#I wish we would stop shouting past each other | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

grippingbeskar · 2 years

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win you over | bucky barnes

bucky x fem!reader

warnings: adult content minors dni (mxf intercourse, dirty talk, bathroom sex??) swearing, mentions of death, guns, slight mention of ptsd

a/n: special shout-out to @everybirdfellsilent // @kyberblade bc as always u hype me up and now i’m posting this. HOPE U ALL LIKE IT!!

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“Bucky? You nearly ready?” He hears your voice outside his door, and nearly trips over with how fast he moves to let you in. When he swings it open, your eyes take their time, travelling his suited figure up and down. “Damn. You clean up nice.”

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” He manages, seeing the thin material shaping every curve of your body. “Good thing I can throw a punch. Might be beating off more than Hydra agents with you in that dress.”

You roll your eyes and waltz into the room, but Bucky doesn’t miss the slight smile that creeps on your face as you walk past. It’s always been like this between you and him, constantly walking the line between flirting and taking the piss out of each other. It’s one of the only things in his life he can count on these days. You’d always be there.

“Wanna match?” You pull out a bright red tie and hold it up to his chest, the same colour as the dress you were wearing. He nods, unable to tear his eyes away from the way your body looks under the fabric. Seriously— it was hardly classified as a dress. All it would take him was a well placed tug and the thing would tear right off.

Shit. He really shouldn’t have thought about that. He shouldn’t think of the way he would pull it off you, either. How maybe he’d rip it off in one go, or maybe he’d take his time, unwrap you like a gift, inch by inch revealing the prize he feels like he’s worked his whole life for.

“Buck. Focus. Steve’s out the front waiting.” Your arms come up and wrap around his neck, beginning to tie his tie.

“Where’d you get this?” His hands fall on your hips, steadying himself, and he swears you arch into the touch. He keeps his hands where they are; as much as you two flirt, neither of you had gone further than a few compliments and longing glances.

“Just something I threw on.” He scoffs, the material under his real hand feeling expensive. Like silk. “Natasha’s old wardrobe. Steve didn’t really give me much time to shop. What about you? You just pull this from the ‘suits that make me look like a God’ rack?”

“Just something I threw on.” He tucks his head down, watching as your swift fingers finish off the knot and pull it up, fingertips brushing the skin of his neck.

“You know, I was sort of wishing we could just go in and shoot the place up instead of dressing all fancy and going through the inside, but then I wouldn’t of gotten this view.” You take a step back, not far enough that he has to drop his hold on your hips, but just so your eyes could roam up and down again.

“Not sure you could hide a gun in that dress.” Instead of answering, your hand covers his real one, sliding down over your hip, stopping just at the top of your thigh. He feels nothing but the curve of your waist, silky material and skin almost having him closing his eyes at the pure pleasure of it. Then his index finger bumps the strap of the garter wrapped around your thigh, holding a small revolver.

He sees you smirk as you bring his hand back up to your hip, and it’s then he realises what your really trying to show him. His grip gets tighter because there’s something very apparent he should be able to feel. He should, but he can’t, and the very idea that he can’t makes everything inside him jolt forward. Were you— no, you weren’t wearing any underwear.

“Some things go with the outfit. Some don’t.” You see the realisation in his face, how his eyes go wide and he tries to cover his choke with a cough. Smiling, you spin around, looking at him through the mirror. “We look good together. What was it Steve said we were playing? Husband and wife? I think we pull it off pretty convincingly.”

“You look gorgeous.” Bucky whispers in your ear, unable to focus on the usual back and fourth you were so used to with him. Your back was pressing against his chest, hands stilled around your waist and you were right. He thinks you look damn good together. At this angle, his metal arm is covered by your figure, and he thinks he almost looks normal— a couple in love. Especially with the way you're staring at each other.

“You’re gonna make me blush, Barnes. Save it for the real thing.” He blows out a laugh, feeling you shiver as he exhaled onto your exposed neck. He’s so close, he can smell your perfume. Always the same one, smelling just this side of sweet and it practically makes his mouth water. God— he wants to see you blush. Wants to make you lose that bravado and composure and have you fall apart. He knows all this joking around is a front, he just can’t figure out what it’s hiding.

“Are you guys nearly ready?” Steve bangs on the door obnoxiously loud, knowing the way the two of you are. You’ve never been physical, not even so much as a kiss, a fact Bucky is painfully reminded of right now as you look up at him and tilt your head.

He thinks for a second he should go for it. This back and forth thing is driving him almost insane, and the only reason he hasn’t acted on it yet is because he doesn’t want to lose this— whatever it was. You were always around, always seeking him out and talking to him, he couldn’t go back to how it was before. Hanging around these Avengers, he knew he wasn’t built for this like Steve, or even Tony. You were like him in that aspect, never trained to do good, only to hurt. It’s what connected the two of you, and as soon as you arrived at the tower, you’d been inseparable. He can’t lose that, even if you made his brain go to shit and his cock—

“Guys!” Steve bangs harder on the door, frustrated. Bucky was going to kill the little punk, because before he can make a decision, your pulling him to the door and its swinging open, and his opportunity flies out with the handle.

“Mr and Mrs. Barnes. Reporting for duty.” You fake salute and walk past Steve. Fuck— that shouldn’t do something for him. You’ve never even kissed; he shouldn’t feel possessive over you like that, but hearing you call yourself his... well, maybe theres something to be said about his old school ways, because he was about ready to drop down on one knee as soon as he saw you in that dress.

“You alright there, pal?” Steve teases, shoving him on the shoulder.

“Shut up. You just have the best timing, don’t you?” He shoves his best friend right back, and Steve swings an arm around his shoulder, forcing him to remember he actually has to move.

“Don’t act like you were actually going to make a move there. It’s been months. Poor girl probably thinks you’re not interested.” Bucky grumbles and shoves Steve off, ignoring the muffled laugh he hears behind him.

There wasn’t a way in hell you didn’t know he was interested. Bar the fact you gave him a fucking semi just standing in front of him, he’s made it known just how much he wants you over and over again, but you’ve never said you wanted anything but to blow off some steam by teasing each other. One thing he doesn’t miss about the 40′s was how simple this shit used to be. You like a girl, you take her out, and before you know it your settled down with two kids.

Now he’s out of his league, out of game, really. All he’s sure of is he wants you, bad. Tonight, there wouldn’t be any room for confusion, because you’d have no choice but to stay close to him all night, and he’d have the chance to tell you exactly all the ways he would take that fucking dress off.

The car engine revs and he sees a sliver of your leg poke out as you climb in the back seat, and, as if it was a call to arms, Bucky half sprints to follow you in. Tonight he was going to prove Steve wrong, prove himself wrong. He could only hope to God you gave him the chance.

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“Alright, once you guys are ready, find the busiest points of the area. Put a cam at the bar, the bartender will know who you are and take it from you. Order a dirty martini, and he’ll give you a glass to put it in.”

“Have you ever had a dirty martini, Steve?” Natasha’s voice echos in your ear, and you have to bow your head to hide the grin. “Maybe you should come in here and order one for yourself. Lots of pretty girls at the bar.”

“Focus on the job, then find me a date, Natasha.” The way he says her name is full of their usual teasing, and you catch her eyes from across the room as she makes her way to the bar, smiling to you.

“I’m multi-tasking.” She offers, and Bucky’s arm tightens around your waist as a man walks past in front of you. You look up accusingly, smirking as he shrugs.

“Protecting my wife. Saving it for the real thing, remember?” He ducks his head so he can whisper it in your ear, eyes up scanning the crowd in front of you. He doesn’t even need to try and he makes you shiver. You wonder if he has any idea the effect he has on you, or if he knows full well and just enjoys seeing you squirm. “We should head over. Drop this at the bottom of the stairs.”

The small mic in his pocket will hopefully be able to pick up any passing conversations about Hydras next hit, giving you and the rest of the Avengers time to prepare and hopefully cut them off before they can do any real damage. Their numbers were dwindling fast thanks to you, but ever since finding out Bucky’s story, you were always sure to stick close to him during these events. The fact that him keeping his hands on you was one of your favorite things in the world was just a bonus.

“Make sure you blend in. If anyone looks too long, you might get recognised. Keep a low profile and don’t draw attention to yourselves.” You can almost see the way Steve would look at you in particular when he says that.

“What are you trying to say, Steven?” You gasp as best you can while being discreet, and the action earns you a laugh from Bucky, his face turned into your neck. The comms cut out again as Steve refuses to answer you, and Bucky takes your hand, leading you into the middle of the dance floor.

“Come on, doll. Let’s dance.” He says it a little louder than he needs to, but the way he grins and spins you around has your entire body heating up. He always manages to do it without seeming to try, and playing house with him tonight only gives him every reason to flirt with you.

Not that you would ever want him to stop. Having Bucky’s attention was about the best thing that has ever happened to you, even if you were pretty sure he only saw it as a way to lighten the mood.

You didn’t, though.

The longer you spent with him, the more you longed for something else, something more with him. You had made every possible hint as obvious as you could that you wanted him to make a move, even going so far as to tell Steve about your little crush, hoping he would slide a hint Bucky’s way. That was about a week ago, and all pouring your heart out had gotten you was a new mission, where Bucky was about to show you an entire night of feelings you would probably never get to feel.

Even with that insatiable longing in your heart, you couldn’t help but smile when he spun you around again, then pulled you against him, his hand landing on the small of your back. With his face inches from yours, his smile fades a little, and you wrap your arms around his neck, urging him to be closer still.

“I meant it before.” He whispers under the music, moving you slowly to the beat of the song.

“Meant what?”

“That you look gorgeous.” His forehead is pressing into yours now, and your eyes have to close, because looking at him makes all of your bravado melt away.

“Thank you, Buck.” He turns, your dress kicking up as you move. He moves swiftly, feet guiding you backwards across the dance floor, leading you in a dance you’ve never even done before, but somehow he manages to make you look good. “You’re surprisingly good at this.”

“Advantages to being a hundred years old. I picked up a few tricks.” He turns again, letting your bodies fall apart just slightly, before pulling them back together again, your chest pressing tight to his.

“Oh, so this is how you used to get the girls?”

“One of the ways.” Your eyes open to find him smirking down at you, and a hand slides down from his neck to lightly slap him on the chest.

“Mr. Barnes! I thought old guys were supposed to be gentlemen.” Spinning again, you almost whine when his hand slides off the small of your back, but he drops the mic on the table near the bottom of the winding staircase, the cool touch of his metal hand replaces the contact and you can’t help but arch into him.

“What’s more gentlemanly than making sure your lady is satisfied?” His voice is lower now, and instead of keeping your faces in front of each other he chooses to whisper in your ear.

“I’m guessing you’re not talking about taking her to eat after a night of dancing?”

“Of course I am. Why? What did you think?” He pulls back to look at you, eyebrows raised. You laugh and he walks you backwards again, back through to the center of the dance floor. “Now what do we do?”

“Both of you, move to the bathroom. Target just walked in with a woman in a blue dress.” Steve's voice cracks through both your ears, and you tilt your head.

“You want both of us to follow another couple into the bathroom?” Bucky smiles down at your amused expression as you reply to Steve’s order for him.

“Move. Now.” He’s clearly not finding it as funny as you and Bucky are, and even though you are both walking to follow his instructions, neither of you miss the opportunity to mess with him.

“I think you should focus on landing one girl, Steve. Leave the group activities to the pro-” The line drops out again before Bucky can finish the sentence, and both of you laugh, reaching the entrance to the bathroom. “How do you want to play this?”

“Well, we are husband and wife, right?” He nods, and you feel his metal hand wrap a little tighter around your waist. “I think we can figure something out.” When the words leave your mouth, you are almost surprised with how confident you are able to get them out. His eyes sharpen on you, lips parting slightly as he realizes what you mean.

“You are going to be the death of me.” He mumbles into the crook of your neck, face buried as he opens the door to the bathroom. Fast, so to not be spotted, he drags you into the next available stall, right next to the only other occupied one. It’s fairly obvious theres two people in there, the clacking of your heels only just audible over their conversation.

You know your ear piece is feeding straight back to Steve outside, so instead of focusing on the two Hydra agents discussing their plans between heated make out sessions, you focus on how Bucky has you pressed up against the bathroom stall. Theres not that much room, but he’s using none of it, hands on your waist pressing your hips into the wall while his own press into you. He’s taller than you, so he looms over head, hair brushing your forehead as he looks down your body. Your eyes are half lidded as they manage to catch his, and both of you are breathing heavily.

Its all happening in slow motion. The mission is forgotten, at least to you, because Bucky’s hands both start to drift higher and higher up your sides, languidly taking their time memorising your form and how it feels under him. The thin fabric of the dress hides nothing from him, and you think thats why he seems so wrapt with whatever it feels like, but everything he does has you biting your lip to stop a moan. You don’t want to blow your cover, but more than that you don’t want him to stop.

Months of flirting, of mixed meanings and stares, everything is too much. You just want him to do something, anything to stop the way every muscle is locked up while he just stares at you. His hands start to go back down to your hips, and you can’t take it anymore. A small sound comes from your mouth, and when it does, the conversation next to you stops.

“Shh!” One of them whispers to the other, and Bucky’s eyes go wide. Not with fear, but surprise at the fact you were the one to lose your cool first, not him. The door of the stall next to you creeps open, and before you can lean over, you see the lock on the stall you were in has not clicked over all the way.

The footsteps stop out the front of your stall, and Bucky was still staring at you. If they opened the door and looked at you, Bucky’s cover would be blown. From the small parts of their conversation you absorbed, they were high ranking, and you only had a small hand gun wrapped to your thigh, but the way Bucky was against you made it impossible to reach in such a small amount of time.

You really hoped he wouldn’t hate you for this.

“Bucky.” You say his name and he leans forward, just an inch. As the Hydra agents kick open the door to your stall, you grab his face in your hands and kiss him.

You know the door is open, and the agents are standing there, staring at you both make out. Your hands were covering his face as best you could, and his metal arm was obscured by your body, but all you could think about was the searing heat pouring into you as you drank in the taste of him. He was kissing you so hard that the back of your head was digging into the wall, but you were still pulling him closer, closer, closer...

“Oh, sorry. We didn’t know this was occupied.” The female Hydra agent drawls in an accent you can hardly place, and just as quick as it started it’s over. Bucky turns his head away from the agents, choosing to bury it into your neck and leave soft kisses on your collarbone as you attempt to keep your cover.

“It’s fine. Newly weds. You know how it is.” One hand tangles in Bucky’s hair as the other flashes the fake ring you put on, and the female nods, smiling a little before she turns and pulls the man out of the room. His gaze lingers a little longer, but with a final tug and a word in another language, he turns, heading toward the exit.

Bucky’s teeth graze along your skin, and your world rotates back to focus entirely on him. Hot breath kissing your skin as his mouth finds a sensitive spot, just between your neck and collarbone. You gasp and he pulls back slightly, only for you to push him back with the hand in his hair. He must be keeping up the ruse - you haven’t heard the bathroom door open yet. You feel the low sound he makes at the encouragement, and he buries himself further into your neck.

It’s just a part of the plan.

You try to focus, hearing the footsteps of the two Hydra agents milling around outside the stall. Buckys hands pull your hips into him, and one hand slips down your leg, grabbing at the skin just below your ass. It encourages your leg to lift slightly, and at the new position you wrap your leg around him. When he rolls his hips into you, you can’t stop the moan that rings out through the bathroom, and finally the door opens and shuts behind the targets, leaving you both alone.

The sound of the door slamming shut makes Bucky freeze between your legs. He’s still holding you tight, metal hand taking the weight off the leg around him, the other tucked between your back and the wall, curling around you. Your own were lost in his hair and around his neck, keeping him so close neither of you had space to breathe.

“That’s all we need. Everyone get to the back exit. I’m coming in - Natasha, I’m down the bottom of the stairs. Meet me there.” Steve’s voice rings in your ear, but you could only hear Bucky’s laboured breathing, and feel the way he was pulling you towards him in the tiny stall.

“A bit eager?” Natasha teases, and Bucky’s hand comes out from behind you, drifting slowly up your side. Warm fingers trail over the thin silk of your dress, your body leaning into it, subconsciously desperate for what you’ve never had, but now know you need. It was like an ache, a pain that only he could remedy, and you didn’t know how bad it was until he gave you a taste.

His hand comes up to the side of your face, thumb running along the high point of your cheekbone, and then hooking around your ear, removing the small comm. He drops it into the toilet bowl, before ripping his own out with none of the gentleness he showed you.

“Bucky.” You say, your lungs burning.

“Tell me to stop and we can leave.” Your mind is screaming no before you have a chance to speak, but you are already shaking your head in answer. “You have to say it. Need to hear you say you want me.”

“I want you. Need me to spell it out for you?” You lean forward to whisper it in his ear, and he rewards you with a roll of his hips, even with your attitude. He presses you back into the wall so you can feel nothing but him. He dips his head, brushing his nose under your jaw to encourage your head up, and you easily follow his instruction, giving him all the access in the world.

“You wanted this all along, didn’t you?” He’s almost mean about it, biting along the sensitive skin under your jaw, trailing it with his tongue. “Teasing me all night with this fucking dress.”

“Thought you—“ You suck in a gasp when he sucks harshly at your neck, only to smooth it over with soft kisses, trailing back up to your mouth. Your eyes are closed, unable to focus with the way he’s got you under his thumb. “Thought you liked my dress.”

“Doesn’t matter what you wear. You’re still a fucking tease. Making me trail around like a lost dog after you.” His thumb plays with your bottom lip, and you manage to look up at him through your lashes, earning a low sigh from him at the sight. He pushes slightly, opening your mouth, and you eagerly take it into your mouth. If he wanted a tease, you would give it to him. “Am I right? You just playing with me right now, doll?”

“Mm-mm.” You shake your head, mouth still full of him. He tastes salty and sweet at the same time. All too soon, he drags his thumb slowly out of your mouth, ruining your lipstick with the way he drags it down over your lip, stopping at your chin.

“No?”

“Always wanted you, Buck. Everyone knows but you.” The clouded lust in his eyes cracks just a little, and you see a genuine surprise flash on his face. “You really didn’t know? I made it pretty obvious.”

“You flirt with everyone.” He says, still keeping his hand on your chin, pulling you closer.

“Not like I do with you. I’ve tried everything but stripping down and begging you.” His eyes close after you finish your sentence, and for a second you think you’ve been too forward.

Maybe he’s just playing a game. It’s too much for him - the man has enough on his plate, the last thing he needs is to hitch himself to your mess. His eyes remained closed, and you held your place, sure that if you moved from this spot he would stop touching you, and you hadn’t gotten any of the things you dreamt about from him yet.

“I could work with that.” He uses his left hand to make sure the door was locked this time, and when his body returned to pressing you to the wall, his thumb slipped back in your mouth.

It could have been by accident, but you took it anyway, wanting to show him just how much you wouldn’t tease him. How ready you were to take him. For all the comments, all the play fights, when it came down to this moment, there wasn’t a damn second to waste.

“You are such a good girl when you get what you want.” You nod, leaning forward to take more of him into your mouth. Your eyes flutter closed, which is why a gasp of surprise leaves your mouth when he pulls his thumb away, only to be replaced by two of his fingers.

“That’s it.” He praises and you arch your back, feeling the cold digits of his metal arm trailing up your side. “When I first saw this dress, all I could think about was how I’d take it off you. I wanted to be fast, rip it off. It’s so thin, baby. Were you hoping that’s what I’d do? Rip it off in front of all those people? Show them just how bad you wanted me all this time?”

He pulls his fingers out of your mouth, trailing them lightly down your chin and between the valley of your breasts. The metal arm works swiftly to pull up the fabric, exposing your leg to more and more of the air. Without underpants, in a second you’d be completely exposed to him. You lose the sensation of his real hand as it drops to his side, but the loss is replaced when he kisses you deeply. Hard. Desperate.

His tongue searches for purchase in your mouth, tasting you in a way no one has before. Everything feels new and electric, hot and cold at the same time, swirling together in the pit of your stomach. You moan into his mouth and he swallows your sounds, the dress being pulled up mechanically, now bunched at your hips. He presses his forehead to yours as he pulls his mouth back.

“I bet you wanted me to fuck you here. Telling me you weren’t wearing any underwear before. Pretty little thing like you - any man could have seen.” You feel the wet digits of his hand slip along the top of your thigh, hovering just above your already wet pussy. “Bet you wanted someone to notice. You sure wanted me to notice.”

“Just you, Bucky. I promise —please.” You dragged his bottom lip between your teeth and tugged, eliciting an almost growl from him that had your toes curling in your shoes.

“Fuck. That’s it, doll. Just me from now on.” His hand finally reaches the right height, but he doesn’t touch you where you need him. Not yet. “We do this, there’s no going back. I can’t see you flirt with those fucking guys anymore. Just me.”

“So posses-“

“Say it or I stop. Just me.” He nips at your earlobe with his teeth and you melt right there on the bathroom floor. There wasn’t any question. It had always been just him to you. “Can't stand seeing you with anyone else.”

“Just you. Just. You.” You moan his name when his fingers press into you, drawing strong circles on your clit. He finds a pace just this side of punishing, and the final bit of fight you had with teasing him was as good as dead.

He moans with you, like the feeling of touching you is giving him just as much pleasure as you feel shooting up your spine. The knot in your stomach grows fast —too fast to keep up with, and before you know it your pulling on his hair and gasping for breath. You don’t so much as work yourself up to the edge of that blissful release more so you are shoved towards it, teetering with no option to let him push you closer and closer.

“There you go, doll. Shit, look just as pretty as I thought you would.” He kisses you again, teeth and tongue messily catching you between gasps and moans of his name.

“Fuck, Bucky more. Please.” The heat of his body so close compared with the cold ice of his left hand on your bare hip has you feeling all kinds of burn, and you think you’ll cum as soon as you feel yourself stretching over those fingers - the same ones you’ve dreamt of having inside you, having wrapped in your hair for what feels like years.

“Only if you keep asking so nice.” You string out an embarrassing amount of pleas and you think you hear him laugh at you but you don’t care. He gives you what you want, one finger sliding into you easily with how close you are, curling up while keeping that same pace.

“Oh, fuck—” You practically sob, and his metal arm hooks underneath you to hold you up. You could feel the release in the pit of your stomach, the knot untangling with every small circle of his fingers.

“You’re okay, baby. Let me see those eyes when you cum all over my hand. Want you to make a mess for me.” You choke on your inhale and your going to c—

The bathroom door opens, and just as you are about to scream out his name Bucky slams his lips into your own, muffling the sounds enough that whoever enters doesn’t notice. You were practically shaking with how close you were, and you were two seconds away from pulling out the revolver still strapped to your thigh and shooting whoever ruined it. Bucky’s hand slowed, unsure, and you thought for sure he would stop and wait, no matter how much you didn’t want him to. You wouldn’t be able to control yourself, though.

He doesn’t stop. In fact, he speeds up. Your eyes go wide as his metal hand covers your mouth, a smirk appearing on his face as he drags his thumb over your clit, a second finger sliding inside of your heat.

“You were just beggin’ me to keep going. You want it, don’t you?” Whimpering under his hand, you nod, because the only thing you care about more than being caught is Bucky touching you. “Such a good slut, hm? Letting me take care of you when theres people right outside?”

The harsh words whispered in your ear should make you want to slap him, but the way he says it with such sweetness almost makes it sound like a pet name, so you just nod and try your best to keep your head screwed on to your shoulders.

“That’s alright, doll. I’ll take you out on the dance floor and fuck you in front of all those boys that looked at you if you want.“ It was those words that pushed you over the edge; the way his mouth was kissing at your neck, teeth dragging down the thin straps of the dress so he can see the small part of skin not exposed to him. “Show them how good you are— what they can’t have. Cause you’re mine, aren’t you?”

You were positive whoever was outside could hear you, but there was nothing able to hold down the orgasm that almost exploded through your stomach, head falling forward and eyes crossing as the white hot pleasure ran like liquid over you. Bucky was murmuring in your ear, not giving a fuck if they could hear outside, telling you how pretty you looked with his hand up your dress.

At some point the people must hear you, or leave, because Bucky isn’t whispering anymore, now he’s talking loud, kissing you, and the sounds his hand is making between your legs brings you back to reality, hearing how wet you are.

“Christ, baby you are so fucking hot. You still with me?” Nodding, you grab him by the suit jacket and yank his mouth back on you. The sudden switch in your energy catches him by surprise, the adrenaline taking over as your feet find the ground and you start to take his jacket off. It falls onto the dirty floor, and then you start with the buttons. It’s a tight space, so you don’t have a lot of room, but with how desperate you are both grabbing at each other’s clothes, you could be anywhere and still have the drive to rip his clothes off.

“Fucking hell. Don’t worry about it —just, fuck. Turn around.” He gets frustrated trying to take off his tie, just undoing his belt and grabbing your hips. Your hands go to his chest, forcing him to take a second and watch as you undo his tie for him, just like you put it on hours ago.

“Wanna feel you everywhere.” You kiss him lightly, and turn around, letting him guide you into a position he can easily slide into you from behind. When he leans forward his bare chest presses against your back, your dress slung over the door. If anyone walked in now, they would know exactly who you were and what you were doing, but you have a feeling that’s exactly what Bucky had planned.

“So beautiful.” He leans down and kisses the back of your shoulder, and then he slides inside of you in one, long stroke. Both of you gasp in relief, like you’d been waiting far too long for this moment, which you had, and it was finally happening, which it was. “Oh —god.”

“Fuck— you’re so big, Bucky.” He hits the deepest part of you and your hands reach back, only to be slammed into the wall in front of you, Buckys fingers intertwining with your own.

“Y-You okay, doll?” He chokes out, struggling to keep still against how far he’s stretched you out over him. You nod and hum out in satisfaction, so he moves his hips slow, his metal hand keeping you in place while the other stays locked tight with yours. “Feel so fucking good, made for me.”

Something about the words must work for him, because the pace picks up and he’s driving into you from behind with an entirely new endeavour. The lewd sounds of your bodies colliding only spur you further into the practical dream he drives you towards, mind only able to drift into thoughts of him, him, him—

“Fuck. So tight. Should of fucked you sooner.” He curses behind you, and you can’t help the words that fall out of your mouth.

“You should of James! God. Made me wait so…fuck. So long. You fit me so good I-“ You were a babbling mess, coming apart with him inside you, leaving no room for your pride, the only solace being that he was right there with you.

“I’m sorry, baby. Promise I’ll take care of you all the time now. Make it up to you.” The hand on your hip holds you tighter as you both work towards your end goal together. He almost gets bigger inside of you as he gets harder and faster, you swear you can feel him in your stomach with the way he was snapping into you.

Your back arched, you screamed his name and he sung yours back, and within another minute you felt him finish inside you, stringing your own release out of you with practically just the way he sounded when he came.

He still drove his hips into you, slower but just as hard as he drew out your release as long as possible. You heard him almost whimpering behind you at the overstimulation, but he wanted to make it good for you, and the idea had you standing up straight on legs like jelly, to spin around so you could kiss him.

He sighed into your mouth, just as weak in the knees as you were, and kissing each other allowed you to both breath some semblance of life back into each other. Your eyes fluttered open, and you took in the sight of Bucky, completely unraveled.

His hair was a fucking mess, shirt half undone with his pants halfway down his legs. He was slumped over, chest heaving, but a lazy smile was plastered on his face, and you were sure you looked exactly the same as he did.

“Wow.” Bucky sighed, and you couldn’t help but laugh at him. At the ridiculousness of the situation. You lived together, yet the first time you fucked was in a ballroom bathroom on a mission, where everyone was waiting for you. You couldn’t count the amount of times you and Bucky had ample opportunity to capitalise on alone time, but you wouldn’t have changed a god damn thing about this.

“Yeah. Fucking wow.” Your eyes were wide, hand running through your hair.

“You still look gorgeous.” His eyes trail down your naked body, and you let him look as long as he likes.

“So do you.” He laughs, his head falling to the side as he straightens and starts to put himself together. As he slides his pants on, doing up the belt, you take the dress down, but his hand comes up to stop you.

“Let me.” He says, and takes the fabric from you. “Arms up.” Gently, he lets the silk fall over your fingertips, then down your arms, making sure his hands touch every part of you on the way down. When he reaches your shoulders, he plants a kiss just on your collarbone, and as the dress falls down your body, he follows it, going down with the red covering as if watching the curtain fall on his favourite show, trying to catch the last glimpse of the act.

“Steve’s going to be so pissed.” You say with a smile as you help him put his tie back on.

“Whatever. That little punks probably taking his time laying on the moves with Nat. He’ll never get anywhere, moving that slow.” He rolls his eyes, and you laugh. “What?”

“You’re one to talk?”

“I think I just made it pretty obvious, didn’t I? Or do I need to remind you again?” He grabs a handful of your ass and you press against him, knowing full well if Steve wasn’t going to beat both your asses for holding the team up, you would be up for a round two, three, and however many he would give you.

“Get me home, and you can remind me all night.” The door unlocks, and Bucky stays right behind you, interlocking his fingers with your own.

“Not just tonight, right?” His eyebrows furrow, and you have to stop him before you leave the bathroom, kissing him a final time.

“I meant what I said. I’ve been waiting for you, Bucky. Only you.” He makes a noise against your lips as he leans in again, and then steps in front of you, opening the door to the ballroom.

Threading through the crowd, a few eyes drift to your dress then back to your face, and you feel a heat rise to your cheeks at the possibility they might know what you have been doing, but Bucky squeezes your hand and you forget the embarrassment. It is replaced only by lust, and another emotion you aren’t ready to name yet, but have known for a long while.

The back exit comes into view, and once you round the corner, you see Natasha and Steve. Well, technically, you see Natasha boxing Steve against a wall, on her toes, pulling him down by the suit jacket and kissing him lightly. Keeping your hands linked, he swings one arm around your shoulder, and clears his throat. Steve pulls back immediately, while Natasha lingers, clearly not as bothered about being caught as he is.

“Where did you guys…” Steve looks at the two of you, and a little proud smile crosses his face before he looks down, realising what he’s just been caught doing. “We just-“

“You took too long. Passing the time.” Natasha winks at you, her face full of promise of a long night of filling each other in, and all four of you walk out towards the car waiting out front. “So, did we get the intel?”

“Yeah. The two agents conversation lined up with what we already suspected. We can set up and anticipate the hit in three days, should be able to catch and cut them off before they even reach the hit point.” Steve relays, and if you were listening to the conversation instead of getting lost in Buckys gaze, you would probably say something.

You don’t. Instead, you slide into the car next to him, and swing your legs over his thigh. His hand rests over the garter holding the gun to your leg, the other swinging over your shoulder, holding you close.

There would be a thousand more missions to go on, a thousand more times of Steve droning on about tactics, but nothing would replace the way he was staring down at Nat like she held the world in her eyes, and nothing would compare to the way you caught that very same look in Bucky’s as he stared down at you. You blocked out his voice - anything else but Bucky, and fell asleep, feeling more at peace than ever, knowing you’d wake up right where you left off.

#bucky barnes #bucky imagine #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes smut #bucky x you #bucky x reader #bucky x yn #bucky x female reader #sebastian stan #bucky smut #winter soldier x reader #winter solider #the winter soldier #the winter solider x reader #the winter solider smut

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carlplsrailme · 2 years

Text

𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 | 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬

summary: carl and y/n hate each other, and Carl finally has enough and decides to fuck the attitude out of her

carl grimes x fem!reader

cw: mirror fucking, heavy degradation, manhandling, hate fucking, no pet names except for 'baby'

word count: 2k

request: do you take requests? if so could you write a oneshot where the reader and carl ‘hate’ eachother and they’re forced to go on a run together by rick but then they argue the whole way there and when they get inside the house or whatever he’s sick of her attitude so he fucks her infront of a mirror and degrades the fuck out of her lol with lines like ‘look at you falling apart for me’

you stretch your jaw as the trees whip past the window, lips puckered together as you refuse to speak to your...company

"you can't ignore me forever," he says with an audible scoff, you can feel from here how his eyes rolled back in his head.

Rick made you guys go on a run together, nothing serious, just to check a convenience store's pharmacy for any leftover meds, except there are two problems.

1: Rick already knows it's a lost cause checking for meds in the most obvious of places, it'll be empty, we already know that.

and 2: You're driver had to be that jackass himself, Carl

So why does this jackass need to annoy you this entire drive? he hates you, the least he can do is shut up for himself

you sink deeper in the leather seats as you rub your lips together to keep them silent, already wishing you were back in Alexandra instead of this useless run

"Fine. don't talk, I'm just trying to make sure we come home with meds" he huffs and turns back to the jagged road, chest staggered and jaw twitching with anger

"Oh come'on, you don't actually think there's gonna be meds, right?" you almost laugh as you sit up to turn to the one-eyed boy

"This is your daddy's way of us getting along." you hiss. 'matter of factly' voice stretching through your tone

"Don't think you're so special, he wouldn't waste gas for us to start talking" he bit the corner of his lip as his grip on the wheel turned white as he tried for you not to get to him

"You've been such a fucking prick since you got here. head too big that your daddy's the main man and now you think you own the fucking place" you yell, waving your arms around as he shooks his head to struggle a laugh

"You were the one that I tried to get along with but YOU were too full of yourself to say hi, YOU scoffed and walked away the moment I approached you" You continue. raising your voice a little too loud as you make your point

"maybe if you were such a fucking brat I would be at home right now." you cross your arms and stare back at the window.

"maybe if you could read situations better I'd be at home too." he whispered. you squinted your eyes while your brows furrowed down about to turn to carl for him to elaborate but the slam of the car stopping caught your attention first

"Were here"

"Told you. absolute bullshit." you huff while you lean on the counter, Carl paces back and forth down the aisle trying to find anything to show they did something

"He wouldn't have us risk our lives for some field trip of being friends." He says, back turned to you as he picks up random things, blowing off the dust as he reads the packaging before placing it back down

"Honestly, with how shits turning out right now I wouldn't cross it off as a possibility" you sang as you messed around with a pen, laying your back on the counter as you waited for Carl to be done

"Fuck, can you try to do some shit instead of just laying there" He spat, resting one arm on the cold empty shelves as he looks at you

"Fine, dammit" you shouted, grabbing your knife and hopping off the counter, you jogged over to one of the rooms in the back, not thinking twice before swinging the door open as a walker leaned into you

"Fuck!" you said as adrenaline rushed through your veins, his grimy teeth trying to nip at your arm before your blade met his demise...well, his second demise

the walker splatted on the floor as you turn to a very shocked carl who already had his gun pointed up

"See that? the dumb shit that your dad is putting us through? He nearly nipped my arm and that's on you" you huffed, he opened his mouth to respond but you walked passed him

"I'll be in the car."

"I said I'm sorry!" his voice rang as you stomped up his steps, ready to give Rick one hell of a speech

"doesnt.fucking.matter" you said sternly, he was trailing right behind you yet you still slammed the door on him, making him even more pissed

"where the hell is that cop?" you yelled, running upstairs as Carl grabbed your arm, you tugged it off you as you started walking to one of the rooms upstairs

"just- fuck- can you listen to me?" he shouted but you twisted one of the doorknobs and stumbled into a boyish room you can only assume belongs to carl

Carl followed with you, right as you entered the room he closed the door to keep you put, closing his eyes to try and collect the very little patience he had left

"move. asshole" and then you took it

"FUCK! do you ever just shut the fuck up?!" he yelled, anger getting the best of him as you stood with widened eyes, never having Carl yell at you like this

He walked closer to you, noses almost touching as his jaw clenched in anger

"It's all I ever hear! just you whining and complaining! I'm so fucking sick of it"

you stare at him with nothing to say, completely stunned at his sudden demeanor, he relaxed his shoulders with a slight sigh

with a sudden swoop he grabbed your jaw, lips attacking yours as he made out with you

"see? so much fucking better" he hissed, teeth clanking together in another kiss as he picked you up by your thighs, slamming you into the wall, you gasped and he took that chance to slide his tongue into your annoyingly sweet mouth

your tongues lapped together as you felt something shift in him, his cock throbbing in his jeans as they rubbed up to your ever begging cunt

he groaned on your lips, taking them away for a breather as his fingers tugged on your chin to look up at him

"fuck, I don't hate you" he got interrupted by himself closing his eye as his dick asked for attention

"I never have, I didn't 'scoff and walk away' I mumbled an 'excuse me' and stubbled off because I didn't know how to talk to you" He says with a slight chuckle, your eyes were glued on his as you felt guilt build up in you

"then..." he sang, a cocky smile on his lips as you already know what he's gonna say

"you started being a fucking brat" he threw your head to the side as he let go of your chin, kissing your lips again as his hand neared your clothed pussy

he slowly rubbed you through your jeans, fluttering at the sensation but you needed more

"don't fucking tease" "don't fucking speak." he raised his voice, you zipped up immediately in shock, but you couldn't help the way his tone had your back slightly arching off the wall

he kissed you again, fingers wrapping around your zipper and unbuttoning your jeans before your panties were in view

he had you stand on your own for a second as he brought them down, hooking his fingers on your panties before pulling them down, an embarrassing amount of slick piled up on them as he looked up to you with an innocently confused stare -and an out of place smirk strained on his lips

he quickly pocketed the panties as he had his jeans hung low on his hips, enough for his boxers to be pulled down, and his cock to be revealed

your eyes were stuck on it, pretty red tip leaking with pre and angry veins traveling up his cock, it stood proud as he tapped your thighs for them to hop up on him again

your legs wrapped around his hips as he lined himself up with you, twitching in anticipation and a slight whine coming from your voice

"just wait, don't be annoying" he watched as you clenched and unclenched around nothing at his tone

he slowly entered his tip in, a groan vibrating from his chest as fucked himself deeper in your needy pussy

"Carl" you couldn't help but moan, he was stretching you out so so good, cock bullying his way in and you loved every second of it

when he was fully in, he waited -for you to adjust at first...then, just to play with you

you whined his name again but this time in frustration, rolling your hips back and forth on him as his head tilted up, moaning your name as he went back down to kiss you

"that's it baby, work yourself up f'me" he slurred, his eyes catching the full body mirror right next to you guys as a smirk found its way on his lips

he grabbed you by the chin and turn to look at yourself in the mirror

you almost didn't recognize yourself, hair disheveled as your pupils blown wide with being laced over in tears of frustration, your drooling cunt was desperately trying to give the friction you knew only Carl could give you at this point

"look at you falling apart for me" he says with a taunting smile, you begged for him to move, he rolled his eyes and gave you one sharp thrust just to shut you up

"fuck!" you whimpered at the thrust, clenching yourself tighter around him to give an unspoken message to please do it again

"fuck, don't fucking do that-" he groaned, your pussy sucked him in deeper, whining for more and he was gonna give it to you

he gave another sharp thrust as you cried out for him, he picked up the pace as he started to ram in your tight little hole,

"fuck- do you know how- how long I've wanted this?" he said in staggered breathes, you felt tears run down your cheeks as his cock hit your cervix

"-wanted to see you turning into a mess for me? just look at yourself baby" he turned your head so you can watch as he fucked himself into you, his cock stretching you out so perfectly as he hit deep in you

"C-Carl please-"

"Don't try and beg now. You were being annoying and now you have to fucking pay for that shit. I've dealt with you all.fucking.day" he matched up his words with thrusts, you yelped on his cock

your fingernails dug deep in his shoulders as you screamed his name, your legs squeezed him impossibly closer as you cried harder his cock

"'m gonna c-cum" you moaned, his dick ruthless as he somehow fucked you harder, filling you to the brim before pulling back to his tip and ramming back inside

"fuck- cum for me baby, cream on his fucking dick for me" he said as his feral thursts quicked,

"p-please don't stop" you said head empty, pretty pussy tightening around him, he grabbed your head and forced your to watch yourself as you came all over him, you whimpered in embarrassment but couldn't help the way your pussy twitched at the sight

"that's it baby, let it all out on me" he growled, you laid limp in his arms as fucked up into you, just like a little pretty doll for him to fuck, his own personal fuck doll he railed the attitude out of

"fuck! m'cumming" he hissed, cum shooting deep in your womb as he laid a few more thrusts out, he pulled himself out as he watched cum spill out of your hole, and he place his thumb to keep it in before a devilish smirk found him

"see baby?" he let go of your shaking legs for them to slide on the floor, tumbling into his chest as he tilted your head up once more, kissing your lips to whisper against them,

"it's not that hard to just...shut the fuck up"

an: ahhh my first request! I hope you enjoyed it anon <3 I had lots of fun writing this! don't be scared to message me any request I'll be happy to write something up for you guys hehe ♡ mwah! bye guys!

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thebestofoneshots · 8 months

Text

Gilded Constellations | wolfstar x reader

Series Masterlist | Previous episode

Pairing: Wolfstar x Reader Word Count: 8.5 K Warnings: none Prompt: The divination classroom becomes an intriguing nexus for forging new friendships amidst revelations laden with enigmatic symbolism. Meanwhile, Defense Against the Dark Arts delves even deeper into the shadows as you struggle to grasp the imminence of the ever-looming wаr. This IS a wolfstar x reader fic, but it's incredibly slow burn. They won't start all dating each other until we're very deep into the story, but I promise the long wait will be worth it.

Chapter 9: The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroкe

September 24, 1976 - Friday

Your race with Sirius, Marlene and a couple of other students who decided to tag along and prove their worth would be next week. The broom race was basically the talk of town. James had talked to the other Quidditch Team Captains, Lyonel Aldridge, Delilah Moss and of course Dmitri Volkov, and they all reached to the conclusion that it would be a great way to boost their team’s morale before the first match.

You woke up early like you had been doing the past couple of weeks, but you and Sirius had gotten a lot more competitive, so competitive you’d already gotten on James’ nerves. Which was something pretty hard to do when you were talking about quidditch. Every day you’d go on mini races, inventing new challenges to fulfill and you always pestered James regarding who’d gotten there first.

“My hand reached the line first,” Sirius said.

“Yeah, but it’s not about hands, it’s about brooms, my broom reached the halo first.” You argued back.

“It’s not about brooms, we said whoever gets there first, and clearly I did.”

“Sirius you can’t bend the rules so you win all the time! Besides, if I had stretched my hand I would’ve reached first so it doesn’t count.”

“It does because you didn’t!”

“James tell him!” You said.

“No James, tell her!”

James sighed exasperated and hit his head against the handle of his broom “Just fucк each other already,” he mumbled, not that either of you heard it.

“What?” You asked with a frown.

“You know what?" He snapped, sitting straight "Neither of you won! And your mini air races when practicing? They’re OVER! No more broom races until official race day and then you’ll admit the other is a faster flier and this bickering will be forgotten.”

“But James!” Both you and Sirius argued.

He gave you both a stern look, and you shot your mouth. “Fine then, till the race we’ll know.”

Sirius nodded “Truce?” He said offering you his hand. You took a deep breath and shook it.

Once you were back in the ground Sirius called you with a smirk “Hey (Y/N)! Bet I can get to the common room before you do.” He then started running.

“You wish,” you said running behind him.

James sighed again “We said no races!”

“You said no flying,” Sirius shouted back.

You then turned to James with a smile as you ran “He’s right, this is running.”

James rolled his eyes but took off running behind the two of you anyway. The only thing that sometimes shut the two of you up, was when someone else won, and he had the longest legs. In the end, he was indeed the first one to arrive, letting himself fall on the couch as you and Sirius fought your way inside.

“Prongs, you’re here?” You said out of breath when you saw him laying on the couch, regaining his own breath.

He frowned “Since when do you call me Prongs?” He asked amused.

“Oh… um… sorry, it must have slipped,” You said as you sat down “I blame Sirius for it.”

James laughed “No, it’s fine. You can call me Prongs.” He took a long breath, “But stop blaming Pads for everything.”

“In my defence. It really is ALWAYS Sirius’ fault.”

He made the face of a man that agreed with your statement. “James!” Sirius complained he noticed.

James grimaced in return “For fucкs sake, take me away from these two,” he said grabbing a pillow and placing it over his head dramatically.

You and Sirius exchanged a glance, yeah, you may be bickering all the time now, but it was all friendly banter, James was overreacting.

“Morning,” you heard Remus say as he came down the stairs “Just got here from practice?”

You nodded “And they’re getting on my nerves Moony,” James grumbled.

Remus raised an eyebrow at the two of you “We just asked him to decide who’d been the winner of our mini race,” you said innocently.

He nodded, understanding. “Leave poor James alone, he’s been doing so much to prepare your race that… he might actually be sick of quidditch by the end of it.”

James instantly reacted to Remus’ words, removing the pillow from his head “I would never!”

You were sweaty from so much running so you excused yourself and went for a short shower, Lily was preparing her backpack when you walked out of the bathroom, using your wand to dry your hair. “Today we’re picking the fluxweed together, right?” You asked her.

She nodded “Just wait for me, will you? We’ll walk to the greenhouse together, don’t think of going by yourself.”

“Of course, I’ll wait for you Lils, don’t worry about it,” you told her with a smile and finished both closing the buttons of your shirt, and shoving your stuff quickly in your bag "Ready for breakfast?"

Lily nodded and the two of you walked down to the common room together. The boys were secretly talking to each other on the corner close to the fire, looking all conspiratoriall as they did. "You coming for breakfast?" Lily asked them. Remus turned to look at her, his brown eyes seemed more golden than usual, you wondered if it was because of the lighting in the room.

"Yes, we’ll be down in a minute tho, we’re helping Peter finish his Divination essay.”

You raised an eyebrow at that statement. Since when did they help Peter with essays? Well, Remus definitely would help Peter, he’d probably help anyone that asked nicely. But the rest? Sirius? That was a bit sus, to say the least. But Lily was already walking out of the common room, so after giving them one more look, you followed her. Maybe they were planning another prank like the rain on the main hall.

Once you were downstairs, the two of you walked towards the great hall. Mary, Marlene, Beth and some others were already there, having breakfast. You greeted them all with a smile “Good morning!” You said as you sat down.

“Morning,” responded Mary as she looked up from her copy of The Daily Prophet.

“Anything new?” You asked her, nodding towards the paper.

She shook her head “Just the wаr,” she replied somberly “Apparently some deatheaters went on a кiling spree. They’re trying to get the muggle-borns.”

“An older lady was кiled,” Marlene continued “Marsha Allenty, she was a muggle-born auror.”

You shuddered at the thought. Muggle-borns first, half-borns next, it wouldn’t take them too long to destroy half the wizarding population if they kept going. Someone had to stop them. You were about to say something when the owls started coming in.

Your family owl, Barnaby, flew down, dropping a package in front of you. You looked at it. The (Y/LN) family seal was stamped over the elegant wrapping. It had to be from your mother. You opened the package, it contained several things. Some galleons, sweets from your favourite bakery back at home, which instantly told you they’d been travelling. A box filled with different potions, and some ingredients to brew shampoo and other beauty-related things. A special potions booklet and a small velvet box.

You opened it and there was a ring inside, a thin metal piece with some engravings on it and a gem at the top, held by 4 small pieces of metal, two shaped like a star and two shaped like a moon.

“What is it?” asked Beth, leaning into you from the side.

“A gift from my parents,” you responded, taking the reins out of the box to show it to her.

“It’s stunning,” she told you. “Do you know what that is?” She said pointing at the stone.

“Moonstone, isn’t it?” You asked, Beth nodded. “Mom cares a lot about the magical properties of stones,” you explained.

“And the metal is silver,” she said turning the ring around, taking a look at the little seal on the inside.

“Silver?” You frowned, taking a closer look “You’re right, that’s different. She’s never given me a silver piece before.”

“Maybe she thinks you’re old enough?” She asked with a shrug.

You nodded, but it wasn’t that. Your mom always gave you gold things. She said the protective value of it was a lot higher than any other metal. Even the necklace Sirius had given you in the vacation, made of brass, was turned into gold with a special spell she had, a spell that would leave all the magical properties of the item intact.

“Well, whatever the reason, she did pick a beautiful ring,” you said, finally sliding it through one of your fingers.

“Do you know what magic it’s got?”

You shook your head, looking through the box to see if your mom had written any kind of letter. You didn’t find any and shrugged it off “Maybe she just thought it was pretty…”

“What was pretty?” Asked Peter, who appeared almost out of nowhere along with the boys.

“(Y/N) was gifted a new ring,” said Mary before taking a bite from her eggs.

You raised your hand so Peter could see it “Got it on a package from my mom.”

“Moon and stars, eh?” He asked with a raised eyebrow “Interesting choice of symbolism, isn’t it?”

You looked at Peter and shrugged. He was right, it was an interesting choice of symbolism. Your mom, like you, had an affinity to divination. Maybe she knew something you didn’t “My mom loves that stuff,” you told him, and lowered your hand back to the table, taking your fork to dig into a sausage.

The boys sat further down on the table. Just close enough to still be able to talk to everyone already sitting there. You left early to go check on the fireworms. Remus and you had decided to split the days in which you had to feed them, and today was your turn. When you arrived at the tunnel entrance you looked around to make sure no one had followed you and entered as quickly as possible.

“Lumus,” You whispered, and your wand lit up, making the dark tunnel navigable. You looked through the pockets of your robe and found the scrap of parchment Remus had made for you. “Revelio,” you said as you moved your wand over it, revealing a tiny map of the tunnels. You were sure you’d learn the way soon enough, but for now, the little map was indispensable.

You used the map to navigate the tunnel until you arrived at the little nook in which you’d hidden your fireworms. You grabbed some of the food in your backpack and gently placed it on the food trays you’d created with a couple of pumpkin juice caps. You looked at the little fireworms satisfied when you noticed one of them was shining, like a firefly. But the light travelled from the end of the tail, all the way through his body and towards his head, then with a small little sound, almost like a fairy burp, the fireworm caused a small ball of fire to come from his mouth. You looked at it amazed, and quickly put the small fire out with your wand.

You grabbed your backpack and took out your charms book, trying to find a flames stopper or fire preventive spell as soon as possible. Soon enough you found something that could work and cast it all over the little fireworm habitat you and Remus had been building. After the spell was ready, you stayed for a couple of minutes to make sure they wouldn’t cause a fire that’d burn the entire castle down and once you were certain you let out a long sigh, not even realizing you’d been holding your breath.

You were thrilled, your fireworms were doing excellent, the way you and Remus had taken care of them allowed them to develop in less time than the standard, which would guarantee the two of you really good grades. You had to tell Remus about it. Maybe you could tell him in divination. Shiit, divination! You were supposed to be in divination. You ran out of the little nook and used the map to find a shortcut towards the divination tower. Once outside you knocked on the door a couple of times and waited. Professor Spellman opened the door, letting you inside with a displeased glance.

“I’m sorry for being late,” you mumbled as fast as possible. You walked inside and started walking towards Remus, who luckily, hadn’t been paired with anyone yet.

“Miss (Y/LN),” Professor Spellman called, you turned to him “You will be working with Sybil today,” he said, pointing towards the small Ravenclaw girl. You swallowed but nodded and walked towards her table. You knew who she was, Remus had told you about her, and her story, and you’d probably exchanged a couple of words with her in the past, but you’d never really talked to her.

“Hey,” you waved as you sat next to her, she waved back, with a small smile, and absentmindedly nudged her glasses back to their place. You looked at her for a minute, her hair might be messy, and you heard she wasn’t very popular, but she was very pretty non the less.

Professor Spellman started talking and with a flick of his wand opened some cabinets, floating a teapot in front of each table, Leaf reading. You and Sybil brew the tea together, using some of the herbs suggested by the book for more accurate readings. And started chatting to each other after you served your respective teas.

“Do you like divination?” She asked you.

“I… uh… not that much, I’ve had some experiences,” you stuttered.

“Sad readings?” She asked, with a sympathetic expression.

You nodded, taking a sip of your tea “It’s always negative stuff with me,” you explained “Accurate, but negative.” You shuddered, “What about you? With your legacy and all?”

“I don’t dislike it,” she told you with a smile, “I don’t like getting sad readings either but it’s fun to know bits of the future, for example, the other day I had these feeling that it was going to rain, so I put on some rain boots before going to Care for Magical Creatures, some Hufflepuffs and even other kids from my year were throwing looks at me, but when it started raining and everyone’s shoes got ruined, but mine didn’t, it was completely worth it.”

You smiled at her story “I don’t get those kinds of feelings,” you said “But it’s nice to meet someone that enjoys it, maybe you could help me enjoy it too.”

Eventually, you both finished your teas and exchanged teacups. You took a deep breath and eventually leaned over to look at her cup, hoping there would be something good in there. You exhaled when you saw a small little butterfly on the cup. Butterflies were good, they meant change, they meant personal growth, they meant… Images flashed through your eyes, and you breathed heavily a couple of times, trying to regain composure.

Sybil knew exactly what was going on, she’d been through it several times before too. So she looked at you with concern. “What did you see?” She asked in a steady tone.

“Nothing bad,” was the first thing you managed to muster, “just… you’ll give a prophecy soon. A very important one, I saw Professor Dumbledore, he seemed really interested in what you had to say.” She nodded at your words, writing everything you said down on a piece of paper, then you looked at her, placing a hand on her arm “Sybil, this prophecy… it looked like it was going to be dark,” you said “but it’s one of those that will change the world.”

She nodded, taking in all the information you’d given her. She did not doubt a single word you said. And you were glad she did, sometimes visions as such were hard to comprehend, and that’s if the person even cared for it.

“Are you ok?” She asked then.

You nodded “I– uh…” you looked at her tea “You will have a period of transformation and positive change, like the metamorphosis of a butterfly,” you told her, making an effort to read the rest of her tea leaves “You should, uh… embrace the opportunities that’ll come your way and also let yourself spread your wings.”

She laughed in response “That’s my fortune?” She asked motioning towards her tea cup.

“Yeah,” you nodded, sounding very certain about it “You must accept your uniqueness,” you added for good measure, after all, humor is one of the best ways to cope with such things “And me? What’s my destiny?”

She adjusted her glasses and took a peak at your cup “I see… stars, the moon, they’re surrounding something,” she said “A small animal, maybe a hare, or… a wildcat?”

You looked at her with a frown “Did you say the moon and stars?”

She nodded, tilting the cup towards you. And she was right, the moon was there, the stars too, and… the small animal? That was a fox. You took a deep breath and showed her the ring your mom had given you “My mom sent me this,” you told her “also moon and stars symbolism.”

Sybil raised an eyebrow “Does she have an affinity with divination?” She asked. You nodded in response “Then it must mean something…” she said, picking up her book and flipping through it “But I can’t find anything about the moon and stars in the book.”

“Interpret it,” Said Professor Spellman as he walked by, looking at Sybil with a stern face.

She nodded, sliding towards the back of the chair, Professor Spellman was imposing, to say the least. “I uh… I see the moon and the stars, they’re close, to a… it’s a–“

“It’s a fox,” you told her “The animal, it’s not a wild cat, it’s a fox.”

“A fox, right!” she agreed, “and I– are those flowers?” She asked looking deeper into the cup. By then your little interaction had piqued the attention of some other students from the class, they were watching the two of you intently. “I– I may be getting things twisted but… according to your cup, the moon and the star will find a blossoming love with…” she hesitated “with the fox.”

Everyone around the classroom laughed, but the professor raised a hand to quiet them, looking into the cup himself “Sybil’s reading is accurate.” He said, “Maybe (Y/N) has an idea what those symbols might mean?”

You sat straighter, looking at the professor “I seem to be surrounded by symbolism today,” you told him “But I’m sorry sir, I’ve got no idea what it may mean. Perhaps I’ll adopt a fox or something? Shower it with love and stuff,” You lied. While you may have not been able to understand the whole symbolism, there was one thing you knew for certain: you were the fox.

The Professor nodded, even if he didn’t look convinced, and moved towards someone else’s table. You exhaled, only then realizing you’d been holding your breath. “He can be very intimidating, right?” Sybil asked you.

You nodded “Definitely.” She looked like she wanted to tell you something else “What is it?” You asked her.

“Just.. be careful, yeah? The moon, it– it looks a little mennacing on your cup. Like… like it could be dangerous.”

You frowned “As in, maybe I shouldn’t go out tonight dangerous or…?”

“No, no,” she shook her head “I don’t know how to explain it, just… keep that in mind, will ya?”

You nodded, placing a hand on her arm to reassure her “And you’ll be a famous fortune teller soon,” you told her with a smile “How does that feel?”

She shrugged “I always expected to end up as one, I guess it’s nice to get a prediction of what you’ll be, makes it a little more certain.”

“And you trust my predictions?” You asked her with a shrug.

She nodded furiously “Of course I do! It’s not every day a fairy tells you your fortune.”

“I’m sorry?!” You asked her, shocked.

“I saw it in your cup,” she explained “I didn’t mean to pry, but it made sense… your divination affinity, your charm and magnetism, your talent while flying… You’re part fairy, aren’t you?”

You looked at her mortified, your parents had done so many things to keep that hidden and now Sybil just guessed it, “You can’t tell anyone,” you told her in a very serious tone.

She smiled at you “I wasn’t planning to, your secrets are safe with me.” You smiled at her after that, you trusted her.

Once the class was over you stood up, but she stayed in her seat “You don’t have another class?” You asked her politely.

She shook her head “I’ve got arithmancy next, I took it as an optative.”

You hummed in response “Have fun then,” You told her with a smile “I’ve got Magical Theory.”

“Good luck, I heard Professor Pendragon, can be very strict.”

“No worse than Spellman,” you whispered, so that the Professor in question, who was talking to some other students wouldn’t hear you. Sybil laughed and you finally pulled your backpack from your seat and started walking outside but you were stopped by Professor Spellman.

“Miss (Y/LN),” he said, and you walked closer to him “Be very careful tonight,” he warned, “there was something odd on your cup, and as you may know, today is Full Moon.”

You nodded “Thanks, Professor.” Clearly, he saw the same thing Sybil had seen, which was mildly disturbing, but alas, your day had to continue.

Once you were outside of the classroom you spotted the boys a few stairs down. Peter was walking with the girls, you assumed towards their Ancient Studies class, while James, Sirius and Remus walked together, they were walking towards the east wing, to Magical Theory, the class you shared. You had the intention to catch up with them, but they were looking as suspicious as they had looked earlier in the common room, talking in whispers to each other, heads so close they could easily bump together. You decided it was best to let them be, you’d been hanging out with them so much lately, they probably needed some space. So you slowed down your pace, just far enough so they could get their much-needed privacy.

Eventually, you reached the Magical Theory classroom, and when you arrived you found James waiting at the door, he quickly pulled you towards him and said “She’s gonna be my team.”

You looked at him with a shrug “Your team? for what?”

Remus, who was close by responded “The teacher said we’ll be working on a team project, Sirius and I are working together, so James was waiting to claim you as his team.”

“Besides, I really need your help,” James added.

You frowned, and asked, a little confused “With the project?”

“No, with Evans!” He whispered.

Realization down on you and you looked at Remus “He didn’t even ask you to be on his team, did he?”

He shook his head in response, mouthing a “nope.”

You laughed, “All right then, we’re a team,” you told James “You can ask me all you need when we–“ You cut yourself off “Wait, Remus! I’ve got to tell you something…”

“All right, if you gave your teams, please take a seat, class will start.” You heard the teacher say.

“Nevermind,” you told him as you turned back since James was pulling you into a table near the back “You’re not planning to pay much attention then?”

“Don’t scorn me like that,” he complained “We’ll pay attention, I just– really need your advice.”

"In this project, you will embark on a captivating journey to craft your very own magical artifact. Channel your imagination, drawing inspiration from the likes of invisibility cloaks and rememberalls, as you fashion an extraordinary creation of your own making," the teacher commenced, igniting a spark of curiosity among the class, even James, who had been mortified about Lily just minutes earlier was paying attention.

"Each artifact should possess a distinct purpose, serving its intended function with finesse. You will delve into the depths of your creativity, meticulously designing a blueprint that brings your vision to life. Fear not, for guidance shall be provided, I will walk with you every step of the way“ the teacher reassured, yet a chorus of playful groans filled the air in response to the mention of project design papers.

"Ah, I understand your sentiment," the teacher chuckled, acknowledging the students' apprehension. "But worry not! The journey shall be as enchanting as the destination itself. These project design papers will serve as a canvas to weave together the threads of your imagination, showcasing the brilliance of your creation. Embrace the opportunity to bring your ideas to fruition, weaving magic into the tangible realm. Who knows, you may be the next creators to hold the rights to an incredibly useful device that will sell millions.“ With these words, a wave of anticipation and excitement rippled through the classroom, as students began envisioning the magical artifacts they would soon breathe life into.

“Well, that’s an interesting project,” you said as you started writing down some ideas in your notebook.

“It’s brilliant, we could ask him to help us with the map!”

“What map?” You asked while raising an eyebrow.

“Oh… sorry,” he said “I thought for a minute that you– nevermind. You need to help me with Lily.” James had gotten so used to hanging around you and the boys at the same time for a moment he thought you already knew about the Marauders Map.

You sighed “Of course James. Tell me what happened,” you said, turning to him “but please write some ideas down as you do.”

He nodded, and started scribbling on his piece of paper “You see, since we kissed back at Marlene’s party–“

“–James that was a game, you can’t be hung up on that.” You interrupted.

“No, you don’t understand, there was a connection.”

You rolled your eyes, while you did think Lily maybe had a little bit of a crush on James, you also knew she wasn’t anywhere ready to admit it. Especially with James’ incessant flirting since like 4th year. Marlene had told you about it. “James, it sounds ridiculous. I kissed Remus then too, and I’m not hung up on it.”

He narrowed his eyes at that “but you seemed to enjoy it.”

You shrugged “Can’t say he’s a bad kisser.” And Remus is handsome, you thought “But that’s not the point anyway. What happened?”

“Lily seems more willing to talk to me lately,” he explained.

“Well, that’s lovely, just give her enough space so you don’t make her feel pressured. Be kind and nice… and stuff.”

“I was thinking of making this very grand gesture on the quidditch–“

You shook your head “James Potter,” you warned “If you so much as try something like that you will scare her away. She’s barely realizing she might like you, don’t do THAT!”

“What did you just say?”

“Don’t do it!” You insisted.

“No,” he shook his head, “before that.”

“I said that she’s barely realizing she might have a c… fuck.”

“You think… You think she likes me?” He asked, in a very small high pitched tone.

“I– wouldn’t go as far as to say that…” he looked so sad, “…yet.”

“Yet?” He asked, perking up as a surge of excitement ran through his body.

You nodded “I… think she’s warming up to you,” you told him sincerely “Just don’t do anything that could scare her away, please.”

“Like what?”

“Like a scary grand gesture for example.”

The professor walked toward you “Any ideas so far?” He said looking at James’ messy writing.

James nodded “A confetti cannon that, after using it, leaves confetti wherever you go,” he said, and read another idea “a pair of shoes that make the wearer constantly trip, a teapot that won’t stop whistling, even without any tea on it, and a buble liquid that makes ticklish bubbles.” He said proudly.

You stared dagger at him and covered his notes with your some parchment “It’s still a work in progress,” you told the teacher with the most charming smile you could muster, “James and I are still looking for better ideas.”

The professor nodded and kept walking around the classroom.

“Tripping shoes?” You asked in desbeilif “an ever whistling teapot? Are you for real–“

“–In my defence, I’m not great at multitasking.”

“No shiit Sherlock,” you told him.

“The tripping shoes could be funny tho.”

“Yeah, and the tickling bubbles are useful, for pranks, but Professor Pendragon wants us to invent the next invisibility cloak, I don’t think he’d be too satisfied with any of those options.”

“What about a ring that’s also an invisibility cloak?”

You rose your eyebrow at him “You mean like in the Lord of the Rings?”

“What’s the Lord of the Rings?”

You gasped, offended, you too had grown on a pure-blood wizard family but at least you knew the Lord of the Rings, “The hobbit?! Does not ring any bells?” He shook his head “It’s a very popular muggle book, you should really brush up on your muggle literature. Perhaps you should have taken muggle studies instead.”

“Hey!” He complained, “Don’t bash me for not being a literature genius like you and Remus.”

“I bet even Sirius would know about The Lord of the Rings.”

“How much?”

“10 sickles?” You asked.

“Oh, I’m really, really sure Sirius won’t know either,” James said “Make it 20.”

You rose your eyebrow at his challenge and nodded “Deal,” you said raising your hand to shake his, successfully closing the deal.

“So… the magical ring’s off the table?”

“No, I… I don’t think it’s a bad idea, maybe we can make a magical ring, just, with different powers instead.”

“Like…?”

You shrugged in response “We could make two rings that always find each other.”

“Ohhh, and I could give one to Lily!” James said excitedly, you threw him a look “Like… not now... When we start dating… obviously.”

“Love the confidence of that statement,” you said with a smile, thinking of how James had used when instead of if.

He winked “What about a bracelet that lets you communicate with someone else, like a… muggle telephone.”

“Or a walkie talkie…” you agreed.

“A what?” He asked.

“You’re joking, right?”

“I- uh… yeah,” he replied, not confidently at all.

“Damn it, James, you urgently need some muggle classes.” You said and started drawing a pair of walkie-talkies on the notebook, trying to explain their use, and how they worked, even if you weren’t entirely certain of how they did. “Can’t believe none of you thought it’d be useful to have some of them around. Especially for your pranks.”

“Yeah, me neither,” he agreed “You know smoke signals aren’t really the most effective.”

“Surely you didn’t try that,” You said confidently, his expression gave him away “You did?!?”

He shook his head, letting out a long sigh “We were in detention for days.”

You chuckled at that “At least you have the little paper planes now,” you said, remembering the day Remus had sent one to the boys, same day he took you to the lake because you were feeling upset.

“They’re useful, but they can be intercepted.” He explained, “Not very good for top secret plans.”

You laughed, of course, James would consider his prank plans worthy of the Top Secret title. “What about a bracelet?” You asked then.

“A magical bracelet? Sounds good, also with walkie-talkie abilities?”

“Could be more convenient than a ring…” you responded, “Not really sure about it tho."

“What about a pair of glasses that can help you see better in the dark?” He asked, “For those times where you can’t use lumos, maybe you lost your wand, or you wanna be inconspicuous.”

“Night vision googles, I dig it.”

“Exactly, but smaller, more practical to carry around.”

“Well, I guess we’ve got a few solid ideas then,” you said as you started picking up your things, you and James had stayed brainstorming together for a little longer than you realized “Class is over?”

James nodded “Moony and Pads left already,” he said as he looked towards the table your friends had been sitting on, “probably to the great hall, we said we’d eat together.”

“Peter too?” You asked him, he nodded.

“Wanna join us?”

You shrugged in response, “though you were planning a prank or something,” you said as you walked towards the door with him by your side.

He frowned “Why?”

“All the secretive talks? You’ve been awfully suspicious today.”

“What? No- that’s… it’s not. We’re not suspicious.”

You gave him an incredulous look but nodded “No, not at all,” you added sarcastically.

Once you were in the hall you spotted Remus and Sirius walking ahead of you and remembered you had to tell him about your fireworms so you picked up the pace. You walked behind him, for a minute, but he was so entertained in his conversation with Sirius you decided it’d be funny to tease him, so you extended your arms, and standing in your toes –because Remus was actually pretty tall– you decided to cover his eyes with your palms “Guess who–“ you started, but didn’t even get enough time to finish since Remus practically jumped out of your grasp in seconds, hissing as the silver of your new ring came into contact with his skin. It didn’t leave a mark but it did hurt him like hell.

Sirius, being quick to figure the new ring you wore had silver on it, looked at you with panic, but you didn’t notice, you were too concerned over Remus’ reaction. “I– I’m sorry Rem, didn’t mean to scare you…” you stammered “I… I was just trying to tease.” James and Sirius finally relaxed when they noticed you’d thought Remus was just scared.

“It’s ok…” he said with a forced smile as he extended his hand, a safe distance between your ring and himself “I wasn’t expecting you to come up from behind like that.”

You didn’t seem convinced but nodded, concern still evident on your face. “I uhh… I was trying to catch up to actually,” You finally changed the subject. James had gotten in between you and Remus as you walked, so you leaned a little towards the front to see your friend better “It’s about our fireworms, they’re already breathing fire.”

“What? I thought they wouldn’t do it until they were like a month old,” said Sirius.

“Exactly!” You nodded excitedly “They weren’t, our caring must have been phenomenal. Our babies are overachievers.”

“You’re keeping them together?” James asked.

You nodded “Co-parenting,” you paused “We split tasks and that way we make sure we don’t burn down the school by accident.”

Remus nodded in agreement “It’s easy to remember to feed them when it’s only a couple times a week instead of every single day.”

“And we found an excellent spot to keep them too, away from stress and anything that could make them nervous.”

“Well, the overachievers are not the worms,” Sirius said giving you and Remus a look.

James agreed “We just gave ours to Peter, in exchange for some other homework.”

“By the way (Y/N), mind taking care of them tomorrow too?” Remus asked politely.

“Sure thing,” you said, not thinking much of it.

You had your lunch with the boys, the girls and Peter joined you a bit later and you all walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts together. Professor Nightshade was elegantly leaning on her desk when you arrived at her classroom. She looked a little tense. Like she wasn’t too excited about the class to come.

Once most students were inside she shut the door with a wave of her wand “Today we will be going through the unforgivable curses.” She said, looking rather dejected “and while is not of my favourite classes to teach, we must delve into the subject, especially in dark times like these in which you might need to defend yourselves from one of them.”

The entire class was silent, everyone was paying attention to every single one of her words. It wasn’t uncommon to hear about the war, it was on the paper every single day, but most students chose to avoid and ignore the subject, so even if the war was going on, it was outside, Hogwarts was safe. But being confronted with it, so upfront, felt, well, it felt eerie and scary.

“Can someone name the unforgivable curses?” She asked.

Lily raised her hand “The кilling course, Imperius curse and…”

“The cruciatus curse,” Finished Sirius with a heavy breath.

“Correct!” Seraphina said, “10 points for Gryffindor… Indeed those are the three unforgivable curses, and they are unforgivable because…”

“Because they violate the rights of whoever is being cursed by them,” you responded.

“Can any of them be avoided?”

You shook your head “Only very experienced wizards can resist Imperio.”

“And countered?”

“Physical barriers might block some of the curses, but there is no known spell that can do such a thing.” Said Remus.

“No one has ever survived a кilling course either,” Imogen Potts added.

“Seems like you’ve been doing all the readings accordingly,” the teacher said satisfied “Now, you know the theory, but today we will have a small demonstration.” The students gasped, but Seraphina nodded heavily “You must know what you’re up against,” she pulled out a box and opened it, a butterfly flew out of it, about the size of your palm. Seraphina let the small insect fly freely for a minute before pointing her wand straight at her and whispering “Imperio.”

The butterfly started flying around, making circles around the class before landing on Marlene’s nose. She was sitting beside you, so you looked at her in awe as the butterfly batted its wings softly near her face. But then Seraphina changed the course, whispering “Cruicio.” The butterfly fell from Marlene’s nose and onto your table, right next to your book as it batted its wings helplessly. You looked at it with concern, Seraphina herself looked mortified as she inflicted pain on the small creature.

You gave her an imploring look, and that was all it took for her to stop. The small butterfly was released from the pain and started flying all around the classroom, desperately looking to get away from the place. Once the butterfly was close enough to her, she whispered the last curse and after a green flash came from her wand, the butterfly stopped flying, slowly falling to the ground, like a leaf from a tree.

The whole classroom was quiet. You stood up and carefully picked up the small butterfly from the floor. Looking at it pitifully as you handed it over to Seraphina, who held the box out for you to place it inside. “As you’ve seen, these curses are not only lethal but terrifying as well. There is a reason why, whoever dares to infringe them, will never be forgiven.”

“They will go to Azkaban,” whispered Peter.

“What a pitiful destiny,” agreed Sirius.

Professor Nightshade sighed heavily “I think this is enough for today, you may go.”

Students nodded and started placing their things into their backpacks. When you stood up, you walked towards her “I want to be in the duelling club.” You told her “I… I don’t want to end up like the butterfly.”

Seraphina looked at you, a sorrowful look in her eyes, she understood the implications of what you’d said. She knew how heavy your statement was. And she nodded “Of course darling, you’ll be a brilliant addition to the club.”

You nodded, satisfied and finally caught up with your friends. You went straight to Lily “At what time must we go get the fluxweed?” You asked.

“It’s supposed to be when the moon it’s at its highest point,” she told you “I checked the astronomy section of the paper in the morning, apparently at around 11:30 pm.”

“All right, we can totally hang out together till then, right? Do you have any plans?”

She shook her head “We had study club, but we cancelled it today, I was thinking of maybe going to the library to get some stuff and then studying or just chilling back at the common room.”

“It’s settled then,” you told her with a smile, walking alongside her towards the library. Since you had already finished most of your assignments you decided to walk through the long bookshelf to see if you found anything that caught your eye, while Lily looked for some more specific books. And as you walked over the edge of one of the bookshelves you bumped into Nina, the small Ravenclaw girl from the study grup that had a crush on Remus. “Hey love,” you said politely.

“Hi,” she replied quietly. To be fair, Nina really wanted to dislike you when she first encountered you. She was jealous of how close you and Remus had gotten in such a short period of time, but you had always treated her with kindness, genuinely willing to help her, if she had any questions, or needed help with a particular spell; that, in the end, she couldn’t help but like you instead. In fact, she’d go as far as to say she admired you. She’d seen you practicing spells and she even went to one of the quidditch trainings, with the intention to ogle at Remus who had gone too, but she was far too entranced by you when you were flying that she almost completely forgot about her original reason for going.

“You looking for Rem?” You asked her politely.

She shook her head “He cancels study sessions at least once every couple of weeks,” she told you “Originally, only Lily held the sessions by herself but she got very stressed without him to help her with the younger students, so they decided it was best to cancel them altogether.” Remus cancelled them? You thought, that’s odd. “What about you? Are you looking for a book in particular?”

You shook your head “Just something to entertain me while I hang out with Lily.”

“Oh, I think I can help you with that,” she said with a smile, bringing her backpack in front of her and opening the zipper “I actually got my hands on this book out last week, I read it in days, it’s about a werewolf who falls in love with a wizard.” she explained “It’s not very accurate with the actual nature of werewolves, but the key points are there. It’s a very fun romantic novel If you’re into that kind of stuff.” She said taking a book out of her bag and placing it on the table. “Oh and this one,” she grabbed a smaller book “It’s filled with simple yet practical spells that we don’t have in the curriculum, such as ways to fix glasses and open locks. It’s fantastic if you want something a bit more educational.”

You looked at her with a smile “These are fantastic Nina, thank you!” You said with genuine excitement.

She smiled at you, blushing just a little at your reaction “It’s nothing. I’m– I really like books,” she told you with a smile “If you ever need new recommendations, I’m down.”

You smiled at her “You’re the best!” You told her picking the books up from where she left them “It was lovely seeing you.”

She nodded, and was about to say something when Lily showed up, looking for you “I’ve got the books, ready to go?” She asked, and then noticed you weren’t alone “Oh, hey Nina! What’s up?”

“She lent me a couple of books,” you said, raising the books you held in between your arms so Lily would notice.

Lily nodded “Oh, Nina is really good at picking out books, trust me.” Lily said, “Mind if I take (Y/N) with me now?”

Nina shook her head “We were just doing some small talk.” She said, with a bit of a blush as both you and Lily waved your goodbyes.

As you walked outside the library Lily gave you a look “So… you’re friends with Nina now?”

You shrugged “She’s pretty nice actually. I don’t know when it happened, but she stopped hating me over Remus, and now she’s really kind, she even recommended books!”

“You probably just charmed her with your personality and looks, like you did with pretty much everyone,” Lily teased with a smile.

“Oi, shut up Evans, you’re probably more charming than I am,” you said nudging her in a friendly manner. She nudged you back and the two of you walked together towards the common room, chatting about your due assignments, and your favourite books. Since Lily was a muggle-born, she knew even more about muggle books than you, and it was fun hearing about all of them, from her favourites to those she didn’t like all that much.

Once you arrived at the common room you both found a comfortable place, she sat on the small round table by the stairs and you went straight for one of the couches, letting yourself comfortably lay on it while opening your backpack to pick one of the books Nina had recommended, you grabbed each on one hand, staring at the covers, trying to decide which one to go for first. After weighing both of them in your head, you decided to read the spell book and leave the romance novel on the side table.

Nina hadn’t been lying, the book was indeed practical, and you tried casting some of the most complicated or useful spells as you read, practicing the wand movements and incantations as Lily focused on her homework.

At some point Mary and Marlene went in, they were giggling about something that happened so you decided to leave your book next to the others and join their conversation.

“Oh my god, (Y/N)! You won’t believe what happened.” Mary said.

You smiled “Oh, do tell”

“We were talking to Moaning Myrtle, she said she overheard Holden talk about Marlene with some other boys, that she was an incredible beater and stuff.”

“Really?” You said smiling wider “I mean, no doubt, she’s amazing! But he said that?”

Mary nodded “According to Myrtle, that is… She also said some boys have been saying you’re part Veela because of your charm, be careful they may try and throw you into the water to see if you’re a good swimmer.”

You laughed at that, you were a good swimmer, but they couldn’t have been more off with their guesses. “So… what are you waiting for Mars? You have to make your move!”

“Make my move?” She gasped.

You nodded “Well, at the party you seemed pretty close, admit you like him or–”

“–Kiss him unexpectedly,” completed Mary.

“Yeah, that too.” You nodded.

“Well…” Marlene said taking a deep breath “I’m thinking I could– I wanted to invite him to Hogsmeade over the weekend, actually.”

“That’s brilliant!” You told her “Isn’t that tomorrow?”

She nodded in response “You coming too? I heard Sirius and James mention they wanted to show you around.”

“They haven’t told me anything about it, but I guess I’ll tag along with ya’ll anyway.”

At that point Lily stood up from her place and stretched, yawning softly “What time is it?”

“10:30,” answered Marlene after looking at her wrist watch “You done?”

She nodded “But we have to stay up for at least an hour,” Lily complained.

“Why?” Mary asked.

“We’re going to harvest some fluxweed,” you responded instead.

“Oh… because it’s full moon,” Marlene acknowledged.

You nodded “When are you getting yours?”

“Marlene ordered them from a fancy potion supply store.”

“That was allowed?” you asked, surprised.

Marlene shrugged “Not sure, but I highly doubt Slughorn will find out, if anything, we can say we picked them out with you.”

“Sure,” Lily said, sitting down on the sofa next to you, placing your feet on top offer lap to make some space. You made a move to bring your feet down but she shook her head “It’s alright, rest up, you’ve been awake since like 5 am, haven’t you?” You nodded, letting your feet on to lay over her lap “You should just tell James to screw off and sleep in, I can tell you’re not a morning person.”

You laughed “I wish, but I want to be in top shape for the game and… to be honest, I’m still getting used to my new broom, that’s why I’ve been flying every morning.” Out of nowhere, a pillow was thrown towards your face “Oi, what was that for?” You asked looking at Marlene, who’d been responsible for it.

“Show off,” she said “I need time to practice with my new broom,” she teased “and then she goes and flies like a professional every single damn time.” You opened your mouth to try to speak but closed it soon after, Marlene continued talking “James has been making the training even tougher so we keep up with her.”

“Sorry,” you said then “I guess I just really like flying.” After all, it’s in my blood, you thought. You wondered if you’d ever trust them enough to tell them about it, the answer was pretty simple, you already did, and you wanted to, but you knew how dangerous it was.

You stayed talking with the girls for a while, Marlene told you about the time she got on the quidditch team, Lily talked about being exceptionally good at potions and being invited to an exclusive party with Slughorn and Mary told you about the private classes she had been taking with Madam Pomfrey, about all the new potions and spells she had learned.

“It’s finally 11,” said Lily when Mars finished the story about the worst date she had gone on, she’d been invited to a magical restaurant, that had been jinxed by an angry customer the previous day, it had been absolute mayhem.

You stood up, stretching yourself “We should probably get going,” you said with a smile. She nodded and picked her backpack up, taking out a piece of paper and handing it over. You looked at her puzzled.

“It’s a nigh pass, I asked McGonagall for it,” she told you “We can go out and Filnch won’t say a thing.”

“Oh nice,” you said looking at the paper, boy, how easy would it be to make duplicates of it, with different dates. “Shall we?” You asked tilting your head towards the door. She nodded and the two of you walked towards the portrait of the fat lady.

“Good luck girls!” You heard Marlene shout from behind.

“Yeah, we’ll be back in the bedroom.”

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screamingatanemptyroom · 3 months

Text

Please Fix the Story pt 29- The Higher Realm

Next part. A little shorter, but I think part 30 or 31 may be the end of the official story, not counting any side parts. Wish me luck!

Masterpost linked here

_____________________

“Adonis is here.”

As I processed his words, I watched the glowing words: “Soul transfer 59% complete.“ fade away. Once they disappeared, I felt a surge in the strange dark power with me. I looked down at my hands, seeing a barely visible power coiling around them.

Finally, I broke past 49%! And I can sense this power better than before. It’s definitely growing, whatever it is... even if I can't use it still. Hopefully this become something useful!

“Bel? Are you okay?” Liam’s questions broke me from my thoughts, and I looked back at him, the brief flash of dark power fading back into nothingness.

“I’m okay. So Adonis is here? Already?” At the grim news, I rubbed my hands together in excitement. “FINALLY! It’s time to unleash my super secret trap!”

“Your trap?” Liam rubbed his shoulder, likely still feeling the pain from his gunshot wound from the lower realm. “Is this what you’ve been sneaking off lately to set up?”

“Yep!” I grabbed Liam’s hand and pulled him over to a carefully marked cleared area just far enough away from the cave to protect it. It may not be much, but it’s Liam’s home… my home. I’d rather Adonis stay far, far away from it.

Liam was staring down at our clasped hands with an absentminded smile, and didn’t seem to pay attention to our direction. Looking around once we stopped, he was clearly confused. “Why are we stopping here?”

“This is where we want him to find us.” I said with a confident grin.

At my words, Liam gripped my hand tightly, as if afraid that I would be taken away. His anxiety was almost palpable.

I tried to reassure him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Nothing good can ever stay here, Bel.” His eyes were filled with a sadness close to despair. “No matter how much I’ve tried to prevent it, everything here eventually withers and dies.”

“So do you want me to go back with Fart Sniffer McGee?”

He let out an involuntary snort at the silly, insulting name. “No I didn’t say that! I just…”

“Well, perhaps you should…”

A new voice spoke out as Adonis walked out from between the trees, standing in the small clearing in front of us. Seeing me, he smiled, a cocky expression. “Hello, Bel! Looks like your tamed monster recognizes reality better than you. Isn’t it time you admit it too?”

“There’s only one monster here," I said with a polite, distant smile. " And it’s not Liam.”

Adonis frowned. “Don’t deflect, Bel. The truth remains.”

“Truth?”

“What this villain said is correct: Nothing good can survive here. You don’t… you can’t belong here… you belong in the Higher Real. Even this beast knows it. You belong with me!”

“So you knew we were talking about you?” I turned to Liam, chuckling, “Look at him, so readily accepting of the new name Fart Sniffer McGee.”

“Very self-aware.” Liam nodded solemnly.

“Personal growth.” We both applauded politely.

He didn't seem amused at our antics. “SHUT UP!”

“Ooh, I don’t think he likes it.”

Liam shrugged. “We can think of others.”

“Ooh! A new one every day!” We threw out a few, each one more childish and ridiculous than the last. Once we reached “Captain Bum Nugget” however, Adonis finally snapped.

“I SAID SHUT UP!” He took a step forward with a threatening gesture, and I let out a shout of victory.

“FINALLY, YOU HIT THE MARK!” I quickly pulled a rope on the ground, and a net holding a load of large smelly... material... fell. Adonis was quickly covered head to toe, and was knocked to the ground by the weight of the net and its contents.

“…”

There was stunned silence, but it was quickly broken by my laughter. “That’s what you get! Did you really think you could waltz right into OUR realm without consequences?! Enjoy being smelly!”

I looked over at Liam, expecting him to agree with me… but instead he was staring at the… material… coating Adonis with a horrified expression. He then sat down on a nearby stump and slowly put his head in his hands.

“Bel…” He sighed as he spoke. “Do you know what that is?”

“It’s feces!” I answered cheerfully. “I assume from some sort of large beast, although I’ve never seen anything in this realm big enough to make poop like this! It took forever to collect it and set up this trap.” I thought for a moment. “It’s strange though, this has weird flecks in it, almost like tiny jewels… such an odd thing. Do you know which animal…?” I trailed off as I saw Liam’s shoulders shaking. Is he crying?

Liam finally lifted his head, laughing uncontrollably, his face bright red. After a long moment, he finally said “Bel, it’s very creative revenge, but… next time, why don’t we work together to plan it, okay?” His tone seemed resigned.

“…Sure.” I hadn’t expected such a big reaction from him, but quickly agreed.

Adonis finally recovered from his shock. “Bel, it’s time to go home.” His voice was low and intense, but the intimidation factor was incredibly dialed down by his feces-covered appearance.

“I AM home, Adonis.” I grabbed Liam’s hand again. “I’m staying here with Liam. In fact… we’ve just agreed to get married!”

Adonis lunged forward, but we took a huge step back, avoiding him.

“Cut the crap, Bel!”

“Ooh… poor choice of words!” I tried to high five Liam, who hesitated for a long moment, and then finally gave me one with another sigh.

Adonis was undisturbed. “Joke all you like. You can’t change reality with quips and funny words.” His face was distorted by a snarl. “I don’t know how you’re still alive, but even if you’ve found a temporary measure, it won��t last forever. You are a heroine. THE heroine. Your very nature rejects and is rejected by this realm. The longer you stay, the weaker you become. Even if you force yourself to remain here, then the realm itself will begin to destabilize and fade.”

His words struck like a blow. “You’re lying.” I whispered, wishing I believed my own words.

Adonis chuckled grimly. “I don’t lie, Bel. You and I don’t agree at all on a lot of things, but you know me well enough to know I don’t lie.”

“That doesn’t mean you tell all of the truth.” Liam finally spoke up, glaring.

Adonis didn’t back down. “Shut up, Monster.”

“Stop calling him that!”

“Silly, innocent, Bel.” Adonis laughed at my outburst. “What do you think Liam is?”

“Shut up.” I didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“I already told you: I don’t lie. I call Liam a monster because that’s exactly what he is.” He grinned. “ A literal monster. Don’t believe me? Just ask him.”

I felt Liam shaking beside me and gripped his hand tighter. I knew Liam wasn’t human, but I don’t want to learn the truth from Adonis. Which means I have one option left:

“Yeah, I know.” I rolled my eyes, and stated nonchalantly. “Liam told me a while ago.”

Bluffing.

Adonis was taken aback by my confidence, but soon his eyes narrowed, studying me. “You don’t know. He wouldn’t tell you!”

“Think what you want.” I shrugged. “But I’ve been here a while… since you kidnapped me and dumped me here, by the way… and it would be impossible for Liam to hide his true self for this long.”

“You…”

“I know everything.” I lied, knowing almost nothing. “And I don’t care. I’m staying with him anyways.”

Adonis was silent for a long moment, looking at us both, his gaze dropped, focusing on our clasped hands.

“FINE.” He turned around, and I tried not to chuckle as he trailed poop on the ground.

But his next words stilled any desire to laugh.

“This place will either kill you or destroy itself. The end will come sooner than you expect. If you don’t care about all the countless lower realms and all their innocent inhabits out there that you are condemning to destruction by staying here, then at least care about your own well being, or your friend’s, as he needs this place to stay alive. If it fades... well, you know. I’ll come back to collect you once you’ve come to your senses.” He shook his head, and I felt a growing sense of dread. “Give up, Bel. You must accept your fate.”

He was gone, and Liam and I were left alone.

I let go of Liam’s hand, stepping away, and he reached out as if to catch me, his hand pausing mid-motion, his face pale.

His terrified eyes met mine. “Bel… I can explain.” Liam’s voice was hoarse, his eyes red, his hand still in the air, shaking. “Please… I’ll tell you everything. Just… just don’t hate me, please…not you too.”

My heart broke at his pain. I reached out, grabbed his outstretched hand and pulled him closer, hugging him tightly. “I don’t hate you.” I could feel his entire body trembling. “Not even a little.”

He stepped backwards, a small nervous smile on his face. “You say that now but… You don’t know my secret yet.”

“No matter WHAT you are, Liam. You are you. And that’s all that matters.” I held a finger against his lips as he started to speak again. “That being said. Why don’t you tell me in the morning? You and I are both tired, and I don’t really feel like hearing your biggest secret after Adonis the Poop King threatened us. Tell me in the morning, IF you really want me to know."

Liam’s smile grew, his whole expression lighter. “The morning then, I’ll tell you for sure.”

We separated to get some sleep.

_____________________

Fragments of worlds flashed through my dreams, one after the next, so quickly I couldn’t grasp what was happening. The few scenes it lingered on made me wish it hadn’t.

…

He was on the ground, bleeding from a gunshot wound. The growls of zombies could be heard in the distance. My eyes were blurred with tears.

All I could see was blood, too much blood.

“Liam.” His name escaped my lips.

“Sorry, I have to go first.”

More blood.

“Next time, let’s get married? “

…

Before I could respond I was in a new world, facing him once more. He was larger, more muscular, but too pale. Laying on a bed. Two small puncture wounds were visible on his neck.

“Liam… wake up.”

My hand, shaking, tried to check a pulse, hoping, praying to find it.

There was only the stillness of death.

…

World after world, flipping through too fast to remember. Finally, it stilled once more.

“Why do you always die, Liam?” I was crying once more.

He laughed a sad sound, but I couldn’t see him. His voice was above me. “That’s the fate of a villain, Bel. That’s the fate of a monster. I was never meant to be happy. I was only ever meant to be sacrificed for others’ happiness.” He faded away to nothing, and I was alone in the dark.

“Liam.”

*** YOU MUST ACCEPT YOUR FATE***

The blue words hung there, threateningly, and I backed away. The words followed, leaving me unable to run away even if I wanted to.

_____________________

“LIAM!”

I woke up in a cold sweat, struggling to sense what was real and what wasn’t. Breathing deeply, I pushed myself up, getting out of the bed, moving towards the center of our cave.

I wanted to find Liam.

I searched all the rooms, however, and he wasn’t there.

Panicking a bit, I walked out of the cave.

Thud.

Something small and white fell from the sky and landed at my feet. I looked closer. It appeared to be a white dove. Its neck broken. Blood pooled underneath it, almost staining my feet.

“What…?” Where did the dove come from, how had it survived in this realm? Why did it die?

As I watched on in horror, the blood moved and formed into words:

YOU MUST ACCEPT YOUR FATE,

I ran away. I was no longer sure if I was still trapped within the dream or if reality itself had gone insane. Nothing else mattered but my goal:

I needed to see Liam.

“Liam!” I called out again, seeing some traces along the ground and following the trail. I could hear movement up ahead, and Liam’s voice, talking seemingly to himself. The voice was familiar and not at the same time, spoken with a deep harsh tone.

“Okay, I just have to be calm, Bel said she doesn’t care what I am…. NO!… this is stupid, I should run away… but I can’t run away, that would mean leaving Bel behind… Maybe, I could take her with me? … YEAH! ... But wait... that defeats the purpose of running away to keep her from finding out what I am!”

I heard a loud growl and a thud. The sounds didn’t seem human. I slowed down, getting a glimpse of an enormous dark something beyond the trees in a large clearing ahead as his voice continued.

“Okay, just tell her the truth, and explain all the benefits… free heating source... free rides flying in the sky… umm… something else… Come on, Liam! Think, think!”

More crashes sounded out, and I hesitated to move into the clearing. What will I find?

I thought of my dream, of Liam in many forms dying in front of me. I thought of the bloody message scrawled out in front of the cave. I can’t back away now.

“Liam!” I called out, trying to keep my voice from trembling. “I’m here! Can I come into the clearing?”

I didn’t want to force him, especially hearing his anxious rants.

Liam let out a shriek, the sound mixed with a strange inhuman growl. “BEL?! Umm… so...you want to come into the clearing… I’m a little indisposed at the moment…”

“Liam.” My voice was soft now, but in the dead silence of the forest, I knew he could hear me. “I want to see you. I won’t run away.”

“…” The silence dragged on and on. Just as I was about to give up and walk away…

“You can come.” He sounded scared, resigned, but at the same time, determined.

“Are you sure…?”

“I’m sure.”

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Immediately I looked up, tilting my head back all the way upwards just to see his face. He was large, not quite as large as the ancient beast from previous the lower realm. If then he had been the size of a mountain, now he was the size of a three story house.

He was darker than the night sky above him, with shining scales interlocking in a tight armor.

Spikes rose up in a long row, bristling, protecting his back.

Large wings, with stretched leathery skin flapped nervously behind him.

A long winding neck, leading upward.

Teeth, enormous and deadly, protruded from an elongated scaly jaw.

And looking straight at me, unblinking, were his eyes, the vertical slit pupil set within a wonderful, familiar dark blue. The face seemed unsuited for showing emotion, yet I could see everything he felt within the depths of his eyes.

Nervousness.

Excitement.

Caring.

It WAS Liam.

Liam was a dragon.

I hesitated for a moment, and in that silence, I saw the fear bloom brightly within his eyes. His head tucked in, hiding underneath his wings.

“Liam… you’re a dragon?” I phrased it as a question, but he could be nothing else. “Wow, that’s really cool!”

"Really?" Slowly, his eyes peeked out from his wings. “You’re not just saying that?” It felt strange to hear Liam’s voice coming from this form, but it was the familiar sound that reassured me as well.

“Nope! I think you look very strong and awesome!” I reached out a hand and moved forward, Liam stuck out his head close, allowing me to touch the side of his face. The black shiny scales seemed softer to the touch than I had expected, the surface cool against my palm.

“You really don’t care? Even though I’m a monster?”

“I’d rather be in the company of a dragon like you than the kind of monster that Adonis is.” I shrugged. “I guess that says a lot about me.”

“Thank you, Bel.” His voice was filled with relief, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I settled in, asking, “Have you always been a dragon? Or did you start out human?”

"Always." Liam crouched down, keeping his head low towards the ground so I didn’t have to bend my neck to see him. “This is what I am. I’ve been like this since I was old enough to remember anything.”

“Were you always here, in this realm?”

Liam let out an angry growl. “No. I came from a different realm. One where dragons and humans existed together. I was young… very young, when I was taken away. Dragons tend to be solitary creatures, but typically they protect their young until they reach adulthood.” He sighed. “My parents, however, died right after my birth, killed in a large battle with humans. After that, I was being raised by my grandfather. He was amazing! He taught me what it meant to be a dragon.”

“Your grandfather raised you?” Is he…” I trailed off, unable to finish the question.

“Dead.” Liam’s voice was flat. "The System came to collect me. My grandfather tried to stop it… he was destroyed, along with my entire realm.” Two golden tears dropped from the dragon’s eyes. “I couldn’t save him, I couldn’t save anyone.”

“The System?”

“I don’t know what it is. It appeared as bright blue words written across the sky when I saw it. It’s what makes the portals… what creates the missions we see in the lower realms. It controls seemingly everything but at the same time seems to be interested in nothing. I don’t know if it’s a god or the devil or something else entirely… but I watched its power as it destroyed my realm.”

Bright blue words? Shuddering, I thought of the counter that only I could see. Is that the system too? I reached out, trying to hug the enormous dragon head. “I’m sorry Liam.”

“It told me I was born to be the ultimate villain, and that all others would derive their fate from me.” He sighed. “It said that the classic story was that of a hero, a princess, and the monster that kidnaps the princess. My fate was to separate them, and then be destroyed to allow for a happy ending.” He looked down at me. “Then I woke up here, alone except the occasional creature that tries to survive… they never do, not for long. This world slowly destroys them. Of course, most nights, portals would open up and drag me in.”

“Liam…”

“You saw my mission last time. They’re all like that. Lose everything, get severely injured… die. Every single one of them. The story of the lower realms can’t be complete unless there is a satisfyingly bad end to the villain.”

“Did you always follow the mission?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Not at first. Especially when I was still very young, I struggled against it, tried to avoid it. I would run and hide and stay away. But then the lower realm would be destroyed, I would wake up here and the next world would open up shortly. Finally, I started to complete the mission as quickly as possible, so I could just go back home, and no one else would get hurt.”

I wished I couldn’t imagine it, but I could. I had been to countless lower realms with Adonis. How many of them had Liam been there, dying, getting hurt, just so that he could stop suffering and come back here? How many times has he chosen to die painfully, rather than let a lower realm be destroyed? I remembered him drinking the poison when we first met, his nonchalant expression at his upcoming demise.

“Bel, don’t cry.”

“I’m not…” My voice paused, as I reached up and felt tears running down my face. “I…”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“It’s NOT okay!”

“It’s my fate.”

“SCREW FATE!”

*** Soul transfer 73% complete. ***

I ignored the words, feeling slightly sick sight of the glowing blue letters. If this is the system, this… thing… kidnapped Liam and forced him into this never-ending hell. I can’t trust anything it says.

Liam laughed, his eyes happy. “Yeah, screw fate.”

I touched his face again. “I will protect you. I won’t let fate, or the System, or even Adonis win. We’ll find a way for me to stay here, and then find a way to avoid our fates AND save the lower realms.”

“…”

“What you don’t believe me?”

He blinked. “You still want to stay here?”

“Yeah… aren’t we getting married? Typically married people stay in the same realm of existence.”

“YOU STILL WANT TO MARRY ME?”

“Of course! Didn't I already ask you in the last lower realm? Out of the two people I’ve met in the higher realms, you are definitely the best husband material.”

“I’m a dragon.”

“And the other choice is Adonis.”

“… Fair.” He chuckled. “I believe you, but promise me: if we do anything to go against fate… let’s do it together.”

“Deal. Now let’s head back.”

“First, you’ll need blood.” He raised a claw, and bit it, dripping golden drops into a small bowl. He then was covered in a black smoke, and a much smaller, much more human Liam emerged and picked up the bowl, walking towards me with a smile. “Here you go.”

“….”

“Bel?”

“…”

“Umm….”

I finally forced out. “LIAM, YOU ARE NAKED!”

“Shoot!” He shoved the bowl into my hands and grabbed pants that had been neatly folded nearby, his face bright red. “Sorry, I forgot.” He paused and looked down at himself. “Everything I have should be normal for a human, right?”

“Liam… It’s fine… yes, you’re normal.” I coughed as he grinned with relief. “There’s nothing wrong, I just… was surprised.” I turned away and drank my bowl of blood, waiting until the sounds of changing had stopped to turn back towards him. He took the bowl and wiped it clean, and then held out his hand for mine.

As we held hands, he laughed again. “Sorry, I forgot you get shocked when I get naked suddenly.”

“This is the first time this has happened, though?”

He paused at my words, his eyes confused. “No… it’s happened before. You were an elf…” He shook his head, as if to clear it. “I can’t remember clearly.”

“Maybe you were flashing some other person?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, I’m certain it was you.” Was his firm answer.

“Okay, sure… so, Liam?”

“Yes?”

“I have a very important question.”

“What’s that?”

“Was it YOUR poop that I dropped on top of Adonis?”

“…”

“Liam?”

“OH LOOK AT THE TIME! Let’s go home!” And with that, Liam dragged me out of the clearing and back to our cave, with me laughing the entire way.

_____________________

When we arrived, we came across the dead dove once more. Liam stopped in his tracks, staring down at it silently.

“Actually, this was part of why I was looking for you in the first place. It just flew down out of nowhere, and killed itself here.” I stared at the words written in coagulated blood. “Who would do this?”

“The System.” He spit the words out like a curse.

“Why doves… I thought it spoke in blue glowing letters?”

Liam was still staring down at the dove, and for a moment, I could see the dragon he was behind his human appearing eyes. “Doves have meaning.”

“Meaning?”

“Often a messenger of the divine, or for all-powerful beings… they are also seen as a symbol of peace. So to have one come from the heavens and kill itself, for the message to be written in blood….

“It’s a declaration of war.” I shuddered. “It wants to force us to accept our fate. Me to go back to the Higher Realm and play heroine with Adonis… you…”

“To suffer and die in an endless sacrifice for the happy ending.”

I squeezed his hand. “Neither is going to happen.”

He didn’t look away from the bloody message. “I hope you’re right.”

____________________

Days passed.

Adonis, unfortunately, had not lied. Over time, Liam’s blood became less and less effective. I stayed in bed for most of the day, only able to do brief outings into the forest before having to rest once more. Liam grew increasingly frantic, increasing the dose and would have tried to drain himself dry if I hadn’t stopped him.

But I wasn’t the only one affected.

The edges of the realm were starting to fade into darkness. It took a while for us to realize, but when we came up to the nothingness, the emptiness where forest had once been, I was forced to confront the truth: I was dying. The realm was dying. I couldn’t stay.

But Liam couldn’t leave, except for the lower realms.

The portals became much less frequent, but I went with him each time. We tried to find ways to fix the worlds that completed both our missions, I tried my best to protect Liam from getting hurt.

We did not see Adonis again. He seemed to be biding his time.

Or he was so mad at Operation: Poop Trap that he is spending some time away from us. Either way, not too sad about it.

Finally, one day came. I couldn’t get out of bed at all. Liam stayed by my side, feeding me meat and mixed vegetables he had cooked. His cooking skills were fantastic now, but my failing body could barely appreciate it. I tried my best to eat, anyways, hoping not to worry him.

“Tell me what to do, Bel.” He whispered, feeding me another bite with a roughly carved spoon. “I don’t want to send you back there… but I can’t watch you die.”

“What if I would rather die than go back?” I asked. “Would you knock me out and send me anyways?”

Liam hung his head. “No. I won’t force you. I know better than most what its like to live with no choices. I can't send you into the same existence. If you choose to die...” His eyes filled with tears. “I’ll choose to go with you.”

“No…”

“That’s MY choice, Bel.”

I sighed. “Well, let’s try to avoid that ending then.” I started coughing, unable to take another bite. Liam out away the food with a solemn expression.

“Do you have a plan?”

“I’ve fixed countless broken stories. I always have a plan.” I tried to grin, but was too tired to maintain it for long. “I just need to make it to the next lower realm.”

I thought of the glowing blue counter I could see, and the dark power that even now hovered around my fingertips.

Hopefully this works. Everything depends on finding the right type of lower realm. I don’t have much time left, so I really hope the next one will have what I need. For both of our sakes.

After the discussion we fell silent, but stayed side by side, enjoying being together. A deeply uncertain future faced us, but at least one thing was true:

We were facing it together.

_____________________

That night, a new portal opened up. Liam, carrying me, stepped up to the red-rimmed glowing opening.

"Are you sure you want to come?" He asked in a worried tone.

"I'm sure. Once we're inside, I'll try to find you as soon as I can."

"Focus on being safe, first."

I smiled, resting a pale hand against his face. "I'll find a way for us to escape fate, Liam. I promise. The key to it is in this realm." It has to be.

His arms tightened around me. "As long as we're together."

"Together." I agreed.

He stepped into the portal quickly. As always, we were separated immediately after crossing the portal and fell into darkness.

I woke up, confused, looking all around me.

I was in water. Fish swam all around me, sunlight filtering through the waves and bouncing around them. Coral littered the ground, seaweed waving nearby, an intricate underwater garden. It was beautiful. A paradise.

And that’s when I realized I was breathing underwater.

Hmm… that’s not normal. I looked down at my arms. They seemed human enough, my hair coiling around my body. At least I’m not a fish or a sea monster. I thought, looking at the rest of me.

Then I saw my tail.

Ah crap.

I was a mermaid.

#writing #pfts #please fix the story #fantasy #liam and bel #this lower realm is the last one before the end.#hopefully next week will be when I finish this!!!!#wish me luck

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june-again · 27 days

Text

4ggravate, platonic (found family), comfort. 500w.

“Do you want us to walk you home?”

At the end of the night, bidding your friends goodbye was always hard. Tonight was even worse.

You hadn’t told any of them how stressed you’d been lately, but from the way Tighnari asked, you knew they could tell. Alhaitham and Kaveh were exchanging looks.

You shook your head, willing your sudden onset of tears back into your eyes.

“What’s this about?” Cyno asked you, an electric glint in his eyes. “Did something happen?”

You shook your head again. You closed your eyes, wishing they’d all stop looking at you like this.

Kaveh protested, “Y/N, don’t try to keep anything from us! You know we’re just going to bother you until you explain what's up.”

“Kaveh’s going to bother you,” Alhaitham clarified. “You don’t have to explain if you’re not up to it. But we’ll be walking you home.”

“Guys, it’s okay,” you choked out, smearing your tears with the heels of your palms. “It was just nice…. hanging out with you guys tonight.”

“And?” Kaveh prompted.

“And… That’s all.”

“Well,” Cyno said, “I could tell you a joke to ch—”

Tighnari cut him off. “I don’t think that’s going to be that helpful.

Cyno shrugged. “Then… Hurry up, let’s get you home.” He walked past you, leading the way down the street. You watched him over your shoulder.

“Can’t you tell us what’s up?” Kaveh whined. “I promise we’ll listen. We could go get coffee.”

“Or tea,” Tighnari added. “It’s late, and I think we all need to wind down from tonight.”

“Cyno’s getting away,” Alhaitham pointed out. “He definitely doesn’t need any coffee.”

Despite yourself, you giggled, though it sounded more like a sob. “Cyno on caffeine right now is not something I need to see. I’m stressed enough as it is.”

“Cyno, slow down!” Tighnari shouted. Cyno turned around in the middle of the road, waiting with wide, expectant eyes.

“I would pay to see Cyno on more coffee right now,” Kaveh muttered. “Maybe that will cheer you up?”

You laughed again, and shook your head.

“Well, then, we’re walking you home. Don’t dally,” he declared.

Kaveh followed Tighnari, who was catching up with Cyno. Alhaitham followed, giving you a tiny, very comforting smile. “You’re talking when we reach your doorstep,” he said gently. “But, take as long as you need.”

You watched them group together, picking on each other and laughing and looking back at you sanguinely, you almost considered running in the opposite direction. Their company was such a good thing. You loved each of them dearly, uniquely. You just wanted each of them to be happy.

You heard Tighnari groaning, probably in response to a comment from Cyno. Kaveh was skittishly looking back over his shoulder, and Alhaitham was looking at Kaveh with a smile in his eyes you couldn’t even miss at your distance.

You ran to catch up with them.

note. guys i just want to be best friends with all of them is this too much to ask 😭😭😭😭

➳ GENSHIN MASTERLIST

#genshin platonic #tighnari comfort #cyno & reader #kaveh x gn!reader #alhaitham fanfic #genshin reader insert #genshin impact found family #genshin impact whump #4ggravate

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theonewhospeaksinweird · 5 months

Text

💛💙Protected (Charlotte Katakuri x Female!Reader) Pt. 3💛💙

💚 = Lime/Lil Spicy

💛 = Lemon

💙 = Sad

❤️ = Angsty (won't do many of these unless prompted)

💜 = Fluff

💔 = Heartbreak (rare unless prompted)

🖤 = Normal

Part 3, as promised!~ It all comes to the thrilling conclusion, and I FINALLY get to the scene that started this whole story.~ After about collectively 18.5 k words.~ All I can say in my defense is that...THIS MAN IS TOO FINE!~ If you don't want the ✨spicy✨ part of this story, that's totally fine.~ Just stop reading at the line of star squids.~ Enjoy, dearies.~

Minors, Do Not Interact, Please.~

Part 1 <- - Part 2 <- - Part 3

Although I wished for it, the silence that abruptly replaced the sounds of destruction and fighting startled me, along with the suddenly very loud shouting of Pekoms in my ear.

“Y/N! It’ll be okay-!” The pink clad mink cut himself off at the abrupt silence. Our heavy breaths were the only thing filling the new quiet. We both slowly detached from each other and looked around us to see the same semi-transparent white shield that I had created earlier. Its opaqueness varied in pulses, so I could see that everything around us had crumbled into rubble except the ground inside the bubble.

“What the fuck?” Pekoms mumbled out, looking around until his gaze fell back onto me who looked equally surprised. This sudden change shocked my panicked mind out of its frenzied state, allowing me to calm myself down. The calmer I became, the more I realized how drained I felt again and leaned against Pekoms once more.

“Is this yours, Y/N?” Looking up at my reflection in Pekoms’ black glasses, I gave a hesitant nod before responding.

“Y-Yeah, I guess it is. . . “ This new power still felt weird to me. More so the after effects of me being fatigued and suddenly so calm. It bothered me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. It was like the emotions just expelled from my body. Before our conversation could continue on, some movement caught the corner of my eye. A beat up, and barely moving Strawhat had crawled out of a large hole in the ground.

Once again, the bubble popped so suddenly when my heart jumped into my throat in dread.

Where was Katakuri?

With the barrier gone, the rubble around us sank into our little hole, but I ignored it and the weariness tugging at my bones, scrambling over the debris. Desperation clawed its way back into my heart and showed in my deep purple antennae as I crested the pile of rubble, searching for my husband. Tears burned my darting eyes, blurring my vision, until they fell onto the large body sprawled out beside the hole. Katakuri. No scarf in sight. My breath hitched, and the tears fell freely as I took in what that entailed. A part of me already knew what the outcome of this fight would be, but it still hurt to be right. This was the last thing I wanted to be right about.

I felt Pekoms come up beside me on the rubble, his reaction being the opposite of mine when he saw Strawhat alive. Before either of us could go to our respective fighters, the sound of those familiar spurs clanked twice through the air as Katakuri struggled to his feet in front of a crawling Strawhat. I was frozen to my spot, watching with bated breaths as he swayed on his feet. Blue light bathed either side of my face as my antennae drooped down.

"Kata. . . " I whispered out, thinking he was going to try and continue fighting. I wish I could grab the bracelet from my hair and know what was going through his heart and mind right now, but I was glued to my spot, unable to even get past the state he was in. There was blood dripping from multiple wounds, the largest being a hole in his side, fresh bruises littering his body, sure to be a nasty color tomorrow, and his entire body shaking with exhaustion.

At the obstruction, the retreating captain stood up as well, readying himself for a fight that neither of them seemed to be in the shape to continue. Pekoms growled beside me, seemingly unhappy with the fact that Strawhat was still trying to fight with Katakuri.

"That damn brat doesn't know when to quit, huh? Tch, I figured as much." And with that, my travel companion parted from my side and away from the two fighters. I was about to get up myself, to try and convince my injured husband to stop. That dying for his mother's cause wouldn't change a thing. Maybe it was selfish of me to think so, but I just knew I couldn't live without him. I barely know how I lived before him. Before I could force myself to move, my husband's raspy question stopped me.

"Are you gonna come back. . . to take down Big Mom one day?"

Huh? Was he asking this boy to. . ?

"Of course I am! Cause I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

Then, the most bizarre thing happened.

Katakuri smiled. He smiled at the thought of someone taking down his mother.

"You must be looking far into the future!" He exclaimed as he started swaying more on his feet. Looking like he was about to fall again is what finally spurred me to action. I didn't know what happened in that fight for him to be so open about his feelings with this enemy, but that hardly mattered now. I started sprinting across the ruined floor, tripping and falling over debris as Katakuri began falling. Onto his back, no less. He was on his stomach before.

I knew I couldn't catch him, but I'd been apart from him for too long, and he needed me just as much as I needed him right now. He landed with a resounding thud that hurt my heart. I could see Strawhat standing there in shock as I finally got to my husband's side. My knees cut on the broken floor at his sides, but I hardly cared as I frantically looked over my defeated husband.

"Katakuri! No no no, are you okay? Please don't die! I love you too much to let you die!" I wasn't sure what to do first, he was unresponsive. The first thing I could think of was to stop the bleeding from the big gash on his side. With nothing else to use, I took the skirt of my dress and pressed it into the wound. The fabric of my skirt was too sheer, though, and barely did anything to stop the flowing life force. As I thought about what to do instead, I could feel another person approaching.

Strawhat Luffy.

Meeting him face to face like this instead of through his Haki had a different effect. He didn't seem like a dangerous guy, in fact he seemed quite simple. Yet here Katakuri was, flat on his back after their battle. He had big, round black eyes that shone with determination –towards what, I didn't know just yet– and his mouth was set in a fine line. It unnerved me that I couldn’t take any emotions from his blank face. He was worse than when I first met Katakuri. Strawhat looked far more beat up than Katakuri, which I secretly relished, but was at least able to stumble his way towards us. I knew I stood no chance at fighting this guy if he wanted to finish off my husband, but I'd be damned if I didn't do anything.

"Go away! You won! Isn't that enough? He's already down, so just leave, go find your crew!" I splayed myself protectively in front of my husband. I wouldn't be much of a hindrance if this guy really wanted to get rid of me, though I could stall. If only for a few moments. He ignored me and got closer. I was shaking. Shaking in both anger and fear to make a deep magenta as he dared ignore me. When he was a few steps away, I covered half my arm in Haki –that was the most I could use even after 2 years of training– and threw a punch as hard as I could at him. Even in his weakened form, the infamous pirate caught my fist effortlessly. I strained against him, staring heatedly into his thoughtless eyes.

With the contact, I searched his emotions and intent, if only to predict his line of thought, but what I found was nothing I expected. Through the pain and exhaustion were strong threads of respect and twinges of sorrow. They were towards Katakuri. That caught me off guard, and the loss of concentration made my Haki disappear. Strawhat didn't move against me as he stared blankly into my confused eyes.

"I'm not gonna hurt him."

And for some reason, I believed him. I kept my eyes on him as I slowly took back my hand, my magenta lightening to a curious yellow. His grip wasn't very tight in the first place. He turned his attention to my still unconscious lover, and I watched as he stepped past me, took the black hat off of his namesake hat and put it over Katakuri's mouth. That surprised me even more. To think that Strawhat respected him enough to cover his biggest insecurity even after he won. Vice versa with Katakuri taking this fight so seriously that he exposed himself in full to this rambunctious teen.

The boy left after that, staggering his way aimlessly down a winding hall of the half destroyed Mirro-World. I'm sure Pekoms would find and help him. This was out of my hands now that Katakuri had been defeated. Returning my attention back to my lover, I let out a tired sigh. I'd never seen my husband look so beat up before. The thought of how much pain he must be in brought the tears back to my eyes. It was over now, his part was done, and everything was coming down.

"Oh, Kata. Your mother doesn't deserve you." My quiet words came out watery as I pet his dirty magenta hair a little, wishing I could hold him more, but I didn't want to cause him anymore pain. I wouldn't even be able to get serious help for him until Brulee came back, which I'm sure will be a while since Pekoms needed her for Strawhat's escape. I hope she's alright. My hand moved from his head to the black hat Strawhat had put over his mouth, removing it so I could see his full face. He was still the most handsome man ever. With a sad smile, I bent over and kissed his forehead hoping he would feel the love in it even while he was asleep.

Looking around, I saw my abandoned medical kit lying on the ground a bit of ways away slightly under some rubble. For hopefully one of the last times today, I made myself get up to retrieve it. My tears had slowed, but when I came back and began cleaning up my husband they streaked down my dirty face again. The warm rivulets of tears dripped from my chin and nose onto his chest as I leaned over him. Starting with his face, I used alcohol wipes to wipe away the dirt and gently clean his cuts. This medical kit only had basic things, so I used all the candy design bandages where I could, and the gauze on his big gash. After about half an hour of quietly working, my silent cries had been reduced to the occasional sniffle here and there.

The appearance of Katakuri had improved, and everything was at least cleaned, though he looked a bit silly with all the cutesy bandages covering his face and torso. With a weary sigh, I turned my attention to the pile of dirty and bloodied wipes with a grimace. As I began stuffing them into the basically empty medical kit, a groan interrupted the deafening background noise of the Mirro-World. My attention immediately snapped to my husband whose face was contorting from peace to pain. His large hand came up to his dirty locks, grasping at his head as he let out another sound of pain. My breath caught in my throat at the sound.

"Kat. . . Katakuri. . !" My throat closed up before I could get anything else out, and let myself fall down onto his free arm. I could feel him freeze as I let out all my pent up emotions. Everything oozed out of me like a toxic slime with each shuddering sob. Pain. Sorrow. Fear. Relief. All the tension I was holding in my chest slowly drained out of me. I was weak in the presence of my protector.

“You’re okay! You’re alive! Everything was rumbling and falling apart, I saw you fall and he came over and I thought he was gonna. . . he was gonna-!” I couldn’t even finish my sentence. I didn’t want to think about it anymore. Not right now at least. Maybe never again. Wave after wave of tears fell in fat blobs down my face, and I couldn’t stop shaking as I held on tight to Katakuri’s arm. I could feel his regret, pain and shame mixing in with my turbulent emotions at the sight of me crying. My antennae settled into a deep cerulean blue that lit up my crying visage. It wasn’t long before I felt his free hand come to my back and rub it gently. That only encouraged my breakdown, enticing me to hug his arm in my hold tighter.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I’ve put you through too much today. I’m sorry I couldn’t win. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough. I’m sorry-”

“No! Be-Be quiet!!” I shook my head in a childish manner, not wanting to hear those remorseful words misplaced in his mouth. His voice was shaky and his chest shuddered with every regretful word he pushed out, seemingly on the edge of joining me in tears. Whether that was my doing or his own sorrow showing itself, I didn't know. The sound of him being so defeated brought back the anger I felt earlier towards Strawhat, but this time it was aimed towards the real culprit: Big Mom.

None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t taken that blonde cook. He obviously wanted nothing to do with Germa, not that I blame him for disassociating from those monsters. Yes, Katakuri would always protect his family because of his own sense of responsibility and love, but she created and invited this threat, just like every other danger, to the family. I knew he could feel my silent anger, but I didn't dare bring up that topic right now. For the moment being, I was just worried about my husband, and only him.

Lifting my head up, my mouth was downturned in a frown as I subdued my crying and swallowed my indignation to continue talking. I saw the suspected tears in Katakuri’s eyes as he moved his shiny gaze from the ruined ceiling to my indignant face. Oh, how I hated that self-loathing look in his beautiful red eyes.

“None of this is your fault. You did your best, I know you did, Katakuri. Why are you apologizing to me when you took on such a powerful opponent with everything you had? You were lying here in a bloody heap at the end of your battle, all because of that damn Strawhat boy. You are more than enough. More than your mom or I deserve. The only thing you should be apologizing for is making me think you died.” The last part of my rant was whispered quietly, the words being the biggest fear I’ve had all day. I swiped at my face, trying fruitlessly to wipe away some of the wetness coating it. His sharp toothed mouth hung open like a fish out of water. He had nothing to say to my rebuttal, but the swelling of tears slipping down his face said it all.

The tight feeling of anger was washed away completely by that soft face. The face of a man who’s been given the grace he deserves. Seeing him crying made me smile. He would have never shown this type of emotion to anyone else in his family since he wanted to be seen as an immovable force that protects them, but now that image was shattered. And I'm starting to think it's a good thing he lost. I threw myself down onto his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck. A watery laugh escaped me as I buried my face into his strong neck and his large arms enveloped me in their comforting embrace. Even though he lost, he was still my protector. In his arms was still the safest place I felt I could be.

<コ:彡ミ☆<コ:彡ミ☆ <コ:彡ミミ☆ <コ:彡ミ☆ <コ:彡ミ☆ <コ:彡ミ☆

Muffled voices prodded at my subconscious. I couldn’t discern anything as I pressed my face closer to the warm, squishy thing I lay upon. One of the voices was deeper and closer than the others, the vibration of their words humming through my body. I tried to just ignore it and go back to sleep, but the longer the voices continued the more awake I became. And with my resurfacing consciousness came the pain of my body as I tried moving. The soreness everywhere and sharp pain on my knees made me grimace in regret.

“Shh. . . sleeping. . . don't wake. . .”

“. . . eeping? . . hard as a rock. . . she won’t wake. . .”

The two other voices that weren't the soothing rumbling began to argue, and until I opened my eyes I wasn't sure where I was, or who was talking. The first thing I saw was pink. Bleariness had my mind as slow as a tortoise as I peeled my face away from the squishy pink thing. Pulling away further, I realized it was a person’s chest. My husband’s chest to be exact. Finally, everything came rushing back and anxiety shot through me like an archer’s arrow. Despite my sore body’s protests, I sat up and looked around wildly.

I was in Katakuri and my’s room, lying in our bed. Katakuri sat propped up beside me with a lot of large pillows behind him and heavily bandaged. On either side of our bed was Cracker and Brulee, who was the source of the “hushed” bickering. Everyone froze when I popped up like a gopher. I probably looked like a mess right now, and acting so crazy definitely didn't help that rap. Brulee was the first to break the deafening silence.

“Y/N-nii! You're okay! I was so worried that you weren't gonna wake up just like Katakuri-nii! It was horrible what you two went through! That damn Strawhat, I'll kill him myself!” The large, wispy woman had pounced on me when she started her blubbering, holding onto me tightly by my waist while crying into my stomach. Her tight embrace didn't do my aching body any favors, but the familiar touch made me relax. Her feelings of relief and joy gave me a small boost of energy.

“Sorry to worry you, Brulee. It's okay, I'm fine.” I wheezed out with strained breaths.

“Get off of her, you witch! You’re really gonna kill her like that!” Cracker came to my rescue in his own little Cracker way. His instigation made the emotional woman let go of me and engage in yet another bickering match, but this one was full volume now that they didn't have to worry about waking me up. I rubbed at my tender muscles while letting out a few amused chuckles. With his siblings’ distraction, I had forgotten to address my husband beside me.

“I'm glad you're awake.” His baritone voice commented quietly. My heart leapt to my throat, and I couldn't turn around fast enough to fully focus on him. There he was, in all his handsome glory. The fact that I could see his whole face caught me off guard. I glanced from him to his two siblings with a silent question before scooting back to his bare side. I decided to voice my obvious question when he said nothing.

“Why aren't you wearing-?”

“I don't need it. At least not with them, and not right now. Mama has decided to continue pursuing Strawhat who is heading to Wano. Some of our siblings are going with her while the rest of us stay to recuperate and rebuild the kingdom.” Despite his serious words, there was a small smile on Katakuri’s face as he talked about his mother going to chase Strawhat Luffy. It made me think about the question he asked that boy. The connection made me giggle.

Cracker and Brulee stopped their argument at my tinkle of laughter. I couldn't hold it in, and my giggles grew into a full on laughter. Katakuri smiled happily at my joy, soon joining me with a few low chuckles of his own that blossomed into one of his rare laughters as well. We couldn't see it, but Brulee was smiling fondly at our seemingly random laughter with Cracker looking bewildered between all three of us.

“What the fuck are you both laughin-”

“Come on, let's go check on our other siblings, Cracker.” Brulee grabbed Cracker by a bandaged arm, eliciting a pained cry from him, and dragged him from his seat to our nearby full length mirror. With a hefty push from the tall woman, Cracker was sent into the Mirro-World. Before she went through herself, she spoke to us as we came down from our laughing high.

“You two should rest. I'll tell everyone to let you have your time alone today, wiwiwi.~” And with that, we were alone. I sat there catching my breath as the peace settled in our room. A deep breath quieted my emotions into content, and I could feel the same coming from my paramount husband. My arms snaked around as much of his chest as they could and gave him a tight squeeze which I was sure he barely felt.

“I'm glad you're happy. Happier. Maybe now. . . you could be more yourself. No more hiding and putting up that omnipotent facade.” Hope for my lover’s possible boost in his self-image bloomed in my chest as I slowly tilted my head up to look at him. He wouldn't look me in the eye, and there was a solemn doubt in his eyes and heart.

“Perhaps. Though, things of this matter are not so easily changed. Especially not in my family. You know this.” His comment procured a furrow on my brow. Not wanting him to fall off into a dark place again so quickly, I moved into his lap, straddling his waist as my small hands reached up to direct his face to mine.

“What if you were the one to change that?” That simple question held a few different meanings. Meanings I'm sure the man before me could easily decipher after three years of marriage. He’d never admit it to anyone, but I felt it. I felt his relief when he lost. The joy when Strawhat said he’d come back. The buried hope that Big Mom would fall. Every burden he’s been caused was because of his mother, as is with his siblings. It was a sure bet that Katakuri would be voted the captain of the Big Mom Pirates if his mother fell. Then he could begin to heal his family and himself.

Katakuri stayed quiet for a good few moments, but I didn't need a verbal answer. I knew the answer of his heart. With my hands on his jaw, and us finally being alone after such a long, draining battle, I couldn't help the beckoning I felt towards him. Even all bandaged up and bed ridden, Katakuri still had my heart and body in a hold. The pain of the cuts on my knees were no match for the yearning burning in me. With deliberate movements, it didn't take long for my lips to slowly mesh into his. The familiar feeling of his sharp teeth prodded at my chin and upper lip, but it just spurred me on. He tasted like donuts, as usual.

Katakuri seemed to have no qualms with my choice of action since his large hands were soon encompassing my hips. Lithe fingertips danced from his jaw to the back of his neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps along the way. His semi upright position on the bed made it easier for me to lay upon him fully and deepen our sweet kiss. My heart raced faster, and I already knew my antennae were a deep rose pink as they lowered against my head. With flushed cheeks, I minimally pulled away to catch my breath. Upon opening my eyes, my lust filled ones were met with the love littered ones of my husband. The look he gave me, made me a bit shy for being so forthright with my desires. Though, the tent I felt against my butt suggested that it was not unwelcome.

After a brief spell of bashfulness, I willed myself to continue. It was too late to stop, and I had done enough holding back during the day of the wedding. Not to mention the time I've been asleep. With that thought in mind, I crashed my eager mouth back into Katakuri’s, wrapping my arms around his muscled neck. I could feel him taking in a deep breath through nose but didn't pull away. In fact, he pulled me closer by my hips. Kata was as needy as I was, but still maintained his self-restrictions. His apprehensiveness to indulge himself in me had my clenching insides groaning in exasperation. It wasn't long before I was pushing myself back against his growing sex with apparent longing.

Our passionate kiss devolved into one of sloppy desire until I wrenched my lips from his to latch onto his neck. With it being covered all the time, it was an easy weakness I could exploit. Just a soft faux bite right below his jaw had him squeezing my hips tighter. A restrained groan hummed against my mouth as Kata let out hot, heavy pants against my shoulder. I continued my soft bites into his warm skin. My teeth sunk into his flesh, tasting mochi, which showed that he allowed me to do this. The feeling of his large muscles straining against me as he still held himself back drew out soft whines from my throat.

“Kata.~ Please, I need you so bad. I know you want to use me.” My usually modest voice rang with sultry desire as I whispered into my husband’s ear. My teasing yanked another seemingly pained groan from him, making him press his sharp nose to my shoulder. Those sharp teeth were just a hair away from my own neck. The thought of what he could do to me with them made me shiver.

“Don't do this to me, love. I can't. . . I might just. . .” He growled out his labored warning to me. Usually, I would back off and continue to set the pace, but today was different. Today, I wanted to press all the wrong buttons to get the “punishment” I've always been threatened with. For once I wanted my husband to be the one in pure sensual bliss. He deserved it after everything he’s been through. This was my gift to him. If he couldn't unapologetically be himself anywhere else in his life, I wanted him to be completely open with me. Verbally and physically.

Deciding upon this course of action put a tingle in my spine. I could finally do all the teasing I wanted and say all those things that drove him crazy. Katakuri had been preoccupying himself with kneading my bare thighs from under my nightgown and leaving soft kisses along my now exposed shoulder. Soft mumbles of praise from him to me sung into my ears, only making me more excited for what was to come. He was already teetering on a thin edge.

I continued to roll my hips back and forth against his fully hard bulge. Slowly and deliberately. A soft whimper escaped me each time I rolled just right over my sensitive spot, clinging to him like he was my lifeline.

“You can't leave me like this. I want it all, I know I can take it. Just fuck me all you want. It'd be so easy and feel so good.~” Yet another growl rumbled against my chest from his as I continued whispering dirty nothings in his ear.

“Y/N. Stop. Please.” He used my full name. He was serious, but despite his firm tone, I could feel his raging lust banging on the grates of his body. Screaming from the sewers to let it come out to play to its heart content. I was dangling the key so carelessly above the ravenous hands stretching through the gaps. My own lust had already taken over my body. It was in control with the rest of my emotions tied up and left to watch with morbid curiosity how this would end. All I did was smile and run my hands down his chiseled chest.

I didn't respond to his plea and demand, but instead continued my dangerous game. I detached myself from him and led my lips on a trail from his neck to his waist band. As I looked up at my needy lover, I could see the dangerous glint in his red eyes. Not the one he got when he was fighting, this was different. It felt more animalistic and unkempt. Something I hadn't felt in him before. It was like there was a whole new part of him that had been closed off, and I was the first to experience it this way. My butt swayed restlessly behind me, my lower stomach begging for relief of this infernal itch deep inside me. And there was only one way to get rid of it. Excitement overrode my momentary fear as I held his warning gaze while making quick work of his pants and boxers.

Finally, the thing I pined after stood before me, lighting my body abuzz and cheeks ablaze. Precum had darkened a wet spot on his boxers and showed no signs of stopping as his cock twitched and pulsed in my hands. A giggle bubbled out of me as I pressed my cheek to the shaft and kissed my way up to the soft, wet tip. I hummed in satisfaction when the soft pink head slid into my mouth, my tongue swirling around his sensitive glands. Just with this much, my mouth was half full, but I knew that other parts of me could handle him just fine. I felt like I could handle anything as long as it satisfied him. This progress had Katakuri moaning and gently holding my head. There was no push of his hands or buck of his hips, but I knew he wanted more. Well if he wanted more today, then he’d have to take more. I let go of my tight grip on his head with a pop, licking my lips as I swallowed his stringy fluids.

“Doesn't my mouth feel good? You know what would feel even better than my little mouth?” I called out once again to Kata, bringing him out of his haze of pleasure. I continued to slowly pump his full length with both hands, but only rubbed his tip along my now wet cheek.

“Ka-ta-kur-i.~ Why don't you wanna make your wife feel good?~ I'm begging you.~ I promise it will feel great for both of us.~ Please?~” A faux pout puffed my cheeks when he didn't respond, just letting out those deep, restraining growls and grunts. I knew it would take more than a little teasing to get him to let loose. I let go of his cock fully and sat up on my bandaged knees. The adrenaline pumping through my hot body nulled the pain from them as I took the straps of my nightgown and tugged them leisurely down my arms. The thin, flowy fabric of the gown already showed my perked up nipples through it, but I knew he liked seeing the real deal. The small straps fell off my fingers, but bunched up on my hips, unable to completely fall off without some assistance.

I crawled back on top of my heavily breathing husband, his sharp eyes hooded with lust, hovering my gooey entrance over his weeping tip. The urge to slide down on it, and ride us both to completion was tempting, but kept my eyes on the prize. Or eyes on the punishment, more like. With us face to face again, I could feel the hot breaths emanating from his mouth and fanning against my face. He could feel my awaiting sex so close as well. Those dangerous eyes trailed from my exposed breasts to my still covered lower half leaving me feeling vulnerable under their piercing scrutiny. He was expecting me to continue my undressing and, subsequently, start riding him like usual. All I did was give him a smile.

“Need some help?” He asked lowly and gruffly. There was a gravel to his voice that brought back the urge once again. It was so close. No. I had a plan. I reserved the right to give my husband what he needs. Even if he doesn’t think he needs it. I gave a nod, unable to talk as his hot gaze stayed on my face. Wanting to ignore his commanding stare, I moved closer to his face. I knew something that he fell apart at. My damp lips pressed against the clammy skin of his cheek, adorning his scar with a kiss. I didn't stop at one, and softly placed a kiss all along his left cheek’s scar. The skin was smooth but raised, and I would imagine it was as sensitive as his neck. My assumption was proven right when he sucked in a sharp breath, held it, then let it out shakily.

I could feel his hands squeeze at the damp skin on my thighs closest to my entrance before languidly sliding up to my silky gown. Suddenly, with what seemed like little to no effort, he grabbed both sides of my clothing and tore it in two along with my panties. The sound of the threads snapping so quickly had my breath catching in my throat. Pulling back from his cheek, his eyebrows were furrowed like he was angry, and he was. Angry at the built up sexual frustration and my teasing. Gradually, he sat up, making me quickly hug onto his neck and press my fully naked body to his chest. It didn't take long for our positions to be switched with me underneath Katakuri, and him huffing above me. His hands were quick to push down his pants more and tug them off of himself fully, but swiftly went back to caging me against the bed.

“Do you need something, dear?~” I moved to an innocent facade, but I knew he saw right through me. I was excited and the way my legs wrapped around his waist and positioned his head at my awaiting entrance was proof of that. He didn't respond yet, and just moved his right arm above me to hold himself up as his left hand moved underneath my lower back to hold me tight. Not too tight to hurt me, but I couldn't hope to get out of his grip. Not that I wanted to.

“You want to take me whole? Want to make me feel good with your little needy hole? Is that what my pretty little wife wants?” Katakuri hardly ever talked dirty to me. Usually it was just praise and sweet talk as we took it slow, maybe the occasional innuendo. But this was him listening to my wants and his needs obliging. This new side of him had me half scared of the consequences and half begging for the pleasure. The duality wasn’t hard to choose between. He was standing on the wire, and all I had to do was blow him one way or another. This was probably my last chance to turn back.

“I need an answer, love. Tell me to stop.” His soft voice was begging me to tell him no. He was scared of hurting me still, even though he so clearly wanted to fuck me to his heart’s content. I had convinced a part of him to act on his wants for once. The sweet side of him that I was used to was barely holding back the ravenous animal that was clawing its way to the surface. All I could do was smile and put a hand to his clenched jaw as I raised my lips to his ear.

“Do what you want.~” A silent beat. Two. A deep, almost pained, groan erupted from my husband. Soon, my twitchy insides were being stretched to their limits. His impossibly hard cock was already halfway inside of me, bullying its way to my cervix. The suddenness knocked the breath out of me, but a gasping moan fell from my lips. I clenched hard around his member, telling him to continue. My efforts were met with a deeply pleasured moan from the giant man above me. Before now, Katakuri would have told me to stop here to keep me from hurting myself. That worry was nowhere to be seen now as his hips pulled back slowly only to snap forward once again, burying his cock deeper inside of me still.

“Fuck! Oh my gosh, it's so good! Kata!” My words slurred together as the disarming pleasure rolled through my body like a riptide, sweeping my wits from under me. I never knew sex could feel this wild. My reactions to his movements reassured the part of him still worried about my well being, allowing him to more assuredly continue his pace. A steady rhythm was set, faster than one we’ve had before. His large hand encapsulating my waist moved me back and forth in sync with his hips. I felt like a ragdoll being used for his pleasure. Each deep pound felt like I was being split apart, but I could hardly keep up with every one as my head spun with pleasure.

Katakuri was in no better state than I was, seemingly drunk on the bliss that fucking me like this brought. His face was buried in the pillow above my head, and I could hear him mumbling to himself. It was hard to pick up every word, but I could tell it was about how good he felt. The satisfaction of hearing him sound so lost in the pleasure only made every snap of his hips feel that much better. I explored his sweaty chest with my hands as my legs clung to his sides. One hand traveled up to his damp, magenta locks, raking their way up and down his scalp. This enticed him to lower his head from the pillow to my face and engage me in a sloppy yet passionate kiss.

I desperately sunk my fingers into his hair, holding him to me as we made out. I craved him, every last part of him I adored and I wanted all of him to be mine. Needy whines and whimpers of mine sounded into our kiss as I departed to talk.

“Don't stop. Don't stop until you're satisfied. I love you so much, please, feel so good for me. You're so deep in me and I love it!~” The confident attitude I had earlier had dissipated in the face of Katakuri’s raw power, and now I just wanted to please my husband. His whole cock was almost fully sheathed inside of me every time his hips hit my thighs. My insides felt so gooey and stretched out already. I had already cum once, and everything was getting to be too much. We hadn’t gone this long before, and I wasn't used to the power of his full thrusts.

Katakuri stared down at me, locked onto my blissed out face contorted erotically as I begged for him. That seemed to spur him up again, and I could feel a burst of love and sexual fervor rush from him to me. With renewed energy, he sat up on his knees, taking his member out of me. The emptiness I felt without him made me fuss and shake my hips in dissatisfaction. Without a word, I was flipped over onto my stomach and returned the fullness of my husband’s cock but from behind. His hot tip dragged along all the right places as he slid inside me again. Involuntarily, my eyes rolled back, and a loud groan escaped me. The same hand returned to its spot around my waist to hold me in place as Katakuri restarted his pace in this new position.

This turn of events knocked the breath of me again, and I was left wheezing as he lay on top of me, pressing me into the bed with his hard chest at my back. Nails gripped the sheets, toes curled, but I couldn't let out a single word. I didn't have to because he began mumbling again, but this time in my ear so I could hear.

“I have such a beautiful wife. I'm so lucky to have you, I'm sorry I'm so selfish. It just feels so good, you feel so good. Thank you for letting me feel so good with you. I can't stop until I make you feel the best. I love you too, Y/N, I love you.” He continued to repeat snippets of that as he got sloppy with his thrusts. Despite the slower pace, each thrust slammed into my butt like a sledgehammer, bringing out my second orgasm. This one was more intense as tears sprouted to my eyes and my walls spasmed hard around his cock. The overstimulation left me a wreck as I blubbered out, “I'm cumming, cummin’, cumminggg!~” deliriously.

That was the last straw for Katakuri as he grunted loudly a few times before quickly pulling out and making a mess of my back with his own cum. Harsh breaths from both of us filled the muggy, sex smelling air of our room. It didn't take long for Katakuri to finish letting everything out, so soon he collapsed beside me on his back. We both took a good amount of time calming down from the heated sex we just had. I was fully satisfied, if not overly so, as I lay there covered in cum and with my orgasm leaking out of me. I could already feel my back hurting from the arch it was forced into by my lover's thrusts and weight, but none of that mattered.

All that mattered was the dazed look of full satisfaction in Katakuri’s eyes as he came down from his high. He always held himself back when we had sex. This was the last wall he had up in front of me, that deep rooted fear of hurting me keeping him from entirely enjoying himself. I was grateful for the amount of vulnerability I was able to see from my paramount husband on a regular basis, but call me greedy because I wanted every last part of him on display for me. We were two very opposite people when it came to sharing our wants and needs, but as we’ve proved over the past three years, opposites attract.

“Can. . . we do that more?” Asked a meek Katakuri, his deep voice cutting through the silence. My face was buried in the mattress, but I turned it towards him with a lopsided smile.

“I thought you'd never ask. Though, maybe next time we should use protection so you don't have to pull out.” I winked at him as his already red cheeks darkened. An embarrassed groan escaped him and he quickly got up to head to the bathroom.

“I'm getting a towel for you and running a bath. Maybe once you're clean you'll stop instigating such dirty actions.” He grumbled, making me pout. I opened my mouth to retort, but he beat me to the punch.

“Don't say that unless you’re ready for the punishment.”

Damn his future vision. With a huff, I stayed silent and just waited for my towel. For now. As I waited, my gaze drifted over to Katakuri’s nightstand. On it sat that dirty black hat that Strawhat put on his mouth after their battle. My eyes softened at the memento. I'd have to thank Strawhat one day for what he did for Katakuri.

My antennae turned dusty pink.

And with that, This little unexpected mini series of my favorite mochi man ends.~ This won't be the last of him, but I have other wonderful characters that are calling my name.~ Thank you, dearies, and see you, hopefully, soon.~

Part 1 <- - Part 2 <- - Part 3

#charlotte katakuri #one piece #katakuri #mochi man #one piece katakuri #wci #katakuri x reader #x reader #female reader #knacks writes #charlotte katakuri x reader #lemon #smut

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fxlling13 · 5 months

Text

Because Of You

Part 2.

Dh!Master x fem reader

Part 1

Synopsis: you finally get away from the doctor.

Warning: bad language. Blood. Pain

(A/N: so I decided to write part 2 haha. And in a different pov. Just ahead of this weekend obviously)

After another harrowing adventure, it was safe to say you were exhausted. And now the master was banned from tagging along. Apparently he’d become dangerous again. In reality, you knew the doctor was still bitter over your bond. Plus, it gave him alone time to plot an escape. He knew where his tardis was, it was just getting there. Before you had chance to find him, the doc stopped you and announced she had somewhere else to take the two of you. Yaz was thrilled, smiling as the blonde began to ramble.

“I’m tired.” You spoke softly, hoping for some understanding. At that moment, all you wanted was your bed. After spending the past five hours constantly running, that’s exactly what you needed. That and a bath. Instead, the doctor rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“I’m not stupid (y/n). I know that you’re just going to find the master.” You sighed tiredly, rubbing your eyes. Not having the energy to argue, you just shrugged.

“I wasn’t but never mind. Let’s go.”

Oh how you wished you could have stood up for yourself more. As you were hiding behind a large stack of crates, your heart was pounding and your ears ringing. The doctor and yaz were nowhere in sight. They had fled without a second thought. So here you were, listening as heavy footsteps grew louder and you knew you had to get out. Pulling yourself up, you dashed for the door and found a padlock. Great.

“Human life sign detected.” A robotic voice echoed around the metallic room and your blood ran cold. Having no other choice, you smashed the lock with your fists and ran through the door. Sadly, there were armed guards ready which meant your legs carried on. On the other hand, their weapons were knives so easier to evade. Saying that, one managed to snag your shoulder as you rounded a sharp corner. Quite literally. Seeing the tardis, you threw yourself inside with urgency and slammed the door.

“There you are!” Yaz yelled, but not with relief. Turning round, you gaped for air as your lungs were burning.

“The hell did you go! We’ve been waiting here like idiots. Couldn’t you keep up?” The doctor was almost screaming, storming over to you with purpose. Now confused, you rested against the wooden doors to steady yourself.

“We had the right to just fly off and leave you there!”

“Then why didn’t you? It’s not my fault, you abandoned me. I told you I was tired.” You spoke through heavy breathing, adrenaline wearing off. Once again, the doctor rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“You love to make excuses up huh? I hate liars.” Everything caught up to you, your anger becoming too much. Harshly, you shoved the blonde back.

“You think I’m lying? Look at me!” Yaz was quick to go to the doctor, holding her close.

“I’m covered in blood! Because you left me alone with a set of killer robots!” You shouted in a fit of rage. And you were right. Your hand was balled up, each knuckle wounded. Your shoulder had a large gash to go with this, the pain becoming more apparent each second. Huffing, you pushed past them weakly and began to walk up the stairs before stopping. Turning back to the two women, you pressed your lips together before speaking.

“He would never let me get hurt.” Your words hit the doctor hard and Yaz had to keep her restrained as you left. Once around the corner and down the corridor, your lip began to tremble and your body grew weaker. Suddenly, you felt hands land on your shoulders and gazed up only to instantly relax. The master peered down at you with worry. You succumbed to your needs and fell into his chest with ease. Your body wracked with sobs and the man holding you tightened his grip.

“Hey hey. It’s okay sweets.” Hooking his hands under your arms, he picked you up effortlessly. Your legs wrapped around his waist and you clung on weakly.

“I’ve got you now.” The masters voice was low and gentle, his hand running along your back. You faintly heard him mutter ‘hold on’ before your head began to spin. More than it already was. Everything was hazy, falling in and out of consciousness. You barely registered what your body was feeling. But you could make out the press of the masters lips to your temple. Then everything went black.

The doctor stood in the console room, messing around with the controls. She could feel eyes boring into the back of her head and sighed.

“What do you want?” She sounded bored, turning to face the master. He strolled over, jacket long gone and hands tucked into his pockets.

“You haven’t noticed.” Was all he said, standing right in front of her. The doctor furrowed her brows, casting her eyes around.

“What?” He just chuckled at her not knowing and aimlessly walked around the console.

“You and (y/n) had a pretty heated fight I see.”

“Only because you have corrupted her.” Scoffing, the male leant against a pillar and tilted his head.

“No I haven’t. And you know I haven’t. That’s what’s driving you mad.” He slowly took a step towards the blonde with a smile on his lips.

“You can’t stand that she chose me over you.” He chuckled, running his tongue along his teeth. Pulling his hand out, he twirled it round in the air with expression.

“And to make things worse for your overworked brain, it kills you that she loves me. Doesn’t it?” The doctors nostrils flared with rage, nails digging into her palm as the master continued on.

“And I love her. The one human you can’t have. Because she’s mine.” He finished, smiling smugly.

The Doctor went to slap him but he grabbed her wrist with force. They stared each other down, him finding intense joy at her upset. Laughing, the master moved away and head up the steps.

“What is it then? What haven’t I noticed?” The doctor spat, halting the man. Smirking, he turned and looked at her with pity.

“We’ve been gone three days.” He whispered patronisingly, waving at her before pulling out his TCE and disappearing. Leaving the doctor to wallow in her own feelings.

When you awoke, you found yourself in a room you didn’t recognise. What you did know, was you were lying in the most comfortable bed you had ever been in. Purple silk sheets surrounded your body, your head resting on two perfectly fluffed pillows. Gazing around the room, you saw how nicely it was decorated. In front of the newly found four poster bed, was a cracking fire. A beautiful grey tiled mantelpiece encased it with intricate galifreyan carvings. The wall to your left was lined with dark book shelves with the most luxurious books imaginable. There was also a desk slotted between. Slowly, you sat up and looked down at your hands. They were neatly wrapped up, as was your shoulder. Then you realised you were wearing only your bra and a pair of very loose pyjama pants.

“You’re finally awake.” The masters voice greeted you warmly, the door clicking shut behind him. Coming to your side, he perched on the edge of the bed.

“Where am I?” You asked, voice horse. Smiling, he placed his hand in yours and you relaxed immediately.

“On my tardis. In my room to be more specific.” He told you, happy to see the relief on your face.

“You got us out?”

“Of course I did, love. I couldn’t let her treat you like that any more.” Gently, he reached up and stroked your cheek, thumbing the skin with care. His eyes raked over your figure, fingers tracing the bandages.

“I hope you don’t mind your attire. I wanted to make sure I could clean everything.” Blushing, you shivered under his touch but shook your head.

“I don’t mind. How long was I out?”

“Three days, I put your mind in a deep state of rest.” The master moved closer, almost caging you against the pillows. But you didn’t complain, instead you felt comfort. He rested his hand by your waist, your own hand came to hold his arm securely. Almost hugging it.

“I went back to the doctor. Gave it to her straight. I should have hurt her but, I couldn’t leave you for that long.” Smiling at his words, you rested your head on his shoulder and sighed.

“How about my room? Do you like it? It’s much better than the doctor’s tardis right?” You almost giggled at his need of approval.

“I love it. It’s a lot nicer so far. Plus your bed is so comfy.” Leaning back against the pillows, the master helped you to sit straight and get comfortable. Inching closer, the man was still facing you but practically sat on the bed beside you. His hand landed on your clothed thigh, smoothing over the fabric tentatively.

“She hadn’t noticed, by the way. We’ve been gone for three whole days. And the doctor didn’t notice a thing.” He laughed, simpering as he lined the pattern on your pants with his finger.

“Why would she? I’m not important. You on the other hand-“

“Don’t say that ever again.” He spoke sternly, eyes looking straight into your own. Frowning, you cast your gaze down to his hand on your thigh.

“But I’m not important to her. And I don’t care.”

“Well you’re important to me. And I’ll destroy whole galaxies to prove that.” Your heart sped up, swallowing thickly and hoping he couldn’t tell how flustered he was making you.

“Really?” You questioned, causing him to hum in confirmation. Sucking in a breath, the master trailed his hand along your inner thigh and up to your waist.

“Yes. I will burn heaven and earth for you.” His eyes flicked down to your lips briefly, the blush on your face spreading to your ears. You looked up at him shyly, lashes fluttering.

“Stop looking at me like that, (y/n).” The master groaned, leaving you confused.

“Why?” Smirking a little, he cupped your jaw with intention. Without saying another word, he leant forward and pressed his lips to yours. Heat filled your body. You kissed back instantly, ignoring the initial shock. Your arms wrapped around his neck to tug him in closer, the male practically hovering over you by then. He pulled back with caution, smiling down at you.

“That’s why.” Gleefully, you rolled over, successfully pinning him beneath you. The master grinned, holding your waist. He looked proud at your tactical move.

“Hah. Got you.” You giggled playfully, resting your elbow down to get closer to him.

“Only you can get away with man handling me, dear.”

Delicately, he traced along your face before trailing down and leaving his hand to cup the side of your neck. Placing your own free hand on his chest, you sighed.

“How do we get back at the doctor? You must have a trick up your sleeve?” You wondered out loud, hearing him cackle slightly.

“Oh of course I do. And with you by my side? It’ll be easier than ever to get her exactly where she deserves to be.”

#doctor who #doctor who x y/n #dhawan master x reader #the doctor x reader #thirteenth doctor x reader #13th doctor x reader #whittaker!master #dhawan!master #whittaker!master x reader #the master x reader

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parkersbliss · 2 years

Note

Could we have Five x Reader who is basically Black Cat or looks like Black Cat/Felicia Hardy? Feel completely free to ignore this if you don't feel like it and I hope you're having a nice day, thanks for all the stuff you write for Five<3.

thank u <3

That all? | F. Hargreeves

pairing: five hargreeves x black cat!reader

wc; 853

warnings: lots of sexual innuendo haha, spicyish scenes, violence

synopsis: all you do is flirt and five wishes you would shut the hell up

requests: CLOSED

a/n: five is 18+ here!!! mentally 30 something

Masterlist | Taglist | Prompt list

—

“There are easier ways to get me in the bedroom, you know,” You said, throwing a wink at the boy.

He rolls his eyes with a scoff. “Your head is so far up your ass you clearly can’t see the waves of disgust rolling off me.”

You quirk a brow at him. “What waves of disgust? All I’m getting is a whiff of narcissism.”

Five just clicks his tongue, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Are you going to help or what?”

You drag a hand across his shoulder, white hair ticking his neck as you lean in to whisper. “Help with what?”

Five tenses under your touch, but then wrinkles his nose and steps back. His face is red when he turns to face you and your smirk. “Help search for the goddamn file!”

“That all?”

Five narrows his eyes at you. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but yes, that’s it.”

You shrug. “How unfortunate.”

Five crosses to the other side of the room, digging through the person’s desk. You do the same on the other side of the room, carefully peeking at each file. You discard them with little interest. You were only vaguely aware of what you were looking for. Honestly, you were more preoccupied with Five. Despite your flirty remarks, he remains… unaffected.

He genuinely seems repulsed by you.

And you hate it.

After all, he was the only person you’d ever wanted. Though you’d never say that out loud. You frown, sifting through more files when Five stops, and he stares out the door.

“What?” You ask, following his gaze.

“Someone’s here.”

As if on cue, multiple footsteps and voices are heard. Flashlights bounce off the wall, and Five curses under his breath.

“Hey!” Someone shouts, pointing towards where you were.

You meet Five in the middle of the bedroom. He rolls his shoulders back, then cracks his neck.

“Got any other moves, old man?”

“None you’d like.”

You whistle. “How would you know what I like? Do you imagine it late at night when you’re bored?”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Not denying,” You sing-song, placing a hand on his arm and grinning up at him. He shakes you off.

“No, I do not. Now please stop messing around. We have company.”

Before you can reply, Five blinks towards the first man entering the room, grabbing their gun, and slamming the butt of it into their head.

The other guards rush into the room, and you decide to take action. The first guard to pass Five starts shooting at you and misses every single time.

“Bad luck?” You pout.

He furrows his brows in confusion, and you take your chance to slash at his chest with your claws. He doubles over, and you knee him in the stomach before smacking your elbow on his back. He falls to the ground with a groan. Once he’s down, you crush his neck with your foot and move on.

Another guard fires at you, and you slip past each bullet with ease. Once you reach him, you punch him in the nose. One hand flies to his face as you disarm him and shoot him in the head. On the other side of the room, Five groans, and your eyes snap up.

Breaking out into a run, you use a chair as leverage to jump and grab hold of the chandelier before swinging towards the first guy. You let go, balancing yourself on his shoulders, and cut his neck with a single claw. He falls to the ground, and you flip off him, grabbing onto the back of the other guard.

He yelps in surprise as your claws dig into his shoulders. You wrap your legs around his waist and swing yourself up and over his head. You sink your claws deeper so that when landing, you can throw him to the ground.

Once doing so, Five fixes his tie before snapping the person's neck.

“You’re better than I thought,” Five comments.

“I’m better than you think at lots of things,” You replied with a wink.

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

“I’d love to demonstrate for you.”

You step closer to Five, enough to reach one claw out and drag it down his cheek. “I can show you everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

Five’s lips purse into a thin line as he grabs your wrist. His hot breath hits your face. “And I can show you excruciating pain.”

“I knew you were into that.”

The boy’s grip on your wrist tightens before he throws you back with a huff. “I can’t fucking stand you.”

“But you can stand fucking me.”

“Yeah, 'cause I like you better with a cloth stuffed in your mouth.”

“That all?”

The boy just blinks out of the room in response, and you laugh. But then he blinks back, grabs your jaws, kisses you harshly, and shoves you up against the desk. Your hands tug on his hair as his slide under your shirt, but then he pulls back with a shit-eating grin.

“That’s all,” He said, and this time when he blinked away, he didn’t come back.

— END —

#five hargreeves #five hargreeves x you #five hargreaves x reader #five hargreeves x reader #five x reader #five x you #five x y/n #tua five x reader #tua #tua fic #the umbrella academy season 2 #the umbrella academy #tua s2 #tua five #tua s3 #aidan gallagher

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acourtofpenandpaper · 3 months

Text

Just pretending (Astarion x reader)

Pairing: Astarion x GNreader/Tav Length: 800 words Part 2 coming soon

Blurb: When Astarion and Tav get followed by guards of a warehouse they wanted to steal from, Astarion comes up with an unusual way to get them off the back.

Tags: part 1 of a fluffy short, a bit heated moment

The guards weren’t far behind us, and we both quickened our steps. Earlier that day, when I had voiced my concerns on sneaking into the warehouse to steal some supplies and cool gear, Astarion had simply shrugged me off.

“Don’t be such a scaredy-cat, we have pulled off greater heists in the past”, he had boasted while dismissing my worries as mere pessimistic thoughts.

Now, as I caught a glimpse to my side, I could see the sweat glistening on the forehead of the pale vampire as we rushed through the streets of Baldur’s Gate.

Turned out, that said warehouse which, according to Astarion ‘wasn’t guarded heavily’, was indeed heavily guarded. And the plan that Astarion had come up with turned out to have no solution for when we got caught. I reminded myself to never let him plan anything ever again when we both got out of this situation.

I looked behind my back to see two guards running after us, catching up with every second. The only reason they hadn’t caught us yet was because of other civilians standing in their way. But any minute now, we wouldn’t be so lucky anymore. I was starting to feel exhaustion coming in and tried to use the little breath in my lungs to shout towards Astarion:

“What are we going to do? They are still after us!”

Astarion looked behind his back as well and almost ran over the cart of a street vendor but in the last moment, jumped out of the way. He stayed silent, to my dismay because we both needed to get out of this situation and better two minutes ago than later.

I was almost ready to surrender myself to our followers and give over the gear when Astarion’s eyes lit up, he got ahold of my wrist and pulled me into the next alleyway. We took two sharp turns to the right and from the signs around us, I recognized the tavern, we semi-regularly frequented with our friends.

Two steps in front of me, Astarion slowly came to a halt, panting, his chest rising and falling. I almost ran into him because I wasn’t expecting to stop so suddenly, so I caught my breath and asked:

“Why are we stopping? They will come around the corner any seco…”

But before I was able to finish my sentence, Astarion had pushed me against the wall of the tavern and stepped so close to me that his whole body hovered over mine. Then he looked me in the eyes and mouthed:

“Play along.”

“Play along with what?”

Then, without giving me time to process my thoughts, he embraced my face with both his hands and came so close that our noses brushed against each other. I could feel his heavy breath against my lips and was sure that he could feel mine, too. But I just stayed like that, his mouth hovering just millimeters over mine and us both watching each other.

“Let your hands roam over my back.” He didn’t say it out loud, but I could hear his thoughts over our connected tadpoles. Without giving it much thought, I moved my hands from my sides to his back and gripped the fabric of his shirt.

Then, he angled his head and brought it up to my neck, as if he would caress it with his mouth or, drink from it from the look of a bystander. All this without his lips ever touching my skin but his breath burned itself onto my neck and I wished he would really touch me.

My eyes were still wide open, and I couldn’t quite believe what was happening. But in the corner of my vision, I could make out two silhouettes which were looking into every street but eventually, ran past the alleyway we were standing in. Now I understood what he meant by playing along. When I was sure that they had run off, I finally murmured:

“Hmmm…Astarion? They are gone…we can stop pretending.”

“Oh, yeah right”, he said and stepped away from me. “Sorry, that must have been surprising, but I had this idea suddenly and just wanted to get them off our heels. Are you alright?”

His eyes scanned me up and down. I nodded and we continued our way to the camp just outside the city.

“I am okay. Thank God you had this idea, I don’t know if I could’ve run anymore.”

“Same here. Maybe we should better scout the areas we want to get into next time”, he suggested, and I burst into a fit of laughing and playfully pushed him against his shoulder.

“That coming from you? Mr. Wing it? I told you we should investigate the guarding system of the warehouse, but you were all like ‘It will be fine”, I said and tried to mimic his voice.

He scrunched up his nose. “I totally don’t sound like that.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Not discussing this with you”, he said, and we both continued our way.

And I wondered what his lips would have felt like if he had really kissed me…

#astarion #astarion fanfic #astarion bg3 #astarion short story #bg3 fanfiction #baldurs gate fanfiction #baldurs gate #multipart fic #astarion fluff #astarion x reader #astarion x tav #astarion x gn reader

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joesanrio · 10 months

Text

He’s mad now | R.R

Summary: Nova coming back from college was one of the best days- or I guess nights of her life.

Pairings: Joe Anoa’i x Nova (OC) || non-established relationship

Warnings: arguing, cheating, kissing, pet names (princess,baby), grinding, dry humping, fingering.

Rating: 18+

A/N: …something about Joe being irritated or arguing with someone just sounds so hot. Also, I gave Joe a diff girl instead of Galina bcs I can’t do my girl like that. #whenjoeaintlookingimsnatchingherup

———————————————————

It was the first weekend back in Florida after graduating college, everyone is excited and wanting to celebrate. Luckily tonight was just something that wasn’t all about me and just about seeing each other again.

“But you guys- I don’t drink.” I say as Takecia is trying to get me hype for the night at the club. “That doesn’t matter- we’re still going to have fun.” She smiled as I nodded in agreement. I sit on the living room couch as we are waiting for the last couple to show up.

Joe and Kira, they started dating while I was in college and supposedly are so in love. Though, Joe was not guaranteed to wait for me while I was at college, that selfish part of me wishes he did. “Sorry guys.” His voices eases into my ear, I didn’t look up though wanting avoid any eye contact at all costs.

“Got damn, might as well have a sleepover- took so long.” Jimmy complained jokingly while greeting Joe. I grabbed my small purse as I stood up and got ready to greet the couple myself, “You look… cute!” Kira greeted me with a forced smile. “Oh.. thank you!” I pretend not to notice her “compliment” tone, a small nod towards Joe as I walk past the couple to Jimmy at the door.

“Nova, remember you taking us home.” Jey pointed as he walked up to me by the door, “Got it!” I smile.

I get in the passenger seat of Jimmy’s car as Jey and Takecia get in the back, Kira and Joe riding separately. “That Kira chick is already ruining the mood.” Takecia complained as we haven’t even left the driveway and we can see her complaining through the passenger window of Joe’s car. “Aye- no bad vibes and we ain’t even leave yet.” Jimmy said as he pulls out the driveway.

[ Club : 9:25pm ]

“No. She just asked if I saw her boyfriend, I was not flirting!” Joe explains for the 5th time since they started arguing. They’ve had about 4 arguments since we got to the club and 3 of those were stupid little things like;

“You need to stop being so stiff!” Kira complained.

“I’m not-“ Joe denied.

“Yes! you literally are.” Kira drags on drunking-ly.

If there was an award for best party poopers they would definitely get it about now. “You know what. I’m so sick of your bullshit- every time we go out you always ruin it!” Kira shouts in Joe’s face as he rubs his forehead, “Okay, let’s go home then.” He offers while trying to calm the situation as the people close to them look over. “No fuck you! Fuck her and you can stay with your bitchy ass cousins and sleep there!” She exclaims as she storms off with the keys.

“Kira! You’re drunk!” I say going after her, “Oh my gosh, who do you think you are? Superman or something- leave me the hell alone!” She rolls her eyes before walking away again. “Maybe call someone to get you? You look really drunk, is all.” I try to reason as she glared at me, “Fine! Now move.” She shoves me while taking out her phone.

Walking back to where the rest of the group was, Joe seemed so confused about the situation as he sat with a beer. “Man- now we gotta sad Uce and raging drunk outside.” Jimmy said seriously though the small laughs didn’t fail to find there way after. “No. I’m good- she’ll snap out of it tomorrow morning.” Joe says as he takes a swig from his beer, “Y’all go ahead.” He nods.

Everyone still unsure but leaves to go back to whatever they were doing, but I find myself not wanting to leave him. “Joe… you sure you alright.” I ask softly before sitting next to him, he hums as he plays with the seemingly small bottle in his hands. “Nova, I know you don’t like her.” He looks up at me from the random space in front of him, “I do. Why-“ I go to defend myself before he cuts me off.

“I can hear the way your voice spikes up at the end of your sentences, you always do that when you’re uncomfortable or trying to fake something.” His eyes looking endearingly into mine, the small details only one who paid close attention would know he says like it’s obvious. “You got me..” I joke as he lets out a light huff of a laugh, “I missed you. You can’t tell anyone, but I dated her in hopes to forget about you.” He practically whispers as his hands find themselves onto his temples. “I- I missed you too. I still do.” I let my smile fall as I feel the reoccurring feelings I have for him, make there way to the surface.

“You do hm?” I could hear the smirk in his tone, I roll my eyes playfully at his now relaxed demeanor. “Stop! I’m being serious. I really do.” I laugh lightly as Joe stands from the booth, “Come with me.” He sticks his hand out for me to grab. My eyebrows rise questioningly before gabbing his large hand, I say nothing as he guides me to VIP area. “Oh hey man! Come on.” The bodyguard greeted Joe before pulling back the rope.

“So you’re telling me, we could’ve been over here the whole time! Your cousins are gonna be pissed.” I laugh as he smiles in agreement. “Our secret m’kay?” He places a finger over his mouth in a shushing manner, I nod as we walk up to the tucked away seating area. He pulls the curtains closed as I observe the area, “Nova, I really want you.” He states with a eager look in his eyes.

“You do hm?” I mock his past words as he takes quick notice and stands in front of me, “mhm I do.” He grabs the back of my neck delicately, pulling me up to meet his lips. The strong taste of beer on his lips, it’s disgusting but the soft note of coconut is coming through from his chapstick. “I really missed you.” He smiles against my lips, and his other hand finding its way to my ass causing a gasp to leave my mouth. His tongue slipping in between my lips with ease, melting into his touch, my hand grips his forearm while the other wraps around the neck and pulls him closer.

“Joe. Oh my-“ I moan quietly into his lips before pulling away, his eyes immediately going down to my wet, plump lips. He quickly sits down onto the sofa before pulling me onto his lap, causing my dress to rise up a bit. “You look so gorgeous.” He whispers before placing his thumb onto my lips and playing with the bottom lip. I unintentionally begin grinding on his lap before he pulls me back onto a kiss, “So needy.” He chuckles while his large hands find there way onto my ass.

“Shit..you feel so good princess.” He groans before pushing me harder against his erection, I moan in agreement as my panties soak against his jeans. His hand leaving my ass to rub little circles on my clit through my wet panties, “Oh. You’re soaked- already? I barely played with you.” Joe teases. My head falls into his shoulder in embarrassment before his fingers find there way onto my entrance.

“Joe…” I moan into his ear as his finger enters slowly, curling and hitting that one spot. “More.” I say breathlessly before he enters a second finger, his pace speeding up. My moans getting heavier and drawn out as his long fingers abuse the perfect spot inside of me. “I’m- m’gonna cum” I gasp as he restlessly pounds into me, “come on.” He smirks as he kisses my neck. I cum onto his fingers before he quickly pulls them out and has me grind onto his hard cock.

“There you go.. almost there.” He coos in my neck before placing a delicate kiss. I whine as I became overstimulated on top of him. “I can’t-“ “yeah you can.” He nods before his head falls back onto the chair, “Shit baby. Oh- fuck.” He groans as he cums in his pants. His grip on my hips getting tighter while holding me against him, “Oh I missed you.” He smiles tiredly.

“Oh my gosh! They’re probably looking for us.” I say remembering about the rest of the group, “Damn I forgot.” He chuckles and lifts me off his lap gently. “You look so fucked out.. and all you did was cum on my fingers.” He looks me up and down as he stands up. I cover my face in embarrassment, then standing up beside him. “I’m glad you’re back.” He pulls me by my waist and gives me another kiss.

#joe anoa'i #roman reigns #roman reigns oneshot #roman reigns x oc #roman reigns smut #wwe superstars #wwe smackdown #jimmy uso #jey uso #the usos #roman reigns fic #joesanrio

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steviewashere · 3 months

Text

Words Like A Bullet, Wounding My Soul

(also on ao3)

This is Part One, Part Two is Posted Here!

CW: Implied/Referenced Sex, Safeword Use (No Smut, Though) Rating: Teen

WC: 2,543

Tags: Post Vecna, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship, Arguing, Eddie Being Mean, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Emotionally Hurt Steve Harrington, Insecure Eddie Munson, Insecure Steve Harrington, Safeword Use, NO SMUT, Using a Safeword While Arguing, Hard of Hearing Steve Harrington, Dialogue Heavy

Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson

----------------- Eddie Munson and Steve Harrington were two forces not to be reckoned with. Everybody knew this. If Eddie was snippy and rough and loud—then people zipped their lips, threw away the key, and sat on their hands. If Steve was cold and distant and biting with every word—then the others knew to be warm and inviting and leave the past in the past.

These were known facts.

It was also known that Eddie and Steve were a pair. They were gentle with each other and all soft and gooey around the edges. Often, they'd circulate each other in public—skimming fingertips over backs of hands, sharing straws because somebody "forgot" to grab another—or behind the privacy of closed doors—entangled on the couch during movie nights and washing dishes after large dinners and exchanging quiet glances that everyone knew meant, "Horny and Impatient."

But they definitely knew how to choke each other out. Insecurities ran deep and were easy to point out. Like mold on bread slices.

So it makes perfect senes that they constantly argued, too. Usually mundane situations. Things like: "Ugh, Steve! It's my turn to choose what we watch, enough with the basketball!" and "Eddie, stop leaving your dishes strewn about!" and "No, I'll pick up everybody and drop them off!" Though, these were quickly resolved. A deep breath taken, a compromise made, and a few warm pecks exchanged.

However, on a slow Thursday evening in the middle of November, things go haywire.

They've been neck at neck for hours. Biting back and forth about the usual. The dishes. Your sports game. No, I'll do this. No, I can do it. Yet, everything comes crashing down the moment Eddie says:

"God, you're being so stupid!" Shouted and spitting. He's red faced and wild. His body lanky and petrifying the way a molten skeleton in some very graphic thriller movie would be.

Steve stops where he's been pacing in the living room. Now glancing back over to Eddie on the couch. "What?" he asks in a quiet, shaking voice. He doesn't remember anything about the argument, but he can definitely hear the way Eddie's voice echoes now. Doesn't know where the snarky remarks were going, how they dissolved now into this.

This being the two of them several feet apart in the same room. Not looking at each other, trying to find the most convenient and decorated corner of the Harrington's living room. Spitting and biting and growling.

"You're being so stupid!" Eddie shouts again. "I feel like every time I try to explain something to you, I'm just talking to a brick wall! Do you even listen to me? Or are you just a fucking space cadet all the time?" He runs a frustrated hand down his face, pulling at his features exaggeratingly. "For once, I wish you'd listen to me, just once!"

There's a tense moment where Steve just stands rigid and Eddie must take this as some sort of confirmation. Because he hefts himself up from the couch and makes his way around the coffee table to where Steve is just standing. A bony finger stabs into Steve's chest. Eddie closes in, voice low and husky. Face centimeters away, eyes lit with ingenuine mirth and teeth glinting in the shape of fangs. "See?" he questions lowly. "Can't even fucking give me an answer."

And something finally wakes up in Steve. He takes a wobbling step back, feeling cold air rush around him. "Wh-what? Of course I listen to you. I just—"

"You just what?" Eddie raises. His voice itching to be loud and louder. "You just listen to what you want to hear? Want me to call you pretty names and tell you how good you are and how excited I am to see you?" he taunts. "But when it's something I care about—"

Steve flinches at his wording.

"—when it's something I care about, you just can't bother," Eddie growls. "If it isn't fascinating to you, then you just tune me out. Your brain fucking implodes and shrivels back down to being jock sized and empty." He takes a hefty step forward, once again in Steve's orbit. A palm raises in Steve's line of sight, it shoves hard at his chest. Not sending him to the floor, but stumbling enough that he wheezes from the impact.

Eddie moves again to try it once more, to make Steve feel small.

But, Steve sidesteps him. "That's not true," he tries to argue, but it sounds too soft and tiny to be anything. "You were talking about D&D and I tried to follow along, but you know how I am with that stuff. It doesn't—"

"It doesn't connect," Eddie mocks. "Fuck you, Harrington. I've heard that a million times before and each one of those times, I've explained this shit to you. Over and over and—"

"Fuck me?! Fuck you, Eddie!" Save finally screams back. "Do you even hear yourself right now? You're being such an asshole, you know how I am with being called du—"

Eddie scoffs. "Oh, so for years, you and your little pack of high school bullies can mock me for shit. Call me names. Toss me around. And the one time I finally call you out on this, it's suddenly too much?!" he roars. "You're so—" He grunts, groans, screams nearly.

"Stop, Eddie," Steve demands. Tome firm first.

But Eddie barrels on anyway. "You're such a dick. You think everything revolves around you. You don't care for anything I have to say. You—"

"Stop," Steve pleads.

"You don't really care for anybody around you, do you?" he questions darkly. "'Just wanted to help,' my ass. Just wanted to clear your name, more like. Am I right? And now you're just stuck here, fucking jumping to whatever conclusions you want, following the wording you want to hear—"

"Red!" Steve screams. "Red, red, red!" he shouts before turning towards the couch and sitting down heavily. Head in his hands, fingers pulling at the hair around his ears. His throat feels like it's on fire and his head is pounding and there's definitely tears threatening to pour from his eyes. Peeking between the gap of his palms, the carpet is a mirage of blended colors, not a single one making a complete picture. But he can't look up from it. Not after having to practically safeword out of an argument.

Eddie is now startled into silence. His body turns to face his boyfriend. Where he sits, shaking and choking on quiet sobs. There's a brief moment where Eddie can literally feel his heart parachute to his stomach. Can hear the sizzling of his organ and the rush of his own blood. He's never heard Steve get loud like this. Usually he's so quiet and pensive and passive aggressive, but this, this is a new side. And Eddie doesn't like it at all.

It was common between them to try new things out and see what pleasure can be derived. And if things were taken too far or something immediately felt off-putting or terrible, they were allowed to exit the scene at any time. The stoplight system. Their shared word being "Asparagus." Things that could easily be heard and shut down everything at once, forcing them into a gentle lull where they share whispered praises and warm compliments and careful touches with a soft rag or just fingers.

So it's not unusual for Eddie to hear it. He's had to comfort Steve after a few scenes. And Steve's done the same for him.

What gets him is the context now. How tense the room feels, like walking into an already heated up sauna. Like walking into a hot tub set to one thousand degrees, in nothing—absolutely nothing.

And even though they’re fighting, Eddie’s immediate care kicks into overdrive. He forces his body to skitter over to the couch, plop down by Steve’s side, and reach out to rub a palm over his back. But when his skin makes contact, Steve flinches away.

“Don’t fucking touch me right now,” he growls. And when his eyes look deep into Eddie’s, there’s something tragic there. “You—You don’t get to say shit like that to me and then try to—Try to,” he chokes. A sob caught between a gag and a phlegm cough cracks open from his chest. “I don’t understand what I did wrong,” he cries out.

Eddie is once again quiet, keeping his hands to himself. Running them nervously over his thighs. It takes everything in him to not reach out and scoop Steve up and run fingers through his hair. He swallows and breathes. Opting to not respond. Maybe this will teach him to shut his mouth, for once.

Steve cries loud and harsh. And Eddie bears witness to it all. The contortion of his body, the reddening of his skin, the pulling of his hair, especially the wailing that’s spilling from his closing throat.

“I was listening,” Steve hiccups. “I was, I swear. I didn’t—“ His breath stutters through his next inhale. Lip sucking inwards when he does attempt a deep breath; it’s not like it lasts, merely only sitting in his lungs for three seconds before punching back between them. “I couldn’t hear you!” He exclaims.

There’s no residual anger in Steve’s tone, though Eddie thinks there should be. God, he feels like a pile of shit just for the way Steve is holding himself right now. How his body is giving up on him. The way he continues to writhe through each stabbing cough and sob and gag and—He just feels like shit.

Though, alarms are going off in Eddie’s head. What Steve just said, that doesn’t make any sense. They were facing each other. They were sitting only two inches apart, practically every open area of skin clinging to one another. For a moment, Eddie once again feels anger spike through him. But the other part of him is overcome with deep concern, rippling in his blood, pouring out in the way his eyes widen and his eyebrows furrow and his mouth shifts downturned.

“You couldn’t hear me?” He parrots.

Steve nods his head. A bobblehead who’s spring is wound too loose, head flopping almost over its shoulders. “I—I was going to tell you, I swear. But I—You were talking and talking and I couldn’t read your lips because that’s really hard and you talk super fast and when you talk fast you mumble and—“ He gags. Slams his back behind into the couch, head dropping over the curved edge. He blinks rapidly, swallows so aggressive that his Adam’s apple appears to be plunging from behind his tongue. A deep breath, short lived. Two more deep breaths and they wheeze through him, but it must be enough because he carries on. “And then you got mad and you were so mean and I swear I was listening, I was interested, I just didn’t understand. And you get so tired of having to reexplain things that I didn’t want to ask and then you got even more mad and now—I was listening, I swear!” He cries out once more.

In response, Eddie’s jaw is dropped slack. He couldn’t hear me, he realizes. Genuinely, really.Scrambling, he whispers, “And I got mad and I called you stupid and then…” And then he called red, you idiot, Eddie self-chastises.

God, he is really a steaming back of flaming dog shit.

Taking another breath, Steve exhales with, “I was listening.” He tilts his head to look directly at Eddie. Eyes open and pleading. Begging to be understood. “I’m losing my hearing, Eds. I was going to tell you, but I didn’t—I didn’t get the chance. And then you were—“

“I was being mean. I was being an asshole. I wasn’t listening to you,” Eddie lists off. “I was doing the things that I accused you of,” he realizes.

Steve nods against the back of the couch. Blinking and blinking and swallowing and trembling.

“Oh my god, you couldn’t hear me, you couldn’t understand me,” Eddie whispers. Suddenly, he shoots upwards. Nearly startling Steve into another frantic round of panic. “How long, Steve?”

“Since March,” Steve admits, almost shamefully. “My head slammed into the wall inside of the Creel house and I ended up with another concussion. And that was the start of it,” he elaborates. “It’s just been going from there.”

As he talks, Eddie begins to silently cry. And when Steve’s done, Eddie sobs.

“And this entire time…Oh my god,” he mumbles. “Oh my god,” he repeats. Choking through his next breath. “Baby—“ Steve perks up at that. “—Baby why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

Steve shrugs. “Everybody else had it worse off. It didn’t seem important.” He sniffs. “Guess now it kind of is though, right?” A humorless chuckle. “If that’s how you’ve been thinking of me.”

Damn him, Eddie thinks. Damn him and stu—and his unnecessary self-sacrificial nature. “Sweetheart, you’re not stupid. I swear, you’re not stupid. Steve, you are one of the most intelligent people I have ever had the fortune of coming across. You know just what to say, when to say it. You’ve got that interest in classic literature, which I fucking adore by the way. And you know almost too much about any sport in the world. That’s—Your sport stuff is like D&D for me.

“God, you’re not stupid. Not by a mile. I just—I’ve always been treated like shit for the things I like. And I know that’s not an excuse, it’s just the way I’ve had to adapt and grow, y’know?” He asks rhetorically. “If I got defensive and angry and vicious, then people left me alone. And I could enjoy my stuff in peace. But when I tried to share the things I liked, people were fast to tune me out and shrug me off.” Eddie slowly inches in again, gauging Steve’s reaction. When he doesn’t flinch, but instead moves close, Eddie shoves a hand into the back of his hair and slings his other arm over Steve’s lap. Thumb rubbing at Steve’s denim thigh. He says, “You’ve never been stupid. I just thought you didn’t care. Nobody has ever cared about me the way you care about me, I swear it.”

Steve nuzzles in closer. He breathes against Eddie’s neck. Murmurs, “Everything you like is special to me. And I want to be able to understand. I’m trying.”

“I know baby, I see that now,” Eddie whispers. “I’m so sorry for the way I treated you previously and today. Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

He squeezes Steve tighter. An attempt to meld their bodies into one.

“I love you so much, Steve. We’re going to figure something out. Learn a language or raise some money for a hearing aid, whatever you want.”

Against Eddie’s chest, Steve nods. “I love you too,” he whispers. Presses a kiss over Eddie’s left pec. “You’re gonna have to show me though.”

“Whatever you fucking want, Steve. You can have anything you want from me.” And he can feel the smirk against his neck. But Eddie is willing and able to give. “Take anything you want from me.”

----------------- Part Two is Here!

#stranger things #steddie #fanfiction #steve harrington #eddie munson #angst and hurt/comfort #arguments and making up #arguments #hard of hearing steve harrington #established relationship

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orangesand-lemons-234 · 1 month

Text

Jack was shouting when JoJo ran back to the Lodge House. He was confused. Jack never shouted unless he was in pain or disappointed, which hadn't happened in a while.

JoJo ran up to David, who seemed to have a blank expression on his face. "Aye, Davey? What's goin' on, why's he shouting?"

David looked back at him, eyes suddenly going wide at the sight of him. He stood in front of JoJo, almost trying to cover him before Jack pointed in their direction.

"JoJo de La Guerra-Larkin, you get the fuck over here, now." Jack growled, JoJo running over quickly, still extremely confused at what was happening.

"Jack, why are you shou-"

"JoJo, when were you sent to the refuge?"

JoJo's thoughts stopped dead in their tracks. The refuge. How did they find out? Who told them?

"Jack, I never went to the refuge." JoJo laughed, trying to cover up how nervous he'd suddenly gotten.

"Josephine Casley Smith. That was you, wasn't it?" Jack shouted. "You're Josephine Casley Smith."

JoJo's immediate silence was proof enough of his answer. Thoughts and memories of his time in the Refuge wracked his mind, over and over, the same scenes again and again.

"Jo..." Jack relaxed his voice, the truth setting in. "Jo, why'd you never say nothin'?"

"Same reason you never told us 'bout your real name, Cowboy." JoJo snarled. "I ain't gonna be known as the kid who's screams could be heard all around the house."

Racetrack walked up to JoJo, a mix of fear and anger in his eyes. "I thought we promised all that would stay out in the air? That we'd tell each other about that stuff? You now mean to tell me that you're Crazy Josie?"

"I'm not crazy!" JoJo screamed, causing Race to flinch back. He cut himself off at that, fearful that he'd scared him forever. His shirt was suddenly scratchy, and everything around him seemed much too loud. "I am not crazy. We- No, I was never Crazy Josie. Josie is gone. Josie is dead and gone, and I do not miss him."

"That's what a crazy person would say." Albert murmured from behind them. JoJo spun on his heels to face him afterwards. Tears were now forming in the corner of his eyes as memories of being shoved into those tight wardrobes in Snyders office flashing in his brain.

"None of you know what I went through. You never will. Wanna know why? Cause I'm never telling ye." He announced. He pointed around at everybody around him, who looked scared and disturbed at the scene. "This is why."

JoJo ran away from the scene, stomping up the staircase with his fists squeezed as tight as they could be.

He slammed the door shut on the dormitory, allowing himself to break down as he needed.

He collapsed to his knees, grasping at his shirt and yanking at it, while a loud and scragly scream left his throat. He tried to stop it, knowing the kids' reaction to them at the refuge, but he couldn't stop it. All those years of building up a wall and trying to forget his past just crumbled around him, and it hurt.

He stayed there for a while, screaming and crying to himself, beating himself up over his past. Beating himself up for how he scared those kids. Beating himself up for never telling anybody. Beating himself up for how he reacted to Snyders punishments to him.

His throat was burning and sore from screaming and sobbing, but it didn't stop. His screams tore through the Lodge House, slightly disturbing the members within. One of the younger newsies, Ike, started crying at the sound.

Jack, Race, and Albert were close to tears. Guilt shuddered through their bodies at every yell and shout, wishing they could somehow turn back time and stop themselves from even bringing it up in the first place.

JoJo felt alone in the world, slamming his fists against his head as he cried.

It was when somebody grabbed onto his hands and held them in their own that his screams stopped.

Through blurry eyes, Tommy Boy was now in front of him and holding his hands tightly to stop him from hurting himself.

No words needed to be said as the two made eye-contact. Somehow, without communicating through speech, Tommy was able to tell him that he was safe and that he wasn't there to judge.

Just like that, JoJo threw himself into Tommy Boys' arms, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders and lowering his head onto his shoulder.

Shivers shook through JoJo's frame as Tommy held him gently, brushing fingers through his sweaty and slightly greasy hair.

A weak and distressed sob could be heard from JoJo, shallow gasps pulled in and out afterwards.

"I'm not crazy." JoJo said quietly. "I was screaming for a reason. Snyder shoved me in wardrobes, tight and small wardrobes. I was hit and hurt by a grown man. All of you's would scream too."

"I know, I know." Tommy whispered back. "But you're safe now. The boys didn't mean it, Jo. They were just scared about what happened to you in the past. You're safe here, kid."

JoJo nodded, his body losing the tension it had originally and slowly relaxing into Tommy Boys' arms. His limbs felt heavy as his eyes slowly began to shut.

Tommy held JoJo closer to him as he fell asleep, cradling the boy and carrying him to his bunk.

Crazy Josie was never crazy. Crazy Josie was a terrified kid who was trying to drown out the sound of his own brain. Josie was gone now, being left behind at the refuge.

JoJo, however, was also a kid. A kid who's learning slowly how to block out the noise of his brain in better ways. A kid who's learning to let his emotions out instead of bottling it up.

A kid who finally has the family he always wanted. Always needed.

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bonezone44 · 8 months

Text

Muddy Waters, pt 4. (18+)

'Punching Bags'

Ezra x F!Reader x Joel Miller

Summary: A peek into your past and present with Ezra. A brief clash between you and Joel. Then, your best friend catches you with Joel.

Word Count: ~7,5k

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (story masterlist) (my masterlist)

tags: NSFW 18+. Intuitive!Reader. Afab!Reader (she/they). Southern!Reader. Established Ezra x F!Reader. Polyam. No use of Y/N.

This Chapter: Pet names: baby, angel, darlin. Fighting/Fucking. Unprotected P-in-V. Ezra and his poor hygiene habits. Angst. Rage. Humor. Adult conversations.

Warnings: The first section of this chapter occurs in the past and contains consensual physical violence + sex, aka fighting/fucking, between the Reader and Ezra and the Reader and Ezra threaten each other’s lives (it’s understood between them that they don’t literally mean what they’re saying).

Author's Note: It's amazing how many different version of a chapter can exist before I end up with what I post. I hope this is the best version. I might have had too much caffeine today.

++++++++++++++++

“Just leave it!” he shouted at you from across the library with veins bulging from his neck. He splayed his fingers wide and threw his hands down. “We can’t take ‘em all!”

You traced the letters on the cover. 1,000 Facts About Space. Decorated with images of stars and planets and black holes. Your lips trembled and you fell to your knees.

Ezra groaned. “We don’t have time for this!”

“We were gonna go places.” Mars. The Asteroid Belt. Jupiter and beyond. To the very end of space and time. “We were gonna see… we were gonna see it all.” You swallowed thickly as your eyes filled with tears.

“Yeah, well." Ezra spun around with his arms swinging. "It’s no longer an option, now is it?” he spat.

“B-but we’re gonna lose all this–all this knowledge!” You held the book to your chest and clung to your lower lip with your teeth as you pouted. In any other lifetime, it would have been a silly little collection of trivia you flipped through on someone’s coffee table. But in that moment, it was your ancestors’--nay, your entire species’--lost destiny and tragically unfulfilled prophecy.

“I am well aware of what progress our society is losing,” he snarled with wide eyes. “And I am just as heartbroken as you are but–" he placed his palms together in prayer. "–we cannot allow ourselves to mourn eternally over it and we cannot allow ourselves to mourn right–now!” He stomped his foot twice. “We need to move with haste,” he hissed.

“Stop telling me what to do!” you shouted, regressing into your childhood self, desperate and selfish and kicking your feet. God, why couldn’t Ezra understand you? Why couldn’t he understand the pain you were experiencing? Where was his fucking compassion?!

“Baby, if you don’t put that book down right now…” With his chin high and serious, he raised one ominous finger in your direction. “I’ll say it.”

You whipped your head up and flared your nostrils. He wouldn’t dare.

“You think I’m joking, huh?” Something about your reaction made his eyes glow. He dropped his hand.

“Don’t,” you threatened–your lips curled thin.

“Drop the book and get up or I’ll say it.” Excitement bubbled in his cheeks. He was grinning.

You stayed on the floor, snarling at him. Fire began to burn in your fists and ripple throughout your chest. “Don’t you fuckin say it.” Fuck, you wished he would. You wished this motherfucker would say it just so you could feel something for once in your whole stupid life.

“I will.” His eyes were positively glittering—sparkling like the falling dust in the pale white light flooding in through the windows. “I will speak it loudly and I will speak it proudly.”

“Don’t you fuckin say it, Ezra!” Your breaths were heaving now, hot blood pumping through your arms and legs. You were a wild beast being toyed with and prodded and the thought of pouncing your torturer burned embers low in your belly. You squeezed your thighs together–squirming.

“Don’t tell me what to do!” He said with a sideways shake of his head. He started laughing. You could see the beast in him, too, the way his teeth shined like fangs ready to sink into your skin.

You two went back and forth, taunting and tugging on one another while your bodies stayed in place and built up fiery momentum.

It was Ezra who finally burst and snapped and he dug his teeth into the depths of your craw.

“I–" he started and your nostrils flared with hot air.

"--miss–"

Energy coiled in your toes

"--the fuckin INTERNET!” He shouted and stomped, all red in the face and neck.

You launched yourself up from the floor and ran straight for him, screaming with fury and heated spite. You lunged forward, wrapping your arms around his knees, and tackled him to the ground.

A loud pained groan was knocked from Ezra’s gut as he hit the floor. You scrambled up his body.

You hovered above him, fingers gripping his shirt tight. "I am so fuckin sick of hearing you talk!" You punched him in the chest with the sides of your fists before tumbling over sideways and slamming into the floor, shoulder first. You hastily shimmied out of one pant leg because one leg free was all you needed before clawing yourself back on top of him.

"Give it to me–give it to me–" he choked out through short breaths. His pants and underwear were pulled under his hips. His twisted amusement was gone–replaced with a deep, snarling hunger. "Make it hurt, baby–" Ezra spit on his hand and stroked his cock. "Come on–" He whined.

You slid your panties to the side, wasting no time to sink down on his length. The sharp, dry pain went unnoticed as rage flooded your vibrating veins. You scratched your nails along the back of his scalp and pulled his head down and away from you. Your other hand curled into his shirt again. You wanted to rip it off his body and shove it in his mouth while he whimpered–and you tried, honestly, but the fabric wouldn't tear.

Ezra dug his fingers into your waist. "Fuckin hurt me, baby!" He shouted and rolled his body, trying to get you to start moving. "Come on!"

You hunched over, meeting him nose-to-nose and screamed. "You wanna fuckin hurt?! I'll show you how to fuckin hurt!" You leaned upright. One hand squeezed his cheeks before the other swung back and punched him in the jaw–fist following all the way through.

Ezra whimpered and jerked his hips.

You saw blood in his teeth.

Fuck, it felt good. So good you almost came–it felt so good. The way your cunt clenched around him, sucking his cock deeper inside you. You bounced up and down, savoring the way his length stroked your inner walls. You reeled your arm back a second time and punched him again in the same spot to the right of his chin. This time, your fist hit the floor beneath him as well–sending a shooting pain from your knuckles up to your shoulder and right back down again.

Hoo! It hurt, but you shook it off–shook your hand around while bouncing up and down.

Ezra didn’t complain. In fact, he started fucking up into you, hips and bare ass using the hardwood floor as some kind of springboard. The rebound threw your body forward and you nearly toppled over him completely. But you were quick enough to steady yourself and met his strokes in a pounding, synchronous rhythm.

“I fuckin hate you!” you screamed in his face, sweat building on your brow. You punched him one more time for good measure, and the sting was so sharp–you felt pins and needles all through your hand. You clawed and tugged at his hair while hunting the billowing heat at your core. “I fuckin hate you, Ezra!” Fat tears filled your eyes and spilled down your cheeks. “I hope you fuckin die!”

“Nnng–I hate you, too, baby!” His eyes were glossy and wet and he was sweating from the exertion of his thrusts. "Fuck!" He whined and ached. "I fuckin hate you, too!" He croaked as he wept.

You wrapped your fingers in the hair on his crown. “If you fuckin come first, I’ll kill you mySELF!” Spit flew from your lips.

“Do it!” he yelled through gritted teeth, pain evident across his face. “Fuckin KILL ME ALREADY!” He shrieked. He was panting like a dog and crying like a baby.

“I’ll do it! I’ll fuckin KILL you, Ezra!” You were sobbing now–your abdomen spasming and twisting. You didn’t stop riding him, though. You were determined to get your orgasm–even if you felt yourself wavering. You shoved your dirty fingers in his mouth, down to your broken and bleeding knuckles, while your other hand braced yourself on the floor next to his head.

He tongued and choked on your fingers. He bit down hard and you loved it. Once you felt his hips slow–once his pace stuttered and grew weak–it set you off on your high. A creaking whimper escaped your throat. Your pussy clenched and contracted around him. A heady wave of blood pulsed through you, leaving you dizzy and disoriented. You collapsed into his body, limbs flopping around while Ezra chased his own end.

You weren’t sure if he came in you or on you or somewhere else in the room. You just remembered the whole world going dark and quiet as you floated serenely on some post-orgasmic ethereal cloud.

You were eternal.

Unlimited.

Until a waft of air over your bare ass sent goosebumps up your back and down your arms. You pried open your heavy eyelids with your cheek smushed against the floor. In front of you was a blur of book spines. A label on the shelf read ‘Local Authors.’ The title beneath:

'The Nature of Good and Evil' by Sylvia Browne.

—------

Ezra trekked ahead of you, smiling widely in the sun with a red wagon in tow. Its contents were covered in a black plastic tarp and wrapped up with cord. He craned his neck back and chuckled. “You clocked me pretty good, baby. It’s been–what?--over two weeks now? And I’m still feelin it.” He flexed his jaw. "Hoo!"

“Sorry,” you murmured, embarrassed. You fumbled behind him, dragging a wagon of your own. Your knuckles were still tender, too.

“There is no need to apologize for your actions.” He stopped and smiled. “I am proud of my woman.” He had been perky and grinning since you left the library behind. “I love it when you kick my ass.”

You rolled your eyes and laughed. You walked passed him, navigating carefully upward through the dry, grassy terrain. Your thighs and glutes trembled and ached. The soles of your feet burned. You couldn't feel your fingers hardly, but you didn't care. You didn’t wanna stop, yet, because you knew that stopping would make all the hurt settle in and throb through your body like rolling thunder–make your muscles spasm and twitch like flashes of angry lightning.

“Shouldn’t be much further now," you heard him call from behind you.

You laughed again and yelled over your shoulder. “You have been saying that for days.”

“Well, since every scale is relative, I am technically correct each time I say it.”

You shook your head and sighed.

You heard a hungry moan. "Baby, I am treasuring the sight of your ass from this lower perspective–"

"Stop it!" Embarrassment heated your face as you giggled and squirmed, trying to cover yourself with your free hand. "You pervert!"

He grunted. “You know me, angel–”

“HEY!" Shouted a deep and booming voice.

Your hand instinctively pulled the pistol from your hip and you let go of the wagon. Your heart drummed in your chest as you searched the horizon. Like some kind of optical illusion, as soon as you saw one person heading towards you on horseback, you saw two more in your peripheral.

“Drop ‘em down! NOW!” It was the same deep voice as before–coming from a man wearing a bright red bandana over his face and a black cowboy hat. He was aiming his rifle straight at you. “And step away from the wagons!”

You both complied, clearly outnumbered and outgunned, too.

“Are you bit?” he shouted.

You shook your head as you raised your hands in surrender.

“No, my good sir.” Ezra cheerily spoke for both of you. “We are clean as whistles, I assure you.” He cleared his throat. “We are merely passing through—”

“What’s in the wagons?” asked a woman’s voice. She was to your right, wearing a denim jacket–face wrapped in a yellow bandana, but nothing atop her head but tightly twisted long black locs.

“Nothing nefarious, I promise,” Ezra pressed his palms together. But he lifted them again when the woman raised her rifle. “We are delivering a collection of books–”

“Books?” The man in red sounded disgusted.

“Delivering to who?" Asked the woman. "There’s no one out here." She shook her head. “Certainly no one that ordered books.”

“Well, we uh–We–” Ezra looked to you, nudging for you to speak by widening his eyes.

You looked at the three riders surrounding you. Their clothes appeared clean and fitted. Although you could only see their eyes, they weren’t red and sunken. Their horses looked well-kept, too, brushed and attended to. You took your chance, praying to every single god you had ever heard of in your life that these were the right people and you were about to say the right words. “They left the light on for us,” you croaked out.

“...What?” said the man in red.

“They left the light on for us,” you repeated, though now that you were saying it out loud, you weren’t sure if it was correct. “They left the light on for-for-for me.”

“Th-that’s right!” chimed Ezra, still smiling with his hands up. “They left the light on for me.”

The three riders looked at each other. The woman in yellow trotted forward.

“Who told you to say that?” she asked.

The tension eased a little. Your heart rate slowed. “My friend, Tonya. W-we met her back in Kansas City.”

The woman hummed. “And where is Tonya now?”

“She stayed,” you said and took a tight breath through your nostrils. “She’s still in Missouri.”

She hummed again. “And she told you to bring us …books?”

“Tonya encouraged us to provide… tribute to the good people in the Jackson community,” said Ezra, bouncing on his toes. “My partner and I desire to join and participate in the development of this, uh… small town that Tonya has told us quiet, but evolutionary things about.”

The man in red scoffed. “So you brought books?”

“Yes. Books.” Ezra stood as proudly as he could with his hands still high in the air. “We carry with us some mechanical and medical textbooks and some children’s books for the little ones and-and-and we also have some literature, as well, from some of the greats–which–” He looked to you again. “--we know was a biased effort, of course, as is the nature of any opinion, b-b-but I believe we chose quite fairly across the board to-to-to express the diversity of our world’s uhh… our world’s—”.

“Capabilities,” you added.

“Capabilities! Yes! Our world’s capabilities and talent and knowledge.”

“We don’t do hand-outs, alright?” said the woman in yellow. “Everybody works.”

“Absolutely!” Ezra said. He looked over at you, flashing his eyebrows in a silent cheer before returning his attention to the riders. “I completely agree! One hundred percent!” He nodded in your direction. “M-my partner may need time to-to rest after this long, arduous journey, but I, personally, am fighting fit.”

The woman grunted and turned to the man in red. She spun her finger in the air. “Go get the dogs.”

Ezra smiled uncomfortably. “The-the what now?”

—-----

There were never enough hours in the day. You don’t know how Joel kept his whole house so neat and clean and still found time to go on patrol and build things around town and limewash new shutters and take care of Ellie. You and Ezra shared a small apartment above the Outfitters and it was always an overwhelming disaster.

You two had somehow collected so much in the brief time you had been in Jackson. And you had no idea what to do about all of it. Books and papers and trinkets and gifts and clothes–how the hell did you two own so many clothes?

And the shower was never clean enough and there was always dirt on the floors and the bed sheets–God! The bed sheets always smelled.

And Ezra never gave a shit.

Your eyes bore into him with fury as you stood watching him from the bedroom.

He was reclining on the couch wearing only blue boxer briefs and …a baseball cap, for some fuckin reason. He reached down to scratch his balls and then smelled his fingers after. A high pitched pained scream resounded in your head.

"Jesus Christ, Ezra," you groused and pointed at the floor. "Can't you put your clothes in the fuckin hamper?"

"Nope," he answered cheerily and flipped the page of his book. "I sure cannot."

The thing about Ezra’s cheeriness was that sometimes it was happy and perky and jovial.

And sometimes it was a big 'Fuck You.''

You stomped through the living room and picked up his laundry while grinding your teeth. "You come home and just fuckin… throw your clothes all over the place."

"I sure do." He grinned and continued to read.

Fire built in your chest. It didn't matter that you were just as messy. What mattered was that you were trying to do better–trying to be cleaner. And he refused to make a single effort.

"I'm sick of living in a fucking pig sty!" You screamed. You did not understand how to get through to him. No matter what avenue you took, he fought you at every turn, so you gave up and yelled at him all the time instead.

"It must suck to be you, then."

"Oh my god!" You shouted with your hands curled into tight fists. "You are a fuckin child!"

He turned to you with a proud smile, eyes disappearing behind his rounded cheeks, and released an utmost satiated hum.

You started panting in anger. You wanted to grab his book and rip it in half. Or set fire to each page one by one, laughing maniacally as he cried–the flames reflecting brightly in your wild eyes.

But… no. You didn't really want to do that because he loved his books. He loved reading. And you didn't really wanna hurt him.

That would break his heart.

And in turn, it would break yours, too.

…But you did kinda wanna strangle him right where he was, laying on the couch without a care in the world.

But.

Again.

You didn't really wanna strangle him.

Because even though you imagined doing all this damage to Ezra, it was a cartoon fantasy that played in your mind. Like Looney Tunes or Ren and Stimpy where the excessive violence never did any permanent damage but allowed the characters to get out all their frustrations.

This was usually where the hate-fucking came in.

But that was for ‘out there.’ Out in the rest of the world where safety and survival was a constant uncertainty. Where there was nowhere to go when you needed a break from one another and the persistent grinding friction between the two of you had to breach your surfaces somehow.

But now you’re ‘in here.’ In Jackson. In a community that allowed you to get the fuck away from him when necessary.

And–Praise be!–on this day, you knew the perfect place to go.

“I am getting the fuck out of this fuckin apartment!” you shouted into the air.

“Good for you, angel.” Ezra was so calm and encouraging. “I hope you have a wonderful day.”

The fact that he wouldn't fight you back just made you angrier. "Well I hope your day fuckin sucks!" You screamed and slammed the door behind you as you left.

You stomped down the stairs into the alleyway and stopped once you hit the bottom. Your head was already clearer outside of the confines of your shared living space. The cool fresh air cleansed the heat from your skin and a slow, deep breath brought you even further toward peace of mind.

It was inventory day at the General Store and you knew they needed extra hands.

It was the perfect distraction.

Counting items was easy and repetitive. And you would be under direct surveillance, by Derek of all people, so there would be no opportunity for your mind to wander and ail you. The man was impossible and it made you do better just to spite him.

Derek was one of the patrollers that first found you and Ezra. He was on the council, supervised the General Store, and ran the town meetings. And he loved Ezra.

His feelings toward you, though, were tepid at best.

You hoped Tracy would be there. She was Derek’s wife and probably your closest friend in all of Jackson. She was funny and bright and she loved her kids more than anything. She always wore a velvety soft brown cardigan and smelled like lemongrass. Her friendship made you feel all warm inside and damn, you needed a friend.

Unfortunately, as you approached the front door, you saw Derek through the window. And even more unfortunately, he saw you, too. Meaning there was no turning back. You took another deep breath and opened the door.

“Inventory day,” Derek groaned as you walked in.

“Oh, I know!” You smiled with your fingers tugging on the hem of your shirt. “I wanted to see if you needed an extra hand.”

“An extra hand?” He scoffed with his eyes all big. He crossed his arms over his stomach, one hand clinging to his clipboard. He glared with disdain. “We started over an hour ago. You can’t just show up whenever you feel like it.”

You crossed your arms right back. “I was just passin by–”

“Passing by?” He pointed his stupid little clipboard at you. “You live across the way.”

“Livin across the way doesn’t mean I can’t pass by.” You huffed. This wasn’t quite going how you had planned it would go. “Maybe–Maybe I could bring y'all lunch or something?” You suggested as you scratched your eyebrow. “So you don’t have to go to the hall for it?"

Derek scoffed even louder than before. “And make a big mess in the middle of the store? No.” He huffed back. “We got enough mess to deal with already.”

“Heeey!” You heard Tracy call out to you in song. She wore chunky heels that echoed with every step as she approached. “How are you?” she asked as she opened up her arms.

“I’m doin good, Tracy,” you grinned and glowed and hummed as you met her in a tight warm hug. You glared at Derek over her shoulder and he rolled his eyes. “i was just seein if y’all needed help, but–”

“Oh, great timing!” she said and squeezed your shoulder after pulling away. “Derek, let’s get her counting those pillows in the back.”

“No." He was all worked up, eyes bulging, offended by the suggestion. "I’m gonna have Kara take care of that when she’s done with the blankets.” He tossed his hand in the air. “We don’t need her. She’s just gonna count ‘em wrong anyway.”

You raised your finger to defend yourself. "I told you. Last time, I had a cold and I was on my cycle, okay?"

"Horseshit," he muttered under his breath.

“Derek, be nice,” Tracy hissed. “She is my friend and she is trying to help.”

“I don’t care if she’s trying to help.” He tossed his hand up again. “Let her go help someone else.” He stomped away, shaking his head.

Tracy rolled her eyes, tucking a brown curl behind her ears. “Sorry about that.” She huffed as she wrapped her cardigan around her front. “He is bein such an asshole today.” She mouthed the word 'asshole' so no one else would hear. "And I don't know why–" she hid her mouth behind the back of her hand. "--'cause he definitely got some last night."

You faked a laugh. Normally, her little asides would crack you up, but your mood was souring everything.

She shook her head and sighed. “Anyway, if he won't let you help out in here, there was a little accident that happened in the tool shed over night last night." Tracy interlaced her fingers together and pleaded with her eyes.

"Oh yeah?" You really didn't want to work by yourself, but there was no way out of it at this point.

"One of the shelves fell and we just haven't had a spare moment to go clean it all up." She smiled kindly and you forced a smile back. "Maybe you can go do that for us."

"I can do that! Don't you worry ‘bout a thing," you nodded, groaned internally, and walked back out the front door.

—--

The large barn door to the tool shed was wide open and you recognized an empty space on the back wall above the wood-top counter. Once you stepped past the work table in the center, you saw the edge of it--the 'accident' that Tracy referred to. To the left of the back counter was a tall pile of nails and bolts and screws and broken pieces of glass from the jars that had once sorted them all.

“The fuck,” you muttered.

The shelf itself was a long, thin, deep slab of wood, sitting on top of the back counter, dusty and stained. Its brackets were still secured to the wall, strangely enough.

You scoffed. The shelf had no holes in it. It was solid. 'What idiot puts up a shelf and doesn’t attach it to the fuckin brackets?' You huffed. 'How long has this been here like this?' You shook your head. 'A disaster waitin’ to happen and then–' you waved your palm out to the mess on the floor. '--it finally happens.'

You groaned. This looked like something Ezra would do. He was so lazy. He never finished anything but his books. That's all he ever wanted to do was read. Hardly ever spent any time with you.

Sure, there was that amazing sex you had the other morning, but besides that–hardly ever!

You groaned again. Not that you would want to spend time with his unwashed ass right now.

God, Ezra was the worst. There was something wrong with that man. What kind of person happily marinates in their own filth like that? Why couldn’t he shower every day like a normal person? Just because he had off the night before didn’t mean he should just soak in his own sweat and muck and – Ugghh!

And he never picked up after himself. Sometimes …maybe he would pick up a thing or two, but mostly never.

And then Derek, ugh! How the hell was Tracy married to him? He was so impossible to please. You wanted to help with inventory. You weren't there on time because you didn't know how you were gonna feel that morning and you didn't wanna commit to something if you were just gonna let them down again. And last time you had a cold and you were on your cycle and your brain couldn't hold the numbers in your head but that wasn't your fault! You did the best you could every single day of your life and sometimes your brain and body betrayed you and forced you to betray others but it wasn't intentional! You weren't trying to be an unreliable piece of shit! You were trying to do better every fuckin day for yourself and for Jackson and for Ezra’s disgusting ass! You didn't mean to be a big fuckin failure who had no skills and devolved into a panicked puddle of blood, sweat, and tears by the tiniest inkling of responsibility now that you were inside the safety of Jackson’s walls! It wasn't your fault that you were never gonna be enough! It wasn't your fault that–

Someone cleared their throat and it grated against your skin.

You looked up from the pile of sharp glass and metals.

Great.

Now Joel was here.

He was the last person you wanted to see while you were busy being animus and self-loathing. And he was smiling at you like life was all fun and happy or something when it wasn’t!

God, it felt so fuckin stupid to be alive.

"Mornin, darlin," he grinned and shuffled towards you.

His sexy, smoky voice was so stupid and annoying.

"Mornin," you rolled your eyes as you sorted out nails and tossed them into one of the few surviving jars.

He stopped. Tilted his head. Had the nerve to breathe in your general direction. "So…" he pointed with his chin. "What happened here?"

You raised your head slowly with a condescending glare. “The shelf fell down." You raised your palm toward the empty spot on the wall like you were Vanna White. ‘Is this beautiful idiot incapable of observing his own surroundings? Is he too busy being attractive and handsome to use basic deduction skills?’

He raised his eyebrows and put his hands on his hips. "Did… did you do it?" He asked.

And now he was accusing you of being the idiot that didn't properly install a simple fucking shelf?!

"No, I didn't do it, you fuckin asshole," you groused and tossed more nails into the jar.

"Hey."

You felt him more than you heard him–a tense shockwave rippling through you like an earthquake, shoving you to teeter on the edge of a crevice. You whipped your head up. Your gut trembled. Your whole world became uncertain and unbalanced.

Joel towered above you from where you sat, shrinking into the floor. He scowled with his arms crossed. "What is this? What are you doin?” He shrugged his broad shoulders and shook his head. “Don't talk to me like that."

His disappointment sent your heart over the edge into free-fall. Shame crawled across your skin and all the heat and turmoil in your head suddenly vanished, leaving behind nothing but a cold, empty wind. You covered your eyes with your hand and sucked air into your lungs. "I'm sorry," you creaked out, frowning. You had seen Joel standing there, but you hadn't felt him yet. Too busy in your own storm to see anyone but yourself. Your heart shrank further. "Sorry." Tension stung the muscles in the center of your chest and snaked its way up your throat. "I-I-I get like this …sometimes." The water that had once been boiling inside of you had cooled and started pouring out your eyes.

"Well, don't… get like it… with me," he said, sounding on the edge of timid.

"Okay. Okay." You nodded and recycled another breath. And even though you still felt the burn of shame on your skin, the pressure on your chest was relieved. "I'm sorry." You sniffed and spoke to the floor.

You wiped enough of your tears away to see Joel eyeing you with his brows pulled tight, chewing on his lip. It surprised you that he didn't push back or start yelling. It surprised you that he stayed instead of throwing his hands up and stomping off or, at the very least, saying something polite before leaving you be to wallow in your own shame.

"Are you alright? What's goin on?" He asked.

You opened your mouth to speak, thinking the words would come to you, but they didn't. You sighed, half-smiling. "I'm sorry, Joel. It's nothin." You waved him away. "You've got work you're trying to do–"

"Can't be nothin if it's got you actin like that. I–" he sighed. "C'mon." He offered you his hand.

You obliged, reaching out and allowing him to pull you up. You wiped the dirt from your knees and shit, they felt stiff and bruised. You didn't realize you had been kneeling for so long.

He carefully took your hand in his own again. It felt good and warm and safe. "So what's wrong? I-I gotta be honest" He huffed and smiled. "I didn't know… someone as happy as you could get like that."

If he hadn't been holding your hand, you would have ran away–you were so embarrassed. You closed your eyes. Your breaths grew shallow.

"It's–It's–I just–" The right words still weren't there.

"Look at me," he said.

You complied.

"I wouldn't be askin if I didn't wanna know." His eyes were big and tender. The lines around them and in his forehead echoed his sincerity like ripples in water.

You closed your eyes, nodding.

And his thumb was rubbing along the center of your palm and he was waiting–so patiently.

You opened your eyes and his expression was unchanged. "I have these moods…" the words finally tumbled out of you. "...where I get lost in my own head and wanna hurt everyone and everything. But I don't really wanna hurt anyone.” You sighed. “But then I go lashin out at everybody, anyway."

A soft smile bloomed on his face. “Yeah,” he said and glanced into the alleyway. “I know what that’s like.”

Relief washed over you, removing all your remaining apprehension. You had been so scared and yet… he impressed you again.

“I don’t wanna be your punchin bag, though,” he said earnestly.

You didn’t know a statement like that could feel so good–warming up your chest and clearing out your mind. “I don’t want you to be my punchin bag, either,” you said, echoing his sincerity. “It won’t happen again, Joel.” You were confident of that. “I’m sorry it happened in the first place.”

“‘S alright.” He blinked and looked down to where you had been sitting on the floor. “That was… easy compared to most of the fights I have.” Amusement rounded his cheeks, his dimple burrowing deep. He leaned his hip into the back counter, resting his elbow atop it. He was still playing with your hand, interlacing your fingers through it.

You giggled through your closed-lip smile.

He spoke to the floor between your bodies. “I … fight myself more than anybody.”

Your smile turned sympathetic.

“You could say I’m my own punchin bag,” he said in a forced joke with a forced smile.

“Yeah,” you nodded, staring at him with open tenderness. “I know what that’s like.” Your hand found his waist, fingers on the smooth leather of his belt and the rough fabric of his jeans. You rubbed your thumb up and down the soft, cotton fabric of his shirt. You wanted to wrap your arms around him and hold him close, but you weren't sure how he would respond. You didn't move. Didn't say anything. Didn't want to risk him closing back up.

His eyes–you could lose yourself in them forever. Especially with how adoringly he looked at you. You wondered if he was delusional or something to be so quickly enamored with you.

Shit, though. Maybe you were delusional, too, because he was constantly making you melt and you didn't even know him. Not really. Not like you knew Ezra.

Was this okay? Was this alright to feel about someone when you didn't yet know all their quirks and viewpoints and world opinions? You knew Ezra for years before you crossed that boundary. And that was living every single day in his presence. You and Joel had spent very little time together, but god, you felt yourself pulled to him by some electromagnetic current.

But you were a lot older and wiser than when you first met Ezra. Your instincts were stronger and clearer. And your life wasn't at risk if things went south between you–there were no cordyceps or raiders or slavers to find you if he wasn't at your side with a gun in his hand.

You could trust this–whatever it was–happening between you. You could trust yourself to figure it out, too. Maybe Ezra was right. Not everything could fit into a pretty little box for you to label and package all nice and neat. Maybe it was alright to be messy.

So when Joel stepped closer, bringing your bodies flush, you felt warm and easy. And when he leaned forward to kiss you, you felt no doubt in your body when you leaned in to kiss him right back.

The distinctive sound of metal clocking against itself and wood sliding against wood startled both of you. You both whipped your heads around to see Tracy, slamming the door behind her and scuttling towards you from the back of the General Store.

Time slowed down right in front of your eyes, moving like molasses down a shallow incline. You felt your heart pounding in your ears. You hadn’t prepared for this. You hadn’t prepared to tell anyone. Til you knew what the hell you were doing.

But… of all the people to catch you in the act, at least it was Tracy. She knew you better than anyone else in town.

"Hello. Hi." She waved her hand–a broad, panicked smile on her face.

“Shit,” Joel muttered under his breath.

She stepped inside the shed with her hands clasped together. “What’s going on? What are you doing?” She asked. Her voice teetered between casual and accusative.

“‘S none of your business.” Joel’s voice teetered on threatening.

“Um, actually it is my business–” She held her finger up and snaked her head around. “--when my best friend is about to throw her perfect relationship down the toilet.”

Joel scoffed and rolled his eyes.

Your heart jumped. ‘Best friend?’ You hadn’t had a best friend since high school. And you and her had had a falling out, which was why you went to college alone in the first place. You needed this. You needed to save this. You held your palms up, attempting to calm her. “Look, Tracy. I know it looks bad, but–”

Her arms were crossed and angry. “After all Ezra does for you and for this town and–what? You’re just gonna leave him for-for this?” With a disgusted look, she tossed her finger in Joel’s direction before tucking it back beneath her arm.

Joel placed his palms on the work table, leaning his weight into them. He looked ready to pounce.

You stayed even and gentle. “I am not leaving Ezra.”

You felt Joel’s eyes on you.

“Oh, okay. Of course.” She shrugged. “You’re just gonna fuck someone else behind his back. My bad.”

“It’s not like that,” you said evenly.

“Ezra knows.” Joel added.

“No. Uh-uh.” Tracy shook her head. “There is not a man alive that would let their wife run around and make a fool out of them.”

Your palms were still high, still trying to ease back her cloud of upset. “No one is bein made a fool of, Tracy. Ezra knows.”

She scoffed. “This is a joke, right? This is a fucking joke?” Her head was still shaking. Tears rimmed her eyes as she dropped her arms. "Is Ezra not enough for you?" She pressed her fist into her chest. "After all he's done to support you and he's not enough?"

You struggle to find the words, every thought in your head is blurry.

She laughs, wiping pained tears from her reddening eyes. "Ezra is such an incredible, perfect, handsome man and you–"

"Ezra is not some golden child.” Joel spat.

"What?" You turned to look at him. His face was red and he was snarling.

"Ooooh!" Tracy looked sickeningly excited and started waving her finger around. "You got a lotta nerve to say anything, Joel." She spat his name out like an insult. "I have heard plenty of stories about what you did before Jackson."

He raised his jaw, his body gone stiff. His chest heaved hot breaths through his nostrils.

"All the killing and smuggling." She huffed. "The only reason they even let you in was because of your brother."

You scoffed. "Tracy, stop it." Your calm was disappearing.

"You don't know, do you?" Her eyes were now trained on you. "You don't know how many people he's killed?"

"Tracy," you warned. “I am not going there. There is not a single person in this town–”

“Innocent people.” She said your name to you as if to emphasize her point. She leaned forward, pointing at Joel as if her finger was gonna help you understand everything she was telling you. “He killed innocent people.”

“I killed innocent people, too.” You threw your hands up–stiff, exasperated. You spoke through gritted teeth and trembling lips. “And people tell me stories all the time about murderin and torturin and-and-and the sick, painful shit they did to get by.” You pointed a shaky finger downward. “People here. In Jackson.” You stared at Tracy's pained face, wet cheeks. "But we are not who we were when we were survivin'."

“Fine. Fine!” Tracy spat, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Fine!" Her head was shaking. Her body was trembling. “B-B-But you can’t do this.” Now her finger was pointing at you. “You can’t just go around… fuckin whoever you want.”

Your eyes grew wide and your jaw went slack.

“It is none of your business,” Joel snarled again.

“There are families here. And there are children.”

“What?” What the hell did that have to do with anything?

“And how am I supposed to explain to my kids that you’re out there sluttin’ it up like nothing means anything?”

“What?” You wanted to laugh. "That–that doesn't even make sense! What are you talking about?" ‘Like nothing means anything?’ What the hell did that mean?

“You get one, okay?” She started stepping back, out of the tool shed and into the alley. “You get one and that’s all you get. That's how it works. That's how it's always worked.” She nodded, satisfied. “Okay? So pick.” She clapped her hands together. “And you know how I feel about this one.” She nodded toward Joel and turned around.

You stomped around the work table. “I don’t have to pick shit!” She was almost to the door. “I can do whatever the hell I want!”

She threw her hands up, shaking her head, and went inside.

Your whole body was jittery. Your breaths were short. There were people, you noticed, on the edge of your vision. Other people in the alley. But you didn’t count them and you didn’t look to see if they were looking at you. You placed your hand on your chest, attempting to calm your nerves.

Joel stood in the tool shed, watching you and working his jaw. He looked down and crossed his arms.

“I … I don’t know what the hell just happened,” you said as you leaned against the doorway. You were exhausted suddenly–every ounce of life having been sucked from your veins and mind and bones.

Joel didn’t say anything. Just wiped his face and adjusted his belt.

“Everything is happenin so fast. It’s too fast.” Your eyes welled with tears. You didn’t know you had any left in there. “I don’t understand it. I don’t understand what is goin on.”

Joel slowly stepped to you, boots scraping against the dusty floors. He placed his hand on your shoulder and opened his mouth to speak. But he closed it just as quickly.

You sighed and wiped your tears. You wrapped your palm around his warm hand and it felt so good to touch his skin. You didn’t need or want him to say anything at all. It was enough to be in his presence. You took a deep breath and looked at him with a small smile on your lips.

“I need to go tell Ezra what happened so he’s not blind-sided by it later ‘cause I know she’s gonna tell somebody and they’re gonna tell somebody else and I’m pretty sure–” you sighed. “I’m pretty sure some other people just heard us arguin out there.”

“A-alright,” he said–his hand staying on your shoulder.

God, being with Joel felt so good and so right and so… correct. Like this was what you were supposed to be doing. Like this was what your whole life had been building toward and you were exactly where you needed to be.

“I wanna see you again. Soon."

Joel's eyebrows shot up, his lips upturned on the edges. “Really? E-Even after all that?”

“I'm not changing myself to make her feel better.” You spoke with confidence. You shrugged. “This is who I am.” You gasped and stepped back, putting out your arm to make space between the two of you. “I mean, if you need to take a break or wanna stop or if it's too much and you wanna think about it–"

“No no no no.” Joel smirked. "I'm good."

You couldn't believe it. "...Really?"

He scowled. "I don't give a shit about these people." He pulled you back in by your waist, adoring you with a smile. "I can do whatever the hell I want."

You laughed, shaking your head. His tender eyes had you hooked again and you reached up to hold his face in both of your hands. The kiss you shared was just as tender, lips locking with only a tease of your tongues.

You were determined to make this work.

You were also determined to not lose Tracy as your friend.

You knew it wouldn't be easy, but it would definitely be worth it.

+++++++

A/N: I feel like it's important to say that Joel 'Bottles-Up-His-Emotions' Miller will not stay cool, calm, and collected forever. The next chapter will include a lot of processing.

tag list: @toxicanonymity @jksprincess10 @shotgun-shelby @walkintotheriveranddisappear @for-a-longlongtime @rubyfruitjungle

+++++++

(story masterlist)

(my masterlist)

#my writing #ezra x reader x joel miller #ezra x reader #joel miller x reader #muddy waters series

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katyawriteswhump · 3 months

Text

The power of love pt 6 (steddie, stobin, steve whump fic)

Steve has a habit of surviving near death experiences then getting sick for no reason. And Eddie and those fatal bat bites? After an impossible feat of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Steve, he’s mysteriously fixed. So, Eddie’s back to being banished, this time with Steve and Robin in tow. Eddie’s healing, but Steve isn’t… and life gets even more confusing, when Eddie develops feelings for Steve, which aren’t entirely unrequited.

Part one Part two Part three Part four Part Five Part Seven Part eight Part Nine Part Ten Part 11 Part 12

Steve POV

“Hey!” shouts Steve, the next morning, as Robin hauls a mass of supplies onto her back. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He half-runs, half-skids down the slippery rocks outside the cave. He tries to wrest the pack from her. She turns sharply, and he loses his grip.

“Steve, chivalry sucks and should’ve died in the Middle Ages.”

“What? I’m not being—”

“I can totally manage! Most of its bedding, and Eddie’s got half the water. You’re sick, remember?”

He rakes his fingers through the hair he’s just wrested into some sort of sub-standard shape. “Honestly, I’m good.”

Honestly, he feels dead rough, though better than yesterday. Anybody would feel achy after a night in some dingy cave. Even with Eddie Munson’s lap as a pillow.

Not that he spent the whole night there. Hell, no.

He woke up with Eddie spooning him from behind, Eddie’s chin tucked on his shoulder. Which screwed him up big-time. Fortunately, Robin was also cuddled up with him, which… helped. Yeah, he’d been kinda nestled on her boobs, but it wasn’t intentional. And it was Robin, and she’d laughed when he’d apologized.

Thinking about snuggles with Eddie is waaaay more problematic—underlined by the swift and silent fashion they’d extracted themselves from each other, both apparently awakening simultaneously.

Both far too groggy to deal.

Almost as bad, he can’t recall exactly what he’d said to the guy last night. He’s pretty damn sure he made an idiot of himself.

He’s still squirming when they set off, neither he nor Eddie having exchanged more than a passing word. Steve insists on taking his turn with the luggage, as well as using the compass and reading the sky. He’s terrible at it, mainly because squinting at the bright sun gives him an epic headache. He ends up walking behind with Robin, while Eddie disappears off ahead.

“By my reckoning, we took twice as long as we should’ve to reach those caves yesterday,” says Steve to Robin. “Do we really trust him with this pathfinding shit?”

“He’s shockingly decent at it. Not sure I trust him with you. Or vice versa.”

Steve stops dead. He can’t cope with walking and with any Eddie-Munson-related bombshells. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, come on! I could carve the sexual tension between you two with a knife then sculpt a little love-heart with it. He literally can’t stop flirting with you.”

“That’s total bull. Eddie flirts with everyone.”

“Uh… no. He really doesn’t. I mean, without belittling your troubles, I wish my love life had ever presented me with such straightforward opportunities.”

He facepalms. “Oh Christ, I’m sorry. I-I just can’t right now.” He pushes his increasingly sweaty hair from his eyes. God, he’d kill for a shower. And why didn’t Eddie pack more hairspray?

“Steve?” She hooks her arm through his, and they trudge on together.

“Okay, I surrender. I like him.” He sighs. Why do they seem to be walking forever uphill? “I don’t see how he can be into me, how I’ve been the past few days, and I’m not sure I want to go there. Period. And before you lecture me, it’s not because I think being gay is bad, you know that. It’s because… I honestly don’t know what I am.”

“You’re bi, Steve,” says Robin, very quietly.

“Yeah, and it’s a lot to get my thick head around.”

“You’re not thick, you know—"

“Whatever.” He swipes his wrist across his brow. “We’ve talked this over a billion times. I really don’t need any more meaningless sexual relationships.”

“Why would it be? You reckon you wanna jump his bones, and it’ll flush him out of your system?”

Steve pauses again. Robin’s questions stab his brain, and yet… He finds he can answer the last one, easy enough. “No,” he says. “I don’t want that. I mean, I got urges to be with him, but it feels different… from Nance or whatever.”

“That’s ’cos he’s a dude.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Slowly, they walk on again, both breathing hard. “You know, I’ve had fantasies and stuff, but they were just that, and…” I want Eddie to jump my bones and... Oooookay, that’s a revelation he didn’t want to deal with this morning, on top of the rest of the shit. “Why are we discussing this now?”

“Because the pair of you are driving me ment—"

A loud roar scythes through the quiet woodlands. Steve barely hears Robin’s terrified squeak. He grabs her bodily, makes a dive for the undergrowth. A chopper passes low overhead, setting the trees shaking, the ground juddering. They’ve landed hard—on Steve’s injured side—and bracken prods everywhere. Extra bruises and scratches, however, are the least of his concerns.

Another large chopper is about to pass directly overhead.

Eddie! Has he been spotted? Are they all about to be rounded up and frogmarched straight to jail? Steve crouches, squints ahead and realises the forest thins out into a clearing. There are only bushy tree stumps, no real cover. The sky above is clear as summer… and he still can’t see Eddie.

Steve’s desperate to sprint on, to find him. However, even hunkered down, he starts to feel sick. Jesus, not now! He squeezes his eyes tight; squeezes Robin tighter, kinda prays, because he’s that desperate. He’d do anything to protect them both. Anything. Anything! Pleeeease? Apart from he can’t hardly breathe, let alone move. There’s a freaky-ass electric crackling in his head, and he’s on the verge of…

Steve blacks out, but only momentarily. He slams a palm to the earth, stopping himself crumpling.

The roar lessens, as the second chopper forges on. A third follows noisily in its wake. Steve glances up. A thick cloud has settled, low enough to obscure the top of the trees.

“Do you think they saw us?” asks Robin, when it’s quiet enough to be heard.

“Nah,” says Steve, forcing himself to think straight. “It’s military, heading toward Hawkins. Bet they didn’t even look down.”

“If they did,” says Robin, “that cloud couldn’t have arrived at a better time.” They extract themselves from the foliage. Robin offers Steve a hand, which he ignores, clambering up himself. “I mean, it’s beyond nuts. The sky was blue—totally clear—a moment ago.”

She folds her arms, narrows her eyes.

He tosses a hand up, exasperated. “What are you driving at, Robin?”

“I don’t know. Weird shit is afoot.”

“Tell me something I don’t know. Jesus, is Eddie, like, taking a slash or something?”

They both yell his name, while Steve surreptitiously checks his bandages. Blood hasn’t soaked through them, so that’s one thing. He’s even more relieved, when Eddie comes thrashing back through the trees.

“That was waaay too close.” Eddie’s totally spooked, and Steve restrains a burning desire to both hug him and pick out the dry leaves that have gotten stuck in his hair. “Is this logger camp really such a great idea? I mean, we’re rounding back on ourselves—getting closer to Hawkins again.”

“I reckon it’s sound.” Steve rolls his shoulders back with a click. “It’d be beyond tricky to land a chopper round here. Too many trees and slopes. If this place we’re heading for is as remote as we hope, it’ll be impossible there.”

“You sound better,” says Eddie, eyes narrowing, like Robin’s had.

“That’s because I am, moron.” Unable to withstand Eddie’s sudden intensity, he turns to Robin. Who remains staring at him, pretty much the same.

He wants to yell, What now? On the other hand, he is indeed feeling more himself. He might test the waters concerning his ‘thing’ with Eddie. Not with Robin AND Eddie gawking at him, like he’s some kinda freak.

Sure, he’s thought about what Robin said concerning Lover’s Lake—about him asking to go there when he was sick. He really doesn’t want to think too hard on it. Yeah, he’s had a couple of close calls there, and yeah, there’s a gate to the Upside Down in Lover’s Lake, but there wasn't always one, and...

“Look, if you two have a problem with me, I really wish you’d come clean.”

“No problem,” says Robin, perhaps a little too quickly.

Frustration flushes through Steve. "Be honest with me, Robin."

"I am! It's just... what with supernatural creepiness swallowing our lives on an apocalyptic scale, I'm so hugely relieved you're okay. It's hard to trust in anything good being real these days."

Yeah, he buys that, and he sure as heck trusts her, plus Eddie's nodding vigorously. He believes them. Maybe too readily, but he does.

Then he hears it—the merest rustle in the undergrowth. Followed by the patter of footfalls. On reflex, he slams into Eddie, hustles him behind the nearest thick-trunked tree. They tumble to the ground, Steve on top. You were wrong, Harrington. Those choppers landed men after all, and… Shit, Robin!

She hasn’t followed. He straddles Eddie’s upper thighs, straining to see. He hears her cry out, “Oh my God, they’re so pretty!”

A bunch of brown deer streak by, their fluffy white bottoms flashing behind them. Doubtless, the chopper spooked them too.

Steve’s jaw drops. Flat on his back beneath Steve, Eddie hoots, sweeping his hair from his mouth: “Thanks for saving me from Bambi, dude.”

Yeah, he’s mocking him. Eddie’s laugh is still totally delicious. Their troubles forgotten, Steve retaliates with his best dreamboat smile. “You’re welcome. I’m at least 2-1 up again in the lifesaving game, huh?”

“The world is back to rights, Harrington.”

Steve leans closer, revelling in Eddie’s laughing eyes, mesmerised by that gleaming smile... This is where we kiss, right?

A twinge of pain, and the effort of disguising it, totally throws him. He lifts his butt from Eddie’s thighs, then offers Eddie his hand. Which Eddie takes. The strain of tugging sets perspiration dripping from his brow.

“My eternal saviour.” Eddie affects a silly bow. Robin laughs too.

Steve dabs his eyes: “We did that joke, Munson.” He slings his pack up over his shoulder and motions them onwards: “Come on, Princesses. Let’s go, let’s go.”

Part 7

...

tags: @estrellami-1 @kal-ology (thank you, thank you, thank you!) If anybody else would like to be tagged on this fic or any of my writing, please let me know :) Reblogs, comments and likes also very much appreciated :) Thank you for reading so far :)

(also part of my steve whump fic series on AO3)

#steddie #steve harrington whump #steddie fic #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve harrington #stobin #stobin fanfic #steve x eddie #steddie fanfic #stranger things fanfic #platonic stobin #stobin friendship #steve harrington hurt/comfort #steve harrington hc #steve harrington fanfic #eddie munson lives

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