflies filled with hope.

Because there was no way Soren was going to be the one to confess first. Nicole (and Jesper) had assured her that Ryan absolutely had feelings for her, but she’d been burned too hard in the past. She just couldn’t put her out there again without knowing for sure. So she just held on to the hope that one day, Ryan would say or do something to convince her that her friends weren’t crazy, that she wasn’t crazy. It was all she could do. Well, other than continuing to flirt with him, of course – she wasn’t passing that up for anything. Having his sweet smile, intense dark eyes, beautiful face looking at her? All that attention? No, she wanted to keep that, thank you very much.

If she’d put on her favourite figure-hugging black velvet dress just to catch his eye tonight? Well, that was just for her knowledge.

“Oh shit he’s coming over.”

Nicole’s voice again drew her out of her thoughts, but it was the gasp and light slap on her arm that made Soren look back over properly.

Ryan was walking over to them. Nicole wasn’t wrong. He’d never looked at her like that before either.

“Hi Soren. Ladies,” he said softly.

Despite him addressing the whole group, his eyes only looked at her, something which Nicole clearly noticed.

“I think I could do with a drink. See you Gravy.”

Soren couldn’t help but laugh at the lack of subtlety as her friend dragged the rest of the girls away, Ryan just flushing slightly. Her laugh softened into a smile when Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, clearly nervous about something. What did he have to be nervous about? It was just her.

“You and Dougie looked like you were having fun,” she mused.

Ryan huffed out a laugh, shrugging his agreement. “He’s an idiot, but we keep him around anyway.”

Soren couldn’t stop the laugh that spilled from her lips at Ryan’s blunt words, Ryan’s responding smile giving her the usual butterflies.

“Are you having a good night?” he asked.

“Better now you’ve finally come over,” she grinned.

She really couldn’t help but to flirt with him – it just came out so naturally. How could it not? It wasn’t exactly a secret that she was interested in Ryan Graves, not in their circle of friends, so why would she hold herself back?

“You were having fun with the girls, I didn’t want to interrupt,” he said, shaking his head as he laughed, although his cheeks flushed slightly at her flirting.

“Better late than never, I suppose,” she teased.

He flushed a little more, the pink trailing down his neck and below his shirt. A wicked part of her wanted to know exactly how far that blush travelled. Her strands of dignity just kept her thoughts as a smile.

Then he cleared his throat, smile shifting to something a little more serious, making her breath hitch in her chest. She’d never seen such an intense look on his face before, at least not around her.

“Soren, I…”

He trailed off, huffing out a frustrated breath, sending a pang through her chest. So she rested a hand lightly on his arm, trying to encourage him. The audible shaky breath he inhaled just intrigued her a little more.

“Is everything okay, Ryan?” she asked softly, smiling.

“Y-Yeah, of course,” he said, nodding.

“Really? Because you look like you have something to say and you’re not quite sure how to say it,” she said, teasing only slightly.

He laughed, shaking his head in amusement. “How do you know how to read me so well?”

“Lucky guess?”

“No guessing about it,” he shot back, smiling, “There is something I want to say. And I don’t know how to say it.”

His admission made those pesky butterflies flair up once more, so Soren just squeezed his arm where her hand was still resting, before letting him go.

“Did you want to go somewhere a little quieter? Would that help?” she offered.

She didn’t realise how it sounded until Ryan blushed furiously, a flush spreading lightly across her own pale cheeks in turn.

“I didn’t mean any funny business?” she said, a little awkward.

Trust her stupid mouth to run. For once, she hadn’t actually been flirting or making any innuendo.

“I wouldn’t mind a little funny business.”

Oh.

Oh.

His murmured words made her breath hitch in her throat, her lips parting in surprise. When Ryan’s eyes dropped to her parted lips, despite his blush, she knew that he’d meant his hushed words. She was going to take this chance and run with it.

“I think we should get out of here. Have a proper…discussion,” she said softly, almost like a purr.

The soft whimper Ryan made was everything.

“Yeah, lets go. To talk. My place?”

~~~

“I thought…you wanted…to talk?”

Soren managed to gasp those words out between fierce kisses, clutching at Ryan’s back where he’d pushed her into his hallway wall. Ryan groaned in protest, breaking the kiss reluctantly to stare down at her. He didn’t stop pressing her full-body into the wall though.

“Now is not the time to tease me,” he murmured, eyes dark and warning.

She grinned at the promise in his gaze, just making him groan again before moving to kiss down her throat.

“How about I do some guesswork, and you can tell me if I’m wrong?” she laughed.

Ryan hissed out a yes, nipping her earlobe to affirm.

“In the bar, you were going to ask me out on a date. Something just the two of us. Something that Dougie was teasing you about. Something to fulfil the bet people don’t think I know about. Am I wrong?”

It was a gamble, being so brazen with her words. But she’d never shied away from a challenge before and she wasn’t about to start now. Ryan immediately froze though, lifting his head sharply away from her neck, looking down at her with panic.

“I had no idea about the bet until literally just before I came over to you. I swear,” he said firmly, almost desperately.

Bless his heart.

“Oh sweetheart, I know that. Jack can’t keep his mouth shut and he doesn’t exactly have a quiet volume setting,” she mused.

The relief that spread across his face was almost comical, but it settled something in her too. He wanted this. He wanted them. And he wanted her to know that, right?

“Do you want me, Ryan?” she asked, walking her fingers up his chest.

His breath shuddered at her teasing touch, but he nodded without hesitation.

“I do. I do want you, Soren. So much,” he said, eyes wide and earnest.

That was all she needed to hear.

Soren grinned slowly, making him watch her satisfaction, and he stood so still that he was practically shaking as leant up on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “If you want me, take me.”

It was all Ryan could do to groan and capture her lips in another kiss.

#my writing #ryan graves fic #happy birthday jade! #ryan graves x oc #ryan graves fanfic #ryan graves imagine #hockey fic #hockey fanfic #hockey imagine #nhl fic #nhl fanfic #nhl imagine

[tropes-and-tales]

Drunk dancing with Benny Magalon please 🥺

AN: I'm sorry in advance, bebe. 🥲

You knew you’d see him tonight.  It’s your mutual friends who are marrying, and hell—you can’t avoid the man forever.  L.A. isn’t that big, really.

He sidles up to you at the bar, and you don’t even have to look to know it’s him.  He smells the same, even a year later:  the same smoky, musky scent shot through with faint cigarette smoke.  You hate how your body still responds to him despite the time that’s passed.  You can feel your heart rate picking up, heat flooding your cheeks. 

He doesn’t say the trite shit.  He doesn’t say that it’s good to see you, doesn’t ask how you are.  Instead, he surprises you, especially given the last words he spoke to you before tonight.

“Dance with me?” he asks in his soft voice, and you smell the whiskey on his breath.  You know you shouldn’t, but weddings make you stupid and sentimental, so you finally look at your ex-boyfriend.

You nod.  “Sure, Ben.”

-----

You’re stiff in his arms for a moment, but on the dark dance floor of the wedding reception, it’s easy to fall back into old habits.  Everything about him is familiar—the smell of him, the feel of his arms, the warmth of his body pressed against yours.

“Was hoping you’d be here,” he says against your ear, and he’s not slurring his words, but he’s annunciating them crisp and clear—a sure sign he’s drunk and he knows it and he’s trying to hide it.

“Well, here I am,” you reply lamely.

He hums, and you hear him draw a breath like he’s about to say something…but he doesn’t.  He spreads his hand wider on your lower back, splays out his fingers as if he’s trying to grasp more of you.  And you should hate the dull ache it raises in you, the ache of missing him, of wanting him, but you can’t care at the moment.

The song starts its final verse when he finally mumbles, “missed you.”

You huff, irritated.  “Okay.”

“I did.  I do.”

“Okay, well…”  You trail off, unsure what to say.  You’ve never been that quick on your feet in uncomfortable conversations.  Case in point:  the last time you and Ben were in the same room.  When he stared at you with a blank expression and unceremoniously dumped you.  You hadn’t been able to speak much then either.

The song ends and another slow one begins.  When you go to step away from him, he holds you firm.  He pulls you closer to him until you’re flush against him.  He sets the two of you in the same meandering, swaying steps on the dance floor.

“Knew I made a mistake,” he continues, and it comes out mish-take, his whiskey-laden tongue heavy and slurring finally.  “Knew it the moment you left.”

“You mean the moment you dumped me.”  It comes out mean and you don’t care if it stings. 

He sighs, turns his head to press his nose in your hair.  “Yeah, then.”

You never got to do a post-mortem on your relationship with Benny Magalon.  He never gave you a straight reason, but you could guess at what drove him to break up.  He’d been growing more and more distant in the months leading up to it.  You always thought it was his job—the awful things he investigated, the worst people doing terrible things.  He had already started a slow fade before he dealt the killing blow.

As the song continues, he shifts his hold on you, wraps his arms around you outright.  You don’t fight him.  He’s drunk on whiskey, but you’re just as drunk on a heady blend of nostalgia, of melancholy, of disparate feelings.  You hate him.  You still love him.  You wish you never saw him again.  You miss him keenly.

“Sorry,” he says against your head.  “I’m sorry, baby.”

“Ben—”

“So fucking sorry.”  He takes a shaky breath, and adds, “I’d take it back.  If I could.”

You hate the way your heart leaps at that, the stubborn traitor.  You hate the hot bloom of hope unfurling in your chest, tickling against your ribcage.

“You’ve had too much to drink,” you reply weakly.

“Yeah, but still.  Mean it.”  He tightens his hold on you, presses you against him.  “Always miss you.  Always wanna take it back.”

You don’t know what to say to that, so you say nothing.  You go quiet as he sways with you on the dance floor, as he holds you like he never wants to let you go.  And with that hot-bloom of hope filling you, you realize you don’t want him to.

#ask game #benny magalon #benny magalon imagine #benny magalon x reader #benny borracho magalon #borracho magalon #borracho magalon imagine #borracho magalon x reader #den of thieves #tropes and tales

[midnightlitterateur]

Rugan likes the puss

Pairing - Rugan/ oc m/f

Summary - Rugan tries to be a gentleman but Leah Keene has other ideas.

Warnings - age difference, m/f, penetration,

18+

The chill of the night air on her face was a welcome relief from the overwhelming noise of the packed tavern. Too many people was fine if you were working in a crowd, you could make a decent living from their pockets but when it came to socialising Leah preferred something a little more subdued. The Blushing Mermaid was anything but. She stumbled out into the darkness, quietly slipping away from the small group of friends that she had been drinking with when she saw a tiny speck of burning pipeweed glowed weakly in the darkness. Someone must have had the same idea and sought a little solitude on the bow of the ship that gave the dingy little grief hole its name.

“Who goes?” the smoker called out into the night. Wary of the intrusion. The night concealed the man like a cloak, only the small ember casting its meagre light lit his lips as he pulled the smoke into his lungs. “I'm not looking for company, so fuck off”

Leah smiled, recognising Rugans voice instantly “What's it to you, Zhent? I’ll go where I damn well please.” she slurred. She liked Rugan, he was a good laugh. They got along well on the rare occasions that their paths crossed. Though their respective organisations would not be too thrilled that they were on friendly terms.

“Sounds like someone had a good night!” he chuckled from his perch, “hows tricks, kid?” he hopped down from the table and headed towards the light of a flaming torch. The creaking of his leather armour was almost imperceptible as he passed her.

“Can’t complain. You?” She answered in a friendly tone as she followed him into the small ring of light. Rugan was smiling warmly, Gods that smile. He was fucking gorgeous. The bastard.

“Same shit different day, mate.” The light of the rolled pipeweed cigarette moved towards her in the dark as he offered Leah a drag. She took a long pull then handed it back, letting the smoke escape from her nose. “I'd ask you if you fancied a pint but I think you might have had enough.” he teased, watching her sway in the shadows.

“I'm not that drunk but I'm not going back in there, too many dickheads. Might just go home.”

“I’m headed that way. I’ll walk with you.” he spoke casually but he didn't like the thought of her walking through the docks at night drunk and alone.

“Alright but I am definitely not drunk enough to drop my knickers for you, Zhent. So don't even try.” she warned as she teetered towards the ramp that led down to the road.

“You wear knickers?” he ribbed, following along behind her, ready to catch her should she take a tumble.

“…metaphorical knickers,” she shrugged, eliciting a chuckle from her companion.

They walked back through the lower city toward Heapside Strand, chatting about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company as they slowly headed towards Leah's loft. Even breaking into song at one point much to the annoyance of the sleeping residents of the Lower City. They definitely didn’t want to hear “A wizard’s staff has a knob at the end” in the middle of the night. Finally they arrived at her door.

“Do you fancy a nightcap?” She slurred, leaning against the door fumbling with the keys as she tried and failed to find the keyhole.

“I shouldn't…shipping out at dawn,” he stepped closer, “but I want you to know, there is nothing I would like more.”

“Really?” she whispered, trying her very best to sound alluring. “Seems to me if you're that thirsty…you should drink.”

Their lips met softly, tentatively. Briefly. Rugan pulled away, “You are way too drunk for this,” he said with a rueful smile, “get yourself to bed. I’ll come find you when I get back.”

Leah groaned with disappointment “Oh come on…” she started to complain, losing her footing and taking a tumble into some crates. “Oww,” she sobbed dejectedly.

“Woah,” Rugan picked her up, “come here.” He shook his head with a smirk and took her door keys. He carried her up the narrow staircase and across the room to her bed, which was currently occupied by the fluffiest cat he had ever seen.

Leah turned to see him scratching Crumbs forehead. “Straight to the pussy…” she shook her head, chiding him mockingly.

“Well you know me, lass. I don’t waste time.” He smiled and shooed Crumbs from the bed.

Leah stared at him sleepily in the low light that emanated from a lantern she had forgotten to put out before she left. He was a handsome bastard. Strong and sweet in equal measure. “Stay,” she whispered, reaching out for him as he pulled off her boots and threw them onto the floor.

Rugan froze, mired in indecision. “You are in no fit state, little lady.” He said, full of regret as the words left his mouth, “and Nine Fingers will have my head - both of em.”

“I am a womanly woman, I will have you know! And just because I've had a drink doesn’t mean I can’t make my own decisions. Now get them pants off!”

He took off his boots and unbuckled his cuirass then climbed onto the bed. “You’ll be the death of me, Leah Keene. I swear.”

“Shut up,” she giggled softly as he settled between her thighs. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him in for a kiss. Their tongues pressed and glided over each other in a sinuous dance, their kiss became more and more urgent as they stripped away the rest of their clothing. Rugan's mouth slid sloppily down her neck, dragging his soft lips to her tightened nipples. Her back arched and her fingers tangled in his blonde hair, urging him on with gasps and groans as he suckled gently on each. He began to move lower, aiming to use his skilled tongue on her aching clit but she clutched his hair and pulled him back to her lips. Her other hand reached for his stiff, dripping cock. Pressing the tip into her warmth impatiently. Rugan took the hint and dipped his hips, sheathing himself in her heat with a soul deep groan. Pulling out and slamming into her again and again as she moaned and cursed loudly beneath him. Clawing desperately at his muscular back as she tried to hold on to something as he destroyed her body and mind. Deep red trophies that he would later show off to his fellow Zhentarim.

Their sweat slicked bodies moved together, chasing the high. It coiled low in her belly, the prickly heat behind her trembling knees uncomfortably itchy. The pressure building until it consumed her in an aching release. Exhilarating and electrifying. She sobbed his name lustily into the night as she shuddered with pleasure as the walls of her cunt rhythmically fluttered around his dick.

Leah trembled beneath him, coming down from her peak, breathless and glowing. “Give me a minute,” she pleaded, flinching from overstimulation every time he moved.

Rugan reined himself in not without difficulty. Leaning to claim her lips in a lingering kiss that threatened to become so much more.

He pulled himself up to his knees and looked down upon her, gloriously messy and dishevelled. Her beautiful tits heaving with every breath.

His hands slid down her narrow waist, pulling her hips into his, burying his throbbing cock to the hilt. Her moan sending a thrill straight through him.

“Yes…” she gasped quietly, covering his hands with hers.

He pulled out, repeating his last stroke. Slowly building up speed as he used her to pump his cock. Absolute filth poured from her lips between ragged screams of exhilarated desperation. It was all too much for him.

“Ugh… I’m gonna come” he groaned, warning her of his imminent release, “Leah…oh Gods!”

“Do it! Do it!” Leah looked down between them watching his cock as he fucked her. “Don’t stop, I need it…” she threw her head back with a rapturous groan, clenching tightly around his thick cock as she came for him.

Rugan wanted to pull out, he really did but…fuck it.

Every fibre of his being tensed, deliciously teetering on the edge before following her down deep into complete bliss. It was over far too fast. He slumped into the crook of her neck, breathless and shuddering and a little bit sad.

Leah ghosted her fingertips up and down his back as came to. “You alright?” She asked, nuzzling into his cheek.

“Yeah…that was...” He raised himself up on shaky arms, “better than I imagined.”

“Than you imagined?” She teased gently. “Do you think about this a lot?”

“There were nights I'd go to sleep thinking about this, out there on the road,” he confessed in a soft whisper, his cock still sheathed within her delicate walls. “What it would feel like to have Leah Keene wrapped around my dick.”

She gasped “Rugan! You're old enough to be my…” Leah caught a fit of the giggles. “My…”

“Don’t you dare say it!” He chuckled along with her.

She sniggered and raised her hands cupping his stubbly cheeks and trying to kiss him with taught smiling lips.

Rugan turned his face in faux petulance, “Nah. No kisses for you.”

“Aww no! I prefer older men, Roogs. Someone my age couldn’t fuck me like you just did.” Her palms slid down to his hairy chest, “I just got railed.”

“Yeah, you did,” he pressed his forehead to hers, “and if you're not careful it’ll happen again, little girl.”

Leah squealed with delight “Is that a threat or a promise?”

A heavy silence laced with affection settled over them both and Rugan lowered his lips to hers. Barely feeling the tickle of their mingled breath before the gulls squabbling outside rudely interrupted. He turned to see a sliver of light cutting its way through the gap in the shutters.

“Ugh,” Rugan groaned, “I'm late!”

He hopped out of bed and grabbed his trousers, pulling them on, “I’ve gotta go, princess. Zarys will have my balls.”

Leah turned on her side and watched him dress, mourning the loss of his perfect body, “I thought she already had em,” she jabbed with a smile. “I heard she keeps em in a little pouch round her neck, gives em a little jiggle when she wants you - it’s got tinkly little bells on it.”

“Very funny,” he retorted sarcastically, “You’ve sobered up quick.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he buckled his belt.

Leah shrugged, smirking as she held his gaze. “I might have exaggerated a bit,”

“We’ll have words about this, young lady. Just you wait.” He gave her a quick kiss then jogged down the stairs. It would be a good long while before she saw him again and when she did her whole life had been turned upside down.

#bg3 rugan #rugan #rugan bg3 #baldur’s gate 3 #bg3 #fanfiction #ao3 #fanfic #archive of our own #rugan/oc #zhentarim #my wriitng

[deonaenaeh]

GENSHIN MEN AS YOUR PERSONAL BODYGUARD — CYNO & SCARAMOUCHE

bodyguard!au

prompt: you are the daughter/son of a powerful and influential CEO which makes you a delicious target in the eyes of your father’s competitors for blackmail thus, you have to be guarded at all times

characters: cyno, scaramouche x gn!reader

✧ ┊ scaramouche

• serious bodyguard

• damn does he ever smile

• he always has his arms crossed

• resting bitch face 24/7

• honestly no one would mess with you at this point

• he’s a bit shorter compared to a normal bodyguard but goddamn he does his job so well

• he’s distant, doesn’t often make eye contact with you and his sole purpose is to be your bodyguard

• he has attitude which kinda ticked you off at first

• but then you realized his actions spoke louder than his sass by the way he holds you gently when protecting you, a stark contrast from the insults that come out of his mouth

• he disses every person that threatens to hurt you and sends them home crying to mama

• sarcastic as fuck

• he tends to be pretty bad at self-expression so he just goes “whatever it doesn’t matter” or “nevermind” while waving his hand and turning away

• he’s the type of person who wants to display a tough exterior but is secretly a gummy bear inside

• you usually tease him to get a reaction from him because he’s cute when he’s annoyed

• until he had enough of your shit and pinned you down in the backseat, told you to shut up, be a good girl/boy, and behave, then got up and slipped into the front seat before driving you back home

• as time passed by, he began to be more open to you — he started making eye contact, he unfolds his arms when talking to you, and he even started smiling subtly when he sees you, though he still smirks whenever you do something stupid but you were making progress

• yeah he’s good at judo-flipping people and sending them flying across the room the moment someone disrespects you but honestly with a tongue that sharp, he doesn’t even need to

“Did you really have to throw them across the room?”

“What you just want me to stand here doing nothing and let them talk shit to you?”

“So you do love me~”

“Fuck you.”

“When and where?”

“Right here right now.”

✧ ┊ cyno

• intimidating bodyguard

• he doesn’t even have to try, his presence alone scare people away

• almost has this dark aura around him

• he’s just standing there, staring menacingly

• he doesn’t talk much, just nodding at orders and getting straight to work

• pretty mysterious

• he completely ignores you when you try to make small talk with him, well during the first few months at least

• to make for the lack of words he speaks, his eyes are surprisingly expressive so you resort to that when you try to discern what’s going on in his mind but it doesn’t do much since he still manages to remain mysterious

• the first time you heard his voice was when he commanded you to stay still as a few henchmen of the opposing diplomats tried to ambush you and kidnap you

• and goddamn it was fucking hot

• he stepped before you with a protective stance and bared his fangs at the perpetrators which caused them to shudder

• oh damn he wasn’t human

• it all happened too quickly, he summoned his spear and all you saw were flashes of light as he spun his weapon before all that was left was bloodshed in the alleyway

• soon enough he had you in his arms bridal style as he parkoured through the buildings of the city

• you were mesmerized by the way his gray hair swayed, his fiery bronze eye sparkling under the moonlight

• he gently put you down on the rooftop of the highest building before clearing his throat and looking away

• you looked down at his hands that were still gripped protectively around your waist, in which he pulled away in embarrassment and hid them back in his dark cloak

“Let’s get you home, my lady/lord.”

“You are my home, Cyno.”

➽ Y’ALL I’M SO FUCKING EXCITED FOR CYNO AND SCARA’S RELEASE AAAAAAAAAAA *BARKS* gotta feed the simps (like me) somehow 😌

➽ btw thank you sm for 900+ notes in my previous bodyguard!au i didn’t expect it to blow up but thank you sm this is for you all 😚

╰┈➤ other works :

genshin men as your personal bodyguard — heizou & kazuha

© DEONAEH 2022 All Rights Reserved

#genshin impact #heizou’s jitte 💕🔍 #deonaeh #scaramouche #scaraboobs #genshin impact scaramouche #genshin impact cyno #cyno #CYNO IS A FUCKING FIVE STAR #BARKING CRYING TWERKING RN #genshin cyno #cyno x reader #scaramouche x reader #bulleted headcanons #genshin scaramouche #ominous fandango #bodyguard!au #bodyguard au

[indigoraysoflight]

25 or 30 for the ogs Ned and Cat. Thank you!

Hey nonny, here you go! <3

25. string lights

"Cat, please stop."

"No."

"Catelyn."

"No."

Ned sighed and approached gingerly as he watched her stand on that rickety old stool with a tangled string of blinking lights draping around her ankles.

"I don't need any help. I'm a Tully, and I know how to do my duty, Ned." Her voice shook and she sniffled.

Ned blinked hopelessly, not really understanding what happened. One minute they were settling in to watch a movie; the next minute, she grabbed a stool and started pulling down the Christmas lights.

"But."

"I get it, Ned. I fucked up, okay? I know I was supposed to take them down last week. You don't need to..." she trailed off, leaned a tad too far on the stool for his comfort, and pulled the string off a hook. The stool squeaked.

"Catelyn, please get down." Ned stepped forward, still too afraid to touch her in case she didn't want him to. He was sure she was tired of him always reaching for her. She would untangle from his arms too soon, and move away from him when he tried to hold her in bed. She barely ate any foods he made for her these days too.

Catelyn groaned in frustration as the string got stuck in a hook. Her mood had been irritable lately, and Ned wondered if the dark winters up north had finally started getting to her. She belonged in the summer warmth, where she felt at home. And he'd ripped her away from it when they married last year. Suddenly, a sense of longing ripped through him, and all he wished to do was hold her, but he stood there helplessly.

"I won't touch you, but this is freaking me out, Cat, please step down so we can talk."

She laughed mirthlessly, "Talk the way you talked earlier?"

"What?"

"When you admonished me for not taking down the lights?" She whipped around, the stool rattled, and Ned jerked his hands almost ready to catch in case she fell.

"When...I said 'do we want to keep those lights or take them down'?" his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yes. I know what you meant. I said I'd do it last week, and I didn't." Her words ran close together as tears ran down her cheek, and he looked at her desperately. He wanted to hold her and tell her it'd be okay, but he wasn't sure what it even was.

"It's just been a rough week, okay!" she exclaimed, yanking the last string of lights down, and he nodded dumbly. "I haven't been sleeping well because I'm not sleeping in your arms because it's so bloody hot in here all the time, and I don't know how to fix the stupid thermostat because it keeps saying it's 20°C but it's way hotter than that. I can't even eat anything; everything makes me nauseous, and I'm living on crackers, Ned!"

Ned stared back at her, his confusion tangling his thoughts. "And on top of all that, I missed my stupid period last month, and this month, ugh-"

Her words crashed into him. "What."

"-so I'm hormonal as fuck... Fuck." Catelyn stopped ranting and stared at him - her blue eyes blinking in the points of lights. "OH FUCK."

Ned stepped into her space now, his heart thudding loudly. "Cat, are you pregnant?"

"I think so... maybe... yes." Her voice was small. "Yes."

Ned hovered over her and looked up at her face.

"Ned..." she reached forward, and that's all he needed to gather her in his arms. He embraced her for a long minute and buried his face in her auburn cloud of hair before putting her down.

Ned lifted her chin and kissed her soundly, tasting the salt on her lips as she murmured, "I still need to take the test and go to an OBGYN." He hummed and kissed her again. They stood there and held each other, swaying gently.

Catelyn turned her head in his arms. "I'm sorry; I don't know what happened to me. You didn't deserve that. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

"Don't apologize. I just... needed to know we're okay."

"We're always okay," She looked up with watery blue eyes, then turned to the tangle of string lights on the floor circling them where they stood.

"Shit..." she muttered under her breath.

Ned chuckled in her hair. "Didn't want to take them down, huh?"

"No..." Catelyn shook her head.

"Hey, let's put 'em back up. All three of us." Ned wriggled his eyebrows and smiled at her brightly.

"You're so cheesy." Catelyn returned his smile. "I love you."

"I love you too. Both of you." Ned leaned forward and kissed her again, pulling her close.

The stress drained from his body, the stool behind them collapsed, and they laughed into their kiss. The string lights blinked away at their feet as Ned Stark held his whole world in his arms.

#ned x cat #writing prompts #anon ask #my fics #ned x cat short fics

[lemidnightlitterareur]

The chill of the night air on her face was a welcome relief from the overwhelming noise of the packed tavern. Too many people was fine if you were working in a crowd, you could make a decent living from their pockets but when it came to socialising Leah preferred something a little more subdued. The Blushing Mermaid was anything but. She stumbled out into the darkness, quietly slipping away from the small group of friends that she had been drinking with when she saw a tiny speck of burning pipeweed glowed weakly in the darkness. Someone must have had the same idea and sought a little solitude on the bow of the ship that gave the dingy little grief hole its name.

“Who goes?” the smoker called out into the night. Wary of the intrusion. The night concealed the man like a cloak, only the small ember casting its meagre light lit his lips as he pulled the smoke into his lungs. “I'm not looking for company, so fuck off”

Leah smiled, recognising Rugans voice instantly “What's it to you, Zhent? I’ll go where I damn well please.” she slurred. She liked Rugan, he was a good laugh. They got along well on the rare occasions that their paths crossed. Though their respective organisations would not be too thrilled that they were on friendly terms.

“Sounds like someone had a good night!” he chuckled from his perch, “hows tricks, kid?” he hopped down from the table and headed towards the light of a flaming torch. The creaking of his leather armour was almost imperceptible as he passed her.

“Can’t complain. You?” She answered in a friendly tone as she followed him into the small ring of light. Rugan was smiling warmly, Gods that smile. He was fucking gorgeous. The bastard.

“Same shit different day, mate.” The light of the rolled pipeweed cigarette moved towards her in the dark as he offered Leah a drag. She took a long pull then handed it back, letting the smoke escape from her nose. “I'd ask you if you fancied a pint but I think you might have had enough.” he teased, watching her sway in the shadows.

“I'm not that drunk but I'm not going back in there, too many dickheads. Might just go home.”

“I’m headed that way. I’ll walk with you.” he spoke casually but he didn't like the thought of her walking through the docks at night drunk and alone.

“Alright but I am definitely not drunk enough to drop my knickers for you, Zhent. So don't even try.” she warned as she teetered towards the ramp that led down to the road.

“You wear knickers?” he ribbed, following along behind her, ready to catch her should she take a tumble.

“…metaphorical knickers,” she shrugged, eliciting a chuckle from her companion.

They walked back through the lower city toward Heapside Strand, chatting about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company as they slowly headed towards Leah's loft. Even breaking into song at one point much to the annoyance of the sleeping residents of the Lower City. They definitely didn’t want to hear “A wizard’s staff has a knob at the end” in the middle of the night. Finally they arrived at her door.

“Do you fancy a nightcap?” She slurred, leaning against the door fumbling with the keys as she tried and failed to find the keyhole.

“I shouldn't…shipping out at dawn,” he stepped closer, “but I want you to know, there is nothing I would like more.”

“Really?” she whispered, trying her very best to sound alluring. “Seems to me if you're that thirsty…you should drink.”

Their lips met softly, tentatively. Briefly. Rugan pulled away, “You are way too drunk for this,” he said with a rueful smile, “get yourself to bed. I’ll come find you when I get back.”

Leah groaned with disappointment “Oh come on…” she started to complain, losing her footing and taking a tumble into some crates. “Oww,” she sobbed dejectedly.

“Woah,” Rugan picked her up, “come here.” He shook his head with a smirk and took her door keys. He carried her up the narrow staircase and across the room to her bed, which was currently occupied by the fluffiest cat he had ever seen.

Leah turned to see him scratching Crumbs forehead. “Straight to the pussy…” she shook her head, chiding him mockingly.

“Well you know me, lass. I don’t waste time.” He smiled and shooed Crumbs from the bed.

Leah stared at him sleepily in the low light that emanated from a lantern she had forgotten to put out before she left. He was a handsome bastard. Strong and sweet in equal measure. “Stay,” she whispered, reaching out for him as he pulled off her boots and threw them onto the floor.

Rugan froze, mired in indecision. “You are in no fit state, little lady.” He said, full of regret as the words left his mouth, “and Nine Fingers will have my head - both of em.”

“I am a womanly woman, I will have you know! And just because I've had a drink doesn’t mean I can’t make my own decisions. Now get them pants off!”

He took off his boots and unbuckled his cuirass then climbed onto the bed. “You’ll be the death of me, Leah Keene. I swear.”

“Shut up,” she giggled softly as he settled between her thighs. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him in for a kiss. Their tongues pressed and glided over each other in a sinuous dance, their kiss became more and more urgent as they stripped away the rest of their clothing. Rugan's mouth slid sloppily down her neck, dragging his soft lips to her tightened nipples. Her back arched and her fingers tangled in his blonde hair, urging him on with gasps and groans as he suckled gently on each. He began to move lower, aiming to use his skilled tongue on her aching clit but she clutched his hair and pulled him back to her lips. Her other hand reached for his stiff, dripping cock. Pressing the tip into her warmth impatiently. Rugan took the hint and dipped his hips, sheathing himself in her heat with a soul deep groan. Pulling out and slamming into her again and again as she moaned and cursed loudly beneath him. Clawing desperately at his muscular back as she tried to hold on to something as he destroyed her body and mind. Deep red trophies that he would later show off to his fellow Zhentarim.

Their sweat slicked bodies moved together, chasing the high. It coiled low in her belly, the prickly heat behind her trembling knees uncomfortably itchy. The pressure building until it consumed her in an aching release. Exhilarating and electrifying. She sobbed his name lustily into the night as she shuddered with pleasure as the walls of her cunt rhythmically fluttered around his dick.

Leah trembled beneath him, coming down from her peak, breathless and glowing. “Give me a minute,” she pleaded, flinching from overstimulation every time he moved.

Rugan reined himself in not without difficulty. Leaning to claim her lips in a lingering kiss that threatened to become so much more.

He pulled himself up to his knees and looked down upon her, gloriously messy and dishevelled. Her beautiful tits heaving with every breath.

His hands slid down her narrow waist, pulling her hips into his, burying his throbbing cock to the hilt. Her moan sending a thrill straight through him.

“Yes…” she gasped quietly, covering his hands with hers.

He pulled out, repeating his last stroke. Slowly building up speed as he used her to pump his cock. Absolute filth poured from her lips between ragged screams of exhilarated desperation. It was all too much for him.

“Ugh… I’m gonna come” he groaned, warning her of his imminent release, “Leah…oh Gods!”

“Do it! Do it!” Leah looked down between them watching his cock as he fucked her. “Don’t stop, I need it…” she threw her head back with a rapturous groan, clenching tightly around his thick cock as she came for him.

Rugan wanted to pull out, he really did but…fuck it.

Every fibre of his being tensed, deliciously teetering on the edge before following her down deep into complete bliss. It was over far too fast. He slumped into the crook of her neck, breathless and shuddering and a little bit sad.

Leah ghosted her fingertips up and down his back as came to. “You alright?” She asked, nuzzling into his cheek.

“Yeah…that was...” He raised himself up on shaky arms, “better than I imagined.”

“Than you imagined?” She teased gently. “Do you think about this a lot?”

“There were nights I'd go to sleep thinking about this, out there on the road,” he confessed in a soft whisper, his cock still sheathed within her delicate walls. “What it would feel like to have Leah Keene wrapped around my dick.”

She gasped “Rugan! You're old enough to be my…” Leah caught a fit of the giggles. “My…”

“Don’t you dare say it!” He chuckled along with her.

She sniggered and raised her hands cupping his stubbly cheeks and trying to kiss him with taught smiling lips.

Rugan turned his face in faux petulance, “Nah. No kisses for you.”

“Aww no! I prefer older men, Roogs. Someone my age couldn’t fuck me like you just did.” Her palms slid down to his hairy chest, “I just got railed.”

“Yeah, you did,” he pressed his forehead to hers, “and if you're not careful it’ll happen again, little girl.”

Leah squealed with delight “Is that a threat or a promise?”

A heavy silence laced with affection settled over them both and Rugan lowered his lips to hers. Barely feeling the tickle of their mingled breath before the gulls squabbling outside rudely interrupted. He turned to see a sliver of light cutting its way through the gap in the shutters.

“Ugh,” Rugan groaned, “I'm late!”

He hopped out of bed and grabbed his trousers, pulling them on, “I’ve gotta go, princess. Zarys will have my balls.”

Leah turned on her side and watched him dress, mourning the loss of his perfect body, “I thought she already had em,” she jabbed with a smile. “I heard she keeps em in a little pouch round her neck, gives em a little jiggle when she wants you - it’s got tinkly little bells on it.”

“Very funny,” he retorted sarcastically, “You’ve sobered up quick.” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he buckled his belt.

Leah shrugged, smirking as she held his gaze. “I might have exaggerated a bit,”

“We’ll have words about this, young lady. Just you wait.” He gave her a quick kiss then jogged down the stairs. It would be a good long while before she saw him again and when she did her whole life had been turned upside down.

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #baldur's gate oc #bgrugan #fanfiction #smut #rugan #fluff #my writing

[ebaylee422]

Back to the Beginning Newby

Billy Hargrove X Newby!Reader

Author’s Note: I just love my Newby!Reader X Billy stuff in my drafts but it’s a very sad storyline so here’s a fluffy first meeting etc. Enjoy!

Word Count

Sitting at the counter by yourself poking at the pancakes I ordered, Melody comes over to fill the cup of coffee.

“Don’t be so upset babycakes, he’s the one missing out. Besides, you have your whole life to be mad, angry, or sad about things like men.”

“I know, I’m just upset because he didn’t even try to cancel or contact me. Which is honestly a dick move, I’d rather him come and then be like ‘maybe we should just be friends.’ Or ‘I actually don’t want to go out with you.’ Instead I’m left wondering if he’s dead or under some slut.” Melody looked at the front door chime, her eyes blowing wide. I furrowed my brow at her change when a man came in. Sitting a single seat away to my right at the counter.

“Well keep nursing those pancakes baby, I’ll be right back.” She set the coffee pot down, taking my long discarded menu to the man I didn’t recognize. He couldn’t be much older, wearing brown leather with an orange button down tucked into his way too tight jeans. They showed off all of his ass- assets, he had a fluffy head of dirty blonde curls in a mullet style. His pants were cuffed at the bottom to show off his laced up pristine vans. He gave Melody an irresistible smile, the earring in his left ear swaying when he motioned to me. Winking at her, Melody left to put his order on the cook line. When he chuckled I realized I was completely staring and tried to find something to occupy my gaze. I turned to the cup of coffee Melody just poured, bringing it up to my lips while also burning my tongue in the process of said sip.

“Let me guess you had a pretty shit day too?” the guy asked, pointing to the various untouched items Melody kept bringing to cheer me up.

“Yeah. I’ve definitely had worse though. You?”

“Oh yeah, you mind?” he pointed to the clean coffee cup in front of my seat, I shook my head. And he slid into the seat directly next to me reaching to pour himself a cup of coffee. Using his left hand he just barely knocked into my elbow resting on the counter.

“What was yours?” I asked abruptly, his eyebrow raised in an unasked question. “Sorry, I mean why was yours such a shit day?” I stuttered looking forward behind the counter, caressing the warm ceramic of the coffee mug.

“Well let’s see. I have an asshole Dad.” He rose his pointer finger

“With an neglectful borderline alcoholic Step-Mother who moved us here to be closer to stupid relatives.” Raising his middle finger to accompany, “Her bratty daughter who I’m responsible for. So kinda a neat little package of bullshit.”

“Hmm, can’t relate. Mine’s just guy trouble, which is laughable I know. Where’d you move from?” I turned to see his face, taking in each detail. There was slight discoloration on the left side of his face, his dark lashes were a heightened contrast to the beautiful rich blue of his irises. A clump of loose curls cascaded on his forehead, moving with as much grace as the earring.

“California, yeah I can’t relate to guy troubles.” He laughed while sipping his coffee, the heat of the liquid on his plump lips made the skin redder with each sip.

“Well you got Daddy issues, Mother still in the picture?” I asked brashly, his jaw clenched as he sigh through his nose.

“No, I don’t really like to talk about her actually. Ever.” he said with a familiar discomfort, I’d grown to know all too well.

“Now that I can relate to, when my mom passed away it’s like she never existed. Wiped clean from this earth from her friends and nonexistent extended family.”  

“Hmm, well mine just decided to leave me one day. No responsibility to harbor a free life, away from being a Hargrove.”

“Leaving you to deal with your asshole of a father? That’s a shit deal.”

“Yeah tell me about it,” Melody came with a plate of pancakes and silverware, setting it down in front of him. His shoulders relaxed when he spoke, “Thank you-, Melody.” he squinted taking in the name tag, and she nodded back smiling appreciatively. Taking a cold plate away from my mountain of food, she made distinctive eye contact and winked. Darting her eyes back and forth to the space unoccupied between me and the stranger. She turned around, switching our nearly empty pot of coffee with a fresh one. Then going around to bus tables the diner, it was getting pretty late. We were two of the only stragglers left. “Better me I guess, than Susan or Max. It’s not okay to beat women just because you have a dick between your legs.” I choked slightly on my swallow of coffee, looking at him in horror.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t notice with all that staring you were doing when I first sat down.” Turning to face his body towards me, he pointed to a small cut on his lip as well as the slight discoloration high on his cheekbone, the same side.

“People have accidents everyday, it’s not fair to assume…” Unsure if its proper to ask about how it happened, I asked a slightly different question. “Susan and Max? The Neglectful and The Brat?” he nodded yes, with a bite of pancakes in his mouth. His teeth were pearly white, laying straight in his mouth when he’d open wide for a new mouth full of late night pancakes.

“Yes, and the guy? Or guys, plural if you’re that type of lady.” He elbow knocked into mine as he ate, he was left handed.

“Tyler Carver, graduated last year golden boy from a family of accomplished athletes. Told me to meet him at an Indiana Jones showing tonight, never showed up. So I came here and got my own dinner. Honestly the better option I suppose. I’ve also never been that lady.”

“Well I can’t imagine why the asshole would ditch you, we’re holding such an enriching conversation. He’s losing out on a smart and beautiful date.”

“This is embarrassing but it was actually going to be my first date, like ever. That isn’t some weird force proximity thing.” I laugh nervously pushing the half eaten plate and cup away, shaking my head. My head is still reeling from being ditched, embarrassed and played by a complete stranger.

“Well Doll, you could count this if you’d like. Plus no one is an accomplished athlete if they are settled in no where Indiana.” he smirked, eye lighting up as he finished the contents of his plate. Tossing the fork in the center and placing it under mine.

“I don’t even know your name. You could be ‘the night stalker’ for all I know, California. Especially since Hawkins is small and I’ve met everyone at least once.”

“It adds to the suspense, Doll. But could I level with you?” I nod in agreement then tilt my head in a confused response. He leans in closer, brushing the hair off my shoulder to whisper at my ear. “If Tyler didn’t immediately notice the perfectly sculpted woman you are, that’s forever going to be his loss.” My breath hitches and he leaned back to maintain eye contact. “Besides, most of the time assholes like him. The only thing they want to do in a movie theater, isn’t really your speed I think.”

“What do you mean?” I asked naively, my nose brushing the side of his cheek.

“You know, a gorgeous girl. In a space with lots of noise, darkness and the thrill of getting caught.” Suddenly the realization hit suddenly like a ton of bricks, this must have been some weird orchestrated joke at my expense. I pulled back vigorously, shaking the tension from my frame, blush rising to color the tips of my ears. Covering my face with my hands, embarrassed at the possibility of what Tyler’s true intentions were.

“I’m so stupid. Some random dude I’ve known for like 30 minutes saw through the jerk before I could.”

“Yeah well, I sometimes am the jerk. It takes one to know one.”

“Well clearly I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, but if I’m also being honest this interaction is more relaxing than even being around my acclaimed best friend.”

“You’ve been honest this whole time, and maybe you should find some new friends.” he huffed in a laugh, smiling at me again, “I’m sure there’s more potential here than just relaxing, huh?” motioning to himself, I tried to find the response in his eyes. They are a fountain of blue hues swimming to meet at the dark irises of his entrancing eyes. They stare into my most vulnerable parts, he’s not just looking, he’s studying. Mapping out each feature as I did, stopping their assault on my lips. Gaping as if they could disappear at any moment, leaning in closer to them like a moth to a flame. “Doll what do you say, we-” he asked, sliding his hand from his own thigh to lightly squeeze my knee.

“I don’t know your name…” I whisper, trying to find a voice within his proximity.  

“I’m sure you can come up with one, or more if you like.” He smiled, though his eyes never lost their contact with my lips.

“You're just a tease, but two must play for it to be a game. Do you have a favorite color?” I smirked. Gaining courage again, changing the subject not moving from his close proximity.

“Red or sometimes blue like my car.”

“I like green, my car is also blue. How funny.” I swallowed hard as he started to rub circles along my knee. I wonder how his hands would feel rubbing other places. Feeling the pit in my stomach grow as he watch every movement. Like a apex predator and the un-knowing prey. Knowing exactly how to dance and the effect he was having. His hand was rough, kindly calloused fingers nipping at the rip in my jeans.

“Color of envy, and jealousy makes sense.” I shoot your eyes back to look at his eyes, he ordained an all-knowing smirk. I’d been staring at his hand this time,

“And yours the colors of anger and sadness. Seems like a lonely combination.”

“It can be, but I just meet strange women in diners to pass the time.” I giggle at his remark,

“You think I’m strange? You’re going to have a lot of fun here in Hawkins I’m sure.”

“Do you wanna get outta here?” he cautiously moved his hand higher towards my thigh just grazing. It sent unfamiliar shivers rocketing through my system, I stopped his movements, causing him to jerk back while still touching our legs knocking against each other.

“I want to keep talking actually, I think we’re really getting somewhere. Besides, I’m really not that girl. I could introduce you to a few that are always hot and ready though if that’s all you're looking for tonight.” he hummed darkly in his throat. Leaning further, adjusting himself to move his legs around mine.

“No fun, what’s your favorite childhood memory?” he asked, pouting, I scoffed at the change of conversation almost mocking what I’d done earlier. Thinking about it for a moment trying to find it,

Trees were filled with snow, the sun from above made everything shine brightly. I was wrapped up in a hot amount of clothing, the only thing touching the brutal cold was the tip of a already frozen red nose. It had stopped snowing hours ago, coming up above waist height making it hard to walk through. Holding onto mom’s mitted hand, while Dad made himself busy shoveling the porch. She stopped in the middle of the yard letting go, scrunching a ball of snow in her hands hurling at Dad’s back. He gasped, turning in surprise, I giggled, grabbing my own balls of snow and throwing some wildly at both of them. Soon he caught us in his arms and leaned back, making as of us fall back into the pile of plush snow. Panting heavily, clouds started the soft snow up again and all of us were covered making a snowman. He posed us next to the porch before taking a single photo of mom. She was smiling hard enough for her eye to just be small squints, snow covered her hat and lashes melting dainty on her skin. Soon after we went inside by the fire, he made you all hot cocoa as the blizzard continued outside. She passed away after New Years, after a week of being in the E.R.

“The Grandparents moved to Maine after Dad refused to go with them, insisting I should grow up where him and mom did. Experience her life as much as possible, until I was old enough to make my own choices.” You explained this is Billy leaving out some of the more quiet realizations, he watched me recalled with amazement.

“What’s yours?” I asked him fondly,

“Well a few come to mind, first kiss. Some embarrassing ones like the first pimple or surprise boner.” I cringed at the last part making him laugh, throwing his head to the side. “No but um, my mom she would take me to the beach and let me surf. For hours I’d be out there, I’d fall asleep on the ride home from exhaustion. Wake up when she’d turn onto our street feeling a slight sunburn under my shirt, the tension wasn’t there until the drive home. The beach was our little escape into paradise…” he huffs,

"I thought you didn't talk about her?"

"Yeah, me too." stretching his arms up, yawning as he take a glance at his watch. We’d only been in the diner for two hours, but it was nearing midnight. The diner was open all hours, but there was slight guilt for still being here. Billy noticed the same thing, pulling out his wallet. "Think that should cover it?"

"No." He cocked his eyebrow."Sorry, no, as in 'No, I eat here for free', not no, "you don't have enough money' . "

"Here, I thought we were on a date? Now you're making ne look bad."

"Not as bad as Tyler."

"Bye cuties! Don't be strangers!"

"Thank you."

"Thank you for a genuinely nice dinner.”

“Thank you for the genuinely nice company, do you want me to walk you to your car?”

“I actually walked here, so I’ll just walk back home.”

“Nonsense, I’ll give you a ride. Where we headed?” He pulls his smokes and keys from his jacket pocket.

“No, it’s late. I’m sure you're tired from moving. I don’t mind-”

“Neither do I.” he started to walk towards a blue vehicle opening the passenger door, leaning against the back intently, almost beckoning me to challenge him at this point. I didn't. Instead of listening to the voice in the back of my head, screaming not to, I conceded to slipping into the leather passenger seat. He knelt down, leaning over slightly, and tucked my seatbelt until we both heard the click. His hands were dangerously close to my chest as he moved it over shoulder, straightening the belt.

“Trying to cop a feel, California?” i teased just above a whisper into the ear facing me, he chuckled darkly. Moving his lips to the side of my face,

“Not without permission, I like it when a woman begs for my touch across her skin.” He moved out the door and slammed it shut, I exhaled sharply, eyes blown up out of my skull as the butterflies fluttered throughout my closed eyes. He opened the driver's side and slammed his body down, shaking the car with his weight. “D’you mind?” he asked, taking a cigarette from the pack and placing it between his lips. I nodded in disagreement, the only response that would conger still near dizzy from his words early. He grinned and moved his hand to open the glove box, brushing against my leg as he took a lighter from it. Silver shiny square wrappers shone in the neon light of the diner catching my eyes as he closed it shut. The engine roared to life along with loud heavy metal music blasting from his player, he rolled down his window puffing out the smoke. Reversing out of the parking lot at remarkable speed. “Are you gonna tell me where you live or should I just take you to mine?” he laughed, stopping at the edge of the street.

“Turn left Hotshot,” I bit back, growing fond of his endless teasing. He wiped the car in the correct direction, head banging at his music. Turning it down enough he would be able to hear me over it as he parked in front of the house.

“Are you gonna go inside?”

“Yeah sorry, just thinking how to explain to my Dad why I’m stumbling in after midnight.”

“Don’t tell ’m anything, just waltz right into your room. It works for me.” I chuckled, facing him as I released the seatbelt.

“Thanks again, here.” I dug through my bag grabbing some spare cash from my wallet, holding it out for him. “Gas money, I live pretty far out.”

“No I couldn’t,”

“Come on, I insist. I would still be walking for another 30 minutes without you. And definitely had given up on men in general, before you showed up.” he shook his head, he took my wrist in his hand and set it back down in my lap. Reaching out over again to push the door open for me, this time the smell of Marlboros wafted from his lips.

“Go on, maybe let me take you on a real date next time and we can call it even.” he said, leaning back against his own seat and removing his hand. I sighed as he did, then came an idea. Opening the glove box in front of my knees I stuffed it in between the papers, brushing my hand against the definite condoms. Closing it quickly and jumping out of the car, closing the door and walking around to cross the street. I heard his soft protests, turning around to glance at him crossing the street, digging the house key out of the bottom of my bag. “Wait! You’re not gonna tell me your name?” he pleaded questioningly, I smiled shaking my head walking back to his door. Laying my hands flat on the open window,

“I like being mysterious, I’ll see you around Hargrove.” he placed a hand over mine, the other cupping under my chin for him to rub his thumb along my bottom lip. I courageously pressed a small kiss to the rough pad before running up the porch steps. Waving goodbye as I opened the door, then sinking against it once it was firmly closed behind me. Dad wasn’t in the living room, the kitchen light was on glowing over the darkness of the living room and rest of the down stairs. I tossed my bag down, kicking off the heavy boots at the door walking upstairs to retire for the night.  

-

"Nice ride, it's almost as gorgeous as the girl riding it" hearing the dark familiar voice,

"Good one, do you use that one with all the ladies?" you cocked your head at the boy you’d met this weekend after Tyler stood you up.

"No, just the ones worth my time, I'm Billy Hargroove remember? I own the blue 1979 Chevrolet Camaro that just pulled in all the way from California to grace your town."

"Ah, I see. Well good for you Mr. Hargroove, maybe we'll see each other more often to have more riveting conversations." You wink at him heading inside to put your helmet in your locker when Carol comes over.

“I’m sorry, since when are you a slut for jocks?” She slams your locker shut, “Do you think you could introduce me to hotty with a body.” You open your locker again,

“Don’t know who you're talking about and don’t care, but maybe just keep your mouth open wide. You’ll catch more dick that way.” You open the locker the rest of the way covering her face, her shoulder slams into you before walking away. On the overhead speaker you hear, “Y/N Newby to the counselors please, Ms. Newby to the counselors.” There's teasing as you walk to the Office, stopping short of the Junior/Senior counselors office Ms. Kelly stands with the blonde nightmare from earlier. He’s looking her up and down like a snack leaning against the door frame, you clear your throat to get their attention.

“Hi Ms. Kelly, you wanted to see me?”

“Yes, Ms, Newby. I’d like to introduce you to our newest student. This is William, sorry Billy Hargrove, he just moved here from California! Mr. Hargrove, this is Y/N Newby.” she motions to him, you put on a fake smile putting out your hand to shake his, he takes it and places a light kiss on your knuckles.

“It’s so nice to meet you Y/N,” he winks at you, you remove your hand wiping the feeling of his lips on your blouse.

“Y/N actually, we met in the parking lot, Ms. Kelly.” you narrow your eyes at him staring into your soul with his beautiful baby blue eyes and perfect teeth chewing at some gum. “So why am I here?” you sigh at her, ready to start your day.

“Well Ms. Newby, since your first period is Math and you have no problem keeping up that perfect A. As well being such a well versed academic and club member, I chose you to show Mr. Hargrove around today.” he chuckles, wetting his red lips, “Your schedules are also extremely similar so even more time for you to make friends, potentially help him get caught up if need be.” She passes you Billy’s schedule. God was she right, you had Gym, English Literature, Advanced World History and lunch period together. His locker number was also too close for comfort, you weren’t ever going to not see this absolute jerk-face unless you skipped the rest of Senior year all together. The warning bell rings “You have all of first period to show him around, I already sent notes to your respective teachers and then you can end the tour by going to World History together. I hope you enjoy our small town school Mr. Hargrove, let us know if you need any more assistance.” she looks at you and nods going back into her office. You roll your eyes and sigh heavily at his shit eating grin.

“Well let's get this over with California, I’ll show you your locker first.” You walk him down the hall across from your own locker, he has the code written with a marker on his hand. It takes him two tries before it opens for him. Setting his shoulder bag inside he takes off his jean jacket, holy shit he was ripped.

“So what do you Indiana Teenagers do for fun?” he asks you to break the silence since you spoke in the office.

“Have sex, play sports and smoke weed? Are those the answers you were looking for?” He puts the jacket into the locker and grabs his small bag again.

“Sounds pretty accurate to me, how are the sports?” You begin walking to the gymnasium,

“Okay, for what we have. Basketball is the most sought after team next to Cheerleading. This is the boys locker room.” You point to it while you pass by it,

“Cheer isn’t a sport, though?” he said narrowing his eyes,

“Yeah okay, Hargrove. Maybe you should put on a short skirt and get thrown into the air. While still looking hot! Plus have you seen how flexible, and muscular Male and Female cheerleaders get? I don’t see many Football or Basketball players with such finesse, or strength in their muscles.”

“Okay, maybe you're right. But you haven’t watched me play yet.” God he was a walking, flirting red flag. You rolled your eyes walking into the gym to see freshmen stinking up the place, so much so Coach has all three sets of double doors open.

“So you're a flirt, drive a cool car and play basketball? The girls here are gonna love you California. That’s coach,” you point out the man yelling at the freshman to pick up their awkward knees. He was a pretty nice guy, especially if you at least tried unlike any other P.E teacher or coach you’d met before.

“Does that still include you, Indiana?” you rolled your eyes at him and walked out to the track to the other side of the building. He catches up to you quickly, “Aren’t you supposed to help me find my way by answering my questions?”

“I’m supposed to show you around, not be a notch on your bedpost. This is a place of learning Hargrove, and I intend to be the most successful in this school. So the sex, sports games and drugs are mostly off the table if I’m to earn my seat at Stanford.”

“California?” he stutters catching up to you,

“Yes my fall back is MIT and a couple others but Stanford’s the dream, I know how silly it is.”

“Not really, sounds like a pretty good dream to me.” you scoff at him, “You also said fun was mostly off the table so I’ll take that as a challenge, Doll.” he winks at you.

“My name is Y/N, Billy.”

“And mine is technically William,” he threw his hands in the air, walking up and opening the side door of the school. You gave him a thin lipped smile and opened the other side by yourself, “ Hm, maybe I’ll call you Spitfire instead because you sure do! What are you doing after school today, Spitfire?” he walks around you, making you stop in front of each other at the door of your History class. You look at your watch to avoid his eyes,

“Hmm, anything but whatever this is,” you point in between you two and the bell rings before he can respond, “Looks like tours over, see you in class California.” You slap his shoulder before walking into your assigned seat towards the front middle of the room. You see Steve walking across the courtyard, he waves at you through the window and you waved back.

“Who’s that? Your boyfriend, he doesn’t look like much for a girl like you.” Billy asks from behind you. You turn to look at him, he smiles that he catches your attention.

“Are you going to be this annoying and nosey every class we have together? It’s also assigned seating.” You point to the board which has now changed to put Billy behind you, “shit.” He leans forward in his seat, his breath brushed against your neck.

“What? I have bad eyes, plus I’m just trying to make friends like Ms. Kelly wants us too.” He lightly brushes the hair that fell to your shoulder, making you shiver. You grab his hand before he can react. Turning to see his face, he rips his hand from yours playfully.

“I can be friendly,” you smile at him before flipping all your hair on your back laying it across his desk. The bell rang, prompting Mrs. Garyson to start today's lesson on the War of Pigs. Before you knew it you went to Anatomy, which kinda made your stomach turn but it's a good class. Then it was gym time, and oh how you wished you had just done it as a hormonal freshmen. Senior year P.E was to condition you to be College Athletes by the end of the semester. You walked in watching the Seniors warming up, until you felt someone pick you up from behind and spin you, setting you down Steve turned you around to look at him.

“Hey Sweetheart! Where were you in Stats? I sat all alone listening to Knoll the Troll blab about how to not get behind on the mid-term assignment or You. Will. Fail… duh duh.” you laughed at him, watching Billy come into the Gym walking next to Tommy H. You and Steve sat down together waiting for Coach to join us, instruct what we were doing today.

“I had to show this new kid around, we have like 3 classes together and since I’m on my way to Valedictorian I have to play a role in the student body. As well as keeping my head above water while taking an extremely challenging course load. I think he’s going to cause some trouble. Are you still talking to Tommy and Carol by the way?” you motion to Tommy with your eyes.

“No, they don’t really give a shit about me except my parents money and empty house. Why do you ask?”

“Because I think both Tommy and Carol want to screw the new guy,” You both laugh, looking at Tommy being so extravagant while he talks to Billy. Billy’s eyes burn towards the pair of you, you try to shake up his stare. Before you know it class ends, now it's lunch you drop off some books at your locker. You walk past the trophy case stopping for a moment to look at the various years of accomplishments collecting dust. You see your Mom and Dad smiling and posing with some other students in ‘The National Honor Society’ photo from Class of 1965, it has her maiden name and everything. Little did they know by the next March they would be pregnant and by December have their first and only child.

And in 1970 your mom would lose her fight with cancer, leaving you and your Dad against the world. You wiped a tear with the back of your hand, trying not to smear your makeup too much.

“Who’s this?” Billy says walking up next to you, pointing to the photo you were staring at. You walk away from him going towards the library, before he can see your tears. He lingers for a minute looking at all the pictures before he stumbles on the names Harrington and Newby in a National Honors Society photo. At first glance none of the people look very familiar until he stops at someone who could practically be your twin. He realized it said Class of 1965, and kept that information to himself for later.

You are at your locker after school and a body slams into the wall. Seeing the tight jeans and boots right by your feet, the door keeping you but mere inches apart,

“You really just can’t leave me alone can you?” you scowl looking over the side of the locker, Billy grins with his jean jacket along his shoulder.

“Nah I don’t think I can. We're friends, remember?" You closed the locker after grabbing your helmet.

"I don't think you're the type to keep friends that are girls, just friends. Besides off the table, remember? You can stop skirt chasing me, you know I'm not interested." He kept pace with you as you walked outside to your bike.

"Indiana, what do you think I'm trying to do here?" He stops in front of the doors, opening it for you.

"I don't know, make fun of me or something?" You brush off the confession and quicken your pace on the pavement.

"Doll," he stops you by holding your arms "if I was just trying to heckle you, do you think I would be trying so hard to understand you?" His eyes burned into you, like you'd hurt him with the assumption. "C'mon what's the worst thing to happen?" You looked over to the rows of other girls giving you death stares before turning back to him and brushing him off.

“Them." You point out the popular crowd which used to include Steve more frequently but now just laugh behind his back.

"I don't give a fuck about what they think, I know you don't either. I enjoy how realistic you are, it's not normal for a person to look at me as a human and not just drool. You're odd to me, in a good way.”

“Really, now?”

“Yes, you’re truly mature and nicely stand-offish, your main concern is your future and friends. I also heard rumors of you dating but I knew that wasn’t true until saw you in the gym, all touchy feely. Whispering to each other, I asked around to see if that was Tyler. But when I remembered he graduated, some Tommy kid informed me that was The King of Hawkins. And not to dare try to get in your pants because I’d have to answer to him," You looked at him confused, and he motioned to Steve at his car. Staring daggers at him as Nancy talked.

"Steve Harrington?" You asked, anger started to build in your stomach. Billy snapped his fingers,

"Yes that's the name! So curiosity kicked in and I asked around, everyone says he's dating some Nancy chick. Yeah a bunch of people said he doesn’t like guys hanging around his girls, especially you Doll. I guess he beats the shit out of people who talk of you." You saw Steve over by his car, laughing with Nancy.  Not looking at you again, burying his head in her neck.

"We are not… Anything more than just neighbors. Our mothers were very close. That also seems like a borderline stalker that you asked about me to several people, California. Covering your tracks and trying to flatter me won't be enough. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll see you in class tomorrow." You moved his hands off of you, before setting your helmet on the ground by your bike, marching over to where Steve was.

"Hey guys, what's the plan?" They stop gazing into each other's eyes, Steve turns around fully after helping Nancy off the hood of his car.

"Well since you're talking so much to the new kid we figured you wouldn't mind us just going and doing something." He tells you looking at Nancy's nod of approval, it makes you just that much more angry.

“Oh so you do allow me to go out with guys when it's convenient for you?" You ask him to condescend the statement that may or may not be true.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Steve bites back, finally looking at you taking note of how angry you are. Nancy keeps her head down, looking away.

"Oh nothing you kids have fun, I'm just going to do our Stats homework for us. Don't want to draw unwarranted male attention when you're Steve’s friend." You turn heel and walk away, seeing a horde of girls at Billy's car already.

Masterlist

#Billy Hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove fluff #billy hargrove x newby!reader #steve is a dick #highschool sucks #stranger things #stranger things season 2 #stancy

[ghost-orca]

Channeling Your Love; Chapter 1

Mind you, this is video game Joel, everything that happens in this story means the pandemic started in 2013 so all the songs are "canon" until after September of 2013, IM SORRY PEDRO PASCAL FANS!!!

Description; You're a music radio show host for Jackson with a hidden past in the apocalypse. What more can I say?

Warnings: Future smut, for now its just meet cute fluff; PTSD for future chapters: it gets real dark guys, this is my first time writing Fanfic so bare with me....

“Alriiight Jackson, it's time to rise and shine! How about we start our day with some positive energy and a good old classic, Conga by Gloria Estefan!” The music playing loudly through the living room, Joel was immediately irritated. “Christ” he mumbled

“Ellie! Turn the radio off!”

“Why?” she yelled back 

“I hate this song, it's too damn loud.” He replied

“Then leave! I'm having fun!”

“Ellie, plea-” 

“Nope! Get grumpy somewhere else, old man.”

Joel sits for a minute, shaking his head “I have had enough of this” he decides, picking up his jacket making his way to the door.

“Where are you going? I was just joking when I said to leave and the song is almost over y’know!” Ellie yells out shaking her body along with the music

“I’m going to that damn radio station, gonna tell them how I feel about their early morning music choices and hopefully change their mind”

Ellie scoffed “good luck ruining everyone's fun dinosaur.” continuing to dance along to the music

Joel scoffed back at her and exited their shared home

After a five minute long uphill walk, Joel spots the radio station Tommy had told him about, stomping upwards to have a word with the radio show host. He knocked loudly on the front door before entering, trying to appear polite at least to have the upper hand, but after a minute of no answer he decided to let himself in, walking up a narrow staircase, following the sound of music, not caring what song was playing even if it was something he liked 

“You can ring my beeellllllll” Was heard reverberating through the walls walking up, finally entering the studio apartment that connected to the radio station room with a glass wall to suppress noise from the outside world. The first thing he sees is you, shaking your hips and ass along to the song, eyes closed never noticing him there. Looking at you he recognized seeing you around town, thinking you were surprisingly fit for someone who doesn't go on patrols, realizing why you were as he watched you. He couldn't help but focus his attention on your ass, the way your hips moved along with the rhythm. 

“Shit” he mumbled to himself, lost in thought looking at you as you swayed by yourself, like no one was watching. 

You open your eyes for a moment noticing the man standing in your studio apartment, immediately freezing in your tracks. “How long has he been standing there?” you thought to yourself, chest heaving, making unbroken eye contact with your stranger. Oh god, he's handsome too you thought, cheeks reddening. 

Joel sees you see him, witnessing you completely stop what you were doing, and gulps.

“Keep going.” He says, feeling rude for interrupting you, but mostly embarrassed, thinking you’d caught him in the act of leering

“W-what?” You respond, having trouble hearing through the glass panel separating the two of you and loud music, gesturing to the glass and record player so he could understand.

Joel understood, and got all the more embarrassed, huffing towards the ground to gain some courage 

“Keep dancing.” He says louder now, and does an awkward little shimmy before pointing to you to make his message more clear. His cheeks start growing red from further embarrassment. “The hell did I do that for?” he questioned himself quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.

You understand him, but the song was almost over at this point, and it's your cue to go back to the live recorder and continue onto the next song. You jolt over to the mic as the final note fades out “Well, ha, that was Ring My Bell from the one hit wonder, Anita Ward everybody! I hope you guys had fun with that one!” You say into the mic, hiding exasperation in your voice. “Up next is-” You look down at your handwritten list of songs scheduled for the day “Last Night by The Strokes!” you announce with fake excitement. You didn't hate the song, but you had just heard it too many times before. Still, it was important for the future to hear as much music as possible as you thought.

Joel is still watching you at this point, impressed by how quick you can turn your heel. You exit the room, into your own studio apartment, facing the man before you, straightening your back and raising your head to meet his hazel green eyes. “Can I help you with something sir?”

“Uh yeah, I um…” Joel felt completely lost, he came here to complain, take out his anger on you, maybe even teach you a thing or two about ‘the real world’, but all those thoughts he had racing up the hill to confront you had muddled after actually seeing you. He didn't know what to say.

“Ash?” you both hear from downstairs, you sighed in relief, recognizing the voice “What's up Eugene?” you yelled down, starting to feel wary of this strange quiet man in your presence. 

“Was just checking if you were okay, I saw the door was open so,” 

“That's my fault, sorry” Joel yelled down in admission, recognizing Eugene's voice as well, Tommy had introduced the two and grew to respect the old man on patrols with him. 

Hearing footsteps up the stairs Eugene enters the room, “Oh hey Joel, didn't know you were a fan of Ash’s station” 

“Um, no I'm not, I mean…” Joel pauses, trying to find the right words, “So your name is Ash?” he dodges the question retorting back to you 

“No” you respond bluntly “Only Eugene calls me that.”

Eugene looks between the two of you, feeling the uncomfortable energy in the air. 

“What do I call you then?” Joel asks, slight frustration he can't control in his voice, trying to stay civil.

“Call me whatever you want, host, radio person, I don't really care” You responded honestly, sensing his frustration, feeling like pushing his buttons. “Why are you here, Joel?” 

“Well” he starts “If I’m being honest, I find your music to be obnoxious.”

“It's not ‘my music’, Joel, it's just music, and if you don't like it you can just turn off the radio or cover your ears if your missus appreciates it more than you do.” You have a smug grin on your face, knowing you have the upper hand “Besides” You start  “No one else in Jackson has complained to my face about what I decide to play, the first exception being you.” You cross your arms. 

Before Joel can say anything, Eugene interrupts “Alright you two, how about I let you just sort this out amongst yourselves. Ash, if you need anything, just gimme a holler. Joel.” he looks at Joel giving him a respectful nod, getting out of there before he can get involved “Thanks Eugene, sorry to worry you.” You wave him goodbye as he books it downstairs out the front door waving back. You're left alone standing with your new ‘acquaintance’ feeling ready for whatever he might throw at you. Joel sighs. “Alright look, first of all I don’t gotta ‘missus’ like you call it, just a very annoying 14 year old who does whatever the hell she wants if it can’t be helped. So you can imagine the strain of dealing with that alone every morning, and then I have to hear the damn Conga song at 9 in the morning trying to enjoy my coffee in peace because it's the only point in the day I can get some time to myself. So forgive me if my much wanted peace and quiet interrupts whatever you have going on here.” You stare at Joel, appreciating his honesty 

“What's her name?” you ask. He looks at you in surprise for a second, breaking his avoidance towards you.

“Ellie, uh, her name’s Ellie” He responds

“Pretty” you say, fully taking her name in to get an image of her in your mind. “Why don’t you send her up here sometime so I can take her off your hands in the morning? I’ve been meaning to find a young apprentice who's passionate about helping me with the work I do around here. If she’s got a lot of energy I think this would be perfect for her.” 

Joel’s still holding eye contact as you see his eyes widening, taking in the idea. “You don-You don't have to do that really. I love the kid to death but- she can be a real handful honestly.” Joel’s embarrassed at this point, surprised at your compassion to help. 

“She sounds like a great kid” you confess, “I can promise you with the work I do she’ll be tuckered out by the time she comes home to you. Plus, with my schedule she’ll be too busy to bother you in the mornings, so you can start enjoying your coffee in peace.” 

Joel thinks on it, starting to consider the pros and cons of the idea. “I’ll have to ask her if she’d even want to first.” he replies, it would be nice if she had something productive to keep herself busy he thinks to himself.

“That’s alright, if she wants to she can just stop by whenever she likes. Today even, I’d be happy to start showing her the ropes, whenever she’s ready.” You smile at him, realizing you might’ve just solved the problem between you two, wanting to start things off civilly with this gruff but shy handsome man you were meeting for the first time. “Okay” He agrees, scratching his beard after making his decision. “Great!” You respond “Tell her she can stop by anytime after 9 am and before 9 pm. I’m excited to meet her!” 

Joel chuckles, “You don't even know if she’s gonna say yes to this whole thing. Don't get too excited.” he explains.

“Well, based on your description of her, and the fact that she’s 14, I’m guessing she’s feeling pretty bored without much to do around Jackson. Besides helping the community, I'm sure she’d be excited at the idea of a creative outlet.” You say in confidence, smile almost giddy remembering how you felt around the same age. “You got a point there.” he responds, smiling back, blushing at the thought of how cute you look when you're excited.“I’m uh, I’m glad we could talk this out. I’ll go and see her right now.” he starts making his way down the stairs to the doorway. 

“Hey Joel!” You speak out, stopping him in his tracks to look up at you, “Don’t be a stranger, stop by sometime to tell me what music I should play for your morning coffee. Or any music, really.” Joel starts to blush again, surprised by you reaching out to him for company. 

“I’ll think about it.” he says, knowing he will come back again just to see you dance again when he works up the courage. He waves you goodbye. “Nice meeting you!” You reply “Yeah, You too.” looking up at your pretty little face one more time before leaving. Making his way straight to Ellie to tell her the news.

#joel miller x reader #tlou #the last of us #Joel Miller #2013 version #video game version #Troy Baker

[calcifersfireplaceonao3]

Prompt: Leon and Claire go hangout one night after a hard mission and Leon lets slip how much he loves Claire

This got long 😅

Media: Resident Evil

Ship: Cleon (Claire Redfield/Leon S. Kennedy)

Rating: tentatively Teen, due to mentions of canon typical violence and injuries

Tags: confessing love, hurt/comfort, post RE6

-----

An almost annoying rhythm of knocks raps against his hotel room door and Leon has to chuckle to himself; thirty-six straight hours of running for their lives in a shit situation and Claire somehow still has the energy to be cheeky. When he opens the door she looks equally as exhausted as he feels, comfortable jeans and soft sweater with the rare sight of her hair down barely masking that she seems minutes away from swaying on her feet. But she still showed, just like she always does.

“How’s the shoulder.” He asks and cracks a smile when she makes a face and shrugs with her good arm, moving past him into the room and bringing the clean smell of shampoo with her.

“All good. It took fifteen minutes to fish out the stupid piece of, fucking, whatever that was.” He laughs and she sticks out her tongue, “How are your stitches?”

He taps the outside of his thigh lightly and thumbs up, “Wrapped up nice and tight. I think Hunnigan has told them to punish me when I do something stupid though, the guy sewing me up was very stab happy.”

It’s her turn to laugh at him and he nudges her good shoulder softly. “We still going out? We could always stay here and order pizza or something.”

She sighs in relief dramatically, smoothing her hands over her face before shooting him a grateful smile, “Oh my god yes, junk food and becoming an installation the couch sounds amazing.”

“On it.” Claire busies herself while he orders, nosing through the mini-fridge and laughing at the tiny bottles, eventually surfacing with a sparkling water for him that he wrinkles his nose at and a soda for herself. When he turns to join her in the meager hotel suite ‘sitting’ room, she’s taken off her shoes and light sweater leaving her in a thin camisole resting lightly over the thick bandage around her left shoulder.

“How much does this hurt?” The bandage can’t cover the dark bruises seeping across her skin, the points of her spine highlighted in reds and purples accented with scrapes and nicks. All he can think about is the back of her jacket and how it was nearly shredded, large holes from shrapnel… the one time she doesn’t wear a leather jacket and it's when she needed its protection the most. Gently he sweeps her hair over one shoulder to see everything. Unable to help himself he rests his palm carefully on her skin, to remind himself that she’s still here and relatively safe.

“Well, I won’t be sleeping on my back for a while, that’s for sure. But I’m good, it’ll heal. They gave me some strong painkillers, I’ll be fine.” He doesn’t say anything and she tenses, the muscles under his palm bunching as she sneaks a look at his face.

“You’re going to get sentimental on me, aren’t you.” Claire half jokes and taps his hand where it rests just above the bandage on her shoulder. “Spill it.”

When he can’t find the words she takes his hand and turns, “Leon, seriously. Talk to me about it.”

She lets him find what he wants to say in semi-peace, giving him time, guiding him to sit on the couch with her. He frowns when her back rests too much weight on the rough fabric and she hisses quietly, leaning forward.

“I saw you get tagged and… wow. I don’t know. It was like I couldn’t breathe.” Eventually she breaks the silence, his grace period apparently over as she masterfully cuts right to the heart of it. “I know it was just a graze, but- seeing you get shot… and so close.”

Her hand hovers at his side where his shirt hides the bandage plastered to his ribcage. “Anyway, I didn’t think it would be that hard, you know? We’ve seen each other get hurt before, but I don’t know. I guess that’s something you can’t get used to.”

They don’t have a way of defining exactly what they are, but the years of circling around each other seem to be finally at an end. Enough at least that he feels like it’s okay to card his fingers through her hair and by the way she presses her cheek into his palm and closes her eyes it’s clear his touch isn’t unwelcome.

“You,” his voice comes out low and hollow, surprising them both, “you were caught up in that explosion, and you weren’t answering on comms–”

“Because I was unconscious.” She says, matter-of-fact.

“Yeah. You were unconscious." Leon's not sure there could be much that would be scarier than finding her face down and unresponsive. She was still breathing, and even though he was worried that he was doing more damage moving her, he'd fireman carried her towards a hiding spot and waited anxiously until she'd woken up. Claire has always been tough, whatever grit that seems to be genetic in the Redfields helping her push through almost everything; she'd even helped carry him when a C-virus victim had taken out a good chunk of his leg with their claws and he couldn't run as fast as they needed to.

"This one was a bad one." She says with a small sad smile. "Not sure it could have gone much worse."

We're still alive at least, he thinks and as if she read his mind she says the same thing aloud. Then there's not a lot to talk about because their food is here and they're both ravenous, scarfing down their food while Claire also picks out a movie for them. She loves cheesy horror movies and he loves watching her enjoy them, spending most of the runtime watching her instead, commenting occasionally when he finds something to be particularly stupid and laughing with her.

When it's over her usually bright eyes are losing the fight against exhaustion and should let her go, let her leave to get some well earned sleep.

She doesn't say anything when he lays back and pulls her with him, arranging them so she's not putting any pressure or contact on her back, her weight pinning him in a comforting and grounding way.

"I can stay here." She whispers into his chest, he can feel her smile and waits for whatever she thinks is so funny, "My bathroom looks like I killed someone and I feel very guilty for the housekeeper that is going to have to deal with that. You'd be doing me a solid letting me hide out."

It's a flimsy, stupid excuse, but it makes him laugh anyway. "Oh, if it's just for that reason, I think you can."

"Great, just give me like, five minutes and I'll get up and stop crushing you." The soft puff of air from her laugh when he wraps his arms around her waist to keep her there is something he wants to hear over and over. Her breathing slows and he's suddenly anxious that she may be asleep when he finally has the words for what he's been trying to say for what may well be years now.

"Claire."

"Yeah?" She mumbles.

"I… I was terrified because I couldn't lose you. Not when– not when I hadn't told you," he takes a deep breath and she's holding herself very still, listening intently, "Claire, I'm in love with you. I probably have been for a long time, or at least longer than I realize, I'm sorry it took so long for me to get my shit together and say something. The idea that I almost missed my chance again, only this time it wasn't because of you being with someone else, or my dumb ass not having my head on straight, but because you died…"

Claire pushes up on her good arm to get a good look at his face and he loosens his arms to let her, uncomfortable about spilling his guts like this but knowing that she'll be thoughtful in her answer, whatever it'll be.

"I'm still here." She says, and her other palm is flat against his chest. A warm reminder of her words and her presence. She speaks slowly, carefully choosing her words, "I've been in love with you since those weeks we had with Sherry, I've tried to get over it, get over you since but it's never stuck. I thought we missed it too. Us, I mean. I'm really happy that maybe we haven't."

Her wide smile, almost the same as the one she'd given him all those years ago when they had met back up, separated by a chain link fence, already so loyal and glad to see him. He likes to think of it as his smile, something she saves for him.

She's still smiling when he kisses her gently.

----

For once something not angsty from me in the way of them arguing with each other!

#prompts #my writing #resident evil #cleon #claire redfield #leon s kennedy #claire/leon

[silverwingink]

Wreck Ch. 2

Even with the parachutes, the crash was hard, very hard. It didn’t help that Dagfinn could barely reach the middle of the seat due to his minuscule height, leaving his head unsecured. To say the impact jostled him would be an understatement; it felt like his brain had been rattled around his skull, and it left him in a darkened daze. At the edge of his perception, he could barely make out the sounds of a blaring alarm, and the feeling of cold water drenching his ankles.

Wait– water?

His eyes shot wide open with alarm and realization. Between the incessant beeping of the alarms, he could hear water rushing into the pod, and surely enough, a large hole had been ripped into the hull on the side. By the time he processed what was going on, the frigid water had crept up to his knees. “S-shit–!” was all he could manage to get out before frantically fumbling with the restraints again. After a few attempts, he wrenched himself away, by this point needing to swim to keep his head above the water. Bumped around by the waves, the e-pod had turned from a haven to a cocktail mixer. It was hard to tell which way was up and which was down. He squinted hard through the saltwater in his eyes, until finally spotting what he had been hoping to find; the bright yellow handle of one of the emergency exits.

Dagfinn grabbed onto the handle as best as he could, yanking and yanking at it, and though he could feel the mechanism unlocking, the door refused to budge for him. By now the water had filled most of the pod so that only his head and shoulders were out of it. His mind had been reduced to a frantic mess of thoughts and survival impulses: the cold, the swaying, the need to breathe. Through it all only one thought seemed to scream louder than all the others; ‘Am I going to die here?’

No, this was bullshit! After all that he was going to get taken down by a banged-up e-pod? He refused. 

Steeling himself he took in a deep breath, possibly his last, and dipped his head beneath the waterline. The emergency lights were still blinking, so he could make out the interior. As far as he could tell, there was only one way out of this sinking hunk of junk; the hole. It looked narrow and the edges were treacherously jagged, but he was little, so maybe he could squeeze through it! He could only hope.

Dagfinn kicked off hard from the opposing wall, reaching out until grabbing onto the edges of the hole. He forced his head through, then with a hard pull, his torso. The sharp edges tore his exosuit apart, though thankfully spared his skin. It was only now that the real trouble started. Not being used to this new form quite yet, he had neglected to factor in his lower parts, primarily his tail, which now roughly got caught on the edges of the metal. He kicked his legs violently beneath him, desperately searching for some sort of leverage to use. A single claw caught on something, and it was just enough to allow him to drag the rest of himself out. Fur and flesh tore, but in the surge of adrenaline, he didn’t notice the pain. Using the e-pod’s outside wall he drove himself up and began his mad dash towards the surface. The pod soon disappeared into the darkness of the abyss below. 

It only took seconds to reach the surface, but they felt like some of the longest seconds of his life. As soon as his head left the water he gasped loudly for air and, blinking the salt out of his eyes, tried to look around.  He was shocked to find himself in the middle of a storm. Waves stirred angrily around him, hard droplets pelted him from above and the wind deafened his ears. And yet, he could also perceive one more thing; a shoreline, not too far off. There was a chance! With a rejuvenated sense of hope, he began paddling as hard as he could toward the coast. If there was one thing he was grateful to 4546B for, it was teaching him how to swim, and well.

But the ocean would not allow him to escape her so easily. 

Over and over, waves would overtake him, driving him back into the water, shoving him about and completely scrambling his sense of direction. It only got worse the closer to the shore he got, as it wasn’t only the water he was fighting now, but also the rocks. He barely managed to twist his body out of the way of one… two… three–! He dug his claws into one to stop himself from being thrust into another. His paw pads screamed out in agony as the jagged stone scraped them raw. He could feel the exhaustion and cold beginning to seep into his bones, ‘Keep it together Danny! You’re almost there!’ he tried his best to urge himself on, he could see it right there! A sandy bit just beyond these rocks!

He let go of the stone he was on and swam forward, but even his quickest dash still wasn’t swift enough to outpace the waves. Another swell crashed down on him and rammed him into a boulder beneath that he hadn’t seen. The uneven surface jabbed hard into his flesh, grating the fur and skin on his chest and blowing the air out of his lungs. But the sting of that was nothing compared to the electric agony that erupted from his throat when a jutting piece smashed into it. 

It was fuzzy after that. He remembered waking up underwater again. He remembered gasping for air at the surface, partly choking on a liquid that was far too warm to be just water. He remembered dragging himself up onto the shore and collapsing on the sand. He remembered feeling the droplets of rain continuing to relentlessly soak his fur. 

—--------------------------

It felt like no matter how much he tried to shake off the wetness, he kept feeling more droplets escaping from his long, and admittedly a little messy at the moment, hair. The sudden storm had seemingly done an excellent job of thoroughly drenching the green tea beetle.

‘At least I’m not alone in my misery,’ he thought, glancing back over their shoulder to the two others who were following after. However, neither of them seemed particularly miserable at that moment. Mako almost seemed to be joyfully soaking in the water droplets, which glided easily across her shark-like form. She looked quite at home being dowsed. As for Fiji, well, she was primarily made of water, so…

‘Nevermind,’  he let out a bit of a groan, blowing some of the wet hair out of his eyes. 

Both Mako and Fiji seemed to notice this reaction, with the shark-like tea beetle quickening her pace so she would catch up, “Heh, sorry about the rain Andromeda,” she spoke, taking a moment to adjust the bag of seaweed that was slung over her shoulder.

Andromeda glanced in her direction and gave a tired smile, “It’s alright. I forgot to check the forecast today, so it’s kinda on me,” he waved it off, “I ended up getting what I needed regardless.”

Mako opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment Fiji scampered up, holding a large leaf in her hands which she extended out towards Andromeda. It took a second or two to understand what she was doing, but when it clicked they gently took the stem and held the large leaf above his head, “Oh, thanks,” they nodded. Finally, he could at least stop getting more wet. 

Fiji smiled and nodded in return, then tilted her head and made some gestures with her hands. Mako was quick to translate, “She’s asking what you needed all that seaweed for anyways.” 

“Oh, it���s an excellent way to hide the scent of a body,” they said nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders. Both Fiji and Mako had a moment of pause at this, eyes widening some. He would then snort and laugh a bit, “I’m kidding! It’s to make fertilizer. Seaweed is full of nutrients that plants need, and some of mine have been looking a bit sad lately,” they clarified. 

Fiji silently sighed in relief at this, whereas Mako snorted and grinned, giving the green tea beetle a light shove with her hip, “You could’a just said so before! You were being so cryptic about it I thought were you doing some sort of ‘sea monster summoning ritual’ or something!” 

“Maybe next time–” he remarked, though their sentence was cut short when they bumped hard into Fiji’s back, “Ack! Sorry, I–” Andromeda stopped himself when they saw that the water beetle was seemingly transfixed on something in front of her. Following her eyes (or her sockets?), they soon spotted it too. 

At first, it just looked like a clump of blue fur washed onto shore, like some sort of dead animal. But the closer the group looked, the more they realized this was no creature at all, but a tea beetle! They were laying unconscious on their stomach with their legs still being lapped at by the waves. Whatever clothing they had on had been severely torn up, leaving tattered strips of cloth behind. Amongst their cool blue tones, they could see splashes of washed-out crimson staining bits of the sand below.

The group was left speechless at the sight, with Mako dropping the bag of seaweed in her shock. Fiji was the first to rush over, kneeling down and placing a hand on the stranger’s shoulder. She gave them a small shake to see if they would wake up… but nothing happened. Troubled by this result, she frowned more worriedly and reached up to gently brush the hair out of their eyes. It was at this point that she saw some blood trickling from their mouth and flinched, pulling back and covering the lower half of her face.

Mako and Andromeda quickly joined her side, “What the hell happened?” the shark beetle asked. 

“I-I don’t know, just give me a sec here,” the green beetle responded, beginning to check over the injured stranger, “Okay, they’re breathing… and their pulse seems s-stable for now,” he moved his paw over the stranger’s forehead, “T-they’re freezing, and b-bleeding… They look like they washed up on shore, maybe a castaway or something?” 

“If that’s the case, there might be more out there,” Mako concluded, turning to look towards the sea. But she could see no shrapnel within the violent waves, “What if a boat went down?” 

“I have no clue,” Andromeda shook their head, “But if we don’t get this bleeding under control or warm this beetle up, they aren’t going to last much longer here,” their expression was grim.

“What do we do then?” Mako asked. 

Andromeda’s mouth formed into a thin frown and his brows furrowed as he considered the options, “Well… We have no idea if they’ve sustained any more serious injuries, so we don’t want to handle them roughly. Fiji, can you see if you can find another large leaf? Something big enough to use to transport them?” Fiji nodded affirmatively and stood up, skittering off, “Good. I’ll try to use what I’ve got on me to slow down the bleeding. We’ve got nothing to warm them here though, everything is too soaked! We’ll need to take them inside somewhere.”

“Athena lives the closest to here,” Mako said quickly, “Fiji has some keys in case she isn’t there.”

“What about you?” Andromeda asked.

“I…” she looked back towards the sea, “I need to make sure there aren’t more beetles hurt out there. That is if you don’t need help carrying them,” she glanced back.

“I think Fiji and I can handle it,” he nodded. 

“Alright. I’ll be sure to call more help if I find any more,” Mako gave a thumbs up. By that point, Fiji had come back with a large leaf. Mako took a moment to crouch down and kiss Fiji on the forehead, to which the water beetle answered with a look of confusion, “I’m going to be right back, okay? I just need to make sure no one else needs help out there.”

She let the leaf drop and frantically signed in return.

“I’m going to be as careful as I can, I promise, okay?” 

Fiji bit the inside of her cheek… uncertain. But ultimately she gave a nod. 

After planting another gentle kiss on her cheek, Mako turned and quickly lept into the water. 

“Help me out over here Fiji!” Andromeda called. Fiji turned and quickly obliged. -------------------------------------

Andromeda belongs to Mirukkii

Fiji, Mako and Athena (mentioned) belong to JoviAC

Chapter 1 is here.

Chapter 3 is here.

#writing #creative writing #chapters #backstory #story #teabeetle #tea beetle #silverart #dagfinn #danny #fiji #mako #andromeda

[idaclarke]

“well ain’t you just the spookiest thing i’ve ever seen.” ida laughed, clapping her hands as she stepped up to the house. the woman, decked out as dead bride, seemed to give her a small surprised look before quickly falling back into character. she indicates for ida to hold out her hand for a bracelet but ida shakes her head. “oh no ma’am not for me, my diddy raised me to be braver than that. plus i grew up with three older brothers and two olders sisters, nothin’ can scare me.” she leaned in to whisper that last part as if the two were old friends before giving the worker a wink and making her way up the stairs into the house. 

the floors and doors creaked as she stepped through, the darkness and fog machine obscuring her vision. they definitely went all out this year, and ida couldn’t help but be impressed by it all. it was funny, her high school boyfriend had worked at one of these at some point, but all she really remembered was messing up his make-up in some darkened hallway cause they were too stupid and horny to control themselves. now it was a much different experience walking through the halls. 

a man jumped in front of her, his hands catching her arms and smearing fake blood down them. she let out a small shriek, “you gave me a fright!” she laughed, receiving a grumble from the worker as he let her go and she continued on. 

she peeps around into a room and there’s a woman standing there, head cocked almost unnaturally to the side, her wedding dress torn and hands propped under it. ida steps over to her, hands skimming across the sleeve of the dress before the woman’s hand violently snatches ida’s hand pulling her closer. “will you be my true love?” she whispers creepily, and ida smirks. “if you’d like.” she winks and then the woman is pushing her away with a scream, causing ida to stumble. this is more fun than she was expecting. 

with a giggle she walks back, eyeing the stairs and heading up toward them, the ghoul swaying from side to side. sometimes she wished she was actually scared in these scenarios, that she could get the same adrenaline rush and heart thumping fear others got. but really it was...nothing. she felt nothing at all. but it didn’t matter, she could make it fun, fake the fear when needed. the ghoul almost knocks into her and ida grabs onto the railing with a low shriek as a group of kids bolt up the stairs. “thanks for the distraction!” one of them fearfully calls out as they scream and race down a hallway. her smile fades for a moment, revealing her bland expression as she continues on. c’mon, couldn’t someone give her something? 

and then the hallway is filled with missing posters. a funny touch, she laughs, fingers trailing along the wall as her eyes scan them, looking for something, anything, to make this whole thing that much more sinister. “would you like your face one of these?” a voice whispers from behind her so low she swears it was in her head, and then hands are creeping along her shoulders and collar bones, slowly attempting to drag her backwards. for a brief moment she feels a small semblance to fear rush through her. and as she gasps and turn to face whoever it was, no one is there, nothing but a flash of something in the shadows. “fucking shit.” she breathes out with a laugh before turning back around. 

at the end of the hall there is a door, before another hallway leading toward what she is sure the exit. ur next is dripping across it, and ida takes a moment to stare up at it, expression bored again. well, might as well try it. her hands push against the door and it slowly creaks in and she steps through. 

it’s pitch black, that ida can’t make anything out. her hands outstretch as she feels through the room. it’s eerily quiet, blocking out any sounds of the house. no screams, no music, nothing. her hands brush against the rough wall as she starts around the perimeter. “ah, fuck.” her knee slams into something hard, a dresser? or desk? whatever it was the corner nails her, and she feels the small warm trickle of blood down her knee. her eyes still haven’t adjusted, how the fuck did they make this place so dark? and the corner of a chair catches her hip and thigh, bruising them. “this ain’t even fucking scary.” she mumbles to herself, though whispers start to echo through the room, and ida isn’t sure if they’re coming from the walls, the corners, or her mind. but they unintelligible and she lets her hands continue to lead her, patting over various objects, knocking a few over before they come across the door again and it swings open. it feels as if someone almost pushes her out, though it could just be her imagination attempting to scare her, but in the next second she’s out in the hallway, running into the group again from the stairs. “what’s in there?” one asks shakily pointing to the room. 

“your worst nightmare.” she winks, before stepping in front of them and heading off to the exit. 

#i really messed up making ida not scared of haunted house considering maika is a horror movie queen #// event: haunted house // #ogdentask #ictask002 #blood tw

[stephbirm]

I don't usually post things straight to tumblr, but here I go.

Eddie Munson, fixing that ending in my own head.

Probably a part 2 coming?

2.5k words... Triggers- mention of wounds and bandages, but nothing graphic. Otherwise just fluff

"My Own, Personal, Eowyn"

Part 1: The Princess Bride was Better

He was in and out of consciousness, vaguely hearing Dustin and then Steve yelling. It was all from too far away though, tinny, like hearing strains of music from someone else’s walkman. He couldn’t focus on it, and wasn’t sure if he should try. Going back to sleep was easier.

Pain jolted him awake. He heard a groan and wondered if it had come from himself. Everything hurt. He was pretty sure he had just fallen, but he wasn’t walking, so that made no sense at all… he swayed like he was in a hammock, whispered voices nearby. Should he say something? Before he could decide, he was asleep again.

Hands jostled him awake and he heard more voices - how did Gareth get to the upside down? NO!! He wasn’t going to let his friends get hurt. He tried to open his eyes, but it was all blurry and dark. He started to feel around for someone to get their attention.

“Eddie, Eddie… it’s ok, don’t move, we’re taking you to get help,” he heard Robin’s voice. 

“No… don’... don’t let him…” he struggled harder.

“We got you, man” he heard Henderson on his other side, “we’re all out, Vecna won’t get you.” 

That’s not what he was worried about, but the dark washed back over him before he could explain.

“Gar, what the hell! What’s going on?”

“Uh… this is my friend - he got hurt in the earthquake, I guess? We gotta help him!”

“No, the hospital needs to help hi-”

A chorus of “NO” drowned her out. She looked back and forth between her cousin and the strangers who had just dumped an unconscious man on her bed. They all looked nervous, haggard… filthy. She took a deep breath. Was it even possible to get to the hospital from this side of the earthquake damage? She wasn’t sure, and they all looked so scared. 

This week had been crazy - murders, a mob chasing down teenagers, now an earthquake and a red glow in the sky - this was just another layer on the insanity cake, right? If they came for help, she had to help.

“Fine. Fine.” Realizing she was literally the adult in the room, she took charge, pointing at them one by one. “You, kid, there’s first aid stuff in the bathroom next door. Gareth, grab my work bag from the truck. You, with the beret, go through that desk and find scissors. You, get towels from the hall closet. Tall guy, grab some big bowls from the kitchen and fill them with water. Everybody wash your hands before you touch anything.” 

They all hesitated a moment until Gareth ran to do his part, prompting them to scatter.

She looked down at the young man on her bed. There was blood everywhere. 

“Well, shit.”

He could hear voices again, Steve and Dustin and Gareth. His arms were being pushed and pulled. A new voice, unfamiliar to him, spoke up.

“Just the belt and shoes, I can cut the rest off so we don’t jostle any wounds back open.”

“No way!” Henderson howled, “Eddie will kill us if we cut his jacket!”

“Eddie can’t kill anyone if he’s dead from blood loss.” 

With a supreme effort, he managed to whisper, “ ‘at’s… pretty metal. Cut it.”

There was quiet and a huff of laughter. “You heard him, hand over the scissors.” He felt cold metal on his belly, and drifted again.

“I hope he stays unconscious for this part…”

“I’ll get more water…”

“One, two, three,” Harrington huffed…

“...go. It’ll be harder to hide him if there are so many people here…”

The light was brighter, and he couldn’t hear his friends. Eddie struggled to open his eyes to see what was happening but it felt like they had been glued shut. After a moment, he gave up. He moved his hand a bit and felt something soft and warm against his side. He was in a bed, with warm blankets. And someone else’s arm was touching him?

Surprise woke him up a bit more. He turned his head toward the arm, and managed to crack his eyes open. A woman he didn’t know was sleeping on a chair next to him, head lolled away from him, with her arm stretched out along his hip.  Eddie stared silently until sleep took him under again.

He opened his eyes easier this time. It was dark again, like it had been with the bats and the vines and… Eddie tried not to panic. Looking around, the stranger in the chair was gone, but he recognized the room. 

Mostly. 

Part of his brain immediately assumed he was in the upside down, but logic asserted itself soon enough.  This wasn’t a room covered in vines, it was Gareth’s guest room that someone was clearly living in. Books and photos lined what were normally empty shelves, a desk had been placed under the window, and these were definitely softer pillows than what he remembered from crashing here after late game nights. He felt his heart slow back down a bit. 

“Gareth?” his voice came out scratchy and barely audible.When he tried to sit up sharp pain shot from his ribs and neck. He flopped back down with a small “ooph,” and tried calling again. No answer.

Ok, take in the clues, assess the situation, he told himself. He didn’t hear screeching bat demons, so that was good. He did hear water running - Gareth or his parents must be taking a shower. He felt along his chest and neck where it hurt, hands running into bandages. Someone had patched him up - this was also good. Slowly this time, he pushed himself up and back so he could lean against the pillows and headboard, immediately discovering new pains in his stomach and thigh to add to his list.

The shower stopped and he listened as Gareth or his parents rummaged around for a few minutes. No, his parents always use their master bath - it must be Gareth. That thought calmed him down further - the gang must have stashed him here as a safe house. Did they get Vecna though? I’m alive so they must have…

The bathroom door closed and he heard steps coming down the hall. “Gareth?” he managed to be louder this time, though not by a lot.

But it wasn’t his friend who stepped in the door - it was a woman. Girl? Woman. She was wearing loose pajamas and had a towel wrapped around her hair. 

They stared at each other in surprise for a moment before he broke the silence, “um, not Gareth then.”

A small smile quirked the corner of her mouth. “No, not Gareth.” 

He remembered that voice! He had dreamed that voice. He watched curiously as she turned on the light and came over to the bed. Sitting in the chair that was still waiting there, she leaned close and began to gently touch the bandage on his neck. This was fully new territory for him, but she clearly knew what was going on. How in the world did she end up here with him, instead of his friends? Why was she so casual about touching the wanted-murderer-town-freak? He considered asking, but couldn’t really muster the energy. 

He stared at her, admiring her focus as she moved on to his rib, touching the gauze just enough to see underneath it, then nodding to herself.

She was pretty, he decided. Not flashy like the girls in the rock videos, but a soft, natural beauty. 

When she went to pull down his blanket he grabbed it out of her hand, realizing he was only wearing boxers. “I, uh, I’m not decent under here,” he rasped.

She paused and met his eyes. She looked confused for just a moment before giving a tiny smile and nod of her head. “Sorry, yeah. Can I see your other bandages?” she asked, “I want to make sure you didn’t pull any stitches moving around.”

He knew he should say something cool, something funny, something to impress her, but nothing came. The scared, sore, injured part of his brain fought with the a-pretty-woman-is-touching-me part for dominance. He didn’t want to blow his chance. He didn’t think this was the right time to shoot his shot. He was too tired to figure it out. 

He finally just nodded.  “Um, where’s Gareth? Where’re my friends?”

She moved the blanket and inspected injuries on his stomach and leg with feather-light touches, seemingly oblivious to his stare and pinkening cheeks when she had to shift the hem of his boxers higher. “Aunt Terry and Uncle Joe booked it out of town this morning. Dragged Gar along.” She leaned back, seemingly satisfied with how he was holding together. “Your friends had to go home, but they promised to come back in the morning to check on you. You’re probably hungry?”

“Thirsty.”

“Of course, be right back.” 

Did that just happen? Am I hallucinating? His thoughts ran around in circles while she was gone, trying to think of anything but where her hand had been on his leg, while also trying to convince himself that she was real, while also trying to ignore the deep ache of his injuries and his memories of the bats circling him. While also trying to recall Gareth ever mentioning a cousin.

She came back a few minutes later with water, apple slices and peanut butter. Her towel was gone, dark wet hair curling down over her shoulders. 

Even Prettier.

“What’s this, toddler food?”

That made her chuckle. “You’ve been unconscious for almost twenty four hours, I thought something easy to digest with good protein and stuff was the best idea?” She raised her eyebrows waiting for his agreement.

Eddie only half heard her. As soon as she had smiled he was distracted, but he managed to nod again. She sat the plate next to him and handed him the glass, which he drained in one go. 

Once she refilled it and brought it back, she leaned against the foot of the bed, watching him. Her gaze was curious, but she didn’t ask him anything, seeming content to just watch and wait.

He met her gaze as he bit into an apple slice, and then lost all focus. It was the best damn apple he’d ever eaten. It was miraculous. He hadn’t even felt hungry, but the next thing he knew he was wolfing it down like there was no tomorrow. 

Hell, maybe there wasn’t.

“Slow down! You don’t want to get sick!”

“Please, sir, could I have s’more?” he asked, holding up the empty plate and putting on a little Oliver Twist voice without thinking about it. Her laugh pealed across the room and he grinned. I am definitely making that happen again.

“Let’s make sure you keep that down for a few minutes, then I’ll make mac and cheese or something,” she handed him the glass again, this time with aspirin, still smiling. 

He could sit and just watch that smile all day. “Of course, Lady Eowyn.” 

She paused, cocking her head to the side, “Eh-oh-what?”

“From Lord of the Rings?” Crap, now she’s gonna think I’m just another nerd, another loser, shitshitshit. He watched her face closely, waiting for her to close off or give him one of those looks, the ones he got in the hallways every day.

But she just thought for a moment, and then seemed to catch on. “Oooh, the lady who nursed the younger brother back to health, right? I get it.” Her expression wasn’t judgemental or put off. There was still hope.

“Yeah, that one. You’ve read Tolkein? You’re a fan?” This was enough to distract him from his growling stomach and numerous sore spots.

“Read it, yeah. Fan, no.” She giggled a bit at his stricken expression.

“How can you not love it? It’s epic, adventurous, glorious! It changed the world of storytelling!” He surged forward without  thinking, physical injuries forgotten in the face of this travesty.

“Woah, woah, lay back. You aren’t ready for epic, adventurous anything tonight.” She sat on the edge of the bed next to him and fixed the pillows behind him before gently pushing his shoulders back to lean on the headboard again. He hands were incredibly soft, and warm.

“The stories are creative, I grant you. They also take pointless side trips to nowhere for about a thousand pages at a time -” she stopped his protest with a finger to his lips that practically stopped his heart along with it, “ - hello Tom Bombadil? And in three novels, with however many pages, with hundreds of characters, traveling across entire continents and multiple species of intelligent life representing all of freaking Europe, there are fewer than a dozen named females. Only, like, five of whom mattered at all. Five. On the whole continent.”

She seemed to notice she was still touching his lips, because she blushed suddenly and sat back, lowering her hand as she continued. He wanted extra eyes to watch her hands and her blush at the same time, but settled for her face.

“And out of that handful, one was a spider-alien-demon thing, one was a literal witch in the woods, and the other three were only there to get married, thereby fulfilling the men’s plots.”

He was in love. He had died in the upside down, and this was his own personal heaven. He had never really been challenged on Tolkein before - everyone he knew either loved it or didn’t know about it. He felt himself grinning hugely, angling for a way to keep her talking. “Shelob wasn’t an alien.”

Her eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Really? That’s your takeaway?”

“Eowyn killed the witch king?” he ventured.

She shook her head but she was still smiling, he could see that she wasn’t truly annoyed.  “True,” she nodded, “the only female character with her own real storyline. Did you notice that the entire point of it was that the demons also assumed women didn’t count?” Her smile was looking a bit smug. Adorable.

“He was writing a long time ago?” Eddie knew it was a lame argument before he said it, but he was enjoying himself too much to let it go.

“Yeah. Sure. Not like half of all the humans on the planet were female back then.”

Eddie placed a hand over his heart, miming pain. “I concede defeat my lady. But I don’t know what else to call you. What is your name?”

She looked at him from under her lashes for a moment, smile turning downright mischievous. “I’m no one of consequence,” she offered.

Eddie felt his heart skip a beat, she was playing his game! “Please, I must know.”

She lit up, delighted that he had returned her reference, “Get used to disappointment.”

They smiled at each other a moment, until the silence was broken by a loud growl from Eddie’s stomach.

“Mac and cheese it is.”

#eddie munson #eddie x fem #stranger things #eddie munson st4 #fix it fic #save eddie #fanfic #eddie x oc

[casspurrjoybell-17]

HEART'S BLOOD - CHAPTER 28

*Warning: Adult Content*

As Julian Hart descends the ladder, the scent of damp earth and cold underground darkness rises to meet him.  

At the bottom Julian switches on Dane Hunter’s flashlight and joins Freya Hunter and Agent Marsh. 

The space is low and narrow, roughly the size and shape of a shipping container.  

Treated wood beams and rough planks support the roof and walls and the floor is packed earth.  

It is clear that someone has been living here. 

An army cot covered in a heap of worn blankets, a makeshift table and folding chair and crates of canned or dried food line one wall. 

The other wall is free of furniture, allowing a clear walkway down the length of the room but it isn’t bare. 

It’s covered, floor to ceiling in photos and Julian is in everyone single one.

“Jeez,” Agent Marsh breathes, sweeping his flashlight along the bizarre mono-themed gallery.

The pictures have obviously been taken from a distant with a powerful zoom lens. Julien sees himself, getting into his car, running the trails, walking to his office, standing in-front of his house. 

Most of the photos are only of him but Dane is in some, Ian is in a few and other people appear here and there. 

Whenever Julian is not alone in the frame, the other person’s face is either crossed out or circled in black marker. 

The earliest picture appears to be about the time the first murder. 

Julian can tell because it show him running the trail.  

He has just passed a woman walking in the opposite direction and she’s turning to look at him as he goes by. 

The young woman’s face is circled and Julian recognizes her as the first murder victim. 

Further alone the wall, Julian sees another photo with a circle face. 

This time he’s running the river trail and he’s stopping to give a homeless man a few dollars. 

His face is also circled and Julian realizes he’s the second victim.

 Julian has started to shake at this point a cold sweat chills his chest and back and his hand tingles as a numbing horror starts to creep over him. 

He forces himself to keep going knowing that he has to see. 

Several steps more down the length of the wall he sees himself greeting Bertha as she leaves the building with their shared office and he’s on the way in. 

She is smiling at Julian and his face is circled. 

Several more steps bring Julian to the day of Betha’s funeral.  

Julian stands by her grave talking to Karl. 

His face, too, is circled in black.

“Shit,” Julian whispers, swaying slightly, Freya lays a steading hand at his shoulder and Agent Marsh continues to inspect the photos.

“Interesting,’ he says at last. 

“Our murderer seems slightly obsessed with you, Julian. He has chosen his victims that you have crossed paths with. But why these people in particular? Why cross out faces of some people and circle the victims?”

“Because the victims had Gifts,” Julian says wearily. 

“But I don’t know how the killer can tell.”

“Well... He clearly knows about you. Can you think of anyone who’s expressed more than an usual interest? Any exes you have had trouble with?”

“Just Ian,” Julian says blankly. 

“And it can’t be him. He’s in some of these.”

“George is in them too,” Agent Marsh remarks, pointing to a photo taken on the day Dane and Julian visited his house. 

“And yet the killer has got to be either a Foley or someone with close ties to this land. This bunker has been here a least fifty years by the look of it and if you didn’t know it was here you wouldn’t have found it. Unless you have a lucky sense of smell, that is.” he adds, looking at Freya.

“Shit, check this out,” Freya says, distracting them from the pictures and pointing to the far wall. 

“It looks like someone way keep down here.”

A chain and a pair of hand cuffs hang from a large bolt screwed into a crossbeam in the roof and a dirty blanket lies piled against the wall. 

Julian kneels to examine something on the ground, a yellow gum wrapper.

“Karl,” Julian says. 

“This is the kind of gum he liked. He always had a pack in his pocket. But who the hell did he get down here.”

‘Karl wasn’t practically tall or broad shoulders but he was defiantly two feet wide.’

‘It would have been a painful squeeze and on top of Karl’s claustrophobia the thought of what he must have gone through, makes me sick.’

“That would explain why he was found so close to your house,” Agent Marsh says. 

“And also the gap between the time he went missing and the estimated time of death. Either he escaped, or more likely, the killer let him go on purpose, chased him down for sport.”

Julian: ‘Agent Marsh’s even tone and emotionless expression anger me. I know he’s just doing his job, distancing himself from the victims and events for his own state of mind.’

Julian turns away and his eyes scan over the disturbing wall of images again.

Julian: ‘The though that the killer has been watching me for this long, tracking my movements, taking pictures from the shadows, makes me feel vulnerable and violated and suddenly I need to get out of this place.’

“I’m heading back up,” the young man says, as steadily as he can... 

“I think I’ve seen enough for...” 

Julian stops in his tracks standing near the end of the wall of pictures. 

The last few feet remain blank and the most recent photos are from just the day before. 

In one, Julian is smiling and laughing, leaning towards Grace as she shows a picture on her phone. 

A thick black circle rings her face.

Julian turns to Agent Marsh and he sees the photo too and knows what it means.

“You know her,” Agent Marsh asks sharply. 

Julian can hardly speak through the terror squeezing his throat but he manages...

“Yeah. Grace Wilks. She’s my best friend.”

“Call her,” Agent Marsh orders.

Julian pulls his cell-phone but of course there is no signal down there. 

Heart pounding Julian runs the few steps to the ladder and starts climbing. 

When he nears the top, Dane reaches down and hauls him the rest of the way out. 

Agent Marsh follows close on Julian’s heals and Freya comes up last. 

While they tell Dane what they say, Julian calls Grace.

“Shit. She has her cell-phone off,” Julian says, his voice and hands starting to shake. 

“She could be at a movie. She always turns her phone off, so she won’t be tempted to check it. Or maybe she is on a date with her new girlfriend....” Julian stops when something occurs to him. 

“Dane was there a Chloe anywhere on that list of shifters Ian gave you?” Julian asks so quickly that his words almost run together.

“I don’t think,” Dane says. 

“There was over twenty names on that list. All of them dead ends.Why?”

“Grace’s new girlfriend looks a lot like Ian... enough that she could be his sister but he doesn’t have one. She has to be a cousin.”

“That’s not possible,” Agent Marsh says, having just ended a phone-call. 

“George Foley only had one brother. She could be a second-cousin though. We’ll look into it. Meanwhile, we need to find Grace and get her somewhere safe. You have her address?”

Julian nods and recites it. Dane is already on his cell-phone, barking orders and he repeats the address to whoever is on the other end.

“Yes. I don’t care who you send,” Dane growls. 

“Just send someone over there. ASAP and check. Bust the door down if you have to. We’ll worry about legality later. Have them call me as soon as they have word, either way. Understand?” 

Dane ends the call and gives Julian a somber look.

“Someone is checking on Grace now,” Dane says and Julian nods, not looking up from his cell-phone.

Julian sends Grace a urgent text, telling her to call him as soon as she turns on her phone. 

Julian: ‘I just hope she still can.’

The trek back to the cottage seems to take hours though Julian knows it’s only fifteen minutes. 

When they arrive, Julian stops...

“Did I leave the front door open?”

It stands ajar, several inches of light showing the brightly lit interior beyond.

“I don’t think so,” Dane says, drawing his weapon and approaching with caution. 

He kicks it open, sweeping the room with his gun, then checks the other rooms one by one. 

Agent Marsh stays with Julian, guarding their backs. 

“It’s clear,” Dane announces a moment later, returning to the lounge room. 

“Someone been in here thought.”

Another creepy sensation crawls over Julian’s skin and he shivers again.

“I don’t get it, why is this psycho so obsessed with me?

‘It might not be you he’s obsessed with,” Agent Marsh says as he goes to retrieve his binder, from where he left it on the coffee table and now he’s flipping through it, brows pinched in an angry frown. 

“Every picture of your father has been taken. If the killer is the same person that committed the first murders, maybe he sees you as his chance to finish what he started. Maybe your father ‘got away’ in a sense back then. He died but the murderer didn’t kill him directly. As you said he earlier, he wasn’t poisoned.” 

“We need to talk to George again,” Dane says. 

“Bring him in and put some pressure on him. He might not be the killer but there’s a strong chance that he knows who is.”

“I’m on it,” Agent Marsh says, already on his cell-phone with someone before he’s out the door.

Freya blows out a breathe and Dane pulls Julian into a hug.

“Okay?” Dane asks Julian who shakes his head.

“Not really. I don’t think I can stay here,” Julian admits.

Julian: ‘My house has been my retreat. The place I feel most safe and relaxed. Now that it has been taken away and I feel lost and afraid, though I’m more afraid for Grace than myself.’

“Sure,” Dane agrees. 

“My apartment is shit but it is secure. We can go there.”

“Noah and I will watch over the place while you are gone,” Freya says. 

“Maybe even catch ourselves a shifter, if we are lucky.”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Dane warns. 

“This guy is tricky.” 

‘Wiley, you might even say,” Julian adds thoughtfully. 

“Like a coyote.”

When they reach Dane’s apartment, Julian sees what the handsome detective means.

It’s an old building that looks like a sad love song to a Soviet-era architecture. 

It’s a plain five-story concrete rectangle with peeling walls.

“Yikes. You weren’t lying,” Julian says.

“Wait till you see inside,” Dane replies.

Dane unlocks the front door with a code on a keypad and leads Julian into a dingy hallway and up a flight of stairs to the forth floor. 

There, Dane unlocks another door with a key and shows Julian into a small room crammed with cardboard boxes.

“You get payed to be a detective, right?” Julian asks, glancing around.

“Yeah. But most of my money goes to... other stuff,” Dane hedges, seaming momentarily embarrassed. 

Julian doesn’t push but at least his curiosity momentarily distracts from the anxiety chewing at his heart.

“Sorry for the mess. I don’t spend much time here. I haven’t really had a chance to unpack.”

Julian peeks into a box on the top of a pile and sees an array of random items, including cooking utensils, books, toiletries and framed photos. 

He reaches for one of the frames but before he can pull it out, Dane’s cell-phone rings.

“Hunter,” he answers. 

A moment later his shoulders sags with a relief. 

“No. That’s all for now lieutenant. Thank you,” Dane says, ending the call and looking at Julian. 

“Grace is okay.”

Sitting heavily on a box, Julian lets out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding, leaning forward and covering his face with his hands. 

Dane comes over to the young man and squeezes his shoulder.

“She safe, Julian. She’s in a secure location and well keep her under around-the-clock police protection for as long as we have to.”

Julian nods and Dane gives him time to regain his composure by pointing out the features of his apartment, such as they are. 

When Julian is able to, he rises and joins Dane.

“Here is the bedroom,” Dane says. 

“You can have the bed. I can take the floor. I think I have a sleeping bag around here somewhere. I can always sleep as a wolf.”

Julian peeks into the room. 

A large bed takes up most of the floor, flanked by a small dresser and a side table. 

“It looks big enough for both of us,” Julian says, frowning.

“Yeah. I just figured... you know, you might need some space.”

“Please, Dane,’ Julian says, stepping closer. 

“Don’t push me away now. Not unless you don’t want me. Because I want you. More than that. I choose you.”

Dane’s eyes widen and Julian sees him hesitate. 

The young psychic senses the handsome detective is wondering if this is just an emotional response or if he really means it. 

Julian has learnt that Dane responses better with action rather than with words, anyway. 

He reached for him and pulls him down to meet his mouth with his, at first just touching lips gently. 

Then Julian kisses him in earnest, sliding his tongue along the seam of his lips, until he parts them slightly and the young man savours him in a long, slow minute.

“I know what I’m saying.” Julian breaths softly. 

“I choose you, Dane. If you still want me, I’m all yours.” 

Dane breath catches and his arms tightens around Julian and when the handsome detective kisses the young psychic, he knows...

Julian: ‘I am claimed.’