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halstudandruz · 8 months

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Thigh or Nothing

*Not my gif*

Pairing: Matt Casey x Reader

Requested: Yes

Prompt: Months after your breakup Matt loses his cool

Warnings: smut (18+), thigh riding, jealous!Matt, edging, swearing

A/N: Continuing to live in my happy world where all my boys are alive and still in Chicago 🫶

“I’m sorry, [Y/N]. We did all we could.” Connor broke the news to you and you could almost feel your heart breaking into two.

“Thanks Connor. I know you did.” You sighed, he gave you a sympathetic nod, picking three beer bottles up and heading back towards his table.

It was the cherry on top of your week. Which was without question the worst since you had become a paramedic 6 years prior. You shouldn’t have asked, you're not supposed to ask and how you felt right this second made the reason clear. Like your entire job was a waste. Which deep down obviously wasn’t true. The lives you saved had outweighed the lives lost, but that fact didn’t always matter. Not when you gave your blood, sweat, and tears to save a child who they would only end up losing on the table hours later. The less you knew of the outcome the better, you could at least pretend they all had a happy ending then. You were glad your partner hadn’t come out tonight. At least then she could live in the dark of the truth, one that you would never tell her. Swallowing the lump in your throat you gestured for Stella who was filling a glass with beer. She handed the beverage to a man at the other end of the bar making her way towards you.

“Can I get a shot? Surprise me, something strong.” You requested just as a body slid into the chair next to you. The only seat still available at the bar. Glancing to your left your stomach only tightened.

“Hey.” Your ex boyfriend gave you a genuine smile hanging his coat on the back of the stool.

“Well if it isn’t Matthew Casey.” The blonde to his left interrupted before you could answer. His attention quickly turned to a girl you recognized from the State Attorney’s office. How you didn’t realize she was sitting there before was beyond you. You had loathed her from the moment she tried to entice Matt into getting a drink when you were out of town after him and Severide had helped them with a case.

“Kaylee, hey how are you?” Matt greeted, and you could see the minute she turned her charm on, turning her body to face him, chest popping out slightly, eyelashes fluttering, and a soft smirk appearing on her lips. You would venture a guess that she had heard about your breakup somehow, not that she cared if he was in a relationship before. Stella appeared back in front of you.

“Yeah, make that two.” You sighed downing the tequila.

“[Y/N].” Stella warned glancing over to Matt and Kaylee who were now laughing. She was your best friend which meant she was also in charge of nixing your bad decisions when it was warranted.

“Just one more.” You looked at her pleading, she knew what a rough week it had been and you knew she was looking out for you but right now you didn’t care. She shook her head grabbing a bottle to fill the shot glass in front of you. “Thank you.” You nodded after feeling the burn down your throat a second time. You could feel Matt’s side eye and chose to ignore it for the better.

Thirty minutes later the shots were beginning to buzz in your bones only furthering your irritation when you watched Kaylee lean whispering into Matt’s ear.

“Hey.” A voice over your shoulder caused you to jump.

“What’s up?” You forced a smile at Severide. You and Severide had become close friends throughout the years mostly due to the grief of losing your partner and his best friend, sticking by each other’s sides through the thick of it, always having him nearby was a comfort.

“Just wanted to check in on you.” He sat down in the seat beside you that had been vacated 10 minutes ago. The one you were about to move to hoping it would lessen your ability of hearing Kaylee’s dare you say pathetic flirting.

“Yeah, I’m good!” You nodded, high pitched voice a little excessive. Were you coping super well? Not exactly. Trying to dissociate tragedies was supposed to come natural to you, just like everyone else in the firehouse and normally you could maybe, but Chicago seemed to implode this week and despite all your best efforts you were fighting a losing battle on almost all occasions. That’s the reason you asked Connor about the little boy from this morning expecting a good report and your spirits to be raised only to be shocked at the truth.

“Mhmm,” he raised an eyebrow glancing over your shoulder at his best friend’s back, “I’m sure that’s true.”

“It’s just like.. does he have to do it right here.” You rolled your eyes, whispering to Kelly, for no good reason since Matt was clearly so enthralled in conversation he wouldn’t have heard you anyway.

“Payback is a bitch, [Y/L/N].” Kelly chuckled, eliciting confusion to appear on your face.

“What does that even mean?” You tried to take a drink before realizing your glass had nothing but ice left, “Gallo,” you summed the dark haired man over holding your drink up.

“You know, [Y/N], I get off early tonight.” Gallo filled your glass wiggling his eyebrows which earned a laugh from Severide. Blake was cute, adorable actually. The kind of guy that would fall at a woman’s feet, make her wonder why she ever spent her life with any other loser. Not someone you wasted a quick hookup on, and right now that’s all you wanted.

“Yeah buddy, see how well that plays out for you.” Severide wore a smug grin, which annoyed you just because he was skilled at getting girls in bed with him didn’t mean he could make fun of the poor kid.

“Ritter gonna be out tonight? Cause I tend to get loud.” You lowered your voice head cocking to the side, a flirty grin appearing on your face, instantly causing redness to form around Blake’s cheeks as he slid the newly filled glass towards you.

“God knows that’s the truth.” Severide huffed, taking a drink of his beer, and your head whipped to him, a scowl appearing.

“Oh fuck you, I had to deal with your hookups on god knows what surfaces for practically a year straight so hush,” You shoved him, you and Matt hadn’t exactly lived together, but you might as well have. You stayed with him practically every night off and since Severide was his roommate he may have been unfortunate enough to be subjected to your pleasure induced sounds every once in a while. “And don’t act like you didn’t like it.” You teased.

Gallo coughed around the drink of water he had just taken, obviously taken back.

You had considered continuing the charade until you heard Kaylee ask Matt if his place was close. Stomach clenching at the words you moved quickly to take a drink, too quickly apparently as the drink ended up in Matt’s lap instead of in your mouth.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry!” Heat immediately surfaced on your face. You truly didn’t mean to knock your full glass into Matt’s lap. The adrenaline from your jealousy mixed with everything else that week had you completely flustered and the cup slipped right out of your hand, but you knew from the outside looking in it would never look that way.

You could hear Kaylee scoff, looking up to see her roll her eyes dramatically. “Matt I didn’t-“ You flushed taking a single napkin trying and failing to help the mess at all.

“[Y/N], it’s fine. I just..I’ll be back.” He waved you off, stepping towards the bathroom.

“That was convenient.” Kaylee commented harshly, taking a sip of her martini.

“Believe me you don’t want to go there tod-“ You began to stand up, but beside you Kelly squeezed your knee keeping you put.

“Hey, it's not worth it. Trust me.” He encouraged, prompting you to shut up. Was it a good idea to get into a cat fight with an attorney? Probably not, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t tempting.

“Yeah, thanks. I’m going to go check on Casey.” You patted him on the shoulder heading towards the bathroom, throwing the blonde a glare.

“Matt?” You knocked on the door as a warning before pushing it open. The hand dryer on the wall was loudly whirring as he stood underneath it, the handle pointed at his crotch as best as it could be.

“I’m not mad,” he started the minute you appeared in front of the door, “I know you’ve had a rough week and don’t like her and you have every right not to, but-“ at his words your jaw almost dropped to the ground cutting him off.

“You’re not actually implying I did that on purpose.” You scoffed in disbelief, he knew you better than that.

“What am I supposed to think? It was pretty convenient timing, and I watched you down two shots the moment she started talking to me.” He laid his line of thinking out, and it was fair. Did you love seeing Kaylee flirt with him? Not for a single second. Were you trying to get trashed tonight? Absolutely. But regardless you would never do that to him.

“Fuck you, Matt. We both know we do what we need to in order to get through some weeks and sometimes that includes alcohol.” You defended, your face was beginning to heat up in anger at the accusation escalating. Not to mention you were far from drunk.

“Does that include hooking up with your superiors?” He quipped, making your heart drop at the realization he knew what the last few months held for you after your split.

“How do you know about that?” Panic took hold of your chest. Nobody was supposed to know, it could be really bad for both of you if anyone had found out about you and Hawkins.

“I have my sources.” He blew you off, once again hitting the hand dryer on the wall aiming his other thigh at it now. You weren’t dumb you knew exactly who his sources were, and Stella was gonna get an ear full later. She should know full well that anything that goes into her boyfriend’s ears will undoubtedly be in his best friend’s soon after. You and Kelly might’ve been close but he had an obvious loyalty to his partner in crime, “I’m just saying I haven’t felt the need to cause drama anytime you’ve left with Evan or your pick of the night.” His voice was raised even as the dryer dwindled to a stop.

“So, you’re slut shaming me now then? Is that what we’re doing?” You crossed your arms against your chest getting defensive

“Oh, come on [Y/N]. You know I’d never do that. Have all the sex you want, with whoever you want. It’s none of my business. I’d just request that you don’t let your ego cockblock me next time I’m trying to do the same.” He bit back. You knew he was right. He would never actually slut shame you and the accusation was a low blow, but the alcohol was causing annoyance to course throughout your body. Only heightened the second you watched him lean closer to the attorney.

“My ego? Really?” You laughed, humorously.

“Yes, your ego. You were jealous. Go ahead and admit it,” he encouraged and you rolled your eyes refusing to do as he asked, “you think I like watching you leave here with guys wrapped around your finger? I don’t at all, but at least I can admit it.” He took a paper towel from the dispenser. You had no idea why he was furiously dabbing at the mess, it was pretty clear the wreckage was cleaned as much as it possibly could be.

“This is ridiculous.” You huffed, the conversation was going absolutely nowhere. On a normal everyday basis you and Matt had been pretty good at putting your breakup on the back burner. Having to work with each other wasn’t always easy, but you both were handling it well with dignity and respect. Tonight, on the other hand, was different. Tempers were beginning to flare, and filters were flying out the window. All you were trying to do was offer him a genuine apology, but all you were getting in return was underhanded comments. “The only thing I came in here to do was take responsibility and apologize for an accident. I don’t know what your problem is.” You did not foresee this turning into a fight when you got up.

“You are!” He exclaimed, jaw tightening.

“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?” Your emotions were beginning to boil. This made sense though. Your split was pretty amicable. Too afraid to say something and regret it later. Only having to face it every other day for the rest of your life, but maybe you were being too cautious. Maybe things needed to be said. Maybe mistakes needed to be made.

“You are,” he reiterated, stepping closer to you finally lowering his voice, “do you know how goddamn hard it’s been to see you leave here every week with a different guy? To hear that you’re fucking Hawkins when you’re all that’s still on my mind?” His voice was quivering and it took you a minute to adjust to the sudden change in tension. Surprised at his admission. You had never seen Matt like this. Even when you were together if someone had hit on you or overstepped their bounds he would kindly and calmly inform them that you were taken. Just as you would expect Matt Casey to. But this was something else. Months of built up jealousy, unable to do or say anything about it apparently taking a toll. His hand was gripping the sink so hard his knuckles were pure white, an anguished look in his eyes as he thought about it, and it was undeniably sexy. “I know that I have no right, but good lord, [Y/N]. It is slowly kill-“ You couldn’t even allow him to say another word. You were certain if you didn’t get your hands on him within the second you were going to burst into flames, gripping his face tightly, quickly molding his lips to yours. The rhythm was quick to find, familiarity not too far gone.

It didn't take Matt very long to take advantage of the kiss, pushing you back a few steps against the nearest wall, forcing his tongue into your mouth. Your hand found its way to the hair at the back of his neck threading your fingers through it. It was intense, fire quickly spreading through your body, slotting your hips against his leg, hips moving in desperation.

“Look at you, so fucking desperate. Like you haven’t been fucked right in months.” Matt’s hand rested on your ass encouraging the movement, lips moving down your neck.

It was true. Right after you and Matt had broken up you began frequenting bars, joining hookup apps, going home with a different guy multiple times a week. The problem was nobody matched up to him. There were some decent ones and some really sucky ones too, only concerned about how fast they could get there, skipping foreplay almost entirely, but no matter what without fail it always ended with you craving your ex. The only one to even slightly quench your thirst was your boss, Evan Hawkins so an occasional hookup may or may not have happened. What Matt clearly didn’t know is the agreement you two had, had recently come to an end after learning of a friend’s interest in the Chief. Leading to those hookups to become extinct over a month ago. So, whatever he was offering you were willing to take it without hesitation.

His teeth nipping at your collarbone only furthered your need allowing him to push you down harder on his leg. Leaning closer into him you took ahold of his hand that was gripping your hip trying to move it under your skirt.

“Uh uh uh,” He resisted, “it’s my thigh or nothing, baby.” He wore a cocky smirk, only growing the second you whined a quiet,

“Matt.” A defeated, pleading look appearing in your eyes. While his attitude was angering you slightly, only wanting to reach a high right this second, and you had no doubt his fingers could do exactly that, you couldn't deny how hot this was and how his ultimatum only furthered the wetness building between your legs.

“Show me how bad you need it, princess, but try not to be too loud there is an entire bar of our coworkers 50 feet away.” His thigh tightened as if he was wanting you to go against his warning, a strangled moan on the tip of your tongue, body getting as close to you as he possibly could so his smell engulfed you, a smell you missed having wrapped around you more than you thought.

You whimpered into his neck pushing your hips down harder, and you could feel him steadily growing against your hip. “You’re so beautiful you know that?” He complimented both hands moving to your ass encouraging you to speed up your movements, the friction from the denim winding a coil in your stomach. Your fingers clawed at his biceps looking for as much contact as possible. Head falling back against the wall, your eyes closing tightly, your breathing was starting to speed up shakily with every grind of your hips.

“Matt, I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if it’s enough.” You admitted, the knot growing but only torturing you as you continued to rut against his leg, needy whimpers spilling from your mouth.

“Yes, you can. I know you can. You want me so bad? Make a mess on me first. Be a good girl.” Matt encouraged flexing the muscle in his thigh once again, dragging his teeth down the side of your throat stopping to bite behind your ear, one hand coming up to tweak your hardened nipple over your top and you finally snapped, a breathless moan falling from your lips as Matt helped work you through your high.

“Good thing you already fucked up my pants earlier or else I’d be pretty concerned about the mess you're leaving behind right now. Your panties are going to be ruined.” He wasn’t kidding, there was absolutely zero doubt he would have evidence of this encounter on his thigh if you stepped off right now. He was however wrong about one thing.

“Not wearing any.” You shrugged, letting your leg fall shakily from Matt’s hip.

“For fucks sake.” He groaned pupils flashing even darker, roughly gripping the back of your neck and pulling your lips back to his for a sloppy kiss.

“Yours? It’s closer.” You mumbled into his neck after pulling away to get a breath, biting it playfully. Nodding he stepped back to pull his phone out of his pocket to reserve an Uber and unsurprisingly there was indeed a dark spot staining his jeans, but all you were focused on was the bulge to the right of it, mouth watering contemplating dropping to your knees right there, missing the weight of his cock on your tongue, when he grabbed your hand.

“We’ll go out the back.” He gave you a quick kiss, opening the door to check for anyone before sneaking through the kitchen out into the cold, a car pulling up to the curb just as you made it around the building.

The minute you were in the Uber your mouth was back on his.

“Sorry to interrupt but I’m gonna need an address confirmation before you suck all the air outta his lungs, honey.” A nice older woman, joked from the driver's seat. Blushing you mumbled an apology putting some space between you two. Matt chuckled in amusement, confirming the address on the screen.

“Probably get a lot of this, this time of night huh?” Matt began a conversation hand resting teasingly high on your thigh.

“Absolutely, but I don’t mind. It’s nice to see young people having fun. It’s cliche but you really do only live once and y’all are in your prime years. They go faster than you think. So, as long as everyone is being safe and aren’t actually doing anything disrespectful in my backseat I don’t mind.” She smiled, kindly. The conversation continued for the remaining 5 minutes until she pulled in front of Matt’s apartment building. “Have a good night you two. Be safe.” She winked. Giggling you got out thanking her, approving of Matt’s 5 star review and generous tip once you made it in the elevator. Your hand was clasped in his, thighs involuntarily rubbing together at the tension, having to behave with all your might thanks to the elderly couple who accompanied you.

As soon as the door to his apartment was closed and your shoes were discarded his mouth was back on yours, stealing your breath at the need he conveyed. Untucking your top from the skirt it was discarded on the hardwood, tapping your thighs you took the hint allowing him to wrap your legs around him walking you to his bedroom. It had been the first time you had been back in the apartment since the breakup. Heart aching as your mind flashbacked to Matt swallowing harshly, blinking back his tears, in an attempt to put on a strong front as you walked out.

Luckily, you were quickly teleported back to the present once your back hit his bed, allowing him to pull his shirt off in one movement.

You would never not stare, never could not stare at a shirtless Matt Casey. You had made it a point not to be near him in the locker room recently because it just was not a power you possessed. Not sure how it was a power anyone could possess as your eyes raked over his broad chest, his forearms and hands causing your hips to wiggle slightly. He didn’t let you gaze long though, bending to attack your bare chest. Hand moving between your thighs to learn you weren’t lying earlier, a groan escaping him at the finding. His lips laid kisses all over your breasts, fingers moving to trail down your slit hips immediately jumping.

“So needy.” His free hand squeezed your hip forcing it down, just as he pressed a finger in slowly you let out a deep sigh. It wasn’t enough, you needed more immediately.

“More..” You requested as he curled his finger just right putting more pressure against your waist when your pelvis fought to jerk forward. Obliging, he added a second finger increasing the speed. Your body was begging you to work for it, wanting to rock your hips down to ride his hand but his strong hold was preventing it. A groan fell from your lips the minute his thumb met your clit rubbing soft circles.

“You wanna come on my fingers?” He whispered in your ear, biting it softly. You were breathing heavily, quickly nodding your head yes in response. Your walls clenching when he crooked his fingers once again, so damn close, when he pulled away from you.

“Matt, what the fuck?” You whimpered, squirming under his lustful gaze.

“I don’t think you’re ready yet.” He brushed you off, but the glint in his eye proved how much he enjoyed this and it was clear you were in for a long night, leaning forward he pulled your last piece of clothing down your legs roughly tugging you towards the edge of the bed by your ankles, ending on his knees between your legs, and it was a sight to behold. One of your favorites if you were being honest. You were taken back at the lack of teasing the minute Matt shoved his mouth into your pussy, tongue darting out to lick your clit, a wail echoing from your lips, “You taste so damn good, forever my favorite meal, baby.” He praised nipping the sides of your thighs when his finger circled your entrance once again filling you. You directed all your focus towards keeping quiet as the knot grew tighter with every movement, hoping if you didn’t give him any sign of how close you were you could trick him into letting you come, hands twisted tight in the sheets when he sucked your clit finger curling to hit your sweet spot, but at the last second he pulled away, ripping you back from the brink once again.

“Fuck!” You huffed, hand punching the sheets, Matt chuckled above you,

“You’re so cute thinking I don’t know your body like the back of my hand.” And okay while this sucked, cocky Matt was intoxicating.

He edged you three more times and you were so wound up you feared the second he got in you, you would burst. You were physically panting, tears covering the sheets under your head.

“Matt-please. I’ll fucking call Hawkins right now.” You bargained, and despite the jealously that flashed deeper on his face he grinned smugly.

“You think threatening me right now is a good idea?” His eyebrow raised.

“I don’t know! I just need something, anything please.” Your thighs squeezed together begging for friction. Your eyes traveled down the man’s body, hardness in his jeans more than evident and you reached out towards him, missing the feeling of him in your hand, getting to watch his face scrunch in pleasure with just a flick of your wrist, but he caught your hand.

“Tonight’s about you baby, and making you wonder why you’d ever want someone else to put their dick in you.” He winked, his words actually surprised you. He was never this territorial over you, but it lit an even bigger fire inside of you. “Tell me what you want.” He ordered hands resting against the edge of the bed.

“You, right now. Anyway you’ll give it to me.” You wasted no time in answering, batting your eyelashes.

Smiling he finally pulled his jeans and boxers down allowing the bulge in his pants room breathe, tip red and dripping, moving to hover on top of you, he teased his cock through your wetness appreciating the way your cheeks flushed, his pupils dark not allowing you much time to drool, “Condom?” He asked, seemingly forgetting until this point not used to having to use them with you since you were on birth control, “I’m sure Severide has some.” You could see the hurt in his eyes from having to ask, and it made your heart ache in turn, but you shook your head,

“I’ve made everyone else wear one.” You explained, hooking your legs around his hips and his relief was obvious.

“Ready?” He leaned down to place a soft kiss on your forehead, a welcoming softness in a tension filled room.

“God, yes.” You wiggled your hips attempting to angle him in.

At the confirmation Matt thrusted deep into you pulling a gasp out of you at the roughness. You could vividly remember the first time Matt and you had sex. Gentle, intimate, loving after years of longing and avoiding the inevitable between you two. Completely different than right now. You wouldn’t be surprised if tomorrow you found marks from the Captain’s fingers around your hips pulling you towards him feverishly, everytime his dick thrusted forward into you, and it was exactly what you needed. It took a whole two seconds for you to fill the room with moans, allowing him to manhandle you from the start. He maneuvered your legs from his hips to his shoulders enabling him to go deeper, screaming when he thrusted his hips the perfect way, “Matt-oh my god,“ your body was tightening embarrassingly fast.

“Yeah, baby?” He gritted, and you were extremely impressed at how well he was keeping his composure tonight.

“You’re so fucking good.” You complimented through ragged breaths, eyes tightly shutting at the growing pressure.

“Go and fuck whoever you want, but you’re always gonna end up back here, baby. Cause nobody can fuck this pussy better than me, huh? Tell me I’m right baby girl, you don’t come until you do.” He bargained, pulling out so just the tip was in you, slowing down his thrusts. You didn’t want to give in, to give him the satisfaction regardless of it being the truth, but based on how he was acting tonight you really believed if you didn’t confirm his suspicions he wouldn’t let you come, and you just might actually die if that was the case. Literally whining, tears springing to your eyes, your feet dug into his shoulders in an attempt to make him go deeper. So fucking close, your muscles hurt from the strain of being so tightly wound time and time again, “Sweetheart, I can come just like this right now if you want me to. Be like every other guy you’ve been with recently. Is that what you want?” His tone was dripping in arrogance and his shallow thrusts were successfully torturing you. How this side of him could be completely infuriating but completely erotic at the same time was beyond your comprehension at the moment. You had never been so distraught, allowing your pride to go out the window without a second thought.

“Matt-“ you felt the tears starting to run down your face, “please. It’s you- it’s yours. Need you, always need you. Please let me come.” Your breathing was ragged, hips doing their best to entice him closer, pull him in on their own accord.

“Good girl.” He praised leaning down to kiss the tears away softly, “you’re so damn pretty.” He smiled genuinely, studying your features.

“Fuck me, Captain.” You smirked, although enjoying the snippet of fluff. Laughing, Casey returned to his previous position.

“Remember you asked for it.” He teased throwing you a wink before flipping you over on your stomach, ramming into you harder this time. The bunch of nerves you had felt plenty of times tonight already quickly returning full force, Matt was finally starting to lose his cool, grunts falling from his lips.

“Fuck, [Y/N].” Looking over your shoulder you could see his eyes were between your legs intently watching where you two met, a sight you wish you had the ability to see.

“Matt-“ a broken sob fell from your lips, “so close.” You were attempting to move your hips with his but the brutal pace he had set was hard to match. He wrapped an arm around your waist pulling you up against his chest. Pressing the fingers from his right hand against your clit, rubbing soft circles.

“Go ahead, gorgeous.” He encouraged into your ear kissing the back of your neck, seconds later your body practically convulsed finally letting go, back arching off into his chest, a loud moan echoing in the room. Matt having to hold you up completely as you worked through your high. He followed soon after filling you with warmth every time his dick twitched. A feeling you missed more than you’d like to admit.

You lay in silence after collapsing on the mattress, legs shaking, Casey’s head dug into your neck trying to resurrect his breath, heart beating rapidly against your back. The intensity finally dwindling, causing an unwelcome sob to break out of you at the sudden change of environment. Matt’s head shot up at the sound.

“Hey hey hey, what’s wrong? I’m sorry, was it too much?” Matt’s body went rigid concern lighting his eyes, as he took your face between his hands.

“No, not at all. It was incredible. I’m sorry, I’m being ridiculous.” You tried to brush him off, a wet laugh coming out, attempting to get out from under him and off the bed.

“No, come here. Talk to me.” He repositioned you so you were now laying on top of him against his chest. Holding you tightly.

“It’s just…I’ve had the most terrible week. Truly awful and all I’ve wanted, all I’ve craved every single day was a Matthew Casey hug.” You sniffed, shaking your head embarrassingly. His arms tightened around you at your confession, dropping a kiss against your head, and the familiarity did exactly as you assumed it would, tension releasing from your body, relaxation taking over in its place.

“Baby, I’ll I’ve wanted to do this week is give you a hug. I’m right here. I’m always right here. No matter what, I’m yours, baby, and I will wait however long it takes for you to come back to me and realize that I’m the guy for you.” His hand was trailing soothingly up and down your back.

“I’m just scared, Matt.” You had never given him a true reason for leaving, claiming you just didn’t know if you felt right in a relationship at the time.

“Of what?” He asked.

“Having to watch you run into burning buildings has never been my favorite regardless of how good you look in bunker gear, but..after Otis it’s just been unbearable, and I just thought maybe if I broke it off it would get easier. It would just feel uneasy like with Kelly or Stella rather than crippling.” You explained, emotions getting the better of you as you thought back to losing Otis and having to watch Katie crumble.

Chloe had the same thoughts and luckily for Cruz she learned to accept it, but she also didn’t have to physically witness it. She didn’t have to worry every time Boden’s face ticked with concern when he didn’t like something. Didn’t have to count down the seconds waiting for him to reappear in the smoke when Boden pulled them. Didn’t have to beg your shaking hands to stay steady and focus on the patient when you heard an accidental pass alarm.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me this?” His voice was so calm, so full of sympathy.

“What were you gonna do, Matt?” He wasn’t going to stop being a firefighter and you’d never want him to.

“I don’t know.” He admitted, “Has it worked?” It was a question he didn’t want to ask, but one he needed an answer to.

“Far from it,” you shook your head swallowing more tears, “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it, losing Otis, watching everyone fall apart maybe it’s something I need to talk to someone about, but regardless it’s just made me realize god forbid something did happen I’d be so pissed I didn’t spend everyday with you that I could. I love you with my entire being Matthew Casey, and I think it’s pretty clear that’ll never stop.” You finally looked up at him.

“This is the dick lust talking isn’t it?” He joked after a beat of silence allowing you to laugh, smacking him in the chest. “I promise I will do everything I can to always come out for you.” He tucked a piece of hair behind your ear closing his eyes to kiss you on the head.

“I think jealous Matt is my new favorite Matt.” You grinned eyes sparkling.

“Hawkins is just lucky his face is still intact.” He growled, only confirming your new opinion.

“I’m hungry.” You attempted to steer off the topic, accompanied by your stomach rumbling.

“We did put in quite a workout.” Matt joked kissing your cheek, “I can order some pizza let me just see if Severide is home.” He jumped up to put a pair of sweatpants on, throwing you a Chicago Fire sweatshirt of his basking in his scent overwhelming you.

“God bless him if he is.” You winced thinking back to his comment in the bar earlier. Throwing the piece of clothing on as Matt disappeared into the hallway.

Two minutes later the man in question appeared in your doorway, arms crossed against his chest, a cocky look on his face.

“You seriously need to learn these walls aren’t soundproof.” He quipped, forcing a blush on your cheeks.

“You know what? You had to have seen the trail of clothes when you got home you knew what you were getting into.” You defended, shrugging.

“I’m just kidding, I got home like two minutes ago. Figured I’d give you some time when neither of you happened to come back to the bar.” He laughed when you rolled your eyes, walking to sit on the bottom of the bed, “I’m sorry for telling him about Hawkins by the way. I was just trying to kick his ass into gear.”

“Alright, it’s ordered, 35 minutes.” Matt announced as he reappeared in the room, climbing back into his bed beside you pulling you into his side.

“Casey, your girl almost took down an attorney today. Who by the way wasn’t very happy when you never returned.”

It was a perfect end to a not so perfect week.

#Matt Casey #matthew casey #matt casey imagine #matt casey smut #matt caseyxreader #mattcaseyxreader #matt casey x reader #chicago fire imagine #chicago fire x reader

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matchingbatbites · 1 year

Text

Eddie only took the job because it was supposed to be fast, in and out in twenty minutes or so. He's glad that the Lord and his family are out for the evening, because the handle he'd discovered inside the vault and the secret door it triggered was far too interesting for him to not investigate.

The half-elf is careful as he enters the room, checking for traps or alarms along the entryway, thankful that his magical heritage gives him the ability to see in the absence of light. The place seems to be full of magical items, with bookshelves and displays packed to the brim with books and artifacts.

And on the far side of the room away from the collection, sitting on a bed and bound to the wall by a chain, is a young man who looks fucking terrified.

"It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you," Eddie says as he holds up his hands to show that they're empty, though he realizes that the other may not be able to see the way Eddie can. With a snap of his fingers several softly glowing orbs appear around the room, and the fear changes to surprise at the action.

Eddie takes the chance to look at the boy as he blinks against the light suddenly filling the space, and woah. His heart skips a beat, because this must be the most beautiful person Eddie has ever seen in his life.

He's around Eddie's age and clearly of Infernal descent, if the horns curling from his forehead and the tail Eddie can just see flicking behind him are any indication. But instead of the red-tone skin and near-black hair Eddie has seen on other tieflings, the young man has navy hair and powder blue skin dotted with deep blue beauty marks. He's wearing simple, loose clothing, and his eyes shine like gold coins in the light of Eddie's dancing lights, and the half-elf is instantly smitten.

“My name is Eddie,” he says as he carefully steps closer. "Any chance you could tell me why Lord Harrington has a tiefling sealed away in a secret room?"

Golden eyes snap from the lights back to Eddie's face, and the other seems to study him for a moment before responding with a scratchy, unused voice. "Something about me being the 'physical evidence of our family's greatest shame.' Or something like that."

Eddie blinks, because- "Your family? You're… Lord Harrington's son?"

The tiefling nods, and Eddie is absolutely bewildered. He’s lived in this town for years, and has never once heard of Lord Harrington having a son, only a daughter who is significantly younger than this person. Looking around the room, Eddie can see that it’s no better than a prison cell.

The manacle attached to the boy’s wrist is bolted to the wall between the bed and the desk, and on the nearby surface are a pitcher and shallow basin, along with a drinking glass. A chamber pot sits on the floor, just within reach, and must either be cleaned often or enchanted because no smell comes from it.

Eddie can’t help the soft “How long have you been kept in here?” that escapes him, and the boy seems surprised by the concern in his voice. He watches as the tiefling pulls his knees to his chest, hears the chain rattle as he wraps his arms around them. A few locks of navy hair fall down into his face but he makes no move to fix it.

“Since my mother passed away. She was the one who convinced my father to let me at least roam the house, even though I wasn’t allowed outside. She died when I was twelve, and ever since, my father has kept me here.” He looks up then, gold eyes once again focusing on Eddie. “My mother called me Stephen.”

Eddie goes soft at the new information, and he moves over to stand next to the bed. “Stephen. Mind if I call you Steve?”

Stephen, Steve, shakes his head. “I don’t mind. Could you- Why are you here, Eddie?”

And Eddie sighs. “Well, someone hired me to steal something from your father. I wasn’t expecting to find all of this,” he says, gesturing to the collection around him, then looks back at the other. “Or you.”

Steve's cheeks shift to a darker shade of blue, and Eddie is delighted to realize that the other is blushing. Steve waves his unchained hand around, motioning to the artifacts surrounding them. "Well, I’m sure the stuff in this room is valuable, father wouldn’t keep it hidden otherwise. Feel free to steal any of it as well.”

Eddie feels bold, can't help but ask “And what if I want to steal you?”

Steve's mouth opens in surprise, that blue blush going darker as he gives a soft “What?”

The half-elf moves closer and sits on the bed, just barely resisting the urge to touch the other. “You don’t deserve to be locked away, Steve. Your father is wrong to keep you here, you should be out in the world, living your life.”

He holds out a hand between them, an offering to this gorgeous stranger. "I'm a pretty good lockpick. I could have you out of that chain and this house in no time. Just say the word."

Steve takes a shaky inhale, he seems scared but curious as he asks a quiet "Where would I even go?"

Eddie shrugs a shoulder. "You can come with me, if you want. It's just me and my brother, Dustin, right now, but there's always room for one more."

Steve glances away, seeming to contemplate the offer, and Eddie would give anything to know exactly what he's thinking in this moment. He hopes that Steve says yes, that he lets Eddie take him away from this place, because Steve deserves to be free. He deserves to be in the outside world, to see the wonders of it, and more than anything, Eddie wants to be the one to show it to him.

It's not long before golden eyes snap back to chocolate brown, and Eddie's heart soars as Steve places his chained hand in Eddie's outstretched one. He aches when he sees the chafed skin of Steve's wrist, rough and raw from what's likely years of contact with the harsh metal.

But Steve seems determined and ecstatic, his hand squeezing Eddie's as he says "Do it. Steal me, Eddie."

And Eddie beams as he pulls out his lockpick kit.

"With pleasure, Steve."

#dnd/fantasy au anyone?#hopefully people who arent familiar with dnd get the idea of whats going on #but for anyone curious i WILL gush about tieflings if you ask me #steddie #steddie fanfic #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #tiefling!steve #joey writes #ficlet

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apomaro-mellow · 5 months

Text

King&Prince 6

Nancy was pacing back and forth. Normally, it made Eddie anxious, but since he knew exactly what was on her mind, he decided to let her continue until her short legs tired her out.

"I just-I don't understand you. How can you give him free reign of the castle?"

"He doesn't have free reign", Eddie said.

"Did you put a collar on him? Or cuffs?", Nancy asked. When Eddie shook his head, she continued. "Do you put any sort of spell on him? Or charm?"

"Robin can handle herself. And there's always guards nearby if he steps out of line."

Nancy looked him up and down, then crossed her arms. "It's almost like you have faith in him or something."

Eddie couldn't describe what he was feeling. He couldn't forgive the Harringtons for what they had been doing. But Dustin was right. Unless he could prove that Steve had been directly responsible, it wasn't right to punish him. He could still dislike him, since he definitely benefited from the misdeeds of his family.

And there was a slim chance those hard feelings would ever change.

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

Steve got dressed just in time to hear someone knock on the door.

"Hey, your royal slowness, we haven't got time for you to soak all day. I have actual important things to do."

It sounded like the woman from before. The one who didn't want him. Steve opened the door to her unimpressed face.

"Let's go."

"Without shoes?", Steve asked, looking down his bare feet.

"You won't need 'em."

She led him down the hall, past some windows and Steve got his first glimpse of the outside. It looked...normal. Nothing like the blackened, dead trees, and the dry, salted earth that he'd been led to believe this area was. The trees were wilting, sure, but in the typical way ones did in autumn. There was grass and even people doing chores outside.

Past the castle walls, he could make out something in the distance that looked like a town.

"Keep up!"

Steve tore his eyes away and saw that she was a long ways ahead of him. He jogged to catch up, noting the carpet on the floor. He was suddenly reminded of being very young and still allowed to go barefoot outside his quarters.

"Alright", she opened up a closet that was filled with instruments. "I need these moved over to the other end of the south wing and then polished and shined."

"So you're using a prince as both a pack mule and a maid?", Steve asked, brow raised. "What if I refuse?"

"Then I get our all-powerful king to put a compulsion hex on you and hypnotize you to do it anyway."

"Steve!", Dustin exclaimed when he came around the corner, beaming. "I went down to visit you and you were gone! They set you free?"

"I'm less free and more like free labor, apparently."

"You know you're not supposed to go down into the dungeons, Dustin."

"I see you've met Robin. Don't worry, she's nicer than she looks", Dustin grinned.

"Not nice enough to not tell Eddie what you've been doing. And I'm pretty sure he threatened to tell your mom. Maybe I'll just cut out the middle man", Robin warned.

Dustin paled. "You wouldn't dare."

Robin gestured to the musical instruments. "Help out with this and I won't tell a soul."

Dustin let out a breath of relief. "Menial work? That's it? Between Steve and me, we can knock this out easy."

Steve frowned. "I never said I'd-"

"This spoiled brat probably can't even lift a flute", Robin challenged.

"He knows how to kill a guy like a dozen different ways. Steve could finish this in like ten minutes", Dustin countered.

"Ooh, challenge accepted", Robin turned, ignoring Steve's protests. "I'll be in the second music room. Keep his highness on a tight leash."

Fully roped into it, Steve started hauling instruments. Dustin was talking, but he was thinking of his escape. He had no shackles, no bars. He could find a moment to get past the walls and then...maybe it would be better to sneak to the stables and get a horse first. He dreaded the thought of traveling such a distance with no shoes though. Maybe someone had a pair lying around?

Could he steal a pair in town without anyone noticing? He doubted most townsfolk would recognize him as an enemy prince. Steve was deep in his escape plan strategizing, that he just nodded along and 'mhm'ed to whatever it was that Dustin was saying. That kid could talk to a wall and keep the conversation going, which he was pretty much doing now, talking to Steve.

He barely even noticed that they were done moving things until the woman, Robin, threw a cloth at him.

"I want these shiny enough to see my reflection in them", she ordered.

"Why are you making him do all this?", Dustin asked.

"I'm getting new students tomorrow and they deserve nice equipment."

Dustin's eyes narrowed. "Who?"

"Oh no one you'd know. Except for Mike."

"Mike?!"

"And Max. And El, oh and Lucas and", Robin went on naming people, some Steve knew, others that he didn't.

"Bullshit! There's no way they're all taking classes!"

"Oh they are. And you are too", Robin said while leaving the room.

Incredulous, Dustin followed her out, leaving Steve alone in the room. Alone. They had left him alone. He looked to the open door, leading out into the hallway, then the instruments spread out on tables and the floor, covered in dust.

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

Jeff and Nancy were strolling the halls, discussing how best to prepare for any sort of retaliation when they heard whistling. It wasn't the sound that gave them pause, but where it was coming from. A music room that wasn't supposed to be in use yet. They poked their heads in and saw Prince Steve, whistling a happy working tune while shining a shining a trumpet.

The two of them pulled their heads out, shared a mutual expression of confusion and went to seek out Eddie to report to him, but he was nowhere to be found. That usually meant he was off in town or visiting some other part of the kingdom. Either way, they wouldn't be able to talk to him until he returned.

Steve didn't spend too long rationalizing why he was doing this. He was just biding his time until he came up with a more solid plan. Even though his homeland wasn't really a home, at least no one there wanted to actively kill him. He wasn't safe here and he couldn't forget that. He especially couldn't let his guard down around the king.

Robin remembered him a couple of hours later and led him back to the room he'd first been brought to. Steve had time to actually look at it now. Smaller than his own room but larger than the prison cell. Definitely warmer to. But besides that, it was very minimal and sparse. A bed, a small drawer, and the bathroom. Steve wondered what this room was for. It was an odd sort of guest room.

Robin said something about dinner being brought up but Steve paid it no mind when he realized he'd be sleeping on a bed tonight. He collapsed into it and buried himself in the blanket. He'd be having sleep for dinner.

Part 8

Tag Team

@thesuninyaface @only-evanescent @snakeorsquid @ignoremyworld @theclichefortunecookie @goodolefashionedloverboi @just-a-tiny-void @0body0disphoria0 @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @samsoble @sugartin @jamieweasley13 @y4r3luv @xtkxkrzrizir @un-knownperson @greekgeek24 @justdrugsformethanks @potato-of-the-lord @notaqueenakhaleesi @swimmingbirdrunningrock @queenie-ofthe-void @nebulainajar @lil-gremlin-things

#apo writes #stranger things #fanfiction #steddie #robin buckley #dustin henderson #steve harrington

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ladykailitha · 5 days

Text

Sweet Home Indiana Part 3

Shit! I can't believe I forgot to post this this morning! I don't know where my head was, honestly.

I'm reaching a point where I'm running out of plot so I don't think this story is going to be longer than 10 chapters max. A lot of the second half of the movie takes place over months as the main character gets ready to marry the rich bachelor, only for her to find out that her husband signed the divorce papers and she forgot ON HER WEDDING DAY (as in she was informed on her wedding day that she forgot). Which really won't work for this story.

So yeah, I suspect to be finished with this story sooner rather than later.

Eddie does have to do a lot of grovelling but he unfortunately gets worse before he gets better. He's really REALLY dumb in this, okay?

TAG LIST IS CLOSED FOR THIS STORY

Part 1 Part 2

****

Eddie watched Steve walk away and he gently put the brownie back into the box.

Fuck.

His stomach churned as he swallowed down the bite in his mouth. He had forgotten so much about the man he once swore to love until the end of his days. But he remembered that look of absolute betrayal before the mask dropped.

So Eddie did what he was good at when times got tough, he ran. He was supposed to have been trying to convince Steve to come with him, but he had fucked it up so badly there was no coming back from that.

The worst part is that there had been a few times in the last decade where Eddie could have healed what was between them, that he could have reached out and gotten back in touch. But Eddie had ran each time.

He wouldn’t say each time ended in a rushed marriage, but two of them definitely did.

Eddie would think about reaching out only to hear about how well Steve was doing from Dustin or Max and how happy he was and Eddie would run out a marry the first guy who would fuck him.

The other times he would think about contacting Steve and some small trouble (or not so small in the case of his band breaking up) would crop up and he be scrambling to keep his head above water.

Steve was thriving here in Hawkins and wasn’t that just a kick to the head. He had a little bakery that was doing well, Robin was here, and if all the times the kids called Eddie were any indication, Steve was still on speaking terms with all of them.

He needed a fucking drink. He didn’t care that it was only a little after noon, he needed to turn off his brain. He turned on his heel and stormed out of the bakery.

“I thought I recognized the van,” a warm voice said. “Were you gonna tell me you were in town?”

Eddie looked around before he spotted his Uncle Wayne, leaning up against the side of the building.

“Wayne!” he cried and threw his arms around his neck.

Wayne hugged him back. “It’s good to see you kid.”

“Of course I was going to tell you I was in town,” Eddie scoffed. “I was just trying to take care of something first.”

Wayne looked behind him at the bakery and raised an eyebrow. “You coming back to make an honest man out him or are you setting to break his heart?”

“Why are you on his side?” Eddie whined. “Yes, I said some pretty stupid shit, but he wasn’t blameless in all the fuckery that went down.”

Wayne’s expression softened. “I know.” He put his arm around Eddie’s shoulders. “Come on, I’ll buy you lunch and we can talk about why you’re in town.”

“Mmk,” Eddie said weakly, letting Wayne lead him down the street to the nearby diner.

****

Steve was hyperventilating. He couldn’t do this. He wasn’t strong enough. Eddie Munson was the biggest asshole in the world and he still looked like sex on legs.

That funny little lopping walk he did when he wanted to move fast but didn’t want to run.

The long hair in waves around his face. His lean body stuffed into the tightest pair of jeans Steve had ever seen and he used to wear tight jeans for fuck’s sake. The god damn eyeliner on his big doe eyes.

And peaking out of the leather jacket were even more tattoos. Which it made sense considering he was some hot shot tattoo artist up in Seattle. But still! It wasn’t fair that the man who broke his heart wasn’t fat and balding at thirty. Nooooo...he had to come back to blue his balls as well as break his heart.

“Do I need to break his balls?” Robin asked coming back from the freezer. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared. Not at Steve specifically, but glared at the situation in general.

Steve gave a kind of hiccuping laugh and his lungs filled with the air he desperately needed.

“No,” he said with a broken smile. “I handled it. I’m just going to send it to Hal to make sure he’s not trying to take me to the cleaners or some other bullshit.”

Robin nodded. Hal Peterson was their business attorney, but he’d know enough to make sure Steve wasn’t being shafted by the whole ordeal.

“So what’s got you around the twist?” she asked.

“He looks hotter now than he did before he left,” Steve whined. “He’s supposed to balding and fat and falling apart at the seams. But no...he’s leaner, still with those long ridiculous curls, and better put together than I was.” He waved a hand at himself. His hair was greasy from standing around a hot oven, his hands and apron were covered in flour, he had frosting on his nose.

Robin came over and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and he let out a little sob.

“I’m sorry, Steve,” she murmured. “Are you going to be okay?”

He let out a shuddering sigh. “Probably not until he blows out of town again.”

Robin kissed the top of his head. “Let’s go out to the Hideout tonight. The shop will be fine. We handled today, we can handle tomorrow, too.”

Steve let out a shuddering sigh and nodded into her stomach.

“Good,” she stepped back and cupped his cheeks. “I know this sucks but you are the strongest, most capable person I’ve ever met. A weaker man would crumble under all this, but that person is not you. You understand me?”

He let out another shuddering sigh. “Thanks, Robs. I needed that.”

“I know you did, dingus,” she said fondly. “So lets knock today out of the ballpark, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

****

“I was hoping,” Eddie was telling Wayne, “that I could roll into town, get him to sign the divorce papers, and spend the rest of the week with you. But no, he’s being a stubborn ass.”

Wayne snorted. “You always did aim too high.”

“I thought he’d want to be rid of me,” Eddie huffed. “I’ve done nothing but run around all over this god forsaken country just to put some distance between me and him. I’ve hurt him in every possible way. I thought he was just wanting closure you know, calling me into town like he did.”

Wayne furrowed his brow. “He called you into to town?”

Eddie nodded and placed his chin on his hands on the table. “I was a bit of an ass about it because I didn’t explain things to Chrissy, but yeah. He told me that if I wanted to divorce him so bad, I’d have to come back to Hawkins and do the job proper.”

The waitress came set Wayne’s food down and Eddie sat up so she could do the same for him.

Wayne waited until she was gone before he turned back to Eddie. “When you told me you were marrying Chrissy, I was more than a little surprised.”

Eddie rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. “I know. I have my reasons, I just can’t tell you yet. But I promise it’s for a good reason.”

“He’s done really well for himself here,” Wayne said softly.

“And I haven’t?” Eddie spat out a tad too bitterly.

Wayne scowled. “Did I say you hadn’t, boy?” he snapped.

Eddie’s head reared back from the shock of his normally mild mannered uncle to snap at him. He shook his head, his lip beginning to quiver.

“I’m on your side,” Wayne said, to Eddie’s scoff. “I know I keep hyping up Steve, but I remember what you two were like when things were good, son. You were incandescent. But I look at you now and that sparkle has gone. I want to be happy for you, but first you’ve got to show me that you’re happy for yourself.”

“You don’t think I’m happy?” Eddie asked in confusion. “I have my own tattoo shop, I’m going to marry a great girl, and I’m still friends with most of the members of my band. What’s not to be happy about?”

Wayne shrugged. “You tell me.”

Eddie frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, old man.”

Wayne dug his thumbs into his belt and licked his top lip nice and slow. Eddie ignored him and just stabbed at his food.

“Kiddo,” Wayne said, shaking his head, “you’re still in love with that boy even with these ten years gone.” His chin jutted up to point to Eddie’s food.

Eddie froze with his fork half way to his mouth and then looked down at his plate. It took him a full minute to realize what Wayne was talking about.

“Oh.”

He had ordered the breakfast platter. It had hash browns, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, and sausage with a side of chocolate chip pancakes. But Eddie didn’t like hash browns or sausage. He would give them to Steve who did.

He thought about the little box that was sat next to him on the bench and the brownie Steve had concocted for him so long ago.

Eddie swallowed thickly, his stomach turning sour as he stared at the hash browns and sausage he was never going to eat.

“Eat up,” Wayne said with a soft smile. “You don’t want it to go to waste.” He scooped up the hash browns and put them on his plate and then stabbed both sausage.

He dipped the first sausage into his over easy eggs, ignoring Eddie’s turmoil. At least for the moment.

Eddie brought the fork all the way to his mouth and chewed, not really tasting it.

He ate through most of the food that way, until it came to the pancakes. He moaned happily.

“Seattle just doesn’t make pancakes the way Benny does,” he said softly.

Wayne’s smile was no less tender this time, but infinitely more fond. “You could always come back to Hawkins. You can set up a tattoo shop anywhere, so why not here?”

Eddie shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to Steve. Divorce his ass and then move back into town with Chrissy in tow, shoving it in his face that I moved on.”

“I can see that,” Wayne murmured. “I just miss my boy is all and would love to see you more often than I get.”

Eddie took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know you do. And I would like you to meet Chrissy before the wedding.”

“I’d like that too.”

****

Tag List: CLOSED

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

2- @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 @a-little-unsteddie

3- @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666

4- @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

5- @justforthedead89 @vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690

6- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

7- @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

8- @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @blackpanzy

9- @amazing-spiderkeys @oldpinghai @raisedbylibrarians @kultiras @swimmingbirdrunningrock

10- @steddie-as-they-go @captain--low @micheledawn1975 @thespaceantwhowrites @mac-attack19

#my writing #stranger things #steddie #ladykailtiha writes #rom com au

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gimmethatagustd · 25 days

Text

venor (final) | kth + jjk

The barista at the university’s café keeps telling Jungkook not to come back, but Jungkook is too busy daydreaming about kissing the beauty marks on his face to be paying attention to his warnings.

○ Pairing: Tiger!Taehyung x Bunny!Jungkook

○ Rating: Explicit/18+

○ Genre: Hybrids, predator/prey, college au, strangers to lovers, slow burn, fluff, light angst, eventual smut

○ Word Count: 5,064

○ Warnings: Scenting, lots of kissing and happy crying, gross cute romance and all that other annoying stuff

○ Notes: It's the end of an era, my friends. I promised a Bestie Who Must Not Be Named that I'd write an epilogue, so technically this series isn't 100% over. I hope you had fun with it! And thank you to everyone who was so kind to me as we went on this unique little journey together 💜

○ Post Date: April 21, 2024

○ Masterlist | AO3 Cross-Post

○ What was Jai listening to? The series playlist

Series Masterlist

Jungkook and Taehyung wait until they finish their final projects and exams before visiting Taehyung's family home. As much as a getaway trip, no matter how short or ordinary, would help alleviate Jungkook's end-of-the-year stress, his commitment to his studies, and his fear of disappointing his parents force him to focus on his studies. Exercising helps, especially when he convinces Taehyung and Yoongi to tag along, but most days near the end of the semester, Jungkook spends in the library or in class.

When Jungkook submits the last project due, the mobile app he spent the whole semester designing, he feels like his brain dribbles out of his ears. With final presentations and exams now over, they have the freedom to do as they please in the last few days before they must leave the dorms for winter break. He's lucky he doesn't have to drive to Taehyung's house, even though it's a short trip.

"Jiae is still in school, but my appa should be home," Taehyung explains, keeping his eyes on the road as he drives.

"Where did you say she's studying?"

"New York University. I've never been to the United States, but she likes it for the most part. She said the city is dirty, though."

Jungkook watches Taehyung smile as he shares a story about his sister's first time seeing a rat scurry across the city streets. Without a sibling, Jungkook doesn't know what it's like to share a life with someone for so long and then be separated by so much distance. There's love in how Taehyung talks about Jiae; Jungkook can feel it. Taehyung also experiences a little bit of joy in knowing his sister has been chased by rats, and Jungkook supposes that's just how it is being an older sibling.

When school isn’t in session, Taehyung stays with Jiae and their father in the home where the children grew up. It’s a small villa in a quiet neighborhood far enough away from downtown Seoul that Jungkook almost feels like he’s back in his own town, free from the bustling city and the hassles that come with it. The villa is well-maintained but modest and home to four families, with the Kim family occupying one of the apartment units on the second floor. The building is cute from the outside, not as big and intimidating as the apartments Jungkook imagined in the city, and a few of the nerves jittering through his body calm down.

Taehyung finds street parking nearby so they don’t need to walk far in the cold. Just like the end of the semester, winter descended on Jungkook quicker than he expected.

In the villa’s compact front yard, a few young children bundled up in thick coats, scratchy scarves, and winter hats too big for their heads build miniature snowmen. Feline tails whip out from two of their coats, and another child has sparkly olive scale splotches on his cheeks like freckles.

“Taehyungie hyung!” squeals one of the children when Taehyung leads Jungkook up the front steps.

Once the other two children notice Taehyung, they fumble in the snow, knees lifting high to jump over the lumps of snow they’ve pushed together. They’re adorable, even more so when the three crash into Taehyung, clinging to his legs and tugging on his gloved hands.

“Hey kids,” Taehyung pats each child on the head with the hand that isn’t being pulled nearly to the ground by one girl.

“When is Jiae noona coming back?” the little boy demands, making Taehyung frown.

“I come home for the first time in months, and you want my sister instead?”

“We missed you too, oppa,” one of the girls insists with wide eyes that remind Jungkook of how he looks when he’s trying to get someone on his good side. He can’t help but giggle over it, and the sound alerts the children to the fact that he’s there, patiently waiting on the front steps behind Taehyung.

“Hello,” the little girl hanging on Taehyung’s arm swings her body around to look at Jungkook. “Who are you?”

“That’s my boyfriend, your Jungkook oppa.”

“You have a boyfriend, Taehyungie oppa? Did your appa say that you can have a boyfriend?”

With his hands on his hips, Jungkook turns to Taehyung, giving him an expectant look that mirrors the three children's expressions.

“Well, Tae, did your appa permit you to have a boyfriend?”

“Bun, not you, too,” Taehyung groans as he tries shaking off the children.

“Oh my gosh! He’s a bunny! Look at his ears!”

“Come on, guys. It’s cold.” Taehyung grabs Jungkook’s bicep and pulls him forward as the children rush to cling onto Jungkook instead.

Shouting over each other, the children demand that Jungkook remove his winter hat to show off more of his ears and demonstrate if he can jump really high. Their silly questions are endearing, but Jungkook’s nose is frozen, and he grows more nervous with each step he climbs to reach the villa’s front doors.

“Go back to your snowman.” Taehyung shoos the kids away while he holds the door open for Jungkook. “You’ll see Jungkook later.”

“Bye hyungs, bye oppas!” the children call out, fumbling over each other to move out of the way when Taehyung tries to usher them from the door.

Despite Taehyung’s grumblings, his affection for the children is evident by how sweet and patient he is with them. Jungkook hasn’t thought much about children. He knows his parents expect grandchildren, especially since they only have Jungkook to provide them, but he always saw parenthood as a far-off concept not worth worrying about in his youth. Seeing Taehyung interact with the neighborhood children makes Jungkook consider that, perhaps, he could spend a little time thinking about it more than he has in the past…

“My appa did give me permission to have a boyfriend, by the way,” Taehyung says with a silly smile as he loops his arm through Jungkook’s to lead him down the hall once they’ve reached the second floor.

“Oh, good. What would we have done if he hadn’t?” Jungkook smiles, too, just as goofy.

“Break up, I guess?” Taehyung offers, laughing when Jungkook stops in the middle of the hallway to stomp his foot in frustration.

Taehyung is obviously joking; Jungkook can’t imagine him ever asking for permission to do anything, not that he’s the type of kid to go against his parents at every turn. Something tells Jungkook that Taehyung’s mother encouraged his free spirit rather than trying to stamp it down. Perhaps some of that has rubbed off on Jungkook, too.

“You didn’t even formally ask me out!” Jungkook complains.

Squeezing Jungkook’s bicep, Taehyung tugs on him gently. “I totally did!”

“When?!”

Taehyung removes his gloves to input the apartment unit’s code. His hat covers his ears, but Jungkook can tell that they twitch under it just as his tail flicks out to smack Jungkook on the thigh. He’s so cute that Jungkook thinks he might genuinely die over it one day. How can he possibly withstand this type of cute aggression for the rest of his life? Because that is what he wants, to be with Taehyung until the end, even if it’s too early to say such a thing.

“I was nervous, okay,” Taehyung presses his shoulder against the door to give it a little push as he opens it. “Just saying it seemed easier than asking. Besides, I knew you wanted it, too.”

Winking, Taehyung gestures for Jungkook to enter the apartment first and grins when he notices Jungkook’s bright pink cheeks. Ridiculous. Taehyung is ridiculous. The only reason Jungkook is willing to let this slide is because Taehyung does get nervous when he’s put on the spot, as Jungkook quickly learned during their final presentation for their Art History class. Standing at the front of the lecture hall, Taehyung had forced his tail through his belt loops so it wouldn’t nervously swish back and forth and started off the presentation with wide eyes pleading for Jungkook to take the lead, but it went well.

The Kim residence reminds Jungkook of Taehyung’s dorm room and his father’s restaurant. It is bright and nature-toned, with plants in every corner and large windows providing natural lighting. It isn’t perfect, but it’s lived in, and Jungkook prefers that over something so minimalist that it’s sterile. Taehyung kicks his boots into the corner of the entryway and tosses his coat on the kitchen table as he walks past, meaning Jungkook should follow his lead.

“So it’s just you, your appa, and your sister?” Jungkook asks.

“Yup. It’s kind of small for three adults, but as a kid, it felt huge.” Taehyung shrugs. “We’ll both be out of the house soon, anyway.”

Jungkook folds his outerwear and neatly places it on the kitchen table, trying not to take up too much space. He’s hesitant about taking off his scarf. The bruise Taehyung left Jungkook when he bit his neck still hasn’t entirely disappeared, but Jungkook concludes that it would be more suspicious to keep his scarf on inside than to have splotchy skin.

“Your appa will be so lonely…” Jungkook looks around, taking note of the little pieces of Taehyung and Jiae scattered around the house — Taehyung’s pottery and Jiae’s soccer trophies. Recently, Jungkook has learned that both Kim children are exceptional athletes.

“Eh, he’ll be fine,” Taehyung says, intertwining Jungkook’s fingers with his. “I’ll give you a tour.”

It’s a bit of “organized chaos,” as Taehyung calls it. Clothes are strewn around the apartment, draped on the backs of the kitchen chairs and the arm of the living room couch. The whiteboard calendar on the fridge still reads “November” despite it being the beginning of December now, and there are kitchen appliances everywhere, including niche ones Jungkook can’t name.

“Appa is somewhere around here…” Taehyung thinks aloud, “Might be on the roof, though. There’s a garden up there. The one I told you about.”

Taehyung’s mother’s garden. Jungkook nods, but he doesn’t interrupt Taehyung as he shows off the chaotic apartment, even jiggling the doorknob of his sister’s room hard enough to force it open so they can take a peek at the disaster of boy band posters and too much pink.

“She’s such a girl,” Taehyung teases before ushering Jungkook down the hall to his bedroom. “At least she gets to keep her room, though. Appa turned mine into a fucking office.”

The last room on the short but thorough apartment tour is Taehyung’s, which is more like an office than a bedroom. It seems that Taehyung’s furniture—a bed, dresser, and nightstand—has been arranged in one corner to free up space for a desk, bookshelf, and filing cabinet that wouldn’t fit anywhere else in the apartment.

“Why does he need a filing cabinet? Who keeps paper documents anymore?” Taehyung shuts the bedroom door behind them.

When Taehyung turns around, Jungkook feels a shift in the energy between them. Having been uncharacteristically talkative, Taehyung suddenly grows quiet.

“You didn’t put your backpack down,” Taehyung notices with a frown.

Jungkook squeezes his backpack straps and shrugs, hoping Taehyung’s predator hybrid senses don’t ruin everything by noticing his nervousness. He’s trying to be chill, just as he tried when he first met Taehyung. It hadn’t worked then, and it probably won’t work now.

“I, um…” Panicking, Jungkook looks for a distraction, not ready to let Taehyung know why he still has his backpack with him. “Didn’t you say you wanted to give me something?”

Eyes widening, Taehyung rubs the back of his neck and averts his gaze. Why are the two of them being so awkward right now? It catches Jungkook off guard, making his chest tighten and his heart feel as though it’s being crushed by his ribcage.

“Tae—”

“Can you sit on the bed, please?”

Nodding, Jungkook sits on the edge of Taehyung’s bed, thinking Taehyung will follow him. Instead, Taehyung squats in front of the old wooden dresser. He pulls out the bottom drawer and looks through the clothing, no longer neatly folded, as he pushes it to the side. Whatever he’s looking for is buried deep in the back of the drawer beneath cable-knit sweaters and flannels.

“I wanted to keep it safe,” Taehyung mumbles once he pushes the drawer shut.

In Taehyung’s hand is a small pouch of blush velvet that matches the shade of pink blooming across Jungkook’s cheeks. Shy embarrassment makes his upper body feel hot. Though Jungkook was excited about the gift when he first learned of it, the reality of being presented with it is nearly too much for his little bunny heart to bear. With a frenzied heart, he takes the pouch from Taehyung, and his breathing stutters when their fingers brush, as though it’s the first time they’ve ever touched.

“I hope you like it,” Taehyung says softly, and Jungkook thinks he might explode.

Undoing the tie at the top of the pouch, Jungkook lets the contents inside slip out and fall into his hand. Rose gold and cold against his skin, the expensive bracelet shines in the natural light bathing Taehyung’s bedroom. It’s a simple gold band that comes together at the top of the wrist where the tiger-shaped clasp is. Decorated with sparkly white diamonds for eyes, the bracelet shimmers when Jungkook turns it to examine every little detail.

“It was my eomma’s. She didn’t wear it a lot, mostly just for fancy things. But she gave it to me when she… Well, she said I should keep it for someone special.”

“It’s beautiful,” Jungkook murmurs, too afraid to speak louder because he can already feel a lump growing in his throat.

Taehyung reaches out to take the bracelet. He turns it so Jungkook can see what’s engraved into the inner part of the bracelet.

“I found a jewelry shop that does engravings, so I got our names…” Taehyung’s face turns bright red, and his tail flips between his ankles faster than Jungkook has ever seen. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’ve been… ah, fuck , why is this so hard.” He exhales through pursed lips, making a silly sound when his lips flutter. “I’ve been courting you, and I’m supposed to give you something really nice at the end to ask if you accept me, okay? That’s what I’m doing. So. Yeah. That’s all.”

Thrusting his arm, Taehyung holds the bracelet for Jungkook to take back.

Taehyung never formally asked Jungkook to date him, but Jungkook knows that this means something more than just a silly title for a young relationship. Although prey hybrids have different customs, it’s easy to see how important this moment is for Taehyung. He’s unbelievably agitated. Not once has his tail calmed down, and now his hands tremble enough for him to shove them into the back pockets of his jeans.

Conversely, Jungkook’s infatuation makes him burn with an eagerness he’s never felt. He can’t help but smile, even when Taehyung frowns, and it feels good because Jungkook knows Taehyung well enough that he can tell the frown is because Jungkook has yet to say anything. Does he accept Taehyung? What a silly question!

“Tae,” Jungkook begins and thinks he can genuinely feel Taehyung grow tense from how suffocating the room is, “I would have accepted you with just the striped donuts. This is… this is more than I could ever imagine, Tae. I accept you, but I don’t know if I can accept something so special to your eomma.”

Shaking his head, Taehyung sits down next to Jungkook. He takes Jungkook’s face in both hands to slowly rub his thumbs across his cheeks, gathering the tears that stain them.

“You’re special, bun. She would’ve loved you. Probably more than she loved me.”

“Shut up, that’s not true.”

“It is, I swear! I gave her so much grief. You’re literally perfect.”

Jungkook’s giggle sounds wet and stuffy. He shivers as Taehyung pulls him against his chest so he can tuck his face against Taehyung’s shoulder.

“Baby, why are you crying?”

Jungkook tries answering Taehyung, but his words get muffled and lost, and he can hardly put the scrambled mess together in his own head. It takes a few minutes, but he eventually stops crying. It helps that Taehyung eases the backpack straps off Jungkook’s shoulders so he can rub his back in soothing circles. He hums a gentle purr and plants little kisses atop Jungkook’s head until Jungkook finally pulls away to look at him with glossy eyes.

“You’re really sweet, Tae,” Jungkook says with a soft smile that grows larger when Taehyung tries to look away from him. “You want to act like you’re not, but you are.”

“I’m alright, I guess.”

“You’re lovely.”

Taehyung’s ears flatten against his head, and he sticks out his tongue, reaching for Jungkook’s hand to squeeze it.

“Can I put it on you?” Taehyung takes the bracelet and clasps it around Jungkook’s wrist. It fits well, not too tight, and it doesn't slip down his forearm.

Jungkook can’t stop thinking about how pretty it looks and how important it is for him to keep it nice. He’ll cherish it for the rest of his life. This gift is not only a declaration of Taehyung’s love but also demonstrates the level of trust that Taehyung has in Jungkook to keep his mother’s beloved possession safe.

Taehyung rubs his wrist against Jungkook’s, scenting him before he pulls back so they can both admire how the bracelet looks on Jungkook. A thick band of rose gold, it’s pretty but isn’t dainty, instead solid and bold. Jungkook knows he won’t wear it always; he’ll be afraid to. Perhaps he’ll wear it on the days he wants to feel Taehyung’s love the most, so his love can be a tangible pressure on his wrist, pressed to one of the points of his heartbeat.

“I love you,” Jungkook whispers against Taehyung’s lips when he kisses him. He loves hearing Taehyung purr when he unexpectedly initiates a kiss, and he loves feeling the warmth of Taehyung’s hands on his body.

“I love you too, bun,” Taehyung whispers back, but he speaks into the corner of Jungkook’s jaw, then nips at each faded hickey down his neck. “Are you gonna tell me what’s in your backpack now? Or do you wanna keep stalling? I could come up with some ideas…”

“Taehyung.” The scold doesn’t mean much when Jungkook digs his fingers in Taehyung’s hair to hold him close as he scents him.

“Come on, baby. What are you hiding from me?”

Of course, Taehyung sees right through Jungkook and catches on to what he’s doing. It should be embarrassing, but Jungkook is too drunk on the feeling of Taehyung’s lips against his throat to care that he’s the most obvious person in the history of the universe. It doesn’t matter anyway. Jungkook has no reason to lie or hide things from Taehyung.

Though this is at least a little bit serious — in a good way, but still…

“How do you know I’m hiding something?” Jungkook stalls just like Taehyung guessed he would, though not in the way Taehyung might want.

Rather than respond, Taehyung pokes Jungkook on the tip of his nose. Like Taehyung has hit a magic button, Jungkook immediately scrunches his nose and giggles when Taehyung kisses the tip of it.

“Suyun told me you were courting me,” Jungkook admits shyly as he drags his backpack into his lap and unzips it.

“Of course she did.”

Jungkook buzzes with excitement even as Taehyung pouts. He holds all wiggles in, though. He can’t afford to have Taehyung teasing him during such a brave moment. Instead, he focuses his energy on not growing too nervous.

“Close your eyes,” Jungkook commands. He stares blankly at Taehyung until he follows his instructions, unwilling to tolerate Taehyung’s cheekiness when it gets in the way of an important moment.

Once Taehyung has obeyed him, Jungkook pulls out a thin, rectangular frame from his backpack and places it in Taehyung’s lap.

“Okay, you can open them now.”

When Taehyung saw Jungkook’s half-finished portrait, he’d sucked Jungkook off so good that Jungkook allegedly passed out. Jungkook didn't want to make any assumptions, and he’s still nervous from being in Taehyung’s dad’s apartment, so he tried not to imagine what Taehyung’s reaction would be after seeing the finished product.

“I know it’s not as fancy or as special as your eomma’s bracelet, but—”

Jungkook quiets when Taehyung presses his finger to his lips and shushes him while his amber eyes scan over the artwork.

“Baby, respectfully, shut up.”

The snort that comes from Jungkook is uncharacteristic. It feels like a Yoongi thing Jungkook must have picked up in the months they’ve lived together. Taehyung pays him no mind, though. He holds the frame up to admire the print. It’s colorful, glossy, and perfectly matted because Jungkook asked one of the digital photography students at their university to help him with it. The girl knew Taehyung; she swore to keep the print a secret and didn’t even charge Jungkook for help. That might be a testament to how sweet Jungkook is, but it could also indicate just how personable Taehyung is, that people are willing to do kind things for him without anything in return.

“Bun,” Taehyung says after spending a quiet moment with the portrait, “Please don’t downplay yourself like that ever again. You are an amazing artist. Your talent, god, bun… your talent is unreal.”

Taehyung is almost too serious when he speaks, and Jungkook feels the looming need to scoot away from him. He doesn’t, though, because he knows this is Taehyung working through his intense feelings for Jungkook, feelings that his predator hybrid instincts don’t know what to do with. Neither Taehyung nor Jungkook is hardwired for a relationship like theirs.

“Thank you.” Jungkook runs his fingertips along Taehyung’s clenched jaw and watches the tension slowly melt away when he pulls back his sleeve to scent him. “Having a gorgeous model is half the battle, actually.”

Ignoring Jungkook’s teasing, Taehyung slides his hand around the back of Jungkook’s neck to pull him closer.

“I love you, bun.”

Jungkook can’t answer, though he doesn’t need to. His lips speak in other ways when Taehyung slips his tongue between them. Unlike before, their kiss isn’t heated or rushed. It’s sensual, but Jungkook is learning that all intimacy with Taehyung, sexual or not, is still somehow sensual. But this kiss feels comforting rather than rousing. It lulls Jungkook instead of stimulating him, and he likes the reassurance that it brings.

"Is this your final courting gift, too?" Taehyung asks once they've finally detached from each other.

Jungkook blushes with a shy, "Yes."

Months ago, Yoongi told Jungkook that pursuing a predator hybrid would break his heart. For the first time in his life, Jungkook feels like his heart finally has a home.

“Would you like me to speak with your parents, Jungkook?”

“Oh, no, no, that’s okay!” Jungkook politely but quickly shuts down Mr. Kim’s offer. “They’re, uh, they would probably be upset if they heard it from anyone other than me.”

With an understanding smile, Mr. Kim resumes cleaning the kitchen, though his endeavor must begin with decluttering, considering all the appliances and utensils tossed around. It’s the life of a chef and restaurant owner, Taehyung had groaned as he complained about how long it would take for them to eat dinner when his father had created a disaster in the kitchen.

Jungkook is eager to scramble out of the kitchen and return to his spot on the living room couch with Taehyung, bringing two bottles of beer given to him by Mr. Kim.

“What was appa talking to you about?” Taehyung asks, before opening his mouth for Jungkook to give him a sip of beer. He looks like a baby bird waiting to be fed, and it makes Jungkook giggle despite how his stomach twists with new nerves.

“He asked me if I told my parents I’m staying with you for winter break yet…”

“Well, have you?” Taehyung raises his eyebrows, but he keeps his eyes on the TV.

Jungkook feels like he needs to remind Taehyung to blink occasionally, but he doesn’t. This is Taehyung’s first time playing video games; Jungkook may as well let him get the authentic gamer experience by fucking up his eyes.

“No.”

“Bun,” Taehyung’s scolding is cut short by a string of expletives when his video game character is murdered.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Taehyung would choose to play a game about a virus that turns humans into vampires and the human hunters dedicating their lives to slaying them. Violent video games aren’t Jungkook’s preference, but it certainly feeds into the stereotypes about predatory hybrids.

“I’m nervous about it…”

“What’s the worst thing that’ll happen? They’ll get upset, and then they’ll get over it. It’s not like you’ll never come back ever again.”

Taehyung is right, but he’s also wrong. Is Jungkook being dramatic? Perhaps, but he knows his parents better than everyone else, and he knows that they are sensitive.

“Let me talk to them. Do a video call so they can see how handsome I am, and they’ll know you made the right choice.”

Rolling his eyes, Jungkook takes a few more sips of his beer to take the edge off his nerves before he gets up, phone heavy in his hand like a weapon or a ball and chain.

“Pray for me,” Jungkook mumbles into Taehyung’s hair when he kisses him.

“Tell them I’ll eat them if they’re mean to you. I like how bunnies taste.”

“Oh my gosh, Taehyung, your appa is right there,” Jungkook whispers harshly, but Taehyung’s boxy grin is the symbol of audacity.

Jungkook uses Taehyung’s bedroom to make the phone call. It takes a few minutes of Jungkook biting at a hangnail before he randomly chooses his father to call, having no idea which of his parents will be the least likely to be upset over the news. Jungkook wonders if other college students must worry about having this conversation when they go away for breaks.

Before visiting the Kims, Jungkook tried to do a roleplay scenario with Suyun and Yoongi to see if that would help him plan what to say.

Yoongi was too scary to talk to; Jungkook kept slipping up. The more he talked, the worse it got, until he was practically sharing the whole story of his romance with Taehyung to justify why he was choosing to stay with a predator hybrid.

“Well, don’t tell them what he is!” is what Suyun had insisted.

“True… I don’t have to. It would be lying, though. I’m so bad at lying!”

“It’s not lying. It’s just withholding information. Totally different.”

As usual, Jungkook thinks hanging out with predators changed Suyun — but probably for the better.

With a sigh, Jungkook sets his phone on speaker and lies on Taehyung’s bed, counting each ring and thinking that his heartbeat somehow harmonizes with it.

“Jungkook-ah?”

“Oh, eomma, hi. Where’s appa?”

Jungkook doesn’t think it matters which one of his parents hears the news first, but he doesn’t like being caught off guard. Despite being proud of how much confidence he has gained and the personal growth he has experienced since transferring to Seoul, Jungkook still feels like a kid when around his parents.

“He went into town for groceries but forgot his phone again. I think I need to buy him one of those watches. Do you know the ones?”

“A smartwatch?”

Despite their flaws, Jungkook loves his parents. It’s just that the love they all share for each other is different, and it isn’t always easy. Jungkook feels that love while his mother rambles about his father being forgetful, and he reminds himself that Taehyung is right. This isn’t the end of the world.

“Hey, eomma, I can’t talk for a long time right now, but I needed to tell you I have a boyfriend now…” Jungkook takes a deep breath and continues before his mother can respond, “And I’m going to stay with him and his family for winter break.”

The silence that follows is expected. Because of this, Jungkook hears the bedroom door open, and he nods when Taehyung asks for permission to come inside. He sits on the bed beside Jungkook, who is now lying on his stomach, and gently scratches the base of Jungkook’s ears.

“Oh. For the whole break?”

“Mhm.”

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend.”

Jungkook cringes. “I know, eomma. I’m sorry.”

Taehyung doesn’t seem offended. He plays with Jungkook’s hair and ears and keeps quiet to let Jungkook think.

“Hmm, Jungkook-ah, I hope he is treating you well. Is he smart? What is he studying? What do his parents do for a living?”

“Ah, please, don’t interrogate me!”

“I’m just asking simple questions every eomma should know.”

“We can talk later, okay? I will call you, and we’ll talk with appa, too.”

One day, Jungkook will tell his parents more than the bare minimum details about the boy who holds his heart. For now, Jungkook tells his mother he loves her and tosses his phone off to the side once the call ends so the pretty tiger, who smells like summer rain, can shower him with sweet kisses until all of Jungkook’s worries are washed away.

“I can’t wait to meet them,” Taehyung purrs against Jungkook’s throat, where he kisses him. “How many times do you think I should visit with them before I ask them if I can marry you?”

“Stop it,” Jungkook whispers, though Taehyung can’t tell if Jungkook is scolding him for what he said about marriage or for how he’s got Jungkook flat on his back with his leg hiked up over his waist so he can grind their hips together.

Both? Either? Jungkook doesn’t know.

“Did you know Jackson can officiate weddings?” Taehyung asks with a slow roll of his hips. They’re both in jeans and sweaters; Taehyung just likes being a tease.

“Taehyung.”

“I heard sex feels different after you’re mated.”

“Taehyung. You’re so gross.”

Jungkook throws his arms over Taehyung’s shoulders and crushes him against his chest, ready to drown in the giggles he earns in response, giggles from a big, scary tiger who is utterly whipped for his bun. Who would have thought?

Series Masterlist

Disclaimer: All my writing is fictional and for entertainment purposes only. None of these characters are meant to actually represent the real people mentioned in the stories.

All rights reserved © @gimmethatagustd - Do not copy, repost, modify, or translate any of my writing. Do not use my writing for any AI purposes whatsoever. Do not use my fics for anything aside from reading and commenting on them. My fics will only be posted on this Tumblr and on AO3 (gimmethatagustd & daddytaehyungie).

#taehyung x jungkook #bts fanfic #bts smut #bts fluff #venor #jai writes #gimmethatagustd #taekook fanfic

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imyourrjoy · 10 months

Text

The power held over me

Summary: A new duo arrives in jackson after being found in the snow, praying

Warnings : DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT!!!!!!!, abusive parents, toxic religion, toxic people all around, misogyny, hitting, threats, self dought,fear , stop here if it's too much the series will just get darker

Word count : 2.6k

Paring : dark!Joel Miller x pastors daughter!afab!reader

Part 1 / ?????

Masterlist

A/n : she's dark, very dark. This is your last waring, btw. And thanks so much to my pokie wookie bear @xoxo-honeyy for helping me revisit and figure most of it out she's amazing not only for that but also putting up with my dyslexic ass, ily pokie 💋 and give her love as well.

The cold was the worst, especially in a dress. Your dad gave you his jacket but you were still freezing despite the extra protection. The two of you had somehow ended up near a lake, Your father said he could hear a dam nearby, you didn’t know what a dam was, but apparently, it meant that people were near since it's on that means people near and we should be careful and should pray before we continue to pray that God keeps us safe for another day.

You kneeled down on the dense snow. Your legs against the snow made you feel even colder, but your father said to thank Jesus under all circumstances and not to complain in his name.

Your father started the prayer in a loud, confident voice, “Dear heavenly father, we kneel here to ask you for guidance and appreciation to ask for help as you guide us on your path and lead us to safety and not shen ways of harm, amen.”

Bringing your hands to a prayer position you continued praying hoping the cold would go away.

“Hands up”

Your eyes flew open and you saw your father being held at gunpoint, people on horses, and dogs barking. You almost screamed in fear. Were they raiders?, slavers?, or worse were they sinners?

“She said hands up.” Another voice barked at you.

You looked at your dad and put your hands up. The people looked warm physically and emotionally, you felt jealous of them, you tried to will the jealousy away but nothing was working. You repeated the prayer in your head, I am sorry, God, I am not jealous. I am grateful for your gifts. The people then started talking to one another.

“Send out the dog and make sure they're not bit”

“We can assure you we aren't. We are children of God just like you all”

The dogs barked and sniffed us. Then, a different member of the group walked up to us getting off of their horse, and they walked right up to you.

“Stand up, you poor thing, no pants in this weather.”

The brown-haired woman tied her jacket around your legs.

“Thank you,” You replied.

“Don’t touch her,” Your father stood up, but the lady just ignored him.

“Lower the guns. We should take them into town the get some real clothes,” The brown-haired woman seemed to be in charge which seemed odd, you thought men were the ones who were supposed to lead?

Town? You’d only heard stories about places like that. Your father told you that when your mother was alive before the devil took her for being a sinner, that's when you all lived in a little house near the water, a large lake more specifically.

“She is in more than enough clothes”

The lady shot your father a scathing look, “Tommy ride with him and take his backpack. I’ll take the girl.”

The man, Tommy, took your father towards his horse, and the lady took you to hers. When you started the long journey, you were in awe of the surroundings, but nothing could compare to the smell. The smell of fresh food, fire, and the snow falling you were utterly captured by it. When you see large wooden gates and lots of people with guns, you think to yourself i'll pray for them.

"Welcome to Jackson,"

She said as the gates opened, she'd never seen anything like that. it was a town where the stories were true? We rode in, and she helped me off the horse. You were a little worried you hadn't seen my Dad since he got on Tommy’s horse.

"He's fine. Tommy's just gonna show him around while I get you some clothes. What's your name?"

she gave her a smile of relief.

You gave them your name and they smiled warmly

She started walking and you followed her into a shop like building full of clothes she looked at some jeans and before she could hold them up you interrupted her,

"I can't wear pants."

She almost laughed.

"And why is that?"

"It's a sin,"

She scoffed.

"God would rather you live than freeze."

She handed me a pair of jeans``.” you were shocked someone would ever say his name like that.

"But my D-"

"Go change,"

She cut me off and looked for a top, a simple sweater. You were so scared you were gonna go to Hell if she put on these pants. You'll have to pray for hours for God to forgive you.

"You can change there, and trust me, you won't die over pants."

"it's a sin,"

"Honey, trust me, you're not gonna die,"

You took a deep breath and walked into the changing room. You wanted to cry. You were gonna die for this, burn in Hell for eternity, and be with those monsters. You took off the layers and layers of jackets and a dress. The tears started flowing as you put on the jeans. You felt like you had committed the worst crime in the world, and you started begging for forgiveness as you changed.

You started mumbling quickly under your breath, "Dear heavenly father, I am a sinner, and many have sinned by your grace. She prays for my and others' forgiveness. Have mercy on me, your faithful servant of God, according to your faith and love. "

You put on the top, “.” wiped your tears, and walked out of the changing room. When you came out, she the lady had a pink jacket.

"Here she'll keep you warm, and the color suits you."

She was right. The color did suit you.

"Thanks."

"Put it on, let's make sure it fits, and after I'll show you around town."

You put on the jacket and zipped it up. As We walked out, you kept your head low. You shouldn't look at other people if you are in the midst of sin. At least, that's what dad says. She showed me the canteen, a woodworking shop, and even a school. Then you saw my dad and the man, you ran up to them.

"Dad!"

You threw yourself at him and he caught me pulling me into a big hug

"Oh my love, it's ok. You’re safe, God has found us home at last,"

You smiled and saw Tommy go up to maria

"Dad, we need to find a place to pray."

You were so ashamed of the pants, and it seemed like my dad started getting angry.

"We will. They have a church we shall go there and pray for forgiveness and pray you won't become a monster like the rest of the sinners in the world, my love,"

Maria and Tommy walked back up to you and you're dad.

"Well, before we bring you guys to your lodging, we need to talk about the rules, and you all look parched. Let's go to the canteen and get some food?" Tommy said.

my dad nodded in agreement as we all started making our way to the canteen. The closer we got, the more the scent of freshly cooked food invaded your senses, it was so much different from the old canned beans we usually had. We walked into the canteen. It was made of beautiful wood, lights hanging from the ceiling, people giving out plates of food, and others eating it was beautiful.

"Here, I'll take the young lady to get some food. y’all can find a place to sit,"

Tommy walked me to the line of the canteen

"We have rabbit or sheep today, which would you like?"

"Sheep, rabbits are too cute to eat."

Tommy laughed and got two plates and started putting sheep on both.

"So I hear your names y/n is that correct?"

"Yes."

He started putting vegetables onto the plates.

"And your dad is a preacher or just a very devoted man of God?"

she thought that was a dumb question, he's a pastor he told me he was dressed like a pastor. it made you laugh.

"A pastor, of course,"

We moved over to get drinks for you and your father, but before Tommy could grab the pitcher of water you weren't sure what it was sense it wasn't water colored more like mud you're not sure.a girl younger than me grabbed you were more shocked she had pants you hadn't thought of it but a lot of girls here wear pants she should pray for them

"Excuse me,"

She filled up her glass as Tommy protested, “Ellie”

she smiled as she left

"Sorry about her, she's my brother's kid, she's very outgoing, let's say."

"She's fine, but I am worried about the number of women in pants I'll have in my prayers. Does this place allow sinning?or something?" Your voice was filled with concern.

He continued to fill up the cups and looked confused”." That's one way of looking at it for now. Let's just get you both fed,"

We all sat down at the table. You've never eaten so fast, and that water,which was apparently sweet tea, you think too yourself it's probably your new favorite thing. Dad kept telling me to slow down, but you couldn't. You were so hungry and happy to eat something real.

"So, Maria told me you have a multi-faith church?" Your dad asked as he finished eating and scraped the leftovers onto your plate.

Maria replied in a calming tone, "Yes and you’re a preacher, so I’m assuming you would like to have a mass of some sort, which is fine with me and with the council, but first we need to go over the rules the whole reason we came here"

At the mention of rules, you stopped eating and started listening.

"All able-bodied people over the age of 18 unless, unable to due to their health, a disability or lack of survival skills are required to patrol . We rotate every week, two people are in a group. We classify ourselves as a commune which means we all share everything, nothing belongs to just one person, we all respect one another. As well, pitch in and have jobs based on what skills we have or what we're good at. Understand?"

You noticed your dad wasn't too fond of the rules, but he both nodded in agreement.

"So how old is your daughter?" Tommy inquired.

Your dad sighed, "Around 19, we don't know specifically, but she was born about a year after the outbreak. My wife at the time had just gotten pregnant,"

You kept my head down, you missed your mom a lot, she wasn't like my dad she loved God and they taught me to love Him but she liked to tell me about my room shen the town, teach me to read and write she hated that she was a sinner as dad says she didn't believe enough you remember the verse we read for her after she died “For the wages of sin she's dead”. Dad says she wasn't devoted enough.

"Joy, how do you make a fire?"

Tommy asked me the question, and you laughed,"My dad makes those they aren't ladylike"

You doesn't know why he looked taken back. You're a woman. You're supposed to cook,look pretty for your husband and put God above all.

"Joy, you see that girl over there,"

Marshea pointed to a group of girls, including the one who took the pitcher, you nodded."How about you introduce yourself? Make some friends while Tommy and she talk to your dad."

You smiled and walked up to the girls. They all had tea and some food. They all wore pants as well. Before she could say anything a dark-hashered girl spoke

"New to Jackson?"

she nodded

"No way, hey”

The girl from earlier hit my shoulder playfully

"Well I’m Ellie welcome. To my humble abode, take a seat”, you took a seat next to her

"So how'd you find Jackson?” Ellie questions and then thinks for a second, “or did the patrolman find you?

" Well, my father and I just keep moving and, apparently, have traveled throughout. for my whole life moving looking for the place God wants us. And we saw the dam which is when my dad said we should start praying for people or a town, that’s what it’s called right?"

Ellshee immediately responded, chuckling a bit, “Gosh, aren’t you ancient.”

The girl, Ellshee, laughed louder, and it got to your head. Maybe she’s just not used to someone like you?. Maybe it's because you didn't know what town is was?. Either way, it, didn't feel good.

"Ellie, don't be mean" The gruff and slightly hoarse voice came from behind me.

You quickly turned my head to see an older man with graying hair with brown spots sprinkled throughout it, There were also prominent scars on his nose and temple, To say the least, the man looked frightening

"Oh come on"

Ellie protested but the man shushed her.

"Y’ know Ellie, she could probably teach you a thing or two, a girl like her shes a woman of God." He sent a sly wink towards you

He took a seat across from us and Ellie rolled her eyes, "Hi there hon I'm m Joel and this here is my daughter, Ellie don't mind her she's a bit rough around the edges"

"I am not"

she laughed at the little bantering and you got asked the same basic questions before Maria walked up to us,

"she see you've met Tommy's brother,” there was a slight frown on her face,

“come on it's time to see your new home"

You waved goodbye to the pasher and met up with Tommy and my dad again. We all started walking through the town , towards an a cute little house with a small porch and yellow panels.

"The heat, water, and electricity are on and Father you can't wait to see what your Sunday mass is like don't be afraid to reach out if you need anything."

Tommy gave my dad the keys and they walked away after saying goodbye for the night. The house was the same as the rest but it had some personality. It was dusty but rustic. It had two bedrooms and one bathroom, a kitchen that worked a couch, and TV that wasn't of any use but still, it was so nice everything was until my dad looked at me up and down.

"Why the pants? Is my daughter a monster, a sshenner, unfaithful to her lord"

You looked down and the floor,

"Marshea told me that she wouldn't burn and that shet was prac-"

Before you could finish your sentence my father hit me across the face

"Practical your put practicality over your lord and savor????"

Cold dread washed over your body.

"No Dad i-"

He hit me again making me fall to the floor, then he grabbed a fistful of my hasher

"Tomorrow you're getting rid of those pants, if i see them again i'll see to it that God knows of every sin that my child has committed and that my prayers for her forgiveness for her not to become those monsters were all for nothing as her love for him was fake"

You started crying once my dad let me go. He walked into one of the bedrooms while you sat there crying until finally making my way to bed.

You got on your knees and started your nightly prayers you needed to pray for myself, my Father, and God

You brought your hands together

"Dear heavenly father, thank you for your bountiful love and sacrifice. Thank you for leading me and my father to Jackson. I am sorry I have committed the sin of wearing pants. she shall never do it again. My lord, your Bible is the truth, and I am your faithful servant. I pray for my forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of the woman shen Jackson also guilty of this crime. I pray for my mother that though she's a sinner, you forgive her shen the afterlife, and may the devil have mercy on her. And lastly, I pray for my father. I pray that he stays healthy and bountiful. Praise the Lord as he watches over us in our sleep amen."

#tlou #jose pedro balmaceda pascal #joel miller #pedro pascal #dark!joel #dark!joel miller #pastors daughter! x joel miller #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x you #joel miller x y/n #tlou hbo #dark fic #fan fiction #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal x y/n #tlou show #joel miller x reader

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noob-with-a-shitty-computer · 10 months

Text

Secret Romantic (Grell Sutcliff x gn!artist!Reader)

A/N: I’m still pretty new to black butler but this woman has been living in my head rent-free for the past few weeks, which fortunately has given me a bit of inspiration to write a fic :> hope u like it and i hope it isn’t too ooc.

Summary: You were not really known to be a hopeless romantic, unlike your flamboyant companion. However, she wasn’t expecting to see a different side of you on the night you dropped your sketchbook nearby…

In the midst of another work-filled night, you quickly flipped through the to-die list one last time. “I think that’s about everyone tonight.” You let out a sigh of relief in unison with the red reaper in front of you, “What a night. I’m so glad that Phantomhive got this case closed rather quickly.” A bit of awkward silence passed until you heard a few quiet giggles, which made you turn to your friend who’s green irises were swinging left and right to each picture she had in her hands.

“Grell, are you listening?!” You raised your voice enough for her to let out a yelp as if she was a frightened puppy. “‘Bassy’ caught your eye again?” You scoff. “Come on, can you blame me? He was ever so graceful, how could I not take a photo or fourty~? Especially when he was wearing that ridiculously handsome suit~!” She dreamily sighs and you do nothing but roll your eyes. You never liked demons, always thought they were a hassle to deal with. It didn’t make it any better that a certain demon butler just so happened to steal the doting heart of the woman who stole yours.

“Well, I’ll head off now so you can have your little fun, I suppose. See you at work, my lady.” You greeted nonchalantly as you quickly jumped out of the scene using your reaper agility. Before Grell could glue her eyes back to the photos, she heard a thud nearby, finding a familiar book on the stone ground. It was the sketchbook you always brought around during work to draw on whenever you had a bit of time on your hands. She remembered the times you refused to show her your artworks, hiding the pages against your chest as a faint but cute blush creeped onto your cheeks.

It seemed that curiosity killed the cat (much to Sebastian’s dismay) as Grell approached the sketchbook with a smirk, letting go of her precious photos for the time being…

“Let’s see what you’ve been hiding from me, darling.” She mutters to herself as she slowly flips through the sketchbook, admiring every image. There’s a sketch of the town you recently visited in the view from a tall building, doodles of a couple of dresses you saw from a store window, and other random things. You were quite talented, she thought, curious if you happened to have a doodle of dear Bassy as well~ It only took a couple minutes until she flipped through a page that caught her off guard.

Several doodles of the red reaper herself were presented to her, some smiling, some frowning, some drawings ended down to her head or bust and there were a couple of full body drawings as well. She flipped through more pages and found herself again. There was one drawing where she was wearing a beautiful dress and another where she and you dancing together, she was wearing the same dress while you wore your own outfit with a similar design. It was like an illustration from a fairytale book, the you in the sketch revealed a big smile that your colleagues don’t often see on you in real life.

The next page had sketches of her in other fancy outfits, the page after that had sketches of her doing her signature pose, the page after that was a drawing of you and her, hand in hand and looking at each other fondly while the moonlight illuminated your figures. She didn’t realize you were so observant over her. It was a bit unsettling, but it also felt endearing to her that you put in so much effort into capturing her beauty on paper. Her mind was filled with different thoughts, the memories of you and her training, laughing, smiling and spending time together all those years ago up till now. She couldn’t deny that it made her heart flutter.

Meanwhile, you were panicking in your room trying to find that lost sketchbook, worried that Grell had caught it first. You dejectedly rushed to your door only to find said reaper in front of your doorstep, causing you to stumble backwards. “Gah! G-Grell, what are y-you doing here..?” Your heart was pounding as you looked over to her hand which was holding very thing you were looking for over the past several minutes. Grell chuckled a bit as she handed it back to you. “Darling, I never thought you felt this way about me~” She stepped closer with a smile.

“I-I’m sorry, I can explain-“ “No, I’m sorry for pulling on your heartstrings like that, my dear.” Grell’s eyes softened as she apologized. “The drawings are gorgeous as well. I didn’t know you were such a romantic~!” She smirked and you huff your cheeks, “I guess you just rubbed off on me, my lady.”

“No worries, it’s cute.” Her smile grew as she watched your cheeks flush and eyes widen. “Aww, look at your cheeks! They’re covered in such an adorable shade of red~” She failed to supress a cheeky giggle. “Stop teasing me!” You quickly protest before she held out a hand to you.

“Heh, well I must admit, you were always dear to me, darling. I guess I was too occupied with my own obsessions to realize it sooner… But since you seem to be interested in a dance, may I take your hand tonight~?” She stated flirtatiously, causing your cheeks to grow hotter. You were a lot less experienced in the world of love compared to the reaper in front of you, causing you to hesitate taking her offer…

But then again, who are you to refuse a lovely lady such as Grell Sutcliff~?

A/N: i need sleep. why must motivation show up during midnight T_T anyways hope u like it :P

#rin’s writings >—❥#black butler grell #grell sutcliff #grell sutcliff x reader #grell x reader #kuroshitsuji #kuroshitsuji x reader #grelle sutcliff #black butler x reader #kuroshitsuji grell

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asillylittleistik · 4 months

Note

Hello, welcome to this very interesting community. I hope you have a good time consuming and writing.

So, I would really like hurt/comfort with Shadowheart. Basically, Shadowheart would be feeling insecure about herself, what she can give to others, who she is. And Tav comforts her, while allowing some vulnerability as well. It's supposed to be sappy.

And uh...Tav is sort of a female elv knight, I guess? Sorry, hope it's not too vague.

Oh, don't worry, this isn't vague at all. I'm used to writing based on not a lot of detail, so this is a plenty, actually!

When God's Favors Run Out

Adventuring is hard on everyone, and in a multitude of ways. The wounds of battle, while they may be healed, still sting when they are inflicted, and the heartbreak of seeing everyone around you in pain is just as harmful.

That stress is always amplified when you are the sole party healer. Everyone relies on you to keep the party safe and healthy, all while still having to take care of yourself. It can be hard, especially on long days with little break time.

Today is particularly tough, as the party is between towns at the moment, with little along the way being suitable for a camp. However, according to your strangely accurate sense of direction, the next town is only a few miles ahead. Considering that they had been walking since sunrise, and the sun was just now starting to set, Shadowheart couldn't have been more grateful to hear the news.

Until an arrow flies out from the cover of some nearby foliage and buries itself in her chest.

The next few moments are chaos. Shadowheart falls to the ground, suddenly dazed and weak. She watches through half-closed eyes as you bark out orders, before dropping to a knee at her side.

She makes out very little of your next words except for "quickly" and "heal," but it's enough to set her head straight again. With only a scowl and a small groan, she tears the arrow out and whispers a quick prayer to Shar to heal her. Within moments, the hole in her chest closes up and she feels brand new, almost better than she was before she was shot.

Your face lights up at seeing her well. At that moment, though, Shadowheart looks over your shoulder just in time to see a bandit slip past Karlach's defenses and head straight towards you. She doesn't have enough time to speak.

The human drives the dagger squarely into your back, and you only have a quick moment to gasp in pain as the man pulls it back out again. Lae'zel's blade makes quick work of the fool before she, too, is down at your side. You fall to the ground next to Shadowheart, quickly bleeding out.

As the others gather around you, rapidly weakening from the blood loss, all eyes are on Shadowheart. She takes the hint and sends another quick but desperate prayer to Shar. But Shar does not answer. It's clear that she used up the last of her goddess's blessings when she healed her own arrow wound earlier.

The others can sense Shadowheart's predicament and look at each other with worry, but Shadowheart quickly speaks up.

"It's okay," She breathes, her hands shaking more than she would like as your skin gets paler by the moment, "I still have one healing potion left."

She reaches into her bag and pulls out a lone glass bottle, filled with the last bit of healing potion they have.

But, when she goes to hold the bottle to your lips, she sees the look in your eyes, and the way the life slowly leaves you, and it shakes her to her core. Her hands are trembling uncontrollably as she brings the bottle to you.

And then, in this critical moment, she drops it.

The glass shatters across the ground, and the liquid—the last option they had to heal you—is quickly soaked up into the dirt. Gone.

The next half hour is a blur in Shadowheart's mind. The brisk 2-3 mile walk to the next town turns into a dead sprint, with your lifeless body thrown over Karlach's shoulder.

Luckily, you all reach the village in short time and are able to get help from the village healer to bring you back from death.

You have almost completely recovered by now, as you lay face up in your tent, having finally made camp outside the edges of town.

You're about to let sleep take you—because god knows you need it after today—when a small noise reaches your ears. Your eyebrows furrow as you try to discern its origin, but your expression drops once you recognize it. It's the sound of whimpering. Crying.

You leave your tent and take in the sights around you. The night has taken over the sky and the moon hangs high among the stars. Everyone's asleep. Everyone, except one.

Shadowheart doesn't notice you approach, and for obvious reasons. She is kneeling outside of her tent, hands pressed together and eyes closed in a way that could signify only prayer.

But Shadowheart never prays in the dead of night. And, more alarmingly, tears run down her cheeks, and little noises of whimpers and sobs escape her.

Trying your best to alert her of your presence without startling her, you place a hand on her knee. Your efforts are in vain, though, and she jumps backwards at the touch. She reaches to her back in a panic, to where she keeps her weapon, only to find nothing.

"Hey, Shadowheart, come on, it's just me," You soothe, moving your hand from her knee to her shoulder, trying to show your support, "What's going on?"

She breaks down at your question, bowing her head as more tears fall from her face onto the dirt below.

"Y/n," She cries, "I am so sorry. I failed you today."

"Hey now," Your hands immediately go to Shadowheart's face, pulling her up to look at you with one hand and wiping her tears with the other, "What are you talking about?"

Shadowheart doesn't push you away, but she doesn't reciprocate your touch. More tears run down her cheeks as she grimaces, almost as if in pain.

"My prayers to Shar..." She hiccups, almost unable to continue her sentence with the sheer weight of emotion coursing through her, "They weren't good enough to help you. And when I tried to give you a potion... Gods... All I needed to do was hold the bottle to your lips, and I... dropped it." Shadowheart moves out of your grip and collapses forward, digging her fists into the hard dirt beneath her out of frustration. "I couldn't even hold a bottle to save your life... what kind of cleric am I?!"

Your heart breaks at the sight of Shadowheart, sobbing and whimpering in the dead of night. You give her a bit of space to let her frustrations out before slowly reaching for her and pulling her into a hug.

"Shadowheart, it's okay, no one blames you," You whisper, comfortingly, "It was a long, hard day on everyone. We all make mistakes when we're tired and at our wits end. Karlach let that bandit get past her, I failed to turn my attention back to the fight once I was sure you were okay, it just happens." You pull her head into your shoulder and run your hand up and down the back of her neck soothingly.

"But you... you could've gotten killed because of my incompetence!" She protests, seeming as if she was trying to find ways to justify her inadequacy.

"But I wasn't killed. I am alive and well and I love you as much as I ever have. I should've been keeping my head in the fight, I would've noticed that puny bandit if I did. I was just so worried for you, seeing that arrow rip through you like that."

You pull her head off your shoulder and make sure she looks at you as you speak. "Things happen. We make mistakes. Everyone relies on you so much, and no matter how much you focus in on that one mistake, you never give yourself credit for the tons of times you've saved my life or the lives of our companions."

"I am just a burden on your party..." Shadowheart cries, "But if you truly believe in my ability to hold my own, then so be it. I will try for you." She wipes her face with the back of her forearm and gives you a weak smile, as if drying her eyes would make her sadness somehow go away.

You sigh and pull her into a quick kiss to get her out of her own head. "I believe in you because you're so amazing and talented. I've seen you do so many great things despite all the obstacles that get in your way. You will find who you are some day, and I'll wait by your side for as long as that takes. Shadowheart, you're incredible."

That last praise seems to break the floodgates in Shadowheart, as all the feelings of love and acceptance well up in her, and tears spill from her eyes once again.

"Y/n... thank you." That's all she says as she pulls you in, anchoring herself in you. She takes a few moments more to cry, and you quietly comfort her as best as you can.

Eventually, she pulls away and wipes her eyes, throwing on a more convincing smile this time. "I should get to sleep..."

She pulls away, and you sense a note of sadness in her speech as she readies herself for bed.

"Did you want to sleep in my tent tonight?" You offer, and Shadowheart's face lights up. "I had a feeling," You chuckle at her,

That night, Shadowheart sleeps easy for the first time in weeks. Her past is a mystery, her future is uncertain and worrisome, but here, in the present, she is by your side. To her, that matters more than anything.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 x reader #bg3 x tav #shadowheart #shadowheart x tav #shadowheart x reader

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dual1pa · 2 years

Text

the wedding day

Daemon Targaryen x Reader (using she/her pronouns)

18+ READERS ONLY - MATURE CONTENT

from my AO3 account of the same username.

She looks out the window on the country that is soon to be hers. It was small, but she could see the small village that she was raised in. She admired the cows that were feeding in the fields and the small figures living their own lives.

Her husband-to-be, Daemon, did weekly rounds in nearby villages in town and he always eyed her. She was different in his eyes and he needed her. Months later, they were engaged to be married. She went from living in a small shack sized home to having her very own castle. It was different, but she knew what she wanted to achieve as queen.

Daemon was a fighter, a good one at that. He knew exactly where his opponent was going to attack next due to their stance. He was unbeatable at his own game. Even the greatest of fighters couldn’t win.

The winter wind blew the hair out of her face, bringing a cool chill down her spine. She snuggled herself into her robe. Lost in her own mind, she didn’t hear her fiancé shut the door. He smiled, always knowing exactly where she was. He quietly walked up to her and wrapped his hands around her waist and pressed soft kisses on her neck.

He whispered softly in her ear, “What are you thinking about?”

“You. Us. Our big day tomorrow,” she turned her head to meet his lips.

“Good things, I hope.”

“Of course, but ‘night before wedding’ jitters and nervousness.”

Daemon, being the King of Westeros, there was going to be plenty of family and friends there. Her, however, only had a few close family members and friends around the area.

“Aren’t we supposed to not see each other until we are at the alter?”

He takes a deep breath in, “I suppose that’s the tradition, but fuck tradition.”

She giggles as his breath tickles her neck.

“You can sleep here tonight, but you cannot see me in the dress until I’m talking down that aisle.”

“I’ll agree to that.”

– She woke the next morning alone. She was slightly surprised that he listened to her instructions, normally he doesn’t. A light knock at the door startled her as she instructed the person—most likely her maid, Kyra,—it was.

“Good morning, Mrs. Targaryan.”

She loved the sound of that. Wrapping the soft white sheets over her naked body, she walks over to grab a robe, wrapping it around herself. Three other maids walk in with her beautiful wedding dress. It was handmaid by one of the best designers in all of Westeros, and for good reason. She traveled for days to meet with the designer. Once they were finished with the final product, it was shipped it off to the castle. When she first tried it on, tears flooded her eyes as if it was perfect. A nice, flowy dress with a long train.

Kyra finished putting the final touches on her makeup and carefully placed the veil over her head. A beautiful crown was placed on her head, gifted to her by Daemon. She received help from plenty of the castle staff down the narrow flights of stairs and was careful that she did not fall from the heels on the stone steps. Her flowers clutched in one hand while the other hung onto Kyra. When she reached fresh air, many bystanders cheered as she tried to thank each one of them, regardless of the lack of visibility from the veil. By the time they reached the church, she could already tell that it was filled to the brim with eager guests. The doors were closed as the guards waited for their signal to open them. She got into position with her brother walking her down the aisle, as her father tragically passed away in the war. He gave her a supportive smile as he nodded to the guards to open the doors.

In the distance, she watched as people stood from their seats and turn their heads to look at her. Nervousness and a bit of stage fright kicked in. Luckily, they could barely see her in the veil. During her walk, she either looked at Daemon in the distance or at her feet, praying to God that she didn’t trip. When they made to the alter, she heard Daemon in his armor reach for her hand and bring you up a few steps. He used both his hands to turn her to face him. He reached for her veil and flip it over her head. He was careful not to be too forceful as he didn’t want the crown to fall off. He smiled when he saw her face. He let his finger comb through her long hair before quickly pulling it back when the priest cleared his throat.

She kept her eyes on his hands, rubbing her fingers against his silver rings. If she looks up at him, she fears she will start crying. She was very much in love with him and was so grateful that he chose her to be his wife, to bare his children, to be there when he needs someone. She held back the tears as she looked at him. Half of his hair was pulled back so he could avoid it getting all tangled in his face. He was wearing his best suit. To be honest, she wasn’t aware of what the priest was saying as she was so deep in her own head that Daemon had to nudge her and whisper in her ear that it was her turn to speak.

She awkwardly said her part, as did he. For the first time, their hands detach from one another as they exchange rings. She shakes as she tries to put it on his ring finger. She lets out a chuckle and a small apology. His forehead leaned against hers as the audience lightly awwed. They quickly said their ‘I Do's so they could get to the kiss—the official kiss. She was desperate for her first kiss as Queen. She was desperate for her first kiss as a wife—as his wife.

Then it happened their first kiss as husband and wife. He wasted no time pulling her into him and giving her a proper kiss. He didn’t care that all of his family, and hers, were around. He slipped his tongue into her mouth as she felt so at home with him. His hands tighten his grip around her hips, then snake his arms around her waist to latch on to her ass. She pulled him away as she knew things would get too sexual, especially in a place of God. She pushed his lips off of her and whispered, “Later.”

She sat silently as she watched her husband talk, laugh, and drink with his family and friends. She smiled, looking at how happy he was.

“So, what are your first orders going to be as queen,” her sister, Ophelia, asked.

She shrugged, “I’m not sure, I guess it has to go through the king first.”

All she really wanted was there to be no war in the country of Westeros. However, that was very unlikely. She did care about the local towns and wished that everyone could live happy and healthy.

Daemon looks over at her and hints at her to join him. Now out of her wedding dress and into a more comfortable one where she can move around a bit more. She walked over to him and sat on his lap. He lifted his head up to kiss her. She sat silently while his hand massaged her ass. Her hands lightly play with his blonde hair, wondering when all of these people would leave. She did want her husband alone on their wedding night.

Hours later, she grew exhausted. Family and friends we’re still drinking away. It was time she went to bed, with or without her husband.

“I'm getting rather tired, my darling, I’m going to head up to bed. Please join me?”

“In a while, my queen,” he kissed her hands as he watched her walk away.

She undressed and put on her long red robe. She sat at the vanity in the corner and brushed through her hair. Staring at herself in the mirror, she hoped that her husband would soon join her.

As she was wiping off her makeup, she heard footsteps approaching the bedroom door. It quietly opened to see her husband standing in the doorway. She smiled at him through the mirror. He walked over to her. When he was standing right behind her, he pushed her hair to the side so he could see her neck. Her soft skin just begging to be kissed, licked, and sucked. He could see her cleavage as her robe was tied loosely around her stomach. He felt him grow harder and harder as she imagined her on him.

“Did our guests leave?” she asked, putting down the hairbrush on the vanity.

“I forced them out right after you walked away. I knew you wanted alone time with your new husband.”

She chuckled, “You know me so well.”

She closed her eyes and embraced his touch. He slipped his hand down the front of her robe to feel her breast. She leaned her head against him as she was preparing for sex. She felt his lips on the top of her head. When the time was right, she stood up and pushed him over to the bed. When the back of his legs touched the mattress, she pushed him down onto the bed. He watched her undo the knot of her robe and slowly expose her body to him. She let the robe fall to her feet, biting her lip as insecurity set in. Her instinct was to hide from him, but she has been told over and over again not to hide from him. The only sound in the room is the cracking of the wood burning in the fire in the fireplace. She crawls up his body, throwing each article of clothing onto the floor. He moves himself back onto the soft pillows. His hands attach to her hips as she grinds on his growing length. She took his cock and slowly sank down on him. The two of them let out long moans in unison. She put her hands on his chest to steady herself. He leaned up to wrap his arms around her waist and to reach a new point inside her. She leaned her head backward and let out moans and swear words. He wasted no time in kissing and sucking spots on her neck.

She felt her climax reaching at a fast pace. He flipped her over and began thrusting in and out until he felt his own orgasm upon him. He licked into her mouth, pressing wet kisses to her lips. When they detached, a line of spit was the only thing connecting their lips. She reached down to her clit to help her reach her high. He whispered sweet nothings into her ear as they both climaxed. Daemon collapsed on top of her. She drew a variety of shapes on his back ever so lightly with her fingers. He rolled over to one side and walked over for his servants to dress him for bed. She stayed in the position she was in in hopes of getting pregnant as soon as possible.

She desperately wanted to start a family as fast as she could, as did he. It was her duty as a wife to bear future kings and queens. She desperately wanted to raise a child and watch them grow up. Once she felt it was long enough, she reached for her robe and wrapped it around her body. Instead, she found him in a bath. He looked up at her with his eyes filled with lust.

“You going to stand there and sulk or are you going to join me?” he asked, reaching a hand out. Again, she ditched her robe and held onto his hand, and kneeled in between his legs underneath the warm water. He lifted his hands out of the water and got her shoulders and chest wet. He reached over to grab a hair tie and put her hair up so it wouldn’t get wet. Her hands massage his upper body starting from his arms to his shoulders then his chest.

“Tell me, my love, what bothers you?”

She shook her head, “Nothing bothers me,” she twisted the end of his luscious blonde locks.

“I don’t believe you.”

“I just… don’t know what to do now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Am I officially Queen now?”

He chuckles, “Well, no. We need to have an official ceremony and then you will be queen. No duties yet, my love. We celebrate tonight, work tomorrow.”

She smiled, leaning down to rest her head on his shoulders. She moves her legs so his cock was resting on her thigh. He continued to tell tales of her new family for the rest of the night.

#daemon targaryen #matt smith #daemon targaryen x reader #my writings #house of the dragon #game of thrones

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whitesparrows97 · 2 years

Text

Not quite the same – Part 3

Pairing: Wolf Hybrid!Jungkook x Dog Hybrid!Reader

Summary: You had always thought that your home with your family was the final stop. After your owners abandon you and a storm drives you into the nearby forest, you think things can’t get any worse. At least until you run right into the arms of a pack of wolves.

Genre: Hybrid AU; angst, smut, fluff

Rating: 18+

Warnings: None

Word Count: 5.3K

Previous / Next

At some point, you didn’t know if it was already morning or still night, you were woken up by an unpleasant feeling on your forehead. You blinked, which was incredibly difficult for you, and tried to recognize something in the dark room. Two silhouettes stood in front of the sofa you were lying on and for a moment you were confused as to where exactly you were. This was not your room, other unfamiliar smells entered your nose and your heartbeat would have quickened if your heart wasn’t beating up to your neck anyway. Your hand reached for your chest, which ached with every breath.

“Y/N?” you heard someone ask, because without realizing it you had squinted your eyes again. “Hey, it’s all right. It’s me, Jungkook.”

A hand rested on your shoulder, so gently that you weren’t sure if you were imagining it. Maybe this was all just a fever dream. But the name, Jungkook, rang a few bells in the back of your mind.

“Jungkook,” you mumbled, but your throat ached as you spoke. When you swallowed, it hurt too.

“I’m here, you don’t need to speak,” he explained, and all at once his voice was much closer. As you turned your head and cautiously opened one eye, you saw him kneeling on the floor beside you, his worried gaze on you. Something fell from your forehead and onto the sofa. Out of the corner of your eye, you couldn’t make out what it was. “No, no, lie back down,” Jungkook said quickly, carefully turning your head back before placing something on your forehead again. You thought it was a cool washcloth as you felt the water running over your temples.

“What happened?”

“You caught a fever last night, so I went to get Seokjin-hyung.”

Ah, so that was the reason you felt so miserable. You tried to sit up, but your arms gave way under you, causing your head to fall back onto the pillow.

“Please rest,” Seokjin now said as well. “I’m afraid we don’t have a thermometer here, but your temperature is definitely too high. How do you feel?”

“Not good. Everything hurts.”

“Do we have any more medicine, Hyung?”

Seokjin didn’t answer, so you assumed he either nodded or shook his head. Seokjin’s next statement suggested the latter.

“I’d better get Namjoon to join us, let him decide if we’re driving into town or…”

“Or what?” Jungkook asked after a few moments.

“Or if we sit it out. I can make some tea and soup,” Seokjin offered.

From Jungkook’s tone, you could hear that he wasn’t thrilled about Seokjin’s plan. “She has a high fever, hyung. At the very least, she needs medication if we can’t see a doctor.”

“And where are we supposed to get those?” a third voice interfered, making you open your eyes. With much effort, you raised your arm to hold the damp and now warm washcloth to your forehead and turned your head. Namjoon was standing in the doorway. “We don’t have any money, neither for the medicine nor for gas. Not to mention we can’t just walk into town without an owner.”

“But we can’t just wait and hope she gets better,” Jungkook objected. He had turned to the other two hybrids, but your gaze fell on his hand, which was still beside you on the sofa. “What about Marten?”

Namjoon shook his head. “He almost got busted last time. He said he couldn’t risk helping us again.”

“Shit,” Seokjin muttered. “But understandable after RCH showed up at his place and turned the whole place upside down.”

You listened to the conversation that was just going around in circles and finally cleared your throat. It hurt to speak, but maybe you could prove yourself useful, and not just a burden, after all. “Did you bring my backpack inside?”

Jungkook nodded. “I put it next to my bed. Why? Do you need anything? Can I bring you something?”

Now you nodded, “Could you bring the whole backpack?”

You had barely finished the question before Jungkook had leapt to his feet and hurried up the stairs. Again you tried to sit up, and finally you managed to sit up and lean your back against the backrest. Jungkook was back by your side a blink of an eye later and he held the backpack out to you.

“Could you check for my wallet? I’m not sure if they packed it, but maybe we’ll get lucky.”

“Y/N…,” Jungkook mumbled as he understood what you were asking for, but you shook your head decisively. As decisively as you could, because you didn’t think you were particularly persuasive at that moment with sweaty hair and washcloth on your forehead.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, trying to find doubt in your face that wasn’t there, before opening the backpack and looking inside. You hadn’t taken a look inside yourself because you had been too busy trying to find your way back home. That’s why you didn’t know what was inside. Maybe fresh laundry and something to eat, if you smelled it correctly. Then Jungkook pulled out the brown wallet and held it out to you.

“Thank you.” You threw him a slight smile and accepted it. As you opened the clasp, a picture fell towards you. With clammy fingers, you picked it up from your lap where it had fallen and looked into three happy faces. The joy on your face in the photo left a bitter taste in your mouth. Never would you have thought that such pure happiness would someday turn into deepest sadness and disappointment. Was there anything at all in this world that would last? Or would everything turn to dust sooner or later?

“Are these your owners?” Jungkook brought you back from your thoughts before you could sink too deep into them.

Silently, you nodded before putting the picture aside. “Doesn’t matter now anyway,” you said quietly, looking into the compartment with the banknotes. Without counting, you took them out and held them out to Namjoon. “Here.”

The latter glanced between you and your outstretched hand with the money and back again. “We can’t accept this,” he finally said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

You scoffed. “Why? Are you too good to take my money?” You lowered your arm again as it became too heavy and instead placed it on the sofa beside you. “Consider it a thank you for letting me stay here. After all, I’m eating your food, so you could use the little extra money.”

Jungkook had reached for the money and started counting it. Then all at once he turned to Namjoon, his tail thumping loudly against the sofa. “That’s almost a thousand dollars.” Jungkook sounded surprised, but to you the number had no meaning. You had often run errands for your owners, however, you had never had any money of your own and therefore had never learned to handle it.

For Namjoon and Seokjin, however, the amount did have meaning, if the raised eyebrows and slightly open mouths were anything to go by. Then Jungkook turned back to you and carefully took your hand to return the money. However, you pulled your hand away.

“Y/N, this is too much. We can’t accept it,” Jungkook said.

Exhausted, you sank deeper into the sofa and closed your eyes for a moment. Your upper body ached and you wondered if it would be better if you lay back down.

“We can’t spend it anyway,” Namjoon added after a moment’s hesitation. “We can’t be around people. There are so many who call the RCH when they see unattended hybrids.”

“I have a pass,” you said, holding out the wallet to Jungkook. In it was the credit-card-sized certificate that you were a registered hybrid, allowed to do shopping and errands even on your own.

One of the men drew in a sharp breath and Namjoon muttered, “This changes things.”

“It doesn’t change anything,” Jungkook objected, “if she’s too weak to get anywhere.”

Your eyes popped open again. “I’m well enough for that.”

Jungkook’s eyes met yours and he scrutinized your face, your eyes half-closed and your lips slightly parted because you were having trouble breathing normally.

“I’m not sure–”

“But I am,” you interrupt him, albeit with a small smile on your lips. “I’m gonna be fine with this. I promise, Jungkook.”

He looked at you for a moment longer before placing his hand on yours. His hand felt hot to you, but it was pleasant to feel the warmth on your cold fingers. To feel the weight on your body, even if it was just your hand. This time you didn’t pull it away.

“I’m coming too.”

“I think it’s better if Seokjin goes with her,” Namjoon said. “You can’t drive a car and the three of you will draw unnecessary attention.”

Jungkook opened his mouth to object, but you turned your hand so that your fingers intertwined with his. That made his attention turn back to you. “It’s okay. Seokjin and I will be back sooner than you think.”

When you looked at Seokjin, he threw you a smile.

“Then we’ll do it this way,” Namjoon sealed your plan. “Best get going before dawn, then you’ll be back before most people are up.”

One thing was still burning on your tongue, though. “Do you mind if I freshen up first?” The t-shirt stuck to your torso and was soaked through with your sweat. A disgusting layer of sweat had also formed on your skin, which you were desperate to wash off beforehand.

Namjoon nodded, to your surprise without hesitation. “Seokjin, could you put on some warm water? Then I’ll get the tub ready.”

Namjoon disappeared into the hallway and you heard water start to flow. Seokjin fired up the stove in the kitchen.

“We don’t have running hot water,” Jungkook explained to you, “but at least we have running water, which is more than we could have hoped for.”

You didn’t mean to, but inevitably your old life crossed your mind. All these years you had taken it for granted that hot water came out of the tap at the push of a button. Yet you should know better – with your backstory. But apparently you quickly forgot the bad times when better ones came.

“Let’s go to the bathroom,” Jungkook said as you continued to stay silent. “Can you stand?”

“I don’t know.” You were unsure because you felt weak even sitting down and had no idea how you were going to make it to the bathroom.

“I’ll help you.”

Before you could stand up, Jungkook had wrapped an arm around your waist. “Is that okay?” His face was suddenly so close, just a few inches away. From up close you could make out the pointed canines, and for a moment your gaze lingered on them. Then Jungkook quickly closed his mouth.

Without addressing the situation, you nodded and put an arm around Jungkook’s shoulders. You expelled the air as you had to support your body weight with your feet all at once, but before your knees gave out from under you, Jungkook steadied you. His fingers were digging into your side and you were more than happy for the support he was giving you. In more ways than one.

“It’s just a few steps,” he tried to encourage you, but even the few meters felt like a marathon. Putting one foot in front of the other, you both slowly started moving. You had just arrived in the hallway when you were already breathing heavily.

“Can… we take a short… break?” New sweat had formed on the old one, which made you shiver in the chilled air. Now your muscles were shaking with more than just exhaustion.

“It’s just a few more steps.”

Black dots formed at the edge of your vision and you knew the feeling, knew what it meant as a sudden nausea overcame you. “Jungkook, I need to sit down for a minute.”

He could only watch as you slid down the wall onto the floor. You tried to take a deep breath until the room stopped spinning. Only then did you look at Jungkook. “Sorry, I got a little dizzy.”

“Are you okay?”

You nodded. But instead of Jungkook helping you up so you could walk the rest of the way, he slipped an arm under the back of your knees and one wrapped around your waist. Before you knew it, he had lifted you up. The sudden difference in height made your stomach flip, like the one day your owners had taken you to an amusement park and you had been on countless roller coasters. Your ears still hurt when you thought about the cold air in them.

He carefully set you down in front of the bathtub. You still felt the slight pressure on your skin that his hands had left.

Namjoon turned off the faucet when the tub was half full. “I’ll get everything ready for you to leave once you’re done,” he said, leaving you alone with Jungkook.

It was quiet in the bathroom, only the soft splashing of water lapping at the edges of the bathtub filling the room.

Jungkook cleared his throat. “I hope you were able to–”

“I’ve got some hot water here,” Seokjin almost sang as he entered the bathroom with a large, steaming kettle.

Jungkook avoided your gaze as you looked at him, and you wondered what he had wanted to ask. Instead, you watched Seokjin add the boiling water to the cold water in the tub and the level slowly rose.

“There,” Seokjin said, extending a hand into the water before nodding in satisfaction and standing back up, “that should be warm enough.” He smiled at you. “I’ll go ahead and pack up and then wait for you. Take your time though, it’s only four thirty and we still have some time before dawn.”

“Thank you, Seokjin,” you returned quietly, and Seokjin disappeared from the bathroom.

The warm water slowly warmed even the small room and a bead of sweat made its way from your hairline down your temple.

“I’d better leave you to it.”

When you turned your gaze back in Jungkook’s direction, you saw a slight flush of red on his cheeks. You just hoped you hadn’t infected him. Especially since you didn’t even know why you had suddenly gotten sick. It must have been the hours of wandering around in wet clothes…

“Can you stay, maybe?”

Jungkook’s head whirled around and with wide eyes he looked at you.

“I just mean that you’ll be around in case something happens,” you clarified. Only now did you realize that your question could be misunderstood.

Almost inaudibly, Jungkook expelled the air. “Of course,” he replied, smiling, “I wouldn’t have left you all alone anyway.”

That reassured you. The fact that you had just almost fainted worried you a little. You hadn’t felt that way in years, and you didn’t want to be found unconscious on the bathroom floor. Once all those years ago had been enough for you.

“I’ll be waiting outside. If you need help, let me know.” He pulled the door shut behind him, but left it open a crack. Like your owners had done when you had once again been unable to sleep because of a thunderstorm and they had left your bedroom door ajar.

You shook your head to dispel these thoughts and struggled to pull your t-shirt over your head. It stuck to your skin, which didn’t make it any easier, but a short time later it was on the floor next to the tub and your other clothes you had been wearing. Your arm trembled as you rested your hands on the edge of the tub and slowly lowered one leg into the warm water. It was hot, but not scalding hot, so you pulled your other leg behind you and tried to let yourself slide slowly into the water.

Your legs gave way and before you knew it, you were underwater. Your head hurt where you had hit the edge of the tub and, coughing, you straightened your upper body so that you could breathe again.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook sounded concerned and you could make out a shadow in the gap between the door and the door frame.

You coughed out the last of the water you had swallowed. “Yeah,” you croaked, “I just slipped.”

“Can I come in?”

You agreed, and not a second later he pushed the door open. You pulled your legs up to your torso and tried to take a breath.

“What happened?” He took the two steps toward you, that’s all it took for him, and dropped to his knees beside the tub.

“I slipped,” you repeated, as if it was not a big thing and not as if a thick bump was already forming on the back of your head.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Jungkook’s gaze scanned your face, your bare shoulders, and your arms, which you had crossed over your knees. Your cheeks were warm anyway, but under Jungkook’s insistent gaze, they began to glow a little hotter.

“I’m fine.” You threw him a smile, even though you would have loved to burst into tears and be hugged.

Jungkook looked over your head – or at least you thought he did, until he cautiously raised a hand and his fingertips gently brushed the wet fur of your ears. “Can I ask something?” He spoke softly, but his voice traveled pleasantly loudly through the small room. You nodded silently. “You’re a golden retriever, aren’t you? I’ve never seen a dog like you before.”

You watched Jungkook’s arm, stretched out beside your head, and out of the corner of your eye you could see the veins snaking across his skin like a network of their own. His fingers traveled lower, over your hair, to your cheek. His eyes followed his fingers, watching as they touched your skin and as the skin beneath grew a little warmer. Then he looked up at you, questioningly. His hand sank to the edge of the bathtub.

“Uh,” you answered quickly, “I’m not really sure. I know I have mostly golden retriever in me, but I don’t know the rest.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows lifted in wonder. In the early days of hybrid breeding, more and more mixed breeds had appeared. People had experimented more, had become bolder, and had tried to push the boundaries of nature. Just a few years before you were born, this had led to torture breeding and riots because people could no longer control the hybrids. Since then, the breeding of hybrids was under strict regulations.

“Did you grow up with the family that abandoned you?”

You could tell from Jungkook’s face that he already knew the answer to that question. Still, you shook your head. “I lived in a breeding house for the first ten, eleven years,” you explained, trying to suppress the images that came into your head. “That’s where I met my best friend. Thanks to him, I got out of there before it was too late.” Too late in breeding houses meant either that the supervisors deemed a hybrid capable of procreation – or not. No one had ever told you what happened if you didn’t meet the requirements, but you could guess.

“I ended up in a shelter where it wasn’t much better. But my owners adopted me a few years later.”

“And that’s where you were until yesterday?”

You nodded. “It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t have a home someday. When I was adopted, I thought that would be my forever home.” You sighed. Your head was pounding, whether from the warmth of the water, because of the nerve-wracking conversation, because you just hit your head or because you’d caught a fat cold, you didn’t know. You rested your cheek on your knees and closed your eyes for a moment.

“But you’re not alone anymore,” Jungkook said, “I hope you know that.”

You didn’t want to open your eyes, afraid that the tears forming behind your eyelids would roll down your cheeks. Instead, you turned your head and buried your face in your knees. You hoped that Jungkook would dismiss the sniffling as a symptom of the cold.

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone again. If you need anything, you let me know, all right?”

You nodded and continued to stare at your thighs.

“And not only after you slip,” Jungkook added and you could hear the smile in his voice. Then you listened to his footsteps and the door, which clicked softly as Jungkook pulled it shut behind him. You took another deep breath before you lifted your head and the tears finally found their way down your cheeks.

. . .

Someone had put your backpack in front of the bathroom door and you were glad to finally wear your freshly washed clothes again. Even if the sweat ran down your back again when you arrived in the living room. It was lit by the fire in the stove, just like the night before, and as you looked out the window, you saw the sky gradually turning gray. The perfect time to leave.

Seokjin was zipping up a backpack when he caught sight of you. “Are you ready?” He had hidden his ears under a cap, only his tail you could see poking out of his jeans.

You nodded, even though you could barely stay on your feet. However, you felt much better after the bath.

“Do you think you can make it to the pharmacy by yourself?”

“Yes,” you said, even though you weren’t sure at that moment. But what alternative did you have?

“I can come too,” said Jungkook again, who was standing next to the front door. There was no sign of Namjoon, perhaps he had gone back to sleep.

Seokjin slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped toward the door. “Namjoon is right, Jungkookie. Two of us are faster and draw less attention.”

A contradiction was on Jungkook’s lips as his gaze fell on you. You were struggling to find the sleeve of your jacket. Your upper arms were burning as if you had carried numerous heavy boxes up several flights of stairs, but you grit your teeth and got it on the second try.

“If all goes well, we’ll be back in two hours,” Seokjin said, opening the door. Immediately, the cool morning air poured into the room and shivering, you pulled your jacket tighter around yourself.

“What if it doesn’t?”

“Namjoon knows what he has to do.” With that, Seokjin left the hut.

You followed him, but Jungkook held you back by your sleeve. “Take care of yourself.”

“Don’t worry so much about me, Jungkook. Seokjin will be there if anything happens.” You threw him a sincere smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“I hope so,” he replied with a sigh, then let you go through the door as well.

. . .

Jungkook had been pacing around the living room for hours, or so it seemed to him. In the meantime, Jimin had also woken up and was watching the other from the sofa. Namjoon had disappeared into the forest shortly after you and Seokjin had left and would probably not return for a few hours. Although Jungkook needed someone to talk to. He needed his pack leader.

“Jungkook, you’re making me nervous,” Jimin whined, throwing away the book he had been trying to read. “Sit down, please.”

“I can’t, they’ve been gone far too long,” Jungkook muttered to himself, turning on his heel to walk back in the other direction. When he reached the window, he peered through it to see if he might have missed the sound of the engine. But nothing, the driveway was still as empty as it had been thirty seconds ago.

“Nothing will have happened, why don’t you sit down first?”

Jimin sounded annoyed, which was the only reason Jungkook did what he was asked. Nonetheless, he had his gaze out the window. Until he suddenly felt a hand on his knee. Only now did he realize how he had been nervously bouncing his leg up and down.

“Thank you.” Jimin let himself sink back into the sofa.

“Sorry, I’m just worried,” Jungkook muttered.

“I can tell.”

Jimin’s undertone made Jungkook’s gaze slide to him. He only smiled slightly, however.

“What?” Jungkook heard for himself how annoyed he sounded. He didn’t know himself why he was so agitated. He trusted Seokjin to bring you back safely, but he didn’t trust the people you would come in contact with.

“Nothing, nothing,” Jimin replied, picking up his book again. Remarkably interested, he flipped through it to the page where he had left off.

Jungkook leaned forward and snatched the book from the older hybrid’s hand. The latter cried out in surprise. “Hey!” He tried to reach for the book, but Jungkook held it behind his body out of reach. “Give me my book back.”

“Not until you tell me what you mean by it.” They looked at each other for a moment until Jimin finally dropped back into the sofa with his arms crossed.

“Fine, as you like.” He raised both eyebrows as he uttered the next sentence, “You sure seem to care about her. In such a short time, too.”

“Oh, shut up.” Jungkook threw the book at Jimin with a little more force than necessary, but Jimin caught it and just laughed.

“You’re the one who wanted me to say it! Then don’t complain if you don’t want to hear it.” The corners of Jimin’s mouth continued to twitch upward, and Jungkook eyed it with a scowl. But then he lowered his gaze to his feet and let Jimin’s words sink in.

He knew that Jimin was right.

The day before, when he had seen Namjoon walking towards him and the others with you on his arm and had watched you fall, he had come running straight towards you. He understood Namjoon and also understood why he was so cautious. On the other hand, Jungkook sometimes felt that his empathy fell short for that. He would never hold that against Namjoon, because he knew that a leader had to be tough in the right situations.

But you were different, you weren’t a threat. If anything, they were a threat to you. And yet you were so open to him and gave them all your belongings without thinking about it – no matter how Namjoon had treated you. You had that in common, that you were perhaps a little too naive at times. He could see in your eyes that this had also let you fly on your face a time or two.

Jungkook was about to respond, when suddenly the door opened and he was about to jump up and ask what had taken so long, when he realized that it was Namjoon who stepped through the door. Disappointed, he let himself fall backwards and the sofa creaked under his weight. Eventually it would collapse, sooner rather than later. And that was only because Taehyung had jumped on it a few months ago. Since then, the frame had a big crack in the wood. He could still hear Seokjin complaining to this day.

“Hey, where have you been?” asked Jimin, straightening up.

Namjoon stood in the middle of the room and glanced at the kitchen. Then he turned to the two younger hybrids. “Are they still not back?”

Jimin shook his head while Jungkook’s gaze rested stubbornly on the grain of the tree trunk that served as a coffee table.

Namjoon thought for a moment and opened his mouth to say something before his gaze fell on Jungkook and he changed his mind. Instead, he said, “Well, nothing will have happened.”

Jungkook snorted at that statement and jumped to his feet. “Come on, why don’t you say it, Namjoon? You think that she betrayed us and that’s why they haven’t come back yet.” Jungkook was about to walk past Namjoon, but he held him back with a firm grip on his shoulder.

“Stay here,” he said in a firm voice, “We’ve talked about this before, Jungkook. You don’t throw things at someone’s head and then take off without resolving the issue. That’s no way to treat family.”

Jungkook backed away. “Then why do you treat her like that? She didn’t do anything to you.”

“Because I have to protect my family,” Namjoon explained, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. And for him, it was. “You must understand,” he continued, and this time his voice was softer, “after what happened with that bastard.” His expression hardened again.

Jimin made an approving noise from the couch.

Jungkook slumped his shoulders. “I can understand that, but Y/N is not him.”

A sad smile stole onto Namjoon’s face. “I know.” He paused for a moment. “She’s like you.”

This statement made Jungkook stop his tirade and pause.

“She really reminds me a little of you.” Namjoon shook his head with a slight smile as he traveled back a few years in his mind. Then he took a few steps towards the sofa and eventually sank down onto it. “It’s been over seven years, but the look on your face when Jimin came stumbling through the door of our old house with you in tow is something I’ll probably never forget.”

“We were looking for shelter,” Jimin recalled, and the two men looked at each other, reminiscing.

“It’s only thanks to you two that Seokjin is still with us.”

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room and none of them said anything. Jungkook could hear a low thumping upstairs, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Namjoon’s and Jimin’s ears twitch as well.

“Is Taehyung still sleeping?” asked Namjoon with a new lightness in his voice. He was glad to be able to change the subject.

“That’s right, it’s usually our Jungkookie who sleeps this late,” Jimin said with a grin in his direction.

Namjoon laughed; softly, but he laughed. Then he patted his thighs and stood up again. In the sparsely furnished room, he looked even more imposing and taller than he already was. His black tail, streaked with gray-brown sprinkles hung relaxed down his body.

He waited until Jungkook returned his gaze. “I’ll talk to her. And I’ll be nice, I promise,” he quickly added when he saw Jungkook’s expression.

Jungkook visibly relaxed. For the first time in hours, his shoulders and the muscles in his ears loosened. “Thank you.”

And in that moment, Jungkook understood again why he had stayed then, all those years ago. Why he had put all his trust in Namjoon’s hands, put all his future in a hybrid whose pack consisted of no more than one other wolf, who was badly injured at the time.

Emotions welled up inside him and his eyes began to burn, but then a sound outside made his head fly to the side. The sound of a car engine.

A/N: It makes me really happy to see how you seem to enjoy the story this far, so I hope you liked this chapter as well! If so, please do let me know! Anyway, I hope you’re all doing well. Stay safe everyone and see you soon! 💜

Written 2022. Do not copy, translate or repost without permission.

#hybrid bts #hybrid!bts #bts x reader #bts hybrid au #bangtanarmynet #wolf hybrid jungkook #dog hybrid reader #bts angst #bts fluff #bts fanfiction #jungkook x reader #bts imagines #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts smut #jungkook smut

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morganski-19 · 2 months

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I Don't Know Which Way's Home

Chapter 14: Houses

ao3 link, Part 1, Part 13

July 1985

Julie is walking down the empty town streets, hearing the fair across town. She’s not there. There’s no one to go with anymore. Mary moved away last month, and Julie realized she doesn’t really have any other friends. Not ones that she really likes. It was always Mary, and she was fine with that. Until she didn’t have it anymore.

She didn’t have anyone at the moment. Her mom was going on one of her binges. Spending what little money that they had left after her last fling ended at the bar. Making Julie have to walk across town to drag her back home, so she actually makes it there alive. It’s better than passing out in an alley or random park bench. But children aren’t supposed to be the ones looking after their parents.

It was the normal. Julie would head to the bar and talk the bartender to make sure her mom got cut off. He knew her by name at this point. And she knew the sad look in his eyes every time she walked through the doors. They talked sometimes. He offered to help get her mom out of the door, sometimes drove them home. It was nice on the days where her mom could barely stand. Or when she got defensive.

The streets were at least mostly empty tonight, all the families at the fair. Or the mall for a movie. It was the Fourth of July, there were things to celebrate. Not for Julie. Not anymore.

But suddenly, a few people come out of some of the nearby buildings at the same time. Workers who couldn’t get the night off, and people who had to run out to get more snacks for their parties. People of all ages, walking away from where they were, heading the same direction. Slowly. Almost possessed.

A branch cracks behind her, Julie turning on instinct to see who it was. Her eyes widening when she sees the crowd of people behind her. Equally spaced, all walking towards her. Slowly growing as more people join in.

She knows she should move but her feet are glued to the ground. They don’t look angry. Not like a mob. Of people, at least. Zombies, maybe. With the lethargic way these people were walking, it sure looked like it.

A familiar face finds Julie in the middle of the crowd, and suddenly she can move again. Keeping her hand close to the knife she has in her pocket, just in case. Walking toward the crowd, she approaches her classmate, hoping for answers.

“Nathan,” she tries to get his attention. Nothing. “Nathan, what is this?”

He moves around her like she isn’t even there.

“What the hell? Can’t you hear me?” She looks around at the hoards. “Can any of you hear me?”

Their eyes are dead, black. All fixed on the road in front of them, marching at the same pace. Looking like the life was sucked out of their bodies.

They keep moving. She moves with them, swerving through to get to the bar. To get to her mom. As more people join the hoard, heading somewhere. But where?

Julie sees someone come out of the bar. “Jared,” she calls out, recognizing the bartender. “This is crazy right. Where are these people going?”

She realizes that he can’t hear her. His movements matching the rest as he joins them. Walking away with a blank stare. She was betting that he would be their ride home.

Inside she finds her mom. Passed out on the bar with half a glass of beer left and an untouched water. Julie pushes away the thoughts of the people outside. That isn’t a priority anymore, strange as it might be. She had to focus on this now.

Rummaging through her mom’s pockets, she finds a few quarters. Uses them to call a cab. She steps behind the bar, knowing she probably shouldn’t. But it’s best that the beer is gone before she wakes her mom. Then she won’t try to finish it.

“Mom,” Julie says gently, shaking her mom’s arm. “Mom, we got to go. Called us a cab.”

Her mom groans out something, but it’s unintelligible. Eyes opening with a glare that Julie knows isn’t meant. But it still hurts.

“Come on, we gotta get home.” Julie slings her mom’s arm over her shoulder, even if she isn’t strong enough to hold all of her weight. Or tall enough.

Struggling, Julie gets her mom out of the bar and into the cab when it pulls up. Supplying their address and watching the meter tick up. Hoping there’s enough change left in her mom’s pockets to cover it.

“Did you see the possessed people on the street?” the cab driver makes conversation. “Almost hit some of them because they walked in front of me. Nutjobs.”

“Yeah, weird.”

The trailer park comes into view. She starts to try and find some cash for the driver, but he stops her.

“Don’t worry about it,” he assures.

“You sure?”

He nods. “Had a dad like that, I know what it’s like. Be safe out there, alright. Something’s going on tonight.”

Julie can’t help but agree. She thanks the cab driver before wrangling her mom into the house. Dropping her on the couch and figuring it’s good enough for what she went through tonight.

The next morning the news comes. The fire at the mall that had mass casualties. Names she recognized, people that are now lost. One reminding her of the events of the previous night. She had convinced herself it was a dream. But the hordes of people were marching to their death, and didn’t even know.

Something was off and nothing made sense. For the third year in a row. With no explanation. Julie’s not sure if she even wanted one at this point.

. . .

February 1987, Present day

Sarah asks to speak to Steve after their visit is completed. When her folders and paperwork were in the car and it was just them. Off the books.

“I talked to the courthouse,” she gets right to it. “They said that the case has been filed. Your parents are going to know soon.”

Steve crosses his arms. “I know. I’m not quite sure what I’m expecting to happen when they do?”

“You know I’m on your side here. I want you and Julie to stay together. But if they come back and pose a threat, there’s nothing I can do to keep the judge from separating you two.”

He does. It’s been on his mind since the papers were signed. Thought about dropping everything knowing what this could mean for Julie. For him. He’s stayed in this house rent free because his parents could dare throw him out. Not when he couldn’t have possibly applied to schools again after the spring. With all of his injuries, documented by medical bills, it warranted another gap year.

Not like he would magically get in. Or even wanted to go. But it got him another year in this house where he could save to leave. Get everything ready for his grand escape. It was easier when it was just him. Now it’s not so easy.

So, he’s been saving a bit more than normal. Saying no to the kids when they ask for cash and spending less. Made sacrifices where he could, mainly with his personal expenses, and if he swiped his dad’s card by accident a few more times than normal, that was his business.

It paid off. He has a good amount of savings in the bank account he made without his parent’s knowledge. Started pulling small amounts of cash out of the account still attached to his parents’ and depositing it in the other. Or hiding it under his floorboards with everything else they don’t need to see. Just in case they came home when he wasn’t here.

He thought about job hunting. Thought about taking up another part time job. Just to get a few more extra funds to have enough for a deposit on a small house. He’s been looking at a few. One particularly a few times. The owners hightailed it out of here after the “earthquake”. No one has bought it yet and they’re desperate. Maybe just desperate enough to shave off a few grand on the price. Even if it’s already criminally low.

But it’s got two bedrooms and a nice sized living room and kitchen. A small porch out on the front and a yard in the back. Already fenced in and everything. It didn’t have all the amenities he was used to, but he didn’t need those to live. What he needed was a stable roof over their heads that was under his name. That he could afford with his paycheck and still have enough to put some away for later.

“I’ve been looking at some places. If I save right and nothing comes up, I should be ready to put a down payment in a few weeks.”

That’s a lie. He was able to afford the down payment a few weeks ago, but he was still saving. Knowing that he’d have to buy all new furniture, dishes, everything. It would pile up and fast. Add that to all of the other bills he’d now have to pay, electricity, water, heating. It wasn’t enough. It was better to save too much than run dry.

Sarah lets out a long sigh. “And if you don’t have a few weeks. What if this is the thing that brings your parents back home? What then?”

“What would happen if we had to stay at one of my friend’s houses for a bit?”

“I can’t guarantee that it would be allowed. Even if it was temporary. If there was a backup plan, if the paperwork was still being filed. Maybe.”

Steve rubs his eyes with his hand. “Would it help anything if both of them have dealt with the system before. Like an uncle taking in his nephew? Or The chief adopting his daughter.”

“Steve, I’m going to level with you. If the both of you can’t stay in this house anymore, and you don’t have a place with your name on it, I don’t think this will work out the way any of us want it to. You’re lucky that you were even able to get the guardianship now.”

He nods. “I know. And I’m working on it. I just need a little more time. Maybe I can get an advance on my next paycheck or something. Find some old things to sell. Anything.”

If he wanted to be risky, he could fully transfer the rest of the funds into the new bank account. His parent would be notified of the complete withdrawal, but it’s icing on the cake at this point. Steve is twenty years old. It was allowed. With all of the government payouts sitting in there, he’d have enough for a down payment and more for furniture. Maybe even enough to shave down the loan cost a bit.

He’d finally be free of this house. His parents. Everything. He just needed to not hold back anymore. The first punch was already thrown, he has to get ahead so he doesn’t lose this fight.

“Good, keep me updated. One more thing, a trust has been made in Julie’s name, for the money her mom left her.”

“Oh,” Steve says surprised. “I didn’t know she got left anything.”

Sarah nods. “Every penny her mom had left. Including the college fund that she’s been building since the month she was born. It’s quite impressive, actually. It’ll be open to her when she turns eighteen for the most part, some will be set aside until she’s twenty-five.”

“Does she know about it?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “Not yet. Rebecca wanted all of the legal aspects to be ironed out before anyone knew so that she wasn’t taken advantage of. Smart woman.”

“And that’s why I’m hearing about it now, everything’s been set up.”

Sarah nods. “I think it would be best to keep this a secret until the move and the case goes through court. But I wanted to let you know that you didn’t have to take saving for Julie’s future into account. It’s all taken care of already.”

“How much was she left?” Steve can’t help but ask.

“Let’s just say that your dad paid Rebecca more than she led on. Call me if there are any problems. And here’s my personal number,” she hands Steve a sticky note. “Use that if you have to move out before you get a different place. I’ll pull as many strings as I can for you.”

Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but he says it anyway.

. . .

Julie walks downstairs to an uproar of screams and disagreement. With a nice mixture of Eddie’s laughter. Apparently, they normally commandeer Steve’s dining room table twice a month to play their DnD campaign. And after many months without it, a new one just started today.

It doesn’t sound to be going very well.

She walks to the living room to find Steve watching tv eating a bag of chips. He offers some to her when she sits down next to him.

“Are they always that loud?”

Steve laughs. “It hasn’t even gotten that bad yet. Give it a few weeks, when the twist gets revealed, the neighbors will end up hearing it.”

Julie groans. “Any way I can get a warning so I can not be here when that happens.”

“I’ll get Eddie to give me a warning. I already know half the plot anyway. He does not shut up about it.”

The boys don’t either. It’s all they’ve been talking about at lunch for the past week. Theorizing about something that hasn’t even happened yet. Max, El, and her then complaining that they need to get new conversation topics. But they were excited, so why stop them.

“I haven’t seen that journal before,” Steve comments, looking at the small book in Julie’s hands.

She doesn’t even know why she brought it down. “It, uh, it’s something that therapist gave me to do. Since I’m so good at writing already, he thought it might be a good idea to make a journal to try and document what I’m feeling. Track the progress and everything.”

“And you think it’s a little stupid,” he fills in.

“Well,” she sighs, “sort of. But I get where he’s coming from. I do like writing, just not about myself. I’m good at creating people like me, but never really me. I don’t know how to write about my actual feelings.”

Steve eats a chip. “I’m not that great at it either. Never have been.”

The chaos escapes from the dining room, sounding like it’s coming from the kitchen. Most likely raiding the cabinets for as much food as possible.

“Maybe you’ve been writing about your feelings without even noticing it,” Steve suggests. “Like those stories about your mom, you said that they were pretty much your life but different.”

“Better,” she corrects. “It was supposed to be us in a better situation. It still wasn’t fully me.”

Eddie walks into the living room. Julie hides the notebook under her leg.

“Having fun?” Steve asks, causing Eddie to break out in a wide smile.

“You have no idea. They don’t know what’s going to hit them.” He sits on the arm next to Steve, practically leaning on him. If Julie’s right about what’s going on with them, they’re not great at hiding it.

“There’s still room if any more players want to join,” Eddie says, Julie not sure who it’s pointed at.

Steve rolls his eyes. “Yeah, not going to happen.”

“Me either.”

“You actually might like it,” Steve says to her. “It has a lot of storytelling, kinda like the kind you do.”

Eddie makes a face Julie can’t read. “You write stories?”

“Yeah.” She can’t tell if he’s offended or shocked. “Sort of.”

Eddie’s mouth drops open. “How did I not know this? I am hurt, I am offended, I am excited. What do you write? You should totally help me write a campaign sometime, having another person would add a whole other confusing layer to it. Like, a whole possession plot or something. That would be sick as hell.”

“Ed,” Steve interrupts. “Calm down, she said she wasn’t interested.”

“And you don’t even know how or what I write. You could hate it.”

He gets offended again. “I would not. I’m sure everything you write is great. Fantastic even. And just, think about it. You wouldn’t be playing, just creating something to mess with those bone heads.”

“Hey,” Dustin defends when he enters, a small bag of pretzels in his hand. “A little rude coming from someone who spent six years in high school.”

Eddie smacks him on the arm. “Just because I’m not a science nerd like you doesn’t mean I’m not smart. I just can’t care about things that don’t matter. Like algebra.”

Julie snorts as Dustin rolls his eyes. “Anyway, we’re ready to continue.”

Eddie pops up from the couch. “Get ready to have your small little minds blown.”

“I’m sorry about him,” Steve says when they leave. Loud discussions resuming in the dining room.

Julie shrugs. “It’s fine. He’s been trying to get me to join Hellfire since my freshman year. Apparently, he really likes to recruit loner kids with no friends.”

“Even loner kids with friends. How do you think he got all of them. But really, freshman year. I didn’t know you guys knew each other that much before.”

They didn’t really. They were just neighbors. He gave her a ride sometimes, begged her about joining his club. Talked to her sometimes when she was sitting out on the park bench. Friendly, but not friends.

She would be witness of his many rants on top of the cafeteria tables. Rolling her eyes every time it happened. Wondering how he didn’t get embarrassed. After Mary changed schools, she would sit at the empty end of his table if there was no one else. Hear him talk about how much he was ready to leave.

“We didn’t really. He just knew me because I lived down the street. We talked sometimes but didn’t really know each other.”

Julie knew enough about Eddie to know that he meant what he said about getting out of town when he could. She knew that there wasn’t really much that could make him stay. His uncle would understand. Miss him like hell but would understand. This town wasn’t good to his nephew. And his friends would follow after him as soon as they had their own degree. He said the same thing last year too. What made him stay?

The room down the hall breaks out in laughter. Steve smiling to himself while he eats another chip. The joy from the other room contagious.

She can’t help but think to herself that the answer wasn’t too far-fetched. That the very reason to stay was in this house. With these people. Julie knew how easy it was to find friends with these people. Whether it was motivated by her relation to Steve or not. Each one of them were as crucial as the next. If one of them left, what would the rest do?

Maybe that’s a good starting point. Discussing the change in the past few months through the people’s she’s surrounded with. Friends with. See why the good in her life is good, and then work through the bad. Track how she got better with people supporting her. It would be easier than diving in headfirst into the deep end. Sometimes easy was the better route to take.

. . .

“Steve,” Robin groans, done hearing about this. “You know you have enough to get that house. You have for weeks now.”

“I know,” he says over a pile of returns. “I know. It’s just not enough for everything else yet. And what if this job isn’t as sustainable as I think it is. I’ll get myself in over my head and things will go south and then I have all of this debt that I can’t pay off. Julie will have to move again, and I’ll probably end up living in my car.”

Robin stops him by grabbing his arms. “Take a breath, dingus. It’ll all be ok. You’re stressing yourself over nothing.”

The reason he really stayed in the house as long as he did was because of this. How stressed he got over the idea of moving out. Knowing that it might not work out the way that he wanted it to. And then he didn’t have a place to go back to. Once he left, he left. There was no going back. He knew that.

Back when he graduated, he really thought about moving out. With the way his dad yelled at him for not getting into college, it seemed better. But he didn’t have a job and wasn’t as smart with money as he is now. He would have just taken whatever could fit in his backpack and nothing else. It would have been bad.

But now. Now he has all the means to leave. The money, a job, a possible future. Yet a part of him still feels tethered to the house. Like he owes it something.

“I’ve never been able to leave before,” Steve whispers. “What makes it different now?”

Robin presses her lips into a half smile. “Because back then you weren’t who you are now. You were a kid who was used to a life and didn’t want to leave it. And you didn’t have the people supporting you like you do now. Back then you were a one man show, now you got a whole ensemble behind you.”

“I’m scared that what I’ve saved isn’t enough. And what I’m making won’t support us. I want to give her a better life than the one I had.”

There it was. The sentence he’s felt since the moment he looked at Julie and saw himself in her. The same scared kid that was left alone with no one around him. He saw so much of himself in her that it scared him. Affirmed what he’s been feeling all these years.

Made him realize how bad it really was. How much he’s been pretending. The hurt that took root and went ignored, allowed to grow. He couldn’t change it for himself, maybe he could change it for her.

Robin squeezes his arms. “You already are, Steve. I can see it. From you and from her. You’ve given her a home that she can come home to and feel safe. Feel loved. That’s more than you realize.”

Maybe it is.

“You really think I can do this?”

“I really think you can. You’ve already done more than you give yourself credit for.”

After work, Steve heads to the bank to fully transfer the rest of the money into his new bank account. Signs everything with a breath of relief. It’s done. There’s just one more tether to be cut, and it’s coming soon.

. . .

One Week Later, February 1987

Julie is doing homework at the kitchen table when she hears the phone ringing. She walks over to get it, not really thinking anything.

“Can you explain to me what the fuck you think you are doing, Steven,” a man’s voice basically screams before Julie can even say a word.

Julie’s mouth runs dry. “Uh, Steve’s not here right now. Can I take a message?”

“Who’s this?”

She has the strong feeling that it might be best to lie. “This is Robin, one of his friends.”

“My son let someone in the house while he’s not there?”

“No, of course not. He is just in the shower,” Julie lies. This was the first time she’s ever heard her father’s voice, and it’s terrifying.

“Well then. Pass a message along for me, won’t you Rachel. Tell my son that if he thinks that he can sue us, he better be ready to be humiliated in court. There are no grounds for this. And if he expects anything from us anymore, he’s sorely mistaken. That deadbeat’s been relying on us too much anyway, maybe it’s time he learns what it’s like to live without everything we’ve given him. That’ll show him how good he’s had it. You got that?”

“Yes,” Julie stammers out. “I’ll make sure to tell him.”

“While you’re at it, tell him that he better get his ass out of my house. If he thinks that he can threaten me like this and still get to live there rent free. Well, he’s more on an idiot that I thought he was.”

He hands up the phone, leaving Julie frozen in the hallway.

Steve’s suing his parents. For what? Why didn’t she know? Was her dad always like this? That doesn’t surprise her. One time when her mother was drunk, she said that Richard hit her sometimes. Then sent her flowers the next day to apologize. It wasn’t very happy to in a relationship with Richard Harrington.

It didn’t sound like it was to be his son either. With all that Steve told her, the fact that she’s even here. With the way that man talked on the phone. Voice full of anger. Spitting venomous words meant to sting. To hurt. And to his own kid.

To Steve.

To gracious, kind Steve who did everything for the people he loved. Took in someone he didn’t even know existed just because he wanted to help her. Did so much else for everyone other than himself. Julie can finally see why. And it’s hurts.

She’s still there with the phone pressed to her ear when Steve comes home. The empty line buzzing in her ear. Not even turning when the door closes.

“What’s wrong?” Steve asks, taking the phone out of her hands and placing it back on the receiver.

“Your, your dad called.”

Steve’s face drops instantly. Right into a fear that she’s never seen grace his face. It doesn’t help calm her down. “I guess he knows you’re here now.”

Julie shakes her head. “No, said I was Robin. Thought it might be better.”

Steve nods his head, eyes wide. She can see the thoughts that are running around in his mind. “Yeah, yeah, that’s good. I don’t know what he would say to you if he knew you were here.”

Somehow, she knows that the anger wouldn’t be directed at her. It would be directed at Steve. Well, a little probably to her. Talking about all the money he’s wasted on her. How much of a life he could have had if his wife never found out. The money was never enough. They were still struggling even with the pennies he must have given him.

“He told me to tell you something,” Julie says after a long silence. “You’re suing them?”

Steve’s faces resolves. “Yeah, yeah I am. Have a pretty good case against them too. Might actually win.”

“He doesn’t think so,” Julie looks at the phone, the words replaying in her head. “He said that you have no grounds and that if you think you’re going to get anything from them anymore, you’re wrong.”

Out of all of the ways that Steve could react, she didn’t think laughing would be the one. A relieved, almost crazy laugh. Julie looks at him concerned as he wipes at his eyes.

“Out of all of the things he could’ve said, of course it was money. God, he thinks he’s so powerful with that money. Thought he’d be pissed about his reputation more. Jesus Christ.” Steve almost falls over with how hard he’s laughing. He sits down, leaning against the wall.

“Are you ok?” Julie leans down to look at him. “I thought you’d be mad, or upset, or I don’t know. Not laughing.”

Somehow that just makes Steve laugh more. “He really thought that would do something. That man is full of empty threats, and I don’t believe them anymore. I’m not scared of him anymore.”

“Oh,” Julie realizes. “Oh. Holy shit. That’s good.”

“I know.” Steve shakes his head, scoffing. Disbelief bright in his eyes. “Did he say anything else?”

Julie sits down across from him, knees propped up with her arms draped over them. “That he wants you to move out. And that you’re more of an idiot than he thought you were if you thought you could stay here after all this.”

That just gets Steve laughing again. Head thrown back against the wall and heaving breaths between long stretches of laughter. Wiping away the tears that form in his eyes. Julie finds herself joining in, it contagious somehow. Even if she doesn’t understand it.

She thought he would look like he did the last time his dad called. Sitting in a dark room, solemn. Eyes red and tears stains on his cheeks. Rethinking himself based on the opinion of one person.

But instead, he’s relieved. His limbs loose and lightweight. Not heavy or tense. Tears fall out of his face from joy rather than sadness. He looks freer that Julie’s ever seen him. It makes her smile.

“That just shows me how little he actually knows me,” Steve says when the laughter finally shows.

Julie nods her head, agreeing. But she can’t help but wonder what they’re going to do now. “When did you decide you were going to sue them?”

Steve wipes the remaining tears off his cheeks. “Back in December. I didn’t meet with anyone until after New Year’s though. Thought I’d have a little more time until the paperwork got to them, guess the courts move faster than I thought.”

That was almost two months ago. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“I didn’t want to worry you. It was going to come up when it did. You had so much on your plate, I didn’t want you to stress out about this. This is my thing.”

“It’s my thing too,” Julie looks at him. “Whether you like it to be or not. We’re a family, we do things together.”

Steve nods, head thumping gently back onto the wall. “You have a point. I should have probably told you sooner. And I’m sorry you had to deal with him on the phone. It sucks, I know.”

It does. Julie looks down at her hands, absentmindedly picking at the skin. “What are we going to do? He said he wanted you out, that means me too.”

“Yeah, so there’s a lot that I haven’t told you recently.” Steve stands gesturing for her to do the same.

Julie follows him to his room. He pulls out a binder from his desk. Opens it to a page and tell her to look at it. It’s a small house, with light brown siding and brick accents. Two bed, one bath. Pictures of a small kitchen and living room. A porch, a backyard.

“What is this?” She flips through the pictures of the house, seeing all of the rooms.

“A house I’ve been looking at for a few weeks. Thinking about sending in a down payment.”

Julie turns to look at him. “What, how? You’re only twenty and you’re going to buy a house.”

Steve lets out a small laugh. “Yeah well. I can’t really elaborate on this, but I was in a few accidents in the past few years caused by someone else, and they had some pretty nice payouts. And I’ve been saving. Negotiating with the owners to get the price lowered. Which isn’t hard considering I’m the only interested buyer they’ve had since last year.”

“And it’s enough to get this?” She looks back at the house, knowing it’s the kind of dream her mom had that never got fulfilled.

“Not like fully, I’ll still have a mortgage like everyone else. But for the down payment, bills, furniture. It should cover it. What do you think?”

Julie laughs. “I think you’re insane. But I like it. Looks nice.”

“We can go and see it sometime if you want.”

. . .

One Week Later, March 1987

“Woah,” Julie says when the door opens. “This is pretty nice.”

Steve follows in after her, watching look around. “I know, why I kept coming back to it.”

“And the price is good,” the realtor says next to him. “Really good. You should take it before someone comes and snatches it up.”

“How many people have bought houses here hin the past year?” The realtor just clears his throat. “What I thought.”

The realtor shifts his collar. “I got them down to the price we talked about. It’s yours if you want it.”

Steve smiles to himself, “Give me a second.” He walks down the hall to what is going to be Julie’s room, finding her standing in it. “What do you think?”

“This, this is something my mom always wanted for the two of us. Never could get it. The prices never dropped, and she never saved enough. Guess she just had to wait a bit longer, then we could have had it.” Julie shakes her head. “Sorry, just what I was thinking.”

He walks up next to her. “It’s ok. But seriously, you like it.”

Julie smiles. “Yeah, I do. You should get it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

. . .

Steve hears back from the realtor a few days later. The house is his. He calls Robin, has to hold the phone away from his ear when she screams into it. Then Eddie, who congratulates him in a much calmer fashion. Still excited though.

He has to wait until the payments go through and the loans are officially set up in order to get the keys. For the insurance to get set up and the official ownership to be transferred in his name. Then he and Julie can start moving in. But that doesn’t stop him from getting prepared. From packing a few boxes of things and storing them somewhere that isn’t this house. Whether that be Robin’s basement or the corner in Eddie’s room.

It might be stupid and pointless. There is just this voice in the back of his mind telling him to prepare for the worst. His dad wants him out of the house and he’s still here. There’s no telling what would happen if they came home to find him still living here.

When they came home, at this point.

This whole ordeal isn’t something that can be taken care of by signing papers. It has to be done in person. At least the way they want to do it. Steve would take a settlement. Take whatever to get them to admit what they did. But they’re pride is too big for that. So, it’s moving to court.

They won’t stay at a hotel when they have a house here already. Even if they’ve barely lived in it at all. Have a big show to the neighbors when they come back to town. Their son is making a fool of himself again, now they have to put him in his place. Teach him who’s the boss here. The same shit they did when he graduated high school. Only now it wasn’t going to work.

Steve ran the show this time. Has a backup plan and a stable job. A good chunk of savings no thanks to them. Piles of evidence that they can’t refute. Character witnesses and statements. Everything to make sure this case is won. If they take it that far.

Really, he could care less about making a show in court. Breaking headlines. It isn’t about that, it’s about them. Words mean nothing from him. Chalked up to begging for attention or to get out of trouble. They can’t pull that line with this. Not when it’s their shotty excuses against his evidence.

Steve met with a lawyer a few weeks ago just to make sure that he wasn’t wasting his time. The lawyer didn’t even make it down the first page of grievances before agreeing that Steve had a case. After reviewing the evidence, he said that there was a good chance that he could win.

If it took admitting to a judge and jury that his parents left him for months on end without anyone looking after him for them to understand the gravity of the situation, then so be it.

When Julie comes home from school, Steve sits her down and explains everything. Watches the joy in her face when he tells her that he got the house morph into something more serious. More sympathetic. He tells her what he thinks could happen. That his parents would come home when they realize Steve isn’t backing down. That words can’t make him break.

She takes it better than he thought she would.

He asks her to pack any non-essentials just in case. This was all a just in case. He hoped. He prayed. They can’t come home until he’s ready for it. They just can’t.

It would be so much better to see them come home to a vacated house. Let them think that they won. To see changes they made to the house that they now have to deal with. How they messed up the vision. Think that he left based on their threat and not his own volition.

But instead, he left because he wanted to. Not because he had to. Bought a house with at a good price and a loan with a good interest rate. Everything to show a smart decision instead of a stupid one. Has a stable job that he liked a good majority of the time, and while the pay could be better, it’s not bad. Was deemed responsible enough by child services to be able to get guardianship of his sister, the one that they abandoned. Is even in the process of getting that guardianship turned into a more permanent thing.

Even if there are aspects of his life that he can’t tell him. His partner. Everything locked behind an NDA. There is so much that he’s done to prove to them that he’s not useless. That he isn’t just some dumb kid that thought he could live off his parents forever. Not the rich kids that stay rich because they are given a job at their parent’s company.

Steve is successful because of himself. From the help of his support system and guidance from adults who cared about him. But the real work, that was him. Any other parents would be proud of that. His will hate him for it.

And he can’t wait to see their faces when they do.

Tag list(let me know if you want to be added or removed): @homoerotictangerine, @mugloversonly, @thesuninyaface, @imyelenasexual, @anaibis, @ilovecupcakesandtea, @brainsteddielyrotted, @jackiemonroe5512, @eddie-munsons-missing-nipple, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @cinnamon-mushroomabomination, @lolawonsstuff, @writingandmushroomdragons, @stevesbipanic, @sierra-violet, @steddie-as-they-go, @dauntlessdiva, @mousedetective, @the-daydreamer-in-the-corner, @zombiethingy, @connected-dots-st-reblogger, @that-agender-from-pluto, @allyricas, @cheddartreets, @devondespresso, @crypticcorvidinacottage, @queenie-ofthe-void @chronicpainstevetruther, @cheddartreets, @theupsidedownrealestateagent, @acidbubblegummie, @sirsnacksalot, @l0st-strawberry, @helpimstuckposting, @strawberry-starss, @freddykicksasses, @italianwhore1, @i-threw-my-name-out-the-window, @rageagainsttheapathy, @nuggies4life, @ape31, @whimsicalwitchm, @chrissycunninghamfanblog, @michellegilligan, @hippielittlemetalhead, @bridget-malfoy-stilinski-hale, @jaytriesstuff, @confused-stripes, @faeb1tch42069, @marklee-blackmore, @hel-spawn, @genderless-spoon, @mamafaithful, @estrellami-1, @starryeyedpoet17 @i-amthepizzaman, @lilpomelito @melonmochi

#stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #julie lawson #robin buckley #long lost/secret sibling #stranger things fanfic #fanfic #dustin henderson #i don’t know which ways home fic

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surftrips · 8 months

Text

SNOW ON THE BEACH

OBX WRITING WEEK DAY 2 — MEET CUTE W/ JOHN B.

word count: 1158

summary: after y/n's flight is delayed, she ends up stranded in a cafe in kildare, rescued by a golden-haired boy.

a/n: my first time writing for john b. and i had so much fun! it's been so hot where i am so i am yearning for winter and cozy vibes in case you can't tell haha

Y/N’s flight to Boston had been delayed at the Kildare Airport, out of all places. And out of all the reasons, it was because of an impending snow storm. Who even knew that it snowed in North Carolina? She couldn’t believe her luck, she was supposed to be going home to visit her family for winter break and now she was stuck in the middle of nowhere.

She supposed the Outer Banks would’ve been beautiful any other time of the year, but it was December and there was no one left but her and the locals. With an indefinite layover, she decided to leave the airport and head into town. Y/N was in desperate need of caffeine.

After hailing a taxi and asking to be taken to the nearest cafe, she lugged her carry-on and suitcase into the store before realizing that she had no place to stay. She knew no one in the area and she was sure all the hotel rooms for the night would have been booked by now.

Groaning, she ordered a hot caramel latte and slumped into a seat by the window. Y/N shot her mom a quick text about her flight being delayed, not in the mood to call her and explain the whole situation. Next, she pulled open her laptop and started looking into a cheap AirBnb or motel nearby.

In the middle of doing so, she was interrupted by a voice behind her.

“Hey, you’re not from around here,” he said.

She turned around to see who it was. Her initial guardedness went away when she saw that the boy was around her age. “Is that a question or a statement?” she replied.

Smiling, he said, “I’m pretty confident it’s a fact. I’ve never seen you around here before.”

“Don’t you get a lot of tourists?”

“Not many as pretty as you are.”

Y/N found herself blushing despite how ridiculous this situation was. “I’m just passing by,” she muttered out, unsure of how to respond to his straightforwardness.

“Really? You didn’t plan on vacationing in the Outer Banks in the dead of winter?”

She laughed, the ice having been broken, and decided that it was probably safe to introduce herself to this (admittedly) cute stranger.

“Haha, no, not really. I’m Y/N, by the way.”

“My friends call me John B. Y/N, what’s your story?”

“Well, my flight here was awful, thanks for asking. Then I found out my connection to Boston was delayed because of a New England storm or something and now I’m stuck here indefinitely,” she sighed.

“Shit, sorry to hear that. You must be really unlucky because it never snows around here.”

“You’re really helping me feel better John B.”

“Sorry,” he scratched his head. “How can I help?”

“Seriously? You want to help me?”

“Yeah, sure. Got nothing better to do.”

“Well, unless you have a place where I can crash I don’t think you can help me very much.”

With that, the boy’s eyes lit up. “Actually, I do happen to have a place for you to stay.”

“Oh, I-I was sorta joking you really don’t have to do that.”

“It’s no big deal, my friends crash there all the time. My dad’s not home that much and even if he was, he wouldn’t mind.”

Y/N was starting to wonder what the catch was, sure the boy looked nice and like he meant well, but at the end of the day, this was a stranger. He could be luring her back to his house and she would never be seen again.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he started again.

“What?”

“You can trust me. Look, it’s a small town, everyone knows me. I’ll even invite all my friends over so you can feel safe. Two of them are girls.”

Y/N really wanted to say yes. She had been silently begging all day for a miracle and this was the closest thing to it at the moment.

Sighing, she gave in. “Okay, fine. How far away do you live?”

“Like ten minutes that way,” he pointed east from the store. “We can get there in the Twinkie.”

“The what?”

He led her outside where he had parked his van, infamously named the Twinkie. John B. carried her suitcase into the back while she held onto her carry-on.

“And this thing is safe?”

“Yes, she is safe to ride in. My friends and I have been through a lot worse than a minor storm with her.”

“Whatever you say,” she said, still not convinced. “Hey, what time do you think it’s going to snow anyway?”

“Who knows if it even will? My buddy Pope said it probably won’t get cold enough.”

What was supposed to be a short ride back to his house ended up becoming a very elaborate tour of the town. It started with John B. pointing out a few of his friend’s houses, then the The Wreck where his friend Kiara worked, the high school they all went to, and finally, they ended up at the beach.

Y/N had to admit, it was a nice beach. Even in the dead of December, the sand looked clean and the sparkling ocean had not yet frozen over. As John B. admired the landscape, she used this time to get a good look at him. His golden brunette hair, the blue bandana around his neck, the slight hint of a smile on his face as he looked out into the water. She couldn’t decide what was more beautiful to her at that moment, the boy or the sea.

“Oh my god,” his voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“What? What?”

Wordlessly, he fumbled open his side of the door and raced outside.

“John B? Where are you going?” she called out after him.

“I can’t believe it,” he said, in awe.

“Can’t believe what—” Y/N stopped in her tracks. There, in front of them, and above and behind, were small white flecks. They could’ve been lights, or fireflies, but she knew they weren’t. He knew it too, even though he had only seen it a few times in his life.

“It’s snowing,” he said, incredulously.

“Oh my god, it is!” Y/N had grown up with the seasons, had felt the wrath of a New England blizzard ten times over, but this, this was something magical.

“Is this what it feels like? It’s like a scene from a movie,” he was smiling like a little kid now, reaching to grab a pocketful before the flakes melted in his hand.

“This is so weird.”

“But beautiful,” he looked over at her then, taking in the moment. Her smile was like she just won a contest, and she found no need to hide it anymore.

John B. pulled his arms around Y/N, wrapping her in his embrace. They stayed like that watching the snow come down, silently.

#obxweek23 #obx #outer banks #obx x reader #obx imagine #john b x reader #john b imagine #chase stokes #chase stokes x reader #john b x you #john b routledge

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humanoidalien27 · 1 year

Text

The next part for all you lovely people. Thank you for reading.

Chapter list: One. Two. Three. Four. Six. Seven. Eight.

.....

Chapter 5

Downtime

Garreth hadn't been wrong, Poppy and Natty decided to take you out to Hogsmeade for your day off, not that you didn't have a sour Slytherin following everywhere you went.

With his friend in tow, teasing him for crashing the outing.

Though you were grateful Sebastian decided to put the whole "goblin" fight to rest. You knew why he hated them and you could understand, but at the same time, being called ignorant did hurt more than you wanted to admit.

You guessed it was a pride thing, yours and his, because he couldn't see the path he was trying to drag you and Ominis down.

He'd already used two of the three unforgivable curses and the only reason you hadn't turned him in, was because all three of you would have died if he didn't and Anne would have for the second. Though, you were quick to name off all the other spells he could have used to knock the goblin away.

As you walked, you noticed there were more than a few professors in town too. You'd like to think they'd just wanted a moment's break, but you caught how they'd glance over every once in a while.

"It's not quite the day of fun we had planned," Poppy mumbled, her eyes flicking to the boys nearby.

"It is nice to get out of the castle however and more friends that join, make it more enjoyable," Natty added quickly.

"It wasn't the intention to invite ourselves your swaray," Sebastian admitted, shooting Ominis a glance. "We've been trying to get her to go with us for weeks."

When Poppy and Natty side glanced, you knew you were in trouble and by their slow, cheeky grins, it was only going to get worse.

"Well, we're going to Honeydukes and then head to the Three Broomsticks afterwards," Natty said as she clasped her hands behind her back. "You're welcome to come with."

Everyone, save for Ominis, saw the glare you shot her.

Chuckling, Sebastian tossed an arm over your shoulder. "Wouldn't miss it."

"You too Ominis?" Poppy asked, her voice taking on a way too delighted tone.

"I- I suppose that's a good idea."

The look that passed between Natty, Poppy and Sebastian had you dreading what was to come.

Apart from them having to make sure you and Ominis were nearly side by side everywhere you went or sat, it wasn't a bad day.

"So, you can change into an animal at any time?" Poppy whispered, her mouth dropping to the floor.

Natty smiled. "Yes, though it hurts at first, you can get used to it."

"I wonder what kind of animagus would Poppy even be?"

"Puffskein," you answered nearly automatically, earning a chuckle.

She let out a playful gasp, getting everyone to laugh.

"Okay, what about Ominis?"

"Kneazle."

You watch his brows pinch before he turned his head your way, not that he could ask anything over the round of laughter.

"What about Sebastian?" Natty asked through chuckles.

"Troll."

Natty and Poppy broke out in such loud laughter that half the tavern looked over.

"Things over here sound very lively," Sirona teased as she walked over.

Poppy nodded. "We're talking about what animal we'd be if we were an animagus. She thinks I'd be a Puffskein. Ominis would be a Kneazle and Sebastian a Troll."

Sirona chuckled as her eyes darted around the cups just in case someone needed a refill.

"If I'm a troll, you'd be a Mongrel."

All of us snickered again, telling Sirona that we were just having a bit of fun.

"Ooh, what about Sirona?" Poppy asked as she tapped the table quickly.

"Hippogriff," you answered, getting surprise to flicker over her face. "Loyal and protective."

Before she could reply, Garreth, Cressida, Samantha, Adelaide and Amit walked over.

"It sounds lively over here," Amit teased.

Sirona chuckled as she moved to grab the empty cups before heading back to the counter.

"We were guessing what kind of animagus we'd be," Poppy replied as everyone shifted to make room, though it made a tight fit and my shoulders were sandwiched between Ominis and Natty.

"Are you thinking of becoming one?" Samantha asked, taking the seat on the end.

"No, it's just a fun thing to think about though."

"You'd have to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a whole month," Cressida mentioned. "That just seems like a choking hazard."

"I guess that rules you out," Garreth mentioned looking directly at you. "With all the trouble you get into, there's no way you could go a month without casting a spell."

Everyone but Ominis and Sebastian laughed, but you didn't want to think about all the things you still had to do or were wrapped up in. Not today.

"Yeah, I'd be at it for the rest of my life," you added, getting another round of laughter.

"It's nice to get outside the castle for a little while," Amit mumbled softly.

"Especially when Garreth keeps blowing up potions," Samantha teased. "How did your last one go?"

I snickered before I could stop myself.

"It didn't work out the way I'd hoped."

Hoping for a better response, they turned their eyes to you.

"It blew up as Sharp came into the classroom," you clarified, earning an array of amusement and shock over everyone's features, before you recounted the entire story, getting some to wheeze as they laughed. "I still don't know how we dodged getting a detention."

"Isn't it obvious?" Natty asked, her voice suddenly somber. "The teachers are worried about you. They're the ones who suggested getting you out of the castle for a while."

You motioned behind you. "Is that why we have a professor entourage?"

Not that you could blame them after everything that's happened.

"Or it could be because three Slytherins don't come back to the common room at night," Imelda replied as she took a seat with the group, further pushing you to bunch up.

"We've already explained that to Professor Weasley," Sebastian replied, shifting to try fitting into his spot better.

Noticing he wasn't going to clarify, the subject went right back to you.

"I know school can be hard and starting off as a fifth year doesn't help, but you can come to us," Cressida mentioned.

"This isn't an intervention, is it?" You teased, before breaking out into a wide grin. "I'm fine, I swear. All I have to worry about is schoolwork."

You could see shadows fall over the faces of those who knew there was more to your year than that, those who didn't, merely nodded.

The professors didn't hide the fact that they were following you back to the castle and even joined the conversation, thanks to Professor Ronen.

"I'm going to be adding that little detail to the story when I tell Professor Garlick," Ronen admitted happily as Garreth was pushed into telling him the potion story.

"Did Sharp even notice he was talking like that?" Imelda asked.

"So, I'm not the only one you've been lying to?" Ominis asked soft enough no one could hear.

"Yes, now don't you feel better?"

Sebastian snorted softly, before trying to cover it with a cough.

As you glanced at Ominis, seeing he was unimpressed.

"You want to know more about me?" By the sigh he let slip, he knew he was about to get more sarcasm. "I like nighttime, long walks on the beach and sleeping in. I even keep a stuffed animal of a Kneazle at the foot of my bed called Tammy."

"You're such a liar," he half growled as Sebastian covered his mouth to silence his chuckling.

"If you know that why do you keep expecting anything else from me?"

The question made him fall quiet like he hadn't asked himself that before.

.....

#fanfiction #hogwarts legacy #ominis gaunt #ominis x oc #ominis x reader #sebastian sallow #sirona ryan #natsai onai #poppy sweeting #garreth weasley #imelda reyes #samatha dale #adelaide oakes #amit thakkar

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ladytanithia · 9 months

Text

WIP Wednesday

Toying with an idea for Miranja's future... not sure if I want to go this route, and not sure whether Faendal would react this way after a long friendship, lots of adventures together, and serving as her steward for a few years, but my mind likes to fixate on horribly sad things sometimes. Working title is Losing Faendal.

@dirty-bosmer @thequeenofthewinter @thechaosdragoness @gwilin-stay-winnin @skyrim-forever @mareenavee

The sight that met Miranja's eyes was distressing. Camilla lay in a heap on the floor, and Faendal hung by his wrists, locked in shackles on the wall, dull-eyed and despondent.

Pulling out the key she'd taken from the bandit chief, she rushed to Faendal. "I came as fast as I could, as soon as I got Endur's message." She unlocked the shackles and let him down, then she turned to Camilla to check her.

"Don't bother; she's dead," Faendal spat bitterly, sitting on his knees, rubbing life back into his arms. "She's been lying there for hours."

An invisible fist clenched around Miranja's heart. "Oh, Faendal... I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I was too late to save both of you." Her throat clenched up along with her heart, and she fell to her knees next to him, sobbing, reaching for his arm to help him massage the blood back into the numb limb.

But Faendal pulled away with a hateful grimace, and Miranja retracted her hand as if he'd slapped it, her mouth an O of surprise. Her heart stopped altogether for a moment in her bewilderment. She took a breath to ask him why, but he spoke before she could, his tone venomous.

"Don't touch me. You want to do something for me? Then go to the nearest town and send a cart for Camilla. And don't come back. I don't want to see you again. I'm going back to Riverwood, and you can find yourself another steward."

"Faendal..." she squeaked out weakly, choking on her sobs.

"I'm sorry I ever got involved with you. This only happened because some sick Blood Horker bastards wanted revenge against you. My wife is a casualty because of what you've done. My son is motherless." His voice cracked on the last word, and he crawled over to Camilla's body, bending over her with his back to Miranja and sobbing.

All Miranja wanted to do was throw herself on the floor and weep and beg Faendal to have mercy, but she knew all that would do was antagonize him. She got to her feet and ran, blind with tears, back to the cave entrance. Back outside, she screamed her despair to the heavens until her voice was ragged.

She staggered, exhausted, into Rorikstead, heading straight to Sissel's farm, where she pressed a coin purse into Sissel's hand without counting the gold, begging her to take a produce cart to Orotheim as soon as possible, telling her that a woman had been killed and needed the appropriate preparation for burial. She knew that under Bosmer beliefs, Faendal was supposed to consume his dead wife, take her essence into himself, but Camilla's brother was still nearby and would want to inter her in Imperial fashion. Faendal would be sick with the thought of Camilla's body rotting in a grave, but they weren't in Valenwood, and he had to abide by the law of the land.

Throughout everything, she'd never stopped loving him. She had been both happy for him and sick for herself when he and Camilla had married, when they had announced Camilla's pregnancy, when they had announced the birth of their son. She had showered them with gifts, made sure they had everything they needed. They had all loved each other, and Miranja had loved Faendal's son as if he was her own. She was beside herself with disbelief that it could have all gone up in smoke with one horrific event.

Faendal had married Camilla because she was "safe" and he'd never have to worry about her - yet because they were associated with Miranja, neither he nor Camilla had ever really been safe. It was her fault. Never before had she so resented being the "heroine" everyone had made her out to be.

#skyrim #elder scrolls #miranja #fanfic #ao3 #tesblr #bosmer #faendal #tanithia writes

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chloe-spade · 4 months

Text

The Little Leeches Act Two: A Day in Town

Floyd couldn't sleep by as he was back at the human grotto, looking around for more human stuff. Some of the stuff was found in the ocean, which is not surprising as King Julius was an old sailor in the day. He liked the cluttered and mess, and being surrounded by many stuff, which reminded him of home, which made him happy.

His attention was caught by a group of maps on a massive table. He grabbed one and tried to unravel it onto the table, but it kept folding up, which began to annoy him. Floyd was glad that he was silent, or else he would've been cursing at the paper, but the rustle of the map did catch someone's attention.

"Floyd?" whispered Riddle, looking at the doorway.

Floyd looks over and tries to hide the maps behind him. He wasn't exactly regretful of the noise, but he knew Riddle and how he reacted to such a mess that Floyd had made exploring.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Riddle asked.

Riddle walks over and looks around Floyd, seeing the mess of maps on the table, some curled back to their original form without Floyd's disturbance.

Floyd sheepishly shakes his head, still trying to hide the maps.

"Are you trying to look at the maps?" Riddle questioned, "I suppose maps are hard to unravel unless you put something onto them," he took a small statue and asked Floyd to unravel one of the maps.

Riddle puts it on the top side of the map and uses his other hand to keep it down as he and Floyd sit down at the table.

"This is the map of our kingdom, or well, queendom," Riddle chuckles, "My Great, Great, Great, Great-"

Floyd covered Riddle's mouth, annoyed at the repeated word, and wanted him to get to the point. Riddle glared up at Floyd before moving away and sighed.

"My very old Grandmother found the land and formed it. But she was not without a king, so she hereby claimed it as Queendom, a place ruled by a queen instead of a king," Riddle explained, "even when a king was ruling the land, it will forever be a queendom."

Floyd looks down at the map, some of the human words he can understand, but some are not easily read as the words look odd and curvy to him.

"Sorry, some handwriting is quite fancy and hard to understand for you, Floyd," Riddle spoke, "I am curious, where do you live? In the ocean, I mean."

Floyd looked around and gasped at the sight of a nearby rock, and pointed down at it.

"Underneath the rock? That's far from our shore on foot, hard to swim over there as well."

Floyd grins and lifts his feet, almost laughing.

"Oh, right," Riddle chuckles, "you're a mermaid, so swimming is not that hard for you," he looks over at Floyd and back on the rock, "Have you always been there, watching the kingdom?"

Floyd nodded.

"So you known about humans but never approached one until me?" Riddle pondered.

Floyd also nodded and used his fingers to create a trail from the rock to the dock where they had met. He then used his other hand to grab him as a pretend net to cover his hand.

"Oh…so that's what happened,"

Floyd's eyes wandered around to a strange bolder object and walked over to it. He picked up it and examined it.

"Floyd, be careful! My father will be upset if you break it." Riddle warned.

Floyd looks at Riddle and looks back at the rock before raising the rock and throwing it on the ground, watching it crumble into multiple pieces, revealing beautiful gems inside. Riddle watched in shock as Floyd took the gems and held them out to Riddle.

"…it was gem the entire time?"

Floyd nodded.

"Wow, Father always said that the ocean was full of wonderous things, even when we can't see it," Riddle whispered, taking the gem from Floyd, "…I wish I could tell him he was right."

Riddle cleared his throat, and continued to look at the map. "Those geos are absolutely beautiful…but please clean the mess."

Floyd pouted and started to clean his mess, being careful with the gemstones that he spilled. He looks over at Riddle and smiles at him.

"Have those geos always been hiding in those rocks for some time?"

Floyd nodded.

"I heard geos hidden in the ocean are extremely hard to find. Do you find them often?"

Floyd thought for a moment before nodding. He points over at the map where the rocks are and charades an explosion, like an underwater volcano.

"….broken by volcanoes?" Riddle questioned.

Floyd shrugs as he didn't know either but that's how things worked for him underwater.

"I never heard of volcanoes being underwater," Riddle mumbled, "It's very odd, perhaps it was a crater. But it's nothing compared to the merfolk, such as yourself."

Floyd grins and sits back down by Riddle, looking back at the map, just listening to Riddle and his knowledge of his queendom. It wasn't until his eyes began to drop and he rested his head on the map, catching Riddle's attention.

Riddle could only sigh and took Floyd's hand.

"Let's take you to bed," Riddle whispered and helped him up. "I'm glad we were able to bond over this."

Riddle carefully takes his lantern, leads Floyd back to his bedroom and helps him onto the bed, watching Floyd sleep peacefully as he rests on the bed. Riddle carefully tucks him in, looking down at Floyd.

"Goodnight, Floyd.."

💔

Veronica was distraught after learning that her son had gone missing without a trace.

It wasn't like Azul to completely disappear without telling her first, and she knew what would happen if Azul didn't. But days have passed and no signs of Azul were ever made. So she turned to the one person she could only turn to in a situation like this.

Her older brother, Triton, the king of all the seven seas, and someone who doesn't take missing reports very lightly.

"When was he seen last?" Triton asked, "It is unlike Azul to run away without much reason."

"Only 2 days from today I recall." Veronica answered, "Azul would've told me where he was going at the very least. Azul and I are very open with each other but what if I said something bad to him?"

"I understand what you are feeling, but Azul is a smart kid. We should be able to find him everywhere and we will find him. Do you remember what you two have been talking about before he left?"

"Mainly something about Floyd and Jade, his friends. Something about hanging out with them, as per usual. But nothing else, but I trust Azul. I wouldn't believe he would just disappear."

Triton listened, but couldn't understand it. Three mermen went missing two days ago without any note or sign of disappearance. Some merpeople last seen them around a week ago, talking, and one of them wearing an odd bag that contained mysterious stuff. But no one knows what it was.

All the parents were scared and worried, which is reasonable, and that is why they decided to meet up to gather collective perspectives.

Marigold and Killigan arrived for a few moments after the initial conversation.

"Hello, Your Highness," Killigan greeted, "Thank you for taking the time to talk to us about our sons."

"We appericate it so much," Marigold added, "I'm started to get worried about my sons."

Triton nodded.

"When was the last time you have seen your sons?'

"Only 2 days before they've gone missing," Killigan explained, "My wife and I have dinner with them, but we both noticed something with one of our boys, Floyd. He was mopey, like a typical starfish glued to the floors, and never spoke up to us. We never asked why."

"We assumed it would be a mood swing." Marigold gulped, "He has those regularly and we are used to them."

"Well, what else happens? Did he go somewhere? Did he talk with someone?" Veronica pestered.

"No, Floyd just left after dinner, and Jade followed, per usual."

"He never explained where he was," Killigan scoffed, "but I can assume it's nowhere safe."

Triton listened, as he figured something was a tail with this mystery occurrence so he looked at the parents once again.

"Are the twins known to be troublemakers from time to time?" Triton asked, "or more specifically, what was your son's favorite hobby?"

Killigan and Marigold both gulped as they knew if they told the king the truth, things may as well go south. How do you exactly explain that your son collects human things since he was able to swim alone? No one wanted to answer questions, so they kept their mouths shut.

"Why are you two silent?" Veronica asked, "What are you hiding?"

"It's not hiding," Killigan explained, "but it's more of your reactions to it."

"It can't be horrendously bad," Triton spoke up, "unless it involves humans, of course."

The silence felt more louder than any song that was sung in the sea as both Triton and Veronica wondered why the silence was there. It didn't take more than a moment to realize that the parents knew exactly what their son was doing and what he was involved in. It didn't sit well with them both.

"Ok, Ok," Marigold broke, "Floyd collecrs human stuff, and we know it's super bad.."

"HE WHAT?!" gasped Triton and Veronica, staring at both Leeches.

"I know it's super bad, and If I need to help to find my son, then some secrets need to be broken."

"And all my years hearing all the crazy stuff I heard from your son, this is the most bizarre. I hope your son realizes that this is extremely illegal and death is the penalty." Veronica looked at the Leeches. "No merfolk should be ever near humans, nor their stupid stuff, and dangerous ships."

"And where does he keep this human stuff?" Triton asked in a slow, menacing tone.

"We…do not know," Killigan admitted, "it must be well hidden."

"We always try to stop him, but he just keeps on going. No matter what warnings or punishments we give him, he just continues without even thinking of the consequences of his actions. I have to send Jade to keep Floyd in line."

"So you let your other child in danger? Let alone you never told me this in the first place?"

"The reason we never told you or Veronica this is that I don't want my son to be harmed by people I consider friends. And Floyd's only a teenager, and you know how teenager are." Marigold defened her son.

"And with all due respect," Killigan added, "we care about our sons and even though they are in trouble, we just care about their safety. And we can't sleep because we don't know where they are."

"We'll figure out a punishment later," Triton spoke, "but you are right. Their safety is much more important than rulebreaking. We just need to search around and track them down." He turns to Veronica, "Do you still have your magic spellbook?"

"Of course I do."

Veronica swims around, trying to find her spell book. But no matter the location, she could not find the book. Even in the most secret places, she could not find her spellbook. It was starting to frustrate her more as she realized that her spellbook had gone missing as well.

"She still loses it?" Triton joked.

"That was when I was 7, and you know that, Triton," Veronica huffed from her room. "But alas, I cannot find my spellbook. I looked everywhere but it's not there."

"Really? Do you at least learn most of your spells?" Triton asked.

"Of course I did, but why is my spellbook missing?"

Veronica swam around, panicking.

"Now, I don't want to add more to your panicking, Veronica," Triton spoke, "but I fear that along with Azul's disappearance, is that he took the spellbook along him."

"Ugh, I hoped it wouldn't come to that conclusion," Veronica mumbled, "He's the only person I told my secret spot to." She swam back, "I'm just glad Winifred didn't just steal it."

The others sighed in agreement.

"What should we do now? Looking for them has been a fail so far," Marigold lamented, "Who knows where they have been last."

Veronica thought about it and then looked over at her brother.

"Do you still have that spell of yours?" She asked, "the tracking spell?"

"I wouldn't call it that, Roni," Triton spoke, "It's merely a reflection of where the person is last."

"I beg to differ, considering how you used that against us as children. But regardless, can you use it?"

"Yes."

Triton swam away and used his triton to create a makeshift image of the twins, who immediately started to swim in a certain direction, talking to each other.

The adults followed, watching how Floyd typically always found something that belonged to humans and added it to his bag of human stuff. He was doing so secretly, even when Jade was near him, he didn't let him see what he had found.

This leads to a pathway, covered with vines. It was, from a distance, an old grotto, a rock with a very hollow inside, but it was a place for Floyd as he swam inside it.

Once inside, the mers found a major collection of human stuff. Floyd was putting stuff away with Jade simply watching him with a smile on his face. It was once again clear that the two were having another conversation about something, but it was making Floyd incredibly happy.

"What are they saying?" Killigan asked.

"Something about…a Goldfishie?" Marigold stammered, "About love? He was in love with someone.."

"He was? No wonder he was so odd and was more secretive," Killigan mumbled. "More per usual I mean."

The time began going forward to one of Floyd crying with Jade comforting him, which was hurtful for Killigan and Marigold to watch as their most excitable son became a sobbing mess as if someone had broken his heart.

"Poor Floyd," Marigold sighs, "what could've happened to him?"

"A clear sign that he was heartbroken," Veronica hissed."A clear love confession went wrong for your son. It's horrible but that's normal. This has nothing to do with their disappearances, why show us this?"

A vampire squid entered the scene, circling the twins.

"…that's why," Triton answered, "That's Zephyr, Winifred's dirty friend, the one who drags those mermaids to their deaths, those deals cause more harm than good."

"You don't think she would.."

"She obviously would," Veronica sneered, "your son was the perfect victim. Sad, heartbroken, and most importantly vulnerable, and that is what she wants. And I'm afraid that she lured him into her trap."

"….why?"

"What's the deal?"

"Who knows but it's bad." Triton swam over to Marigold.

They began to follow the memory to the depths of the sea to her own grotto, green and purple smoke rising from it. Keeping their distance, watching Floyd and Jade swimming inside it. A few moments later, they saw no more memories of the twins, but within the smoke, they could see the twins, now with legs, swimming up with the help of Azul.

"They…they…." Marigold stammered.

"Legs. They did a trade for legs," Killigan gasped, "…it was so obvious, why didn't we see it?"

"Why didn't we? He's our son," Marigold shuddered.

"Now we know where they have been," Triton grumbled, "we should discuss the next course of action. Winifred is intelligent, and we should be careful."

The others swam away, leaving the grotto alone in the darkness.

💔

Floyd yawns as the sun begins to rise. He looks around to wipe his drool off, looking around his bedroom. Still, googly from sleep, he got off his bed and stumbled onto the floor as soon as he started to walk.

He turned over and looked over at his legs. Right, his newly acquired legs that he got. He forgot that once he woke up, but he couldn't stop just staring. He quickly got up and walked around, hoping that each step he made wouldn't wake him up from a dream, but he was fully awake and he just started to jump happily.

He immediately got up and was startled by the maids who entered the room to help him for the day, going into the village, something that Floyd was excited about and wanted to do. But he couldn't stay still due to the excitement, which made it difficult for the maids to dress him.

"Floyd?" called Azul. "Are you ready to go?"

Floyd rushed out and almost tripped onto his feet. He managed to grin as he straightened himself up.

"Come on, everyone is waiting for us for breakfast," Azul stated.

Floyd smiles and with Azul, walks downstairs to the dining room, where everyone else is eating, except for Jade, who is confused about the food.

"Good Morning, Floyd," Riddle greeted, "how was your sleep?"

Floyd smiled and sat down, looking at the food in front of him, practically in awe. Riddle could only chuckle and started to take Floyd's plate and fill it with the food.

"Just things you would enjoy," Riddle whispered, handing the plate to Floyd.

Floyd looked and began to eat, trying not to use the dinglehopper for his hair again. He was already in trouble for stealing one to use last night. His eyes glow up at the food in front of him and happily continues to eat the food in front of him.

"Haha, always the honey, I bet," Julius laughed, "they always swoon over it."

"Father, please," Trey chuckles, "the honey isn't that special."

"It's handmade by my son, of course, it's special," Julius complimented, "our guest seems to think so too."

"It is delightful," Azul admitted.

Jade looked over at Trey, surprised at his culinary expertise, if he may say. The food was significantly different than it was under the sea and the smell, the taste, and the presentation showed that. And for the most part, it was delicious and Jade couldn't get enough, though he simply wished the honey wasn't so sticky.

"So, what do you plan for today?" Queen Icabeth asked.

"Just a small town visit." Trey explained, "I want to show our guests our town."

"Well, I understand, but Trey, you are still recovering."

"I think I recovered well," Trey huffed, "don't worry, we'll be extreamly careful. Are you all ready?"

"Right now?" Azul asked. "We should at least finish our food?"

"Town's entrance is easier to enter in the morning," Trey smiles. helping Jade up. "Best to be here than later, right? Follow me,"

Jade stumbled on his feet as Trey led him into the staples with a big carriage with horses in front of the castle's gate.

It made Jade entirely curious, walking around it. He was ready to touch the horse before Trey intervened.

"Careful," Trey chuckled, "horses may be stunning, but going near one unannounced may be a bad result. Their legs are incredibly strong and will kill you if you are not careful."

Riddle, Floyd, and Azul entered the stables shortly afterward. Azul and Floyd stared at the horses, neighing at nothing.

"What is that?" Azul asked.

"You never had transportation in the ocean?" Riddle questioned, "It's a horse and carriage, a way to travel from place to place."

"So..like sea horses, without the sea part. Intriguing."

"Are we ready to go?" Trey asked, getting their attention. "We shouldn't let the horses wait. They can be pretty impatient." He looks over at Jade and lets out his hand with a smile, "Shall we?"

Jade gulps and takes his hand, gasping as Trey helps him onto the carriage, sitting next to him.

"Who's driving?."

"I am," Riddle spoke, "I know how to ride carriage and control horses. So I'll be able to handle it."

Azul turned to Floyd, helping himself up to the front, along with Riddle.

"You didn't tell us anything about him, I hope you know that," Azul mumbled as he got into the carriage.

Floyd shrugged in ignorance, not exactly caring about Azul's dismay.

With a whip, the carriage sets off, now letting everyone outside of the castle. It was jolting for the merpeople, feeling the carriage move and jump for a moment, but it was amazing how the scenery changed for them.

"I…everything looks so beautiful out here..and I hate admitting it," Azul muttered to Jade. "But everything is just so..dazzling."

Jade lets out a silent chuckle, clearly happy about Azul's stubbornness.

But everyone in the back began to feel the carriage rattle around, almost jumbling around over it.

"What in the world?" Trey gasped and looked over at the front.

He sees a crazy happy Floyd, whipping the reins and letting horses ride as freely as they can, laughing, well, silently laughing, and a distressed Riddle trying to stop it, alerting everyone about Floyd's reckless driving, and trying to stop him. Trey could tell how badly Riddle regretted giving Floyd control.

But after a small bump, things began to ride smoothly once again and Floyd was riding it as if he knew what he was doing, which was surprising to Riddle but he managed to calm himself down as he watched Floyd in case something bad happened.

Trey sighs and looks at Jade, enjoying himself.

"Your brother must enjoy the crazy rides," he laughed, "I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not a bad sight, and by that smile, you must be used to it."

"Not only used to it, but enjoying it." Azul added.

Jade smiles, with his usual fake innocence that Azul knows so well.

After seeing the entrance, Floyd stopped the carriage and jumped off, looking at the guards.

"Floyd!" Riddle called out, "Have you lost your mind?! You could've gotten us hurt or worse killed! But yet, you knew how to calm them down enough to ride it carefully."

Floyd grins and just shrugs.

"Well, Floyd is typically good at sea horses," Azul gagged from sickness, "but I suppose since horses have legs, it was different for him. But typically Floyd, though airheaded, he learns quickly."

"Not quick enough to know the different between a brush and a fork,," Riddle murmured to himself. "Nonetheless, we have arrived and I think it will be best to split and go around seperatly."

"Really?" Trey sputtered, "You are usually the last one to suggest that. Why the certain change?"

"Well, I think it would be nice for us…and besides, you should get to know Jade. He certainly is confused about everything and I think you are the perfect guide for him."

"I suppose you are right," Trey sighs. "Alright, but we will meet right here at the end of the day, alright."

Floyd's eyes lit up as he rushed over to the town, ignoring the guards and the people.

"Floyd! Come back here!" Riddle called out, grabbing Azul, and running behind him.

"Well, those two have their hands full," Trey laughs, and looks over at Jade, "Let's get going. They are so many things I want to show you and so much more."

Jade smiled, took Trey's hand, and was led inside.

💔

Jade looks around as he looks around the town, especially at the food courts. He drooled over delicious meals and desserts. He didn't know that Trey was struggling to keep up with him as he zoomed over from place to place.

But Trey adored this of his new guest. His confused face and love for new stuff were admiring to him, and his joy was something Trey couldn't help but smile about. Like how he was just staring at a hat he was interested in, wearing it on his head, and how it fit perfectly. But alas, the sight of food caught his attention and rushed away.

Trey chuckles and hands the money to the shopkeeper, "Sorry, he's new and clearly enjoying himself."

The shopkeep nodded in acknowledgment as Trey followed him.

Jade was now staring at the strawberry shortcake, completely mesmerized.

"Do you want that?" Trey asked. "I can get us some slices if you want. With beverages, of course."

Jade smiled and nodded, excited.

He was escorted to a table to sit down by and as he sat, he was calm, watching the sea reflect the sun and sky. It made his stomach turn into homesickness and nausea. All thoughts were put aside as he saw two slices of shortcake in front of him.

Jade looked, and almost just grabbed it, but he watched how Trey used the newly named dinglehopper to eat the shortcake, and with slight hesitation, he followed his lead.

After the first bite, Jade began to eat faster, enjoying every bite.

"Have you ever gotten this before?" Trey chuckled.

Jade's face flushed as he shook his head, drinking his water.

"I'm glad you like it. It's nice to know you like sweet things," Trey spoke, "maybe I could make some desserts for you when we get back at the palace." Trey smiles and looks at his cake. "My mother and I baked a lot together, and I still bake, clearly you saw this morning. I think it's a nice hobby for me to just…be alone with my thoughts, you know?"

Jade nodded with a smile.

"Have you ever thought of cooking?"

Jade made a face considering his answer. He has cooked before, but it's nothing like human food, he knows that and what he saw, they are much more layers for cooking on land than at sea.

So he nodded, hoping to learn about cooking.

"I'm glad. Maybe we should cook together? Just you and I?'

Jade beamed happily.

Trey smiles and takes a bite of his shortcake.

"It's strange," Trey gulped, "I feel like, despite you being mute, we are having a full conversation. I'm getting to know you and you are getting to know me, and I'm enjoying our time together."

Jade grins in agreement. He looks over at a boat leading to a beautiful lagoon. Another thing that reminded him of his home, he thought, was another thing that gave him feelings of guilt.

Trey notices and takes Jade's hand.

"How about a small boat ride after this? I noticed you were staring at it and thought I should ask."

Jade blushes at the hand-holding and nods.

💔

Riddle and Azul huffed as they followed Floyd to another marketer, looking at new things. As soon as they left the village, was the time Floyd began to use his new feet to run around at every opportunity.

It was hard for the two, as Floyd was just as fast on feet as he was with a tail, Azul mentioned.

"How did his parents raise him?" Riddle panted, resting on the fountain.

"Oh, trust me," Azul panted back, "You have not met his mom. I swear, he got everything from his mom, especially her tendency of creating nicknames."

"I always wondered about that."

"It's merely based on what part of the appearance he likes." Azul explained, "Like your red hair, for example."

"I was more thinking of how red I get when I am upset," Riddle chuckled. "Or maybe when he flustered me."

"I would say both."

"Ah! What the hell are you doing?!" called a puppeteer.

Riddle and Azul look over to see Floyd holding onto a puppet, thinking of it as a real person. He looked back at the hand, now shaking his fist angrily, but Floyd shrugged and began to play with the small puppet in hand.

Riddle rushed over grabbed the puppet and returned it.

"I apologize for my friend and his behavior, sir, he's..uh," Riddle stammered, "new, to puppetry."

"Good excuse," Azul scoffed sarcastically.

Riddle glared at Azul taking Floyd to a nearby center, and sighed with relief.

"Floyd, you should be careful," Riddle lectured, "You have to remember that no one else knows about you or your origins and you might do something they do not like. It may be a shock to those, and I'm not saying that it's bad, but I just want you to be cautious."

Floyd pouted and sat down.

"He's right, Floyd," Azul spoke, "you are causing a scene."

Floyd wanted to speak but nothing came out and just looked away, clearly upset about not speaking and feeling restricted just as was before even coming over to the surface.

Music was played in the background, alerting Floyd. He wanted to ask Azul but once again, no words came out.

Riddle looks back at the band and grabs Floyd's hand, pulling him onto the center floor.

"Who needs words?" Riddle spoke, "Dancing beats small talk any day. It's the way your feet smile. Or laugh. It lets you say so many things. Now come over here."

Riddle grinned and started to sway, leading Floyd to the center.

🌹

Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard

You can whisper, sing or shout without so much as a word

Try it, go on, like so…

Just let your emotions tell your body what to do

See how much a single gesture can reveal!

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer

To saying what you feel

🌹

Floyd gasped as the music started to flow across the center, and he and Riddle began to slow dance, but it was odd for Floyd, who started to trip slightly because of his new feet. It made Riddle chuckle at Floyd but he made sure to keep the teasing to a minimum.

Azul smiled as he watched Floyd begin to dance along with a newfound smile on his face, staring at his new feet as he danced.

🌹

Once the music hits you, inhibitions fall away

And you find that you're expressing things

Your voice daren't say

Don't be afraid, let go

Soon as you surrender, what's inside will sweep on through

As the boundaries between us disappear

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer

To talking loud and clear

🌹

Riddle watched how Floyd kept learning how to move his feet, looking back at Riddle, laughing.

🌹

A dance is like a conversation

Except you never need to make a sound

And once you've begun

You speak as one

Give and take

Back and forth

Round and round

🌹

Floyd grinned as he danced away from Riddle, starting to dance by himself. It was an olden mermaid dance, swaying his arms side to side and grabbing his skirt to create waves as he twirls around, not careful about tripping onto his feet.

But his smile made Riddle's heart jump. Watching Floyd dance in a mermaid-style dance, which was something he could never find when he studied, reminded Riddle about the relationship that the two have grown over the years and how he trusted Riddle with his existence at all.

Riddle quickly grabbed onto Floyd's waist as they danced together, Riddle catching up with the merman's movements, and failing at times, and he could tell Azul enjoyed those moments, laughing to himself.

Riddle could just laugh.

🌹

A dance is like a conversation

Except your lips don't ever need to part

And once you've begun

You speak as one

Cheek to cheek

Toe to toe

Heart to heart

🌹

As the music almost reached its conclusion. Riddle carefully swayed Floyd to a small waltz before bowing down.

🌹

Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard

But it says much more than language ever could

And ev'ry little step

Ev'ry single step

Is one step closer…

One step closer…

One step closer

To being understood

💔

Floyd grinned and hugged Riddle, reassured.

"All better?" Riddle grinned.

Floyd nodded, almost jumping on his feet.

"Well, where to next, Floyd?" Riddle asked, "I bet a jewelry shop is up to your strange taste? But, you are following me, and you will not run." Riddle established and grabbed Floyd's hand tightly.

Riddle leads Floyd to a nearby jewelry stand, full of shining jewels that Floyd is having a hard time touching without Riddle's noticing it.

"Anything is yours, just choose."

Floyd grabbed a yellow jeweled necklace, shaped like a golden autumn leaf and smiled at Riddle.

"That brings out your eyes, Floyd. Hey, sir, may I buy this?"

As Riddle conversed with the salesperson, Floyd's eyes immediately saw an opportunity. He saw a box with a rose gold ring with a white jewel, an engagement ring. He quickly takes it and puts it in his pocket arousing suspicion and looks down, waiting for Riddle to be done.

He smiled to himself, knowing that his afternoon plans were on the table.

But, of course, Floyd looks at something shiny and follows it, leaving Riddle with the salesperson.

"Thank you, sir. Floyd, I got the…are you kidding me!? How did he even run off!" Riddle growled and began to look around for the wondering eel. "Azul! Floyd's escaping again!"

"Again??"

💔

Trey carefully helped Jade in the boat and began to row away, moving away from the docks and onto a beautiful lagoon. As he rowed, he watched how Jade began to play with the lake's small fishes and blushed at it.

Trey can't help but stare at Jade when the fireplace begins to fly around them, illuminating Jade in the dark lagoon, and making his eyes stand out with everything.

"Wow," Trey swooned, "you look absolutely beautiful."

Jade turned his head to Trey, and his face was now light pink. He gulped to himself as he registered what had been said to him.

"S-sorry," Trey stammered, now red. "It just slipped out of my mouth but I can't help saying what I see. I understand if I made this awkward."

Jade grinned and took his hand, still pink from Trey's comments.

"You don't mind?"

Jade shakes his head.

"You know…" Trey started, "I'm glad you came here. For the past few days, I've been set on finding you after what happened, but I couldn't start. Now I don't need to since you are here."

Jade tilted his head in confusion. Finding him? Does Trey remember him from that night? But he couldn't speak on it, even though he wanted to.

He grabbed Jade's hands and held them tenderly.

"And I'm so happy you came to me…"

No words could even be said between them as the air spoke for itself. It made Jade want to speak his feelings out to Trey, he wished that his longing for Trey would just end but why does his mind want to do the things his heart wants?

"Jade…I lo-"

Trey's sentence was interrupted by the boat suddenly swaying and tilting over, with both people falling into the water. Luckily for the two, it wasn't deep waters so no worries of drowning down.

Trey grabbed Jade and helped him up and tried to check for any bruises.

"Are you ok?" Trey asked, looking around Jade, worried. "Nothing hurt, sprained or bruised?"

Jade shakes his head as he quickly wraps his arms around himself, now shivering in the new cold. He never felt cold, as a merman, but he didn't know that humans have no immunity to the cold whatsoever and that it made him shake like a scared child.

Trey noticed immediately, wrapped his coat around Jade, and helped him to a nearby shore. Jade looks over and goes closer to Trey as a 'thank you' as they walk over to the carriage.

A few minutes passed and running towards them was Floyd, silently laughing to himself, covered in dirt, followed by exhausted Riddle and Azul.

"Well, looks like you all had some fun." Trey laughed.

"Fun? You call running after Floyd, fun?" Azul panted. "You seem to misunderstand that Floyd is not like Jade. Floyd, if he finds anything he wants, he goes for it."

Floyd grinned and held his necklace with pride.

"What happened to you two?" Riddle asked, "You're both soaked."

"Boat accidentally tipped over," Trey explained, "It was unfortunate but luckily it was nearby the shore so we were safe."

"Oh. Accidently?" Azul spoke.

He looks back at the pond, seeing a pair of red and black tentacles swim away. He knew exactly whose those belonged to and he was not happy with the new developments.

"I doubt it," Azul scoffed.

"Uh, we should get going," Trey spoke, "It's getting dark and I don't want Jade to get sick here."

Everyone agrees and takes the ride back, resting for a bit.

Once they returned, Trey led Jade upstairs, trying to hide from the guards, not wanting to be seen soaked and his parents panicking. Trey leads Jade to his room, looking around for any more guards.

"Sorry for the boat ride accident," Trey laughed, "but having sweets with you was fun and I loved the day we had together and I hope we have more."

Jade grins and opens the door to enter his room but he stops for a second before rushing back, putting his newly bought hat onto Trey's hat, grinning at him. Trey smiles and laughs, holding the hat onto his head.

"Oh, thank you. You think it suits me?"

Jade nodded and quickly entered his room, leaving Trey staring at his door.

💔

With only 30 minutes to spare, Azul was looking around the castle. He needed a break from the tweels for a few minutes, as he felt like exploding if he stayed with them. And besides, why not look around the castle for a few minutes?

He found the royal library, with a lone man sitting down, face in a book with a young boy sleeping on his lap. He was deep in his book to not notice Azul's arrival, or perhaps that he did not care at all.

"Why are you here?" He quietly spoke up, startling Azul.

"Well," Azul stammered, "Am I not allowed in here?"

"You are allowed, but you are not to talk to me, " The man spoke silently, it was barely a whisper to Azul, "I do not want to wake up my little brother."

"As if I make loud noises."

"You made so much noise, especially when you screamed at your…friends, I suppose." The man looks up from his book, looking at Azul, "Oh, you the guy who hit a nearby door when you first arrived."

"Huh..wha.."

"A gift, I don't attract attention so I saw you struggling to open a door that wasn't locked for 10 minutes, or maybe was it more? I can't remember."

Azul flushed and folded his arms.

"I mean, who else requested to bring you glasses?"

"Oh..you give me these things?" Azul spoke, looking at his new glasses, "I never needed them before. I thought it was just a side effect," Azul stopped and glared at the man, "and who are you to question me?"

"Idia Shroud," the man introduced himself, "so you say that you never wore glasses before you came here, so does that mean that you've become blind overnight?" Idia questioned.

"Of course not," Azul scoffed, "My eyes are just…"

"You know if you do make an excuse, I won't believe you, but I'll lie for you, considering the Novoselic kingdom is far from the Queendom of Hearts, the trip might take 3 months at a time," Idia informed Azul, now looking back at his book and pointed to a nearby globe of the world. "Or to a year at most, but for you to appear so suddenly might just be a coincidence, or you're not from Novoselic at all. Not surprising, considering that you came with two randomly muted brothers and one of them knows Prince Riddle? And he doesn't push away from his hugs. Sounds like major chemistry."

Azul stood there, stunned by Idia's monotone explanation of his disbelief.

"So, where are you from?" Idia asked, "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."

"Because it could be blackmailed information?"

"No, I don't care, but your arrival is just odd to me."

Azul looks over at Idia and then at the young boy.

"Speaking of brothers," Azul spoke, "Is he?"

"Younger brother, yes. Now leave me alone."

Azul took a moment and sighed.

"Hmm, leaving you alone increases your chances of finding out the truth. I can't have that, you know."

"You have increased my suspension a lot."

"Then maybe we can talk to each other."

"No." Idia denied.

"Why do you hate conversation? As a librarian, you should get used to speaking with others and helping them find books around here."

"This is purely a temporary job. My father and mother are inventors and are often overseas so someone has to pay bills to take care of this little guy," Idia looks down at his little brother. "and besides, I hate staring at people. It's something about the eyes,"

"Eyes can show so much if you don't have a voice, hm?"

Idia nodded.

"But, I wished some didn't have any voices, they can be pretty mean and could just stab you with a knife every time," Idia admitted, "they just don't care about what you feel, just for entertainment."

Azul looked and was shocked that such a quiet man had spoken so many words and words that spoke so much truth.

"I understand. Such…people are just not happy."

Idia looked down, his face became pink, and it was visible with his pale skin.

"I'll keep this a secret. I know what it's like to be bullied and almost want to take their voices so they can leave you alone." Azul spoke back and stood up. "I'll take my leave."

"…thank you for listening." Idia muttered.

"Of course, Idia."

Azul smiles and leaves, leaving the man alone once again.

💔

Everyone was eating in the dining area, Riddle and Trey telling the King and Queen about their day, excluding Trey getting pushed into the water, not wanting them to have a heart attack.

"Floyd was quick onto his feet, Mother," Riddle grinned, "I never saw someone so happy like Floyd, and although he did not listen to me, I help but couldn't be so happy for him. And an amazing dancer, I may add."

Floyd blushes and eats his dinner with a genuine smile.

"I would like to see him dance," Trey spoke up, "and perhaps Jade knows how to dance, too?"

Jade gulped and took a sip of his tea.

"How delightful," Queen Icabeth grumbled into her tea, "well, speaking of our guests, I have officailly contacted Novasolic and have a ship on our way for you all."

The trio stopped what they were doing and looked over at each other in concern. Not especially when their quest was not even over.

"Why, thank you, Your Highness," Azul stammered, "May I ask when they will arrive?"

"In a few weeks. So, please, enjoy the time you have here," Icabeth sipped her tea, then continued, "And Trey, we still need to decide what you want for your engagement party."

"You're still talking about the engagement ball?" Julius sighs, "I thought we postponed it."

"Of course not, it's rule #321, "No Engagement Ball will be canceled, even for reasonable reasons", and I want Trey to be happy and find the one he loves for him to become king."

"That's an oddly specific rule," Azul muttered to Jade, "and whose kingdom as over 300 rules?"

"Ours," Riddle answered, taking a bite of the fried fish, "When you become king, you will learn the rules of the Queendom. It has been this way for generations."

Floyd rolled his eyes.

"Well," Riddle gulped, looked at his mother, "I think it should be like celebrating an actual engagement rather than getting Trey engaged."

"What could you possibly mean, Riddle?" Julius questioned.

Riddle took a sigh and stood up.

"I would like to make an announcement," Riddle looks over at Floyd, walks over to it, and holds his hand.

Floyd's brain stopped and looked at Riddle. Was this happening, he thought to himself, was Goldfishie doing what he thought he was doing? Despite not speaking, Floyd's voice was stuck on his throat but he had a stupid happy grin on his face.

"Riddle," Icabeth gasped, trying to lecture him.

She almost fainted as Riddle got down to one knee and presented a ring. It was not a family ring, it was golden in color with an aquamarine in the center, which reminded Floyd of the ocean. He knew that was in Riddle's plan and he couldn't stop looking at it and Riddle at the same time, and he didn't notice the tears of joy he had until Riddle wiped them away.

"Floyd, from the moment we met, you have saved me from an umpending doom and soon after that, I have been infatuated by you. I understand that I never showed that much affection and have been more annoyed with you when we are together," Riddle spoke sincerely, holding Floyd's hand. "However, from the times we met to now, I realized how much I adore your over-the-top personality to your hobbies. They are the reason we have bonded and always talk about what we wanted and now I am ready. I am reminded why I even pushed you away, it's because I love you and I always will. Floyd Leech, will you marry me?"

Riddle was taken aback when Floyd's hands touched his cheeks and pulled him into a loving kiss, but he slowly got into it.

Azul realized a small light from Floyd's throat, something that brought him comfort.

Riddle pulled away from the kiss and looked at Floyd, almost breathless.

"Was that a yes," laughed Riddle.

Floyd let out a big laugh and nodded. "I will! I will! Goldfishie…Riddle….I…I love you."

Riddle smiles. "I love you too."

#The Little Leeches #the little mermaid au #twisted wonderland #jade leech #floyd leech #azul ashengrotto #idia shroud #twst

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