#Lawn Chair Lazy

[peachypinkygloss]

call me later — jjk

Summer break is always your favourite period of the year, enjoying the fresh water of the pool and the sun kissing your skin. Everything's going great until a sudden boy appears in your life and becomes the centre of your world.

☼ pairing: jungkook x fem!reader

☼ genre: strangers to fwb to lovers, summer break au, university au, smut

☼ word count: 2.5k

☼ warnings: kinda inspired by outer banks, rich kid!oc, jk's a munch, oc pushes jk away 😔, they're a bit awkward together lol, outdoor sex, unprotected oral sex, cunnilingus, fingering, brief overstimulation, cum eating.

a.n.: don't get fooled... this isn't cherry!jk ik this one's a munch too but they're very different. you'll see 😉

The sunlight gently graces the skin of your face, enveloping you in a warm embrace, relaxing both your limbs and mind. It's around one p.m., the perfect hour to sunbathe by the pool and to reread the PLL series.

That's what you had planned for today, but you ended up doing something vastly different. Something a bit unpredictable and perverted... To your defence, this would have never happened if he hadn't decided to show up.

Technically, he didn't decide, he's just following the schedule your dad gave him, but still. This isn't entirely your fault; it takes two people to do something like this.

Your chest heaves rapidly as you're looking down between your legs, a hand pulling on his black locks while the other is thrown over your forehead. The lounge chair doesn't allow you to have much space, but you're handling it pretty well you think.

He's handling it well too because you can't imagine how his knees must hurt right now. They're probably all red, but he doesn't seem to mind. He's such a good boy. He knows you'd do the same for him, so he doesn't complain.

Your book is long forgotten on the ground beside your chair and the bookmark has been quickly secured between the pages the moment things have begun to be more intense.

You softly moan, your sounds accompanying the chirps of the birds and the far away noises of the neighbours mowing their lawns. This is public, yet very private. The fences prevent anyone from looking — and there are small chances of people hearing you, considering how big your backyard is and how far your neighbours are — but that doesn't mean nobody can't walk in on you two.

This was really impulsive of you.

Though it's risky and kind of stupid, you regret nothing. How could you when he's so skilled with his tongue...

"Are you usually that vocal?" Jungkook wonders, a stupid grin drawn on his pretty face. He rubs slow circles on your clit to compensate for the loss of his mouth, waiting patiently for your answer.

You let out a pleasant sigh, watching the pads of his fingers playing with your pussy, tattoos inked on his skin and chunky rings adorning his fingers.

You sink your teeth in your bottom lip, collecting your thoughts as Jungkook traces your entrance, dipping his fingers in just a little bit. He really likes to tease.

"When I like the guy," you say breathily, lazy eyes blinking up to stare at him. This only brightens Jungkook's smile and you're confused as to why it makes your stomach flutter.

"You like me?" He smirks, satisfied you've just confessed to liking him.

But you didn't. Or did you? Damn it.

You roll your eyes and grip his hair again. "Get back to business," you groan. You don't miss the laugh he lets out while you push down on his head, shoving his face back between your thighs.

He slides his fingers in completely and you gasp softly, loving how they stretch you out really well. You roll your hips slightly, getting used to the feeling of being full.

Jungkook parts his fingers, scissoring your insides to see how much he can stretch your pussy. He hums as if he was listening to it, and you don't know what it told him, but that was surely good advice because the next thing he does sends you over the moon.

He pumps his fingers in you and wraps his lips around your clit, stimulating two areas at the same time. "Oh, my god, Jungkook," you moan in pleasure, twisting his hair in your fist.

You have a hard time focusing on anything else than him, feeling the cool silver of his piercings brushing against your skin and your wetness dripping down your ass every time he thrusts into you.

You pass your fingers through his hair, your eyes not once looking away from his pink lips sucking on your poor little clit. His digits enter and exit your wet cunt at a rapid pace, eliciting moans and whines out of you, taking your breath away.

You clench your thighs around his head, feeling so overwhelmed right now, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all, on the contrary. Your legs hang over his large shoulders, shaking a little bit as he darts his tongue out to lap at your swollen bud.

He's changed the rhythm of his fingers, going in less faster — but still fast enough to make you roll your eyes back — to go deeper instead. Your juices drip down to his knuckles and he can't believe how wet you are, especially during a hot temperature like this.

"Mmmh," you hear him mumble against your pussy, completely obsessed with it. "Your pussy's so wet, baby," he observes, circling your clit with his thumb to look at you for a second. "Taste so fucking sweet."

You know it's just dirty talk, but you have to admit it has your heart beating excitedly in your chest. He smiles at you as you're a little bit dizzy, drunk on your sexual pleasure.

"Thanks," you reply and he chuckles, finding adorable how you become a bit stupid from getting fucked by his fingers. He curls them into you and you moan out when he brushes against your magic spot, knitting your eyebrows together. "There!" You exclaim, feeling Jungkook's hot breath hitting your pussy as he tilts his head down to look at his hand.

"Right there, baby?" He repeats to make sure he has found the correct spot. You nod repeatedly when you feel the pads of his fingers patting the spongy spot inside you, the knot in your stomach tightening. "Yeah? Okay, I got you, princess," he coos and continues sensually moving his fingers in you.

He focuses on his digits, calculating every single one of his movements. Your pussy quivers around him and he understands you won't last long if he keeps going at this rhythm, but that's exactly his goal, so he continues.

Then he comes to lick at your puffy clit, left alone for too long now. You whimper when he does so, flattening his pink muscle over your bud and moving it from side to side, still pumping his big fingers in and out of your sloppy pussy.

"Fuck, Jungkook!" You whine, being so close to your orgasm. He has such a good technique that works for you, it's so hard to not fall apart as soon as he puts his mouth on you. "I'm gonna cum," you warn him, voice breathy and kind of desperate at this point.

He hums against you, sending vibrations through your body. You curl your toes as you feel it burning at the pit of your stomach, ready to rip off and send you over the edge.

"Don't stop, please," you beg him, but you don't have to worry, he has no intention of stopping, especially not when your moans sound so sweet to his ears.

You're not sure if you should cry, moan or scream. Your little brain is so confused, never been that close to an orgasm all because of a man's fingers and tongue.

Where was Jungkook all those times you couldn't make yourself cum or you were left frustrated by useless men who had absolutely no idea how a pussy worked? He really should have come sooner.

This is it, it grows rapidly in your stomach, a sensation so intense and euphoric, exploding and passing through your entire body like an avalanche. Your moans are stuck in your throat and your fingers pull harshly on Jungkook's hair, trying to not fall too far.

Your legs shake beside his head and he groans when you clench around him, sucking his fingers in, his tongue gently stroking your clit as you slowly drive off your high.

He slips out of your pussy, quickly licking his fingers clean before pulling your legs apart wider. He lowers his mouth to your quivering hole, literally making out with it and drinking your arousal out of you to satisfy his thirst.

He opens and closes his mouth on your pussy while your legs are still shaking, coming down from your previous orgasm. "Jungkook, this is too much," you say in a whiny voice, gasping softly when you feel his tongue teasing your entrance.

It's only when he hears the sound of a car parking at the front of the house that he pulls himself away from your leaking sex. You look at him, as confused as he is. He hurriedly wipes his chin with the back of his hand and he picks up your bikini bottom from the ground, handing it to you.

He stands up as you put back on your bikini. "I thought you said my dad wouldn't come back until five p.m.!" You whisper-shout at Jungkook, passing your fingers in your hair, trying to detangle it and make yourself presentable — and not like you've just received head from the hot guy your father hired to mow the lawn and maintain the pool this summer.

"Yeah, I thought so too," he answers, guilty he may have misheard what your dad said to him.

You sigh, taking your towel and your book in hand, ready to go back in the house, but before you can Jungkook grabs your arm. "Call me later, yeah?"

You look up at him, surprised he just asked you that. Does it mean he wants... more? See you in another context than at your house?

You swallow, wondering if that's what you want. You guess you never considered boys could be interested in knowing you or hanging out with you after having sex. You didn't think Jungkook would want that either.

Your attention is brought to your dad when he enters the backyard, waving at Jungkook and you. "Hey, kids!" He yells from across the yard and you can't help but roll your eyes. He walks up to you two and you wish you could escape, but you don't want to get reprimanded by your dad after.

"Hi, sir," Jungkook greets him, smiling politely. "I did the front of the house like you asked," he explains, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I've cut around the patio, too."

"That's awesome, you did a great job, Jungkook," your father nods his head, clearly a sign that he's really proud of him. "How long did it take you?"

"One hour and a half, I'd say," he answers, not really sure when he got the job done since, well, he's been a little distracted by something else.

"Good. I'll go take my wallet, I left it in the truck," he points behind him and then glances at you, giving you a tap on the back. "You enjoyed the pool, honey? You applied sunscreen, right?"

"Yes, dad," you groan. You want one thing and it's to get out of this awkward situation as soon as possible. Your father then disappears, going to take his wallet to pay Jungkook.

This one looks back at you, sweet eyes laying on you. "So?"

"I'll call you later," you confirm, not giving him time to answer and going back inside.

·˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ♡

You look around the convenience store, searching for energy drinks. When you find them, you open the fridge's door, hesitating between a Rockstar or a Monster. There aren't many flavours, but you know you definitely won't take one without sugar. You decide to settle for a Monster, Pacific Punch flavour.

Now for the food. You eye the tteokbokki, but also the spicy ramen. You should combine both. And take some for your father, too. He always has night cravings like you.

As you check the different brands of ramen, wondering which one you feel like eating the most, someone says your name.

"You didn't call me."

You turn around and your eyes widen when you see Jungkook standing in front of you. Your heartbeat accelerates and you don't know what to say.

Your plan was to hide in the house the next time he'd come, avoiding him seemingly the best idea you've thought about, but of course, he had to find you here.

You feel bad as he looks at you with disappointed eyes as if he actually thought you'd call, that you were different and not like the others. Turns out that you're not. You're exactly like them, exactly like the people who you grew up with and who you live with.

"Um, well, I..." You stammer, caught red-handed. You glance down, biting down on your lip, too much of a coward to hold Jungkook's gaze. "No, I didn't," you sigh, admitting your mistake. "I... forgot."

He only lets out a 'mh' and you're really embarrassed. Yes, it was childish of you, but you don't understand what he expected. He works for your dad, you don't go to the same university, you don't have the same circle of friends, you have nothing in common.

Yet, when you look at him, it's like he knows everything about you — every single one of your secrets and fears.

"You don't have your eyebrow piercing anymore," you comment suddenly, desperately searching for a way to make things less awkward, to redeem yourself or whatever that would make him stop looking at you like you're a bad person.

He touches his eyebrow as if to confirm his piercing's really gone. "Yeah, it was a bitch to disinfect," he shrugs and hides his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

"I really liked it," you say honestly.

The corner of his mouth tugs upward and you can't help but do the same, butterflies erupting in your stomach. "I've noticed." His eyes glint and your face heats up immediately when you understand what he's referring to.

Last time, you couldn't stop running your fingers over his face, touching his eyebrow piercing when he was kissing you. You don't know why you were doing that, but there was something that really fascinated you about it.

Fortunately, Jungkook didn't mind you touching him. He quite really enjoyed it, in fact.

When he doesn't say anything else, you quickly take two packs of ramen with the tteokbokki and your energy juice. You turn around and Jungkook's still there.

"Are you eating with someone?" He questions and he knows how it sounds, but he's only curious. If it's the reason why you didn't call, he wants you to tell him.

"Um, it's for my dad and me," you reply. "We're the kind to eat at like... one a.m.," you chuckle and he smiles at the sound of your laugh. "And you?" You ask back even though he's not holding anything other than his cellphone.

"Oh, just filling up the gas tank," he points outside where his car is parked. "But I might take a snack. Yours make me hungry."

"You should," you nod your head.

He sends you a faint smile before passing by you, walking to the other aisle. You watch him for a second, analyzing his outfit. Black baggy jeans, a graphic white hoodie and beige beanie.

You go pay for your items and it's only when you push the door that you get a glimpse of Jungkook walking up to the cashier. He doesn't see you so you exit the store, refraining yourself from looking back.

·˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ♡

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a.n.: hellooo you guys... 🤭

i had jungkook working for oc's dad in mind for likeee a long time and since it's summer, i finally found the time to write it... i have more planned for this fic (obvi because I wouldn't make it end like this 🫣), so this isn't just a drabble, it's more like a test to see if you're interested in this story. so tell me if you want it to become a lil series. ngl, i'm very insecure about this one idk why 😭 but let me know if you'd like to read a next part!

part 1: call me later ☼ part 2: call me soon ☾ part 3: call me tomorrow ☼

#bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #bts smut #bts x reader #bts drabble #bts imagines #bts scenarios #jungkook fic #jungkook imagines #jungkook fanfic #jungkook smut #jungkook scenarios #jungkook x reader

[tojisun]

she wanting more

: bonk, horny thoughts 😔

mm neighbour!toji deliberately wearing skin-tight white shirts for him to shrug off whenever he mows his lawn because he knows you’re watching from your kitchen window.

neighbour!toji inviting you to his house every game night. he has his other friends over but his full attention is always on you — it doesn’t matter if his team is making their play, all he is focused on is you. he’s a little possessive too: he always has an arm ‘casually’ looped around you or thrown over your chair, always has his head inched towards you to hear you better, always refills your drink or offers you food, always making small talk about your work and your week and everything and anything in between.

neighbour!toji coming over to fix your sink or your washing machine or to help you clean your pool. you greet him by the door and he’s leaning on the post, his bulging arms crossed over his chest, his lips tugged in a lazy smile.

“hey, darlin’,” he greets. “lemme check what’s bothering a sweet thing like you.”

you giggle, tucking your hair behind your ear. “oh, you,” you mumble, aware of the tingle in your cheeks. you swivel, tilting your head for him to follow you in.

he grunts but he doesn’t move. not yet. he lets you walk ahead of him to watch the way you strut back into the comforts of your home. he savours the way your hips sway, your pyjama shorts softly riding up with every rub against your thighs. he waits with bated breath, knowing what’s coming next.

his veins go up in flames when you bend over to pick up guest slippers for him, your shorts hitching up enough to have your red lace panties peak through. he almost whimpers when your shorts kept riding higher, leaving the the fat of your ass exposed. christ, he breathes in sharply, you look absolutely ravaging.

he doesn’t even hide the desire in his eyes when you turn to look at him because he knows. he knows that you deliberately tease him only to act coy after. he knows that you like him just as much.

neighbour!toji fucking you in mating press. he always wanted to fill you with his cum; always wanted to stuff you full and leave you drunk off of his cock and his cum. he always wanted your breasts pressed flat against his, always wanted his lips locked with yours. it doesn’t matter if you can’t even kiss him back with the way your lips are stretched as moans and squeals and sobs fall from them because he’s always wanted it messy.

always wanted to leave evidences.

“to-i!!” you squeaked after aborted ah-ah-ah, your hands scratching at his back in an effort to ground yourself from the dizzying pleasure. “so deep! so deep!”

he laughs as he continues to humps your pussy, dragging his cock at your walls with every erratic thrusts. “yeah? y’ feel me reaching so far in you, huh? y’ve never been fucked like this, haven’t you sweetheart? haven’t been filled properly the way this pussy deserves? oh, doll,” he croons.

“well, here’s good news for you: y’r needy cunt will never be lonely again.”

#suns.hc #dont mind me im honry again 😭 #toji fushiguro x reader #toji fushiguro x you #toji fushiguro smut #toji smut #jjk x reader smut #toji fushiguro #jjk #suns

[garfieldblunt]

VDL Gang at a Pool Party

Dutch- laying in the sun with a reflector

Arthur- Drunk in a pool floaty, death gripping a beer bottle

Hosea- in the shade with the max amount of sunscreen a man can have on his body

John- bright red like a lobster, drowning in shallow end

Javier- dipped his legs into the hot tub and playing the guitar

Abigail- Trying her best to get John to either get in the shade or put a little bit of sun screen on him

Jack- GULPING down as much pool water as his body can handle

Uncle- Asleep, Drunk, in a hammock

Micah- wearing the absolute smallest banana hammock he could find, blinding anyone and everyone with his pale ass cheeks

Kieran- can’t swim but has his hello kitty floaties on

Sadie- Floating down the lazy river, finally feeling relaxed for a few minutes

Josiah- Will not get in the water at ALL (Showed up in a suit)

Swanson- making all the summer fruity cocktails and drinking them all as fast as he can

Pearson- making a big summer BBQ

Grimshaw- Making sure no one tracks water back inside

Molly- in the most elegant and beautiful bathing suit and also will not get into the water

Tilly- terrorizing everyone with a water gun

Mary Beth- Being absolutely stunning and laying on a lawn chair while reading the newest summer smut

Charles- Made the biggest cannon ball and absolutely annihilated everyone in the pool

Bill- sits at the edge of the pool but gets grumpy when people splash him

Lenny- Also posing and being stunning with Mary Beth and reading something

Sean- Used every ounce of force and strength he could muster and slapped John’s Sun Burn

Karen- Singing with Javier in the hot tub

#rdr2 #rdr headcanons #arthur morgan #kieran duffy #dutch van der linde #john marston #micah bell #abigail marston #bill williamson #lenny summers #simon pearson #karen jones #josiah trelawny #uncle rdr2 #molly o'shea #hosea matthews #charles smith #sean macguire #susan grimshaw #sadie adler #tilly jackson #jack marston

[luvindrr]

Remus gets sprayed with weaponized sunscreen

poly!moonchaser x gn!reader (but mostly remus) | fluff | 388 words c/w: remus is 24, comparison of aerosol bottle to gun

Summers with James are easy, lazy. He brings you to the golfing grounds, content to let you lounge on a lawn chair, reading, as long as you occasionally yell flattery to keep up his ego. It’s great.

It’s exactly what you’re doing when a large hand pushes up your sunglasses so they sweep back your bangs. Lips brush against the newly exposed skin- slightly chapped and sun-warmed.

You smile, looking up. “Hi, Rem.”

“Hi, dovey. Still working through that manuscript?”

“Yeah, but there’s something I want to ask you.” You flit through the sheets quickly, landing on a sentence you’ve underlined in red. “I don’t think you’ve worded this right; it doesn’t make sense.”

Remus furrows his brows, accentuating the freckles that have already started to appear. He likes them because they take attention away from his scars. But they’re beautiful on their own- clusters of downy dandelions in valleys of soft grass. They make him look boyish in the way he really is.

It does mean, however, that he hasn’t been wearing sunscreen regularly; he wasn’t this speckled last week. You bring a hand under his chin, tilting his face upwards, beaming at him your sweetest smile. He looks confused- wide-eyed, doe-like- and you almost feel bad for what you’re about to do. “Close your eyes, love.”

You spray him like a fly.

“AH- bloody hell is that?” He sputters, recoiling away from you.

“It’s sunscreen; now come back- I’m not done.”

“You’re mad if you think I’m going anywhere near you!”

You shake the bottle menacingly, pointing it towards him like a gun. “You’re just as bad as Sirius; come here!”

He does, reluctantly, but his pout only makes him cuter. You reach back into your bag, and he eyes the spray, offended, when you replace it with a sunscreen stick.

“Don’t start, Lupin; I knew you’d run.”

He grimaces when you run the balm along his cheeks, but stays still nonetheless. You’re massaging it into his skin when James joins you on the patio, club swung over his shoulder.

“Moony, you look absolutely miserable.”

“He may be miserable but he’s not getting skin cancer.”

“Too bad you couldn’t save him from premature wrinkling.”

Remus scoffs. “I’m not wrinkling; I’m 24.”

“Twenty-four and wrinkly, my love.” James kisses his lips to appease him. “And graying, too.”

masterlist

#repost bc i did a dumb :P #marauders #marauders fluff #marauders x reader #marauders imagine #marauders fic #james potter x reader #james potter fluff #remus lupin x reader #remus lupin fluff #remus x reader #moonchaser #james potter x reader fluff #poly!moonchaser #moonchaser x reader

[fire-lizard-ro]

Poly JingRen x Reader I guess

NSFW ahead:

Daily fantasy is either being squished between these two or having one of them in the middle.

Like oml just imagining one of them having his way with you and the other one slides up behind him like "looks like you two are having fun" only to decide that since the other one is using your hole that he might as well use hIS OFISJOIE-

Like oml this is very unlikely to work??? But what always has me screaming in my mind is the idea of you being folded like a lawn chair by one of them with his hips pressed flush to yours so he's grinding against your clit/cock. AND THEN- The other slides inside him from behind and it causes a bump in his lower belly so it presses against your clit/dick through his skin. (Someone save me I'm a horny degenerate. :''''))) )

Also I've not specified because I can see them both being in either position???????

Alternatively seeing them kiss over you while spit roasting you or taking you please fojsoejge- Two pretty boys kissing. OTL

Just- For those with a singular hole to be used or for those who have two but just like a challenge.... Good fucking luck because I 100% agree with the hcs that those two have big dick energy for a reason. In my head, Jing Yuan and Blade are both big- About the same size, but Blade is a little longer while Jing Yuan is a little thicker. Not toooooo much of a difference but enough that you can feel it, methinks.

But also those two are also tall in my mind and they got the weight to press you down into the sheets. ...or whatever other surface they have you on. I think they might be around the same height in my head. Blade has a more lean figure, though, while Jing Yuan is a bit more... stocky??? (Does any of this make sense oml-)

I was going on about sub Gepard in my last post (I can see him domming too but I was in a m o o d), but these two??? I think they could pull off dom or sub depending on their moods/the collective mood of the three of you.

Like I can see Jing Yuan being in a sleepy, lazy mood so you and Blade have to take over. Or maybe Blade needs some reassurance so y'all take care of him (I don't care if it's OOC or not I will die on this mFIN' HILL-). There's also perhaps a need in them to mess the other two up until they're covered in cum and unable to walk the next day. Maybe someone pissed the other two off. In my mind everyone takes turns topping/bottoming dom/sub whatever man it's an all you can eat menu with lots of options and combos. <333

I swear these will eventually be more structured. Maybe. I like rambling about them. :'''''''))

But this also might get deleted so we'll see.

#Roro writes #hsr x reader #honkai star rail x reader #hsr smut #blade smut #blade x reader #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan smut #wowowowow I want it so badddd #once again- barely any coherent thought #Roro rambles about HSR characters again #might delete later #dom character #sub character

[auteurdelabre]

Something to Fight For (Series) (PART 3)

Word Count: 7.7

Pairing: Dad!Joel Miller x f!reader (no use of y/n, no age or physical descriptions)

Warnings: This is saccharine slice of life with smut and a Soft!Joel. You have been warned. There is swearing, there is smut, but when it gets to those chapters you will have plenty of warning. (That is if there is interest in my story!)

A/N: This is part of a series (lots of angst, pining and smut ahead) Also despite Sarah's young age Joel is early 40's in this because slightly grey babygirl DILF Joel is the best Joel.

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

The bus groans the curb at the end of Rancher Street, the doors hissing as they open. 

It's embarrassing to be taking a bus to a fucking babysitting job at your age. Equally embarrassing to not have a vehicle in the first place because your ex boyfriend convinced you he needed it more for his gigs and since you were dating and in love at the time, you'd readily accepted that reasoning. 

You step off the bus, walking hurriedly up the suburban street with your purse over one shoulder and a Wal-Mart bag in your right hand. 

A few houses are bustling with laughing kids, not surprisingly so given that it's the start of a lazy Texas fall. They chase each other squealing with delight. Others are playing hide and seek. You smile at this before looking into your purse at the sound of your phone ringing. 

"Hey Mom, what's up?"

"Hi bug," comes your mother's tired voice on the other end of the line. Immediately you tense, the fatigue clear in her tone. Instinctively you’ve curled into yourself, as if the weight of her words will cause a physical strike.

"Is everything okay?"

"Got a bit of good news," she assures you with a soft sigh. "Doctor says maybe April, maybe. But that's only if. . . You know."

"Yeah, I know."

There's a long pause in which you can hear the static sound of hospital beeps and intercoms. Then her voice is back, fainter than before. 

"Do you think you might come visit?"

You lower the phone from your ear, unable to listen to this request. The same request you've received for the last eight months. The same request you’ve denied over and over.

"I don't think it's a good idea," you say when you finally bring the phone back to your ear. The house’s address glints in the fading sunlight, drawing your attention. "Anyway, I gotta go to work. Love you."

You close your cell phone before she even has the chance to say goodbye. With a hollow feeling in your stomach you focus on the note you'd written yourself with Joel's address, double checking you’ve got the right place. 

You look up to see a modest looking home with dark yellow exterior and white accents. For some reason this strikes you as odd, not meshing with the vision you have of the man. 

The lawn is well maintained, the porch sturdy and polished looking. This doesn't surprise you given his career. There is a rocking chair out the front porch and you imagine Joel sitting there and scaring all the neighborhood children. 

You knock on the heavy wooden door feeling strangely out of place. You're still not sure why Joel wanted you of all people to babysit Sarah. Joel with his strict adherence to all things his way or the highway. 

You hear heavy footsteps over creaking wood floors approaching the door and you subconsciously tense.

Joel opens the door wide and you note that with his hair slicked back from the shower, curling past his ears he resembles his younger brother more. He's dressed in dark slacks and a white button down. A narrow black tie hangs loosely at his lean throat. You'd say he cleans up nice but under all of that he's still annoying Joel Miller. 

He eyes the Wal-Mart bag in your hand with suspicion before darting his dark eyes back to your face. 

"What's in there?"

"Crayons, coloring books," you glance into the plastic bag to remind yourself. "Snacks. Water."

"You think I don't have those things here?" Joel says in a voice that sounds neither amused or irritated. 

“Never been here," you shrug. "Wasn't sure what to expect."

He says nothing more but his broad shouldered frame recedes back, allowing you space to enter. You walk over the threshold, your eyes scanning his place. 

The house looks like every other box home on the street, which surprises you. You'd assumed that as a carpenter there would be more artistic touches like in Frank and Bill's home. 

It's more nondescript with dark burgundy walls and a kitchen table littered with mail and that mornings cereal bowls (you pray it's from that morning). Joel seems to notice your gaze because he promptly reaches over and takes them to the sink. 

"Sarah goes to bed at seven thirty. She's already in her pyjamas. All she needs is to brush her teeth." Joel is rinsing the bowls and putting them in the dishwasher.

"Snacks are in there.” He points to the tall pantry door. "And I've left my cell, her doctor's number and Tommy's, not that it'll do you any good because he's an island away on some romantic retreat. Anything goes wrong you call me." 

You nod, your attention drawn to studying your surroundings. This place seems too domestic, almost bland. After a cursory look around you decide that it doesn't fit Joel. 

But then again what does? A funeral home? A crypt?

"Shouldn't be home too late," Joel mutters, wiping his damp hands on the fuzzy hand towel hanging from the arm of the stove.

"Okay." You think of his meeting he’s going to tonight. "Good luck with the bid."

"Thanks," Joel says distractedly moving to the bottom of the stairs and calling up. "Sarah! The candy lady is here!"

He must see the confusion on your face because an uncharacteristic smirk is tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"She's been talking about her friend 'the candy lady' every day since she met you," he explains. "Guess you made an impression." 

You realize now that this is why Joel wanted you to babysit. Because Sarah won't stop talking about you. You feel strangely touched by that, given that you'd only interacted with her for ten minutes.

You have no time to respond to Joel because Sarah is at the top of the stairs in dolphin pyjamas’ and her freshly washed hair in plaited pigtails. When she sees you her face breaks into a wide smile. 

"You're here!"

Holdig the railing she climbs down the stairs as fast as her short legs will allow. You can't help but find her enthusiasm endearing. She stands in front of you seconds later, her cheeks flushed with delight. Her mouth is smeared with that looks like blue icing. In one hand she holds the infamous toad, the other stretches out to you. 

"Wanna play Barbies?"

"Not so fast," Joel says as he drops to his knees, capturing her eyes with his as he uses the hand towel to wipe away the icing at the curve of her mouth. "You be good, huh?"

"Yes Daddy," Sarah says but her eyes are on you, distracted. "I have a mermaid Barbie and ---"

"Sarah," Joel says bringing her attention back to him with his tone. "You listen to her and you go to bed when you're supposed to or there's no park tomorrow. Love you." 

He presses a kiss to the top of her head and pauses when Sarah presses a small hand to his elbow and holds up toad. 

"Don't forget, daddy."

Joel gives a short sigh before giving toad a peck on the top of his fuzzy head. You hold in a smirk at this. 

"G'night toad. Make sure Sarah brushes her teeth."

Joel stands, shaking his head amused when Sarah immediately turns her attention back to you almost shouting your name.

"Want me to show you my toys?"

"Sure," you say allowing her to take your hand and guide you into the den. She excitedly begins showing you the large collection she has. 

Within minutes you're laughing so hard at something Sarah says that you don't hear Joel leave, closing the door gently behind him. 

Sarah is a funny kid. You'd suspected it after you first met her, but an hour later this opinion is solidified. She's currently got her Barbie on a date with her stuffed toad. When you asked her why this was she hadn't even taken a pause before responding.

"You said you had toad boyfriends so Barbie has one too." 

You continue on like this for a bit until Sarah decides she wants to show you her Pokémon cards, and then her Polly pockets. It goes on like this until the carpet is littered with her toys.

The den where you sit and play feels warm and lived in. The plush sofa is under a large window. To one side is the fireplace with a television mounted overhead. The DVD player is set up to the side in a cabinet that also houses many kids DVDs and plenty of board games. The coffee table is a light wood, holding a remote, TV guide and several coloring books. 

On the other side of the room is a large wicker basket that houses most of Sarah's toys and a built-in unit that holds a record player and a very impressive looking vinyl collection. On the wall hang three guitars, all beautifully maintained but dusty from disuse. 

A quick glance at your watch confirms it's almost seven thirty. Normally you wouldn't be too stringent but you don't know how Joel would be if he knew you'd let her stay up. You’re not friends with Joel, barely even on good terms and you have no interest in getting in even deeper to his bad books.

"Okay bug," you say without thinking. "Time for bed."

"My name isn't bug," she says exasperatedly, as if you're the silliest idiot she's ever come across. "It's Sarah remember?"

"I remember," you say good-naturedly as you begin to put the toys she'd brought out back in the big toy basket. "It's just what my mom calls me sometimes. Just slipped out, sorry."

Sarah looks at you for a long while, her tiny face thoughtful. After a beat she helps you load the basket of toys back up. When you're finished she looks over at you seriously, her large eyes unblinking up at you. 

"You can call me bug if you want."

You nod before standing, holding a hand out to her. 

"Time to brush those teeth," you say cheerfully as if brushing one's teeth is one of the world's most exciting pastimes. 

"I already did," Sarah says looking at the Pokémon cards still in her hands. She's not paying attention to you. 

"Sure," you say with an eye roll. "Well I'm glad you did otherwise the sugar monsters would never leave you alone."

Sarah pauses, sharply darting her eyes to yours as the cards are dropped into the toy basket. "Sugar monsters?"

"Oh yeah," you say casually. "They eat the tongues of children who don't brush their teeth. I guess because of the sugar." 

You pretend to busy yourself folding a nearby blanket. But you can hear the wheels turning in her young head.

"You're lying," Sarah finally says with a conviction that belies the terror clearly shown in her face. 

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," you shrug with a voice full of sunshine. "But you don't have to worry about that, Sarah. You said you brushed your teeth, right?"

Sarah looks conflicted as you head towards the stairs. After a moment of deep contemplation she comes to a solution. 

"I'll brush them again just in case."

"Good idea."

You smile guiding her upstairs even though you have no idea where the bathroom or even her bedroom is. She’s chatting to you, distracting you so that when you push open the first door on your left, you’re surprised to find out it's Joel's bedroom. You know this immediately because this feels like Joel. 

Grey walls with navy wainscotting halfway up surround a very neat but very plain bedroom. One large window with closed blinds overlooks an old dresser with a half opened bottom drawer. A white t-shirt is half-hung over it.

The bed itself is plain and made with tan sheets under a navy coverlet and two off white pillows. A white fan stands in the corner whirring the late heat gently. There are no pictures on the walls aside from a framed photo of a horse above the bed.

Jesus, why must men above a certain age put horses on everything?

You think this as your eyes catch sight of the lotion bottle on the nightstand beside the bed. It doesn’t strike you as strange at first, but it's the unopened box of Kleenex next to it that sends you backing out of the room at a quick pace almost knocking Sarah over. 

"Oops."

Sarah is laughing at your horrified reaction, pulling your hand to the bathroom. 

It's clearly hers because it's decorated with a purple bath mat and she's got a small sparkly purple toothbrush beside bubblegum flavored toothpaste. She even has a purple spotted stool to stand on so she can reach the sink. 

You watch her brush her teeth thoroughly, pausing only to ask you if sugar monsters like bubblegum flavored toothpaste (you assure her they do not). 

Then she leads you to her bedroom, pressing the door open with both hands as you enter behind her. 

Her bed with its ceiling gripped canopy is a light lavender color. The walls are a pale lilac. Her sheets are purple with little white roses all over them. The dresser on the far side is a light eggplant and the fuzzy chair in the corner next to the bookshelf is a mix of purple shades. 

"I have never seen so much purple in all my life," you say in awe. 

"It's my favorite color."

She pulls herself onto her bed with a grunt, making sure that toad is propped up next to her before slipping under the covers.

"Daddy always reads me a book before bed."

You have no way of knowing if this is true but the sun hasn't quite set in the window and you feel like you can still hear some of the older kids outside having fun. You remember how torturous that felt when you were a kid. 

"Which one?"

"Curious George."

You go to her little bookshelf and bring out one of the slim yellow books. You smile at her as you shuffle back, going to sit at the bottom of her bed to read when she sits up.

"You lay here," Sarah informs you pointing to the pillow next to her.

Bossy little thing.

You do as she instructs before opening the book to read. You make sure that she can see all the pictures and you tell the story of how curious George got his own bike. 

Sarah interrupts you only once to tell you that she herself has a purple bicycle and you respond with what you feel is an appropriate level of enthusiasm. Other than that she lays next to you quietly looking at the pictures, and twisting a tendril of your hair absently through her fingers. 

"You do good voices," Sarah tells you when you finish the book. You know that it's the truth because children could care less when it comes to protecting someone's feelings. 

"Thanks, you're a good audience."

You bring the sheets to her chin and smile down at her. On impulse you give her forehead a tiny peck and she grins up at you. 

"Night, bug."

"G'night." 

You turn on her little star nightlight before you go, shutting the door quietly behind you. 

You walk back to the den and pop on the TV. It's only eight, who knows when Joel will be back. You're not really too put out - this evening turned out much better than you expected. Sarah is so sweet and funny, plus seeing Joel with her makes interacting with him a little more bearable. 

He's still not your favorite person by any stretch of the imagination, but it is easier to think of seeing him in the future at events hosted by Maria and Tommy. 

A buzz comes from your hip and you flip open your phone reading the text that's just come through.

i really think u and I need 2 c each other

With a frown you shove your phone back into your pocket. 

You plop onto the sofa and turn on the TV. Friends is playing but even as you watch your focus drifts to the room around you and lands on those hanging guitars from before. 

You think of the song that you used to sing in another life, in front of a cheering crowd as you bring down the nearest guitar (a Taylor 314ce if you’re not mistaken) tugging the strap over your shoulder. You strum absently before starting to sing softly. 

"We're talking away. I don't knowwwwhat I'm to sayyyawwshit," you fumble the chords but get back in tune. "I'll say it anyway. Today is another day to find -"

You pause when you think you hear the sound of creaking wood. A few moments of silence pass and you pull off the guitar and set it on the sofa. You creep silently to the bottom of the stairs expecting to catch Sarah trying to sneak down but, no, nothing is there. It's just the sound of the house settling. 

You give yourself an internal shake before heading into the kitchen. You dig around in the Wal-Mart bag you brought and pour one of your coke cans into a mug with ice. You pull out the coloring book and crayons you bought. You forgot to tell Sarah about them earlier. You decide to just leave them there on the counter as a gift for her to wake up to tomorrow. 

You open the book cover open and with a crayon you write a simple message:

To Sarah,

Make the world a little more colorful.

Love Toad

Still sipping your coke you go back to the den, wandering around the space slowly. In the quiet of the night you have time to look around in more detail. There is a large painting of a deer in a beautiful landscape by the back door (men and animals, Christ) and you come upon several framed photos hung on the walls. 

One of them is Joel holding Sarah when she was just a baby. Another one of Tommy and Sarah on the Ferris wheel waving to the photographer (undoubtedly Joel). There aren't really any recent ones though and not one of any woman who could be Sarah's mother.

This seems so strange to you. You've known plenty of divorced people that still co-parent. But you barely know Joel and can't ask him why his situation is so different. Maybe if you were to ask Maria... But then again that would mean you had actual interest in Joel's personal life and that was pushing it. As soon as you left this house you would go back to your mutual ambivalence.

You pause when you hear the sound of Joel's truck pulling up into the driveway, a low rumble out the front door. A glance at your watch tells you it's only ten, and you hope everything went well for him. If it did that means Tommy will get to continue to spoil Maria. 

Joel walks in a few minutes later. His hair is dry now and you can see the curls wave slightly when he enters the kitchen. You approach him slowly, watching as he shrugs off his jacket and hangs it on the back of a nearby chair.

"How did the bid go?"

"Won't know until Tuesday but felt pretty good," Joel acknowledges. "Kathleen's tough to read sometimes. How was Sarah? She give you any trouble?"

"Nah, she was great actually," you admit with a grin. "She's a cool kid."

Joel raises his brows at this and you wonder if telling a parent their kid is cool is weird. For the second time this month you're wishing you knew more about kids. 

"She brush her teeth?"

"Yep."

"Good. She's always fighting me on it."

You see Joel reach for his wallet and cringe. You’d forgotten about this part of the evening and for some reason being paid by him feels embarrassing. You’re not a teenager doing this for shopping money. This is just a favor.

"I'm gonna head out."

"I'm paying you for your time," Joel insists, his brows furrowing. "You did me a favor."

"Not really," you reason as you bring your purse over your shoulder. "It was Maria I was doing the favor for. If I didn't, she and Tommy couldn't have gone away."

Joel falters and you hope he didn't take what you said the wrong way. It makes you think of the first time you met, how a simple miscommunication fucked everything from the start.

Maybe it's time to just get everything out in the open.

"Hey, the first night we met," you begin but see Joel's eyes go to the den and harden. Your gaze follows suit and you see the guitar sitting on the sofa. 

"Oh shit, I forgot to put it b-"

"You played it?" Joel demands. His tone leads you to believe that no worse thing could happen to an instrument than being played.

"Uh, yeah," you say pausing a moment. "It was covered in dust so I figured it doesn't get played much."

"You always go to people's houses and touch their shit without permission?"

Woah. Where did that come from?

Weren't you just about to lower your proverbial weapons?

Joel is suddenly fuming and you find yourself own anger spiking in response. 

"Nope, only when I'm doing them favors."

"Thought it wasn't a favor for me?" Joel snarks. 

Fuck this. 

You pull on your purse and leave without another word. 

/// /// /// /// ///

It's Sunday afternoon. You are at James' apartment in the trendy part of Austin working on the sanctuary proposal. 

At least that's what you said you were going to do. 

He currently has you bent over his kitchen counter with your jeans and panties around your ankles as he fucks you hard from behind.

"You feel so fucking good," James pants over you, his face contorted in pleasure. He thrusts into you from behind, one hand gently placed at the small of your back. "Taking my cock so well,"

He continues to groan above you as you hold in an eye roll, your cheek rasping against the cool marble counter. Dirty talk doesn't sound right coming from James. 

Aside from that, he's really not bad at all, above average in size and he has a healthy respect for foreplay. It's just your mind is elsewhere and you can't really find it in yourself to surrender to the pleasure. 

He grunts lowly in his throat, his hips slamming into your ass with vulgar slapping noises. You try to get into it, but after what feels like an eternity you glance over your shoulder between thrusts and just tell him to finish. 

"You're distracted," James observes a short while later after you've both washed up. He gives a long sniff, looking at you anxiously. 

"Yeah," you nod, sitting across from him at his table. You've got your notes in front of you, along with some amateur blueprints you've come up with. "Lots of pent up energy."

"Normally sex helps with that," James says looking nervous, like it's his fault you didn't come. It's really not, but considering this was your first attempt at a casual hookup you can see why he may be a bit anxious. 

"Just a lot on the go," you explain. "Nothing to do with you."

"Is it the grant?"

"Partly," you nod. "I'm pretty pissed off about it. I know that we did what we needed to do, but that doesn't mean I'm happy that the kennels are yet again delayed."

James looks at you nodding. "Wish I could help."

"You did all you could," you relent. "Without you we never wouldn't have gotten money to get the office fixed and apparently it was in critical condition."

"Still, I'm sorry about the kennels."

"Yeah, me too," you admit before going back to the blueprints.

It’s probably not fair but you blame Joel for it. You’re convinced if he hadn’t come in and shoved his big nose into things that weren’t his business you would have your kennels. Then again maybe you’re still just pissed off about last night.

The two of you work quietly across from one another until James pipes up again. 

"Do you think we should try more than just sex?"

You narrow your eyes at him. "I'm not interested in, like, role-playing stuff if that's what you're suggesting."

James gives an embarrassed laugh. "No. I meant maybe we should try doing other things like, I dunno, going to the movies or something?"

Going to the movies?

You weren't expecting this from James. You'd thought this casual sex thing was a good idea and could work quite nicely for the both of you. After Paul you'd just wanted a physical release without the emotion. James had been such a nice, easy choice. 

Up until now, that is. 

"Not really," you say before pausing, considering the bluntness of your reply and the knowledge that you have to work with this man seated across from you. "Unless, you were thinking we should?"

"I mean, I think it'd be nice," James says with a shrug of his shoulders. 

You take a moment to look at him objectively. When you'd first started working with one another a few years ago you remember thinking he was decent looking. He'd dropped numerous hints but you'd been with Paul and weren't a cheater, so the attraction had never been something you focused on. 

Now though, with his light eyes and sandy brown hair normally hidden under a green cap you can admit he's cute. He's tall and lithe and dresses like a retired pastor, but bad fashion isn't a deal breaker for you. 

"Okay. Sure."

He looks impossibly relieved. 

"How about Saturday? There's that new zombie flick showing at seven."

"Sounds great"

/// /// /// /// /// ///

"Tommy better get here soon. I refuse to be disqualified because your boyfriend has poor time management skills."

Maria and you are sitting in a booth in the back of the Tipsy Bison. It's a busy night with trivia and wings being the big selling point. You and Maria love both. Maria has just finished telling you all about her weekend away ("I'm so into him. I think I love him!") And is now into her second helping of wings. 

"He still has ten minutes," Maria defends, looking at her wristwatch before biting into another piece of lemon pepper chicken. 

Tommy has been joining you at your trivia nights every so often and you don't actually mind at all. He fits in with your humor and he's great at the sports categories. 

"We wanted to try that new tapas place next weekend. You wanna come?"

"Can't. Got a date."

Maria drops the wing bone onto her plate with a dramatic flair that feels completely unnecessary. 

"Excuse me? Since when?"

"Since James asked me," you reply, feeling the blood rushing to your cheeks. You put all your attention on your Cajun wing, hoping that your refusal to meet her eyes will get you off the hook.  

"No way!" Maria is smiling widely. "James the accountant?" 

"He does some of our finances if that's what you mean," you pause to take the quiz paper and golf pencil from the waitress. "Thanks."

"Have you slept together?"

Maria is staring at you and you write the name of your team at the top of the paper, pretending you didn't hear her. But the flush is back to your cheeks.

"I knew it!" Maria crows victoriously. She slaps the table loudly. "That's why you were in such a good mood on Sunday! I remember thinking 'no one is that excited to work on a weekend'."

"Well, good job detective," you say drolly. "Hopefully you can use those same skills for trivia tonight because I refuse to lose to those bitches again."

You glare over at the booth across from you at the group of silver-hairs that attend every trivia night like it's their job since retirement. They all wear oversized matching blue t-shirts with "Merryatrics" emblazoned on the front. 

Myrtle, the leader of the group lowers her pint and slants a sneer at you that you emphatically return. 

"We are not losing to Myrtle again," Maria swears. She's about to say something more when she smiles over your shoulder.

"Hey baby!"

Tommy saunters over, pressing a light kiss to her lips. You're about to greet him with a wave when another figure strides into your field of vision.

You've gotta be fucking kidding me.

"Sarah's at a play date tonight so I dragged this guy out to join the team," Tommy says shaking off his jacket and taking a seat next to Maria. “Figured another person can only help.”

"You're soaked!" Maria clucks her tongue, sliding her arms around Tommy's middle. 

"It's pissing down rain tonight," Tommy says with a nervous look out the window before pulling Maria closer to him. "Guess you'll have to warm me up, huh?"

You roll your eyes watching as Joel begins shrugging off his own jacket and hanging it off the hook at the end of the booth. He too is damp from the storm outside. 

You go to say something cutting about not needing Joel to slow your team down but you can feel Maria's eyes on you. 

Remember your promise. Remember the deal you made with Joel.

"Hey," he rasps glancing over at you with a wary look. "Hope you don't mind me joining."

"Not at all," Maria answers for you. "Come sit, it's about to start."

There's only the space next to you in the booth, so you squeeze closer to Maria as Joel slides in next to you. His thigh grazes yours before he orders a bottle of Lonestar for himself and Tommy. 

"Storms pretty bad," Joel offers the table. "Heard it might get worse this week."

"Power outage might be just what we need," you say with a laugh. 

"Yeah maybe that way we'll beat the Merryatrics," Maria frowns. "Sick of losing to them."

“Bitches.”

You think you can see Joel smirking at that. You shift to look at him out the corner of your eyes. Up so close to him you can see the patch on his chin where his beard doesn't quite touch, the lines between his brows and how dark his eyes are. 

He's wearing a dark red flannel over a black t-shirt. You're surprised to find he smells pretty good considering he came from the job site and it’s raining like hell outside.  He smells like wood shavings and laundry detergent. 

"How did babysitting go?" Tommy asks you from the other end of the booth, his arm slung over Maria's shoulder as she leans into him. "We appreciate it by the way."

"Was no problem," you answer him honestly. "Sarah's a cool kid. Funny."

"Well she sure can't stop talking about you," Tommy says taking his bottle from the waitress. "When I saw her this morning she was working on some coloring page I was supposed to give to you. I left it in the truck."

"That's so sweet!" Maria gushes, her hand on her heart. She looks at you with gratitude and you hope that this interaction is enough to make up for being so hostile with Joel in the past.  

"I'm sure you're exaggerating," you say shyly twisting the straw in your new water glass. "We just played some games and I read her a story."

"It's true," Joel rasps from beside you, surprising you. "Sarah can't stop talking about how much fun she had with you. And she's, uh, been asking when you're coming back."

He clears his throat as you glance over at him. It seems you really did make quite an impression on Sarah. 

"Really?"

Joel nods over at you. His eyes dart along your face and he looks about to say something when a loud voice breaks over your group.

"Whose ready to do some sick triviaaaaaaaa?"

The four of you glance over at the host, a man in his twenties named Tyler who loves trivia more than he loves baggy jeans (and judging by the fact that you can see his boxers very clearly, he really loves baggy jeans). He makes sure every team has an answer sheet and pencil before he starts.

“First question we have today is about sports!” Tyler shouts over the growing crowd. What type of golf clubs are used for long shots from the tee or fairway?”

The Merryatrics begin writing hurriedly on their answer sheet as you and Maria exchange a look of disappointment. This is not a category either of you know much on. In desperation you decide to use your additional manpower.

"How much do you know about golf clubs, Joel?"

"Not much."

Great.

Thankfully it turns out that Tommy knows plenty when it comes to the category. You and Maria know most when it comes to the Math, Science and pop culture category. Joel has a strangely gifted knowledge of literature. And by the time the halfway scores are tallied you and the Merryatrics are tied for first place. 

At the break you and Maria order more wings and the boys order burgers for themselves. Maria and Tommy chat quietly with one another, her head leaning on his shoulder sweetly. You notice she and Tommy have drunk far more than you and Joel.

You pick at your last Cajun wing, feeling strangely left out. You've never felt left out when with Tommy and Maria before. You muse it must be because Joel is here, and they think he is keeping you company. 

Joel must be feeling similarly to you because he looks awkwardly around the bar, tipping the last of his first beer into his mouth. Out of the corner of your eyes you watch his lean neck bob as he swallows.

The music is soft in the back of the pub, lively and makes the mood between the two of you feel less tense despite the animosity you're still feeling towards him. As if he can feel your mind drifting to Saturday night Joel has shifted to turn his body more to face you in the booth.

"Sarah really did enjoy when you were over," Joel says in a rush, as if this conversation is hard for him. "She wanted me to ask you to come babysit her again. If you have time. And I'll pay you of course. I do insist on that, 'cuz it's a job and your time is worth something." 

Memories of how your last babysitting job ended with Joel don't exactly kindle interest in this proposition. You thin your lips, turning the chicken wing over in your fingers as you contemplate before dropping it next to a half eaten piece of celery. 

"And you can play all the guitars in the house that you want," Joel adds exhaling slowly, his focus fixed on you. "I'll even throw in a bongo drum if that'll seal the deal."

You know how much this must hurt him, having to ask you of all people for a favor. It's a testament to how much he loves his daughter and that's the only reason you don't make it more difficult for him. 

"I was under the impression that babysitting Sarah was kind of Tommy's thing," you say, wiping your finger tips with the damp napkins provided. "I wouldn't want to intrude on that."

Joel motions to Tommy and Maria giggling to themselves at the end of the booth.

"If I'm honest, I think Tommy'll be even more excited to have you babysit than Sarah. It’ll free up more of his time." 

The waitress arrives back with the burgers, placing them in front of the boys. You're thankful for the break. You need to think about this. Yes, you really enjoyed hanging with Sarah but more Joel time isn't exactly worth it.

"Do you and your girlfriend want more?" the waitress asks looking at Joel and motioning to the plate of half eaten wings in front of you. You go to assure the waitress that Joel Miller is not and never will be your boyfriend, but he’s already talking, distracted by your previous conversation.

"You want more?" Joel asks your surprised face. You shake your head and he turns back handing the bone-filled plate to the waitress. "Nah, thanks sweetheart."

The waitress takes it, smiling prettily at Joel before quickly moving from the table. You expect that Joel will be following her form sashaying away, but he’s distracted, looking at you waiting for your answer. 

Thankfully you're rescued from answering his questioning look by Tyler who comes back with an air horn he beeps as he gets to the front of the room. 

"Y'all ready for round two?!"

By the time you reach the final question Maria and Tommy are giggling drunken idiots and you and Joel are hunched over the beer stained answer sheet, focused intently on the young man with oversized pants at the front of the pub reading off his card. 

"And for the final question of the final round," Tyler drawls dramatically. "This planet has the tallest mountain in the solar system.”

Fuck. Space has never really been your thing outside of the odd horoscope you read in the paper.

“And just to keep it interesting,” Tyler calls from the front. “An extra point goes to the team who can name this tallest mountain. You have one minute." 

A hushed 'ooooo' goes through the pub at this. You turn your attention to the answer sheet, Maria's hand is gripping the gold pencil so tightly you're worried she might break it.

"Jupiter?" Maria offers through her drunken haze. "That's the one with rings right? It should have mountains."

"What kind of logic is that?"

"What about Uranus?" Tommy suggests with a short laugh that Maria grins at.  

"Tommy this is serious and you're drunk," you tell him pointedly. Joel is quiet behind you, rubbing at his forehead with his eyes closed. He's probably just willing the game to end soon. You still haven’t given him an answer about Sarah and you have a feeling he’s just holding out for it.

Myrtle and her band of Merryatrics are writing and then looking over at you with smug smiles. It creates a blind panic in you that makes your mind draw a blank.

“Earth," you suggest inspired as the seconds tick by. "It's a trick, gotta be. Mount Everest." 

Maria nods in agreement, and you watch her write down a sloppy "Earth/Mount Everest" on the sheet before a large hand stills your wrist. Joel chest presses into your shoulder as he moves in and drops his voice. 

"It's Mars. Olympus Mons."

You look at Joel over your shoulder with a wrinkled nose. "What? How do you know that?"

"Sarah's really into space right now," Joel explains with a shy shrug. "She made me get her a bunch of books from the library. We were just reading one last week and it had this Olympus Mons on it, I’m positive."

You and Maria exchange a look. This answer determines whether or not you beat the seniors team. Myrtle and her team are chatting anxiously with one another. You give one last glance at Joel over your shoulder.

"Trust me."

You consider his words before turning back to Maria who had insisted on writing the answer despite her writing growing increasingly sloppy with each question. You take the pencil from her hand despite her protestations because you can't take a chance at fucking this up.

"Let's do it," you urge. "Mars. Olympus Mons." 

You finish just as the final cow bell tolls. The papers are collected and brought to Tyler who says he will be reading out the winners shortly.  The four of you are all sitting shoulder to shoulder, watching Tyler tally the scores from all the cards, so intent you almost don't hear Joel next to you. 

"Fuck, now I'm not sure if was Mars. Maybe it was Jupiter."

You turn on him with wide eyes and a scowl. "Are you serious?"

"Nah," he says taking a sip from his water glass, his eyes dancing. "Just wanted to rile you up. Seems pretty easy to do."

You want to be irritated at that but instead you laugh in both relief and surprise. "Is it a crime to want to win? To be . . . "

You break off as you search for a word that sounds better than "terrifyingly intense in the face of trivia". 

"Passionate?" Joel offers with a quirked brow. 

"Exactly," you nod vigorously. "I'm just very passionate."

You smile at one another and you swear for a moment it almost looks like Joel checks you out. His eyes are darting around your face and trying to subtly dart to your collar without being obvious. You feel your cheeks get hot at the thought. 

Tyler breaks into this moment with his long, squeaky voice. 

"And the winners are... the Quizards of Oz!”

You've won. 

After 7 months of trying to knock those geriatric fucks out of the trivia top spot, you’ve done it.

"YES!" 

Maria whirls into Tommy's arms, pumping her fist in the air with a shriek. You are equally enthused, half standing in the booth and giving a loud roar of victory before pointing at Myrtle and the rest of the seniors who give you baleful looks. 

"BEAT YOU! YES! TAKE THAT YOU HAGS!" 

Joel is staring up at you half crouched in the booth pointing aggressively at a group of angry looking seniors before his eyes go over to see Tommy and Maria making out passionately.  

You drop back into your seat, your face flushed. Joel looks incredulously from the angry senior citizens group back over to you pink and giggling. 

"Do I want to know what has you brutal enemies with a group of eighty-year-old women?"

"They know what they did," you say giving the group of glaring old women a sneer. 

The waitress comes over with your bills after this. You all pay and the waitress pulls out an envelope from her apron pocket. 

"Congrats y'all," she says handing you the envelope. "Didn't think we'd ever see the Merryatrics lose!"

"S'bout time!" Maria slurs from beside you. 

You take the envelope with pride, tucking it into your purse and sighing back into your booth as if you just succeeded in being accepted into the hall of fame.

You notice the waitress push something across the table to Joel, it looks like it is another receipt but you recognize looping handwriting with a name and what you can only assume is her phone number.  You notice the tips of Joel's ear pinking as he notices it, but he turns his attention over to you, amused at your blissed-out reaction to winning.

"What's the prize?" 

"A ten dollar gift certificate here."

"That's it?" Joel laughs - actually laughs - at this. "All that work for a ten bucks to a pub with barely passable food?"

"It's the principle!" you snicker back, tickled at his reaction.

Joel smiles at you, but this is a new one. This smile you've not had directed at you before. It makes his eyes crinkle until they almost disappear, his teeth shining and the dimple in his right cheek deepens. 

"And winning has put me in such a good mood that I'm gonna agree to babysit for you, Miller."

"Really?" 

"Yeah," you say beaming. You're still high on the victory. Maria leans over in your direction. 

"Great," Joel smiles at you. "Sarah's gonna be -"

"What are you two whispering about?" Maria interrupts with glassy eyes and a crooked smile. She's tipsy and trying to hold in a giggle. "Whisper whisper."

"Babysitting and we're not whispering you fool," you reply, amused at her drunkenness. You dart a look back over at Joel to see that he's holding back a laugh. 

"Ooooh," Maria looks over at Tommy. "She's gonna babysit for Joel!"

"I knew it!" Tommy replies equally drunk. "When?"

"Oh yeah, when?" You turn your attention back to Joel. 

"Saturday?"

"Sure -" you answer without thinking. But Maria has been listening and moves a hand by your face, waving emphatically.

"Nah, can't be Saturday," she informs Joel with glazed eyes. "She has a date that night with James."

"The co-worker?" Tommy slurs behind her.

"Yeah and she hasn't dated anyone since Paul so she's gotta go and have proper sex with him." 

"Maria!" You say with a horrified look. You don't need Joel and Tommy Miller of all people knowing the details of your pitiful sex life. 

Maria throws a dramatic hand over her mouth and a smirking Tommy points at her as if she's been caught doing something terrible. "I'm sorry!" 

Joel has pulled himself from the booth and is glancing down at you as he pulls on his jacket. You give a shake of your head as if to say "what're we gonna do with these two knuckleheads?' He glances over at his brother leaning a sleepy head on an equally sleepy Maria's shoulder. 

"Guess we're the DD's tonight," you sigh as you pull yourself out of the booth. "Yet another reason to stay irresponsible."

He gives a smile that doesn't touch his eyes in return at the joke. You watch his attention dart back to the waitresses' phone number sitting there on the table, looking indecisive. He clears his throat awkwardly before quickly snatching it up and shoving it into the back pocket of his jeans.

"C'mon Tommy," Joel says pulling his brother to a stand with a grunt. You do the same with Maria. 

You watch as the Millers make their way out the door of the pub, wondering how you just spent an entire evening with Joel Miller and didn't hate it. 

#joel miller #joel miller smut #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #Last of us #tlou fanfiction #joel the last of us #Pedro Pascal #Pedro #Pedro Pascal Joel #pedro pascal characters #fanfiction #fanfic #smut #romance #sweet!Joel

[qqueenofhades]

I’m in undergrad but I keep hearing and seeing people talking about using chatgpt for their schoolwork and it makes me want to rip my hair out lol. Like even the “radical” anti-chatgpt ones are like “Oh yea it’s only good for outlines I’d never use it for my actual essay.” You’re using it for OUTLINES????? That’s the easy part!! I can’t wait to get to grad school and hopefully be surrounded by people who actually want to be there 😭😭😭

Not to sound COMPLETELY like a grumpy old codger (although lbr, I am), but I think this whole AI craze is the obvious result of an education system that prizes "teaching for the test" as the most important thing, wherein there are Obvious Correct Answers that if you select them, pass the standardized test and etc etc mean you are now Educated. So if there's a machine that can theoretically pick the correct answers for you by recombining existing data without the hard part of going through and individually assessing and compiling it yourself, Win!

... but of course, that's not the way it works at all, because AI is shown to create misleading, nonsensical, or flat-out dangerously incorrect information in every field it's applied to, and the errors are spotted as soon as an actual human subject expert takes the time to read it closely. Not to go completely KIDS THESE DAYS ARE JUST LAZY AND DONT WANT TO WORK, since finding a clever way to cheat on your schoolwork is one of those human instincts likewise old as time and has evolved according to tools, technology, and educational philosophy just like everything else, but I think there's an especial fear of Being Wrong that drives the recourse to AI (and this is likewise a result of an educational system that only prioritizes passing standardized tests as the sole measure of competence). It's hard to sort through competing sources and form a judgment and write it up in a comprehensive way, and if you do it wrong, you might get a Bad Grade! (The irony being, of course, that AI will *not* get you a good grade and will be marked even lower if your teachers catch it, which they will, whether by recognizing that it's nonsense or running it through a software platform like Turnitin, which is adding AI detection tools to its usual plagiarism checkers.)

We obviously see this mindset on social media, where Being Wrong can get you dogpiled and/or excluded from your peer groups, so it's even more important in the minds of anxious undergrads that they aren't Wrong. But yeah, AI produces nonsense, it is an open waste of your tuition dollars that are supposed to help you develop these independent college-level analytical and critical thinking skills that are very different from just checking exam boxes, and relying on it is not going to help anyone build those skills in the long term (and is frankly a big reason that we're in this mess with an entire generation being raised with zero critical thinking skills at the exact moment it's more crucial than ever that they have them). I am mildly hopeful that the AI craze will go bust just like crypto as soon as the main platforms either run out of startup funding or get sued into oblivion for plagiarism, but frankly, not soon enough, there will be some replacement for it, and that doesn't mean we will stop having to deal with fake news and fake information generated by a machine and/or people who can't be arsed to actually learn the skills and abilities they are paying good money to acquire. Which doesn't make sense to me, but hey.

So: Yes. This. I feel you and you have my deepest sympathies. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to sit on the porch in my quilt-draped rocking chair and shout at kids to get off my lawn.

#anonymous #ask #school stuff

[daveedee]

Ghost x OC who has a fear of open bodies of water.

TW: talk of drugs, fear of drowning, and kind of gory romantic imagery.

She hated water.

Didn’t matter the size, shape, nor color. If it was deep enough to drown she was out. Just looking at it made her throat feel like it was caving in on itself. Her head got dizzy and she had to hold onto something to regain a sense of self.

So how the fuck did she get here?

“Price why the fuck am I here?” The woman yelled in her mic, holding onto Ghost’s arm in the helicopter. They were in the air high over the Crimean Sea. She could feel the inky black water that was staring at her through the window seeping into her veins. Ghost tried to shake her off, telling her ‘that’s enough, cut the shit Sergeant.’, but her grip did not falter. 

“Ghost, do you see that shit? What if we crash huh?” She shrieked, letting go of him and running her hands through her hair. The normal blonde mess that was normally let down was pulled up in a lazy attempt of a ponytail. It stuck out here and there and bumps were consistent throughout the top. 

“Evans, if you don’t piped down back there and gonna toss you out the back.” Nikolais voice rang out through the comms. He was sitting in the front cockpit, piloting the heli. 

“You would never.” She gasps, putting a hand over her mouth. Fear radiating through her body. 

Ghost had his eyes locked on her anxious movements. He wasn’t used to her being like this. Calm and collective weren’t words he would use to describe her, but normally, frantic wasn’t one either. Her jokes and dark humor frequented his thoughts. He loved watching her pretty lips from the words ‘fuck you’ when she was mad. He knew just how her muscles were tense up when she was frustrated, how her grip on her tool would make her knuckles white. Even her sly smile when she knew she was getting away with something no one else could. That smile imprinted itself on the back of his eyelids and whenever he closed his eyes it showed up in the black fuzzy dots.

He wasn’t quite sure what to do. He knew part of the reason he had never seen her like this is probably because he had never seen her sober enough to get to this point. She had a whole cabinet of shit that would knock her ass out if it ever got this bad. Most of the time she couldn’t even get here because she was already high. She frequently said, ‘THC is a magical drug,’ and then would lay in the lawn chair she put in the garage watching YouTube on the TV she attached to the ceiling.

“I would now be quiet. Take one of those pills of yours-.” The Russian pilot tried to say before being cut off.

“Evans, do not. Evans, I repeat do not take anything. You must be sober on this mission.” Price’s voice, thick accent and all startled her in her headset. Price’s voice was commanding and controlling, yet had this warmness. It sounded like a father warning his kid to not do something dangerous. He was one of the reasons she hadn’t lost herself yet.

“So there you are! Despite me calling for you over and over, you respond when now?” She lectured, her voice shaky and desperate. She had moved from where she had been sitting, next to Ghost by the window, to the ground huddled in a ball. The ground was cold and metal. The sound of the heli vibrated her bones only adding to her unease. Her boots made this squeak noise that made her jump as she brought her knees to her chin.

“It was my smoke break Evans,” He chuckled.

“No it was not!” She fired back, rocking back and forth now, squeezing her eyes shut. All she could think about was how long it would take to fall from this height and straight into the water. Then how long it would take to drown and sink onto the seafloor. She imagined all the soldiers and equipment already laying there from past wars. They were in air space where fighting had been frequent. 

Her thoughts then tumble like waves waiting to crash on the shore. First returning from its last crescendo, pulling back sand, rocks, shells in its wake. The force of the riptide causing destruction in its path. Then turning over and over, taking water into its clutches and holding it tight. Tight enough you could cut it up with the sharpest knife. It builds up and up creating height and weight, enough to take down the forces of enemies stronger than its original state. Then it’s all too much for gravity to hold, so unforgiving, the weight unbearable, the pressure roaring so loud. It was going to break her, it all was too much. It would pull her down  to the bottom of the ocean, a rock on her chest, and the seaweed tugging her into its slimy arms. She would never go willingly, she would fight, and fight, until her lungs were about to pop without the promise of a next breath. She would suffocate and never give in. Never open her mouth and take that breath. Never let the wave crash.

“Evangeline, love, you are fine,” A hand rested on her back, the wave faltering in its place, shaking in anticipation. “I’ve gotcha.” The words touch her soul so lovingly, like fingers caressing her heart. It’s as if it had torn open her chest rib by rib. Breaking the physical barriers of her body just to please the emotional ones. As if a hand held her lungs softly and lovingly, soothing the pain. She bathed in that feeling, letting it overwhelm her. She’d rather drown in her own blood than the ocean. She would let her ribs crack and bleed then let the ocean consume her whole. So she took that breath, the one she held back so faithfully. She let go of the wave, watching it fade out onto the coast, caressing the sand. 

The deep breath finally escaped her lips, her hands shaking as they held her legs to her chest. 

“That’s my girl.”

#call of duty #simon riley #simon riley x oc #simon ghost riley #ghost mw2 #simon ghost x oc #call of duty oc #call of duty modern warfare #ghost call of duty #ghost cod #ghost fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #short

[melpomene-writes]

sleeper

minatozaki sana x gn! reader // angst (slight mention of blood)

your nails are bright pink, short-clipped, glinting in the dim light as you draw a line over sana’s bare stomach.

“what are you thinking about?” you ask.

“you,” sana says. her eyes are on your hands as they drift, slow and almost lazy, sketching swirls across her summer-darkened skin. around you both, the room is quiet except for cicadas screaming outside, the humming of the old lamp above your heads. it’s just the two of you — backlit, you’re sitting on sana’s hips and falling into her headfirst. sana’s eyelashes flutter. “always.”

you smile faintly, drag a finger down her side, from rib to hip.

“and you?”

“you,” you agree, almost sadly. “always.”

///

unfortunately, this is a dream.

///

one of the dreams you like, of course.

real life, not so much. real life is not so forgiving. real life goes like this: you wake up every day from dreams like these, and you are so in love with sana it hurts, and you are never going to say a god damn thing about it.

there’s also starting to be something knotted and heavy in your chest. a hopeless, uncomfortable ache. like the one they always describe in depression pamphlets.

it’s fine, you think. you are still, mostly, able to smile. so, you ignore it.

///

in ninth grade, your whole life starts to look like this blurry, vaguely sana-shaped shell.

“what did you dream about last night?”

you look up, startled.

“you look exhausted,” sana adds, pouting in sympathy. she’s stretched out across your couch, one foot hanging off the side and swinging absently, eyebrows raised in concern. it takes you a long time to bring her face into focus. “you had a bad dream?”

“yeah,” you say, meaning no, “it was pretty bad,” meaning god, i wish real life was more like that, meaning: you loved me back, and god damn, sana, everything was just perfect. “lots of spiders.” meaning so many people came to our wedding. “i couldn’t leave.” meaning: everyone saw it coming.

“oh.” sana sits up. concern is in her eyes, and she laces your fingers together slowly, deliberately, full of the kind of love you don’t need. in the afternoon light she seems vaguely made up. “i’m sorry.”

you look down at your hands.

“it’s fine,” you say, smiling faintly, swallowing. meaning it’s just not.

///

on a monday night, you get upgraded to nightmares.

there’s a dog across the patio. you’re in greece, probably, in a vacation house. it looks like a building from santorini: huge and white, all curved, and you and the dog are on the roof, sort of — a square space, brick-floored, ten yards above the ground. a breeze murmurs across the property, just barely. the sky is bright blue and cloudless where you can see it through the branches of an overgrown spruce tree on the right; there’s an s-shaped pool in the yard below, rippling slightly, surrounded by perfectly manicured grass and a fence of palm trees. you realize you’re sitting on a lawn chair, near the edge of the patio, and that you’re dripping something thin and golden off every inch of your skin, something that puddles around your bare feet and in the cracks of the floor, glimmering slightly when the sun hits it.

the dog tilts its head. it’s brindled, pretty big, with dark brown eyes and slobbery jowls like a st. bernard. much sleeker than that, but still well-muscled. sinew piled up like a mountain scape under its dark skin. the house is deathly quiet. you get the very distinct feeling that this whole town is empty.

the wind ceases.

the dog growls, tongue lolling out of its mouth in a pant, and you can smell its breath from across the patio.

“just kill me already,” you say, annoyed, “and i can wake up. okay?”

it regards you for a second, as if considering. saliva drips down around its feet from its open mouth.

then it turns and disappears around a corner.

you spring up after it. you go flying down a set of open-air stairs to the glimmering pool and the dead grass, the steps flanked by poinsettias, the sun so bright you have to wave it out of your face like a bug. the dog’s claws make a clicking sound even in the dirt. you follow it around the edge of the pool, wondering how it leaves footprints in such dry soil, and it finally draws to a pause after the two of you make a full loop. when you look up, sana and taehyung are standing in front of you.

“what are you doing here?” sana blinks at you, silent. her hair is curled down to her waist and dripping wet, her eyes dark even in the sunlight, her face completely blank. momo is wearing the same indeterminable expression.

the dog is circling around their feet, placid.

“hello?”

sana turns to look at taehyung, lightning fast, and whispers something in her ear. taehyung does nothing, but the dog reacts instantly, its gaze sharpening, ears perking, eyes zeroing in on you. it pauses at sana’s feet, calculating. then moves forward.

“what are you doing?”

the dog snarls.

“what did you say to it?” you back up, and it follows, slow and steady. ripping up the grass with its claws. vibrating all over.

“sana—” the growling crescendos to a bark, and fear strikes your heart — your feet catch on the edge of the pool, and you stumble, feeling the water splash up over your ankle, you’re hauntingly aware of sana’s eyes watching your every move. “sana, i—”

“sorry,” the dog says, in a human voice — in sana’s voice, almost. and it pauses for half a second, giving you time to cry out, before it leaps forward with an impossible strength, apologizing again in sana’s voice, and pushes you into the water, claws snagged in your shirt, its whole body thrashing with a snarl that pulls all the breath out of your lungs, and you wake up and you’re never a dog person again.

///

“y/n, are you okay?”

“yeah,” you answer, absent. “i haven’t been sleeping well.”

you woke up this morning with circles so dark they looked like black holes. your excuse is an understatement.

“you’re not yourself.” sana’s lips are set in a frown. “what’s wrong?”

“i’m tired.”

“besides that.”

“nothing.”

“don’t lie to me, y/n.”

“you wouldn’t understand.”

“try me.”

that long pause, fragile, tenuous.

“i’m so tired,” you say, softly. tears brim in your eyes. “sana, i’m exhausted.”

sana’s features fall into place — concern, sympathy, sadness. she holds out both arms. “come here.”

her offer hurts more than it helps, but you take it.

///

you fall into your dream, the one with the dog again. right next to you this time. staring out at the pool as you face the other way.

“hey, you,” you say. it doesn’t move. under its black-and-brown fur you can see its lungs inhaling, exhaling, slowly, its expression calm and body perfectly still. you lean over and rest your forehead on its shoulder. the sun beating down on the back of your neck, its fur smelling warm and strangely real.

“we’re done being enemies now, huh? i don’t really know what you tried to teach me last time.”

the dog does nothing. you sigh.

“i am so ready to die,” you say. the words sharp in your chest. “and you’re not going to help me out, are you?”

it starts to pant, looking down at the pool. you squint: at the bottom of the six-foot end is a vaguely human-shaped hole, dark and glimmering, cut out to your size.

the dog looks at it, at you. then says in sana’s voice, “you dug it yourself.”

oh.

you are exhausted to the bone.

“i get it,” you say, climbing to your feet. the sun is still shining, and the grave is pulling you in like a magnet. “i don’t need your help anyway.”

///

“depression,” the doctor announces, scribbling something on her clipboard. “could be seasonal affective. but manic, more likely.”

you snap to attention.

“it’s winter?” she asks, surprised.

sana looks like she’s about to cry.

“is she grieving?”

“no,” sana says. her face is bright with anger, body stiff, hands curled into fists at her side. “i don’t think so. she won’t tell me.”

“it’s a possibility. i’ll give you the number of a few therapists, see what they can do, if they think medication, is a good idea.”

“thank you,” your mother says. you try to look at her, but your vision is swimming. you reach out, to grab sana’s hand — and for this one brief second, your heart starts to work again. but then sana’s phone lights up with taehyung’s number, vibrating, a heart next to her name, and you drop it, and the whole thing starts all fucking over again.

///

you’re flat on your back. the dog is sitting on your chest, heavier than it looks, paws resting against your neck. looking down at you, as impenetrable as ever.

“i hate you,” you say, feeling strangely peaceful. the dog blinks. above you, its head eclipses part of the sun, outlined in pouring gold, backlit. you stroke a hand down its chest. the fur is soft, and its breathing measured. blood is oozing, slowly, slowly, out of the puncture wounds in your chest. claw marks. but accidental.

“i know i’m stupid,” you continue. “but you’re not making it any easier.”

you tilt your head backward, off the edge of the patio. birds chirping. the hole in the pool, tantalizingly empty.

///

“i keep having these dreams about you.”

sana stares at you, stunned. she’s been over for hours, and these are the first words you’ve said: hoarse, calm, detached.

“you’re a dog,” you continue. “brindle. i’ve had it three times and it gets closer every time it happens. it talks in your voice. it killed me the first time. and after that i just kept killing myself. don’t worry,” you add, seeing the stricken look on sana’s face.

“i love you,” sana says softly.

“sana, i am so far gone,” you say, your voice breaking, and sana’s hands are shaking when she leans over and pulls you into a hug so tight and so urgent it hurts. her whole body is radiating a feverish warmth, and you suffocate in her hair as sana sobs into your shoulder, saying “i love you, saying “me too”, saying — when she pulls away, jaw set and face flushed, “we can come together.”

you swallow: “i don’t know if i can,” you respond, helpless, and sana just says, “do it for me.”

so of course, you do.

///

it takes so long. god, it takes so long.

but you do it.

for sana. with sana. six months later, a song comes on in your car that you used to love, and you start to sing along like you haven’t in forever, and it’s just such a moment that sana bursts out laughing, practically exploding with happiness, so hard that the two of you have to pull the truck over. it’s always hard. it always will be. but something is working again that didn’t used to.

at least, it does for a while.

on a friday in eleventh grade, sana gets drunk and kisses you, and for a moment, you feel the flight of hope in your chest — but sana leans back, laughs it off, and says she got a head start on the phase that’s supposed to happen in college.

and that’s all she says.

and oh, man. that fucking burns.

you leave. instantly. sana is crossfaded and whines as you crawl out the window, but you pay no attention. you leave and leave and leave. it feels like something coming out of a crawlspace coming out of a crawlspace, coming out of you, blowing out the door. your vision is swimming with so many tears you trip three times on the way home. sana calls you and calls you and you don’t pick up.

fucking unbelievable. your apartment is empty. it’s ninth grade all over again. it hurts worse this time, you think, slamming the door shut behind you, because it was so much closer.

sana said “i love you” the way out. high as shit but really meaning it. you could see it in her eyes.

so maybe tomorrow will be better. maybe. if you get one.

///

three sleeping pills but it’s only dusk. even though it was 1 am when you came home. somehow, this dream is clearer than all the others, even though the medicine that’s supposed to blunt your nightmares.

the greek house, sunset, colder than last time, all the white walls cut with dark shadows and fading yellow light. the wind existing, but barely. your hair is wet and starchy when you run a hand through it, and everything is the same as it was two years ago, the drying grass, the pool, the brick floors. the same shivering sequoia on the right. no dog.

you get up and pad down the stairs, barefoot, the poinsettias still in bloom. in the yard, there’s still no dog. the whole world is silent. there are no other houses, you realize, outside your vine-draped fence.

unperturbed, you open the sliding door for the first time. inside is a long dining table, couches lined with swirls of patterned blankets, a tv that won’t turn on. the floorboards creak no matter where you step. you continue through an empty kitchen and three doors to the hallway, where there’s a spiral staircase and a glass-walled garden. there are bedrooms and bathrooms on the right, too many to count, but you’re not really interested.

instead, you open the front door. outside: a dirty driveway, a swatch of grass, the chain-link fence. it’s getting colder by the second.

the dog is waiting for you. sitting still. its mouth closed for once. eyes glinting.

you step toward it, run your fingers along the top of its head, but it darts away toward the opening on the driveway, and you follow.

on the other side of the fence: sana and taehyung, hand in hand.

there is no gate.

you look at the dog, and something in your chest snaps into place.

“i fucking knew it,” you say.

it shrugs. sana looks over at her, confused, concerned, then at taehyung, who has the same perplexed expression. you drop to your knees and stare the dog right in the face, an uncontrollable anger vibrating in your fingertips.

“i knew it,” you repeat, giggling hysterically, and then the dog tilts its head and apologizes, in that strange, sad voice that you only now realize is your own, before it lunges, and you let it.

///

afterwards, there is no waking up.

#kpop x reader #kpop imagines #twice x reader #twice imagines #twice sana x reader #twice sana imagines #minatozaki sana x reader #minatozaki sana imagines #sana x reader #sana imagines #girl group imagines #gxg imagines #kpop #twice #twice sana #minatozaki sana #sana #girl group #gxg

[liannelara-dracula]

Diabolik lovers S+M+T brothers at beach

Hi Love,

Gosh, I am so sorry! I hope you are still around. This took months! To everyone I am sorry for my absences, in December I hope to be less busy. I luckily found some time for writing so I decided to finish some stuff while I'm at it. :) Hope you guys like it!

-Liannelara

Diaboys At the Beach HCS

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Prompt

Requests are open

Rules

Warning:

*certain words have been censored for Tumblr guidelines.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

General (includes everyone):

🏝They took a van altogether to get there.

🏝Or it may have been Kou’s tour van bc he’s an idol.

🏝And Yuma didn’t want to go.

🏝But he was the one who ended up driving because he thinks that Ruki and Reiji are too slow because they follow the speed limit.

🏝Carla and Shin cannot drive because they are too old so good luck explaining to them how a car works.

🏝Plus Shin drives so bad, omg.

🏝And so yeah, Yuma would get everyone there faster.

Sakamaki

Shu:

🏝Made a fake treasure map and sneaked it somewhere on the beach and Ayato found it.

🏝This way the triplets would be preoccupied and leave the damn place so he could get some freaking peace and quiet.

🏝He openly admitted to Reiji, Subaru, Ruki, and Carla who were resting on lawn chairs also.

🏝“It’s been a while since we have seen those three.” Ruki commented.

🏝“Tch, yeah they must be so busy checking out chicks.” Subaru said.

🏝Shu continued to look asleep with his sunglasses and said, “Oh, they’re not checking out chicks.”

🏝“Then why the hell are they so busy?!” Subaru looked confused.

🏝“Well, I didn’t want to say anything but I figured a fake map would do the trick.” 

🏝“You did what?!” They were all shocked.

🏝“They’re looking all around for treasure that doesn’t even exist. But I figured it was the only way to get them to shut up.” Shu grinned, knowing he had screwed them over.

🏝“It is unbelieve that you even bothered to do something productive, let alone beneficial to us all.” Reiji commented while adjusting his glasses.

🏝Getting him to come was hard, it was only because Reiji said that there would be steak so he agreed to come.

🏝Wears his damn cardigan in this hot @ss heat.

🏝Rei does not understand this at all and can’t stand it.

🏝And he’s shirtless and probably has some beach necklace on.

🏝He makes sure to leave his cardigan open tho, that way chicks can check him out.

🏝But he does wear his swim trunks (they’re yellow) and sunglasses.

🏝And he’d sip out of a f*ckin’ coconut and you know it.

🏝Spends most of his time on the damn lawn chair or on a beach towel under the umbrella shade.

🏝This just gives him the excuse to be lazy.

🏝While he lays on the beach towel if girls walk by in their bikinis, he looks up.

🏝He is still listening to his music tho, that will never change.

🏝Probably got a tan, which might be funny if he had his choker on through it all so it’ll leave that shape on his neck now.

🏝He’s a little annoyed by it and the triplets find it funny.

🏝He might complain about the sun being too bright tho, lol.

🏝Once the day is over, he literally does not carry anything back to the van.

Reiji:

🏝Reiji has everything ready before they leave.

🏝And he’s just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly.

🏝He’s hoping he can relax a little because the beach will keep his brothers busy.

🏝He goes for a swim because it's good exercise.

🏝He and his brothers drag Shu to go but Shu will only go if a hot chick catches his attention and she’s by the water.

🏝Reiji and Ruki are responsible for the food because we know that the boys can’t cook for sh!t.

🏝So they are in charge of the barbeque, and they fight over how to do things, such as how to season things, what temperature the meat shout be cooked at, when they should flip it, and when it’s done, etc.

🏝Azusa tries to help them negotiate but they just end up yelling at him and he becomes disappointed because they haven’t hit him. Yet.

🏝Apart from this he does try to relax by sitting on a chair and reading some things.

🏝 Reiji is probably wearing some swim trunks and button-up shirt that is somewhat undone, so girls can catch a glimpse of his chiseled chest.

🏝I mean have you seen this man?????!!!!

🏝He only takes off his shirt when he’s going to swim tho.

🏝 And he wears his sunglasses here, probably the kind that also works as glasses so he doesn’t have to have two with him.

🏝The triplets are always trying to sabotage things for him like they unscrewed the screws in the folding chairs just so he’d fall out of it.

🏝Oh and if he ends up falling asleep in the chair, they steal his sandals and hide them while he’s sleeping.

🏝They’ve also stolen his towel and gotten it wet in the ocean and then returned it to him.

🏝He was so annoyed and scolded them about their behavior while Shu was amused.

🏝He will not build a sandcastle but if he sees that Ruki is, it will lead to competition between the two about who can build a better castle.

🏝Reiji is also constantly telling his brothers to not cause trouble.

🏝If he’s near the shore but is only getting his feet wet, the triplets will just push him in.

🏝He doesn’t allow the triplets to use the yacht they have.

🏝“No, there will be no parties on father’s yacht.”

🏝And if they are making a fuss about getting ice cream, he gives them money because he won’t hear the end of it if he doesn’t.

🏝Sometimes Laito tries to coax him into looking at chicks with him but Rei tells him he’ll pass.

🏝He’ll be sitting in his lawn chair with his shades, reading a book or science article of some sort. So Laito will approach him and say, “The women you take interest in are no fun, now lighten up brother.”

🏝Reiji would sigh and take his shades off, “That’s because you have little regard for what a woman is. The females you take an interest in are far beyond from being ladies. They are young and incompetent girls.”

🏝“Ohhh, then perhaps you're into older women~”

🏝“Do not say such nonsense.” He’d say adjusting his glasses.

🏝Reiji may even participate in a sport with his brothers. In fact, he’s probably the one telling them to get good exercise and having them play volley ball.

Laito:

🏝Is really looking forward to going and can’t wait to see girls in their swimsuits.

🏝He and Ayato are trying to undo the strings on girl’s bikins.

🏝And their main goal is to pick up chicks.

🏝He wore a speedo, and I’m betting it's zebra or leopard print. 

🏝Or even worse, green.

🏝Ayato said his outfit was silly and Subaru thought it was ridiculous but he simply told them they knew nothing about fashion.

🏝“Laito you look like sh!t.”

🏝Sits on a hammock and Subaru sabotages it.

🏝He brings rollerskates but he falls a lot.

🏝He does go in the water and he goes a little far in.

🏝However if he doesn’t realize what is on him, like seaweed for instance, he might freak out.

🏝I also see that he left his hat on his beach towel cause he didn’t want to get it wet.

🏝But knowing Ayato and Kino they’d use his damn hat as a freezbe and do it across the water in hopes of getting wet.

🏝Meanwhile, Laito is trying to stop.

🏝And it’s basically a monkey-in-the-middle situation because he can’t catch it.

🏝If he’s in a pool or in general if he plans to look underwater he brings goggles with him.

🏝He kinda looks like this dude → click here

🏝Oh and I bet he goes snorkeling and thinks the fish are cool.

🏝He’ll try to take pics of them and then put them in a scrapbook or something.

🏝He will laugh if the fish try to tickle him, and literally if he saw two fish mating he’d take a photo of it cause he thinks it's interesting.

🏝And then he’d show it to Subaru. “Don’t they look interesting? They are so innocent when they procreate, it isn’t like our kind.”

🏝“Shut up, idiot!”

🏝He plays volleyball with his brothers and Subaru makes sure they're on opposing teams just so he can win against him and possibly hit him with the ball.

🏝Although even if they were on the same team he’d still aim the ball at him when he’s getting on his nerves.

🏝Will complain about the water being pretty cold too.

🏝Ayato will make jokes about him being a mermaid and Laito becomes offended/upset.

🏝“That is just cruel brother, very cruel.”

Kanato:

🏝Wore a lilac button-up shirt and some white and purple swim trunks.

🏝He has the top somewhat button-down.

🏝Teddy and him have matching outfits.

🏝And he’s got nice black shades, with a tint of purple.

🏝Picks up chicks with his nice outfit.

🏝Spends time building a sandcastle but he honestly doesn’t have the patience.

🏝Especially if Ayato ended up kicking it because he was playing sports or something.

🏝He was so annoyed and made sure not to mess with Teddy’s sand castle ever again.

🏝Literally I could see him throwing seashells/sand at him and anyone who walks by.

🏝Laito might participate in helping him build it because he finds it fun but Ayato will just say its for kids.

🏝And Kanato doesn’t like it when someone calls him a kid

🏝But if they make a game out of it he wants to compete because Oreo-Sama is the best.

🏝He brought a little backpack where he keeps the sweets Reiji packed for him to avoid any possible tantrums he may give if he didn’t.

🏝And god forbid if a seagull swooped down and took any candy.

🏝He’d be enraged.

🏝And you can best bet that this little purple goblin would curse at it.

🏝He may even cry over this bc he’s such a child.

🏝If Ayato laughs at him he’ll just chase after him.

🏝I think he likes putting his feet in the water but if a seaweed came near him he’d be annoyed.

Ayato:

🏝Get’s sunburned easily (idk if vampires can actually get sunburned but whatever.)

🏝Brings a f*cking metal detector to check if he can find valuables in the sand.

🏝Subaru sees this and just thinks he’s an idiot.

🏝You know how his pants are rolled up on one side?

🏝His swim shorts are the same deal.

🏝Wears ugly neon green alien sunglasses and matches with Kino.

🏝He plays monkey in the middle with Laito and Kanato and Kanato is in the middle.

🏝Kanato gets fed up in two seconds and probably pops the beach ball.

🏝Tries to pick up chicks with Laito and Kino.

🏝But he just embarrasses himself.

🏝He and Kino bring their skateboards and try to do tricks.

🏝Knowing Ayato he has tripped over seaweed and even sand.

🏝He tries to go surfing and he fails miserably.

🏝He goes in the water and I’m not surprised if Kino and Shin schemed something together and made Ayato think there was a shark in the water.

🏝He was well convinced and completely left his surfboard due to fear.

🏝He really wants to use the boat his family owns so he can fish.

🏝He did this once over the bridge and fell over the railing and it was hilarious.

🏝Overall, he’s mostly just making a fool of himself throughout it all.

🏝I mean from how many girls he’s asked out or flirted with and he’s like tripped in front of them it just makes me laugh.

🏝Oh and he’s going all over with the “fake” treasure map he found with Kanato and Laito.

🏝And it’s just hilarious how they went around the whole town.

🏝If he’s in charge of grilling Shu’s special stake he’ll burn it and start a fire.

🏝And he will put out the fire by pouring a bottle of water over the stake because he’s lost all hope.

🏝And Shu hates him after that.

Subaru:

🏝He carries most of the supplies and stuff since Reiji asks him. 

🏝He will complain slightly but after being able to trip Kou along the way he’s all for it.

🏝Will go out for a swim cause it will relax him.

🏝He wears a black tank top and swim trunks.

🏝Girls stare at his arms and he’s embarrassed.

🏝Laito literally even introduces him to girls he met and Subaru just gets flustered.

🏝He will look at girls in their bathing suits but try to cover up the fact that he’s looking.

🏝And if Laito catches, omg he will not hear the end of it.

🏝He will try to him his little bro get her attention.

🏝"Oh, I see you need some help in getting a girl's attention?" Laito would say.

🏝"Shut up!"

🏝"Well, a little push never hurt anyone." He’d say to his little brother before actually pushing him forward to bump into the chick.

🏝"Ok, you know what to do brother, take it from here."

🏝Meanwhile Subaru just wants to kick his @ss for pushing him forward and bumping into the chick.

Kino:

🏝Having drinks with chicks.

🏝Causally joins other people’s parties and bonfires.

🏝He comes with only his weird printed swim trunks and skateboard. 

🏝He thinks the pattern looks cool but Ayato and Shin dis him about the f*cking print.

🏝Brings a boombox.

🏝Does any sport possible, so he’s definitely doing surfing and power cursing. 

🏝Brings a polaroid camera, and f-ing films the whole time on his phone. 

🏝Tries to make vines with Ayato and Shin.

🏝Will flip sh!t if Ayato eats a hot dog in front of him.

🏝He literally gasped before chucking the thing straight into the ocean.

🏝Right in front of Ayato’s eyes, leaving him speechless only to respond with, “Bruh.”

🏝He and Ayato play video games and literally argue.

🏝In fact, when they play volleyball they argue about who lost or who was out of bounds.

🏝He honestly doesn’t do much, he's just really obnoxious.

Mukami

Ruki:

🏝He wears those white polo shirts that are short sleeves so you can see his muscular arms.

🏝And it’s just one of those tight shirts they put on models, he looks good with it.

🏝F*ck

🏝Anyways, this boring @ss brought a book with him, of course.

🏝He will occasionally look up if he’s interested in some girl specifically.

🏝He’d be focused on his reading when the voice of girl caught his attention, causing him to lower his gaze on the female.

🏝He does get a little involved with playing sports if his brothers ask him or if he’s being challenged.

🏝Ruki is mostly busy reading, relaxing, or competing against Reiji in something.

🏝If he has a partner, he’d become more involved in the sense of messing around with her and pushing her into the water.

🏝but those are hcs for another time. ;)

🏝If he really wants to do something different he might build a sand castle.

🏝Other than that he doesn’t do too much but he does sometimes get in nerd debates with Reiji.

Yuma:

🏝He carried almost everything in like a few trips.

🏝He builds sandcastles with Azusa.

🏝Plays volleyball and makes sure Azusa is on his team and that Kou is on the opposite side.

🏝 He literally make sure the ball hits him down each time 😂 

🏝Feeds the seagulls because he feels bad.

🏝But will get mad if they follow him.

🏝“Hey, look I was trying to help out. Now that’s enough.”

🏝Although if his brothers are not watching he will be more friendly towards them. 

🏝“Huh, you guys really like bread, don’t ya?” He ask, petting one of the seabirds.

🏝 He’s not trying to but he gets a tan.

🏝 He’d be shirtless the whole time, he tried to even arrive shirtless but Ruki told him it wasn’t proper.

🏝 So he put a beach sweater on but then instantly took it off.

🏝 I say this because he probably thinks it’s hot a lot of the time.

🏝 I really can’t imagine the attire but probably orange swim trunks? Idk, just look at dive to blood when I don’t give a description 😂.

🏝 Will swim far out in the ocean.

🏝Is basically anywhere where Kou isn’t.

🏝Has a hard time relaxing bc he can almost never sit still.

🏝 Although once his brothers convince him enough to relax and he is finally able to and he’ll check out chicks even if his facial expression doesn’t display any hint of that.

🏝Though I say most of his time is spent watching Azusa and ambushing Kou.

Kou:

🏝He wore a light pink bucket hat and Yuma didn’t want to be around him cause he thought he looked dumb with it.

🏝”The only thing you are hurting right now are my feelings.” I see it like in this clip here. (idk if the clip is still in there, I hope)

🏝He also wore pink swim trunks and Yuma just can’t talk to him.

🏝And I see that he’s got wacky sunglasses like it’s just ridiculous.

🏝Subaru flips him off his flamingo floaty. (If they were at a pool anyways)

🏝 he’s honestly everywhere and his brothers just hope the disguise is enough knowing he’s an idol or he just might ruin everyone’s vacation.

🏝Which as you can imagine, that is exactly what happened.

🏝And believe me they were not happy about it at all.

🏝“Oh come on guys you know I didn’t mean to do this.”

🏝“That ain’t the point man, you always do this. This is why no one wants to bring you on trips.” Yuma would say annoyed by Kou’s excuse.

Azusa:

🏝He builds really nice sandcastles with water and stuff.

🏝He’s really good it, and people take photos of his work.

🏝Azusa will try to get stung by a dead jellyfish and Yuma has to constantly watch him to make sure he isn’t to far out into the sea to get eaten or something.

🏝“Azusa, get the hell out of there!”

🏝Azusa is pretty calm most of the time, he might sun tan because he hears it's relaxing.

🏝Although he’s mostly trying to find ways where he will feel pain.

🏝So everyone kinda worries about where he wanders off to sometimes or if he’s been gone for too long because he’s probably doing something he shouldn’t be doing.

🏝He’d literally stay in the water when there's a shark.

🏝He might even give it a name and try to pet it.

🏝Meanwhile Kou is screaming at him to get out of the water.

🏝Azusa would also probably try to throw himself on the boulders that he sees just to feel something and Yuma would constantly have to pull him away. 

Tsukinami

Carla:

 🏝He’s just trying to relax, but Shin won’t allow him.

🏝Because he’s either pulling pranks on him or he made some girl’s bf upset and now Carla has to fix things.

🏝Girls look at him but he’s not focused on this.

🏝He might be trying to paint the ocean tho.

🏝And he’ll probably paint a girl he found attractive too.

🏝He’s mostly exploring around the nearby gift shops and possibly buying souvenirs.

🏝Because he’s trying to “relax”.

🏝He’ll probably try to read or something and Shin is telling him to either get in the water or get a tan.

🏝Or get a girl.

🏝Shin wants to turn into his wolf form but Carla gets mad at him and tells him no.

🏝“What’s it going to look like if there is a wolf running around on a beach?” He’d ask his younger brother.

🏝Shin looked at him before shaking his head. “No one will notice.”

🏝”No, no wolf form.”

🏝“Fine, then I’ll turn into a snake.”

🏝 “No.” Carla anwsered.

🏝“A bat.”

🏝“No.”

🏝“An eagle.”

🏝”No. No, no, no! You will not turn into anything. Just stay in your regular form!”

🏝Overall, Carla’s really got his work cut out for him lol.

Shin:

🏝Came shirtless, and was about to come in his wolf form but Carla stopped him.

🏝 He’s doing some type of sport and tries to drag Carla into it.

🏝 Like Shin would try anything and Carla doesn’t like the idea because it’s usually reckless.

🏝 I could see Shin wanting to try power cruising and Carla is worried that Shin will just crash somewhere, leading him to be the one to cover the damages because he’s the oldest.

🏝 He’d also go cycling most likely, but he’d never wear one of those outfits.

🏝Idk if you guys are familiar with cycling at the beach but I live in a beach town and that’s what everyone does. Especially tourists, so yeah I could see that Shin rented a bike. 

🏝That’s usually how it works, at least at the beach town I’m at. 😂 

🏝And honestly the whole time Carla is just hoping nothing crazy happens.

🏝Aside from this if Shin is not cycling he’s probably doing stupid with Kino or checking out girls.

🏝That’s what the whole trip consists of.

🏝But if he turned in his wolf form it’d be another story.

🏝 It’d be so chaotic and Carla would be freaking out bc everyone is wondering why there is a wolf at the beach. 😂 

🏝It’d get so bad that Carla would have to fake it and say that Shin is his husky 😂. This way no one will question.

🏝And then in the van he can give a long lecture about it and why he will never do this trip ever again.

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˗ˏˋ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ˎˊ˗ ©𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔~Present

#diabolik lovers headcanons #diabolik lovers #diabolik lovers hcs #dl hcs #shu sakamaki #reiji sakamaki #laito sakamaki #kanato sakamaki #ayato sakamaki #subaru sakamaki #kino sakamaki #ruki mukami #yuma mukami #kou mukami #azusa mukami #shin tsukinami #carla tsukinami #diahell #diaboys #dia lovers #anime #anime headcanons #dialovers #anime requests

[upsidedownwithsteve]

Small request for Eddie, how about you just got your drivers license (I passed yesterday finally!!) and you convice him to let your drive his van for a mini improto road trip to an icecream place next town over? Don't know if this will spark anything, no problems if not :))

Ah congrats lovely! I hope this is okay, I kinda forgot about the ice cream part though asdfghj <3

“Please?”

Eddie squinted at you, eyes full of doubt and his mouth twisted in a grimace. He swung his car keys around a finger, the jingle of them almost taunting. He grumbled, a noise caught at the back of his throat that sounded like an almost laugh. 

“Eddie, c’mon please?” 

You were whining now but you didn’t particularly care, your hand pressed against the side of your boyfriend's precious van, dust and dried dirt staining your palm. You tilted your head, doe eyed and pouting.

“Stop that,” Eddie chided, voice lacking any sort of seriousness. 

His lip twitched, an almost smile. You grinned. 

The boy groaned in what was probably defeat when you skipped over the small space to him, dodging the lawn chair that sat by the trailer door, the broken gnome that no one had the heart to throw away. He batted at your outstretched hands, grinning when you laughed, but he let you catch him, because of course he did. 

Your hands found the lines of his denim jacket, your favourite one with all the patches you helped sew onto it. You tugged at him, his solid frame hardly moving under your attempts but he ducked down to you anyway, his brown eyes shining as he tried to hold it together. 

“Don’t,” he warned, voice lower and rougher now you had your hands on him. 

“Baby,” you sighed, way too breathily to be accidental, your chin resting on his chest as you looked up at him, overly sweet. “Please?”

Eddie let out a grunt, head tilted back to the sky, already messy hair in his eyes as he tried hard to sound annoyed. His hands found your waist though, soft as they slipped under your shirt, guitar string scars rough over your skin. 

“Fine.”

He sounded like a petulant child who lost out on his favourite game, but if his fond smile was anything to go by, Eddie didn’t really mind you taking his keys from him. 

You squealed at the small victory, a messy kiss pressed quick to the corner of the boy’s lips, the only place you could reach when he refused to bend down for you. But you were pulling yourself into the driver's seat before he could chase your affection, bouncing happily on the seat as you brought the engine to life. 

“C’mon, pretty boy,” you hung out the open window, grin a little wild and with the afternoon sun bouncing off of the line of white trailers, you squinted at Eddie, an almost wink that he found far too endearing. 

“Oh,” he gasped, too dramatic for his own good. He pointed to his chest. “You want me to get in with you?”

“Eddie,” another whine, exasperated and full of fake annoyance. 

“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Eddie grimaced, hands shoved into his jacket pockets as he moved around the van, eyes shining at you through the windscreen. “You only passed yesterday, are you sure you can handle this thing?”

 He stopped at your window, grinning down at you as you amused yourself with his sunglasses that you found on the dash. You pushed them onto your nose, ignoring how they slipped back down again, but you turned to him, all fake innocence and a soft, sweet voice. 

“I can handle you, can’t I?”

There it was, that slow stretch of a smile, the one that made your knees weak, the one that showed off his dimples, the one he gave you that made you go, ‘oh my god, he loves me back.’

 Eddie leaned lazy against the door, head bent so he could fit the top his head and shoulders through the window, catching you in a kiss that you tried to pretend you didn’t want. 

You failed miserably, laughing pretty against his mouth until he caught your chin with a finger and thumb, tongue immediately slipping between the seam of your lips in a way that told you, ‘fuck, yeah you can handle me.’

“Get in the car,” you murmured into him, eyes still closed, lashes kissing his, your cheeks sore from smiling. 

“It’s a van,” was the dry reply. 

“I don’t care,” you laughed, pulling back to press down the clutch and put the old thing into gear. “Fucking get in.”

Eddie shook his head and grinned, full of affection, but he did as you asked, like he was always going to do; because it was you, and oh my god, was there anything he wouldn’t do for you?

“Where’re we going?” He asked once you managed to manoeuvre out of the trailer park, only narrowly missing someone’s awning once. 

“Somewhere pretty,” you mused. 

You took in the sprawling gold fields as you left the small town behind, blue skies and white clouds above, the air smelling sweet and warm. You wanted waterfalls, lakes, maybe a clifftop. You wanted that dark green coolness of a new forest, a sandy nook by a new body of water, you wanted somewhere for you and Eddie. 

But the boy was looking over at you, soft smile on his face, head tilted back on his chair and he watched the way the sun caught the mirrors and bounced back on you. He counted the freckles on your nose, the tiny bursts of rainbow that the reflections painted in your cheeks, the curve of your bottom lip, the way your lashes cast shadows in the corners of your eyes. 

“Somewhere pretty?” He repeated, sounding lazy and warm, like the day outside. 

You nodded, hands gripping the wheel, careful eyes studying the road. 

“Mhmm.”

He nodded, like he was agreeing with you, like he’d already found it. 

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” he whispered. 

#eddie munson #eddie baby blurbs #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x you #eddie munson blurb #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson fic #eddie munson oneshot #stranger things fic #stranger things

[nordleuchten]

24 Days of La Fayette: Day 5

(I might be really behind schedule, but I will finish what I have started.)

Artist: Thomas Pritchard Rossiter (1818–1871), and Artist: Louis Remy Mignot (American, Charleston, South Carolina 1831–1870 Brighton). Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784 (The Home of Washington after the War). Oil on canvas, 1859. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.18413572. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784 (The Home of Washington after the War) is probably one of the more famous pieces on this list. It was painted 1859 by Thomas Pritchard Rossiter and Louis Remy Mignot. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association was founded in 1853 and there was a renewed interest in Mount Vernon and its history. That is the reason why the pair decided to set their scene at Washingtons home. Mignot was tasked with painting the house and the landscape – a task he took very seriously, he visited Mount Vernon during a painting trip and talked with older people in the area to get the proverbial full picture. Painting the figures fell to Rossiter and while he certainly also did his research, a closer look at the clothing and styling of the figures reveal that it was indeed not a painting done in 1784. Houdon’s bust of Washington supposedly served as a model for the President while an assortment of paintings from Lee University and Washington University served most likely as inspirations for La Fayette and the Custis children.

While there are definitely worse depictions of La Fayette, there are also better ones. The receding hairline is this one very prominent feature that goes a long way of letting La Fayette “look like” La Fayette – but I also find it a bit “lazy” to rely solely on such features (what is rich, coming from a person who can not paint even if my life were to depend on it.)

The composition, a mix of a historical and a genre painting, was very popular at the time. There are also some variations of this painting, especially in print. Here we see depictions of La Fayette arriving, Washington enthusiastically greeting La Fayette or La Fayette leaving Mount Vernon at the end of his stay. While these are all separated works, the parallels between these pieces and the painting at hand are too stark to dismiss the obvious inspiration that was taken from Mignot’s and Rossiter’s work. The historical elements of the portrait depict La Fayette’s third visit to the United States, just after the end of the War. With peace now prevailing he could enjoy his time as a private gentleman and as a friend of Washington at Mount Vernon, away from the horrors of war that had previously occupied him in America. His trip in 1784 would be the last time he and Washington meet in person. But still, La Fayette’s marks are still there, almost 150 years later. The room he stayed to, although afterwards used by countless other guests, is still commonly referred to as the La Fayette room and a copy of Charles Wilsons famous painting adorns the wall.

Rossiter wrote about the painting during the initial exhibition:

The busy portion of the day is over; and, as the long shadows creep slowly over the lawn, the family portion of the household have congregated under the ample portico. The General and his noble guest have arisen from the chairs, which indicate that they had formed a portion of the group with the ladies, and are standing in colloquy: Washington in the act of speaking, and Lafayette leaning against a pillar, in deferential attitude, holds a newspaper in the hand - suggestive that the discourse is a topic of the times.

N.Y.), M.M. of A. (New Y. (1965) American Paintings: A Catalogue of the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 88-90.

#24 days of lafayette #marquis de lafayette #la fayette #french history #american history #history #american revolution #art #george washington #mount vernon ladies association #1784 #thomas pritchard rossiter #louis remy mignot

[sophie-i-guess13]

Tim doesn’t know how he ever controlled himself around Sylvia when they were younger. Maybe it was because of his respect for Buck. Maybe it was because he and Sylvia had been friends for so long, he was afraid to make a move and ruin it. Maybe it was because he knew Dally would rock his shit if Tim let his eyes linger for even a second too long on Sylvia.

But now, now that they’re married, Tim can look as long as he wants, touch as much as he wants, love her as much as he wants. And Lord Almighty, he does want.

He watches her from across the yard, sitting back in the lawn chair he’s claimed and taking a lazy drink from his beer. Sylvia’s dancing with Lori to the music coming from God knows where, and the two girls are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Neighborhood parties like this are pretty common, especially when everyone knows everyone, all the way up and down their street, but Sylvia’s always been a fan of parties and Lori’s turning out to be the same way. Tim, more often than not, is plenty happy to accompany the girls until they’re partied out.

Tim lets his eyes roam over her, looking over her outfit for the millionth time that night. Sylvia’s got her hair half-pulled up, showing her face but still letting her blonde curls spill over her shoulders, and she’s wearing a cherry-red bikini top with shorts that are probably a little too short for anyone’s mama to be wearing. But then again, Sylvia’s hardly old enough to be a mama, so Tim figures it’s fine enough. Not like he’s ever gonna complain about her showing off a little.

He takes another swallow from his drink, tipping it back until he gets the last drops, and sighs contentedly.

Almost as if she can hear him, Sylvia catches his eye as she twirls Lori around and around. She lifts her eyebrows before giving Tim a knowing smile and a wink. Tim only smiles into his empty beer and settles back further to watch his girls.

AWE

#soapie’s stuff #asks! #lee this is a blessing #the outsiders #tim shepard #lee! #sylvia (the outsiders)

[cator99]

stopped having dreams where people chasing me with guns and knives this time they just sat me down on some plastic lawn chairs ahd gave me a heartfelt speech about how noble it is to kill ones self . lazy

[scholastic-dragon]

Oooooo

Part 2 of my poll is here!

This post does have spoilers for Guardians of the galaxy vol 3 and what happens to Peter so keep that in mind while reading!

Rocket x fem!reader x Quill

Yard Work

Warnings: SMUT, a little plot this time, causal hooking up, threesome with a raccoon, spelling mistakes, dirty talk, praise, Quill and rocket banter, pussy slapping (like once), little bit of aftercare, cum eating,

The situation was already a mess before Peter's friend, Rocket got involved.

Your neighbor Mr. Quill's grandson had finally come home, he was a handsome man which you met at his welcoming home party.

You weren't sure if it was the beer you had shared, or the flirty banter, or maybe because it felt so wrong, but you'd ended up bent over the bathroom sink that night.

You two weren't dating, nothing close to it. You both had a silent understanding that this was simply, mind numbing, fantastic sex.

Things got awkward when he was hired to mow your mother's lawn (yes you lived at home, you'd just graduated and hadn't saved up enough money to buy your own place yet). And what made the situation worse is that your older brother would simply sit outside and watch him do it.

"Lazy ass," You mumbled, watching him from the window, seeing him relax with a beer while Peter did all the work.

And work he did. In the hot morning sun, wearing tight jeans that hugged his thick ass and thighs, thin gray t-shirt drenched in sweat. Halfway through the yard, he pulled his shirt off, but in the hot way where he reached above his head, pulling at the back of his collar.

He had a gorgeous chest, large and firm muscles with a bit of chair between his pecks and a happy trail that you desperately wanted a taste of.

As Peter put the lawn mower back in the garage, you met him there and let him take you against the hood of your brothers car.

Two weeks later, Peter was back to get the backyard this time. You had a tray with three glasses of lemonade and as you opened the back door, you caught the tail end of an argument.

Your brother rolled his eyes, stomping past you inside. Peter - shirtless - standing next to the mower with his hands on his hips.

"Peter, what happened?"

He sighs, opening his mouth, but a third voice answers.

"Your brother has shit manners," To your shock, a raccoon was leaning against the side of the mower.

"Y/n, this is one of my buddies, Rocket. Rocket this Y/n," He gestures between us.

"So this is the pretty Betty you've been fucking on the side?" Rocket's eyes scan your body, little crop top and booty shorts.

"Rocket!" Peter groaned, making a face that clearly said he wasn't supposed to say that.

You laugh, coming down the steps and holding out the lemonade. "I brought drinks, would either of you like one?"

The next half hour moved faster than you'd ever imagine. Now in your room on all fours on your bed, sucking off Peter while Rocket railed you from behind.

"Damn, Quill," He groaned, nails digging into your hips, his smacking against yours with an inhuman speed. "Thought you were lying about how good Earth pussy was,"

You moaned around Peter's cock, you loved how he talked like you weren't there. You sucked harder, flicking your tongue against his head. Watching him stifle a moan, threading his hands into your hair.

"Wait till you feel how she clenches around you when you cum,"

You moan, eyes rolling back as you remember the several times Peter hadn't pulled out, letting his cum drip down your legs as you rushed to the bathroom to clean it up. Thank god for birth control.

"Oh, I'm not even gonna think about that until, this pretty girl cums on my cock," He leans over your back, pressing his wet nose to your ear. "Is that what you want? To cum on my cock? A complete stranger you just met today pounding and breeding this pretty pussy?"

Your body was sweaty and flushed a bright red, your eyes watering with the large cock in your throat.

Rocket's hand scratched your soft skin as it traveled from your hips down around to your clit, pinching the bean between his fingers.

You squealed around Peter's cock, making him gasp and moan, his thighs tensing and chest flushing. Rocket massaged you clit in rough hard squeezes, making your body buck against his, you felt the band tightning in your core, pulling and pulling.

"Fuck, I'm gonna cum," Quill whines, panting loudly.

"Figured you'd last longer than that, Quill," Rocket grunted loudly, snapping his hips harder into you. "But if her pussy feels good I can only imagine her mouth,"

He nips your ear, pulling hard enough to hurt. "Cum," He growls, pulling his hand back and smacking your pussy with his open palm, directly hitting your clit.

You scream, honest to god scream as your orgasm rips through you, your eyes rolling back, jaw dropping open. Peter moans loudly, pulling out of you mouth, stroking himself in quick short thrusts and cumming all over your mouth and cheeks.

"Fuck," He pants, taking a step back to sit down on the edge of the bed.

Rocket nails dig into your hips again, your knees starting to hurt from being this way for so long.

"Rocket," You moan.

"I know, Princes, I know, I'm gonna cum, don't worry, you'll get my cum," He moans, his hips smacking against yours. One of his hands moves to your upper back, pressing your face down into your comforter.

"Shit," Rocket gritted as you squeeze his cock when he plunged into your sopping depths. "I'm gonna cum," With three final pumps, he groans loud and long, filling your pussy, some of it spilling out and dripping onto your thighs and blanket.

Rocket pulls out, panting heavily. Peter got up, walking to your bathroom, coming back with a wet washcloth. He gently wipes his cum from your face, pressing a kiss to your lips.

"You alright?" You nod, dazed, giving him a firm kiss.

"Here," Peter folds the washcloth to the clean side and offers it to Rocket.

"What's that for?" He pants, sweat making his fur stick up in all different directions.

"For your cum,"

Rocket scoffs and you feel him move. You move your knees to take the cloth from Peter and do it yourself when Rockets tounge is suddenly licking at your thighs,

"Rocket-what're you-"

He drags it up the sensitive skin, making you moan and your legs shake. Then he's at your pussy, licking and sucking his cum out of you like he's in the desert and you're the first drink he's had in months.

He's relentless, making you sweaty and overstimulated, body shaking and trembling as you cum again on his tongue, screaming into your blankets.

"That good enough for ya?" Rocket sasses at Quill, using the back of his arm to wipe away your mess.

Peter rolls his eyes, sitting down on the bed next to you. You finally had the strength to roll over onto your stomach, looking up at the ceiling with a wide grin.

"Is there anything you need?" He brushes a hand over your hair, pushing it behind your ear.

Rocket leans over, both men, panting, looking sexed out and very handsome.

"Yes," You laugh. "For this to happen again,"

@aliasrocket @caesarhamato22 @m1dnyt3-w0lf

#HAHAHAHHAHA #self indulgent work right here *slaps post* #going through my hoe phase right now dont worry bout it #guardians of the galaxy #guardians of the galaxy imagine #gotg #gotg imagine #guardians of the galaxy vol 2 #guardians of the galaxy vol 2 imagine #gotg2 #gotg2 imagine #guardians of the galaxy vol 3 #guardians of the galaxy vol 3 imagine #gotg3 #gotg3 imagine #peter quill #star lord #peter quill x reader #rocket raccoon #rocket raccoon x reader #it is my works

[heathersproship]

Too tired to make this its own fic so have a list of bullet points. But before we do...

Antis, minors, and antiship-leaning minors especially, fuck off.

Now then...

Teacher/student JDronica. Teacher!Veronica with Student!J.D. (what, were you expecting something else? :p)

They meet when J.D. transfers to Westerburg. Veronica’s his homeroom teacher. (Or his first period. My high school, for my senior year, made third period homeroom... for some reason)

Conversely, she’s not his homeroom teacher but he wants her to be

She teaches English. Sometimes wears glasses for the aesthetics, but she still has her monocle, which she whips out to grade papers or read essays at her desk. The students find the monocle pretentious, stupid, or just weird. Not that she gives a shit what they think on her fashion choices. It doesn’t impact her ability to do her job, and she likes it, so who cares, amirite?

She reminds him of his mom. She’s just got that gentle touch to her that really resonates with him. He’s definitely going to slip and call her Mom by accident at some point, which she takes in stride because “haha, it happens to all of us”

Being English class, there are plenty of people who either lack critical thinking skills or are too lazy to use them to read between the lines. J.D. easily stands out to Veronica by actually using his brain and applying himself

He gets into a fight with Kurt and Ram when they walk by Veronica’s classroom talking about her (rating her in terms of hotness, bangability, all that good stuff). Since he’s emotional, he gets sloppy, and they beat him up. Veronica overhears the noise and goes to break up the fight. She offers to take him to the nurse (if she’s got class) or takes him into her class to patch him up (if it’s her free period)

If it’s her free period and it’s just them, he may or may not tear up at how gentle she is with him. After hearing the story of what happened, she thanks him for sticking up for her, and tells him she knows he’s a good boy (and by far her brightest student), but please don’t get into more trouble on her behalf, okay? She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself

If it’s not her free period and she takes him to the nurse, they talk about it the next day, either before class or during lunch hour. Usually she eats with Betty or Martha, but like them she’s willing to let students have lunch in her classroom if he’s afraid of running into Kurt and Ram in the cafeteria. Her class is a safe space, she hopes he knows that.

If he has no lunch, she offers to buy it for him. If his pride won’t let her, she’ll do her best to make some for him. Either way, he’s gotta eat

Coach Chandler (those who can’t teach teach gym lmao) is a bitch. He overhears Chandler being a bitch to Veronica and almost intervenes again, but he remembers what she says and stays put. The confrontation ends with Chandler pushing Veronica against the wall and storms off. J.D. pretends to be walking by and asks if something happened. She doesn’t tell him. He plans revenge. Can he go to Principal Fleming about this? Or will Veronica be annoyed he intervened in her business even though he’s doing it for her sake?

Rumor has it Coach Chandler has a crush on Ms. Sawyer, but Ms. Sawyer didn’t like her back because of her bitchy personality, and that’s why she’s doubled down on being such a cunt. She doesn’t even do anything, just stands there barking orders at them, or sitting on a lawn chair while they run the mile. He’ll have to get a girl to slip something in her water bottle, or otherwise do it when she’s unawares elsewhere. Or he could key her red Porsche. (Rumor also has it her parents wanted her to get a job to understand the value of a dollar, so being a high school gym teacher and surrounding herself in that mentality means she never grew out of her alpha bitch phase, and still thinks she can get away with shit like this.) Hmm...

Veronica shares a small, cozy place with Betty and Martha. They spend Friday nights grading papers and watching a movie when they’re all done. They do dramatic readings of the English essays, and sometimes vote on a grade if Veronica is unsure. And maybe there’s alcohol involved. She saves the best (J.D.’s) for last.

It’s probably through one of those essays, depending on how personal it is, she learns he lost his mom at a young age. He describes in detail her death as he remembers, perceives, and wonders about it. He’s never been able to talk about it with anyone, not aloud, and especially not with his dad. She made him feel so safe, he feels like he can trust her to tell her about her. And he’ll be 18 soon (or he already is) and when he graduates, he’d love it if they could still be in each other’s lives. Because she’s special. She’s beautiful, and perfect, and while he does love her as his teacher, he also thinks he’s in love with her

Martha thinks it’s really sad but ultimately sweet, and Betty thinks it’s sad and sweet, but very slippery. Veronica is conflicted. Because on the one hand, ethics. But he did say after graduation, when they’re not teacher and student anymore, even though they met under those circumstances. And Sherwood is a small, small town — people will talk. She decides to hold him back after class to talk to him about his essay, and writes his hall pass that night.

That’s all for now. Maybe.

#heathers #heathers the musical #Jason Dean #veronica sawyer #jdronica #proship #proshippers please interact #antis dni #antis don’t interact #teacher student relationship