#I'll do my best to write chapter 2 quickly! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yuna542 · 11 months

Text

[2]<-

[3]

›Bad Idea<

Pairing: Hong Woojin × Reader

Genre: Smut, Fluff, Angst, Enemies with benefits to Lovers

Warnings: 18+, explicit Smut, under 18 DNI!, Suggestive Themes, Swearing, pet names, oral (m & f receiving), hate sex, ANGST, overstimulation

Word Count: 8.3k

Note: There you go. Part 3. If you have requests about Bloodhounds tell me and I will write something <3

Summary: As GunWoo’s little sister he wanted you to finally meet his best friend. Unfortunately you don't get along. He gets on your nerves, you fight all the time and yet you can't stop messing with each other. One evening you get into a dangerous situation and end up bruised and bloody at his apartment. And you suddenly have to ask yourself: Why do you feel so attracted to that idiot?

Chapter 4:

The Café

It was a summer day, just a few clouds hid the blue sky, but nonetheless mornings were less busy during the week. Most people grabbed a coffee before work or on their break and disappeared again.

Just as you were collecting an espresso, the store doorbell rang and you said goodbye to the man in the suit who always got an iced Americano at this hour.

When you saw who came sauntering through the door with his hands in his pockets, your expression darkened like a thunderstorm.

Woojin had a gym bag slung over his shoulder, and when he spotted you, your nostrils twitched with less than enthusiasm. You pulled your ponytail tighter and brought the espresso and a piece of strawberry cake to the only guest who was reading a newspaper at a table, ignoring the seductive glare that followed you.

The old man thanked you and for the first time you cursed that so few guests came. Woojin leaned casually against the counter and waited until you were standing behind it again.

You felt his gaze wander up and down your body.

"What are you doing here? I'm working!" you snapped at him in a hushed voice so the old man with the newspaper wouldn't hear.

Woojin leaned over the counter until his nose almost touched yours and raised his eyebrows provocatively as he said just as muffled:

"I can see that. You look much more friendly in that apron, by the way. It suits you."

Uncomfortably, you tugged at the red apron you had pulled over your black miniskirt and top. Before he embarrassed you further with his seductive eyes that shone like bitter coffee, you cleared your throat and crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"Shut up. What are you doing here?" you asked with a meaner tone than you intended.

However, the whole thing was so awkward because you couldn't stop staring at his lips that had been kissing you all over just a few hours ago and his hands that you could still feel on your hips.

He propped his elbows on the counter and tilted his head. It was clear how much fun he was having annoying and embarrassing you.

In truth, he had only come here on the off chance, without knowing that you were working today. When he spotted you behind the counter, with that cute apron, Dr martens and knee socks peeking out from underneath, his heart skipped a beat.

"You just disappeared this morning... I wanted to see if you were okay. Since we yesterday..."

"What do you care? Nothing happened," you quickly replied, moving a few things from one place to another so you wouldn't have to look at him any longer.

"Right... Absolutely nothing. I‘m a bit broke right now. Do you think you could be merciful and give me something? For free? That strawberry pie really looks..."

"Stop it! You're not getting anything now. I‘m not my mother who falls easily for your charming smile. I'll bring the rest of the pastries to the hall later. So get the hell out of here!" you harshly interrupted him, and that's when a new customer came into the café. Immediately you put on a smile and shooed Woojin away with a wave of your hand.

You really couldn't stand the racing heart and strange tingling in your stomach. So you hoped it would go away with him.

Instead of leaving, he stepped aside and just came behind the counter while you were taking the order. You glared at him as you stood by the coffee machine and he casually leaned against the wall next to it as if he owned the place.

"Always so cheeky," he muttered so softly that only you could hear. By now your head was almost bursting with anger and you had to force yourself not to yell at him in front of the customer.

"I hate you," you hissed, before you turned to serve the finished coffee. The young man thanked you, paid, and by the time he disappeared in the doorway, the corners of your mouth hurt from the forced smile.

Instantly, you whirled around to Woojin and stepped close to him so he could hear you clearly as you growled dangerously:

"Get the hell out of here! Why are you getting on my nerves all the time?"

That's when he braced himself from the wall and was suddenly much taller than you again. An intimidating glint entered his eyes and he pushed you back until your back hit the counter.

"Because I like it when you glare at me so angrily. It’s kind of sexy," he replied in a muffled voice, and you swallowed hard as his breath brushed hotly against your lips. Concerned, you glanced briefly at the old man, but he was completely engrossed in his newspaper.

"Woojin stop it!" you gasped as soon as he propped one hand each to your right and left, trapping you between his chest and the counter.

His presence was so engaging that your knees went weak and you would have loved to lunge at him and rip that stupid shirt off. Instead, you jutted your chin defiantly and tried to look angry.

"I love it when you act all controlling like that knowing damn well I can leave you shaking under me," he muttered with amusement and your breath caught.

Your glares locked and you rolled your eyes.

"It wasn't even that good," you replied monotonously, hitting the mark. His jaw twitched and he laughed bitterly. Satisfied, you smiled sweetly, though you just clawed convulsively at the counter.

"Really? It sounded a little different yesterday..."

You shrugged indifferently.

"It was nothing special."

The lie came easier to your lips than you had expected.

"Then how do you blush so much? I'm not even touching you and you are falling apart", he continued to provoke, and his lips brushed yours for a teeny second. For a moment you closed your eyes, wanting to lean forward and check if he still tasted the same as yesterday.

Just in time you thought better of it, and you winced violently as the doorbell rang, announcing a new customer.

Woojin finally let go of you and took a few steps back. Only then did you realize you had been holding your breath. The customer was the owner of the bookstore across the street, who always went to get a few pieces of cake and sandwiches for her family.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Yang. Can I get you the usual?" you greeted her with glowing cheeks and you feared she could hear your heartbeat across the counter.

She adjusted the green glasses on her nose and smiled kindly.

"Oh Y/N. Is your mother not here today?"

Woojin walked back into the room in time to greet the man with a quick hand gesture, who looked up from his newspaper for the first time and only now seemed to notice him.

"No. I'm afraid she's indisposed."

Mrs. Yang nodded understandingly and looked at what you had already prepared in the counter.

"It's very nice to see you again, too. Give her my best regards!"

"Of course," you replied, daring a tense glance at Woojin, who was watching you. Why did he always have to look at you as if there was nothing else around him? You tried to deny the fact that he was looking directly at you by rolling your eyes, but when he did it more than occasionally with that infamous smirk on his face, it confirmed the theory that he just wanted to annoy you.

"I already put cake back for you," you remembered, and were about to turn around when she raised her hands defensively.

"Oh I think your friend was here before me," she said, pointing at Woojin, who bowed briefly. Before he could say anything, you fixed him warningly with piercing eyes that brooked no argument:

"No, not at all. He was just leaving anyway. And he's not my friend."

You emphasized the last sentence especially and that's when the lady looked back and forth between you in astonishment.

"Oh no? I always see him here and with you."

"He's Gunwoo's friend, and my brother is actually waiting for him," you replied, and Woojin's expression remained impenetrable.

"That's true. I should be on my way. Have a nice day," he wished and bowed to the old lady before strolling out of the store with his hands in his pockets as if nothing had ever happened.

"Strange boy," you heard the lady mutter as you prepared her order.

"You don't say," you replied, anger mixed with confusion. You had lost control and didn't know what to do.

"Well, but he looks good..." she added, and a hysterical laugh escaped you.

Chapter 5:

The Flirt

Shortly after you called it a day and took off your apron, your thoughts still turned to Woojin. As much as you wanted to banish him from your thoughts, you found it increasingly difficult.

With the basket full of leftover pastries, you made your way to the hall where Gunwoo and Woojin trained with their coaches and other boxers almost every day.

The pastries consisted of rice cakes, some stuffed pancakes that you would have thrown away and especially egg bread.

This was Woojin's favorite. The first time he had tried it in the store, his eyes had almost fallen out and he had eaten so much of it that he had been sick for days. When you caught yourself smiling at the thought, you pinched your arm in punishment.

As you walked into the hall, the boys' attention was immediately on you and the basket of goodies.

Normally your mother did this regularly, now when the boxers saw you they froze in front of their punching bags and the guy who was in the ring with Woojin almost got hit by a punch because he was just staring at you.

Gunwoo broke away from his spot where he had just been throwing punches with his trainer and put an arm around you as he led you to the center of the room.

"Nice to see you again Y/N," the trainer said and you returned his smile.

"I'm just bringing something to strengthen."

The tall guy with the short hair who was standing in the ring with Woojin climbed out and stripped off his boxing gloves. You deliberately avoided looking in Woojin's direction. He was shirtless, sweat glistening on his muscles, and you couldn't bear the sight of his damn perfect body right now.

You were, to tell the truth, too afraid to give in to the heaping testosterone and accidentally lick him. Woojin's looks were easy to overlook when everything that came out of his mouth was rubbish, you just became painfully aware of that again.

"Heaven sent you!" the other boxer said, daring to look into the basket.

The others gathered around you as well and you set the basket down at the edge of the ring, where the boxers pounced on it like wild dogs.

They were all muscularly built, sweaty from training, and you didn't know where to look among all the half-naked bodies. Your eyes widened for a brief moment as the shock of Woojin's body that you had seen many times, especially while boxing, it still amazed you how attractive this man was.

Gunwoo also got some of the egg bread and then joined his trainer. They were all preparing for important amateur fights to maybe make it to the professional league someday.

Just as Woojin was about to come your way, you turned the other way and joined the big guy with whom he had been standing in the Ring.

"How's it going?" you engaged him in conversation, and Woojin stayed with Gunwoo, though not without looking over at you again and again.

"It's going pretty well I think.... The competition is tough. But we can learn a lot from each other," he said, eyeing you unobtrusively.

You leaned against the wall next to the punching bag and looked at the boxer more closely. He was good looking, probably the same age as you, and had a nice smile.

"I'm Woonho, by the way," he introduced himself, running a hand through his wet sweaty hair.

"I'm Y/N. Gunwoo's sister."

Woonho nodded and looked over at your brother, and that's when he noticed Woojin's piercing gaze as well. It was like he wanted to stab him with it.

"That's cool. Gunwoo and Woojin are the best around. They talk a lot about you. How do you feel about boxing?"

The question reached you unexpectedly. Looking at him confused, you laughed lightly.

"I've never tried it before. I don't think it's for me."

"Oh. I thought because of the injury," he said, pointing to his own temple. Reflexively, you grabbed the spot and winced as you were painfully reminded of the bruise.

"Oh, that? I was looking at my phone and ran into a door frame," you lied, and there he was, smiling brightly. He had cute dimples and loyal eyes.

"I think you'd make a good boxer."

"Really?" you asked incredulously and he nodded vehemently.

"Sure. It's not that hard. All you have to do is make a fist, stand up right and punch."

He demonstrated and punched the punching bag. Smiling enthusiastically, he held out a hand invitingly.

"Try it!"

"Okay. But if I hurt myself it's your fault!" you chuckled wryly.

"I'll take that."

You stood as he showed and tried to strike.

Amused, he corrected your posture by touching your hip and wrists.

Woojin boiled inside when he saw you laughing and as soon as Woonho touched you too and you looked up at him with your warm eyes, he wanted to punch someone's face. Preferably Woonhos.

An animalistic growl rose from his throat and something stung painfully in his chest when he saw how much fun you were having with the younger boxer. He stopped following the conversation with Gunwoo a long time ago. His gaze was fixed on you and how you playfully brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

You were flirting that was more than obvious. He shouldn't care about that. He shouldn't care at all, and yet he pushed Gunwoo aside in mid-sentence and his legs carried him over to you as if by themselves.

Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, Woojin had already grabbed him, yanked him back by the shoulder, and was staring relentlessly into his eyes.

"Hey keep your hands off her, you hear me?" he snapped at him.

Woonho just raised his hands defensively and took a few steps back when he saw the anger in Woojin's eyes.

"Relax. We were just talking. I didn't know she was your girl."

Stunned, you stepped next to Woonho and glared angrily at Woojin.

"She definitely is not."

Woojin didn't respond. He was like in a tunnel and his anger was directed only at Woonho. Even though he was smaller, he seemed a lot more intimidating and you were starting to not be sure if he wasn't just going to punch him.

Completely perplexed, you could only stare at him.

What had gotten into him? The rest in the hall had also fallen silent and were watching the scene.

"Well did you get it? Piss off or do you want me to finish you off like in the ring?"

Now it was a clear threat.

Woonho didn't seem to think it would be worth it and gave in. Silently he grabbed his stuff and disappeared from the hall. Shaking your head, you watched as Woojin ran back to Gunwoo and continued the conversation as if nothing had ever happened.

His arrogance made you so angry that you gritted your teeth. The anger burned inside you, but you held back until Woojin was the last to disappear into the locker room. The rest were already ready to leave and were still chatting outside the hall.

You seized the moment and stormed into the locker room. The door flew shut loudly behind you and Woojin whirled around from his locker to face you.

"What the fuck was that about?" you yelled at him, but he just packed his boxing gloves into his bag, unimpressed. He was still wearing the red shorts and sweat glistened on his muscles in the orange light of the small room.

"I don't know what you mean."

You thought you were going to burst with anger. Quickly you ran up to him, slamming the locker shut with one hand so he'd stop occupy with it and look at you.

"Don't act even dumber than you are! Why did you do that?"

"Did you want something from the little shit?" he asked as if it was your fault, since you had approached him.

"That's not the point... You have no right to it! I don't belong to you. We were just fucking! Nothing more. And it was a mistake. A big fucking mistake."

He watched your eyes spark, and you could clearly tell from the twitch of his jaw that he was starting to get angry, too.

Or his anger was just now coming to the surface.

"Oh yeah, are you so in need of it that you want to get it from some random douche bag? Do you need attention that bad? I can call him, he'd fuck you right now."

His words causing you to growl and nearly punch him in the mouth. Maybe if you did it hard enough, he would never talk again. You heavily considered it.

„You fucking asshole. I don't know why I'm even talking to you."

Stunned, you massaged your temples and you turned around because otherwise you would surely punch him in his pretty face. He drove you crazy just by breathing. You wanted to leave. You wouldn't get a normal response besides insults anyway.

"What, are you just going to walk away? Are you that much of a coward?" he shouted after you and that made you spin around.

"Shut up already!" you yelled, and you would have loved to throw yourself on the floor and cry. But your pride wouldn't let him have the last word.

"You really are pathetic!"

"You went out of your way to flirt with him in front of me to piss me off, didn't you?" he hurled at you, storming at you until he was standing close to you, taking away any air you could breathe. You looked up at him, your lower lip twitching uncontrollably as you did so.

"Why are you getting mad at me for flirting with someone else? We slept together once, doesn't mean we're exclusive. You hate me! So what's your problem?"

Why was he staring at your lips when you were arguing? The lump in your throat was getting bigger and the tension in the air was starting to crush you.

"Yeah, well, I don't like seeing other people all over you even if we're nothing more than just two people who like to have sex with each other. So what about it? Even though I hate you, it bugs me."

No matter what you said, it just made everything more confusing.

"You have no right to do that! Act like a normal person for once and not an asshole!" you hissed emphatically.

"Then don't act like a desperate bitch!"

Anger shot through your veins like poison and before you even realized what you were doing, you lashed out and punched his face.

However, unluckily he was a boxer and caught your fist with ease before it even touched him. Saying you were flushed and flustered during the argument was an understatement. You felt like you were bathing in a sauna on a summer day. The anger that bubbled under your heated skin didn't help in cooling you down. It only made you more furious that his little provocations affected you so easily.

Surprised, he clasped your wrist and it hurt.

"Don't you dare do that again!", he growled and still you took out your other fist. Maybe just because of his threat.

However, he caught that one too and so he held both your wrists.

Before you knew what was happening, he was pushing you against the locker and pinning both of your hands above your head against the cool metal so you couldn't attack him further, which was probably wise since you wouldn't have stopped.

"I hate you," he growled, and you just took in his body pressed tightly against yours. The acid that spat from your mouth always ignited a fire inside of him that he's never felt from anyone else.

"I hate you too," you murmured, and already his nose was brushing your cheek. He shielded you from the room with his muscular shoulders, and the coolness of the locker door at your back completely exposed you to him.

Breathlessly you gazed at each other and the crackling energy was palpable.

His eyes gleamed lustfully and you unconsciously bit your lower lip as he pushed your legs apart with his knee and stepped even closer to you until your hips were firmly against each other.

He wasn't just hot, he was beautiful. From the symmetrical lines of his cupids bow to the dark lashes framing chocolate eyes, he was hypnotic. And he had you completely under his spell.

The anger and hatred between you turned the energy into arousal and the two of you crashed together with teeth and lips, a brawl of desperate hands and angry grudges. He pressed you against the locker at the waist, let go of your hands and grumbled as you pressed your body against his. Fingers tangled in hair immediately, tugging and scratching. His lips were pillowy and soft, addictive. He couldn’t stop watching you. Hair a mess, eyes blown wide, and lips swollen. It was a glorious sight.

He rushed under your shirt, pulled it over your head and you got rid of your shoes in parallel. While your hands were occupied on getting rid of your clothes, neither of you cared about anything else but finally feeling each other's bodies to blow off steam.

After he also undid your bra and threw it aside, he ran his fingers over your covered cunt.

"You're already so wet and I haven't even done anything yet," he murmured, cupping your breast with one hand while the other pulled off your panties.

He circled his index and middle fingers over your clit until you gasped into his mouth between kisses. The kiss was rough, full of hatred. Both of you fighting for dominance, not willing to lose it, not even for a second.

You impatiently pulled down his shorts and underwear, which he also kicked aside. Finally you felt his length again, which you had been thinking about constantly.

"We don't have much time. Gunwoo is waiting," you said, stroking his shoulder blades, while he was already hard again. Excitedly you looked up at him, but your heart skipped a beat when he looked at you with the mischievous grin. There was an insatiable hunger in his eyes, yet he pressed a kiss to your jawline and murmured:

"Say it! Say what you want!"

You couldn't bring yourself to say the words- couldn't stand the thought of asking your mortal enemy to fuck you in the locker room at his own boxing gym.

"Tell me you want me to ruin you," he whispered in your ear, putting more pressure on your clit so that your body melted in his hands.

"I want you to fuck me, Woojin. Ruin me, please!" you said, rolling your hips against him, making him gasp sharply.

"Good girl," he replied, and you got goosebumps. Without further ado, he grabbed your ass, lifted you up and you automatically wrapped your legs around his hips. His tip was already stretching your entrance, but it wasn't until your back was pressed firmly against the locker that he slid inch by inch inside you. As he did so, a sigh ripped off him as your walls snuggled around him. A whimper escaped you and he held you with ease.

When he was fully absorbed in you, he looked at you urgently.

"You have to be quiet or they'll hear us," he stressed, and you had completely forgotten that everyone including your brother was still in the hall cleaning up.

He didn't give you any time to adjust, one hand grabbing your hip, the other groping your breast, as he started to slam into you at an unforgiving pace. The temperature that began to rise on your cheeks was spreading to your limbs, muscles slowly coiling as the pleasure continued to build at your core.

The locker creaked dangerously with each thrust and you tried to stifle your noises, but it wasn't easy as he thrusted deeper and deeper, your eyes almost cloudy from how good he truly felt inside of you. Another sensual kiss ensured, the combination of his raspy moans and your desperate whines slipped into each other, trying to stay quiet and muffle both of your sinful noises with messy kisses. The locker hitting the wall with each thrust.

It was almost ridiculous how fast your orgasm rolled on while he slammed into you.

You didn't really want to admit how good he was at fucking you, but by now there was no question. The knot in your lower abdomen tightened and while you tried to be quiet, you clawed into his back so hard you would definitely leave scratch marks.

"Your so tight... Fuck," he growled, spreading wet kisses down your neck that made you whimper. Desperate, you struggled to stop your naughty noises.

"Woojin... Don't stop!" you moaned, and he felt your body tremble.

"Come around me! It's okay, dollface," he gasped and even stepped it up a notch.

Your body betrayed you, obeying his command instantly, your body sucking his cock in deeper, ready to fall off the edge. You dissolved into the pleasure, pressing your hand over your mouth so as not to let everyone else in the hall know how well Woojin was fucking you.

But as the climax washed over you, he didn't stop.

As if it spurred him on even more, he continued to penetrate you and the look on your overwhelmed face made his dick twitch excitedly inside you. Your pussy was pulsating and overstimulated. Each of his thrusts you felt all the way up your spine and you feared fainting if he was going on at that pace.

As your nails dug deeper into his back and you tried to push him away, as it was all too much, he put a hand around your neck and pressed you against the locker, making it hard for you to move.

"I'm not done with you yet!" he pressed out between clenched teeth, and gradually his thrusts became more irregular.

Like a wild animal, he fixed you and when he increased the pressure on your neck, your eyes rolled back.

"I won't stop until I've filled your tight sweet cunt up and you can't walk anymore."

"Fuck you," you gasped in a trembling voice and by now you were sure you couldn't walk anymore. It was a power play that would never end. His hand on your neck and his never ending abuse of your pussy had you floating in the clouds.

The second orgasm rolled in with a ferocity that made your legs tremble. The sight of your fucked out face, your breasts bouncing with each thrust and your sore pussy finally brought him over the edge and you came together.

Like drowning you clung to each other and savored your orgasms.

Then he lowered you slowly and you had to sit down on the bench first. He also let himself fall on it, breathing heavily, you tried to bring your pulse under control.

Silently you gathered your clothes, got dressed and tried not to let on how difficult every step was for you. Your legs trembled incessantly and calmed down only after you had finished dressing.

Woojin also slipped into his clothes, but the silence was not unpleasant. It was soothing and even though you had argued and you were still angry, you felt comfortable with him.

At the door you paused for a moment and looked over your shoulder.

"This changes nothing i still hate you," you assured him and he nodded.

"Sure you do," he replied and the brief moment you looked at each other you smiled stupidly.

Chapter 6:

The Headphones

The next few days were not as strange as you thought they would be. In fact, everything was the same as before, only the meaningful looks between you were new.

Just like the racing heart that would kill you when he accidentally touched your arm at dinner or pushed you to the side while you were walking.

Relatively quickly, you realized that it was really nothing more than a fuck for him, and it should be for you. When he visited Gunwoo, you got a disparaging look and when it came to food, he still pushed you aside roughly to be the first to get Mom's famous omelet. But it didn't let you rest easy that he was the only one who made you feel such intense things.

Surely it couldn't just be him?

You tossed and turned in your bed a week later, once again plagued by thoughts of the jerk. He wouldn't let you go and even haunted your dreams. It was a catastrophe and you would have liked to forget everything that had happened. But you couldn't.

Nothing had happened between you for a week. In fact, you argued more often and were even more hostile, but without the sex.

Your body longed for it. Sighing, you stared at the ceiling. Today you were alone.

Gunwoo was out with Mom and so you had the house to yourself.

Lost in thought, you stroked the fabric of Woojin's shirt that you still wore at night.

You just haven't had a chance to give it back to him yet. At least that's what you told yourself.

You slept in it and it smelled so nice. It was stupid and naive, but when you closed your eyes and smelled it, you imagined that he was with you, touching your body and kissing your neck.

With your eyes closed, you played with the hem of the shirt. Underneath you only wore panties. You didn't want to leave the house today anyway. It was raining and you were afraid of being tormented by those damn thoughts about that arrogant idiot all the time.

The racing heart, the heat in your cheeks and the fluttering in your stomach had become annoyingly loud by now.

Your fingers danced on your belly and caressed your thighs. Closing your eyes, you imagined again how Woojin's fingers firmly but lovingly touched your soft skin. It was like a drug, that saved you from loosing it and keeping you sane.

Slowly your fingers found their way between your legs and you let them slide into your panties.

You inhaled deeply as you concentrated on the movements, trying to give yourself the same pleasure that Woojin had gave you. You first ran your fingers down your slit, collecting that sweet arousal until it coated your fingers. You then moved up to your clit, rubbing it in quick circles.

Soft sighs escaped you as you tried to chase the feeling, kneading your breasts through his shirt until you contorted your face in annoyance.

Touching yourself had always given you satisfaction, but the liberating feeling was gone. That was all Woojin's fault. Ever since you slept together, nothing felt comparable.

"Do you need a little help?"

You almost screamed and jumped out of the bed. Completely startled, you straightened up and stared at the curly-haired man leaning casually in the doorway, his cheeks flushed despite his annoying grin.

Staring at him in disbelief, you wrapped the blanket around your body, like it would hide the embarrassing situation he bursted into.

"What the hell Woojin? Do you like stalking women and breaking into their houses?" you yelled, anger equal to shame turning your face red and made your voice stumbling.

He raised your front door key in the air and jingled it as he said:

"Actually I didn't break in. Gunwoo gave me the key."

"That doesn't answer why you're here!" you snapped at him, wishing you could have sunk into the ground.

"I forgot my headphones."

He pointed to the black headphones that were now around his neck, the ones he always carried around. He took them off and waved them in front of you, as if it would made it any less awkward for you.

It was such a simple answer that you could only stare in confusion.

"Can I come in?" he asked, as if he hadn't just caught you masturbating.

"What, no?" it ripped out of you, but he had already pulled the door shut behind him and was wandering around your room. With his hands in his pockets, he looked around at your dressing table, your plants, and the pictures on the walls that often featured Gunwoo, Mom, and your friends from highschool.

Stunned by his audacity, you watched him from your bed. Today he looked annoyingly handsome again. His curls fell tangled in his forehead and he wore a tank top that was cut wide at the sides so you could see his abs.

"Can you get out of here?" you asked, and that's when he turned to you and said:

"Is that my shirt you're wearing?"

You almost choked on your own words as you wanted to hurl some insult at him, but the sudden racing of your heart stopped you. By now your head was as red as a tomato. You had to be running a fever.

"How long were you standing at the door?" you asked a little more meekly, pinching the bridge of your nose. If he watched, while you were touching yourself in his shirt, you would definitely take the next flight and never come back.

Curiously he pulled open one of your drawers and pulled out a pair of black lace underwear.

"Long enough..." he muttered, grinning as you jumped off the bed, ripping your underwear out of his hand and slamming the drawer loudly shut.

"What are you even thinking? Stop touching my stuff!What are you doing here?" you asked harshly, poking him in the chest with your index finger.

He eyed you with amusement as your body lay softly under the fabric of his shirt and your bare legs extended out underneath.

"Just my headphones. That's when I heard you and came to see if you might need help."

The shame made your hands shake at the thought of him hearing your desperate sighs and moans.

"Great."

You turned your head toward him, trying to look confident and unbothered by his whole presence.

"Now get the fuck out of my bedroom! I don't want to look at your annoying face for a while."

"I can help you..." he murmured challengingly, suddenly pulling you closer by the waist. A startled gasp escaped you as his thumb traced circles on your hipbones and his eyes bored into yours.

"What do you mean?" you asked, completely distracted by his lips once again.

He gestured to your bed.

"I can make you come... You just have to ask nicely, dollface," he replied, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement as you exhaled in annoyance.

Hong Woojin was a flirt, and a good one. You were experiencing his best lines. And the worst part was they worked. You wanted to push him away, maybe even slap him for his audacity, but you were desperate.

There was this desire and your body was on fire just by looking at him.

You nodded, which caught him completely off guard. Because he had actually also expected a blow and not a commitment. He wanted to tease you, to see that seductive blush on your cheeks and the way you bit your lower lip when you were angry. He knew you were a lot of things. Sarcastic, blunt, mean towards him, or so he thought. But he didn't thought you would be a tease.

"Okay. Good... Please make me come."

Your words were already making his jeans feel uncomfortably tight, and everything inside him tingled as he brushed a strand of hair out of your forehead.

"Then lie down and spread your legs, baby girl," he murmured and you got goosebumps all over your body. He was smug, overconfident. Irritatingly attractive.

You did as he said, sat down on the bed and spread your legs a little.

He looked at your panties with a hungry glint in his eyes. He knelt in front of the bed, between your thighs, and your heart hammered excitedly with anticipation. With both hands he grabbed you by the waist and lifted you to the edge of the bed with ease.

Then he slowly rolled your panties off your legs and pushed your knees apart with his hands. With an animalistic smile, he looked at your shiny middle.

"So pretty..." he murmured, and you were already getting so wet from it that you fell gasping onto your back.

He kissed your inner thighs and sucked lightly on your sensitive skin until he worked the spot with his mouth right next to where you actually wanted to feel him.

He smiled contentedly and when his tongue met your clit directly, an embarrassed whimper escaped you. He began circling the bundle of nerves with his tongue and sucking on it. He was addicted to the way you sighed and the way your body arched at his every touch. He never understood it, but when he was at your door and saw how flustered you were, it finally clicked.

He wanted you. Desperately wanted to make you feel good.

He enjoyed the view of the lines of your curves peeking out from under his shirt and your narrowed eyes as you tried to block out the noise. He licked a long strip across your slit and sucked hard on your clit, making you curse:

"Fuck! Woojin... Stop that damn teasing!“

Hearing his name come across your lips in such a filthy way made the heat shoot through his veins. Briefly, he stopped and looked at you.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked just to annoy you. With fluttering eyelids you sparkled at him, but he looked so beautiful, that you couldn't resist him any longer.

The dark curls framed his face like an engaging portrait, his eyes shone like liquid chocolate and his pink lips glistened from your wetness.

"For gods sake Woojin! I'll smash your face if you stop!"

The vibration of his chuckling laughter transferred directly to your core and you shuddered. With a smug smirk, he continued to itch your clit, giving you a blissful friction that had your eyes rolling. Once his tongue licked into your entrance, your stomach tensed as you bit your lip forcefully, containing all of your noises.

He started to eat you out as if you were his last meal, putting your legs on his shoulders to thrust even deeper with his tongue and his nose bumped teasingly against your clit.

It wasn't fair that he was even incredibly good at this. You clawed your fingers into the sheets and his name flowed like a mantra across your lips.

You almost forgot about his hand on your thighs until he squeezed them, slid down and grabbed the soft flesh of your ass to press you further against his face. Stars began to gloss over your vision as heated lust fogged up your mind.

His tongue penetrated you with increasing intensity. His mouth and chin were now full of your juices and he had rarely tasted anything more delicious.

If you let him, he would live forever between your legs.

"You taste like heaven, babe.... so good," he murmured, muffled by your cunt.

Then, as he sank two fingers into you and sucked on your clit, you felt your body float into the sky until you were seeing the clouds of pure ecstasy surround you. He was taking his time with you, partly for himself, savouring the moment, enjoying in the way you fell apart before him and partly to tease you into insanity.

You were afraid to explode as your orgasm washed over you without announcement.

Out of your mouth came curses and his name with the most pornographic sounds he had ever heard. You melted in his hands and as soon as your high faded he licked it all clean. Your pussy was sensitive and your hand flew into his hair as he continued.

Like an addict he kept fingering you and his plush lips kept working on your aching cunt.

"Woojin it's too much," you gasped overwhelmed as he brought on the next orgasm. He paused for a moment, looking at you and wishing he could have taken a picture. You looked beautiful with those puffy lips, buzzed look and beautiful eyes.

"You can take it, sweetheart. One more, okay?" he purred and with his sweet little smile, between your legs, you couldn't refuse him anything.

As his mouth rested on your pussy again and he pumped his fingers in and out, you began to see black dots. The next orgasm made your legs tremble around his head and you knew nothing more except his name flowing continuously over your lips.

The way you moaned his name, like it was the only one you knew, the only one that mattered, made his jeans feel impossibly tight. He started palming himself to get some relief.

But even then he didn't stop.

"One more baby. You can do it!" he said cheering you on, and you feared fainting with your next orgasm. However, your body craved it and pushed your hip right at him.

There was nothing left in your head but incoherent mass and as he pumped his fingers into you faster and low growls hummed from his throat, you came a third time. Only this time the world spun around you and your entire body was flooded with energy.

With a rattling breath you opened your eyes. You hadn't even realized you had closed them and looked down at Woojin who was wiping his mouth with his shirt.

"Fuck you squirted all over my face," he said, climbing up to you and propping himself up on the right and left sides of your head to look at you. You didn't even know you could do this.

You were still hovering somewhere between consciousness and drunkenness, unable to say a word.

"Are you all right?" he asked, lovingly stroking your temple, along your jaw, and with his thumb over your lower lip. Gradually you managed to fight your way back to reality and when you saw his brown eyes above you, you breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's all good..." you sighed even though your legs shook that much that you would probably never be able to walk again.

"Was that good?" he asked, sounding genuinely interested. Instead of answering, you pulled him down to you by the back of his neck and kissed him. Immediately your bodies were pressed against each other and he moved his lips against yours as if he had been waiting for this for days.

"Was that a yes?" he murmured against your lips and you both grinned, your foreheads pressed together, your hands tangled up in his hair.

"That was a yes," you replied, and before his confidence could grow any more, you pushed him back by the shoulder, pushing him onto his back and climbing on top of him.

Amazed, he watched you do it and put his hands on your hips as you looked at him from above. You felt even through his jeans how hard he was and just a small movement of your hips was enough to make him hiss.

"What do you think? You want me to return the favor?" you asked mockingly, pushing his shirt up agonizingly slowly.

He helped you take it off and dug his fingers into your hips so you would stop wriggling on his lap like that. Otherwise, he'd come right in his pants.

"That would only be fair," he replied, and you traced the contours of his rock-hard abs with your fingers. The bruises were just dark shadows by now, that you brushed one by one with your lips.

„God my head is about to explode“, he managed to say between needy sigh’s.

His cheeks were flushed and you could see how much he needed it. Now it was your turn. With a mischievous grin you climbed down his body until you were kneeling between his legs.

Only then did he begin to realize what you were up to.

With nimble fingers you opened his pants and he wiggled his hips to pull them down as fast as possible. When you pulled down his boxers as well, he gasped pathetically. His hard cock popped out and its tip was already purple. You had tortured him quite a bit.

You put a hand around his shaft and he watched you with widened eyes as you licked a little precum off his tip, keeping eye contact with him.

He had never seen anything hotter and a sweet sound rose in his throat as you began to slowly move your hand up and down his shaft.

"Holy shit... Fuck..." it tore out of him and he snapped his hips at you.

Teasingly you left your hand still and licked your lips.

"Take it in your mouth!" he commanded with a cute whine and you realized your chance to pay him back some of his bullshit. His eyes widened as he realized the position he had put himself in.

"Beg!" you said with a mean grin and he stubbornly pressed his lips together. Desperation made him gasp softly and you could see him struggling with himself. But he gave in faster as you moved your hand slowly along his length.

"Please, suck me off! Please I need to feel your mouth so bad!"

That was enough to convince you. Satisfied you palmed him faster again and finally you let your tongue circle around his tip until you took him all the way into your mouth.

His head fell into his neck and a loud moan escaped him as you bobbed your head along his dick. He buried his hand in your hair and soon he was guiding your head at a steady pace.

"Your mouth is so warm. So good. Ahh," he murmured to himself, watching his throbbing dick disappear between your full lips.

His grip on your hair grew increasingly tighter and as he pushed himself down your throat, tears welled up in your eyes. You gagged because of his enormous length, but that turned him on even more .

Gasping, he chased his own high and fucked your mouth restlessly. You couldn't breathe through your mouth anymore and his entire dick was full of your spit. Whimpering, you clawed at his thighs as he pressed your head so hard against his dick that tears ran down your cheeks.

It was intoxicating and despite the pain in your throat, arousal pulsed inside you.

"That's it, baby girl. Can't believe you let me fuck your mouth like the needy little slut you are," he growled and held you pressed onto his length for a few seconds until he continued thrusting into your throat.

"You're my little fuck toy! Mine alone!" he pressed out and his dick twitched inside your mouth.

The wet sounds, your dirty gagging and the sight of your glassy eyes made his motions become sloppy and with a few final deep thrusts, he pushed his dick all the way down your throat until your nose touched the skin of his belly and held you there.

You couldn't breathe and he came with an animalistic moan down your throat before releasing you and letting you breathe again.

By now tears, spit and cum were mixing in your mouth and on your lips. As his high ebbed he let go of you. You ran the back of your hand over your mouth and he had never seen anything more beautiful than your fucked out face. Suddenly he grabbed you and kissed you with his entire soul. You were confused by the intensity and blinked at him, when he let you go. It were so many emotions at once, that you couldn’t assign them to reasonable thoughts.

He pulled his shorts and jeans back up. Just in time as you heard the front door slam shut.

"Shit!" it escaped you in panic and with a glance at the clock you realized that you had already been messing around in your bed for two hours.

"Gunwoo and Mom are already back," you whispered, jumping off the bed to toss him his tank top, which he quickly pulled over his head.

As he stumbled out of bed, you pulled a pair of underpants out of the closet and slipped into panties and jeans.

As he stood at the door, he paused and turned to face you. Briefly, you nodded and he opened the door as quietly as possible. Your brother and Mom were carrying the groceries into the kitchen and gossiping loudly.

Just as he was about to slip out quietly, your Mom turned and spotted him.

"Ohh Woojin. You're here?" she exclaimed delightedly and Gunwoo now turned to you as well. She never looked so happy, when you came through the door…

You turned white as a sheet as your brother just stared at his best friend, while he was slipping out of his sister's room.

"Yes. I got my headphones," he said quickly, joining the others in the kitchen. Before Gunwoo could ask, you followed Woojin and said as normally as you could:

"I had them in my room. I wanted to try them out."

Woojin raised his eyebrows and looked at you obviously amazed by your excellent lying abilities.

"You mean you were going to steal them", he spat at you with the perfect amount of hatred to hide the truth.

"As if I needed to. You leave your stuff everywhere", you shot back venomously, and Gunwoo nodded sighing. It seemed all was the same as usual.

"Stop arguing and help me instead!", he demanded and threw a whole net of potatoes at Woojin.

Silently, you breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief when Gunwoo didn't ask further, and started to help him clean up the groceries.

That's how it went on for the next few weeks.

->[4]

—

Taglist (open):

@marked-unknown @littlebaby-bunbun @officialshania @choisoorin @fanaticnae @hoe4wonwoo @lola2004sworld @penny44224 @artisticbirb @amnmich @spaggedy @tasteskz-sworld

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mangowafflesss · 5 months

Text

HATRED FOR YOU | PART 5

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Pairing: Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x Fem!Writer!Reader

Summary: You finally tell Simon who you are.

A/N: Hi everyone. This is the last chapter of this story, I'm not a lover of the ends of things so this was difficult for me. I love everyone who has read it <3 you're the best!

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

{Tags: @dontyouworrydaddy @chrrybl0ss0m @skulfan1 @lialacleaf @ghosts-cyphera @delaynew @arminarlertssword @vynz0ne @the-faceless-bride @plk-18 @gluttonybiscuits @jinxxangel13 @redrumarsenic @redheaded-hobbit @luvecarson @jupiternighties @enfppixie}

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Several Months later…

You nervously played with your thumbs as you tried to wait patiently for Simon. You had offered to pick him up from the airport but your mind was preoccupied with other things.

How are you going to persuade him to come to your book launch party and also wear a suit? How are you going to tell him you’re the one who writes his favourite books?

You felt sick just thinking about it.

Your phone pings and pulls you from your internal dilemma, you read a text from Simon and smile when you see he got you a coffee. You quickly text him back and tell him where you are and blow out a deep breath before resting your head against the headrest.

__________

Sipping on the coffee Simon got you, your finger tapped against the steering wheel to the beat of the music playing through the speakers.

“You're quiet” Simon mentions, leaning over the console slightly so you'll hear him. You give him a quick glance and a smile before putting down your drink.

“It's six in the morning. My voice isn't working yet” your voice sounded hoarse which added to the idea of you just waking up but Simon just glares at you before taking a bite out of whatever he bought to eat.

“Mmhm and what about the other month when you were yelling in the face of some guy at four thirty in the morning. Your voice was most definitely working then…” you could hear him smirking as he spoke, probably reminiscing the memory of you in your pyjamas shouting as some man who woke you up by banging on the wrong door… three times. When the guy finally disappeared you saw Simon leaning against his open door with a cup of tea in his hand.

“You try being woken up three times in a row by some dumb guy” you grumble while mindlessly merging with the early morning traffic.

“Try being woken up to a woman yelling some rather unpleasant things”

“Do you want me to kick you out of this car” you smile sweetly to him but he just laughs and presses the little switch which locks the doors.

“I want you to tell me what's got you in this mood”

“I'm not in a mood. I have to ask you something and I’m nervous” you pick up your coffee cup again to hide your nerves and take a big sip to prepare you for what you’re going to say.

“Is it weird? Because trust me, you’ve said some weird things before so there's no need to be nervous” he taps your knee in an encouraging way and you pass him your coffee before taking a deep breath.

“Okay, I have this event I have to go to and I was wondering if you would come with me” you wait patiently for him to answer and when he doesn’t you take a peek and see him staring at you “what?”

“That was it? Why were you so nervous to ask me about that?”

So many reasons Simon… so many.

“I don’t know… I guess I was overthinking it”

He laughs and touches your knee again “You think too much, and the answer to your question is, yes, I'll go with you”

“Really?!” you sound shocked but quickly cough to cover it up, he gives your knee a squeeze in confirmation which makes you calm down about the entire situation.

“One last question… Do you have a suit?”

—-------------

When you both got home from the airport, Simon steered you into his apartment and told you to wait on his sofa while he goes to check out the suit that's stuck at the back of his wardrobe.

As you were getting comfy on the brown leather, he comes back out with his pants fit snug against his thighs and ass with his jacket thrown over his shoulder while his shirt was unbuttoned and sat funnily on his arms.

“I guess the shirt is a no?” he says while turning around and showing you his large back. Is he trying to kill you right now?

“It's a little bit… tight”

He turns back around and quickly throws you his jacket while he takes off the shirt. “The jacket was big when I bought it but the shirt was a tailored fit so I’ll have to get a new one” Your eyes betray you as he speaks and start to roam around his body shamelessly. He was littered in different scars or wounds and you try to look away but you just can’t until the body comes closer in your vision.

“See something you like sweetheart?” he chuckles and you feel frozen to the spot of the sofa you're sitting on. His finger was hooked under your chin and he tilted your head so you were looking into his brown eyes. Your face felt hot but you managed to pull yourself together and stand from the chair, your bodies were so close to each other but you scooted past him and gathered the things you had with you.

“I'll see you Saturday” is all you say before you make your exit out of your neighbours apartment.

As soon as you left, Simon slumped onto the sofa and put his head in his hands. He didn't know why he did that, he wasn’t thinking properly and now he’s probably made you uncomfortable.

“Fucking hell…”

—----------

The last two days had gone by in a blur, you had been busy getting everything ready and also buying a new dress to wear. You were tempted to bring Simon along for his opinion but you went against it, he’ll see you in it soon.

You checked out your hair and makeup in the mirror by your front door before making sure you have everything on you.

“You can do this!” you say to yourself before opening the door to your home and walking out. You've never done anything like this before and you felt as if you were going to faint, be sick and die in all one go.

Simon was walking out of his door at the same time as you were, which made your worry disappear for a second. He looked you from head to toe with a smile on his face and you did a little twirl for him before smiling back at him.

“You look beautiful” he comments and you felt your heart beating out of your chest, perhaps he could see it if he looked close enough.

“Thank you. Your shirt looks like it fits”

Jesus christ… why would you say something like that?

He let out a breath of air through his nostrils and you turned away with a nod of your head “Shall we go?”

—------------------

Simon gave you his arm to hold as you both walked up the path towards the house your team had organised the event to be held in. You gripped onto him like a lifeline and subconsciously ran a finger over the cufflinks that he wore.

When you entered, you were in complete awe. It was decorated just like a scene in one of your books and you felt so proud. Your creation finally came to life.

“You okay?” Simon asked while leaning down to your ear. You nodded while looking at the artwork on the walls, it was so beautiful. Your previous feeling of dread was completely gone and a sense of excitement came over you.

You both walked down the stairs together and you had a big smile on your face when you saw your books displayed with your new one at the top.

“[Name]-”

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you, come, I have people for you to meet” Simon gets cut off and you’re dragged away from him to go speak to people. You look at him over your shoulder and see a confused expression written all over it.

You never got to see Simon after that, you tried to go and find him but you got caught up in pointless conversation until you’re dragged onto stage.

“Remember, be yourself! People already love you. Go tell everyone who you are” your friend and colleague says to you with a pat on the back.

Go tell everyone who you are

Your heels click across the stage and you have a smile plastered on your face. You stop just in front of the microphone and watch as everyone quiets down and faces you.

Different shades and shapes of eyes look your way but they're not the ones you want to be seeing right now.

“Hello everyone! I want to start off by saying thank you for coming and joining me today, it means a lot to me. Some of you are probably looking at me and thinking who the hell I am so I'll begin by introducing myself. My name is [Name] also known as Y.N.” you hear murmurs and people talking amongst themselves at the information and they all return to the quietness.

“I never thought I would be doing this in front of so many people but I thought after four books it was time to put a face to the name. I also want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. It's been a lot of fun and I hope we will still be having this much fun in the future! Hatred for Us will be the last book in the Hatred for You series and I hope each and everyone of you enjoy it. Now, let's get back to the party!” you step away from the mic with a little bow and exit the stage set to find your neighbour.

You politely gave people smiles as you walked through the crowd and said your thanks to those who sent praise your way. You searched the entire place until you found the guy you were searching for looking out on a balcony.

“Hey” you softly greet as you walk up next to him. You playfully bumped your hip against his and he briefly looked your way before looking back to the scenery below.

“So you’re Y.N… it makes sense now” he speaks out and you watch him while leaning against the railing.

“Is this why you were so nervous?” He faced you and copied your movements and leaned against the same rail.

“Yes. I wanted to tell you in the most perfect setting and thought this would be it” you pointed back at the house and he hummed softly.

You were both silent for a moment before Simon took a step towards you. “I spoke to Rocco downstairs. He told me about everything. How he encouraged you to keep writing even if you didn’t want to and you know what?”

“What?” He was standing in front of you now and your back was pressed tightly against the iron bars behind you.

“I'm glad you kept writing” he caged you in with his hands on either side of the rail and you stared into his brown eyes as he said those words. “Really?” he nods his head and his nose slightly brushes against yours and you see his eyes dip down to your lips before returning to your eyes.

“Can I kiss you?” it was your turn to nod your head and he brought his lips to yours. The kiss was gentle but when he wrapped his arms around your body he deepened it which made you breathless when he pulled away.

“You're perfect” he whispers and you shy away from him all of a sudden but he cups your face so you look at him.

“Don't go all shy on me, I know what filthy things you’ve written. C’mon lets get the author back to her party” he puts out his arm for you to grab and you shake off what he just said and grab onto him.

You both return back to the party and you bring him over to the table with your books displayed on and grab the latest edition and hand it to him.

“This is for you” you smile at him before watching him hold it in his hands. “Me?” you nod your head and bounce on the tips of your shoes with your hands behind your back.

“This is the only one that says this by the way” you whisper to him as if it's a secret.

Simon opens the book and on the first page he lets out a laugh. “To Mr I don’t take shortbread from strangers, this is for you” he reads out loud and grabs you to kiss you again “I love it, thank you”

“You better not lose it” you mumble against his lips and he kisses your nose before speaking.

“I'll treasure it with my entire life”

The End

#simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley x female reader #simon ghost riley x female reader #ghost x female reader #call of duty

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kelcemenow · 6 months

Text

Drive Me Crazy - Chapter 2.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 1661

Warnings Strong language, but not much and a wee bit of flirting.

Huge thank you to the Anon who sent this in! They had such amazing words to say about my writing which I massively appreciate and then to top it off, had an incredible request for me! I only have experience with mechanics in the UK, so I've tried my best with this one! "I just recently got interested in Travis K. X reader stories and wanted to let you know, I read all of yours as quickly as I could. They are so well done and I couldn’t help but laugh/giggle and feel through each word you typed out. You’re doing amazing and I’m so glad to have stumbled onto your page. If you have any space for a request, I’d be curious about what Trav would think about having a military (like fighter pilot) or engineer or mechanic girlfriend. I see a lot of stories with him paired with models/singers/social media individuals (which are phenomenal!) but just wondering how he would be with a more tomboy like girlfriend!"

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

The dialling tone rang loudly in your ear for a few seconds as you wedged the office phone between your head and left shoulder. You typed up a couple of notes on the computer when the other end of the line picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it that Mr Kelce? It's Y/N from KC Auto repairs." You said, checking your notes.

A deep voice laughed, "Hey, yeah it's Travis. You can call me Travis."

"Oh, okay Travis. I had a look at your car and there is a problem with your combustion chamber. You see, vehicles need the right amount of air and fuel to mix and then-"

"Woah woah, you lost me at combustion." Travis said, "Just tell me, is the car a goner?"

You giggled, "No, you just need new spark plugs. It's around $250 including labour."

You could hear him sigh down the line, "Oh! That's fine then, do what you need to do."

"Okay, sure thing. I'll be finished with it by 4pm. Are you able to come and collect around then?"

There was a short silence, "I've got a crazy day. I got a couple of things to figure out first, I don't know if I'll be around."

You checked your schedule in the large leather bound diary in front of you, "Well, I'll be in the shop late working on some other cars, so if you drop by anytime before 7, I should still be here."

"Awesome, I'll stop by!"

"Great, catch you later." You placed the phone back onto the receiver and quickly jotted down in your diary details to remind yourself to replace Travis' spark plugs.

The office door opened and the noises of the shop floor grew increased for a second before they were muffled again as the door closed.

"Hey sport." You felt your Dad's hands on your shoulders, "Your headache gone yet?"

"Not really. I already got two cars to finish up, a service and now these new spark plugs for do for that GMC." You pointed your pen in the direction of Travis' car as you began to write out a worksheet.

Your Dad leant down across your shoulder, "I could do the GMC for you?"

"Dad no, Dr Martin said you had to take it easy." You covered the worksheet with your hand.

He swiped your hand away, "Oh come on, I'm fine! It's spark plugs."

You laughed until you noticed that his face had quickly changed when he caught sight of the sheet, "What's wrong?"

His once rosy cheeked complexion was now a ghostly shade of white, "Travis Kelce...you have Travis Kelce's car here?"

"Yeah, why?"

His eyes widened as he looked towards the shop floor, "His car is in my shop? The GMC, that's Travis Kelce's car?"

Your eyebrows lowered in confusion, "Yeah, he dropped it off this morning?"

"Oh man! Y/N, you gotta let me do it! The boys at the fishing lake aren't gonna believe this!"

"What is going on? Who is this guy?" Your voice was beginning to heighten in pitch.

Your Dad lifted his sweatshirt up to reveal a bright red jersey with the number 87 emblazoned on the front, "Travis Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends the Chiefs have ever seen!"

You rolled your eyes and turned back to your diary for the day.

"Which you would know if you ever watched football with me!" He poked you in the arm with his finger.

You tore off the worksheet from the pad, "If I give you this, will you stop shouting and making my headache worse?"

You Dad carefully took the paper from your hands and gently kissed the top of your head before dancing his way out of the office and onto the shop floor, Travis' GMC waiting in the corner of the garage.

______________________________________________________________

Glancing at the digital clock on the wall, you noted that it was 6.25pm. All of your colleagues had already left for the day, leaving you in the shop by yourself. You preferred working alone but your Dad's business had built up a good reputation in the city for being the best repair shop and it was always busy.

When you were younger, you had always preferred fixing your Barbie's houses to make them better as apposed to playing with the dolls themselves. As a teenager you could always be found in the workshop tinkering with tools and learning everything you could from your Dad. You started helping him in his shop during the summer and when you left school, he took you on and gave you a job. You saved every penny you could and when your Dad needed to take a step back from work, you bought into the business, running it alongside him.

You gazed up at the underside of the Ford that was lifted above you, squinting as the night drew in. The crackled radio played in the background and as you hummed along to yourself, the faint sound of footsteps seemed to blend into the music.

"Um...hello?"

You turned your head towards the direction of the deep voice, a silhouette standing in the doorway of the shop.

You squinted further, trying to make out any defining features but to no avail. "Karl, if this is you trying to scare the shit out of me, you gotta try harder than that." You shook your head and dropped your wrench down onto the floor, the sound of the metal hitting the cement loudly echoing in the vast room.

The figure stepped further forwards, his hands held up, "I'm sorry...it's Travis. I'm just here to pick up my car?"

You felt your cheeks flush red, "Travis? I am so sorry, that was really unprofessional of me."

"Hey, it's all good! Don't worry, I probably shouldn't have lingered in the doorway watching you."

Your mouth twisted to the side, "You were watching me?"

His eyes grew bigger, "Not in a creepy way. But now I've said that it wasn't in a creepy way, it sounds like it was in a creepy way."

You wiped your hands on your towel, smiling slightly as you listened to him struggle.

"I was just...impressed. Like I said earlier, I have no clue when it comes to shit like this." He looked around the room at the various tools and parts that were dotted around.

You slowly nodded your head, "Well, thanks...I guess?"

Travis scratched the back of his head and looked down at his feet, a clear indication that he was nervous. You took the opportunity to really look at him. He was wearing bright white trainers, dark wash jeans and a Louis Vuitton jacket with a white shirt underneath. He was so pristine and you were quite concerned that he wouldn't make it out of the shop without a smudge of oil on him.

"So, my car?"

You looked towards it, digging the keys from one of your many pockets, a couple of bolts coming out with them, "Uh yeah, my Dad took great pride in fixing your car. He's a big fan."

"Oh yeah? Well please, tell your Dad I said thanks!" He smiled before looking around again, "You on your own?"

You sighed, "Yeah, I got a few things to clear up on these babies and then I'll be done."

He unlocked his car and opened the door, pausing for a second before he turned back to you, "Wanna go for a drink?"

Your heart stopped for a beat or two and your chest tightened, a feeling you weren't used to. Men didn't usually ask you out, especially not at work. You didn't exactly make an effort to only be covered in grease all day and everyone knew that your Dad wouldn't be far away, meaning most potential dates kept you very much at an arms length. But here he was, an exception.

"I've still got some work to do." You looked down at your current appearance, "And I might not be down with the latest trends, but I'm pretty sure no one will let me in anywhere looking like this."

Travis smiled coyly, "So, is that a no?"

You winced at his hidden hurt, guessing he wasn't used to women turning him down, "Thanks...but no." Digging into your pocket, you retrieved his invoice, black fingerprints smudged across the paper.

As he reached to take the invoice, his large hand covered yours and you subconsciously held your breath, a fast heat rising to your face.

"No sweat, I might see you around anyway?" He jumped into his car, turning the engine on, "I'll wire you the money for the spark...things."

You nodded in acknowledgement, watching as he pulled away carefully out of the garage and into the night. You unclenched your shoulders and laughed to yourself, turning your attention back to the Ford.

______________________________________________________________

"A package? Who from?" You questioned.

Jordan shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I didn't open it."

"We never get packages."

You became slightly distracted as Jordan tugged at the bottom hem of his hoodie and pulled it up and over his head, his shirt lifting up slightly to reveal a peek at his toned abs. He threw the garment onto the floor beside him and gazed at you.

"Y/N?"

You blinked, "Uh...I'll go and have a look now."

You furrowed your brows, making your way towards the office and shaking your head on the way, exacerbated at yourself.

On the desk was a small brown package with no indication of who it was from. You ripped open the paper and carefully pulled out the framed photograph. It was a picture of Travis midgame, the ball safely clutched in his gloved hands and speeding towards the end zone. He had signed the corner of the photograph. You turned the frame over to see some slightly messy handwriting on the back.

"For your Dad."

You smiled at his kind gesture.

"Let me know when you want to go for that drink."

______________________________________________________________

Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae @kristencochefski1125 @countrygirl120983 @charmed2000 @nouis-bum @cixrosie @delicateearthquakellama @wordsaresimple-imnot @amylouwho9 @queenisa17 @talicat713 @luvvtrent @purecinnamonextract @savaneafricaine @caelipartem @beyxgrande @caitdaniels @ezgirl1108 @vir-tual @lightsoutstyles @macey234 @s294749w @kelcemesoftly @calirindo @livinginmyfantasies @bernelflo @secretmywritingfictionlawyer @killatravtramp @there-goes-thefighter @unicornblueberry @calirindo @tjkelce87 @kristinamae093 @kmc1989 @ajbird18 @triski73 @ctn26 @kgcaputo07 @abby-splace @bobthe-turmpetman29 @cedricbitch @jmamas92 @bellstwd @killatravsworld @marchmaiden @chimchimmarie @blackstabbath6 @fanficfanatic15 @jessiemariebarnes @mmb219 @vanwritesfan-fiction

#travis kelce x reader #travis kelce imagine #kelce x reader #nfl imagine #original story #travis kelce fic #travis kelce #travis kelce fluff #nfl fluff #travis kelce smut #travis kelce angst #nfl smut #nfl angst #nfl fic #kelcemenow requests

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eywathemother · 1 year

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Fish Lips part 7

Ship: Aonung x Kiri's twin sister!Reader

Warnings: Language, bullying, gore, fighting, talk of war, injury and blood, slow burn, enemies to lovers (not really a warning just some people don't like that trope), death of (a) character(s), not proofread

Words: 2,312

Keys: (y/n) = your name,,(y/i/n) = your Ikran's name,, Neural Queue= the braid extension of a Na'vi's nervous system that allows them to link up to animals and Ewya,,(y/II/n) = your ilu's name,,

Chapters; Introduction || Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 || Part 9 || Part 10 ||

Spoilers for Avatar: The Way of Water A whole ass lot.

If you feel like the writing is weird or the dialogue seems less, it's because I am slowly losing my sanity. :) I just sneezed my contact out of my eye KLMfaoAos- along with my soul, my soul is gone.

I was gonna post this earlier, but I was trying to find this ff that I love so I spent 3 HOURS TRYING TO FIND IT AND GUESS WHAT- I didn't. I am pissed off.

This one kinda sucks compared to my others, sorry 😭

The next few days were the most boring days of your life. Stuck to the side of your mother or father you followed them around, it pissed you off more than anything. Why were you getting punished for something you didn't even start. The only time you had time to hang out with Tsireya and your siblings was during lunch or dinner. You didn't know how long your father was going to punish you, but you were fed up with it already.

They were busy today, unsure of what they were doing you stuck near the Marui. Your mother was in the Marui, you weren't interested of exactly what she was doing so you placed yourself in her view but not nearby.

You kicked your feet into the water, almost finished with the bracelet you were making for Tuk. You loved to craft; it was one of your favorite pastimes. As you focused on finishing the last string, a head suddenly popped out of the water by your right leg.

You let out a shriek, clutching the bracelet to your chest tightly. Aonung grinned amusement at your reaction and you glared at him. You had been avoiding him, not wanting to see him after what he did to your siblings.

" What." You grumbled, going back to your bracelet." I just...wanted to see you." You looked up with a raised eyebrow, he ran a hand along the top of his head." To, you know..apologize."

" I don't accept." You blinked at him, an awkward silence hung in the air, and he clenched his jaw." You haven't even heard me out yet." He let out an unamused chuckle, trying to hide his distaste." I'm not obligated to accept."

" Yes, I know that!" He blew out a quick breath of air and lowered his voice." But at least listen to what I have to say. That's all I'm asking." He placed a hand above your knee but quickly removed it when you looked down at it." Then you can ignore me all you want."

Your ears turned a bit purple from embarrassment, mainly for having it be called out, he seemed to notice." I was right." He pointed to your ears and your quickly covered them with your hands." I don't know what you're talking about." You denied. He rolled his eyes." Your ears turn purple when you're embarrassed or angry."

" No, they don't!"

He grinned at you, and you turned your eyes away from his stare." Fine, I'll hear you out." You grumbled and he put his hand to his ear." I'm sorry, what was that?"

" Maybe I shouldn't then if you're gonna be a cocky bastard about it." You scowled at him, and he tried his best to keep a straight face." Okay, okay, fine. I'll stop teasing you." You fell into a tense silence as you waited for him to speak. His ilu nudged your leg and you pet its snout in acknowledgement.

" I'm sorry for the immaturity and bullying I put you and your siblings through. I understand that this was supposed to be Uturu for you and your family and I made it very difficult for it to be." He sighed, not making eye contact with you." You can avoid me, ignore me, glare at me.... or we could start over." He put three of his fingers to his forehead, bringing them out and pulling them down while looking at you.

You rolled your eyes, and he squirmed under your piercing gaze. After a long pause you did it back, and he had to contain himself not to show how excited he actually was." I still don't like you, though. And I don't accept you lame ass apology still." You whispered to him, and he did everything he could not to roll his eyes.

" Hello Aonung." You jumped a bit at your mothers voice." What are you doing here?" She asked, she handed you a fruit basket, full of cut fruit. " What's this for?" You asked." For your siblings, go bring it to them." Neytiri cocked her head at you." Without joining any fights."

Aonung would've snickered if you hadn't sent a glare his way. You stood up and began to walk away and Aonung hurried to catch up to you. " I'll come with you." He walked next to you, you gave an annoyed look, still mad at him." Go away." He was like an annoying, rude, cute little puppy that was trying to follow you around.

" You're grounded to your parent's company, right? I'm the chief's son if you hang out with me, I'm sure they'd let it slide." He smirked at you; he was gonna make your ears permanently purple out of irritation. Neytiri watched you two, smiling a bit at the boy trying to get your attention. It reminded her of when she first met Jake.

" Hey, why don't you go on the next hunt with us." He nudged you with his arm and you furrowed your brows." Why so you can abandon me there and almost get me killed like you did my brother." He winced." I really am sorry, I even apologized to Lo'ak."

" So, you guys are buddy-buddy now because you can both relate to being losers?" You raised a brow at him, and he rolled his eyes." He told me about your conversation, don't worry I know aaalll the juicy details." You laughed at his irritation; he put his hands behind his back and balled his hands up. He was going to tell you off, but he knew he teased you worse in the past, so he ignored you.

" So, will you?"

Before you could respond Tuk came up to you." Are you ungrounded! I want to show you something!" She didn't wait for your response and began to pull you towards the water." Look I found this really cool plant, see. See!" She waddled into the water, kneeling into the water and pointed at a plant in the water.

" Where are the others?" You asked and she shrugged." Well, Kiri is somewhere around here but I don't know where the boys are." You squatted next to her, keeping the basket balanced on your shoulder. " This is my new favorite plant, isn't it pretty!" She ran her hand along the plant, messing with it as it flowed in the water.

" Well, I brought fruit from mother for you guys as a snack." She lifted her head." Oo yummy." She went to reach for the fruit, but you pulled back a bit." You must wash your hands first." She groaned and you gave her an amused grin.

" Well, I'll eat them after I'm done exploring then. I want to show you more of what I found!" You turned towards Aonung who looked bored, annoyed that you hadn't answered his question yet. Maybe you could get him off your tail and leave you alone. So, you turned to Aonung with your smirk, a smirk you only wore when you were about to piss someone off.

" Hey, you can show Aonung. He could also give you more information on your favorite discoveries!" You turned back to Tuk, pinching her sides lightly making her giggle." Really!" She looked over your shoulder to an Aonung who was glaring at you." Would you do that!?"

You looked to Aonung expectingly, he stood their awkwardly." Uh, yeah okay." You gave a big grin to Tuk and stood up as she waddled over to Aonung. You were glad that she was relatively okay with Aonung, this would help you lose him and maybe have a decently peaceful day.

You liked Aonung to some extent, but he always managed to irritate you, even his stupid smirk made your neck purple in annoyance. At least, you hoped it was annoyance- of course it was, what are you thinking.

Tuk began to talk his ear off, asking him a bunch of questions. He was surprisingly patient with her and spoke with a softness you've never noticed before. You were off to find your brothers, you didn't trust to leave the basket with Tuk. Not that she was untrustworthy, she would just end up eating more than her fair share and you'd get in trouble for not splitting it among all of them.

You walked a few minutes on the beach until you spotted them on a rock, snickering to each other. Lo'ak hung out with Kiri the most, but during the times he did hang out with Neteyam they were both snickering and giggling like school children.

" What's up mommies' girl." Neteyam waved you over with a teasing smile, earning an eye roll from you." What happened to being stuck to mom or dad's waist?" Lo'ak raised a brow, and you handed them the box of fruit." Mom wanted me to give this to you guys."

Their hands immediately went into the basket, and you grabbed one, nibbling on it a bit." Make sure to save some for Tuk and Kiri."

" We should show Tsireya Uno." Lo'ak suggested randomly. You turned to him with a confused face." What brought this up?"

" Uno brings out the worst in us, a part of us.... she should not see.." Neteyam placed his hand on his chest and shook his head while his eyes were closed, feigning sorrow." Idiot, it's just fun." Lo'ak grumbled while shoving his face with slices of fruit.

Your father had shown you Uno when he was younger, forcing Neytiri to join every few nights for a family game. It was his favorite childhood game on Earth, and he wanted to share it with his family. It caused many fights between you and Lo'ak but it's definitely a big part of your family.

You turned around and waved behind you." Anyways, I should probably head back." They waved at you, not really paying much attention and went back to eating the fruit.

You were halfway back to your Marui when Aonung jogged up next to you and stopped." So, what about my question earlier?" He asked and you blinked at him, genuinely confused." What question?" He huffed in frustration and annoyance." About you joining Rotxo and I to go hunting."

" Uhhh..." There was a long pause as you pretended to think." Nah." You shook your head, and he got in front of you stopping you from moving." Why not?"

" I just don't want to."

You tried to move around him, but he just continued to get in your way." Come on it'll be fun." Your annoyance was growing, finding it more difficult not to yell at the boy." Why do you want me to go so badly?" You asked and he shrugged." Neteyam said you're good on a hunt, wanted to see if he's right."

You knew on some level he was being dishonest, trying to cover up the real reason as to why he wanted you to go. You didn't bother to pry, it's not like you cared.

"Okay, fine I'll go." You smirked at him, and he looked down at you with an interested stare." But I kind of don't want Rotxo there. Just you and me, okay?" He frowned, why would you ask to be alone with him if you tried to ditch him any chance you got.

Wait...oh. You were going to try and ditch him. Give him a taste of his own medicine. He grinned at you, two could play that game." Okay then, tonight before Eclipse. Don't worry about your father, I'll deal with that."

He didn't lie, you don't know exactly what he told him but about an hour later he was coming up to you telling to get ready.

Neytiri seemed relatively happy you two made up." I hope this means your fighting will lessen drastically with the boys." She looked up from her current focus of wrapping wrap stuffing. You held the urge to scoff." I hope he stops following me around like a lost puppy after this."

He might've just started doing it, but you were fed up with it already. She took a braid in between her fingers and folded it behind your ear." You are the polar opposite of Kiri it makes me laugh." Lo'ak said behind you as he carried in some fish." You are literally the biggest asshole-"

" Lo'ak!" Neytiri scolded and he let out a snicker before going to his spot next to his father." What do you know! She's literally just like me!" You chucked a random object at him that was next to you." She's not violent!"

" Yes she is! With her words! Penis Face!" You snapped at him." Hey! Knock it off you two!!"

" Ready to go?" Aonung's voice rang out on the side of the Marui, making you jump a bit. Lo'ak laughed in amusement until his arm was roughly pulled backwards by Neteyam. " Yes." You sighed and stood up; he wore a smirk on his face as you followed him away.

" So, what's with the penis face thing?" He chuckled, looking at the side profile of your face. You refused to look at him, but he took you responding as a win." Something my sister started when we were younger." You giggled to yourself at the memory.

" Kind of like the Fish lips thing that Lo'ak called you." You let out a cackle as his face fell." I don't find it that funny to be honest." He grumbled and you grinned at him." Stop looking at me like that." He pushed your face away with his hand.

The walk towards the water was peaceful, but you didn't know how peaceful this hunt was going to be. Considering you knew he knew that you were planning on ditching him and that he knew you knew he knew you were planning on ditching him which he planned to avoid as much as possible. Let the fun begin!

────────────────────────────────────────────

Taglist; @akinatrix , @willowbrookesblog , @lovesickbtch , @ao-sleepy , @elli-aesthetics , @ducks118 , @aeclark04 , @audigay ,@lola-bunn1 , @curlszx88 , @kidwithaheavystick , @weridpersonhelp , @yeosxxx , @tsamiaxoo , @shartnart1 , @tsukette , @daphne000 , @amarillyssnowdrop , @neteyamsmate4life , @stitch-lele , @purplefsh , @dumb-fawkin-bitch , @goodiesinthecloset21 , @theghostofshadows , @aonungs-tsahik , @simpliheavenli , @bob-the-ikran , @littleshybunbun , @werelosingdaylight , @ijwsbdinp , @xoxovienna , @findingourtreasure , @yogirlfriend , @pussymode , @wilmalovegood , @valentineheartzz , @lovekeeho , @isnt-itstrange , @ifevilwhyhot , @dngnmtr-blog , @yuzxi18 , @cupidddd-d , @emilia-the-artist , @essiemolololol , @aisselasstuff , @kitkat1690 , @howlerwolfmax , @bottleofsoju , @galaxyfruits , @sunwayx , @hana-1235 , @mad-simp420 , @jakesullys-bitch , @rinizitos , @zilena9 , @sakurayuki8655-blog , @artistodilflord , @fucksnow , @Icrimsons , @mad-simp420 , @philiasoul , @heartueheartue , @guska0 , @aisselasstuff , @neteyamsw , @bella82vsps , @lessoswifereallll , @cupidlot

#avatar #avatar the way of water #avatar x reader #aonung #aonung x reader #avatar ao'nung #aonung x you #atwow aonung #atwow x reader #atwow #ao'nung #ao'nung x reader #ao'nung x you #atwow ao'nung

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hekates-corner · 6 months

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Apothecary Diaries • WN Translation • Masterlist

Hello, if you've never seen this blog before - I write up posts as I go along translating the web novel for myself. For now, I'm working on arc 9/soon to be V10 of the LN.

I translate the entire chapters, so be warned, as I go through telling you all that happens.

If you'd like spoilers, but less - my dms and asks are open!

I'll add my proper introduction at the end, to keep this rather user friendly.

Arc 9

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3 • 🃏

Chapter 4 • 💭

Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9

Chapter 10 • 🃏📍 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12

Chapter 13 | Chapter 14

Chapter 15 | Chapter 16

Chapter 17 • 💭 | Chapter 18 • 💭

Chapter 19 | Chapter 20

Masterlist Notes

The chapters divided by “|” are parts that link directly together. I'll usually provide the titles I get in the post, but since not all of them translate as well for me, I'll omit them from the masterlist for now.

I'm probably going to use three symbols:

💭 is for chapters that involve Maomao and Jinshi interacting

📍 is saved in case there should be any triggers - which I'll detail in the chapter posts

🃏 is for a change in narrator

For now I don't have a proper update schedule. I'll usually post once a day, if not then I'm probably working on a string of chapters that are tied together, or the chapter and I have some communication issues.

Just save the post, follow, or check the tags. If you'd like to get tagged in updates or be notified when I do, send a dm my way!

Introduction

I originally had this intro in chapter 1, but since I'm getting things done quite quickly, we're here.

I picked this up because, like many, I would likely never hear the end of this story, if I kept waiting for the LN translations to get up to date. Out of sight out of mind is a real issue.. but I love the story, plus I've translated some bits and pieces before - so, I chose to not stick my head in the sand while all the content is right there.

I'm pretty transparent if I don't know something, this is all just for fun and a learning curve while trying the best I can. My main perk is that I can translate to both english and german, which is pretty much what I'm doing to try and raise accuracy.

Please note that there are differences between the Web Novel vs the finished Light Novels. I chose to go with the WN, so that the actual finished LN's remain exciting - it's also why I don't share the art that's out there.

So if you're up to go down poison alley with me/my posts - Welcome!

#kusuriya no hitorigoto #the apothecary diaries #hekates apothecary

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willalove75 · 9 months

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The Estate | Lady Dimitrescu x Fem!oc Chapter 2

Summary: Your first day of work continues and you try your best to impress your new boss.

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI

Tags: Fluff? Dash of angst at the end, not much else to tag for now!

I'll add more tags as needed!

Notes: Chapter 2! I am trying to make this a genuine slow burn so it's going to take a tiny bit to get going (especially to get to the fun smutty stuff - but don't fret, it will definitely happen!) but I hope you all stick around and enjoy the ride! I have a lot of great things planned for this fic so stay tuned!

After Alcina leaves for her meeting you get settled at your desk. Opening the new laptop box you're surprised to see it's a new MacBook. You were expecting some kind of crappy ThinkPad. Once you're settled and hooked up to the two monitors you start diving into the estates social media accounts. Switching between checking them out on the computer and seeing how they look on your phone, you start taking detailed notes of your initial impressions. You note a few analytics you were able to find and you write down some ideas on how to improve the channels.

After you vetted the social media channels you look at the past marketing strategies your predecessor had laid out. Impressed with the work they had put into the strategies, there wasn't much that needed changing. Most of the things you tweaked were more personal preference than anything else.

You thought it would take time to get back into the groove since it's been almost two years since you've done any of this, but to your pleasant surprise it was seamless. Before you know it you have half a dozen pages of written notes on the social media accounts and marketing strategies. Although you're not sure if it's because it's your first day on the job and you want to impress your boss, or because it's been so long since you've been able to sink your teeth into something like this and you're making up for lost time. Glancing between the monitors and your notebook, invested in your work, you didn't realize Alcina came back from her meeting and was standing in the doorway watching you.

With her arms loosely crossed over her chest, leaning against the doorframe, Alcina watches you for a few minutes as you work. Observing you as you look between your notebook, writing what looked to her like very detailed notes, and your computer screen. You're completely oblivious to her presence. The corner of her lip curls up just a little as she hears you muttering to yourself. She's impressed with your diligence, but is curious if the effort you're putting in now will last or if you're just trying to impress her on your first day. Dropping one arm, she gently knocks against your office door.

You're pulled from your hyper-focus when you hear a soft knock on the door. Looking over, you see Alcina leaning against the doorframe, one arm laid across her chest.

"Oh! I'm so sorry I didn't see you there." You say as a blush creeps across your cheeks.

"No apologies necessary," She says, her voice as smooth as velvet. "I see you've made some progress with the social media channels?"

"Yes, I was able to go through them. Not as thoroughly as I wanted to, but enough so I could get an idea of where everything stands."

"And what are your thoughts?"

"Oh, did you want me to go over everything now?"

"I would. I am very curious to know what your thoughts are, especially since you came so highly regarded from your previous employer."

You feel your heart almost leap out of your chest.

"You- you talked to my last boss?"

"I did. I do with all of my potential employees, especially those with a two year gap in their CV's." She says, raising an eyebrow at you.

You let out a nervous chuckle and you feel yourself getting warm.

"Wh-what did they say? If you don't mind me asking, that is." You quickly add.

"That you were an excellent addition to their staff. That you are brilliant at what you do and that it was a pleasure to work with you. Your boss also mentioned that he was sad to see you go but wished you well."

A blush creeps across your cheeks. You really liked your old job, but after everything happened you couldn't stay - you couldn't do anything for two years honestly.

"Oh, well, that's really nice of them to say. Did he, um, say anything else about my resignation?"

"Only that you resigned due to a personal issue outside of work."

A wave of relief washes over you, you weren't ready to have that conversation with your new boss - not yet at least. There was a part of you that thought you were insane for calling your old boss, asking him not to mention details of your resignation. But it seems like the conversation paid off, and as usual, you were able to trust him.

"Oh, good." You say with a little too much relief. Alcina tilts her head and her eyes narrow a bit at you. "Not good, I meant, it's nice to know that he respects the privacy of his employees, past and present." You say, trying to save yourself. Alcina purses her lips a bit, you can tell that now she's even more curious about why you left your last job and why you haven't worked since. "The last two years have been, difficult, really difficult actually. But things are finally getting better and I'm really excited to be working again, to be able to put my skills to good use."

Alcina can't quite make heads or tails of your situation. She knows you have a 3 year old, so she was one when you stopped working, "Perhaps it had something to do with her daughter? Or maybe something happened to her. Maybe she was sick? But she looks healthy." Although Alcina knows better than anyone that looking healthy doesn't necessarily mean you are healthy. She wants to push you for more information but not only does she know that's incredibly unprofessional and inappropriate, she can tell you're avoiding talking about it so she lets it go for now.

"Then I would love to see your skills." She says as she walks up to your desk and stands behind you.

"O-okay." You say, looking up at her. She looks down at you and the corner of her lip just barely curls into a smile, her blue-grey eyes boring into yours. Fuck, she's gorgeous. You take a subtle deep breath to calm yourself and inhale the scent of her perfume. It smells expensive and mature, but also pretty and calming. It completely distracts you for a moment. You can hear her shift her weight from one leg to the other behind you and you snap back into the present.

"Is there anything in particular you want me to start with?" You ask, looking up at her over your shoulder.

"No, just show me what you've done so far." She replies with a wave of her hand.

You flip to the first page of your notes and start from the beginning. Starting off with the estates Instagram page, you tell her your thoughts on the visual aspects, the layout, the images themselves, how they could be improved, captions and hashtags that could be utilized more often, ideas for reels, stories and posts that can promote events and day-to-day operations. Next you move to the Facebook page, showing her some of the analytics you've collected, how the page can be improved, etc.. You go through the rest of the social media channels; telling her that embracing newer apps like TikTok and more professional ones such as LinkedIn can help drive traffic to the other social media accounts as well as the website. Alcina rolls her eyes at the mention of "TikTok" which makes you giggle a little.

"Something funny?" She asks with an unamused edge to her voice.

"Oh, no, sorry." You say, freezing in place. "It's just, I've seen that reaction quite a lot when talking about TikTok and it always makes me laugh a bit."

"What about it is funny?" She doesn't sound offended, at least you don't think she does. God you hope you didn't offend her on the first day.

"Because it really is a stupid app, it's like Vine but for Gen Z kids." She gives you a look when you mention "Vine," which lets you know that she doesn't know what that is. "Uh, Vine was a short form video social media channel, you could only make six second videos and it was mostly used by Millennials and some Generation Xers. It became massive quickly and a lot of the videos turned into popular memes. It was only around for four years before it was shut down, but it had over like, 200 million users or something crazy like that. Anyway, TikTok is similar to that. It's definitely hard to take it seriously when there's a lot of ridiculous videos on it. It's so massive and so popular, it would be stupid to not utilize since it can drive so much traffic to our other socials and even drive people through the doors."

"Is that your professional opinion?" She deadpans. You look up at her, confused. "That it would be stupid to not use it?"

Biting your lip for a second, you realize that what you said without thinking could easily have come off as if you're calling her stupid. With no way of digging yourself out of this one you shyly reply "Yeah."

Alcina quirks and eyebrow and her eyes go back to the screen.

"Interesting, continue."

After you go through the rest of the social medias and a little bit of the analytics that you found, you move onto the marketing strategies your predecessor left. Alcina is quiet but nods her head along as you go over what they left and what your thoughts are on it. After you mention the few things you plan on changing you make it a point to let her know that it's more for personal preference rather than professional reasons. She looks pleased as you go over what the person before you left and she gives you a nod of approval when you tell her what you plan on changing.

"I like the changes you plan on making and I agree with you in terms of personal preference. John was brilliant but I couldn't stand the way he did things. But how he did what he did worked so I had no real qualms with it. I already know I prefer your way."

"Thank you. It seems more logical and straightforward doing it like this, at least to me. I try to keep things as simple as possible so there's little room for error or miscommunication."

"Those are all things I appreciate. Very well done Kathleen, I must say I am impressed." She places her hand on your shoulder and you have to stop yourself from relaxing into her touch.

What is wrong with you? Have you really gone that long without physical contact? There's a part of you that thinks that it's just her putting you under her spell - whether she knows it or not. But you quickly push that thought out of your head. She's your new boss for gods sake! You need to get laid. You make a mental note to give your friends-with-benefits guy a call this week.

"I must say, I had my concerns when I hired you. I was aware of the fact that you've been out of work the last two years. My main concern was that you would be a bit rusty right off the bat, but just from what you've shown me you've already been able to put those concerns to bed. I am pleasantly surprised and happy to see that your work is just as wonderful as the work in your portfolio." Alcina gently squeezes your shoulder and takes her hand away.

"Oh, thank you so much. I really, really appreciate that. Please let me know if you have any other concerns so I can do my best to ease those as well." You say with a smile.

For a moment Alcina looks impressed but just as quickly as the look appeared, it disappeared.

"My only other concern would be that you strive to impress me early and then fail to do so after the first few weeks. Which I certainly hope is not the case. Aside from that, I believe you're going to do a wonderful job here."

"I absolutely understand. I know I tend to hit the ground running, but I can assure you I have the endurance to keep up the pace I've set."

"We shall see about that." Alcina says as she heads towards the door. "Wonderful work Kathleen. I am looking forward to see how well it all pays off."

Once Alcina is out of sight you lean back in your chair and exhale. It worries you a little that she seems to have some doubts in you. But from her perspective, you can understand why she would and you try to not let it get to you. You pick up your phone and you realize that you were with her for over an hour. There's no way, it felt like you were talking to her for maybe 30 minutes. How did that take over an hour?! And how was she standing there in those heels for so long without fidgeting or sitting down? That thought alone bewilders you. You're sitting for most of the day and you can't wait to get your shoes off the second you walk inside. She gave you a thorough tour of the place and stood there for over an hour and walked away like it was nothing? You were impressed to say the least.

With only a few hours left in your day, you decide now is better than ever to have lunch. After debating for a few minutes if you should shut your door or not, you decide to close it to give you a few minutes of peace while you eat. As you're eating your lunch at your desk, you scroll through Facebook and Instagram mindlessly. Michelle hasn't texted you since this morning so you're assuming everything is fine but you text her anyway to make sure. She responds a few minutes later with a picture of Emma asleep, taking her afternoon nap. The door to your office flies open and almost slams into the wall, causing you to jump in your seat.

A young, redheaded girl walks through the door with a backpack slung over her shoulder. When you jump she notices you and jumps too, letting out a yell.

"OH MY GOD WHO ARE YOU?" She yells.

You sit there for a moment in shock, unsure how to answer. This girl can't be older than 16, who is she? And what is she doing here?

"I-I'm Katie, the new marketing and social media strategist. Uh, who are you?"

The sound of heels against the floor takes your attention away. When you look at the door, Alcina is standing there with an unamused look on her face. She's looking at the young girl, you almost feel sorry for her but you're grateful she's not looking at you like that right now.

"Daniela." Alcina says through her teeth.

"Hi mommy!" She says, amping up the sweetness. Daniela wraps her arms around her mother and Alcina returns the gesture. She looks up at Alcina and Alcina arches an eyebrow at her, very well aware of that fact that Daniela is trying to soften her up so she doesn't get in trouble.

"Hello bug. Did you forget that our new marketing and social media strategist was starting today?"

"Yes, sorry mamă."

"Mhm." Alcina mutters before placing a kiss on the girls forehead. She pulls away from the girl, leaving one arm around her shoulder.

"Kathleen, this is my youngest daughter Daniela. Daniela, this is Kathleen."

"Wow you're pretty!" Daniela says.

You try and fail to bite back the smile that crosses your face and Alcina lets out a low, wait did she growl? That's what it sounded like, towards her daughter.

"Sorry." Daniela says, looking down at the floor.

"Its okay." You say with a smile. "It's great to meet you Daniela."

"It's nice meeting you too Kathleen!" She says, the excitement in her voice suddenly back. "Can I call you Katie?"

"Daniela." Alcina warns.

"It's okay," you say to Alcina with a smile. "Yeah, you can call me Katie."

Daniela's face lights up and she looks at her mom, beaming.

"So Katie, what's your favorite color?"

"Daniela that's enough." Alcina says, softer this time. "Kathleen is busy and has work that needs to get done. Your shift doesn't start for another 30 minutes, why don't you go find something to do until then?"

"You work here?" You ask, your words leaving your mouth before you even realize it.

"Yeah!" Daniela says, turning towards you. "I wait the tables, I can't serve alcohol until I'm 18 so I can't be behind the bar like Cass, but I can't wait to learn how to bartend! Mamă," she says, turning back towards Alcina. "where am I supposed to go now? There is where I would hang out!"

"You can stay in my office bug."

"Ugh. But your office is so boring!"

"I apologize draga mea but that seems to be your only option. Unless you want to start sweeping the tasting room before your shift starts?"

Daniela pouts at her mother who looks down at her adoringly.

"Fiinnneeeeee." She says, defeated. "Bye Katie! It was really awesome meeting you!"

"It was great meeting you too Daniela."

Daniela walks out and heads towards her mothers office and Alcina turns towards you.

"I apologize, again, for my children's behavior. Daniela seems to have a never-ending amount of energy. I would like to promise it isn't always a zoo with them around, but-"

"It's okay, really. I get it." You say with a smile.

"I appreciate your understanding. Now that you met two of my three girls, I'm sure you will meet Bela tomorrow. She only has one morning class and is usually here for the rest of the day. If you would like, I can have her show you what she's been doing with the social media channels tomorrow and have her start to gradually hand over the reigns."

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"Excellent."

Alcina turns on her heel and walks out of your office. You almost completely forgot about your lunch so you scarf it down quickly and get back to work.

As you're focused on working out the latest marketing tactic, you hear a "pssst" at your door. Looking over, you see Daniela, now in a white button down shirt and black dress pants, her long red hair is pulled back tightly into a ponytail.

"Hey Daniela, is there something I-"

"Shh!" She says, putting her finger over her lips. "I don't want mom to hear. She'll get mad at me for bothering you." You can't help but giggle at her and she steps further into your office. "Sorry if calling you pretty before embarrassed you. Mom is always telling me I have to think before I speak but you're just, super pretty, and I just blurted it out and-"

"Daniela," you say and you notice her starting to spiral. "it's okay, I'm not upset, I promise. Thank you for the compliment."

Daniela tilts her head at you, almost as if she's confused that you're not upset with her. She squints her eyes at you, as if she's trying to decipher something.

"You're different. I like you. I'm going to give you a new nickname."

"And what nickname will that be?"

"I don't know yet, but when I know, you'll know." You look behind her and see Alcina standing behind Daniela with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes narrowed at her daughter. How did she not make a single sound in those heels? And how long was she there for? Alcina clears her throat and Daniela jumps and turns around, looking like a deer in headlights.

"Mamă!" She says, trying to butter her mother up again.

"Don't even try."

Daniela smiles wide at her mother and turns back towards you.

"Bye Katie!"

"Bye Daniela." You say with a smile.

Alcina's eyes don't leave Daniela's head as she turns and leaves your office and Alcina follows behind her.

"Ce ti-am spus despre deranjarea ei? Nu înțeleg cum ai întârziat la tura ta, în timp ce ești aici de o jumătate de oră." (What did I tell you about bothering her? I don't understand how you're late for your shift meanwhile you've been here for half an hour.)

"Imi pare rau mama!" (I'm sorry mom!)

The rest of your day goes by rather smoothly and by the time you know it, you're packing up your things and getting ready to leave. Before you go, you stop by Alcina's office and knock gently on the door.

"Come in."

You open the door and Alcina looks up from her computer and smiles.

"Ah, Kathleen, is it the end of the day already?" She asks, more to herself you think, and she looks at the clock.

"Yeah, it went by fast. Is there anything else you need me to do before I go?"

"There is not, thank you. But I did want to speak with you, do you have a moment?"

"Absolutely." You say and she motions to the chair in front of her desk.

"So, how was your first day?" She asks, taking off her glasses and giving you her full attention.

"Honestly, it was great. I feel like I got a lot done and made some great headway on the new campaigns and strategies."

"I'm very happy to hear that. Is there anything you're unsure of or any questions you have?"

You pause for a moment to think.

"Um, not right now, but if something comes up I will let you know."

"Excellent. I'm glad you had a productive first day. I am looking forward to see the things we spoke about come to fruition."

"So am I."

"Well then, if that's all, I will see you tomorrow. Have a wonderful rest of your day Kathleen." She says with a smile.

"Thank you, you too."

After getting your stuff from your office you walk through the tasting room and see Daniela.

"Katie!! You're going home already?!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Will you be here tomorrow?!"

"Yes I will be!"

"YAY!"

"Daniela." Cassandra growls from across the room. Daniela shrinks down a little and looks up at you apologetically.

"It's okay kiddo." You say, giving her a gentle smile. Daniela's face lights up again and she gives you a big smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow Katie!!"

"See you tomorrow Daniela." She heads over to one of the tables and you turn towards the bar to say goodbye to Cassandra. She glares at you and turns her back to you. "Alrighty." You say quietly to yourself and head to the car.

You pick up Emma and talk to your in-laws for a bit, giving them a brief recap of your first day. They both seem happy for you and you sense a little bit of relief from them too, but you know neither of them would ever say it out loud. When you get home you talk to Marge, giving her the same brief recap and she tells you she's proud of you. With Emma in tow the two of you head upstairs. Emma insisting on walking up the stairs herself since she's "a big girl."

Once dinner was eaten and cleaned up you gave Emma a bath and put her to bed. When she's finally asleep you pull out a bottle of wine and pour yourself a glass. With your wine in hand you sit on the couch and flip through a few suggested shows, settling on re-watching a few episodes of your favorite comfort show. After finishing the wine and relaxing for a bit, you get yourself ready for bed. Before you know it, you're fast asleep. It's the fastest you've been able to fall asleep in a long time and you're grateful for it.

When you open your eyes you find yourself in that all-too familiar field. Where the sky is clear and blue and the green grass is blowing in the wind.

You look around and finally spot the figure in the distance once more. Your heart clenches in your chest and you try to move towards it but you can't. No matter how hard you pull against your legs your muscles won't budge. The harder you fight against the led in your legs the harder it becomes. A silent cry rings out into the air and you find yourself becoming more and more desperate to move.

When you look up, you see the figure begin walking towards you. No matter how loudly you try to call out to it no sound passes through your lips. It closes half of the distance between the two of you before stopping once more. With one final desperate pull you're finally able to move your leg. Your movement is so slow, it feels like cinderblocks are tied to your ankles but you continue moving closer.

The shadow across the figures face lightens just enough so you think you can make out who it is. With your heart hammering inside of your chest you try and push forward faster. Just before the shadow falls away the figure begins to fade. You try and scream. You feel it reverberate through your vocal chords but again no sound comes out. Desperately you try and push forward faster, trying to reach it before it disappears.

Just as you reach out to touch it, it vanishes.

"NO!" You scream.

Your voice echoes through the valley. It combs through the tall grass and expands in the air reaching as far as the eye can see. Tears stream down your face and you fall to the ground on your knees. Another wail tears through your vocal chords. The sound flies through the air and as if it hits a wall, it reverberates back to you.

Your eyes snap open and you shoot up out of bed. With a ragged breath your eyes scan the room and you realize you're in your bedroom. You put your hand over your chest and you feel your heart hammering away inside of your ribcage. The sound of your alarm goes off again and you shut it off. Dragging your hand across your cheeks you realize you're wiping away fresh tears.

Looking down at the empty side of the bed you feel your heart ache. You grab your necklace from around your neck and trace the heart shape with your fingers in an attempt to ground yourself. When you feel your heartbeat finally settle you decide to get out of bed and get ready for your second day of work.

#willalove75 #lady dimitrescu #wlw fanfic #lady dimitrescu x oc #lady dimitrescu fanfic #re8 lady dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu x reader #lady alcina #re8 alcina #alcina dimitrescu x oc #alcina x female reader #alcina x reader #alcina dimitrescu #re8 fanfiction #re8 village

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malina-33 · 9 months

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Femme Like You - Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Summary: You are the new tour manager for Arctic Monkeys during The Car era. You are practically the only girl in the team, also younger than the rest (27 y.o.), so your skills are immediately called into question. In particular, by the frontman who is not used to being led by a woman.

Word count: 10,2k

Warnings: swearing, emotional swing (is it even a warning?), kind of voyeurism (slight), age gap

A/N: Dear friends, hi!! I know, I know that I've promised you to update the fic every 3 weeks, and the disappeared for 1.5 months, but I spontaneously found a job, so there was very little time. But the chapter is much longer and with some interesting collaborations ;) I'll hope you enjoy them!

And write down what do you think if I make a description of not only the whole work, but also the chapter before each new part? Or is it better to keep the intrigue till the end?

In any case, I look forward to your feedback, it's soooo much important for me. I won't promise to return before the end of September, but I'll do my best not to delay. I already have an interesting plot for the next chapters, you should like it💔

*guys, English isn't my first language so if I have (and I know I have lol) any grammar/logic mistakes don't hesitate to tell me :)

The first week after meeting with the group flew by unnoticed. You dealt with the documentation, understanding how necessary it is, no matter how much you hated it, phoned the representatives of Ashton Gate stadium, made sure that everything was okay and confirmed the presence of the group and even tried to check the weather since the gig would be held outside. However, it turned out to be a little more difficult with the transport company. Apparently, James forgot to warn them about the temporary removal of his duties, so you had to spend time clarifying the situation and explaining who you are. It seemed that your hands-on approach was excessive, because you were trying to control everything in one time, but only due to the feeling of extra responsibility.

Steven, as promised, sent the contacts of the guys and important people from the technical crew, so now your phone had the names of Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley, Matthew Helders and Alex "dickhead" Turner among others. 19 years old you would definitely envy yourself. So when you got a message while cooking pasta for dinner on Saturday night, you already knew it was from the drummer and not from an anonymous online scammer.

Matthew Helders: "good evening, Miss Y/S! I hope you aren't busy. We'll wait you on the soundcheck on Monday at 2 pm in Domino, need your advice :)"

You almost overcooked Carbonara bacon rereading the message. "Do they really need my advice?" you whispered, furrowing your brows "About what?". But the only answer was:

You: "Sure! Do I need to take some 12% cider?"

Matthew Helders: "you better not show up without a package lol"

Immediately followed by:

Matthew Helders: "just kidding! We are waiting only for you, but in the company of cider it will be even better)"

You chuckled, surprised at how quickly Matt went from formal Miss at the beginning of the conversation to smiles and lols at the end. To tell the truth, you still didn't fully understand how to behave with them. On the one hand, you are their manager and have a certain influence, as well as subordination. Steven and James don't have it, although they are "higher" in position, but they've been friends for half of a life, and you are a completely new person. On the other hand, in this area there is no place for strict formalities, especially since the guys don't look like those who would comply with them. After all they were big kids no matter how mature and pretentious they could look on stage, and you clearly felt it. Maybe your company will help them to relax even more, so there won't be any awkwardness and you will naturally find an edge where all of you will feel comfortable and which no one will cross.

With those thoughts, Carbonara and Rosé you spent your Saturday night watching your favorite series "La Piovra". You got used to such calm and quiet evenings. The era of parties until the morning has passed in the university years, and it’s not that you don’t go to clubs now, it’s just that the older you become the better you began to appreciate moments of silence. Not to be bored alone with yourself is the most valuable skill that you have acquired in your life. Having lived first with your parents for a long time, then getting married early at the age of 20 and having lived with your husband for 3 years, you were essentially not left alone with yourself. Having discovered over time that you feel absolutely nothing for the person whom you said "yes" to in the registry office, you were horrified and frightened to say at least. You thought that you get married once for a lifetime, but it turned out that happy endings exist only in fairy tales. That period of despondency, depression and eventual deepening into work gave its results. Major labels began to notice you, inviting you to musical projects with famous bands such as Maneskin. You worked with them for 1.5 years, leaving after their heyday at the Eurovision, realizing that you can’t give them more. That was your second decision to leave, but unlike the divorce, it didn't bring you much suffering. You understood that you and the group gave each other a lot, and although the parting was bitter, everyone understood that it was necessary. You still remained friends with the guys and periodically wrote off to meet. You planned to go to their concert, but couldn't find the time. And after your assignment to the Monkeys it became even more harder to shedule.

After the divorce you didn't have a serious relationship, instead you had a dream job, money, a car, a country house and even a corgi Grapes. You weren't afraid of the future, loved the time in seclusion and found inner peace by meditating on the production of cider, which was your unusual but very tasty hobby. Were you fully happy, though? Wouldn't you like to cross the threshold of the house and be met not by a dog's barking, but by a warm kiss on the forehead and a quiet "how was your day"? You probably wanted to, but it was hard to admit, especially considering that the fear of intimacy sat somewhere deep inside, not letting you forget the disappointment that you experienced when you removed the engagement ring from your finger. Although you remained friends who didn't hold evil against each other, the bitterness of your marriage was almost impossible to remove from the memories.

But for now, your head has been occupied by the sudden question of where to put Grapes for the duration of the tour...

Monday morning was sunny and peaceful, you woke up in a surprisingly good mood, put on your make-up, put on your favorite lime flared jeans, loaded a case of apple drink from the basemеnt into the car, patted Grapes and drove off to the studio. The road took about an hour, so during this time you managed to phone your father. You haven't talked much lately due to your workload, and now was almost the only time of the day when you were relatively free. You put the speaker phone mode, listening to the slightly hoarse voice of the man, without being distracted from the road.

"Hello my dear! How are you?"

"Hi daddy, I'm fine, going to work right now"

"My busy bee, James has already told me about your progress" you could hear him chuckle, coughing a little. You could only guess what Ford said to your father, because you spoke to him only once in these 2 weeks, when you recalled him after meeting with the group. And not that your story was very colorful. Therefore, the guys or Steven contacted him, and from this point of view, you couldn't imagine what they possibly come up with towards you.

"He assured me the boys liked you"

"Oh, really?" you said on the exhale, squeezing your hands on the steering wheel tightly.

"Yes, James is pleased with you. Well done, babe!" you melted under his words. It felt like you were a little girl again who drew a family picture that was hung on the refrigerator, even though mom and dad looked like monsters.

"Thank you daddy, I'm very happy to be with them actually"

"Of course, in such a company of men. Should I be jealous? 'Cause I looked through their photos on the Internet" dad said proudly, to which you burst out laughing, stopping at a traffic light.

"Dad, c'mon, no! They're too old for me" you laughed.

"10 years are not a big deal. Anyway, your choice. Just don't forget to eat please, I know how tough you work now. Otherwise you'll get drunk on your cider. God, how did you even manage to get into this alcohol sphere..." the man groaned in prostration. You rolled your eyes, but still smiled without answering. You got used to your father's fast flow of different thoughts.

"And don't roll your eyes, little naughty one! I care about you. So if they hurt you, you know who to call, right?"

"Oi, who will offend whom first" you retorted defiantly.

"Okay okay, I won't interrupt anymore. Kiss Grapes for me. I love you"

"And I love you very much, hello mom"

"I'll pass it on, bye!"

You turned off the call, fully focusing on the road. After talking with your parents, you always felt warm in your soul, so up to the studio you didn't leave a smile when you sang songs from the radio under your breath.

You arrived exactly at 2 o'clock, as agreed with Matt, but when you saw a few more cars in the parking lot in addition to the familiar Cadillac, you realized that the guys had been here for a long time. You must have looked a little ridiculous in a business suit and heels and a wooden box under your arm, but you didn't have other choice. Holding the car key in your mouth and trying to press the button at the same time, you clumsily closed the trunk with your leg. A purse was still dangling somewhere on your shoulder, and sunglasses had slipped from head to the bridge of your nose. "Must be an amazing picture to observe" you thought tiredly "Oh, if only Matt were here".

But before you had time to think about it, you heard a soft laugh behind you. You turned around sharply, noticing the frontman smoking alone near the entrance. You spat the key into the box, finally pressing the right button, and shouted

"And how long do you look?"

"I came exactly at the most interesting moment" man smiled, taking a puff.

You heavily crossed the entire parking lot, approaching him. Turner, having finished smoking a cigarette and throwing it into a nearby trash can, silently took the box from your hands.

"Hi, Y/N" he greeted you wheezing nicotine in the lungs.

"Hi," you frowened a little, but slowly added "Alex".

Calling him by his first name was... Unusual. A week ago the appeal to him was exclusively Mr. Turner, but today he was the first to break this line. "Well, apparently, we will both have problems with the boundaries of what is acceptable" bitterly flashed through your thoughts.

You both entered the building - Alex with a box in front, you behind holding the door. The way was silent. You wanted to say something to break this crystal quietness of his, but by the time you mustered up the courage, you stopped at the door 13A. The vocalist pushed it with his left shoulder, squeezing the alcohol forward, and you trotted along.

As soon as you and Alex entered the sound studio, you were immediately greeted with whistling and loud hooting.

"Look who's here, Miss Y/N"

"Hi, guys! I'm here with gifts as promised" you smiled broadly.

Alex at this time put the box on the table and immediately took one bottle for himself.

You noticed that there were Tyler and Tom in the studio as well, so you mentally praised yourself for taking bottles with a margin. You didn't know them personally yet, but was willing to change it. Turner introduced you to the men, and surprisingly you didn't hear his usual sneer in the voice.

"So, welcome Y/N Y/S, she's our manager for the summer before America starts and James gets back"

"Happy to finally meet you!" you were the first to extend your hand to Tyler, which he shook gently, smiling affably, and then to Tom. But he intercepted your hand, kissing your knuckles and making you laugh.

"Mutually, Miss" Rowley said enchanted.

"And she makes her own awesome cider, get one" Matt ordered businesslike, raising his voice from behind the drum kit.

"Yeah, there is enough for everyone, don't hesitate to take"

Evidently you arrived during the break, and before that they had already rehearsed a bit. You were wondering what kind of advice they need from you. The thought that they just needed cider you pushed back with a grin. But Alex, as if reading your thoughts, leisurely started speaking leaning on the table and holding a drink.

"Well, thanks for the cider, but that's not what we called you for. Since you're such a big fan of My Propeller, we discussed it here and decided that it's possible to put one on the set list for a couple of times. So listen to how it sounds, maybe have some ideas or whatevah" he was trying to sound casual, not attaching importance to his words for you.

"I'll do my best!" you almost jumped from such news.

Jamie chuckled audibly, running his fingers over the guitar. You sat down on the couch as Matt tapped the rhythm with his sticks and the melody began.

Seductive. The first association that came to your mind when you heard the intro of this song. It was your favorite from Humbug for sure and one of the band's all time favorites. Alex never told in any interview what was the secret of the lyrics, and probably that was the reason it attracted you even more. The guys played it selflessly, as if there hadn't been those decades that they hadn't performed it. You liked how they gave themselves to the process, even if it was just a rehearsal. They were in simple t-shirts and Matt was proudly wearing pineapple shorts, but you could swear, a real concert was unfolding right in front of you.

When Alex started singing you tried to hide the goosebumps as best as you could, but it hardly worked out well. His voice flowed melodically, not betraying a hint of wheezing or breaking, which could arise due to the age. He closed his eyes, tightly gripping the microphone stand, and moved his feet to the beat, slightly ridiculous, but at the same time gracefully. Throughout the song, you didn’t take your eyes off the group for a minute, sometimes singing along to the words, pulling the last syllable of

Coax me out my law

And have a spin of my propeller

When the song ended, you clapped and Nick even made a mock bow.

“I don’t know how objective my assessment will be, because apart from the words of delight I have nothing to add” you honestly admitted. It seemed to you that you heard Alex's quiet "As I said", but Matt was quick to interrupt him asking you "Actually, we have already decided to play it in Bristol, but the question is where to chip in. We'll definitely not start with this one, and the outro is already completed, so..."

You thought a little, trying to understand what motives My Propeller reminds you of, and then the penny dropped.

"Pretty Visitors!" you exclaimed louder than you should have because your words echoed through the silent studio.

"Smooth interlude from Pretty Visitors, yeah, not bad actually" Alex quickly developed your idea, turning to Matt, as if asking "Do you mind?", but the drummer only closed his eyes approvingly. It seemed that they didn't need any words at all, they could understand each other with guitar riffs and drum brakes. Their connection, it was amazing, honed to automatism for past 20 years. They were like scientists in a chemistry lab mixing potions together in an attempt to make a new elixir. It was magic to come true and watching this process was so intimate that you involuntarily felt the heat on your cheeks, as if you were engaged in voyeurism.

***

The hours in the studio flew by. Fortunately for you, the guys decided to surprise fans with the return of Mardy Bum which will be the opener. The exact setlist for Bristol was confirmed at the end of the rehearsal, bringing back Teddy Picker and The View From The Afternoon as well. So looking at the perfect 21 songs, you could only imagine what they would save for London. Originally you were going to visit their concert in your hometown, you bought tickets as soon as sales were announced, but after James's call you easily gave the ticket to a friend, saying that you had won a jackpot.

Tom and Tyler have already left and the five of you are left. You were sitting on a soft chair, moved from the corner of the room, and the guys opposite on the sofas. The boys had laid down their guitars and you were leding a peaceful conversation about life, since the studio rental time ended only in an hour. You told them about your career in the industry, Maneskin and the part time projects you've been working on lately, omitting the details of your divorce because you thought it was too early for them to immerse themselves in such personal aspects of your life.

"By the way, Vic is your big fan and Alex in particular" you giggled, remembering the way drunk Maneskin bassist told you that she would like to sleep with Turner. Those were the carefree times of your youth you warmly remembered.

"Really?" Matt raised his eyebrows as he sipped his seemingly endless bottle of cider "You still have their contacts, right?"

"Yeah, sure, we even text each other occasionally" you quipped.

"And you didn't say you were working with us?" Heldres was surprised.

"Actually, somehow it didn't seem possible" you lowered your gaze, "I mean what would it look like? "Hey guys, look who's here, I now manage the Monkeys btw?" - so what?"

You could tell by the Cheshire smile on Matt's bristly face that this was exactly how he thought.

"Oh no, Matthew, don't you-"

"Oh yes, darling, dial FaceTime, you'll show them our doll" the man neighed, turning to Alex, who had been sitting quietly on the couch until this moment, and fidgeted in place after the suggestion.

"For God's sake, Matt, what a kindergarten behavior" the vocalist howled irritably, rolling his eyes, "I don't even remember their names".

The idea of making fun of Turner a little for the morning case with the box and taking revenge seemed to you unexpectedly delightful. Your hand automatically sank into your pants pocket, deftly pulling it out into the light and finding the right WhatsApp chat.

"Don't worry, you just have to say hi to Vic, I'm sure you'll be fine" you sang sweetly, glancing slyly at Matt, who chuckled approvingly, glad that you supported his idea.

Alex only cursed at this and ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it. Either from nerves, or putting his hair in order before the call.

You moved from your seat to the couch between Alex and Matt, gesturing for Nick and Jamie to join. You put your hand in front of you so only your face was visible in the camera frame, waiting for one of the guys to take the call. It might have been a little ill-advised to call like this without warning on a workday evening, but anyway it was already too late, as the beeps trailed in a string of sounds. You hoped that they didn't have a concert today, in any other case, one of them would definitely pick up the phone from you. And by a happy coincidence, it was Vic who ended up on your screen.

"What the hell, Miss Boogie, are you really occasionally calling after all this time of silence?" despite Victoria de Angelis's accusatory words, she sounded playful. She was a little disheveled and with a bright blush on her face. People were walking randomly with the string interruptions in the background. Apparently, the guys were at the soundcheck at one of the venues, and Vic recently finished playing.

Four pairs of eyes openly stared at you with undisguised interest after hearing the nickname, demanding an answer, but you just mouthed "later".

"Awww, sweetheart, and I'm happy to hear you again too!" you said with an ironic smile.

"I have a lot of news for you, and I will definitely call you in private soon"

"Are you not alone? Who's with you?" the girl even moved closer to the camera in an attempt to see something.

"Well, I have a little surprise for you. Actually four surprises, but one of them you'll find really special" you said conspiratorially, looking around at the guys who were still out of the picture. Alex sat to your right, trying to portray the most distant look, as if everything that was happening was nothing more than baby talk for him.

"Darling, if you have a group orgy without me, then I will be offended and drop the call" the bassist said threateningly, wiping her forehead with a towel that was hung on her shoulder.

You just burst out laughing "Ok ok, I'm not languishing you anymore. I hope you're ready. Boys, say hi to Vics" and you finally moved the camera further so that Matt, Nick and Jamie, who were sitting to your left, got into the camera frame, Alex's appearance you saved for a dessert.

The musician's reaction exceeded all your expectations. At first she narrowed her eyes, bringing the phone even closer to face, and then she widened them with a loud squeal, jumping up from her seat.

"What the hell, Y/N! What the actual fuck, you're a shitty mutherfucker!!!" she covered her mouth with her hand, chaotically moving the phone in different directions. Apparently, other members of the group came running to her scream, as you heard the voice of Damiano asking what happened.

"What happened?" she repeated "The fucking Arctic Monkeys are sitting next to Y/N!" answering a question off-camera and stabilizing the phone. Now you could clearly see the vocalist leaning over her shoulder, Thomas to the side and Ethan slightly behind.

Finally, the men next to you decided to introduce themselves "Hey, guys, what's new?" Matt said smiling to the camera, Jamie and Nick just waved their hands in a friendly manner.

"Oh my God, what's going on" Vic, still dumbfounded, spoke with a face of complete amazement. Damiano, who quickly figured out the whole situation and realized that Vic was unlikely to be able to communicate normally now, carefully took the phone from her hands.

"Hi, Y/N, long time no see! Hi, boys, how fresh you are" the frontman winked. The words "for your age" were suggested mutely, but David left them behind the scenes. The men next to you just laughed quietly at this remark and saluted the Italian boy.

"Vic, that's not all yet, look who's next to me" wanting to finally finish off your friend, you moved the camera to the side, revealing Alex's presence, who was already sitting with a polite smile on his face, leaning on the sofa armrest.

"Hi, love" Turner murmured hoarsely, turning on his usual charisma. You were surprised how quickly he went from "fuck off everyone" to his stage persona. Indeed, a skill acquired over the years.

De Angelis, after looking at the camera for just a second, squealed even harder than the first time, which you even grimaced a little, because in a quiet studio it sounded deafening.

The camera was still held by Damiano, but the girl in the frame could be seen doubled over, holding back cries of happiness. Her guys just laughed out loud at this, knowing full well what a strong fan of Alex she was.

"Y/N, I'm going to fucking kill you, I'll strap your ass so you can't sit still for another week, what are you doing to me?" Vic didn't let go of expressions, which made the men next to you shamelessly laugh, even Turner smiled predatoryly.

"Holy shit, you're real" the girl muttered in one breath.

Her adoration entertained Alex. Celebrities fangirling celebrities wasn't an unknown story for Alex, so the way Vic behaved didn't annoy him, but brought a feeling of sincere pleasure from what was happening.

"It would be strange if I wasn't, mhm?" the man grunted, changing the position - now he rested elbows on his knees, bringing the face closer to your phone. You could smell his light apple scent from the cider you both drank and the cigarette halo that soaked into all of the frontman's clothes.

Damiano finally decided to take control over the situation by turning the camera completely on himself.

"So, Y/N, if you wanted to surprise Vic, then you succeeded 100%! But we are now at soundcheck, and we don't have much time, and she" nodding towards the bassist "still needs to be brought to her senses. We were extremely happy to hear from you, babe. Call us when you are free and tell us everything in detail. Miss you very much!"

"Guys, me too! Love ya, see you at Glasto!"

"Wait! Take a screenshot!" Vic's desperate exclamation came from Damiano's left side.

He made a focused face, looking for the right buttons, while you and the men simultaneously smiled at the camera.

"Send it to the chat" you asked, ending the call and blowing a virtual kiss. You obviously cut off Vic's "I love you" without being entirely sure it was addressed to you.

The studio immediately froze in deafening silence. You put your phone down on the coffee table, still smiling.

"That was a real buzz, they're cute" Matt said leaning back on the couch. The mood of the guys clearly improved by this little conversation. You were glad that you could somehow diversify their evening after a productive and exhausting day. Even Alex stopped keeping his always compressed lips and frowning eyebrows.

"So, Miss Boogie, right?" Jamie began slyly, reminding you of your infamous nickname.

An approving "ooooo" reverberated around the room, from which you hid behind your palms.

"Damn, I was hoping you'd forget" you muttered from your hiding place.

"C'mon, we're intrigued already" Nick reached out to you through Matt, gently taking your hands away from your face.

Jamie suddenly started chanting your name, encouraging you to reveal this terrible secret, and Matt whistled as if Sheffield FC had just scored a goal.

"God, okay, just shut up please" you gave up.

The four men took more comfortable positions in anticipation of your story.

"In fact, there is nothing special in this story, it's just stupid. When Maneskin was approved for Eurovision, we went to celebrate, how can we not. It was in Milan. We got very drunk in a bar and went for a walk around the city. It was about 3 in the morning, and to entertain ourselves we played Truth or Dare. The most banal thing that could be, but nothing better came to mind. And I chose Dare, 'cause everyone else only cowardly told their secrets. So Vic asked me to dance for a minute on the street to any song that a passerby would name. Well, since at such time you are unlikely to meet any adequate passerby, we only found a beggar in the square. I don’t know how old he was, but the first song that he remembered was Boogie Wonderland" at this point you made a dramatic pause, "so yes, I had to dance to this song at night in front of other poor people who came up to us. Since then they call me Miss Boogie. Everyone is satisfied now, having fun, huh?"

You intentionally crossed your arms in insult, surreptitiously watching the laughing band.

"I bet there's a video" Matt said cheekily.

"Yes, there is, but you'll never see it!" you retorted quickly, glaring at the drummer.

"Your hot cheeks make me want to see this video even more" Nick teased tapping Matt on the shoulder.

"You know what," Alex suddenly announced, "choose any song you want. We play it, and you show the video"

You could swear your jaw was somewhere on the floor.

"Woah, did you decide to go all-in?" Matt asked, also not expecting such a generous offer "Be careful, otherwise you will have to play a Taylor Swift song"

"Ouch, why do you think I like her?"

"Who doesn't like her?"

"Your truth" you nodded approvingly.

"I meant our song. We'll perform it at the concert" Turner interrupted your dialogue, looking at you testily from under his eyelashes.

There was a slight silence, which you broke with a heavy sigh.

"Wow, okay, this is getting interesting" you muttered, leaning back on the couch like Helders had done earlier. The three men to your left looked at each other in surprise, waiting for an answer, while you've been thinking, looking at the frontman.

"Certain Romance," you easily stated, "I want this one"

"Your wish is my command, Miss Boogie," he joked without any hint of smile, standing up "you guys remember how to play it, don't you?"

The guys looked at each other dumbfounded, unable to find words for such a drastic change in the behavior of the vocalist, but after a discordant series of affirmative nods, they received a condescending smile from him.

"Well, that's great, there's still time to rehearse. I propose Sheffield!" Alex said solemnly, thrusting his hands into the pockets.

"Al, ru ok?" Matt raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"All right, man" Turner said artificially.

"This house is a circus indeed" swirled through your head. Alex's behavior was defiant. Emerging into conflict. Literally a minute ago everything was peace and quiet, and now he, like a proud peacock, was arranging a show for you at the level of a cheap soap opera.

"No, but seriously, let's even organize a lottery, since Y/N has such an influence on the setlist" Alex didn't let up.

"Come on, pipe down, you suggested it yourself" Nick intervened carefully, not wanting to stir up the smoldering coals of the conflict.

"And I think all of you are into this idea, aren't you?" Turner didn't raise his low, heavily accented baritone, but the underlying toxicity in his tone was evident, "oh, even better, let's ask our Italian friends for advice! Let's get their opinion and her video as well".

"Alexander, smoke?" you stood up decisively from the couch, grabbing your purse and phlegmatically glancing at the wooden cider box you'd probably have to leave in the studio. But you couldn’t leave the guys in such an atmosphere, so out of courtesy you promised to return again.

"Y/N, no problem, see you before Bristol! Send the screen to our group, 'cause I'm getting jealous for these Italians" Matt gave you an encouraging wink in the end, and you certainly promised to do it tonight.

"They'll kill each other"

"He doesn't stand a chance"

Jamie and Matt said at the same time as the door closed behind you.

Alex imposingly walked ahead, not hurrying anywhere. He politely said goodbye to the security guard, noting that the rental period had already come to an end. Almost bowing, he opened the door to the street for you, artificially gallantly holding it with his hand, still making a show from every gesture, which for some reason made you feel disgusted. You were counting on working with middle-aged men, accomplished musicians, but it feels like you are talking to teenagers.

Damp cold air from the river hit your red cheeks, which made you wrap yourself in a jacket more tightly. Alex took out a pack of Marlboro, offering you one, but nodding to himself, removed it, remembering your words a week ago practically at the same place.

"Well?" he said with a cigarette in his mouth, lighting the filter.

The sky was overcast with a milky haze of fog, which wasn't uncommon for these places, a weak wind was blowing, but not a single sound from the road was heard, which made you hear sparks from ignited tobacco hiss like champagne bubbles, falling on the asphalt.

Alex exhaled noisily, squinting at you with his eyes. His face was faintly lit by the flame of a cigarette, but even in such low light, it was noticeable that his gaze was completely blank. "Amazingly indifferent and deep eyes at the same time. It's impossible to tell anything from them" you thought. Or maybe he was like this only with unpleasant people to him, who you apparently were. You can’t even imagine the way these eyes changed on stage "Where are you real, Alexander?". But instead of asking this, you just threw your head back, tiredly closing your eyelids, showing with your whole appearance how absurd the situation is.

"Alex," there wasn't any visible point to call him Mr. Turner even though you were annoyed "I thought we made a deal, didn't we?"

"Really? When?" his voice sounded even more affected than in the studio, despite the fact that now the man spoke rather quietly and slowly. Or maybe even a whisper would be loud in this ringing silence.

"I just don't understand what the problem is" you continued, as if you didn't hear his words.

"I don't see it either, Miss Y/S"

You raised your eyebrows high as you asked a silent question, which made Alex smirk slightly. Taking a puff, he began to explain to you with the intonation of a parent teaching a child not to put his fingers in the socket.

"Listen, I won't hide it, you brought some chaos to our tour. This is different from your direct duties though - to solve all the problems on our way. But you're a stranger who stirred up our peace and foundation. I was initially against this idea, but James left me no choice. You are undoubtedly an educated young lady, and probably from a moral point of view, I sound like a scoundrel now-"

"You sound unprofessional, Alex. You only make me feel contempt, and I don't care about any moral side"

The frontman looked at you from under his brows, taking out a second cigarette in a row from the pack, waiting for a further reaction, but inside you was a frozen magma that didn't want to break out, muffled by self-esteem. For now.

His words contradicted his behavior. In the morning he carries your boxes and asks for a song advice, and in the evening he gives out this shit. If women's logic is ridiculed by society, then men do not have it at all.

“You know what, when James offered me this job, I was damn excited and proud that I would be working with a team like yours. I was on a cloud nine. But you, Alex, you're just a spoiled boy in the body of a 37-year-old man who hasn't overplayed his ambitions and thinks that his subtle nature is so fragile to understand that you need to hide behind the facade of an asshole so that normal people with good intentions don't crawl into your soul. You are cowardly and arrogant!"

You were breathing heavily, and the words "fool fool fool" stretched on repeat in a red line behind your eyes.

You didn't even understand how they escaped from your lips, absolutely thoughtlessly. You even instinctively wanted to raise a hand to cover your mouth, but pulled yourself back in time, deciding to play to the end. Show after show.

Alex hadn't raised a cigarette to his face during your tirade, so that the wick was almost dead in his fingers. You intensively looked at each other without stopping, and at some point it seemed to you that fear flashed in his pupils. Fear of the revealed truth. However, they were covered with a thick veil of indifference to what was happening in a second, and he finally took the last puff, throwing the butt right on the road.

"Miss Y/S, it seems that you have to go" the musician said unemotionally.

You took one last burning look at his features and, without saying a word, turned around towards your car. How ironic, a week ago you left each other in roughly the same sequence of activities - studio, cider, parking lot, but under completely different circumstances.

Slamming the door shut, you sharply revved, not bothering to warm up the engine, and drove out of the parking lot with a clang of tires. Burning tears of resentment gushed from your eyes, covering the already foggy road in front, but you didn't pay attention.

Your cooperation has just begun, and you have already swept on an emotional swing. Only in the morning you were driving in a car towards the sun and rejoicing at the warm words of your dad, and in the evening you return home, wiping the salty paths with the back of your hand from your face.

You were never embarrassed by tears, you cried out almost all of them during a divorce, but if they dripped from your eyes today, then there was a reason for that. Your parents taught you that after rain there is always a rainbow, after tears there is always peace of mind, you need to be able to live through any emotions in order to turn them into your power later.

***

You haven't seen the boys since that evening until today's early departure for Bristol. Of course, you communicated on all sorts of organizational issues during this time and there was no visible tension, especially since they didn't hear about your quarrel with Alex. You were more than sure that he would not tell his friends about that incident. This is what infringes on him, and therefore makes him weaker, which he couldn't allow.

All these days you have wondered what was the reason for such a sharp behavior, however you couldn't really delve into yourself. Why exactly you were crying - from resentment, overstrain or just an emotional outburst, it was also difficult to understand. Perhaps all together. Over the past month, from your first conversation with Ford to recent events, your life has changed 180 degrees, so it's no surprise that your psyche gave a little glitch.

You've comforted yourself with routines though — setting Grapes up with a friend until your next visit to London, inviting your parents over for dinner to tell you all the details, packing your suitcase for the tour, checking out all the technical stuff, and almost forgetting what kind of adventure you're packing for.

And now, without any idea of the nearest future, you were sitting in a black Mercedes Sprinter between Marcus and James Kerr, Ben was in the passenger seat in front, Steven was riding with the group in the bus. It was only 8 am, you were sleepy, only at the last moment you didn’t forget to remove eye patches before going out, you didn’t even put on makeup, so you sat in the wide sunglasses, even though the sun wasn't visible through the tinted windows of the car.

It seemed that everyone was relaxed, easily communicated with each other and knew exactly what each would do upon arrival at the venue. Unlike you. The schedule was pretty clear - check-in at the hotel, lunch, departure for the soundcheck and then free time for the management and the band, but very busy time for the technicians. Of all this, the most sensible thing was to drink plenty of wine at dinner and walk around the rest of the day in a relaxed state of mind, but those were only pitiful thoughts of creeping fear. Deep inside you were sure that everything would be fine, it couldn’t be otherwise, because even if you didn’t know how to do this or that task, the guys knew their duties, and they physically couldn’t play the concert badly.

"Hey, Y/N, you kinda took working with us too seriously" Marcus snapped you out of your thoughts with his mocking tone.

"I'm sorry, what?" you asked, turning to him.

He touched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and chuckled. It took you another couple of seconds to figure out what he meant, so he took advantage of your confusion to explain "you now going to wear glasses in the dark as well?"

The reference to Alex was read transparently, so you imperceptibly flinched and pointedly removed them, as if not wanting to be associated with him at all.

"No, no, I just didn't have time to do my make up" you honestly admitted, shrugging your shoulders ingenuously.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we-" the guy looked around at all the passengers, "we don't understand this here"

You laughed slightly, at the same time relaxing, and asked him a question that had been of interest to you for a long time.

"Why don't you have women in the team? I mean at all"

Instead of Marcus, Ben decided to answer from the front seat, apparently as the eldest among you.

“It didn’t happen on purpose, but later it became kind of unspoken rule. We are here like on the fishing, you know? We leave our wives, spend time within our male company, it’s like an alternative branch of your life, you do quality work here, you feel needed, while no one owe you nothing and you feel absolutely free in your actions, understanding thoroughly those who are around you"

"Are you aware that this is how a normal team should work, regardless of gender? It sounds somehow sexist. Am I really embarrassing you in actions?" you smiled slyly, anticipating the denouement.

"Actually, besides you, we have 3 other women in the team.." Marcus embarrassingly chipped in.

"Guys, don't bother yourself with excuses, I knew who I was messing with" you laughed, crossing your legs. Marcus looked at you dumbfounded, but said nothing, and James just chuckled softly at the window.

"Well, if you knew that, then you also should know about our tradition, right, guys?" Ben began in a conspiratorial tone, exchanging glances with the guys.

"Um, about what?" you arched an eyebrow in disbelief.

"The newbie is signed up for the after-party. Tonight is your first concert, and after that we go to the bar, the drinks are off you! We're equal here" Ben imperturbably continued to scan your reaction with a fox-eye, waiting for an answer. It's not that you're greedy or unable to pay, but to buy drinks for the whole team...

And as if ahead of your question, the man added "enough management and the band".

As if it changed the essence. But you couldn't refuse, so you mumbled something affirmative, getting a roar of male hoarse laughter in response, and starting to laugh at yourself. You appreciated in people, especially males, this ability - to make a woman laugh. In a time of constant change and stress, finding someone who will make you forget about it was very important.

The rest of the road was spent in the same good mood, and these conversations did help you to forget about your anxiety due to upcoming events. Upon arrival, all the management team and the band settled in the hotel. As James promise, you've been given a private suite overlooking the most beautiful park in the city center. But due to an unknown coincidence, you lived not on the same floor with the attendants, but through the door from the group.

Matt carried your things to your room and you agreed to meet for lunch in 20 minutes.

Since you were able to miraculously did a make up even in the car, thanks to the sensitive driving, now you decided to change into more presentable clothes in which you will be at the concert.

Without changing the habit of choosing clothes carefully and for a long time, you took off your hot sweatshirt, remaining in only sweatpants and starting to go through the whole suitcase in search of those things that would match your mood. You had a couple of looks planned, but today's unexpectedly warm weather changed your plans a little, so you confidently took out a black leather skirt and a white blouse.

A piece of matter fit all your forms perfectly, so you were satisfied with the choice, spinning in front of the mirror by the bed. The black bodice harmonized perfectly with the skirt, and the crazy idea of staying only in it, without putting on anything, flashed through your head like a bullet, but flew out just as quickly as soon as you heard the muffled thud of heels on the carpet outside the door and a muttered "Jamie?" at your door followed by a knock. You hysterically shouted "No!" exactly at the moment when the door opened without a click.

"Shit, Y/N!" Alex, not having time to properly enter your room, but having clearly noticed you in a compromising way, abruptly recoiled, remaining in the corridor, but not completely closing the door so that he could hear you, but not see.

"God! What a mess" you pleaded, rushing to the door. You stuck out only your head, meeting the eyes of the musician, who was discomposedly staring at you point-blank.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Why are you naked?"

You asked at the same time, shouting over each other.

"This is my room! And I'm not naked!"

"Where's Jamie? I thought he was at 312" Turner asked, a little bewildered, clearly embarrassed.

"I have no idea where Jamie is. How did you even get in?" you were still half-dressed, hiding most of your body behind a wooden door.

"I knocked, but it turned out that it was not slammed at all"

"What the fuck? Maybe Matt didn't close when he left," you muttered more to yourself. You clearly saw the question “What did Matt do here?” that arose in Alex’s head, but which he never voiced. Clearly realizing that the dialogue could not be continued in this form, you abruptly switched the subject, trying to tear his eyes from your neck.

"I was changing for dinner anyway, so see you there" you sharply slammed the door in front of him, not wanting to go into details, and tiredly leaned your head against the wooden surface from the inside.

"Crazy" you heard quiet along with receding soft steps.

It was your only meaningful conversation with the singer, since that evening. You understood that it couldn’t go on like this for a long time, but at the moment you didn’t have any ideas how to fix the situation. So you just finally put on the look you chose, after checking that the door was locked, then decided to add a black headband, and being satisfied with your appearance, went downstairs.

After lunch, the whole team went to the stadium, where the technicians had already set up half of the equipment. The guys immediately went to the sound check, and you and Steven went to meet Ashton Gate management. It seemed like there was still plenty of time before the concert, and you thought you would have a few more chances to double-check everything, but in the turmoil that was going on behind the scenes, this turned out to be impossible.

To be honest, you were overwhelmed by what was happening. The soft music, people around, the sun rays moving towards the sunset - this whole scene that was unfolding before you as you unexpectedly stepped onto the empty stage a few minutes before the crowd was let into the stadium looked surreal and incredibly familiar, as if you had been here many times before. The noise and chaos behind you contrasted with the tranquility in front of your eyes. The empty space that was about to be filled with a crowd in just a few minutes brought both excitement and serenity. These were the moments that seemed unreal, but made life worth living.

***

The show was about to start, and you stood next to the dark staircase, where the guys from the dressing room were soon to come up. Leaning on the railing, you nervously twirled a lock of hair around your finger. You went through all the items on the checklist in your head, checking off each one mentally, but something still bothered you.

Alex.

Your unfinished conversations and evasive behavior were weighing on you. You felt guilty, knowing that as his manager, you had behaved tactlessly, driven by emotions. It ate at you from the inside. You decided that you would talk to him today, apologize and put this issue to rest once and for all.

Suddenly you noticed a flickering light from the security, which meant that the group is entering the stage, and you turned sharply, both wanting and fearing to see them. As always, looking luxurious, these four men made their way up to the platform, remaining unnoticed by the audience.

"Good luck, guys! I'm buzzing as hell honestly" you tried to sound confident, but your voice trembled on the last word.

"Miss Y/S, is it just me or are you worried about us?" Nick lightly touched your shoulder in a reassuring gesture.

"Well, it's my first time with you" realizing how ambiguous that sounded, you interrupted yourself with a laugh.

"Oh, you'll love it, babe" Matt mimicked a voice from a cheap adult movie, tossing a stick in the air. It seemed like he could find the right words in any situation, and in the future, you would highly appreciate this skill.

All this time, you were glancing at Alex out of the corner of your eye, trying to read his emotions, but he calmly adjusted the folds on his unchanging dark blue jacket and stretched his neck with turns left and right. Seeing that the guys had moved a little away from you, you looked at your watch, estimating that you had 5 minutes maximum, and whispered to yourself "now or never".

"Alex!" you called him out loudly, trying to outshout the crowd "I wanted to talk, I know it's not the most appropriate time, but-"

"Y/N, forgive me, okay," the man unexpectedly began, barely approaching you. For the first time, you saw genuine excitement in his eyes, here, in the darkness of the backstage area of a 30,000-seat stadium. For some reason, only now you clearly feel the difference in height between you two. He looked down at you patronizingly. Maybe it was because of his heels or the knot of nerves in your stomach that made you feel so small in your attempt to hide from his penetrating gaze.

"I've been a complete jerk and acted childish from the very beginning. You didn't do anything to deserve such treatment. I don't want our tension to affect the group and our work in any way, so I admit my guilt"

You stood in shock, slightly opening your mouth. You absolutely did not expect such a turn of events, so your entire improvised speech evaporated from your mind instantly. He suddenly smiled softly, raising an eyebrow, as if asking 'well, what now?' Still not believing what you heard, you nodded your head almost automatically.

"Y-yes, you were a jerk indeed. But I also didn't behave entirely correctly, my first impression wasn't great either," you sighed in frustration, recalling your memories, "I suggest we start over, huh? Hi, my name is Y/N, I'm your new tour manager, nice to meet you" and to confirm your words, you gracefully extended your hand to him.

"Nice to meet you too, I'm Alex Turner, sort of singing here," he shook your hand with an energetic movement. His palm was dry and steady, causing a pleasant warmth throughout your body, "just business then?"

"Just business indeed. And a little bit of music" you said, more relaxed, smiling with all 32 teeth, still holding onto his hand.

"Deal, Miss Y/S"

For a moment, the roar of fans faded away for you, and you only saw the outlines of his pupils in the semi-darkness and his fingers firmly holding yours. However, your fragile moment was promptly ruined by-

"Al, c'mon!" Jamie impatiently called, and your hand felt the gusts of wind instead of calloused skin of the frontman. You watched him walk away in his waddle manner, as he suddenly turned and shouted, winking "By the way, nice lace".

It took you a couple of seconds to understand what was said, and when the meaning of his words reached you, you exclaimed in indignation "You, motherfucker!" almost stomping your foot, but your cry was lost in the wild roar of the crowd, as the guys were already on stage.

It was a miraculous sight. Four men made people go into ecstasy just with their appearance - this is the phenomenon of the Beatles, and they were proof that rock and roll is alive. As long as they are alive. Every strum on the guitar strings, every touch of the lips to the microphone, every drumstick strike, every hair flip was special in their performance, they themselves were special.

You were fascinated, to say the least. When the performance came to the last song before the encore, Body Paint, one of your favorite songs from the album, that was definitely made to be played live, you were out of words. The whole song built you up to the climax, to the outro that every time was a pure jamming and improvisation. And you literally exploded in ecstasy when Alex started walking around the stage, unable to stand still from the knocking down energy. He closed his eyes in languor, biting his lips, screaming, throwing out his arms, and you couldn't take your eyes off. You weren't dancing or jumping, you were inseparably watching his every movement, arms folded across your chest. Your mouth was agape against your will, and your eyes eagerly punched a hole in the frontman. This is a unique performance, it's something that is hard to explain without feeling it for yourself. You were made up of his music, you literally felt these waves inside your veins, your brain wasn't able to comprehend what was happening, it was like a catharsis for all of you. And you definitely didn't want to be saved.

Suddenly Alex turned his head to your side, continuing to play some divine riff outlining the Van Gogh fields on the guitar strings. His hair was tousled, shirt unbuttoned, but his jacket fitted perfectly. He rested his eyes on your figure, smiling with one corner of his lips, and you looked at each other for good seven seconds which felt like eternity. You were sure that everything was clear in your eyes, and even if he stood next to you and heard you, you wouldn't be able to utter a word.

What you definitely didn't expect when your eye contact was broken and Alex walked to another side of the stage, that tears would involuntarily flow from your eyes. "What the hell..." you wondered aloud, quickly removing the salty tracks from your cheeks. In fact, you perfectly understood why you were crying. From a sense of greatness. The greatness of music, human synergy and the power of unity. It was too much for you, too strong emotions to bear. It was excellent, it was the taste of life, thanks to which you still were here. "God, if you exist, bless this band, they are saints" although it sounded ridiculous and naive, you seriously were ready to pray for the talent of these guys, for the ability to make other people feel alive. You were in your place, you did everything right, you were cruising the victory. Today he convinced you.

As soon as the last chords of "RU Mine?" were played and the bows to the fans were taken, the men disappeared from the deafening roar behind the dark curtains of backstage. Their hair stuck to their sweat faces, and a distinct masculine smell was coming from their shirts. The guys passed by you with exhausted smiles, unable to utter a word from fatigue, and disappeared into the darkness of the corridors.

You didn't know what to do right now. According to your understanding, your job didn't end with pre-concert organization, there were also post-concert tasks to be done. But you were so lost in emotions that you felt like you were drifting away from an anaphylactic shock.

Unexpectedly, Tyler came to you as he was the last one to come off the stage. He fraternally put a hand on your shoulder, tousling your hair with his heavy palm.

"Well, with the initiation into our hell, sweetheart. How're you?"

"Thrilled, and I want more!" you declared confidently, matching his quick pace that was pulling you further away from the frenzy of the crowd.

"Well, don't doubt that, it's just the beginning" he charmingly smiled, and you couldn't help but mirror his expression.

"Now we're going to celebrate, and you're coming with us" it sounded so authoritative that even if you wanted to object, you immediately closed your mouth, nodding in agreement. "Besides, seems like you need to unwind" you remembered.

You left the stadium only an hour later, apparently, it was a normal time for the guys to "recover". You'd made several jokes about one woman waiting for seven men and received offended and teasing looks in return. You got into the same Mercedes you arrived in that morning, and the driver took you to one of Bristol's typical English pubs that the guys loved so much.

You didn't understand their fondness for these quaint places where the sofa upholstery hadn't changed along with the owner. There were so many modern bars in the city, any of which the band could afford to rent entirely, but they paid tribute to traditions, obviously cherishing memories of their lively youth when they started playing their first concerts in similar places. Such a return to their roots after the thousands-capacity stadiums grounded them well. And the warm nostalgia, slipping across the Guinness glasses every time, was a corner of genuine joy for the guys, the only true luxury they possessed.

And overall, you didn't care where to spend money or on what. After all today's events, which felt like a whole month, you didn't mind anymore. In the morning, you looked at your apple orchard in the early mist of suburban London, then stood half-naked in a five-star hotel room in front of a world-renowned music star, and now, in the evening, you huddled next to him on an old leather couch under a red velvet chandelier, drinking a B-52.

Glasses, shots and colorful bottles flashed in front of your eyes like a kaleidoscope. Your head was spinning from the amount of alcohol, and your cheeks hurt from laughter.

"My dear mates, I propose a toast to Miss Y/S and her first concert with us! I don't know if she understands where she has ended up, but we'll make sure she has a great time with us, right, guys? To Y/N!" Matt solemnly proclaimed, rising from the table, and 8 hands, pouring drinks onto each other, reached towards the center of the table to clink glasses.

"Guys, thank you for this opportunity, thanks to James for his unplanned vacation, thanks to Steven and Marcus-" although the latter wasn't here, you decided to thank him as he had been providing you with all kinds of help during these weeks, "for their support and adaptation, and of course, to you Monkeys, for accepting me. I do like your crazy Monkey house" you joked, but it didn't negate the truth. Despite all the past disagreements with the lead singer, you felt that you were still doing everything right. And even if you hadn't gone on this adventure today, you would still feel grateful to fate for such an opportunity to be at the center of life.

"Glad to hear that," Jamie chuckled ironically, "as they say, welcome aboard"

And with these words, you all whistled, and Tom even shouted like a saloon girl from the Wild West. Your evening, or rather the night, continued until 3 am, fortunately there was no concert the next day, so you could at least sleep in a bit. You looked in horror at the amount you had drunk, trying to estimate how long it would take to recover the contents of your wallet. But you had consumed so much gin and tonic that the only thing that really worried you was how to walk straight for at least 2 meters to the bar to pay for it all.

"Drinks on me!" you declared with a mischievous smile to the group as you headed towards the bar counter.

"What, for everyone?" Matt playfully refined.

"Well, yeah," you didn't have the energy to realize his surprise, but he also didn't have the energy to argue with you, "that's no problem".

And thus, the following events spun in your head like a foggy whirlpool. Here you were finally breathing in the fresh air of the street, tilting your head towards the purple sky, then you were half-lying on someone's shoulder in the black minivan, and finally for no reason you were walking barefoot on a soft hotel carpet, but there were no shoes in your hands as well.

You didn't have any memories of walking into your room either. But in the moment, the feeling of soft snow-white hotel sheets flooded your body with long-awaited bliss. You instantly fell into the arms of Morpheus, only on the verge of consciousness noticing that someone took off the headband from your hair, which had been squeezing your head tightly, and silently closed the door.

You may be too drunk to remember each of your actions clearly, but you definitely wouldn't mistake the familiar scent of cigarettes in the room.

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

A/N: Oh, so much has happened in one chapter, and this is just the beginning of the tour... I decided to tell the background of Y/N for a better understanding of her actions. What do you think, maybe you want more of "Italian friends" in the work? Whose line do you want to read in more detail? Share your emotions, it is incredibly valuable to me that someone reads this work actually!

xo🤍

Taglist: @missbabyjay @rentskenobi @findmeincorneliastreet @indierockgirrl here it is!

*if you want to be removed or added to the taglist, feel free to ask me!

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teyamsatan · 1 year

Text

The Archer | Chapter VII: Epiphany

Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII Chapter IX Chapter X

Summary: You and Neteyam fight for your lives and the lives of the people you both love, as the war with the humans finally comes to your doorstep.

Pairings: Neteyam x Avatar!Reader

Word Count: 10k words

Warnings/notes: angst (lots and lots of angst), mentions of death, blood, violence, cursing, spoilers (!!) for ATWOW

A/N: I APOLOGISE PROFUSELY.

Epiphany is the song that drove this whole series, it was the song that made me want to write The Archer, and the chapter that the song deals with is finally here. I feel incredibly sad at the thought of this series ending in a couple of chapters, as it has been literally the only thing on my mind since I started it, more than 2 months ago. I hope you enjoy, and don't hate me too much, I promise I'll make it up to you x

↳ *Spotify playlist* ༉‧₊˚✧

Keep your helmet, keep your life, son, just a flesh wound, here's your rifle

Crawling up the beaches now, “Sir, I think he's bleeding out"

And some things you just can't speak about

With you, I serve, with you, I fall down, down

Watch you breathe in, watch you breathing out, out

Neteyam had a flurry of messy thoughts percolating around his mind as he was following Lo’ak towards Three Brothers Rocks, where they knew Payakan was. He looked behind him where Tsireya, Ao’nung and Rot’xo, as well as Kiri and Tuk were following suit and worry overwhelmed him at what could be coming. He should calm himself, he thought. It’s all going to be alright, what are the chances the humans would go after Payakan, and the chances that this would happen now, when they were all going? What were the chances this would happen while his baby sisters were with them, anyway? They would all be alright… they all had to be alright. This world took so much from his family, from him, so much suffering and agony he had to live through, more than anyone should ever have to. His thoughts shifted towards his mother, his beautiful, kind and caring mother, who had to watch her sister, the future Tsa’hik, killed by humans, as were her father, her friend and former betrothed, her mentor, her home. Eywa wouldn’t be so cruel as to take more from her, she couldn’t.

He didn’t have time to dwell on the unfairness of the Universe, not when Payakan quickly came into view before them, showing Lo’ak the pinger deeply inserted in the thick skin on his side. Fuck.

Lo’ak quickly jumped on his spirit brother’s fin and started pulling at the rod, with little avail. He watched in horror as a massive ship turned a corner and came fully into view, and with a last thought to you, and your agonising last conversation, he allowed adrenaline to take over him and move him towards where his brother was. He had to do this.

“Bro, come on, help me out! Hurry, the ship’s coming.”

Neteyam reached a hand out to Ao’nung and saw the rest of them get onto the tulkun, starting to pull harder on the pinger that refused to budge, no matter the effort. They needed help. They needed their parents, they needed the Metakyina. He needed you. His hand mindlessly reached to the spot where he usually keeps his transmitter, and cursed loudly when he realised he forgot his radio at home. He looked at Lo’ak and felt relief wash over him when he saw that he was wearing his.

“Call dad. Call it in. Call dad, now!” Lo’ak wasn’t moving, so Neteyam grabbed him roughly by the arm and pulled him upwards. “Just go, do it!! Just do it!”

Neteyam couldn’t hear Lo’ak over the noise of everybody he was with screaming in pain trying to get this done, and, trusting his brother with the task at hand, he returned to his own, trying to figure out the best way to get everyone out of this mess.

“Dad, dad, I mean… Devil Dog, do you read me?”

Lo’ak’s voice pulled you out of your agonised thoughts, reeling after your dad’s message that just came maybe about a minute ago, and you gasped at confirmation there were still fine, that you still had time.

“Yeah, Lo’ak?” Jake’s voice sounded concerned, and you wondered briefly if he already knew, knew the danger currently facing their children, if he could feel it instinctually, like you could, deep within your soul.

“We’re with a…tulkun that’s under attack. Killer ships inbound, it’s about 2 klicks out.”

“Who’s with you?”

“It’s all of us, and Ao’nung and Tsireya, too. We’re at Three Brothers Rocks.”

“You get to cover and you do not engage, alright? Do you hear me? Do not engage. We’re coming.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Devil Dog, Eagle Eye, I’m on route, maybe 10 minutes out. I’m with Neyn, I’m coming. Over and out.”

“Hurry.”

Gideon watched as commotion happened all around him, all units ready to start their assault on the innocent tulkun. He got his gun out and looked at Quartich and the rest of the Recoms, almost drooling with excitement over seeing the Sully kids, knowing they were so close to finally completing their mission, and more importantly, finally exacting the revenge they have dreamt about since the first breath they took in this new body, this new life.

Concern was deeply imbedded in him, in his mind and soul, and he watched through the scope of his gun for the kids who were struggling to pull out the pinger reflecting red light onto the skin of the huge animal they were sitting on. Just fucking leave, just leave. She’s never going to forgive me if anything happens to you, so just leave.

Gideon was screaming internally at the scene unfolding in front of him, screaming silently at these kids who seemed to have a death wish, who were so irresponsible, his paternal instincts were kicking in full tilt, ready to give them an ass kicking of a lifetime if they all managed to survive this. He’s in this now, he realises briefly. He’s in this. His daughter’s family, potentially his family if any of them manage to ever forgive him for a lifetime of sins he was willing to work his ass off to repent for - all in danger, all risking their lives for this being, knowing full well what is waiting for them if the people on this ship catch them. Is this what it means? To be Na'vi, to live on this planet? Is this how interconnected everything here is, that despite knowing better, despite knowing the dangers that lie ahead, they would be willing to die for another soul? Is this what it meant to see?

“Let’s roll.” He watched as Quaritch got onto his ikran, alongside Weinfleet, and took off, at the same time that the boats armed with people and harpoons hit the water, speeding towards the tulkun. Shit.

He had to wait for his moment, had to wait for a distraction, otherwise he would die before he got the chance to help in anyway. His eyes moved towards the human kid next to him, looking scared and anxious, looking how Gideon was feeling. They exchanged a knowing look. It was time. Time for both of them to go where they truly belonged, to go home. Gideon nodded slowly in his direction. Wait for my mark. Spider was trained by a soldier, that much was true, and the man appreciated Jake Sully’s influence and role in raising these kids a little bit more. He allowed himself to hope, for a second, that it would all work out. These weren’t just normal kids. These were warriors. Ready for battle, raised for the inevitable war that would come to their doorsteps once more sooner or later. If anyone could do this, it’s them.

Neteyam felt exhausted as he was sitting on top of his ilu, the feeling mirrored across the bond from the effort the animal was putting into pulling the pinger out of Payakan. He felt so bad for his aquatic friend, but knew the sooner they removed it, the more time they had to get away. His parents were on the way, so he knew they would be alright, that his sisters would be alright, but the sight of boats approaching them rapidly made the sound of his heart echo painfully in his ears.

“Pull harder!”

“PULL!”

He was thrown forwards as the contraption finally fell in the water, and he took a second, just one second to be proud of the work they did, to be happy they would be able to save the tulkun. Cringing a little at the thought of what you would do at his next words, he spoke:

“Come on, get out of here. Go that way, I will draw them out.” He took off without a second glance, once again the sacrificial lamb for his family. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

An explosion almost took him out, deep ringing in his ear and confusion all around as the ilu tried to understand what was going on around them. He knew, all too well, the power of the human mind, the guns and bombs that were made for mass murder, made for annihilation. He recovered and tried to calm his pal, propelling through water, trying to put as much distance as he could between the blinking device and his family, who took cover in the deep underwater flora at the bottom of the sea. When it was far enough, he let it go, watching as it sank, and moved along, trying to hide before it was too late. They had no weapons, no bows, or arrows, no spears or guns, they were defenceless against the most powerful enemy they were ever going to face. All they could do was hide and wait for their parents to come, for you to come. He didn’t want you here, amidst all of this. He was terrified of the consequences of your fight, but a lot more so of the consequences of this fight. He wanted you as far away from it as possible, but he knew you better than to ask you, to expect that you would stay away. And deep within him, he was relieved. He could do this with you by his side. He needed you, as he always did, to be his light and show him the way out of this. No matter what changes between you, this never will.

You broke through the clouds and the Three Brothers Rock came swiftly into view, and it was impossible to not see the massive ship taking up most of your line of sight. You brought your hand to your radio and pushed the little button, hands trembling in fear and the adrenaline rushing through your veins.

“Devil Dog, I’ve got visual on the ship. I’m about one klick away south of it. I see a big ship, 5 boats, I see…fuck… I see Quaritch and Weinfleet on their ikran. Shit, shit. They got someone, it’s Lo’ak. And Tuk, and I think Tsireya. They’re bringing them to the ship. I’m going in.”

“No! Do not engage, do you read me, Quickscope? Do not engage. Sit on your ass, we’re a few minutes out.”

You growled loudly at Jake’s voice, not answering him. You pressed the other button on your second choker.

“Dad, do you read me? I’m about a klick away from the ship. Please make sure they don’t hurt the kids, please, dad. I’m waiting for Jake and the Metkayina to arrive. Stand by. Over.”

Gideon could only focus on your voice so much as he watched Quaritch drag 3 kids onto the ship, one of which was holding on for dear life to the net his siblings were caught in. As soon as Spider caught wind of the scene, he ran for dear life towards the door where they were, pushing anybody unlucky enough to stand in his way, and Gideon found himself running with him, trying to stop him, as well as having to see this for himself, having to make sure the kids will be alright. He recognised the boy and the little girl from the forest, and the man now knew they were called Lo’ak and Tuk. You spent a lot of your time last night talking about them, your almost maternal care for Tuk very obvious even in the short time you spent with him. Lo’ak was hissing at the men encircling him, threatening with a knife, that he had to know was futile against the army surrounding them.

“Stop, don’t hurt them!” He caught Spider and kept him back, to stop him from hurting himself and the others with his recklessness.

“Calm, kid.” He whispered as he held him. “Calm, we’ve got this.”

“Bro, you’re ok?”

“Yeah…great, cuz. Never better.” If he wasn’t so fucking tense, Gideon might have cracked a smile at the kid now laid flush on the ground, but still cracking jokes. He liked him.

“Get back to the bridge.” Gideon gave Spider to some of the humans all around them, as Quaritch dismounted from his ikran. “Keep him there!”

“Yeah… I remember you.” The boy was hissing in Quaritch’s direction, no fear or hesitation in his eyes. Either he was really brave, or really really dumb. Very often the line is very thin, Gideon thought.

“Tie them to the rail, all of them.”

All of a sudden, he was painfully aware of the weight of the knife tucked in a sheath on his waist, and Gideon knew he had to wait for the right time to be able to break the kids free and get them to safety. He wondered briefly if you were watching, if you were seeing what was happening, if you hated how your own father wasn’t doing anything yet.

Your thoughts were all scattered between worry for your siblings who you knew were currently on the ship, but you couldn’t see them anymore, too far away from any clear view, paralysing fear wondering where Neteyam was, and anxiety over having to wait for Jake and the Metkayina. You were circling the rocks, waiting, when you saw Neytiri on her Ikran. You sighed a big sigh of relief, and reached your fingers to your forehead when she spotted you. “I see you, sa’nok.”

You heard noises and ululating beneath you and finally saw the sea of orange Tsurak making their way toward the ship. Almost on command, you saw them all stop and fall in line. Jake…

You felt bad that the one thing he tried so hard to avoid, the one thing he didn’t want, the calamitous fight for his life, for his children’s life, for his family, has come with thunderous power, ready to overtake him, ready to overtake you all. You wondered if he was getting flashbacks to almost 20 years ago, wondered if you would too in 20 years after today, if you were to survive this. You came too close to death too many times, and watched people you love hug it tightly before willing it away, and you prayed over and over that death wouldn’t hold on to anyone you loved ever again, not for a long time.

“Jake.” A voice you have heard once before, enough to never want to hear it again, enough to give you nightmares sounded gravely in your ears. “Tell your friends to stand down. You want your kids back, you come out alone. You know better than to test my resolve.”

You hissed loudly and wanted to speak, but you knew he would be able to hear you, and right now you had an advantage, they didn’t know you were here, didn’t know you had an ikran.

“I took you under my wing, Jake. You betrayed me. You killed your own, good men, good women. I will not hesitate to execute your kid.”

It was clear to you right in that second that Quaritch did not play around, and he was not bluffing. His voice was unflinching, angry, seething and you knew he meant every word he said. Lo’ak… Tuk…

Fear was overtaking your every thought, overtaking the adrenaline fighting to keep you going. You were outnumbered, outgunned, and out-prepared. They had ships, helos, boats, machine guns, harpoons, grenade launchers. They had Ikrans, and they had the kids. You had no leverage that you could reasonably see. How were you ever going to get out of this alive? How were they going to get out of this alive?

Neteyam…

“Just… wait one.”

“Offer’s going to expire. What’s it gonna be?”

“Check your fire. I’m coming out.”

No. No. No.

You looked at Neytiri, confusion plastered all over her face, both of you just flying around aimlessly, waiting for your shot. Did she understand what was going on? Were there any words to explain it to her?

“Ma Jake, what is happening? Ma Jake?” Realisation hit and so did the tears, both of yours, softly trickling down her face, swimming painfully in your eyes.

Gideon watched Jake Sully make his way on the back of a fish, a very big fish. His nerves were eating him alive - what was he supposed to do? He was outnumbered, wildly outnumbered. Even if he managed to kill Quaritch and maybe Weinfleet, there were still half a dozen other Recoms, not to mention tens of soldiers in exo-suits. Maybe it would provide enough of a distraction, but it wouldn’t guarantee the kids getting out of here safely. The thoughts of going out in a blaze of glory, saving his daughter and her family intrigued him, but he couldn’t go without talking to you at least one more time. There was still so much to say. He had so much to learn. He still had so much to make up for.

Gideon had little time to continue his thoughts, as he felt the ship shake slightly, and he couldn’t help wonder for a second if they were getting caught in some sort of quake. His mind froze, as did his body, as the sight unfolding before him. The tulkun, breaching over the ship and landing on top of a few humans wearing exo suits while they screamed and tried to shoot it, to no avail. Shit way to go.

Mayhem emerged all around him, and he realised then this was his chance, when he saw Jake approaching the ship, the full force of the Metkayina close behind. He hurried back inside the ship, trying to make his way towards the middle pool, where most of the humans resided. He pulled out his knife and stabbed the soldiers posted in the doorway, whistling to Spider to follow him. He gave him the spare knife he had on him.

“Ready to get out of here, kid?”

Your breath hitched in your throat watching Payakan trash any and every enemy on sight, and knowing this was the chance you were waiting for, the opportunity of a lifetime, you wasted no time getting out the handgun that you were threatening your dad with just a few hours ago, now speeding at lightning speed in order to save his and the rest of your family’s life. God, how fast the night changes.

“Let’s go, sweet girl.”

Neyn let out a scream, and you joined, battles cries blending with the ones vocalised by Neytiri and the Reef Clan.

You bolted towards one of the airborne helos, willing Neyn to remove the shooter from the door with her massive claws, which stabbed him in the abdomen and dropped in the water. You barrel rolled in the air and came face to face with the pilot, which you shot straight in the head.

“Good girl.”

There wasn’t much you could do without your weapons, so after killing as many people as you could using Neyn as an extension of your own body, you settled for the big ship, knowing Lo’ak, Tuk, Tsireya, Spider and your dad still needed a way out. Your plans were quickly turned to dust when you spotted Weinfleet on his own ikran, barreling towards you, shooting at you with no end in sight. Let’s see if Tuk was right about me. “We’ve got this, girl.”

Neyn gracefully executed every command you gave her, dodging every bullet by the skin of your teeth, performing acrobatics you weren’t even sure you could, and you felt yourself becoming dizzy at the strenuous effort. You needed to save Neyn, no matter what, and the assault was unrelenting, and you felt yourself losing focus, which didn’t bode well for either of you.

Neyn, listen to me. When I jump, you go. Just get away and hide among the Three Brothers Rocks. I’ll call you when it’s safe. You felt restrain in her, pushing against your thoughts, against your wishes. She wanted to protect you, as much as you did her.

I’ll be alright, sweet girl. But I can’t be if anything happens to you.

Without a second thought, you undid your Tsaheylu and jumped in the water, bracing for the impact. You needed a second to adjust to the new environment, and tried to see if you could find an ilu anywhere. You called for one, all the while praying silently that Neyn got away safely. You avoided all the explosions and debris falling all around you, and got scared half to death when a blue form appeared swiftly, no doubt hearing your call. You almost gasped when you saw who it was, and had to try to settle your booming heart - Neteyam.

“Need a ride?” He signalled, smiling a small, sorrowful smile, one that despite everything, was still glowing and glorious, even here, underwater, even in these circumstances.

“Yes, please.”

His hand reached out for yours, and when you touched him, it felt like you came back to life. Like you would be alright. As long as his warm hand was holding yours, there was nothing you couldn’t overcome. You mounted the ilu behind him, and he placed his right hand on your thigh, holding you close, making sure you were secure. You wrapped your arms tightly around his torso and placed your head on his back, and for a second, just a second, it felt like all was good in the world again, and you were reminded again of how, whenever you were together, it felt like it was just the two of you, this whole world just your own personal playground.

He took off hurriedly, and you made your way to the ship, the mission at hand coming back into focus at full speed. The ship was moving away from you two, and Neteyam saw in shock how it got lifted from the water and then collapsed back on top of it, sending ripples all around you, making the ilu scared and jittery. He had to hurry. His hand tightened around your thigh, and the feeling of your body flush against him made his mind finally focus, his purpose clear as day again. He had to save you and his family. That was his purpose, has been his whole life. He was still so mad at you, so hurt and anguished at your seemingly unfixable problem, but right now, more than anything, he was just grateful you were here. Everything else can come later.

You tapped him on the shoulder and he saw you pointing upwards towards the surface, and he saw the side of the ship come into view. This was it. You held on tightly while the ilu launched out of the water and you both jumped, climbing onto the railings and right next to his siblings and Tsireya. He heard you let out a big gasp to let in the air you had to deprive yourself from underwater.

Tuk’s voice brought his attention back to the task at hand. “NETEYAM! SISTER!”

“Tuk-tuk, we’re here.” As you went to Tuk and Tsireya and let them loose using your knife, Netetam turned to Lo’ak.

“Hey, baby brother, you need some help?”

When his sister was unbound, Neteyam turned to you. “Get Tuk out of here.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “Right, Neteyam.” He watched irately as you turned to Tsireya. “Get Tuk out of here.”

“Bro, HURRY UP!” He did as his brother asked, not being able to resist teasing him while at it. “Who’s the mighty warrior? Come on, say it.”

While Lo’ak was rubbing his wrists with his fingers, trying to alleviate some of the pain of being shackled, you picked up an SMG from the floor and made sure it was loaded.

“Finally. It’s like I was missing an arm back there.”

“Come on, let’s go.” Neteyam was turning to leave, needing to be rid of this place as soon as humanly possible.

“You guys go ahead. I have to find my dad.”

Neteyam saw Lo’ak give you a strange look, and he realises that his baby brother didn’t know, nobody knew about the meeting between you and your dad. Neteyam still didn’t know what happened at that meeting, but something had to, if you were willing to risk your life for him. Lo'ak turned back towards his brother.

“And they got Spider. We have to get him. Come on.”

“No, Lo’ak. You go. I will get Spider and my dad. I don’t want you here.”

Neteyam gave you both a hard look, growling at the insanity of what you were asking of him, of each other, of yourselves.

“Sullys stick together.”

You made your way through the ship that was slowly sinking, killing anybody that stood in between you and your goal. You were trained for this, you were ready. You didn’t like killing, didn’t revel in it, but as you came face to face with the men that willingly or unwillingly killed the tulkun and her calf, that took your family hostage, that were threatening everything you held dear to your heart, there was no hesitation in your aim, in your resolve. You went first, Lo’ak followed and Neteyam was last, gun in hand, covering your six o’clock. You were a bundle of nerves thinking of the two, worrying for them. You didn’t want them here, you wanted to know them safe and away from all of the dangers lurking on every corner of this ship, but you also understood that if the situation was reversed, you would have never left them, either. You were all in this together, have been since your birth.

You were crawling on top of the bars connecting the ceiling of the ship, trying to stealth your way through the more populated area, until you saw your dad and Spider, fighting half a dozen guys in exo suits. You dropped on the floor, shooting a couple in the head and you watched as Neteyam and your dad took care of the other four.

“Kid!”

“Spider!”

Your dad came to you and cupped your face in his large hand, the other one checking for any injuries. He held you at arms length and turned you around and looked at your back, your abdomen, your arms. You felt tears pooling in your eyes at the gesture, feeling your heart beating loudly in your chest. He was worried about you. Your dad was worried about you.

“You’re ok. Thank God you’re ok.”

You wanted to keep your distance, wanted to be harsh and aloof, but the weight of everything that you were going through came crashing down on you like a badly timed wave that crushed you under its weight, and you felt yourself closing the gap and giving him a hug.

“Dad!” You heard his gasp and he took in the interaction, and you felt his arms circling you, wrapping them around your back and reciprocating the hug that you have both needed all your lives.

“I’m here, kid. I’m here.”

It took a while for the next few moments to register in your mind. You heard a noise, and as you opened your eyes previously buried in your father’s chest, you saw a big metal door push open and an outbreak of humans with guns came rushing in, shooting at you and your family. You heard the deep haunting noises of shots fired, of people screaming, you saw blood pouring out of the men’s faces, bodies, you felt your dad push you out of the way and turning around to finish the job and as your mind came back to you, your first thought was of Spider, Lo’ak and Neteyam, and you turned around to make sure they were all alright. Spider’s arm was grazed by a bullet and he was bleeding, and you screamed, hurrying to his side. The wound looked superficial, and relief washed over you. Neteyam and Lo’ak were fine. They were fine. They were fine.

A cough and a small thud were all you heard as you took in your family’s horrified looks. Your breath was shallow in fearful anticipation as you turned around, and saw blood pouring out of your dad’s mouth in short, saccadic bursts. You stood there, frozen in time and space, unable to think or move, unable to understand the clear situation displayed in front of you.

“Atan…”

“Angel! Do something!” Lo’ak was shaking you now, trying to get you out of your catatonic state, and at the sound of yet another cough and a big splatter of blood getting everywhere over your dad’s clothes, you felt something snap in you, and you rushed to his side, looking at the damage.

No. No no no no. This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real.

Your dad’s back took the bulk of the assault, and as you traveled your hand over his wounds and felt him wince slowly, felt his trembling body, you knew he didn’t have time. You knew then there was little you could do. Tears were spilling out your eyes and onto your wandering hands, and you knew that despite everything, you had to try. You had to try, because you needed time. He needed time. You just got him back. You needed time.

You took your knife from your waist and cut his ammo vest, jacket and shirt, exposing his back, that looked red and festering, blooding gushing out of every wound like an artisanal fountain. You needed to stop the bleeding, so you took the shirt he was wearing and cut it into strips, tightly wrapping them around him.

Think. Think. Think.

“Neteyam, help me tighten this. Keep him upright, I need to call for Neyn. I have supplies on her. I need to get him out of here.”

You heard loud thuds and shots fire at big metal doors on the other side, and you knew whatever was coming was even worse. They were about to break through, and you moved your dad behind cover, gun in hand, making sure to reload it. You didn’t know what to do, how to go about this, your entire being screaming for you to get your dad out of this burning, sinking hole and onto safe ground, where you could save him. You needed them all to leave - to live. You were scrambling for ideas, looking frantically all around you, when Neteyam came kneeling next to you, holding your face in his hands.

“You have to go. Now. Just go. Call Neyn and go, we have your back. We will meet you after.”

You shook your head violently, soft sobs escaping your parted lips.

“I can’t leave you. I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. We can do this, Atan. I taught you everything you know, remember? We can do this. We’ll cover for you, when I tell you it’s safe, you and your dad go through those doors and leave. We’ll be right behind you as soon as this is over.”

Loud bangs were interrupting your already scattered thoughts, and without further arguing, you nodded.

“Neteyam, I’m…-“

His lips smashed aggressively into yours, and you cried in the kiss, pouring your overwhelming emotions into it, into him, pouring the unspoken apologies and love you wanted to shout at the top of your lungs, but couldn’t.

“I know. Me too. We’ll talk. When I say, you go. Deal?”

“Deal.”

You turned to your dad, hand scrambling to erase the tears mercilessly falling down your face.

“Can you do this, dad?” He nodded, deep pain clear all over his face while he tried to position himself so he would be able to run at Neteyam’s signal.

Neteyam watched as two Avatars and enough humans with exo-suits that they were easily outnumbered pushed through the doors, guns blazing. He looked at your meek, exhausted form, drenched to the elbows in your dad’s blood, and he couldn’t help the sadness that enveloped him at the realisation you would have to watch your dad’s dead body once more in this lifetime, the Universe once again choosing you to bear the weight of this whole world on your shoulders, despite everything else you have had to endure. He was reeling at the hurt you were about to bear once again, at how much this was going to affect you, was going to undo all the healing you have worked so hard for. Why does everything have to happen to you?

He got his gun out and shot three of the men making their way towards them, and saw Lo’ak do the same. He wishes he had his bow and arrows - he was proficient with these guns, thanks to your help teaching them, but it still felt unnatural, wrong to him. He didn’t have time to be fussy about it, the problem in front of him much too important for such trivial matters. When he saw an opening as he shot yet another man, he shouted at you.

“NOW! Go go go!”

You got out onto the deck and let out a wailing cry, trying to summon your banshee that would have been waiting for your call. Soon enough, you saw her, flapping her wings majestically as she landed on the railing of the ship.

“Dad, you have to move, please. Please, I know it hurts, but I need you to try.”

You helped him as much as you could. He wasn’t speaking, just taking big breaths, trying to keep conscious. You could tell how well trained he was, what a soldier he had been. There was no sound coming out of him, no cry, no wail, no scream. Nothing, quiet as the dead of night as he suffered unimaginable pain and his almost nonchalant exterior made your torment even worse. It would be easier to digest if he was showing signs of suffering, but brave as he was - it all just made you feel worse, it made your heart ache so hard the broken shards were stabbing you from the inside out.

Eventually, you got him on Neyn and you took off, aiming for some of the rocks you could see in the distance. They were flat and tucked away from the fight still happening around you. Your mind was mush, being split in so many directions between your fear and hurt and the anxiety you felt thinking about your dad, about what you left behind on the ship, worrying yourself sick at the thought of Neteyam and your siblings fighting humans with metal armours protecting them, shooting to kill. Should you have stayed? Should you have left your dad on the ship and stayed with them and fight with them? It felt like an impossible choice either way, one you had no brain power to think about further without collapsing.

As soon as you landed, you got to work, dismounting him and placing him as gently as you could on the ground, hurrying back to your emergency medical bag, that you always, always had on your ikran, and placed it next to him.

As you hovered on top on him, getting supplies, you felt his hand wrap around your wrist, weakly, like he could barely manage even that.

“Kid… stop.”

Your bottom lips quivered, eyes glancing to his face. He looked…peaceful. Content. A small smile was adorning his beautiful face, now laced with sweat and blood and he squeezed your wrist to the best of his abilities.

“No. I can do this. I can save you.”

“You already have, kid. You have to stop now. It’s alright.”

You let out a pained sob, shaking furiously now.

“I just got you back. I can do this. Please.”

“I grew up rich, did your mum ever tell you that? My parents were big shots back in the States, and I grew up going to the fanciest places, the best prep schools. I got accepted into Harvard early, about 2 years before I had to graduate, and I was on my way to continuing my dad’s…legacy, if you can call it that.” You listened attentively to his words, trying to absorb everything you could about this man you found and were about to lose again in the span of one day. “My mother, bless her, she was…a kind woman. Too kind. She was weak and was too scared to ever stand up to my dad. He was a bad man. A very bad man. I watched as he beat my mother my whole life, and watched as he did the same to me until I was old enough to stand up for myself. I was 13 when I smashed a bottle of Armagnac across his face. He told his business partners it was a skiing accident. I was a coward, for so long. I wanted to leave, so badly, I would have taken off at 13 if I could, but my mother did not want to leave, refused to leave no matter what, and I didn’t want to leave her. I was scared of what would happen to her if I left.

She died, when I was 16. She killed herself. It’s fucked up, so fucked up, but when it happened…I was relieved. Because she didn’t have to suffer anymore - and neither did I. I left the day of her funeral, and never looked back.”

He was talking slowly, choking on every other word, his breathing shallow and weak, and by the noises he was making while he was inhaling, you knew his lung was collapsing.

“Dad… you need to keep your strength. You don’t have to say anything.”

“I do, kid. I do. I need to get this out. Please.”

“I joined the army, forged the documents to hide my age and that was that. I worked my way up and tried to make a new kind of legacy for myself. At first, I did it just to get away, but in time, I fell in love with the camaraderie of it. It felt for the first time in my life like I had a family. My squad was my family, and I would have done anything I could to save them, because they would have done the same for me. They were good people. My whole worldview changed. Everything. My desires and needs, my moral compass and principles. I knew nothing else.”

“I joined the army because I had to, because I had no other choice than to escape the hell I was brought in, the hell I carried with me everywhere I went. I joined the RDA because I had to do that, I had to try to save my daughter. I followed them into battle because it was my squad, it was the only truth I knew. My whole life, it felt like I had no choice. Like everything I did was cause it was forced upon me, cause I had to. But this, I can choose. I get to choose how I die this time. And I get to die for my daughter. I get to know my back, my body protected you from bullets that might have taken you out of this world, a world that needs you desperately.”

“No, dad…”

“I chose wrong the first time. I should have turned around at the first sight of the injustice, I should have joined your mother. I should have joined Jake. But I didn’t. I chose wrong, over and over. But now I get to choose right. And I am happy with that choice.”

“I am so sorry, kid. So sorry for everything you had to suffer in this life, so sorry for everything I contributed to it. All my life, all I wanted was to be everything my father wasn’t, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t be better. And I am so sorry. I wanted nothing more than to see you grow up. Nothing more than to have been there to teach you, be there to love you. But I am satisfied with knowing I get to see you live, see you love a good man, who clearly loves you and will cherish you forever. And when you’ll have your own children, they’ll know your dad was more than a cowardly runt. I love you, kid. You and Sarah are the best things I have ever done, and I am sorry I couldn’t do better. And a really long time from now, when you see your mother again, tell her I love her. That I love her more than life itself, and whatever eternity awaits for me, she will always be there to guide me through it.”

Your vision was blurred now, so many tears inundating your every sense, making a mess of your spinning world, swiftly falling apart around you. You saw his eyes flutter closed and he let out a final breath that felt like he had been holding in his whole entire life. Your hand went to his face, that you caressed gently.

“You tell her yourself, dad.”

Neteyam knew they couldn’t continue for much longer the way they were. They had to leave. No matter how much they were pushing back, more and more people swarmed in and he knew they were going to be overtaken soon. He needed an opening and he needed to get his siblings out of here. He poked his head out and shot a few more people and screamed at Lo’ak, who was more than holding his own, hidden from view next to Spider thanks to a plank behind Neteyam. Neteyam couldn’t help be proud of his baby brother, who has blossomed into a great warrior, a great fighter, a good man in the storm.

“Lo’ak, Spider, we have to go. The door behind you, where she left through. You run when I tell you and jump straight in the water, am I clear?”

“Bro, you sound like dad.”

Neteyam pointed the gun without coming out from the cover and shot, firing as many bullets as possible, trying to cause the distraction needed for them to be able to run away. He didn’t think about anything else other than his baby brother when he screamed in their direction.

“GO GO GO!”

He continued firing until the last second, relieved when he saw the two boys jumping into water to safety, and then, trusting in his Na’vi skills, he ran as fast as his feet could carry him out the door, dodging the bullets landing all around him.

He heard it before he felt it. The squelching sound of flesh and blood, the muffled thud as the bullet pierced his skin and travelled across his body, the soft clink when it dropped from his chest onto the cold, hard floor of the ship. Then he felt it. Physical pain like he’s never experienced before, radiating and throbbing through his entire being. He could feel it in his throat, in his toes, at the tips of his fingers. He could feel his heart, pumping hard and fast, could feel the blood spilling out rhythmically, with every heartbeat that was so loud and clear, it was like his heart was exposed for the whole world to see. It might as well be, Neteyam couldn’t tell.

It all happened so fast, he felt his thoughts process in slow motion. He thought about you. You were always the first thought on his mind, but specifically now, specifically after he imagines you had to watch your dad die in front of you, had to put him down to sleep, just like you have your mother. The hurt he felt in his body was nothing compared to his soul, thinking about you needing to bury yet another loved one, you needing to say goodbye to him. He couldn’t do that to you.

“Neteyam, I can’t lose you. Losing you will kill me. It will break me worse than anything else I have ever gone through, and so you can’t die. Ever. And you can’t take stupid risks like that. I can’t lose you.”

“Neteyam, if you die, I will too.”

He had to live, he had to be ok, for you. For his brother, who would blame himself, as he always did, for his dad, who would also blame his brother. For his baby sister, who looked at him like a second father, like he was the mightiest warrior to ever live, who was much too young to have to understand what it truly means to be alive, how much loss you must go through in this life before you eventually lose yourself. He had to live for Kiri, who was sweet and gentle, and needed her big brother to be there for her when the world got a big too much for her liking. He had to live for his mother, who much like you, has lost too much, too soon, more than anyone ever should have to. His mother, who had to say goodbye to her whole world, there was no way she should have to say goodbye to her firstborn son.

He faintly recognised hitting the water, which did wonders for the wound that was being cleaned with every undulation and ripple, and he noticed the way it quickly turned from serene blue to ominous maroon. He heard Lo’ak call for an ilu and was surprised when Tsireya made her way to them, happy to have been reunited with her favourite new person.

“Get on.”

“Come on, bro.” Neteyam was struggling staying conscious already, feeling his mind slipping up at the continuous loss of blood.

Fuck. Come on. You can do this, Neteyam. You can do this. You can’t leave them. You can’t give up.

“Skxawng, I’m shot.” He heard nothing as deep silence enveloped his family swimming around him. Eventually, it all came clear into focus as Lo’ak cursed loudly, asking for Spider and Tsireya to help him onto the ilu. He tried to prop himself up behind his brother as best he could, and he saw Tsireya staying behind, saying something about Kiri and Tuk that Neteyam couldn’t process in his current state, not anymore.

Neteyam was heaving by the time they got to safety, unable to hear or understand anything around him, unable to focus on anything outside of his panted breaths and painful heartbeat, that was struggling to pump the blood that was still remaining in his body. The whole world was blurred and shaky and the only thought fluttering through him was you. Where were you? He needed you, needed you to tell him it was all going to be alright, needing his light to lead him out of the darkness quickly enveloping him and back to you, back to the forest and to your clearing, back to stolen glances and wishful touches, back to when the hardest part about his life was figuring out how he could ever resist you, how he would ever stop loving the beautiful, intelligent, incredible human girl that he could never have. He’d give anything to have that back, anything to make that his biggest problem. Because if he could go back, he would have never waited. He would have kissed you, like you wanted to be kissed, like Dean kissed Rory in that Gilmore Girls episode you loved. He would have confessed to you the first time he realised he was so irrevocably in love with you, in your bed, when you said his name in your sleep. He would have kept you and cared for you and eased your pain instead of adding to it, like he couldn’t help doing, despite his strenuous efforts otherwise.

If he could, he would tell you he forgives you, and he doesn’t blame you for the fight. He would go back and tell you that it bothered him months ago, and listened to you as you poured out your heart to him and the insecurities that plagued you, and you would have worked through it together in time. He would tell you how sorry he is, that this world and his upbringing made him the way he was, that he was unable to speak of the things that dwelled deep within his soul and nested there, festering and hurting until they exploded in him, and he exploded around you. He is sorry for all the wasted time, for the year you spent apart. He would tell you he’ll always regret calling you a coward, always regret leaving you in that meadow where you died, only to be found by his dad and not him. It should have been him. If he could, he’d scream that there’s nothing in this world that he would change when it comes to you, and this once-in-a-universe love you shared. He would tell you that despite the fights, and the struggles, and the messy past, and the unknown future, you will always be his most formidable happenstance, the best thing he has ever known, the person he has loved the most, and your eyes will always be the beacon he carries with him to whatever lies beyond.

No words came out.

You finished cleaning your father’s wounds and your own bloodied hands when you heard commotion in the near distance on a different rock, and watched in horror as Jake was helping up Lo’ak and Spider. You didn't even have time to process your loss, yet another loss, when you saw a body being carried to the shore, carefully, like it was delicate china; your whole body halted as you took the scene in, as you realised the body was Neteyam’s. Almost robotically, you got up and got on Neyn, silently telling her where to go. She did as you told her, and in no time you made it, dismounting midair, not being able to wait for the landing.

A second. That’s all it took for the world to fall apart around you, to burn to the ground, only the ashes of your past, present and future remaining. Just a second to see your mate’s shaking body, his family circling him, kneeling next to him. A second to hear Jake telling Lo’ak to put pressure on the wound, a second to see that blood was pouring out at both the entry and the exit point of the bullet, meaning it passed through his whole body. A second to realise the bullet was just above his heart, which meant it probably hit his aorta or pulmonary artery, in which case he would be bleeding out in front of your eyes, with nothing you can do to stop it - yet again.

A second for your whole life to flash before your eyes, for every one of the million moments you spent together to appear in front of you like a film reel on a screen. Sleeping in the same crib from when he was born, just a couple of months after you. Sharing food as babies, throwing it at each other, feeding each other. Wearing his little loincloth as a toddler so you could sleep peacefully when he wasn’t there. Tugging at his little braids because they sounded pretty when the wind blew the beads in them against each other. Your first peck on the lips when you were both six as your parents laughed and said in another life, in a different life, you were meant to be together forever, that you were soulmates. Your first hike when you were 8, when he taught you how to climb trees and caught you when you fell from a couple meters up, straight into his much bigger body. His ninth birthday when you worked really hard to bake him a human cake, but you put salt instead of sugar and he still ate it and told you it was delicious because he didn’t want to let you down - he never touched human food afterwards, though. Giving you the bracelet when you were ten, that you subconsciously raised your hand to feel right now, still tightly wrapped around you, like it always was. The day he left. The day he came back. Your first sleepover, the first night you looked at his lips and wondered what they would feel like against yours. Your first actual kiss, angry and passionate. Every one of your subsequent kisses, that you could see each of, along with every hug, every cuddle, and touch of the hand, every look of love and adoration, every night buried in each other. You saw it all. One second.

“Atan.” His shaky, breathy voice pulled you out of your nightmare and into a fresh one, but you woke up and moved next to him. You had to do this, no matter how badly your entire being was telling you to run, telling you that if you watched him die, you would never in your life recover, you would never live again, you had to do this. You would never forgive yourself if you left right now. He needed you. You were his light, he's always told you as much; he needed you. You placed your hand on his wounds and pressed on it, and you felt his hand wrap around yours.

“I’m here. I’m here. Just stay with me, please. I can fix this. I can fix it.”

He tried to smile a little, but a grimace was the most he managed.

“It’s alright, Atan. I want to go home.”

No.

NO.

NO!

You were deep in thought, doing the math for all the solutions you were trying to make for the next steps in your set of experiments when you heard the door slide open. You paid no mind to it, as it was most likely one of the scientists and you didn’t want to lose track of all the hard work you have put in so far. It turns out, no matter how hard Max and Norm tried, math never came easy to you, and you felt cheated by how much of it you had to do for biological experiments. When a tiny groan came out from somewhere near the door, your eyes shot up to the voice you recognised better than your own and dropped the pen where you saw Neteyam standing there, blood pouring out of a wound on his chest.

“Oh, my God!” You rushed to his side, instantly forgetting about the thing you’ve spent the last hour trying to figure out, and tried to pull him towards the nearest chair. It was pointless, your effort, as his body, almost twice as large as yours and about ten times stronger, was still, no matter how hard you pushed. “Move, Neteyam.”

“Stop worrying, Atan. It’s not that bad.” You blushed a little, the nickname that he gave you recently still fresh in your mind, still sending butterflies everywhere in your body. Light. He thought of you as his light. How were you supposed to be friends when he called you his light?!

“You skxawng, how did you manage to do that?” He sat down at last, groaning as the cold surface made contact with his bare thighs. You were out of your mind with worry, still not used to it, even after all this time, him going off on dangerous scouting and hunting missions and crawling back to you like this, bloody and bruised and in need of medical attention. He never went to Mo’at. He came to you. You wondered why that is. It couldn’t be cause he believed in the miracle of science more than his own grandmother, his Tsa’hik, so it must be something else.

“I hunted, it hunted back.” You rolled your eyes at his desire to always keep these things from you, still thinking he’s protecting you from the outside world, from the dangers lurking on Pandora, like if he did, you would maybe be more likely to go out with him, instead of spending your entire life in this lab.

“I thought you said you were going to be more careful.”

“I was careful, Atan. These things happen at hunting parties.”

“Sure… it almost seems like they always happen to you. I’m starting to think you like the feel of the stitches on your skin.”

He blushed a little and you raised an eyebrow. What’s that about?

“Let me go grab my stuff. I hope you know you have contaminated my work space and will now have to spend the rest of the day disinfecting everything, so you better be in a lot of pain.”

He laughed, wincing a little as the action made his wound hurt more. You hurried, grabbing everything you need to patch him up, as you always did.

He stood in silence as you worked, looking at you, which made the pounding in your ear, a mirror of your racing heartbeat, painful and impossible to ignore. You cleaned his wound and scratches on his arm, tracing his stripes, more pronounced than any other Omatikaya you’ve seen. It reminded you of Earth tigers, so majestic, so regal.

“What are you thinking about?” He pulled you out of your reflections with his soft, deep voice and it was your cheeks felt hot, knowing you couldn’t possibly tell him the truth.

“I was thinking that this wound on your chest is going to take forever to stitch if you don’t want a massive scar, so you better take a deep breath from that mask and settle in. We’re going to be here awhile.”

He didn’t look too upset about it.

It took a long time, but eventually you stitched everything that needed stitching, proud of your handy work, happy to know he will heal fine and there will not be anything marring his beautiful skin when this was over. You looked at him, and your eyes fell on his face, so close to yours, at the same level as yours as he was, plopped onto the chair, and then you noticed the gash on his lower lip, gulping loudly when you realised you had to treat that too. He looked at you curiously, and at your hands which were looking for some antiseptic cream.

You didn’t look at him as you took a clean gauze, dipped it in water and gently applied pressure on the wound, that had dried blood all over it. You worked in silence, praying he couldn’t hear the thumping of your heart and how you kept having to swallow every few seconds. You applied the cream on his lip using your hand, and patted it down slowly.

“Don’t lick your lips for a while, or you’ll take this off and the moisture will only make it worse.” You started turning around, needing a little space, but he caught your small wrist in his hand, arresting it in midair.

“Thank you. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

You smiled at him, grateful for his presence in your life - now and always. Your eyes fell on his and then travelled to his lips, and your mouth opened slightly in need. You were both just sitting there, looking at each other, feeling things you had no business feeling, and when the pressure, the shift in the air was so intense it was palpable, you slowly lowered your arm and he let go. This couldn’t happen.

You didn’t want this to continue being as awkward as it currently was, so you smiled again, your voice barely above a whisper.

“You’ll never have to find out.”

“But next time, I am doing this with no anaesthesia, so you better think twice before you get yourself hurt again.”

“As long as you are there to heal me, I will always be alright.”

“NETEYAM! NETEYAM!”

Neytiri’s wails were punching holes in your whole body, each one bloodier than the last. The final blow came from his eyes, vacant and glossed over. You looked at your hands, tightly placed on Neteyam’s now still, unmoving chest, drenched in his blood. You looked at his now cold hand, which let your wrist go and fall to the ground, and you felt empty.

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selfindulgentpixies · 7 months

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The hands that hold you ch9: Here for you

SatoSugu x GN!reader master list

It's finally here! Also holyshit we're at chapter 9. This series is the longest thing i've ever written solo before. I know this one was super delayed. Between me getting horribly sad and depressed over certain events for several weeks and just being busy this one took a while. It also took a bit because it was hard to write emotionally for me. Reader goes through it in this chapter for a bit. We get a bit more of a glimpse into things they've been rather tight lipped about and then.. well i'll say it because he's his own warning label, Naoya shows up. Note: 1.While at the beginning of second year Yaga is still a teacher I had him get his promotion by the fall for the exchange event to principle though he still maintains his teaching duties as well. 2. I said it before but i'll make note of it again, since the japanese school year typically starts in the spring it is still Satoru and Suguru's second year. CW: GN!reader, Afab!reader (I haven't said it explicitly until now but given the self inserty nature of this reader and how Naoya treats them it's fairly obvious. Only they/them pronouns are used for reader), Allusions to past abuse, the word whore is used. If you've gotten this far you probably already know that reader is foreigner who was adopted by Yaga (Listen i look at him and all my thoughts are "dad? Dad.You're my dad now." Don't ask why.) ___

“That’s such crap! It was fine when Suguru and I competed a year early for the exchange event! We should be able to participate this year too.” Satoru’s voice cuts into the hall as you walk alongside Haibara causing the two of you to slow your steps as you pass the classroom.

Inside Satoru looks annoyed, arms crossed and leaning back in his desk chair. Suguru only looks mildly disgruntled by the news Yaga is giving the two of them.

Yaga sighs. “You weren’t special grade yet. You’re a lot stronger than a year ago. I’ve already talked to Gakuganji about it. He's firm on the fact that the two of you shouldn’t compete since having two special grades will unfairly tilt the odds of the competition in Tokyo’s favor. “

Satoru replies, voice mocking Yaga’s, “Yeah well it unfairly tilts the odds in kyoto’s favor if you put us down two students,” he then continues in his normal voice, “And maybe if kyoto’s students were stronger they wouldn’t have to disqualify us to win. Guess they’re not over losing last year because of a pair of first years.” Suguru makes a sound that could be taken as agreement.

“The terms of the competition have already been set, Satoru.” Yaga runs a hand over his short hair, frustration building. He could understand both sides of it and while he wasn't a fan himself it was what it was.

Haibara and yourself are too focused on what’s being said inside the classroom to notice as Nanami walks up behind the two of you. “What the hell are you two doing?”

You squeak and Haibara gasps , you both startle enough to jump slightly and Haibara’s larger frame jerking against yours causes you to fall over, pushing the door open as you face plant onto the floor followed by Haibara falling on top of you.

The tension in the room breaks slightly as everyone falls silent and stares at the two of you.

You groan out what could only be deciphered as an ‘ow’ from beneath Haibara, unable to be embarrassed immediately with your face squished into the floor and all of your friend’s muscle crushing down on you.

“Ah! Sorry, ___!” He rolls off you quickly, still on the floor. You push yourself up, rising to your knees, pointedly staring at the floor, both out of embarrassment and just knowing you’re in trouble. The stifled laugh from Satoru doesn’t help and flicking your eyes up shows Suguru has placed his hand over his mouth.

Yaga pinches the space between his brows and lets out a slow breath, doing his best to subdue his mounting irritation and rising headache. “Now I know you know better than to eavesdrop.”

You shrink back and fold your hands on your lap, eyes remaining dowcast. Haibara has assumed a similar position but looks sheepish instead of nervous. In unison the two of you speak. “Sorry, Sensei.”

“And you?” Yaga directs his attention behind the two of you.

You can’t see it but Nanami raises his hands and shakes his head. “I was just passing by, I swear.”

Yaga’s focus turns back to you and taking in your actual nervousness he sighs. “I suppose this works. How much did the two of you hear?”

You glance up at Yaga and shift uncomfortably. “Something about not allowing Satoru or Suguru to compete in the upcoming exchange event?” That was exactly what it had been of course but you phrase it as a question, something odd to your voice. It causes Suguru’s brows to knit together. If Satoru catches it he doesn’t let on and instead he groans and hangs his head back causing his glasses to slide onto his forehead at the reminder of what they’d been talking about before you and Haibara had interrupted.

Yaga nods. “That’s right. And If you didn’t hear Satoru did point out how when it comes to numbers the competition will be unbalanced. Shoko would be the only second year involved and her focus isn't combat. To balance out the numbers it’s not unheard of for first years to compete in the exchange event.“

Haibara speaks up. “Ah! So are you asking if we’ll be in the exchange event?” Excitent fills his voice and when you glance at him you swear his eyes are sparkling. Of course he’d be excited. Somewhere behind you you swear you hear Nanami sigh.

“That’s it exactly.” He confirms.

Nanami who hadn’t been eavesdropping, speaks up. “Wait, why aren’t Geto-senpai and Gojo-senpai competing? Wouldn’t they be a lot more likely to win-” and so another round of conversation and argument starts though by the end of it it’s decided that you and your fellow first years would indeed be competing in place of Suguru and Satoru.

___

After, when you go to part ways from your boyfriends to go with Nanami and Haibara, Suguru stops you with a gentle hand on your wrist. “If you don’t mind, I'd like to steal you for a bit.” You turn and blink up at him and then glance at your classmates. Haibara gives you an encouraging wave.

“We’ll see you later for the mission, yeah?”

“Of course,” you try for a smile though it doesn’t entirely reach your eyes until you turn toward Suguru. It falters again though when you see the worry clear in his eyes. Oh. Oh this was probably going to be a not so fun conversation. A glance toward Satoru shows he’s also watching you more closely now that he’s not lamenting how unfair the situation with the exchange event is.

Nanami and Haibara are already around a corner but you still try to make an excuse. “Ah actually maybe I should go with them-”

When both young men retain their serious air and Suguru maintains his hold on your wrist your shoulders deflate just a bit. You really hope he wants to talk to you about the eavesdropping but you know deep down that won’t be it. He wouldn’t care about that enough to pull you away from what you were already doing. Honestly you sort of wished that the two of them weren’t so observant right now. “I don’t want to talk about it here, really I don’t want to talk about it at all, but if I can’t avoid it let's go to one of our dorms or somewhere else private…”

“Of course,” Suguru replies gently, just glad that you’re showing some willingness to talk even if it’s reluctant.

The walk to the dorms goes too quickly for your liking and when you enter Suguru’s room you go and flop face first on his bed. After you hear the door slide closed the bed dips twice, once on either side of you.

“So you wanna tell us why you looked like a nervous rabbit back there?” Satoru’s voice is deceptively light despite going straight to the point. If your face wasn’t still buried in Suguru’s comforter you would have seen the look he shoots Satoru. Honestly though it was probably better that he was being direct.

You mumble something into the comforter and then feel a hand on your shoulder before you’re being encouraged to roll onto your back, which you do. “No, I don't want to tell you. But I suppose the two of you won’t let this go until I do… It’s stupid honestly.”

The young men share a glance before Suguru speaks up. “Can’t be stupid if it’s got you this stressed out. “

“It is though… I shouldn’t still be reacting that way after nearly three years away from…” You trail off your brows knitting together.

It’s not hard for Suguru and Satoru to slot the pieces into place then. You were always so reluctant to talk about your life before Yaga adopted you. In fact anytime anyone has so much as tried to ask you more than the most basic questions about it you change the subject.

“I was overreacting to the idea that I was about to be in trouble…” you continue quietly. “Even though Yaga sensei has never given me a reason to be nervous about it.”

This was true, it had been something of note that Yaga was gentle even with his reprimands of you. Despite being a bit of a muscle brain in Suguru’s opinion he was more gentle than expected. Honestly both he and Satoru had just chalked it up to him having a soft spot for you since he’d taken you in. This was beginning to paint a more complete picture of why, even though you were still being purposefully vague. That’s when Suguru hears it, a small sniffle. He hadn’t realized he’d been getting lost in his head, fists clenched tightly on his lap until he looks over at you. Your lower lip wobbling slightly before you pull it between your teeth.

“Hey hey… shhh..” Satoru’s hand rests on your cheek, thumb swiping beneath your eye catching a tear you hadn’t even realized slipped out.

“I’m sorry-” your voice comes out tight, you hated that your walls you’d crafted so carefully around these particular emotions were cracking so easily. You’d hoped you could just speak matter of factly and clinically about it. But the show of care makes something give.

Suguru’s laying down next to you in a moment, arm going around your waist. “Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

That makes several more fat tears roll down your cheeks. And honestly? You weren’t sure why. You just know the show of emotion is making guilt constrict your chest.

When you fail to answer Suguru tugs you against his chest, his eyes flicking up to Satoru after he tucks your head under his chin. Satoru runs a hand over your spine. “I’ll be right back okay? Gonna grab ya a couple things,” Satoru says in a soothing tone that would be unfamiliar to anyone but you and Suguru.

When he comes back he’s brought tissues along with bottled water and your favorite snack. It doesn’t fix everything but it helps. The show of care helps a lot. Later the two of them will quietly agree to not push on this topic and to let you tell them things at your own pace, if you ever wanted to tell them at all.

The time leading up to the exchange event passes about as peacefully as time can pass for young sorcerers. When your schedules line up you and your fellow first years train with Suguru and Satoru. Honestly you may have been a little too gleeful to see them get tossed around the training field like you’d been for months. You still got tossed around too but at least Nanami and Haibara couldn’t tease you about it. Especially since it almost seemed like your boyfriends were harder on you than them. Tough love is what it could be chalked up to. If you wanted to train with them it wasn’t going to be half assed. It wasn’t like curses and curse users would take it easy on you just because you were the subject of affection for two of the strongest sorcerers. If anything it was a reason to train you harder. Both of them were painfully aware of how you could be viewed as a weak point for them.

It all goes by too quickly. Soon enough you’re meeting the students from Kyoto. Regrettably you’d soon realize. You stand in front of Shoko who’s sitting on an old stone fence, idly picking at some of the moss growing on it. Without looking at you she asks, “So are they going to show up to greet the Kyoto students?”

“Hmm? Satoru and Suguru? I doubt it. It was Kyoto’s principle that got them disqualified from the event and made it so Nanami, Haibara and I would have to sub in. Satoru was still pretty bitter about it all this morning.” You glance briefly at your fellow first years who are a small ways away from the two of you speaking with some third years you weren’t familiar with.

“And Geto?” Shoko’s words draw your focus back to her.

“I’m not sure he cares anymore. He seemed pretty apathetic about it all,” it was actually starting to worry you how many things he was starting to act apathetic about honestly. Well now that you thought about it he wasn’t entirely apathetic about the competition. “Well.. beyond asking me to be careful.”

Shoko gives you a small smile. “Who knows, maybe that means he’ll show up just for you, maybe they both will.”

Neither of you notice the figure approaching you.

You laugh a little, shyness and affection warming your chest at the idea. “Nah.. I mean they saw me this morning before I left. Satoru even got up early despite being grumpy about the event so he could have breakfast with me and see me off. Pretty sure he went back to bed after.”

“Huh, so you must be the one since you’re using his first name all familiar like even though he’s older than you.” An unfamiliar voice cuts into your conversation, sounding unimpressed.

You blink and turn, coming face to face with a blonde teenage boy you can only assume is one of the students from kyoto given his uniform. When did he come up behind you? Before you can say anything though he continues.

“I guess your face is pretty enough that I can understand keeping you around.”

Shoko mumbles something distinctly impolite under her breath while you bristle at the stranger’s words. You tip your chin up and meet his eyes with a glare. “Excuse me, just who are you to speak to me that way? I don’t even know you.”

He sneers at you. The defiant look in your eye instantly pisses him off. “You’re right you don’t know or you wouldn’t speak to me like that. You’re what, just a little whore and an outsider sleeping with the future head of the Gojo clan and his best friend right? Hoping to advance your station in a place you don’t belong?” He takes a step toward you, invading your space.

Your cheeks flush with angry heat, his words like a slap to the face. No one had ever called you something quite like that before. But more than that, the insinuation that you were using Satoru made your blood boil. Everything else falls away. You don’t even register Shoko’s hand on your shoulder or the rising voices before the loud crack of the back of your hand colliding with this jackass’s cheek creates a stunned hush among all present.

He stands there in disbelief before his eyes narrow at you, with a snarl he grabs the front of your uniform, free hand drawing back-

—

Satoru flops back onto the bed, stretching out all his limbs and entirely taking up the space earning him an unimpressed look from Suguru. “Are you really going to go back to bed?” followed by a mumbled ‘and get out of my bed if you're going to keep your day clothes on.’

“I mean we actually have the day off, everyone else is busy with the exchange event, what else is there to do but catch up on some well deserved rest?” He stretches his arms above his head in an exaggerated manner before folding them under his head. He pointedly ignores Suguru’s complaint about his state of dress.

“I feel we should be there at least for the initial meeting, Satoru.”

“Why? We’re not participating,” a bit of annoyance creeps into his tone. “And we already wished ___ luck before they left to meet up with the others.”

“That’s the thing… Who are the participants this year? On our end it’s our first years, Shoko and some third years that ___ hasn’t actually had a chance to meet. Utahime just entered her fourth year so she’s not competing. Then for Kyoto it’s…”

“A bunch of weaklings,” Satoru says flippantly before continuing. “Mei-san has also aged out of competing.” then a thought seems to occur to Satoru. Last year kyoto had a certain first year who made a fuss about not being allowed to compete while he and Suguru were. The smarmy smirk of a boy he’d seen more times than he’d of liked when he’d been pulled along on clan business by his father flashes through his mind. “Naoya is going to be there this year.” He sits up and looks at Suguru. Apparently he’d been waiting to see if Satoru would come to the realization on his own.

“Are we sure they’ll be okay running into him? Pretty sure other than you this will be their first time running into another student who’s a member of the three clans. And he’s from Zenin on top of it. He’d probably mostly behave if we were there as a buffer but I can only imagine the sorts of things he may say without us there. Especially if he catches them one on one. He’d probably bring up all the worst of the rumors too.”

Satoru swings his legs over the side of the bed. “Tch. Can’t believe I forgot he’d be showing up this year.. Not to say I don’t trust ___ abilities but i’d rather not just leave them to deal with Naoya without warning..” It should have been an entire talk, not just about Naoya but about how sorcerer’s outside the school may view them based on rumors alone of the relationship the three of you share since none of you even attempted to hide it.

They leave in short order after that. Honestly they both hoped they were overreacting and that with other people around Naoya would behave. Then they could warn you of what to potentially expect from him during the actual competition so you wouldn’t be caught off guard. When the two of them see Yaga and Gakuganji along with several students from kyoto they have some hope until they notice Naoya isn’t among them. It’s not like you’re alone though and they know you’d hate if they made a scene of rushing to you if you weren’t in any trouble, so they casually approach the group. They brush off the suspicious glances from the two principles. Brushing off any questioning with comments of ‘what? Just because we can’t compete does that means we’re not allowed to show up and greet the other students? They can’t fight but they can show some goodwill for the goodwill exchange event right?’

It’s while they’re ascending the stairs that they hear some of Naoya’s words, venom dripping from his every word. And if the look on Yaga’s face is any indication he hears as well.

“You’re right you don’t know or you wouldn’t speak to me like that. You’re what, just a little whore and an outsider sleeping with the future head of the Gojo clan and his best friend right? Hoping to advance your station in a place you don’t belong?” The words silence all surrounding conversation once they leave Naoya’s mouth, finally getting the attention of the other surrounding students.

Satoru’s blood boils, both at the words in general but the fact that he’d try to put in your head that you were using him in anyway. Yaga begins to say something but before the words seem to reach anyone they all watch wide eyed as the back of your hand connects with Naoya’s cheek. It wasn’t something anyone expected, least of all Naoya considering he hadn’t reacted at all until his head snapped to the side from the action.

Both Satoru and Suguru see it though, the moment murder flashes in his eyes. Once he touches you though, one hand fisting into the front of your uniform while the other rears back Satoru is there in an instant his own hand wrapping around Naoya’s wrist, stopping him before he can do anything. “I knew you were an ass but I didn’t think you were stupid too, Naoya.” Satoru’s grip on his wrist is so tight that the bones creak. Suguru is there nearly as quickly smacking Naoya’s hand away from your uniform and pulling you to his chest.

“Tch” Naoya goes to yank his hand away but Satoru refuses to let go.

“Enough!” All eyes turn toward Gakuganji, as he stands at the head of the stairs. Yaga’s jaw is set tight as he stands beside the old man. It’s only after meeting Yaga’s gaze that Satoru roughly releases Naoya’s wrist, which is already an angry color that will surely turn into a dark bruise. It's a tense meeting of the schools from that point. Satoru and Suguru crowded close to you and Shoko glaring daggers at Naoya. They’re not the only ones either. If looks could kill Naoya be dead several times over.

Yaga looks you over and then around at the other Tokyo students. “You all go on ahead to the meeting room. I need to have a talk with Kyoto’s principal. Begin planning your strategy for the competition.” No one argues as he walks off.

The walk to the meeting room is uncomfortable. No one quite sure what they should say to you and you unsure what you would want to say back in turn at the moment. You feel embarrassed, ashamed even at how Naoya had spoken to you. The things he’d said run on repeat in your head and you stare at the ground as you walk. Suddenly Shoko is squeezing between you and Satoru and throwing an arm around your shoulders. “I want to talk to you for a minute.” She pulls you away from the rest of the group and when Satoru and Suguru try to follow she gives them a look. “I want to talk to ___-chan.”

You give them the best reassuring smile you can. “It’s fine.” Your voice is thinner than you’d hoped it would be but after sharing a look they seem to decide that letting you go with Shoko is fine.

“We won’t be far if you need us, alright?” Suguru offers gently.

You smile a little more genuinely. “Okay.” And with that Shoko leads you toward a different room.

Flicking on a light and closing the door behind the two of you, Shoko then leads you to sit on a plush couch. Once seated you begin to speak, “I’m sor-” Shoko’s flicks your forehead and you let out a little ‘ow’ and rub at the spot instinctively.

“Don’t you even start apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong,” she says firmly. The words ring familiar in your mind. You begin to speak again, to argue in some fashion but she covers your mouth. When you give up she huffs and continues, though her features soften. “Like I said, you didn’t do anything wrong. Naoya is just a prick. Most Zenin men are honestly… But he’s especially open about it.”

With her hand removed you look down at your lap with a pout. “Is that really how people see me?”

She suddenly squishes your face between her palms and makes you look at her. “You listen to me. The only people who think of you that way are people who don’t matter. I see how you look at those two idiots and I see how they look at you. It would be annoying how much love is there if it wasn’t so sweet. And i’m not the only one, all our friends do too. Nothing Naoya says or what anyone else thinks can change that. It can’t change that you're a good person who’s loved and works hard and cares deeply for those around you. It won’t change how Gojo and Geto feel. I’m sure you’ll hear that from them later.” She releases your face and leans back against the arm of the couch.

You’re quiet as you mull over her words. She was right of course. There’s a knock at the door making the both of you jump slightly. The door opens and Haibara sticks his face in. “Sorry if i’m interrupting, Yaga-sensei is back and we’re waiting on the two of you.” He looks between the two of you concern furrowing his brow. You didn’t know it yet but he and Nanami had been only moments from intervening if not for Satoru and Suguru suddenly arriving.

“Ah, of course, we’ll be right there.” You stand and so does Shoko. You glance at her. “Could you give us just a minute more?”

He nods. “I’ll let everyone know the two of you are on your way.” He offers you a smile though it’s not quite as full of his usual cheer.

Once the door closes you turn to Shoko. “Thank you, Shoko-senpai.. I think I needed to hear you say that.”

She smiles and surprises you by pulling you in for a hug. “Anytime. Like I said before I’m sure Gojo and Geto would have reassured you but I think it’s good you hear it from people on the outside too.” She pulls back and smiles when she sees you looking just a bit bashful at her sudden display of affection. “Now let’s get back, yeah?”

“Yeah okay.” You give her a shy smile in turn and she links your arm with her’s before leading you from the room and down the hall toward everyone else.

Oh this was great. The only thing that would have been better was if they’d been allowed to kick Naoya’s ass for how he’d spoken to you. It even numbed the sting of not being able to compete in the exchange event themselves. Satoru and Suguru lounged in their seats, watching the competition unfold on the monitors with the teachers. They weren’t the only students here though. Not far off, looking absolutely miserable and pissed was none other than Naoya. Freshly disqualified for his conduct and they got to watch him huff and scoff each time you scored points for Tokyo. He probably at least wanted to see you screw up or get injured but instead you did anything but. Effortlessly slaying the released curses while guarding Shoko.

Every once in a while Naoya swears and grumbles about his team and why the hell they aren’t targeting the two of you harder. After all, if they made a concerted effort they could overwhelm you and get at your healer, right? More than once she’d kept someone from your side in top shape. Yet his team had only tried one at a time to have a go it seemed and there you were each time, keeping Shoko safe. Pride swelled in Satoru and Suguru’s chests. They’d admittedly been worried that what had happened earlier would throw off your focus but instead you seem to have turned those emotions outward and were using them to fight instead of letting them eat at you.

They even got a bit of a treat near the end, getting to see how well you and Nanami work together in a fight. Him joining you when you reported that the main curse was near your location. Haibara volunteered to stay with Shoko while the two of you engaged it since he needed an injury healed anyway and you didn’t want to give Kyoto the time to take it out by waiting.

The duel blackflashes at the end from you and Nanami finishing off the curse and winning tokyo the competition was just the cherry on top. The action elicits high fives between Suguru and Satoru and even a cheer from Yaga which he coughs to cover up. Naoya meanwhile finally having had enough gets up and storms from the room. Gakuganji is forced to get up and follow him to try and make him return since he was only allowed to stay on campus under the condition he remain supervised. Honestly your boyfriends would be snickering at him if they weren’t so focused on what Nanami and you just pulled off.

The day ends far better than it began. Yaga taking the Tokyo students out to dinner to celebrate the win. Nanami and you, much to your mortification, get special attention in way of an improvised sing-song cheer by Satoru that Haibara joins in on in the restaurant, causing both of you to try and vanish into your seats. Haibara slings an arm around Nanami’s shoulders and Satoru does the same to you, continuing on with their little routine. Despite how you cover your face with your hands to hide from all the eyes focused on you, you’re smiling.

___

And that's where this one ends! I hope it wsn't too rough of a read. I'm just bringing together certain threads i've hopefully established before now. I hope the ending makes up for some of it. I know techinically there is a day two to the exchange event but I don't feel like writing it. Before i decided to have Naoya get kicked from the event i was playing with the idea of him and reader being put against eachother in the 1 v 1 match but I got tired of putting him in the same space as reader... He's an emotionally tolling character for me to write.

The next chapter will be snapshots of the rest of second year (including me planning to show Satoru and Suguru's birthdays) christmas, new years, ect. It'll be a bit disjointed. The chapter will probably literally be called snap shots. After it's it written though we enter the stage of stuff i actually wrote ahead of time and just need to tweak to tie it together better to the rest of the story.

Thank you all for being so patient with me while i got this chapter figured out.

Special thanks once again to @strawberrystepmom for beta reading this for me otherwise i may have scrapped the entire idea of including the exchange event because i was having such a time with this chapter.

Tag list: @nanamikentoseyebags @icy-spicy @biscuitsngravie @sleezzsister @moonsua1 @yuuuumii @yokaimoon @chibiizzy @porridgesblog @suhmie @defacatestenderly @agentdedf1sh @strawberrystepmom

@night-shadowblood-writes2 @missphanosaur18

(Pls have your age in your bio before asking to be added to the tag list. My blog isn't for minors.)

#satoru gojo x reader #suguru geto x reader #satosugu x reader #gojo satoru x reader #geto suguru x reader #geto x reader #gojo x reader #gn!reader #jjk x reader #jjk x gn!reader #rossi writes #posting and running away

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goodmorgan · 1 year

Text

Perfect Strangers

Chapter 2: A Debt To Repay

(Chapter 1)

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x f!Reader

Series Summary: When a stranger appears at your homestead to steal from you, you set out to help him instead. What follows is a reckless relationship with potentially dangerous outcomes.

Chapter Summary: When Arthur keeps his promise and returns, he's determined to repay his debt to you in more than one way.

Word Count: 5.4K

Tags: NSFW. MDNI. 18+. Smut, Porn With Plot, Oral Sex (f! receiving), Fingering, Masturbation, Mutual Pining, Infidelity, Arthur gives reader a pet name

AO3 Link

A/N: The chapter has spoilers for the first one obvs. For the sake of the story, I have given reader a last name. However, Arthur decides to give her a pet name all of his own...

"To my dearest wife, Mrs. Brooks,

I hope my letter finds you in agreeable health and blithe spirit. I am fortunate to write this in the same state of body and mind.

I am writing to inform you that my return home from Annesburg has been regrettably delayed again. Mr. Jameson has instructed me to remain as bookkeeper for the upcoming months, expressing modest satisfaction with my employment. I do not know yet when I’ll be able to visit you.

I hear whispers that the head bookkeeper, Mr. Muller, my superior, might be retiring by the end of this year, which would make me a potential candidate for his position. I plan on proving my worth in the meantime so that I might be given preferential treatment when the time comes for his replacement. I would like to discuss this in greater detail with you on our next meeting.

Business is flourishing despite minor mishaps at the mine hindering our profit. The papers have callously depicted the pristine working conditions of our miners, whom I assure you are treated and provided for in the most respectable manner. Please refrain from reading such worthless gossip and know I am secure from bodily or spiritual harm.

Mr. Jameson has generously provided compensation for postponing my visit. I trust that you will able to retrieve it at the Valentine Savings Bank, like on previous occasions. Please be mindful to spend it wisely and sparingly.

I bid you farewell with the optimism that we will see each other very soon. In the meantime, I'll see you in my most tender dreams.

Be well and let bygones be just that.

Your doting husband,

Stanley Oliver Brooks"

It has always struck you as appropriate that your husband's initials are S.O.B.

You can't think of a more fitting term for him, even after the last letter he sent, his words leaving you again sick to your stomach as you reread them. While you sigh of relief for his foreseeable absence in the next few months, you're disgusted by his artificial affection and concern for you. If only the man of his letters were real.

You close shut the drawer containing his correspondence with a thud, hearing your wedding ring clang inside. You haven't worn it in months, preferring to not wear a constant reminder of him on you.

You go into the kitchen to find something useful you can do, keeping your mind and hands busy with toil usually helps forget him. You decide to bake a pie with the rest of the apples you have left.

You reach for the flour in your cupboard when you hear the distant sound of horses approaching, making you turn around sharply, grabbing the shotgun by the door. It's now a mechanical instinct for you, having done it hundreds of times since you've lived out here alone. Nothing has passed during that time to upset the peaceful life you lead, so you mostly do it out of precaution. The only major cause of concern happened a few days back when you saw a strange man wander into your front yard, picking one of your apples. Luckily, he was the best thing that happened to you in a long time.

You don't dare risk your luck again so you step out onto the porch quickly, getting ready to ward off any intruder. It's only when you have him in your line of sight that you see the approaching target.

It's Arthur Morgan. At last.

It has been five whole days since he left with your mare Amber. His promise to return hanged in the air since like the sun rays that get you up in the morning, sweet and inviting. You would have never imagined you'd miss someone this much, let alone someone you only knew for a few spellbinding hours.

The man you met intimately last week is now riding a powerful brown stallion, an adequate choice for him, both of them equally imposing to the eye. Amber gallops by their side appearing smaller but just as graceful and well-kept, her golden coat shining in the morning sun. Arthur slows down both horses to a trot as he enters your front yard, letting out an "Easy now" as he pulls on the reins. The closer he gets to you, the better you can see the quiet tender smile on his lips, one too unseemly for such a big man riding such a big horse.

Arthur looks much improved since the last and only time you saw him, now wearing clean clothes that highlight his threatening physique. A polished, perhaps new, slightly too tight, blue shirt brings out his eyes as they shimmer under the shadow of his familiar hat. The bruises on his face have almost healed and you can see the scar on his chin more clearly now that he has trimmed his beard. The satchel you gave him is still draping the same shoulder he hung it on and an impressive gun belt sits on his hips, two heavy weapons anchoring him. Your eyes can barely register all of this as you keep ogling his scene-stealing smile.

"You greet everyone with that shotgun of yours or just me?" he quips from atop his horse as he prepares to dismount. Hearing the soothing lilt of his voice again fills you with unabashed joy.

"Just men I have over for dinner. Or men who take my horse. Or both."

Arthur lets out a few chuckles as he stomps on the ground, heading towards the rails of your porch to hitch his horse. You head toward Amber, petting her forehead to say hello and she neighs back, saying she missed you too. You give her some more attention before you feel Arthur standing behind you, waiting his turn to get your sweet attention too.

"Was she a good girl?" you ask him when you finally turn around and meet his enigmatic gaze, his face barely a few inches from yours. His smile seems to be stuck in place.

"Yeah, she's a swell ride. Didn't work her too hard, I promise."

"And who's that?" You nod towards the brown stallion now grazing your lawn.

"That's Titus. He's new. Still a little jumpy."

"Well, I'm sure you'll tame him in no time."

"Yeah, I'll get him there."

When your spoken conversation halts, your unspoken one continues as you keep eyeing each other. There's a magnetic push forcing you together, an invisible pull holding you apart. Small wrinkles appear and dissolve on your faces as fleeting hints of your nervousness. Your heartbeats are a little faster than their resting rates. Your eyelashes suddenly work overtime. The breeze cools your sweaty temples as you both sway in place, waiting to see who will make the first move, who will be the one to break off the impasse. Make or break. Push and pull. A seductive stalemate.

"How’ve you been?" Like a hesitant player with a winning hand, you fold.

"Just fine. Better. Alive, thanks to you."

"I'm glad." You feel your cheeks move to form an unstoppable smile.

"I've come to repay my debt, as a matter of fact."

"Oh, really?" You pretend to have forgotten all about it, like it hasn't occupied your mind every single waking hour for the past few days. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

"I have something in mind. But first I'm gonna need your help with something.”

You watch as he moves back to his horse and you follow him, hitching Amber next to Titus. Arthur removes a brown bag from one of his saddlebags. "Here, hold this." It's heavier than you expected. He moves to the other side of the horse to retrieve a smaller bag. "Grab this one too.” You steady yourself as he hands it to you and you start to struggle with the weight of both bags. "Get those inside, would ya?"

“Mr. Morgan, what is this?"

"Just get them inside. I'll show ya."

You're already climbing the stairs to head inside when Arthur finally unropes the big package that was stowed on the back of his horse. By the way he holds it, it seems even heavier.

When you finally place the two bags down on your kitchen counter, Arthur's already right behind you, setting down the package next to the bags. He opens one of them and reaches inside, handing you a potato the size of his fist.

"Thought I'd bring back some things you might need. To replace all the food I ate the other day."

You watch as he starts to empty the bag on the counter, first reaching for potatoes, carrots and onions and then for handfuls of green beans and peas. He retrieves a few shucked corncobs, some turnips. You peek inside the other bag to see that it has a few loaves of bread.

"Now, the only thing I didn't get you was apples, but I figured you might still have a few of those."

"This is too much." You finally express your surprise.

"Well, I did eat too much."

"Not this much, no!"

"It's nothing, really. Why don't you open up the rest for me and I'll get the game I hunted?"

You watch him leave before you finally open the big boxed package. Laying on top you find a few red tins of biscuits and half a dozen chocolate bars. You lift them to find cans of coffee, beans, peaches and salmon. You spot the neck of a bottle of whiskey, an expensive kind by the look of it. A small wheel of cheese is stuck in a corner.

You're still deep in astonishment when you see him walk back in, a couple of rabbits hanging from one hand and a duck from the other. You can't help but laugh at the image. "You steal a grocer on the way over here or something? How much do you think I eat?"

"Just trying to make sure I do right by you, miss. Don't want you thinking I'm so kind of grifter."

"But I didn't give you any chocolate. Or biscuits!" You raise one of the tins in incredulity.

"Oh, that's something I thought you deserved."

Your heart flutters at his words. "Well, you better be staying for dinner because there's no way I can eat this all by myself!" It's only when the words are out of your mouth that you realize how eager you are to replicate the other night.

"I'd be happy to." He accepts your invitation without a fuss. There’s a certain easefulness in your conversation now that you're better acquainted and you both know your attraction is mutual. It doesn’t surprise you that he says yes.

You look back to the goods now cluttering your counter and wonder if you have space in your cupboards to keep it all.

"I was actually hoping you'd let me borrow some of your tools, so I can settle my debt like I promised."

You turn around surprised once again. "Isn't this the repayment you had in mind?" You gesture toward the supplies on the counter.

"No, ma'am. I was thinking I could help you fix your stable. I went to get Amber the other day and I saw that some of the walls need mending and the roof needs fixing. I'd be happy to do it if you let me."

You've been meaning to hire someone to do that for months. It's touching that Arthur noticed and wants to help you out. You don't see a reason not to let him.

"That would be fine, Mr. Morgan. I have some tools here." You reach for your toolbox under the kitchen sink. "There's more of them somewhere in the stable. I'm sure you can find them. Are you sure you don't mind? I don't want to impose."

He takes the toolbox as you hand it to him. "I'm more than happy to help, miss." He gives you a reassuring smile. "I'll get started right away if you don't mind."

“Sure. I'll fix us some lunch later. I'll come to get you when it's ready."

"Thank you." He nods politely before he excuses himself and you watch through the kitchen window as he stops to pat Titus before heading to the stable out back.

You are now stuck with the ordeal of putting away all of the food Arthur brought, rearranging the cupboards to fit it all. You smile as you store the biscuits and the bars on a shelf, wondering what kind of man brings so much chocolate to repay a lady. Something I thought you deserved, he said. But it's not just chocolate, it's a whole array of goods, including meats he took time to hunt and skin to purposely bring to you. You realize he's been thinking of you as much as you've been thinking about him, even though a week ago you were just complete strangers. Your thoughts are interrupted once you hear sudden loud rhythmic hammering outside, the continuing of Arthur's restitution.

Everything is in its place once you remember you were going to bake an apple pie before you were so delightfully interrupted. You think it's an even better idea now that Arthur is staying over for dinner. And lunch. Somehow you've captivated him enough to spend the whole day here with you. You hope he'll be spending the night too.

It gets harder to focus on the pie as you recall the night of intimacy the two of you spent the other day. Your chest rises and your breath hisses at the thought that you might be repeating it tonight. As you mix and mold the dough on your steady hands, you think of his large ones caressing you once again, first through your clothes and then on your skin, leaving his mark again on your faltering hips as he gives into you for the second time. You'll be sure to ask him to let you finish around him first this time, the idea having plagued you since then.

The oven is already hot once you absentmindedly finish assembling the pie, the apples now carefully stuffed inside the crust. As it bakes, you get working on lunch, made with some of the ingredients Arthur brought, a simple soup with plenty of potatoes and some sandwiches. You remove the pie from the oven and leave it to cool on the window sill before you go call Arthur for your meal.

When you reach the stable you find him crouched on top of the roof, nailing down some pieces of wood to cover a hole. He’s working shirtless and the late morning sun is making him sweat profusely, deepening his permanent tan. He’s so focused on his task he doesn’t see you approach. “Mr. Morgan, lunch is ready!”

Your voice is loud enough to make him turn to see you. “I’ll be right in, miss.”

When you’re nearly back at the house, you watch from afar as he climbs down the ladder, reaching for a bucket of water to refresh himself, scrubbing off the sweat with a damp rag. You leave when you see him buttoning his shirt, tucking it into his pants, priming himself for another meal with you.

By the time he gets inside, you’re already serving two bowls of steaming hot soup. “This looks mighty fine, miss.” He gives you a satisfied grin before he stops in his tracks and turns around to peek inside the kitchen, having caught the smell of your freshly baked treat. “Is that pie?”

“Yes, it’s cooling so you’re going to have to wait for dinner, I’m afraid.”

“I look forward to it.” He sits down on the same chair he did last time, just as anxious to dig in as five days ago. But this time he’s not as hungry, so he engages in lively conversation with you.

He mostly tells you what’s new in Valentine, curious happenings that have gone down in the past few weeks, things he’s heard around town and seen in the papers. He even gossips with you about a well-known cattle rancher caught having an affair with the butcher’s wife. The story seems to delight him immensely since apparently they ended up slimed in the rancher’s own pigpen in the middle of the town.

You would find the story amusing if it didn’t remind you that you too are a wife with your own infidelity now. The idea of ending up in a pigpen after being exposed for your transgression seems incredibly bleak. You busy yourself with the dishes to dispel the thought from your mind.

But when Arthur raises from his chair, letting out a long sustained breath, stretching out his enormous body inside your small cottage, you are reacquainted with the lust you have for the man. As you recall the intimate actions that make up your infidelity, your first thought is to wonder how soon you will be able repeat them. The hope that it will be tonight makes you weak with excitement. Maybe ending up in a pigpen isn’t so bad.

“Well, I best get back to it if I’m gonna finish today.” He stops before he crosses the threshold, returning his hat to his place. “The food was very tasty, miss. Thank you.” You both smile briefly at each other.

While he resumes fixing the stable, you return to your chores until you are suddenly left drowsy by the afternoon heat, deciding to rest your eyes for a moment in the comfort of your sofa, the sound of Arthur’s hammer lulling you to sleep.

It's late afternoon when you wake from your nap and you notice how quiet it is, the hammering having stopped. You figure it’s best to go see if Arthur needs any help, bringing with you a pitcher of lemonade to refresh him from a sunny day’s hard labor.

You find him still working inside the stable, his shirt, hat and gun belt hanging on the hooks where you keep some ropes. This time he hears you approach with the pitcher and two glasses in hand.

“Thought you might be thirsty, Mr. Morgan. Got you something to drink.”

“That’s very kind of you, miss. Just give me a second.”

You watch as he picks up a few bales of hay on the other side of the stable and he places them on top of the others, finishing setting them up in a neat pyramid by where you’re standing.

"I think that about does it,” he says.

You survey the small stable as you notice the impressive result of his craftsmanship, every hole now covered and every wooden board now in its place. He even went to the trouble of tidying up the space, neatly arranging everything to make it more functional. It looks like a brand new stable.

You serve him a glass of lemonade as he joins you. “The stable looks wonderful, Mr. Morgan. I’ve never seen it so tidy!”

“I’m glad you like it.” He sits down on a bale as he finally rests for the day, sipping half a glass in just a few gulps.

You serve yourself and put down the pitcher, sitting on a nearby stool, continuing to admire his handiwork. Amber will surely enjoy living here again, you think. It takes only a few seconds before your eyes circle back to where Arthur is and you notice he’s staring at you. You stare right back.

There’s a slight breeze coming in from the windows but neither of you is swaying in place now, sitting perfectly still as you observe the other. You are once again victims of a push and pull, a make or break. That goddamn seductive stalemate.

Except this time, it’s him that breaks. “Come here.” Arthur’s voice suddenly sounds deeper as he sets his glass on the floor, his other hand reaching out for you. You leave your own glass on the stool as you hold out to touch his palm.

When he finally holds you in his hand, you feel yourself being pulled closer to him, forcefully landing on his lap. Your faces remain somber as you’re now close enough to inspect each other’s irises, continuing that wordless exchange you’ve been having all day. The standoff ends when Arthur chases your lips with his, finally free to crash into each other like you’ve been so hungry to do. Nothing about it is tender as the kisses you share turn ravenous, no longer restricted by the pretense of propriety. You have slept together, after all.

It takes a while until both of you are satisfied, decreasing the intensity of each kiss as you pause to look at each other’s eyes, basking in the glow of being wanted so deeply by the other. Soon his warm lips rub against yours more softly, delicately even, and his tongue stops chasing yours. He settles down by placing short pecks on your chin and jaw, as you gently caress his back and neck. You remain in his embrace as you lean your forehead onto his and he gently removes loose strands of hair from your cheeks.

"I'm sorry I was selfish the other night,” he murmurs. You respond to his apology by lifting your head in confusion. “I was in such a hurry I didn't let you finish first." The fact that he cares about it makes you ache with renewed desire.

"That's ok. It looked like you needed it more than I did.” You pause as he reaches quickly for your lips again. “And, boy, did I need it!” He lets out a few soft chuckles in that drawl of his.

His gaze is suddenly serious. "Let me make it up to you."

“Now?”

He nods. “Now.”

He reaches for the warmth of your thighs underneath your skirt, the ones he’s been fondling this whole time. He squeezes them tightly a few times before he suddenly pulls at your drawers and slides a hand inside, reaching your core with a couple of fingers. You feel them slide between your folds and rub the spot where your slick is. “Good, you’re already wet.” You feel a jolt of ecstasy through your entire body at the brief maneuver so when he removes his hands from you it feels physically devastating and you let out a small whimper.

“I’m gonna take care of you, don’t worry. Just take off your clothes for me, would ya?” Arthur suddenly reaches for his glass of lemonade.

“Here?”

He nods. “Here.”

It’s a rather odd moment when you realize that somehow you trust this semi-stranger, barely-acquaintance drifter completely. He’s asking you to get naked for him in the middle of your stable, in broad daylight, and yet you don’t even bat an eye. You’re quick to grant his wish as you start unbuttoning your simple blouse, soon exposing your chemise to him as he takes a few sips of his drink. You drop your top on the floor as you get up from Arthur’s lap to remove your skirt and throw your drawers to the side, with only one piece of clothing left to remove.

Arthur rises from his seat and soon hovers over you to plant another kiss, this one more forceful as he parts your lips with his, slippery from the lemonade. He lingers a while before retreating, forcing himself apart from you to swoop up your chemise as it passes between your bodies. He takes a moment to look down at you and you’re very aware that you are now standing there naked and barefoot. “You’re so beautiful.” He sees you wince at his compliment. “Really, you are.” He softly caresses the side of your arms before leaning in for another demanding kiss and you feel your bare breasts touching his bare chest, his warmth enveloping you as you shiver from his touch and the light breeze entering the stable.

He lets go of your mouth to plant sensual kisses on your jaw, slithering steadily down your neck, quickly reaching your collarbone. He then trails further down as he reaches one of your breasts, lingering his tongue on your nipple, making you steady yourself on his shoulders. He slides further down to your belly, then to your navel, stopping just as he hits your mound, planting soft kisses there. His last one is right above your parting of the folds, making your whole body shudder. He gets up again to look you in the eyes. “So beautiful.” A final kiss lands on your upper lips.

He pauses before he asks his next question. “You have any neighbors, miss?”

You are completely surrounded by the woods. There isn’t another soul for miles. “No, why?"

"In case you get loud."

You watch in place as he goes to retrieve his shirt and for a moment you think he’s going to get dressed. Then he heads to the bales of hay he had been sitting on, unfurling his shirt on top. He grabs your hand and beckons you: “Sit.” You’re confused by his intentions and it shows. “Sit here, come on.” He pats the fabric of his shirt, tugging your hand with his other one. You slowly do so, still not understanding what he wants.

Once you sit down, your bare ass lying on top of Arthur’s shirt, you follow his lead and he grabs both your knees gently, making you turn to the side. You watch as he suddenly kneels himself down in front of you, moving his hands down to your calfs, lifting your legs up. Without any warning he starts pecking one of your knees, placing the other on his shoulder. “You gonna be loud for me, beautiful?” His beard lightly scratches you as he switches legs. “You gonna be loud while you come around my mouth?”

His words make you inhale sharply as you realize what he’s going to do to you.

“Is that a yes, miss?”

You nod, shaking with anticipation. “Yes.”

He pulls your body closer to him, positioning your hips at the edge of the bale, making you lean on your elbows, fully lying on the comfort of his shirt.

His light kissing on your legs starts out feeling like gentle tickling but soon becomes sensual smears as he starts working on your inner thighs. The kisses then get longer and bolder as he closes in on the meeting of your thighs, forcing you to breathe more heavily. He starts using more tongue too, which increases the feeling wildly. By the time he reaches the apex of your thigh, you’re completely dizzy with his teasing, involuntarily closing your eyes as your breath hitches.

“Christ, darling, I haven’t even sucked you yet.”

You watch as Arthur lowers his face once more, a smirk disappearing behind the shape of your mound. He kisses the bridge between your thigh and your slit, which distracts you from his other hand as it sneakily reaches the meeting of your folds. He parts them slowly with a single finger, starting at the top of the clit and only stopping at the bottom of your entrance. You let out a prolonged loud moan, which makes him raise his head, watching your face as he then slides the same finger all the way back up, smearing your slick along its path. You get louder as he pauses directly on your clit, swirling it a few times. After so much teasing, having direct contact is so intense that your head finally hits the hay.

The reaction suddenly feels premature once you finally feel him start what he’s set out to do. Arthur lowers his head again, only this time his lips land right on yours, circling your clit in the gentlest kiss of the afternoon. Your whole body shakes at his subdued but blinding touch.

The coil inside your lower abdomen starts to wind as you feel the tip of his tongue make direct contact with your bud, its surface now angled perfectly to drive you wild. He continues the motion even as you writhe under him, now clutching his hair to ground yourself, your legs pressing his body down onto you as your back begins to curve. Rather than pull away from your tight embrace, he sinks deeper into you, holding your hips steady from their bucking as he continues to lap you lewdly, the sound only muffled by your own salacious moaning. His tongue is relentless in his pursuit of your pleasure and you think you won’t last very long.

The obscenity of the moment is not lost on you, as you lift your head momentarily to see what is happening. There is a tall handsome cowboy down on his knees for you, using his whole mouth to draw from you the most perverted noises, on the verge of making you crumble to the most erotic thing anyone has ever done for you. In the middle of your stable, of all places. You thank the heavens you don’t have any neighbors. You thank the devil for keeping your husband away.

And then you feel two of his fingers enter you.

You settle your head down again as you become a complete mess under him, too far gone to care about keeping it together, especially now that he rubs the sweet spot inside you. You’re barely able to discern that his free hand has now reached his pants but you hear the sound of his buckle opening. Finally free from his constraints, he strokes himself a few times and you feel him vibrate on top of you as he finds some needed relief. Despite this, his tongue and his fingers never let up, working you mercilessly. You soon feel moans of pleasure leave his mouth, reverberating directly on your core, a feeling too lascivious for you. That’s when you finally come undone.

Your whole body convulses as you experience the greatest climax you’ve ever had, feeling the waves of pleasure reach every inch of your body, maybe your soul. As you come, your core pushes upward against Arthur’s face, telling him to stop, but he does not relent, continuing his lapping, wringing every ounce of ecstasy out of you. You’re beyond overwhelmed as you moan uncontrollably, your hips sinking and rising erratically, your hands still pulling his hair. After a few moments, he begins to slow his licking, removing his fingers from you, placing his hands on your forearms, giving you smooth caresses as he helps you come down from your high. When you’re a little more tamed, he removes his mouth completely.

“That sure was loud, miss.”

You’re so wrung out by the orgasm you barely hear him, nor do you feel when one of his hands leaves your arm. When you’re more grounded, still reeling from the aftershocks, you’re delighted to hear he has resumed touching himself. By the increasingly loud panting, he sounds to be close already. You don’t lift your spinning head until your curiosity finally defeats your exhaustion. You watch as he pumps his cock with his mouth open, eyes closed, on the verge of toppling over. His beard still glistens with some of your wetness.

When you’re strong enough to lift yourself on your elbows he hears you stir, prompting his eyes open. The gaze he gives is one riddled with lust, accompanied by a brief licking of his lips as he sets a faster pace. You continue to gawk at him, which is all it takes for him to unravel, making him grunt deeply as his spend begins to land on the ground by his knees.

You wait for him to finish his release before you tease him. “You know, you’re not so quiet yourself, mister.”

He laughs lightheartedly as he rises from his knees, tucking his cock inside his underpants, pulling his pants up before he sits down next to you by your hips, still catching his breath. He softly caresses the side of your belly with one of his thumbs. “How was that, miss?”

"I think you’ve repaid your debt in full, Mr. Morgan.”

He bends down to kiss your lips lightly as you both giggle, shining in your shared postcoital bliss. “The name’s Arthur, miss.”

"Well, the name’s Y/N, Arthur.”

“I like ‘miss’ better. It suits you.” He lowers his lips again, this time reaching for your neck.

“You ever heard a ‘miss’ scream like that for you?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I might’ve heard louder than you.” He moves his thumb to teasingly play with one of your nipples.

“I very much doubt that.”

“Well, you can always prove me wrong.” Arthur hovers over your lips threateningly. “Besides, the day ain’t over yet, missy.”

You smile at his new pet name for you. It's certainly better than being called Mrs.

A/N: I already have most of the remaining chapters planned out, so hopefully the rest will be published a little faster. Chapter 3 coming soon with the rest of the day!

#arthur morgan #arthur morgan x female reader #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan smut #arthur morgan fanfiction #arthur morgan x you #goodmorgan

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